MikeLigalig.com

Keeping Us from Harm’s Way

When I was a child, I speak, think and reasoned as a child. Now that I have reached the right age, I have relinquished my childish ways. (1 Cor. 13: 11)
 
This passage reminds me of my son’s diatribe against the way I’m raising him. He told his mother; “Daddy doesn’t love me” during their hearty discourse prompted by a decision of not allowing him to go out one Friday evening. I must admit that my son’s statement pierced my heart so deep that having it all said while I’m thousands of miles away from home trying to earn a living for the family. Certainly, I couldn’t blame him for having such kind of thinking. I once had the same kind of resentment against my father when I was a child. But now, having a family of my own, I realized that I have been unfair to my father whose only concern is to keep me from harm’s way.

I once had a thought that if I can only fast-track the passing of times, perhaps my son could easily discern between chastise and love, of freedom and responsibility and right from wrong. Maybe, this could also be what my father had wished of me back then. However, I believed that one’s maturity is shaped by its gradual understanding of life in general experienced through life in different stages. However, I believed likewise that it’s an elder’s own experiences in life that gives them moral ascendancy in discerning things wisely. It’s perhaps where this saying was taken: “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako.” (I’m on my way back while you’re still on your way there) 

Even we adults sometimes show certain level of immaturity in our ways and thinking as if we failed to take-off completely from our inner childhood. We despised the Lord’s way of discipline. We scorned God when He’s only concern is to keep us from sin that long separates us from Him. We call others hypocrites when all they’re after are offer their unsolicited counsel of years. We always hate to be disciplined and always yearning for freedom and right to live our life; our ways and not His. It is our stubbornness at times that put us in harm’s way.

Lest we forget that God disciplines the one he loves and chastises every child He accepts. We must all endure sufferings for being disciplined for God is treating us all as His children. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you don’t experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. Discipline seems painful at time and not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.

The completion of the role of all parents comes when they’re assured of their children’s future; not only here on earth but also in heaven. Securing this future entails lots of sacrifice and patience on the part of parents and often times in exchange of their own happiness. As a parent, I realized one thing; that the sum of my entire being is I’m needed by my family. Happiness comes more from loving than being loved. To love and to be hurt and to love again; in the same way as our Father in heaven had shown us.

Quote from: leoello on January 22, 2009, 02:09:16 AM

On the subject of Retention vs. Adaptation vs. Imitation, let's look at a specific, practical case.  I am the offspring of our Filipino migrants, my mother, who raised me to be highly adaptable to the US.  I believed she instilled in me the Filipino trait of cherishing the value of education, the ability to look after my family, and a determined Faith in God.  But, she didn't teach me Visaya because she was worried it would conflict with my English studies.  Would that make her pathetic?  Was that a conscious decision to be indignant to her roots of being a Filipina?

Culture and identity if not practiced daily, will one day die out. When we talk about adaptability, I believe it is unproductive to look at culture as extremes, because there is no pure culture (but there is pure ideaology). 

Is the following example of "imitating"? A Filipino migrant in order to have a voice in the US,  registers to vote.  There is a ballot initiative to support America's War on Terror, she will be viewed unpatriotic if she does not vote for it. Is she less Filipina if she supports a US-Foreign Terrorism policy that gives more manpower to support GMA's raid on local labor unions in the Philippines?

With love,
-Leo

Hi Leo, thanks for your thought.

One's chosing not to teach Visaya, Tagalog, Ilocano or any other dialect can't make one a lesser Filipino. Being a Filipino can't be judged in one's articulateness in Tagalog, nor its indepth knowledge of the Filipino culture and values. Being a Filipino is innate in one's blood. Look how nice to see or hear some Fil-Ams like "The Truth" Vera, that despite the 'twang' in his tongue and the use of English as his mother language, yet he never denied that he has a Filipino blood or ancestors.

Our being a Filipino differs on one's awareness or his conciousness of him being a Filipino. And If I may state again the example of how pathetic Filipino could be is when a Filipino-- born and raised in the Philippines and by God's grace chanced upon to toiled in foreign land for quite sometimes, then suddenly upon returning home, by magic, by-golly, couldn't speak Tagalog. Personally, I don't believed that a culture and identity will die down if not practiced daily, for me its hypocrisy. I, for one is a pure-breed Manileno. I went to Southern Leyte and spent only a year of my pre-school there and moved back to Manila. Now, I'm 40, yet I could still speak and understand a considerable Visayan dialect. Our identity is what we are and who we are. I also beg to disgaree that there is no pure culture, in fact are lots of country who proud themselves to embrace their own culture and yet still stand progressive and proud of their identity. One example is Japan. I have been there and worked for long time. A country who proud herself as a country whose Language is officially used, business and school wise. Does they're using of Nihongo isolated them from the rest of the world? Does it make them less of a country isolated from a majority of "Spokening-Dollar" countries? Does the decision to retain their original culture, values and language make them a laggard in terms of economic growth? I dont think so. However, the reverse is totally seen in the Philippines. A country who proud herself as the only Asian country who can speak, write and pronounce American English, but look where we are now? We're not even competing against Thailand (who by the way speak a "plok-plak" English) nor Vietnam (who only knows "Hi Joe, wanna have fun?" kind of English) but Bangladesh. Why, because, this greedy politicians opted not to adopt Filipino culture of "BAYANIHAN" but have chosen "BAYAN-EWAN."

You're chosing to participate to vote in the US electoral reform proved one thing; that you are a Filipino in blood, whether the electoral issue is never that of the Philippines but your desire to let your voice be heard makes you a Filipino, in blood and it draws out your consiousness of being a full-blooded Filipino.

Hi there Bambi. Thank you for your warmest welcome and the compliment as well.
I'm sure Philippines has another reason to be proud...Having Bambi as its citizen.

Filipino â€" It’s Not Where You Are But Who You Are

There is nothing wrong in one’s adapting certain practices of other country especially if the situation calls for it. In fact, it’s expected for a Filipino to show respect to a host county for which he/she is a foreigner by doing what is customary to that country. On the other hand as I put it, only to “certain” practices as long as you’re comfortable of doing it. In doing so, one must draw the line between adapting and imitating. The former is appropriate but the latter is disgusting especially if it is unbefitting. The problem begins when one’s adaptation of foreign practices repulses the culture for which he or she was raised and much more; if such adaptation is highly uncalled for. Perhaps, the question should be rephrased by: “When and when not to adapt?”

One’s willingness to retain certain traits of being a Filipino, weather he’s pure or a mestizo (half-breed) depends on his orientation of the Filipino values, its culture and heritage. One’s adaptation of foreign culture is more prevalent to the Filipino migrant’s off-springs; either these kids were born and raised outside of the Philippines or migrated to other countries after being born in the Philippines. This is because of some Filipino migrants poised indignant of their root as a Filipino. How pathetic it is sometimes seeing a Filipino, that after staying for quite sometimes abroad suddenly lost memories of who and what he is; worst, could not even speak in his native tongue. 

As I simply put it, there is nothing wrong in embracing certain practices or norms of other country especially if it’s highly inevitable. However, we should never forget what we are and who we are. One’s toiling in a foreign country albeit for a long time could justify neither one’s selective amnesia nor its twisting tongue, worst; forgetting totally who he was.

The color of your hair and skin could not alter you’re being a Filipino. It’s in our veins and our blood is whimsical and enchanting.

I think the main point here in this discussion is whether its ok for a woman to court a man, nonetheless whether or not the Philippines is ready for it.

In my opinion, I think we should apply a selective adaptation of other country's influences while still retaining our identity as a Filipino. There is nothing wrong in embracing and adapting western culture and civilization as long as we think ourselves that we're ok with it but sometimes, its our true identity and culture that defines us from the rest of western civilization. Just ry to examine the situation or rather answer this question: "Why is it that most foreigners prefer a Filipina as a wife?" Well, perhaps they see a Filipina as a wife material more than as a sex partner. A fact that doesnt exist in their own country. With that, I don't see the need or the benefit of changing Filipino ways of being conservative. Well, maybe some will raise an eyebrow as if "HALEERR", Today is ULTRA-MODERN age where Virgins are being shot in Bagum Bayan as martyrs. But c'mon, that is what a Filipina used to be and that is our own culture, own identity as a nation.

Well time flies and so does our ways and thinking. But we should never forget what we really are. TAYO'Y MGA PINOY, TAYO'Y HINDI KANO, WAG KANG MAHIHIYA, KUNG ANG ILONG MO AY PANGO.

Making Relationship Work - A Decision To Make

Relationship’s Three Rings

Fr. Larry Tan, SDB; is one of my favorite Salesian Catechists because of his antics unusual for a priest. I remember him one time giving a humorous but truthful homily during a Sunday Service. He said: “There are three kinds of rings in every relationship. First is the Engagement ring; a symbol of commitment between two lovers. The ring is symbolic of an ownership of one party to the other and vice-versa. Second is the Wedding ring; a symbol of engagement in its highest form thereby both parties agree to bind their commitment legally and with the blessing of the Holy Matrimony; that what God had joined, let no man separates. The third is Suffer-ring; being the last ring symbolic of pain suffered from a bad relationship after losing its magical spell.” His homily brought down all parishioners inside the church to laughter. However, I wish to add one more ring to what Fr. Larry had told. This is Tiri-ring (ring of lunacy); apt to partners who had lost their sanity because of unbearable pain and suffering caused by bad relationship. But was it really the relationship gone badly or the partners?

Always Looking for a Quick Way Out

I was browsing a thread from a social networking group when I chanced upon a forum titled: “Marriage or Live-in?” The majority is in favor of live-in over marriage simply because of convenience. In this age of modernization, everything comes easy; ATM that dispenses money anytime and anywhere, Instant Noodles, Instant Coffee and the like. It is a common nature of human to desire convenience. This common desire is the reason why we always dream of the impossibleâ€"to find the best partner in life. In so doing, people go in and out of a relationship, as if one so eager to find best buys from items up for sale. But the question is: Why would you look for a best mate where in fact you’re not perfect either? The truth as we all know it; nobody is perfect, not even one.

There is No Bad Relationship But Bad Partners

When marriage started to lose its intimacy or when fairy tale’s magic wanes out, couples are starting to entertain the thoughts of escaping to find another Romeo or perhaps, a new Juliet. How easy after all to get out of a messy relationship to find someone new. It is the thought perhaps that marriage, like any other contract will terminate at the end of a predetermined expiry date. We never realized however, that it is the couple who must consummate the relationship in order for it to work wonderfully as it should and not the other way around. Relationship fails not because it is bound to fail but it is because partners failed to do their respective share in the relationship.

Relationship is a Decision

Making a decision is arriving at a solution that ends uncertainty or that settles a dispute. It is distinguishing between options; some big, some little, some good and some evil. When making a decision, you must choose between little things such as chocolate or vanilla ice cream or big issues like which career to pursue or what house to buy. How about a decision whether to stay or get out of a bad marriage?

My marriage is an example of a relationship that almost gone off-track. If not for my wife’s decision not to surrender to all of my misgivings, I would be singing a different tune at this point. How she bears to continuously loving an immature and conceited husband as I used to be is a decision she had made at the time when our marriage is on-the-rocks. Had she opted for an easy way out of a shaky relationship, I would not even have the moral ascendancy to write this article.

Making Relationship Work

We all made mistakes. Some are accidental while others are intentional and sinful. But what had happened in the past must stay in the past and should never be opened unless you want to unleash the curse inside Pandora’s Box. Love never keeps records of wrongs and misgivings but good memories.
 
Many times I have used this favorite phrase: “There is no such thing as marriage made in heaven.” But marriage could be a bed of roses or bed of thorns depending on how we want it to be. For a relationship to work requires love put into action. Love has to be compounded by hard work between two willing partners in order for a relationship to work. While it is true that love had started it all however, your good intention of making your relationship work will re-define the meaning of love from a “simple noun” into “verb.”

The right decision is not always the popular and the easiest one. Ask for God’s discernment in all the decision that you are going to make not only in your marriage but also to your life as a whole. And with that, you can never go wrong and you are sure that you will be making a good decision.

The Will to Survive

The human race is now facing the worst of what Armageddon in the Bible has to offer like disaster, calamities, economic turmoil, nations at war, apathy, hunger, poverty, crime and corruption.  Are there good things left for us to expect?

In a dog-eat-dog situation, a hungry man is willing to face whatever consequence of giving up his soul in order to survive.  The instinct to survive doesn’t recognize the right of others to survive; even their own kind. In a tense situation depicting the rule of the jungle, chances of survival is higher to that of the strongest and the fittest but lower to those unfit.

This painted scenario is not far from what is happening in the society we live today. In time of desperation, most of us will probably think like if we only had a government that is honest and true to their mandate, or a leader who at the very least was as entrepreneurial and progressive as some of other country’s leaders, wouldn’t you feel a tad more hopeful about our future and more willing to help make things work? But the truth is; they are not.

In dire times, procrastination could lead us to nowhere. It’s about time to do what we think can do us good rather than waiting for others to do what they are supposed to do. If we keep on blaming others for our miseries, would it change the situation? If something you expect never happened and the people you relied on failed to deliver, the situation will never change either unless you do or take part in something that will effect change. No amount of whining and griping can solve any problem unless an action leading to a solution is done. Besides, procrastination can never bring food on our table, so does our whining.

Being a part of a solution is a decision to make in the same way as to remain part of a problem on hand. The future depends on the action you will do today. In harder times, continuous dependency for other is tantamount to nothing. Why would you entrust your life to other if they are only after of their own survival?

What you think and do is what you will become, that is life’s predisposition. If we think that life has been very cruel to us is because of how we predisposed our thinking and actions to life’s cruelties. The world is a big jungle where survival of the fittest and elimination of the unfit applies.

Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, please allow me to share to you an article from my blog. -Gener

Love is Not Only a Feeling but a Decision

If I speak with tongues of men and angels but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all the mysteries and all knowledge; have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. (1 Cor. 13:1-3)

I love one particular scene in the movie “Crocodile Dundee.”A folk hero from the outback country of Australia, Crocodile Dundee visits New York City for the first time. While accompanied by a female newspaper writer, he finds himself cornered by a gang of young thugs. When Dundee does not immediately produce his wallet, one young hoodlum pulls out a switch blade and threatens Crocodile Dundee. Nonplused by such aggression, Crocodile simply reaches behind his back with the words, “That’s not a knife,” suddenly producing the largest knife I have ever seen, “This is a knife!” Quickly disarmed, the hoodlums run for their lives. As I read Chapter 1 of Corinthians 13, I see Apostle Paul somewhat like Crocodile Dundee. His words seem to say, “That’s not love. This is love!”

Two years ago, my wife and I had attended a Marriage Encounter Seminar upon the invitation of a family friend. There in the seminar, couple-participants were made to listen as the speakers do their sharing and conceptualize the topic at the end of each sharing. One particular subject that gets into my line of thinking was the topic as posted on the board that reads: “Love is not only a feeling but a decision.” At first, I couldn’t understand the message behind that topic but as the speaker starting to narrate her own life story, the picture becomes clearer to me. At that point, I realized how love in its initial state of being a mere feeling can turn into a decision-prompted action.

Disillusion is a stage when a relationship reached a certain point of plateau. With nothing new to offer and with both partners succumb to a series of dull moments, the mind is starting to entertain the idea of assessing one’s “needs and wants.” A lull in a relationship can make passion and romance vanished in instant especially when common realities of life come into play. Money matters, child-rearing, monotonous sex life and even simple misunderstanding could diminish the intimacy of a marriage relationship. This disillusion can turn a promising love story in a kaput; the relationship’s break-even point. There at that point, one’s decision could spell the relationship’s ending or its moving to the next level.

This decision oftentimes can be shaped by one’s recollection of things you did together in the past, either good or bad. Good memories could be a recollection of how the two of you first met, how you fell in love with each other and how your partner captures your heart. A telltale sign of the not so good memories lies on how these unfortunate memories overwhelmed the good ones. Whatever is the outcome of such decision defines our complete understanding or the lack of it when it comes to love. Your decision to let bad memories overwhelmed good ones is a simile of the small blade that the young hoodlum poked upon Crocodile Dundee. “That is not a knife. This is a Knife!”

Love is kind and is not jealous. Pure love is the one who does not take into account a wrong suffered for love keeps no records of wrongdoings. Love requires a forgiving heart for marriage after all is a union of two forgiving partners. Love is patient and requires one to endure all things, bears all things and believes all things. Love is selfless and never fails if you play a bit blind to your partner’s inconsistencies. If not for my wife’s being blind in all of my shortcomings, our marriage could never be the way we are now.

Of course more easily said than done but it is after all how a relationship should work. A relationship that requires a decision to fall in love again to the same person you promised to be with the rest of your life.  Lest we forget that we swore to love the one who wears our ring that even at its worst, love still remains the same today, tomorrow and the days to come.

To Be or Not to Be?
By: Gener Marcelo

With all sort of problems the human race is facing; disasters, calamities, economic turmoil, hunger, poverty, unemployment, crime, corruption, will there be good things left for us to expect?

In a dog-eats-dog situation, a hungry man will offer even his soul just to survive; a hard reality of life. As the events slowly unfolding right in our very eyes, seeing people pushed to their extremes where stronger ones preying on the weak even their own kind, this environment that we live is no different to a jungle. Survival only reserved to the fittest and those unfit will be eliminated.
Probably most of us will normally ask that If we only had a government that is honest and true to its mandate, or a leader who at the very least was as entrepreneurial and progressive as some of other country's leaders, wouldn't you feel a tad more hopeful about our future and more willing to help make things work? But probably the most important question you should ask yourself is this, “What if they are not?”

In dire times, procrastination could lead us to nowhere. If we stop saying "if's" and "buts’" at the very least and start doing what we think is good as part of our share to the overall solution, wouldn’t it change the situation for the better? If something you expect never happened and the people you relied on failed to deliver, the situation will never change as well unless you do or take part in something that will effect change. No amount of whining and griping can solve any problem unless a solution is considered. Besides procrastination can never bring food on your table, so does your whining.

To be part of the solution or the problem is a decision to make. Your future depends on your action today. In harder times, continuous dependency for others action could always be a bitter pill to swallow but why would you swallow this bitter pill if there’s other way of doing it?

What you think and what you do is what you will become, that is your life’s predisposition. Either you remain as part of the problem at hand or be ready to offer or do what you think will contribute to the solution is a decision that you alone can make.

na kay TANING na pala lahat ang mga Lawyers HEHEHEHE

<img src="http://photos-p.friendster.com/photos/19/19/20859191/1_658234035l.jpg" border="0"/>

Quote from: Gener on January 03, 2009, 08:23:04 PM
I was totally dismayed when I heard the statement of parent whose son is being held under custody of a government Drug Board for alleged drug trafficking during an interview conducted by a news reporter. The parent who happens to be a media man himself admitted that his son is not a drug addict or pusher but a social user.

I tried to compose my thinking so as not to lose my sanity in understanding the difference between a person addicted to prohibited drugs and that of a social user. This elitist jargon reminds me of an old joke that spells the difference between the rich and poor. The joke goes like this: If you are rich and you have cough, it is called asthma but if you are poor, you have TB (Tuberculosis). If you are rich and have some red spots on your skin, it is called allergy but if you are poor, you have a galis (scabies). Klepto is for a rich brat caught shoplifting but thief if the offender is poor. A rich person uttering the “F” word in a social gathering is considered an expression made out of jest and socially acceptable but hearing the poor saying “Put…ina” (Son of a B…) means only one thingâ€"uneducated and ill-mannered. So going back to my original point, what in heaven’s name is the difference of a social user and an addict? Nothing but what’s inside their wallets.

How many innocents were put behind bars because they were not properly represented or failed to avail the service of a competent lawyer? How about rich brats who are still roaming the street despite the overwhelming evidences against them but failed to put behind bars either because of their influence? Worse, case being dismissed due to legal technicalities and ineptitude of some law enforcers?   

Justice is blind or maybe-- too blind to see the worsening inequity in the administration of justice between those who can afford it and to those who cannot. Perhaps it’s about time to advice this blind-folded lady to put down her sword and equalizer for a moment to seek the advice of an ophthalmologist.

In the Old Testament and even in Islam, Eye for an Eye applies and the Muslim applies this punishment up to the present time. Just recently, I read a news article that in Iran, 3 men convicted of adultery were sentenced to death by stoning. Stoning to death as way of punishment is strongly condemned even by the Muslim people and there was a law passed by the Muslim cleric banning this inhumane way of punishment.

Now in the Christian countries like the Philippines who proud itself as the only Catholic country in Asia, yet so hungry for blood of the "sinners." Didn't Jesus explain it when He said, "Let those who don't sin cast the first stone?" Jesus didn't contradict the Law of Moses, in fact he explained that the Law of Moses given the way it was simply because of our stubbornness and when Jesus came to redeemed the world, all laws were under Him and there were so many parables in the Bible that explain the superiority of Jesus over all laws and teachings in the Old Testament.
Now, if I may invoke the same question that Jesus had raised, "Let those who don't sin push the syringe of the lethal injection."

For me I still believed that the best punishment that men can ever give to a sinner is an opportunity for him to live and repent for his sins. Strengthen the 4 pillars of our Justice system. Effective Law Enforcement match with incorruptible people like Major Marcelino of the PDEA, Unbiased Prosecution of the offenders and the Prosecutors SHOULD  NOT HAVE people like Usec.  Blancaflor and DOJ Sec. Gonzales, a Judiciary process led by incorruptible judges/justices in the likes of Retired SC Justice Hilario Davide Jr., and last but not the least; an effective penitentiary system that aims to reform law offenders and NOT to turned them into hardened criminals. A penitentiary system where the application of reform sees no rich and poor, no more VIP treatment in the likes of Claudio Tehankee Jr, Rolito Go, Ex-Mayor Sanchez and other “son of gods.”

Why I’m (still) against Death Penalty?

We all know that grass and weeds deprived protein that palay rice deserve most and for a farmer to have a bountiful harvest; he has to remove these weeds from the rice fields. Kaingin (field burning) is one way of clearing grass before the planting season, this method seems to be the fastest and easy way of clearing the fields of grass but there's bigger chance that grass will grow back. Another way of ensuring that the grass will not grow back is to ensure that grass are weeded out from its main roots, thus comes the popular problem-solving problem method employ by most learned peopleâ€"Root Cause Analysis. This is to ensure that the problem is analyzed from its root and not superficially.

Death Penalty is somewhat equivalent to KAINGIN. While the punishment seems like forceful and swift but will not guarantee a long term solution to Coup 'd etat, rape, murder, corruption and other heinous crimes and cancers of our society. You cannot threaten somebody with an empty stomach. A hungry person knows one thing and has a one-track mind; that he will die if will not do something about his hunger.

Killing all these criminals will not eradicate this cancer of our society, UNLESS we deal with the very root cause of the problem. And you know what the root cause of all these problems is? Greed. If all of us can only learn how to moderate the greed that lives within us, no amount of worse punishment can curb these social cancer that enslave people not only in the Philippines but the world in its entirety. Now probably, you will be asking, “Then, how you will solve crimes if you are not in favor of Death penalty?"

In order for the Justice System to work in any country (not only in the Philippines), one should understand the 4 Pillars of Justice System.

1. Enforcement of laws
No sacred cow and no one is above the law. Enforcers such as PDEA Major Marcelino are a living example of how enforcers will enforce the rule of law

2. Prosecution of the offenders
Incorruptible prosecutors, zero tolerance to bribery. Prosecutors should be selected by an independent body such as JBC (Judicial Bar Council) and not presidential appointees

3. Judicial System
Did I say "NO TO BRIBERY?" People in the likes of Justice Hilario Divide, Jr. There are still people with integrity like him just waiting for the right moment.

4. Correction System
A penitentiary system that aims for complete rehabilitation of law offenders. No rich cow and no biased while in jail, NO VIP TREATMENT like what they extended to Claudio Tehankee, Rolito Go, Romeo Jalosjos, Ex-mayor Sanchez and the list goes on and on....and on.....and on

We don’t need DEATH PENALTY to deter crimes and we don’t need MORE LAWS for we have so many laws that are existing, just effective implementation of system is all we need to do. As I have said, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

   

Why I’m against Death Penalty?

In a tense situation where both sides are hurling invectives and accusations against each other, the Philippines is now again entering into another saga of Filipinos favorite past time; the “blaming game.” As the situation flares up, here comes the resurgence of another debatable issue; re-imposition of death penalty. And what makes this game more exciting are the “riders” that goes with the issue. There you can expect opportunist politicians aiming for the 2010 elections joining the fracas, not to solve the problem but to get media exposure. A sure way of getting the people remember them come election time but no thanks to the “TRAPOS” (traditional politicians), we don’t intend to make our headache into tumor.

I’m in full support of the government’s campaign against prohibited drugs, its use, manufacture and distribution but I strongly opposed to the restoration of death penalty that was repealed by the 13th Congress. While it may looks like a strong deterrent to crimes including heinous ones, but this can worsen the case of bribery not only in its implementing agencies but also in the judiciary. Those arrested suspects who have the power and influence may resort “more” to bribery since the penalty if found guilty is graver while those who doesn’t have the right “connection” will definitely be in the losing end. History will tell that even during its imposition in the past, no known personalities and “big fish” got the taste of what is like to be put in the lethal injection chamber but poor people and those victims of unfair trial oftentimes are the ones meted out with the death penalty.

No rule can be more effective unless it is implemented to its fullest without fear and favor. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel to know its purpose. Just implement the existing law, that’s all we need to do.

The Tree and its Fruit

A University Professor in his e-mail reacted on a recent article I wrote concerning rich kids who had lost their ways in life and how parents at times consenting to it. His reaction ended with a question: “Would you let your child rot in jail if you have the money?”

I know the good Professor was just trying to challenge the paradigm of parent’s role in order to stir up our discussion. The fact that the Professor is teaching in this University famously known as the oldest learning institution in Asia, if not in the world, I’m sure he is up for something. I sent him a reply and what I told him is this: “A tree is known by the fruit it bears.”

This phrase painted the sad but true scenario in our present society. Gone are the days when parents imposed “curfew” to their children attending social gatherings and how a child could lose this privilege if he fails to abide by this rule. Gone are the days when parents are the first persons that children confide with issues that affect them; dreams and aspirations in life, successes and failures and even affairs of the heart. Nowadays, parent’s roles are relegated to simply a provider. There’s nothing wrong in giving our children nothing but the best, and who doesn’t want to? I grope for words to describe parent’s wishful thinking of giving in to all their children’s pleading. But sometimes, it’s what you gave that put your children where they are; either good or bad situation. But what is worst than seeing a parent doing exactly what a child ought not to do or see? Do you practice what you preach? A good tree bears good fruit and a bad fruit surely comes from a bad tree for no good tree will bear bad fruit.

Going back to the question; if would I let my child rot in jail if I have the money? Well, I will let the money rot in jail instead of my child. And the sure of way of doing that is for him not to do things that will put him in jail, otherwise, how would one learn the lesson if there is no difference in the consequence of doing right and wrong? As what the Lord said; “Resent not your father’s discipline for he treats you as his own in the same way as I treated you all as my sons.”

Lawyer’s action, an insult to all Filipinos

“Are they going to sue me for stealing a piece of paper? I did nothing wrong!” This was the reply of a lawyer when asked by a news reporter if it is not unlawful for him to use a government agency’s official letter head for which he is not an employee and worse, prepares a darft release order in behalf of the agency and endorsed for signature by the Department Secretary. This is a blatant mockery of the law for which he is supposed to uphold. His deed is unethical and a direct insult to the Filipino people’s intelligence. One doesn’t need to be a legal luminary to understand what the lawyer did was highly malicious and immoral. That piece of paper can be as valuable as what it is intended to; a decision for the immediate release of high profile personalities. And the lawyer’s reason; Christmas is near and everybody in the Department might be busy and he’s just trying to make it easy for the Department Secretary.

I have high respect for lawyers and have lawyer friends too and admittedly, this lawyer put to shame other honest and honorable lawyers and worse, put to shame their once honorable profession. This lawyer unethically maneuvering the lawful process of the Justice Department further worsen the  image of our country’s judicial system, domestically and internationally, needless to say, the Philippines as a nation.

If this lawyer thinks that there’s nothing irregular in what he did, then if I can take into possession one of his law firm’s letter head, I will draft a letter in his behalf authorizing his private doctor to perform castration on him immediately and have “it” donated to a charity patient. If he protests, I love to tell this right on his face: “Are you going to sue me for stealing a piece of paper?”

Are men really such a hopeless romantic? Do love just come out handy for men just to get the in-the flesh deal with women? Take a peek inside our mind so that you can understand the weird but lovable world of men.

It may be true to some extent for there’s just about a hairline difference between love and lust plus the fact that men are perverts. C’mon guys, let’s admit it. We are perverts. We think about sex 24/7 and we daydream about it, a lot of times. Ask your male friends if they keep with them pictures of nude women and I’m sure you will be me amazed on how they had managed to hide these in their PC’s â€" both still and moving images. We look at pictures of gross stuffs or weird moves that we’d never try in years. And it’s a fact that for a guy who has everything, try to give him the gift of porn and surely, he will never complain about it. Guy’s sexual ‘switch’ can be turned on easily by visual and will give anything so as to get the in-the-flesh deal anytime, but trust me; like animals, men have different sub-species too.

I’m neither a psychologist nor a sexologist but I know what turns me on alright? I can be sexually aroused when I’m visually stimulated and I’m sure that the same goes with other men. There is no other surprise for us than seeing a woman dancing seductively. This sexual tension drives us wild and in that situation, man is under the woman’s sex spell.  A visually excited man has a one-track mind. That’s why we don’t notice your so-called flaws when you’re turning us on. But that doesn’t mean that a man will profess his undying love to that woman dancing seductively in her bra just to be in bed with her. Call us nuts but we knew when, where and to whom we will say I love you -- with or without sex. Trust me, men will never say “I love you” if we don’t mean it. We hold on to this endearing phrase so dearly, waiting for the right person and right moment. Most of all, we don’t want to be forced to say it, neither you right? If you do, chances are; we don’t.

On the other hand, there are men that despite how they loved their partner so much, yet don’t verbalize their affection especially when being prodded. It’s not that we’re incapable of romance nor insensitive to a woman’s feelings, we just hate being romantic on cue. Men expressed affection more in action than words, oftentimes through gifts and yes, you guess it right -- sex.

I have come to a few clear conclusions about us men. Here’s a peek into our private minds that surely will help you understand any man in your life.

Staring at other women doesn’t mean that we want to have sex

Sounds good to be true? Well maybe because 9 out of 10 men could not resist looking at other women. We’ve just been momentarily possessed by our visual stimulation in the same way when women stare by a window filled with gorgeous shoes. Do men wanted to have sex with those women right away if given a chance? Maybe yes but not a general conclusion in the same way as women will not surely buy all the shoes they saw on display no matter how gorgeous those pairs are.

Men look for two or more “special” girls

Men by nature are polygamous. Blame it to our biological imperative to “spread the seed.” If a man could live his perfect fantasy life, he would have a wife and a new fling whenever he felt like it. Most men say that they will cheat if there will be zero chance of getting caught. But there are those who don’t. Even if there were no danger of getting caught for they wouldn’t want to mess good thing they enjoy doing with their wives â€" love and good sex.

While we were inside our mother’s womb, maybe the placenta supplies not only the needed oxygen and food for us to live but also this thing called “ego”. This ego is what makes us think that we’re strong, successful and sexy, and part of that being sexy is being in the company of gorgeous women. Pathetic but true.

Sex, lust, love, either who comes first and who comes last, it doesn’t matter at all for they’re all seems interconnected in one way or another. And one’s own experience cannot be used as universal answer for this question for the verdict differs anyway between men and women. One thing is sure though; that a woman’s answer depends on her own experience with the man of her life, either good or bad, she will be in the best position to judge.

So if you will ask me if love just come out handy to me anytime? Just ask my wife.

I sent as well this same reaction to Daily Inquirer to ventilate my disgust to this social injustice. Please click the link below.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20090106-181584/Social-users-are-rich

I was browsing the internet and by chance came across a social networking group of mostly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). The thread which attracted my attention is the forum discussing about worst places to work for it somehow connects the real life Diaspora in me. As I go along with the discussion, I found myself immersed to the thread’s main point; what pushes people like me to leave our country to work despite the imminent danger awaits for us in a far away land?

Despite everyday news headline that tells all kind of abuses and discrimination hounding Filipino workers abroad, seeing hopeful job applicants queuing for a possible job abroad is an ordinary fare in most job placement agencies. There are those who had gone abroad and once fell victims of abuses await their fate that someday, to return again and try their luck anew.  Perhaps no amount of danger and setback can prevent Filipino’s resiliency or maybe, it’s their empty stomach that forced them to be braved amidst adversities waiting abroad. While there are those happy and success stories shared by a handful of OFWs who had gone abroad, however unfortunate and sad experiences still painted the overall situation of Filipinos working in foreign soil. Domestic helper getting raped by their employer, unpaid salary, racial discrimination, breached of employment contract and occupational hazards seems like a recurring nightmare that haunts every Filipino desiring for work abroad.

I had the taste of my own medicine being an OFW myself for I used to condemn the pathetic situation in the Philippines on how a growing numbers of Filipinos are migrating abroad creating a vacuum of unfilled skills needed to run our country. Filipino professionals are almost gone owe it to lack of opportunity back home while those still studying are slowly focusing to their choice of job destinationâ€"abroad. Can you blame them for desiring a better future? I don’t think so.

I don’t want to sound unpatriotic. My desire of working in my own country remains the same only that the same opportunity remains elusive. Leaving ones family for abroad is a bitter pill to swallow. But as long as there are lives depending on you, hopes and dreams to fulfill, toiling away from home must continue, though remain hopeful that someday, better opportunity is within reach in a place where my heart is â€" home.

I think while we knew that true justice awaits in time of God's judgement, it is imperative that we should also act on injustice here on earth

Quote from: Lorenzo on January 03, 2009, 10:35:10 PM
Such is the case for the members of the elite class in any nation. Where money and political influence equals power.

Nothing in this journey we call life is forgotten, Gener. One may have evaded man's justice in earth, but one cannot escape or run away from Divine Providence's Justice in the life after. That justice, there is no such thing as bribing away, or using one's own personal power.

Nothing in this life is fair, one has to have the strength to go on and do what he or she must in the undertakings that Divine Providence has prospected us to complete.

Regards,

I Agree with you Bro. Lorenzo

In addition, those public servants occupying the court of law who denied fair justice between rich and poor will be made answerable to God. 

Job31:13-14  "If I have denied justice to my menservants and maidservants when
they had a grievance against me, what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?

Rejoice people who are victims of injustice on earth.

PSA 9:7  The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.

PSA 50:3-6  Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and
around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: "Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice." And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge.
Selah

PRO 11:31  If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the
ungodly and the sinner!

ECC 3:17  I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the
righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a
time for every deed."

12:14  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden
thing, whether it is good or evil.

I was totally dismayed when I heard the statement of parent whose son is being held under custody of a government Drug Board for alleged drug trafficking during an interview conducted by a news reporter. The parent who happens to be a media man himself admitted that his son is not a drug addict or pusher but a social user.

I tried to compose my thinking so as not to lose my sanity in understanding the difference between a person addicted to prohibited drugs and that of a social user. This elitist jargon reminds me of an old joke that spells the difference between the rich and poor. The joke goes like this: If you are rich and you have cough, it is called asthma but if you are poor, you have TB (Tuberculosis). If you are rich and have some red spots on your skin, it is called allergy but if you are poor, you have a galis (scabies). Klepto is for a rich brat caught shoplifting but thief if the offender is poor. A rich person uttering the “F” word in a social gathering is considered an expression made out of jest and socially acceptable but hearing the poor saying “Put…ina” (Son of a B…) means only one thingâ€"uneducated and ill-mannered. So going back to my original point, what in heaven’s name is the difference of a social user and an addict? Nothing but what’s inside their wallets.

How many innocents were put behind bars because they were not properly represented or failed to avail the service of a competent lawyer? How about rich brats who are still roaming the street despite the overwhelming evidences against them but failed to put behind bars either because of their influence? Worse, case being dismissed due to legal technicalities and ineptitude of some law enforcers?   

Justice is blind or maybe-- too blind to see the worsening inequity in the administration of justice between those who can afford it and to those who cannot. Perhaps it’s about time to advice this blind-folded lady to put down her sword and equalizer for a moment to seek the advice of an ophthalmologist.

Quote from: hofelina on December 10, 2008, 03:49:20 PM
Ondoy Gener,

Ibig mong sabihin yung katulad ni J Lopez?

Manay

Manay Tess, ang tawag naming mga kalalakihan sa ganyan ay "hipon". hehehehe, tapon ang ulo at isubo ang katawan

but what does a great butt do if the face looks like a horse?

manay tess, hipon ang tawag ddon, tapon ang ulo, subo ang katawan, hehehe

Quote from: hofelina on December 27, 2008, 09:18:41 PM
mada pa man hinoon og tabonan, gener, bisan naay makakita. basta di lang kadungog unsay tingog ug kinsang ina-gik-ik...hehehehe
..........................................
your translations Ondoy Gener;
it can be covered, Gener,it can be seen as  long as  nobody hears the voice and who makes the giggling ...

Oh is that so? well sometimes, it's what you don't see but hear that excites or frightens us...hehehe, mas exciting manghula hahahha

(thanks manay for the translation)

If you falter running against men, how can you compete against horses?[/i]

Have you experienced being bypassed for a promotion that you long expected?  Are you getting lesser pay than the amount of work you’re doing? What other grievances you’re having now that you feel like cursing God in high heaven for letting you in those maladies? Let me tell you a story inspired by a Bible passage.

There was a young man who has been accused and convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. One day, the man saw an opportunity and escaped from his prison cell and became a subject of manhunt. Too tired from running, the young man stopped to rest in the middle of the rice field where an old farmer is working. The farmer upon seeing the tired young man got pity on him. He gave the young man water upon seeing him catching his breath. The farmer made a small hut for the man to shelter against the punishing rays of the sun. After ensuring that the man has a place to rest, the old man went back to his work. The young man, still not contented complained to the farmer how tired he is after that long hours of running.  Hearing this, the farmer gave the man a chair to sit so he can rest completely under the hut. But the young man went on complaining that his shirt is wet by sweat. Seeing this, the old man gave the man his extra shirt so that he can change clothes to make him feel comfortable.

Despite all what has been given to him, the young man continues to bark at the old man. The farmer patiently asked the young man, “were you not a subject of manhunt and were accused of a crime you didn’t commit?” “Yes I am,” replied the young man. “Were you tired of running all day long to flee from your pursuers?” “Yes, I am”, said the man. “How long have you been running against these men?” asked the farmer? “Two hours”, replied the young man. “You see, I have been here as early as 4-o’clock in the morning and feeling thirsty as well, yet I didn’t complain when I gave you my last bottle of water to quench your thirst. You ran for two hours while I have been working here for seven hours and pretty tired too, yet I didn’t complain when I made you a shelter against the sun. You complained of discomfort while my whole body is soaked in sweat, yet I didn’t complain giving you my last shirt. I saw you standing for about half an hour while I have been standing here tilling the land for seven straight hours without rest and it didn’t bother me at all to give you my own chair, yet you are still complaining that you are tired running from these men?” said the old man. “By the way” as the old man continues, “while you were busy complaining, I saw a group of men who looks like your pursuers and they overheard your voice and approaching us on this very moment; all in horses.”

We all have our own share of difficulties in life and all are in varying degrees; some are big while others are beyond comprehension. Talking more than doing will bring us to nowhere and oftentimes bring us more harm than good. Letting our diatribes overcome our thoughts will rob us the opportunity to think intelligently needed to plan for our next action.  Just like an athlete preparing for a bigger competition, he needs to train his mind and body to absorb the pain and punishment in order to increase the chances of reaching his goal.  In the same way when facing life’s biggest obstacle, we are being prepared by God for much bigger odds to come. If we keep on complaining each time we falter and refuse to continue despite the opportunities given, how can we finish the race?

In every race there awaits a finish line and you must finish the race in order reach that line. After all, what God ever wanted from us is not to win the race but to simply finish it for the glory waits in heaven to those who endure the race of our lives.

First, for the glory of God, I dedicate all my articles to Him hoping that I can able to share His words that I have realized in life.

Second, my writings are all articulations of my hopes and dreams in life.

Third, to ease boredom and fight homesickness apt for a wandering soul like me who toils away from my family.

Quote from: A Layman on December 24, 2008, 08:48:49 PM
Sa babae naman ay "inday".

Is this the same 'Inday' who is the main subject of jokes circulating in the internet who speaks good english who joined "Deal or no deal" who made kris aquino nose bleed? hehehe

Quote from: glacier_71 on December 21, 2008, 08:26:04 PM
mada pa man hinoon og tabonan, gener, bisan naay makakita. basta di lang kadungog unsay tingog ug kinsang ina-gik-ik...hehehehe

paki translate pls. hehehe, wa ako kasabot

 

Quote from: A Layman on December 24, 2008, 08:50:12 PM
He he he he...kalooy si dayunyor!

mismo...hehehe

The article below was published in the Phil. Daily Inquirer and since today is Christmas, I would like to share this with you. By the way, for pun sake, I decided to play as Santa as well by replying to the question asked by the letter writer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS -ho-ho-ho - Gener "Gino" Marcelo

Stay away, Santa

By Stephen Norries A. Padilla
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:44:00 12/24/2008

DEAR Santa,

I don’t want you to come to my house this Christmas, so please give yourself an early rest by striking my name off your list. I don’t care about the gift you thought I asked for; I don’t want it anymore. You can keep it. Better yet, give it to somebody else. The material gifts you bring don’t make me happy as much as they used to when I was a kid. Besides, I got my worldly wants all covered, thanks to an early gift I received in May (but no thanks to you).

Don’t worry about the gifts you reserved for my family. I also got those covered. This year, I will be their Santa Claus. It will be the first time I play you, so I hope I give justice to it. I promise to do my best. But I am sure we will be just fine. You can give the gifts you prepared for my loved ones to others. I assure you more people will be happy if you do that.

Don’t be mad. It is not that I don’t believe in you anymore. In fact, I still think you are that big guy in red and white with the cheerful “Ho-ho-ho!” preparing all sorts of gifts as Christmastime nears. How I wished to ride on your sleigh last night, with good old Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, leading the way around the world. The problem is, you make yourself so mysterious, almost to the point of nonexistence. That gets me (and a lot of other people) so confused. Are you even for real?

Don’t be sad. It is not that I am not grateful for all the things you have done and for all the dreams you made come true. I thank you with all my heart for these. You are very dedicated. I like that. Dedicated people deserve my friendship.

Having said that, you must know now that I consider you a friend. Let’s talk over a cup of coffee some time. My treat.

Santa, why do you do what you do? What do you get in return? And why do you leave Mrs. Claus all alone, out in the cold, on Christmas Eve? I think that is unkind of you to stay away from your loved ones on a night that is so special.

This Christmas I am away from my loved ones too because of my work. Thinking of it makes me sad. I wonder how you handle yourself when you go to work on Christmas Eve each year. Does staying away from home during the holiday season and giving without getting something in return make you happy?

I hope you are safe, Santa. More than your safety though, I wish that what you do makes you happy. I have many friends who are unhappy. I think they are stress by selfishness and by their unfortunate circumstances. I wish you could give them happiness instead of material gifts, which do not ensure long and lasting joy. Please make my wish come true for them.

I know God blesses all your efforts. I really love my friends. If only I could be Santa for them every day. But don’t worry, I don’t want to take your place.

Once again, let me tell you: Don’t visit me this Christmas. If I want a gift for myself, I would prefer to get it from someone I love. I know I love you in my mind, but it’s not the kind of love I give to people I spend the rest of my 365 ¼ days with during the year. I really wish gift-giving isn’t so materialistic this time. I want something from within, something someone dear to me has found especially for me. Do you get it?

I hope Jesus comes instead of you. Merry Christmas!

My Reply:

Dear Santa Wannabe,

Today is December 25, 2008; exactly Christmas day, as usual I would have to spend it away from my family. I hope that through this letter that you may understand why I have to leave Mrs. Claus in the middle of the cold Christmas night.

You know, it is really difficult but I have to rally my thoughts so as not be in despair for I need to reassure Mrs. Claus and my children back home that everything is going to be fine. I have to keep this reassurance though words may not be enough to compensate for the lost of intimacy common to all absentee fathers like me, who has to play that stupid guy in the red suit who laughs ho-ho-ho. These unmistakable senses of loss, often surfacing as resentment - having missed my children grow up. I grope for words to describe the passing of an era which part of my live have been sacrificed.

From the moment they were born, I have looked at my children with a wish that I could see them grow into fine human beings every step of the way. I have perhaps exulted in their triumphs, and bled in their pain, more profusely than in my own. I think of them when I visit a nice place, or eat an unusually fine meal. I worry for their safety, and I cannot imagine not being able to recognize them in their mature years. In the age of absentee parenting, the communication of love has taken the form of a steady stream of gift-giving. This however cannot compensate for the erosion of intimacy. My children are now beginning to miss my living presence as a father - a gap I'm trying to compensate through monthly remittance and ‘balikbayan’ box every Christmas.

This Christmas of 2008 will just be another day of emotional struggle for me more than a season of joy. There is no better way of celebrating it than having your family around. Holiday cheers and greetings could offer a temporary relief though easier in theory than in practice but resiliency is far better than to procrastinate with our lives. After all, Christmas is all about sacrifice for the ones you loved most in the same way how Jesus had shown His love for us.

Signed,
Reluctant Santa

Quote from: colliers on December 21, 2008, 08:59:56 PM
Ondoy is a call of affection to someone who is born male in a family. Especially youngest. Generic term.

thanks, atleast I feel young here, hahaha I love to be ONDOY wag lang Unggoy, hahaha

Quote from: glacier_71 on December 21, 2008, 08:48:46 PM
Congrats, gener!!!!

Thanks

kahit di ko maintindihan yung 17th to 19th commandment;Danyways, here is the 20th;
"Thou shall not speak of names other than your wife when making love" ;Dkung hindi putol ang Adan mo

For you, brothers, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh, but through love make it your habit to serve one another- Gal 5:13

Man's quest for Freedom

In the history of mankind, man’s quest for freedom started early as Biblical times when people of Israel led by Moses exiled from Egypt to escape the tyranny of the Pharaoh. Today’s modern civilization, there’s seems to be an over exaggeration of this freedom. Man creates laws to ensure that right for freedom is protected. However, man seems to over exercise this freedom narrowing the boundary between sanity and lunacy. In Thailand, people blocked the street and padlocked an international airport to remove an official perceived to be an extension of the previous exiled leader leaving many foreign tourist and transit passengers stranded inside the airport. In the US, people are protesting on the streets to condemn an Attorney General who wants to overrule the law of same-sex marriage. In Europe, a man legally has changed his gender to female, altogether with his sex organ through surgical means. In China known to have a problem of overpopulation, abortion is tolerated or sometimes legally administered in the hospitals, both government and private.

In the Philippines, lawmakers are pushing the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill to be passed as law providing freedom of choice for women whether to conceived or not conceived. The Church is strongly opposed to the proposed bill as it is against God’s law. The lawmakers argued that the RH Bill still does not support abortion but there lies the problem of unparallel understanding on the basic definition of abortion. On the other hand, some hardliner women organization strongly condemned the position of the Church calling them hypocrites and blind to real plight of the poor. However RH Bill, whether passed or rejected, the sight of unborn fetuses dumped everywhere is just a familiar scenario across the country discovered inside clay pots, in the dumpsite or even inside the Church.

Playing God

There is nothing wrong for the quest to be liberated so as to enjoy freedom. However, mankind exaggerated this freedom that we enjoy. We wanted to be free to do anything that pleases us to the point that pushes us to the limit. We cried when this freedom is suppressed and we become bolder to quench the need to be free. We demand more than what not ought to be for us men but that of God. We terminate life inside a mother’s womb because we wanted to enjoy the freedom of choice as if playing the role of God, deciding who will live and who will not. We defile our neighbor’s bed because we wanted to gratify our lust for flesh, thinking that sex is a privilege rather than as gift from above. We acknowledged and even supported the union of homosexual for the reason that love conquers all. We divorced our spouse to marry another only to have it divorced the next day. We prefer to enjoy living without the sanctity of marriage out of convenience.
   
We are all really descendants of Adam and Eve. Both deceived by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit to have the same wisdom as God only to be casted away from the garden. The first humans that crossed the limit of the Creator and His creations.

How long are we going to offend God because of our foolish and sinful ways of enjoying freedom?

To All My Kababayans,

This letter is inspired by the speech made by Washington Sycip delivered during UP’s centennial celebration posted in Inquirer (12/21/08) titled “Questions that Call for Answers”. This article reminds me of an item I wrote in my blog site titled ‘What is the color of your school?’ Mr. Sycip’s questions though rhetoric need to be answered by the same people who run the government, both present and previous administration.

From his speech, Mr. Sycip asked the students why the Philippines despite having been proud as the nation who has a university (UP) much older than Harvard, produced  exceptional, talented and creative alumni who has a great sense of idealism where most of them occupying critical position in the government, yet the country’s economy and political situation are a mess. Further, he asked why the Philippines can’t even produce a kind of leader in the likes of Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Mahathir of Malaysia and other prominent leaders who made their respective countries proud. I have four answers for these questions; misplaced loyalty, too much democracy, political preservation and last but not the least â€" Filipinos have short span of memory.

Misplaced Loyalty

A former US President once told, “Loyalty to my party ends when my loyalty to the people begins.” Can this principle apply to our politicians? Let’s take the case of impeaching a President of the Republic as an example. In order to impeach an incumbent President, it needs at least 2/3 votes from the members of the House of Congress. If the ruling coalition controls majority of the members of the congress, what will happen to the impeachment case? You don’t need to be a legal luminary to answer this rhetorical question. Even those who push for the impeachment case knew from the beginning that it is all about a game of numbers, a political sarsuela. Then why the need to file the case on the first place if such effort will be put down the drain, wasting time and resources? “To exercise my political rights and to discharge my function as a Congressman,” was the replied of the opposition. What an expensive political exercise at the expense of taxpayer’s money.

My suggestions:

1. Abolish the whole House of Congress

No more Congressmen â€" no more Senators and let the LGU’s take care of their respective constituents. After all the loyalty of these Congressmen is not for the people they are supposed to represent but to those who make their bank account fat. Create one Constitutional Body compose of legal luminaries to be nominated by an independent organization like the JBC for example and be elected by the people. These legal luminaries must be nominated based on their principle, knowledge, integrity and doesn’t own big businesses nor have a relatives in the government.

2. Put into practice the “Reward System.”

Have you noticed how easy to capture outlaws if a reward money is placed on their head? Just the same, public servants can be motivated to work well if they know that there is financial reward for their exceptional work. All elected officials, from the President down to Barangay Tanod should have S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound) objectives that will be evaluated regularly by the people. Once they have met these set of objectives, financial reward must be given. Let’s see if we can reduce if not eradicate corruption and improve public service.

3. Judiciary must be elected not appointed

A Government of the people, for the people and by the people.
People must have the right to chose and elect people in the judiciary rather than political appointments. Candidates for the post shall be nominated by an independent organization like the JBC and the people shall be the one to choose and not the President.

Too much of Democracy

When legal means failed, expect these losers in the political arena to bring the fight to the street bringing with them mostly paid protesters who can do only is to create traffic jam living hapless motorists in desperation. There are those idealist students whose education is being paid not by these politicians but by tax-paying Filipinos that instead of studying in order to be productive citizens someday place more importance in the crusade to fight for political freedom than economic freedom (Later maybe end up either as an asset by big companies abroad or leader of underground movement). Can political democracy assure that there will be job for every Filipino so that there will be no need for the Philippines to 'prostitutes' its OFWs abroad? Can a quest for working democracy alone be able to revolutionize the clamor for an economic growth? Or could it be just all political grandstanding?

My suggestions:

1. There should be a mandatory service for all graduates of colleges and universities whose education is funded by the taxpayer’s money. They should be made to employ first locally for a defined period before they can pursue their career outside of the Philippines. One way of repaying the Filipino people who paid for their education.

2. Instead of wasting your saliva shouting in the street, make a personal diary of those public servants who failed to deliver and not to elect them in case they will run for re-election. Those corrupt officials proven guilty through legal means must be made to pay the amount they embezzled on top of their jail term.

Political Preservation

A true leader is the one who is not afraid to make unpopular but right decision. The one whose self interest is set aside over that of the nation. A leader who has moral ascendancy over his/her constituents, the one who is highly respected by his/her own family. A leader even not a graduate of reputable and prestigious school knows what an ordinary Filipino needs. A leader who doesn't have loyalty to his/her party but to the Filipino people.

The big question is; does this person exist?

What our country need is a leader who doesn't have to worry about how to pay political debts. My suggestions:

1. No offense meant but enough with these legal experts as public servants. We already have so many laws and we need no more writers to write more of these laws. What we need is a leader who can implement and maintain the government. More of the doers than thinkers. Instead of lawyers, why not try to consider Engineers, Architects, Educators, Doctors, Scientist? All these professions are known as implementors. All they have to do is to implement what has been scribbled as laws.

2. But please, enough with actors, actresses, comedians and other movie personalities. We have enough of these actors ‘acting’ as politicians in the Senate and comedians successful enough in turning our nation as laughing stuff of the world â€" Onli in da Pilipins.

Filipinos Have Short Span of Memory

The political arena is no different to a game of ‘patintero’. Have you noticed how political figures changed their faces? The once ruling coalition that after losing or overthrown from power will eventually become the opposition? While those previously in the opposition become the ruling party and now the subject of opposition?  Look at the recent rally held in the district of Makati. Have you seen familiar faces there? Look at the personalities behind that movement clamoring for democracy. Isn't it that they were the same individuals who were once the subject of political uprising?

My suggestion:

1. Do away with ‘TRAPOS’.

Let’s put them where they are supposed to be â€" in the dirty kitchen. Enough with lawyers, economists and those pretending to be poor. Our experiences with Marcos, GMA and ERAP will surely remind us of what will be our decisions in the future. Vote INTELLIGENTLY not WISELY. Wise is apt for the people who have an intention to do 1-2-3.

Filipinos are already tired and desperately clamoring for changes for the better. There are those productive Filipinos driven out of the country not by choice but of desperation but are not losing hope that someday, our nation will rise from its long slumber and to be a great nation. To do this, let’s stop procrastinating and wishing but let’s all contribute in our own way to make this nation a great nation again.

Don’t just wish. Let’s all DO what we need to do.

Quote from: glacier_71 on December 21, 2008, 09:17:57 AM
if walls could talk, i think they would also cover their ears and mouth kung naa nako hahahahaha

if im a wall, its ok if u will cover my ears and mouth but not my eyes, at least i can see what is happening around ^_^

Got it manay Tess. Now I know na ang partner pala ni Inday ay si Ondoy Akala mko kasi is 'Indoy' 

Im still out of Pinas but I'm planning to go for a short vacation on March, graduation kasi noong anak kong kulasa at panganay kong bosconian. Ciempre dapat nandun ang daddy sa graduation ng mga inakay nia

Quote from: hofelina on December 18, 2008, 08:46:14 PM
being a member in this Forum tubag means, response, answer, relate your self, feedback, give your opinion or say something.
As you see Gener, Bol-anons scattered around the world has much to say. Sharing is here TUBAG for me. Nakasabot ka Ondoy Gener?

Manay

sa dami ng sagot sa wikang bohalanon, lalo akong naguluhan, hehhe, (nose bleed ako) mabuti na lang may short reply si michael ligalig at manay thess na madaling maintindihan, manay thess unsay may ibig sabihin ng "Ondoy"? Ito ba yung animal na mahilig sa saging at sidekick ni tarzan?

Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng 'Tubag' sa Tubag Bohol?

16TH commandment:
"Putilin mo na ang lahat sa akin, wag lang ang aking adan"

What gospel according to Book of Romans had said:

8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.

8:17  Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs
with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also
share in his glory.

18  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the
glory that will be revealed in us.

19  The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be
revealed.

20-26  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice,
but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of
childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption
of our bodies. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know
what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with
groans that words cannot express.

We are commanded to suffer with Christ.

PHI 1:29  For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for him,

2:27  Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not
on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

28  Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him
again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

29  Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,

30  because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make
up for the help you could not give me.

3:10  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the
fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

COL 1:24  Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my
flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake
of his body, which is the church.

1TH 5:9  For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

10  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live
together with him.

ALL MUST SUFFER TO BE COUNTED WORTHY OF THE KINGDOM

2THE 1:4  Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance
and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

5  All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you
will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

2TI 2:12  if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he
will also disown us;

HEB 2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now
crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the
grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10  In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and
through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation
perfect through suffering.

14  Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their
humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of
death--that is, the devil--

18  Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help
those who are being tempted.

5:8  Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered

9  and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for
all who obey him

9:15  For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those
who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he
has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the
first covenant.

16  In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one
who made it,

28  so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and
he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to
those who are waiting for him.

10:10  And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of
the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

18  And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice
for sin.

19  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy
Place by the blood of Jesus,

20  by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his
body,

JAM 5:10  Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

JESUS LEAVING AN EXAMPLE FOR US TO FOLLOW

1PE 2:21  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving
you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

24  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die
to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

3:18  For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the
unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made
alive by the Spirit,

4:1  Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with
the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with
sin.

OUR REWARD AFTER SUFFERING

13  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that
you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

14  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for
the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

5:10  And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in
Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you
and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1JO 3:16  This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life
for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers

My answer is, either way.

Jesus had shown us the way. He suffers at the hand of the those who persecuted Him just to prove that in our lives, there will be 'resurrection' after 'crucifixion'.

Quote from: hofelina on December 06, 2008, 06:51:26 PM
Gener,

After losing my husband,I got a partner for 25 years who looked for a younger woman.  After 4 years I realized I´m happy being solo.  I am so pre-occupied with different organizations, I can´t imagine a man waiting for his food to be done or household chores.
I take time now and enjoy this freedom lost.
You are right, you could be happy for whatever choice you made.
Manay

Yup, happiness is what you enjoy doing ofcourse without prejudice to others

  in such case, the 14th commandment must be, "To cut or not to cut".

I sound like a broken record for this but I may have to quote this again;
"There is no such thing as marriage made in heaven".

If couples are made to believed that their marriage must be 'worry-free' or 'walk in the park' kind of a thing must be told by my quote above. Marriage is a handy work of 2 forgiving partners; that despite one's shortcomings to another will continue to love the offending party for love is also a decision to make and not just a feelings. If our partner keeps on offending us and you are not capable of  forgiveness, then why don't you cast the first stone as Jesus had shown to us?

How many times must we forgive one another? We must do it seven times seventy seven times.

manay tess, dagdag mo na rin yung female butts sa list.

Quote from: grazie7y on December 09, 2008, 07:28:50 AM
okay.  this is a tough case kay you think you go to the dump to look for trash.  Asa naman atong mga lawyers dire like Atty. Olintaha, Atty. Handel, Atty. Paul.  Is there a law in the Philippines for the scavengers to assess which of the items they found in the dump as returnable.  I know we don't need to think that money is not a trash but basin diay naay super dato na gipanglabay na lang money ba.   

Actually sis, other than the existing laws which i posted above, there still no specific laws that may apply other than for the claimant to present a proof of ownership for the dollars. Kaya medyo maraming debacles pa dito sa case na ito.

I have come to a few clear conclusions about the sometimes hard-to-believe but still lovable world of men. Want details? Here's a peek into our private minds. Although some of these truths may not be pretty, they'll help you understand any man in your life.

WE CAN'T RESIST THE TEASE
There's no sexier surprise for us than when you dance seductively, slowly undress or wear lacy underwear â€" anything that stimulates us visually. This sexual tension drives us wild, because our mind races, imagining what's coming next. Feel shy dancing around in your bra? You should know that we don't notice your so-called flaws when you're turning us on. In this situation, we have a one-track mind, and it stays focused on how hot you are. So the next time you undress, take it slow. Toss your clothes to your man as you go. That's all it takes to drive us nuts â€" in a good way.

WE CAN'T HELP BUT STARE AT OTHER WOMEN
It's true: We just can't control ourselves. The same way when you walk by a window filled with gorgeous shoes â€" you have to look. It's anthropological; if you look at the mating habits of gorillas, even if they're "pair bonded", most males cruise the females and stare when a cute gorilla girl walks by. Guy's are not insensitive, we’ve just been momentarily possessed by our inner ape.

WE ARE BIG KIDS (and proud of it)
Deep down, all men are big boys. (This explains why so many grown men wear baseball caps.) Our interests are boy-like, too. Take for example our obsession with sports. Most men love anything that involves kicking something, throwing things, or punching other men. Sound like 10-year-olds on the playground to you? When you put three or more men together, we bond by yelling at the TV and being idiots to each other. Regressing into childlike behavior isn't just a means of amusing ourselves â€" it's our way of escaping real-life pressures and feeling accepted as we are. There's no point in denying us time to release our juvenile side. Just be glad we're doing it during boys' night out and not in front of your girlfriends or family!

WE ARE PERVERTS
There's no getting around it: Guys are pervs. We think about sex 24/7. And sometimes we daydream about â€" and look at pictures of â€" gross stuff or weird moves, moves that we'd never try in a million years. Fact is, men have a higher tolerance for body fluids and outrageous sex acts than you do (it's something about that 10-year-old boy inside each of us â€" see above). And it's a fact that men's sexual fantasies contain more people than you do. For the guy who has everything, try to give your man the gift of porn. It's the one present men never complain about (or return). But if you can't stand the thought of these films, then don't go there. Nothing is less sexy to a man than a woman who's uncomfortable. Guys may be turned on by the visuals in porn, but trust me, we'd rather have the real, in-the-flesh deal anytime.

WE WOULD LOVE TO CHEAT
That doesn't mean we will, though. Luckily, we're either too guilty, too shy or too scared. Hey, it's biology: We see, we want, we fantasize. Men are not by nature monogamous animals, and we often have to fight our sexual urges, which many do very successfully. If a guy could live his perfect fantasy life, he would have a wife and a new fling whenever he felt like it. (While women look for that one "special" guy, men look for those five "special" girls.) Fifty percent of men say that if there were zero percent chance you'd find out, they'd cheat. But that also means 50 percent wouldn't â€" even if there were no danger of getting caught. Many men say that when they've had the idea, they nix it because they wouldn't want to mess up the good thing they've got at home.

WE LOVE TO BOOST OUR EGO
Every man has a bit of Hercules in him. We want you to think we're strong, successful, and sexy. Most men would never admit this, but men like to think they're slightly smarter than the woman they're with. Yet we have no problem with the woman being 10 times better-looking than us (that strokes our ego even more). Ultimately, we settle for just being able to do one thing better than you. I think it's because, privately, we think we're the superior sex.

WE LOVE ORAL S_ _
What do men want more of in bed? Of the ten men I asked (including myself) that question, 80 percent of us said, "More oral sex." Specifically, we wanted to be on the receiving end. Why do we love it so much? We don't have to worry about technique, and you do all the work (sometimes we're kinda lazy). Guys say the best treat a woman can give is oral sex in the morning; in the same way you love the idea of breakfast in bed.

WE DON'T TAKE HINTS
When men are with other men, we don't tiptoe around each other and drop subtle suggestions. That's because hints don't register with us. While you pride yourselves on being able to know intuitively what your friends, husbands, and kids are thinking, but we have no interest in reading minds. That's why, "If you don't ask, you don't get." In relationships, don't expect a guy to know exactly what you want â€" and whenever you do, you will be disappointed. If, for example, you want your guy to take you out for your birthday, you're wasting your time dropping hints like "Guess what day Friday is? It's someone's birthday!" If you do that, you'll be 80 before he takes you out.

WE LOVE OUR P_ _ _S
Man’s best friend is actually not a dog but our penis. And we assume it's your best friend, too. After all, like a dog, it's always happy to see you, enjoys being petted, and often rubs itself against your legs. And have you noticed that guys are so intimate with our ‘members’ that we often create pet names for them, including ‘Junior’, ‘Manoy’ and the ever-so-subtle ‘Jun-jun’?

While you have internal, squishy accommodations, we are equipped with external, throbbing reminders of the biological imperative to "spread the seed." Every time we look down at our tools standing at attention, we remember that our penises are there for a reason â€" to conquer the planet. That's why we've built so many monuments in the penis's likeness- from the Eiffel Tower to the Empire State Building.

Women don't make a big deal about what you have going on downstairs because you're too busy worrying about the size and shape of your other body parts. But we are obsessed with size. Every time I have a drinking session with my barkada, it’s a common for a man (when the spirit of san miguel beer sinks in) to boast the size of his ‘Jun-jun’. Some may claim it as ‘ocho-de-ligo’ (about the diameter of a ligo sardines can and 8 inches long), "There's my size!" Would you believe us? No, because when men pull out the ruler â€" we almost always round up. If you ask a dozen men what the average length of an erect penis is, they'll say eight inches. But if you ask a dozen women, you'll say it's four inches. Bottom line: No matter how small it is, tell your man it's huge. If it's really too big, tell him just that. Trust me â€" he'll take it as a compliment.

WE DON'T GET VALENTINE'S DAY
Most guys consider February 14 a "chick holiday." And it stresses us: We don't know what's expected, what we should buy, and how much (or how little) we should express our feelings. It’s not that we're not incapable of romance, we just hate being romantic on cue. Just tell us, "V-Day is Friday. Let's go out for dinner." If you remind us when it is and let us off the hook for some of the standard requirements, we’ll more likely to deliver some creative romance of our own.

Quote from: A Layman on December 05, 2008, 07:38:48 AM
Apil na sila sa Sexiest Women in the world 2008 release.

Quote from: A Layman on December 04, 2008, 08:55:41 PM
Gener bro, pag ganyan kalaki ang mata kagaya ng aking avatar, iwan ko lang kong di matakot si dayonyor 'junior'. Tagong tago na sa damuhan.

hahaha, sabagay si angelina jolie, ang laki rin ng mata, parang tarsier, hehehe

Well, in my opinion, there are those single but happy and there are also those who are married but unhappy. It only goes to show that happiness could be spell out in various ways in each one of us. Either you are enjoying your single-blessedness or you are happily married. After all, it is you and only you who knows what will make you happy.

Quote from: grazie7y on December 03, 2008, 07:12:01 AM
How in the world can anyone mistake a sack of dollars - 60 thousand dollars at that for a garbage.  Well then, maybe that was a garbage and the people in the dumpster see that as treasure.

I don't know it has been answered in the previous replies, (di ko kasi maintindihan for it was all in bisayan words)

Actually, the story goes like the maid of the currency trader mistook it (the dollars in the sack) as garbage. That's why when the dump truck passes bay, the maid gave it to the garbage collector who in turn put it inside the truck, then dumped later at the open garbage site.

My satnd on this is this: As long as the currency trader couldn't present a proof other than the BSP Trading Certificate and other Biz permit, his claim of ownership for the money still have a cloud of doubt for any currency trader could easily comply with such kind of proof. Usually, dollar traders practice do copy the serial nos. of all dollar notes in case of lost, theft or dollar note authentication (the same goes with bank's practice). If the dollar trader can present such, then, by all means, the scavenger has a moral and legal obligation , otherwise, the scavenger can claim half of it.

paano kaya kung ang mata ay singlaki ng mata ng tarsier then nakadilat while kissing? di kaya mauwi sa horror?

ang ganda naman ng mga reply ng mga boholanon im proud of you guys, yehey adopted boholanon na ako

Quote from: bol-anon nga cebuano on December 01, 2008, 11:08:10 PM
id rather close my eyes when kissing or during love making. junior is my idol because he can still see where's the entrance even if he only has a mouth.

hahahaha, maybe 'junior' knows his ordinate and coordinate very well (X and Y axes)

In my opinion, neither theft or robbery but a misplaced treasure. Article 439 defines treasure as “any hidden and unknown deposit of money, jewelry, or other precious objects, the lawful ownership of which does not appear.”

For academic discussion, I will say the $60,000 was a treasure all right, although the condition surrounding its discovery suggests it was not, or at least the finder thought the owner didn’t like the treasure anymore. Had no claimant come forward, the axiom “finders, keepers” does not apply absolutely. At this point, the burden of proof is on the money-exchange trader â€" to show that he is the real owner of the lost and found money.

“When the discovery is made on the property of another, or of the State or any of its subdivisions, and by chance, one-half thereof shall be allowed to the finder. If the finder is a trespasser, he shall not be entitled to any share of the treasure. If the things found be of interest to science of the arts, the State may acquire them at their just price, which shall be divided in conformity with the rule stated.”

By the definition underlined above, if the scavenger is not the owner of the parcel of land (for this, i assume that the land is a government property, being a public waste disposal area) to where the treasure was discovered, though he is not considered a tresspasser, he (the scavenger) does have the right to claim half of the treasure. But since there appears a claimant of the said treasure, the finders have no right to claim any portion of the treasure, that is if the claimant can established proof of ownership. Otherwise, the finders are allowed to share half of the treasure. But since only 1/3 of the money is left ouf of the treasure, losing 2/3 of it to the local scavengers, I think the argument becomes moot and academic.

I have come to a few clear conclusions about the sometimes hard-to-believe but still lovable world of men. Want details? Here's a peek into our private minds. Although some of these truths may not be pretty, they'll help you understand any man in your life.

WE can't resist the tease
There's no sexier surprise for us than when you dance seductively, slowly undress or wear lacy underwear â€" anything that stimulates us visually. This sexual tension drives us wild, because our mind races, imagining what's coming next. Feel shy dancing around in your bra? You should know that we don't notice your so-called flaws when you're turning us on. In this situation, we have a one-track mind, and it stays focused on how hot you are. So the next time you undress, take it slow. Toss your clothes to your man as you go. That's all it takes to drive us nuts â€" in a good way.

WE can't help but stare at other women
It's true: We just can't control ourselves. The same way when you walk by a window filled with gorgeous shoes â€" you have to look. It's anthropological; if you look at the mating habits of gorillas, even if they're "pair bonded", most males cruise the females and stare when a cute gorilla girl walks by. Guy's are not insensitive, we’ve just been momentarily possessed by our inner ape.

WE are big kids (and proud of it)
Deep down, all men are big  boys. (This explains why so many grown men wear baseball caps.) Our interests are boy-like, too. Take for example our obsession with sports. Most men love anything that involves kicking something, throwing things, or punching other men. Sound like 10-year-olds on the playground to you?  When you put three or more men together, we bond by yelling at the TV and being idiots to each other. Regressing into childlike behavior isn't just a means of amusing ourselves â€" it's our way of escaping real-life pressures and feeling accepted as we are. There's no point in denying us time to release our juvenile side. Just be glad we're doing it during boys' night out and not in front of your girlfriends or family!

WE are perverts
There's no getting around it: Guys are pervs. We think about sex 24/7. And sometimes we daydream about â€" and look at pictures of â€" gross stuff or weird moves, moves that we'd never try in a million years. Fact is, men have a higher tolerance for body fluids and outrageous sex acts than you do (it's something about that 10-year-old boy inside each of us â€" see above). And it's a fact that men's sexual fantasies contain more people than you do. For the guy who has everything, try to give your man the gift of porn. It's the one present men never complain about (or return). But if you can't stand the thought of these films, then don't go there. Nothing is less sexy to a man than a woman who's uncomfortable. Guys may be turned on by the visuals in porn, but trust me, we'd rather have the real, in-the-flesh deal anytime.

WE would love to cheat
That doesn't mean we will, though. Luckily, we're either too guilty, too shy or too scared. Hey, it's biology: We see, we want, we fantasize. Men are not by nature monogamous animals, and we often have to fight our sexual urges, which many do very successfully. If a guy could live his perfect fantasy life, he would have a wife and a new fling whenever he felt like it. (While women look for that one "special" guy, men look for those five "special" girls.) Fifty percent of men say that if there were zero percent chance you'd find out, they'd cheat. But that also means 50 percent wouldn't â€" even if there were no danger of getting caught. Many men say that when they've had the idea, they nix it because they wouldn't want to mess up the good thing they've got at home.

WE love to boost our ego
Every man has a bit of Hercules in him. We want you to think we're strong, successful, and sexy. Most men would never admit this, but men like to think they're slightly smarter than the woman they're with. Yet we have no problem with the woman being 10 times better-looking than us (that strokes our ego even more). Ultimately, we settle for just being able to do one thing better than you. I think it's because, privately, we think we're the superior sex.

WE love oral s_ _
What do men want more of in bed? Of the ten men I asked (including myself) that question, 80 percent of us said, "More oral sex." Specifically, we wanted to be on the receiving end. Why do we love it so much? We don't have to worry about technique, and you do all the work (sometimes we're kinda lazy). Guys say the best treat a woman can give is oral sex in the morning; in the same way you love the idea of breakfast in bed.

WE don't take hints
When men are with other men, we don't tiptoe around each other and drop subtle suggestions. That's because hints don't register with us. While you pride yourselves on being able to know intuitively what your friends, husbands, and kids are thinking, but we have no interest in reading minds. That's why, "If you don't ask, you don't get." In relationships, don't expect a guy to know exactly what you want â€" and whenever you do, you will be disappointed. If, for example, you want your guy to take you out for your birthday, you're wasting your time dropping hints like "Guess what day Friday is? It's someone's birthday!" If you do that, you'll be 80 before he takes you out.

WE love our p_ _ _s
Man’s best friend is actually not a dog but our penis. And we assume it's your best friend, too. After all, like a dog, it's always happy to see you, enjoys being petted, and often rubs itself against your legs. And have you noticed that guys are so intimate with our ‘members’ that we often create pet names for them, including ‘Junior’, ‘Manoy’ and the ever-so-subtle ‘Jun-jun’?

While you have internal, squishy accommodations, we are equipped with external, throbbing reminders of the biological imperative to "spread the seed." Every time we look down at our tools standing at attention, we remember that our penises are there for a reason â€" to conquer the planet. That's why we've built so many monuments in the penis's likeness- from the Eiffel Tower to the Empire State Building.

Women don't make a big deal about what you have going on downstairs because you're too busy worrying about the size and shape of your other body parts. But we are obsessed with size. Every time I have a drinking session with my barkada, it’s a common for a man (when the spirit of san miguel beer sinks in) to boast the size of his ‘Jun-jun’. Some may claim it as ‘ocho-de-ligo’ (about the diameter of a ligo sardines can and 8 inches long), "There's my size!" Would you believe us? No, because when men pull out the ruler â€" we almost always round up. If you ask a dozen men what the average length of an erect penis is, they'll say eight inches. But if you ask a dozen women, you'll say it's four inches. Bottom line: No matter how small it is, tell your man it's huge. If it's really too big, tell him just that. Trust me â€" he'll take it as a compliment.

WE don't get Valentine's Day.
Most guys consider February 14 a "chick holiday." And it stresses us: We don't know what's expected, what we should buy, and how much (or how little) we should express our feelings. It’s not that we're not incapable of romance, we just hate being romantic on cue. Just tell us, "V-Day is Friday. Let's go out for dinner." If you remind us when it is and let us off the hook for some of the standard requirements, we’ll more likely to deliver some creative romance of our own.

Some say youth is wasted on the young. Not me. By middle age I was too tired for 1am feedings, the terrible two's and the truculent teens. I remember one too many days when sibling rivalry shook our house. The only thing that preserved my sanity was thinking that in twenty or thirty years my teenage boy and 3 girls would be having the same problems with their children.

If it weren't for the younger generation, think about how many rappers, junk food purveyors and manufacturers of oversized clothes for boys and undersized clothes for girls would go out of business. The younger generation keeps the economy going - or is it their allowance that does it?

Without the younger generation the Guinness Book of World Records would be a much thinner book. Who would stuff themselves into VolksWagen, swallow goldfish and practice the domino theory with thousands of real dominoes? Records are broken by the young, who, coincidentally, also buy the most records.

Colleges help transform the know-it-all stage to know enough to earn a living. Graduate schools help those who want to know more. They also help those who want to stay in the know and not graduate into the real world.

Then there are the children who move back in with their parents because they can't make ends meet. Having seen this happen to friends, maybe parents should help their children meet new ends - like the end of spending more than they earn or the end of working one job when they could work two.

Poor diet, lack of sleep, meager savings - the youth are the only ones who can survive being young. They can burn candles at both ends, but after forty we don't want to hear about candles. We're too busy waxing on about age being just a number. We're also busy complaining about failing memories, but it's the youth who need good memories. If they can't remember their mistakes, how can they learn from them?

No, if it were up to middle-agers to carry on the species, we'd be in trouble. If I knew then what I know now, would I want to try to recapture my youth? No, because what I know now was worth waiting for.

The reported owner of the $60,000 that got lost in a sack after the money was mistaken for garbage and thrown at the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill, has, as of last week, recovered one-third of the sum he had lost after scavengers who found the money returned $20,500.

Reports say that the NBI will file robbery case to the finders of the money if they failed to return the remaining part of the money.

As far as I know, no law yet crafted that specifically applies to lost and found things, whether they’re of great or lesser value. What we have is a law covering hidden treasures. Articles in Book II of RA 386, Article 438 says that “hidden treasure belongs to the owner of the land, building, or other property on which it is found.”

What is your view? Are the NBI agents correct in filing charge of robbery?

Viewfinder
TV sexes it up again


By Nestor Torre
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:03:00 11/25/2008


MANILA, Philippinesâ€"Television is largely supposed to be a “GP” (General Patronage) medium, because it enters people’s homes at all hours of the day, and thus exposes minors to its program content.

Thus, standards for TV programming are stricter than those for the movies, since minors’ access to films can be regulated at movie houses.

Trouble is, sex sells, so some TV people want to get in on the profitable action, even if it’s verboten to them. That’s why, on local noontime variety shows, dancers gyrate seductively in wee bikinis, in full view of children.

Outraged parents and educators complain vociferously about this, prompting the MTRCB to rap erring producers and directors on their knucklesâ€"and, for a time, the dancers were forced to wear more clothing and gyrate less.

But the proper behavior doesn’t last. After toeing the MTRCB’s line for a few months, the shows up their sex ante once more, resulting in another round of outrage, protest, penalties, toeing the line, etc.

Rigodon

This recidivist rigodon is so pervasive that parents and educators can’t be blamed for being outragedâ€"and for not trusting some TV people to do responsible work and protect young viewers from the excesses of the television trade.

Perhaps the MTRCB can knock more sense or dread in erring TV people’s noggins if it similarly ups the ante in terms of the penalties it imposes on those who break the rules.

Aside from sexy noontime shows, other exponents of randy talk and/or behavior on the boob tube are some “for the boys” sitcoms, talk shows, rock music programs and so-called “fashion” spectacles.

These programs purport to provide entertainment or information, but it’s obvious that they’re really playing it sexy for titillation and increased ratings’ sakes.

Who’s fooling whom? Dear erring TV people, televiewers are smarter than you think, so it’s you who are wearing the dunce caps.

Unfortunately, some excessively sexy TV shows are able to do their worst because local viewers tend to be more apathetic than televiewers abroad.
In addition, we tend to be proactive in protecting our children from unsavory TV content, because we think it’s generally “harmless.” It’s “just TV,” after all.

Wrong. Precisely because television works so subtly on viewers’ attitudes and perception, its power to affect us subconsciously is all the more intense.

If the erring TV people don’t exercise self-restraint, we’ll zero in on those new and “hotter” programs, because our young viewers’ sensibilities have once again been put at risk.

my eyes are open not during kissing but during.....
di kaya pag eyes wide open during kissing, di kaya maduling kayo pareho?

My first visit to Japan was Y1992 and I my training shcedules required me to moved around Japan a lot of times so I stayed in Tokyo Kenshu Center (Azuma-Adachi Ku), Yokohama Kenshu Center (Kanazawa Prefecture), Chiba and Saitama. Y1999, my second visit to Japan, I stayed in Osaka to where our HQ is located. Y2001, my 3rd visit, that time I stayed in Kameyama Prefecture

 I have been to japan for about a year as required by my previous works in 3 japanese companies in the phils. i can see that bohol is a nice place (from the pictures) but i havent been there. Moshi jikan ga attara, bohol e ikitai, and perhaps we could share the karaoke mic , hahahha, and you are right bro, i love red wine and O-sake too.

OPPSS, sorry, isnt it?

Hi there benelynne, itsmy pleasure knowing yuu as well. my membership here in this e-group happened perhaps not by circumstance but by destiny. I was browsing my online postings when one link re-directed my search here. eventually, quite reluctant for I'm not a Boholanon nor Cebuano and I only knew small bisayan words. But nonetheless, people here are very hospitable and I can sense that most of them are good people. Though one of my postings here met some bloooper when I unknowingly posted untimely humorous post.

Good to know that your kids are already started to adjust to their environment. Well Filipinos are known for its resiliency, making it a powerful tool to adjust to the test of times.

God bless you bro and again, thank you for posting one of my articles here in this group.

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. Ganbatte kudasai

A repost from my blogsite- Gener 'Gino' Marcelo

Buhay na Hiram, Sino ba ang may Karapatan?
June 19th, 2008 by ginomarcelo

Halos magkasunod na balita sa telebisyon ang aking nasaksihan tungkol sa kalunos-lunos na mga sanggol na matapos iluwal ng kanilang mga ina ay tila parang mga ‘used-diaper’ na lang kung itapon. Ang isang sanggol ay inihagis na lamang ng di pa matukoy na salarin buhat sa ilang palapag ng isang condominium. Ilang araw matapos kong mapanood ang balitang ito ay isa na namang sanggol ang inihagis ng 15-taon na batang-ina galing sa isang umaandar na taxi. Ang di ko matanggap ay kasama pa ng batang-ina ang kanyang diumano’y mga kamag-anak ng kanyang i-dispose ang sanggol. Noong nakaraan lamang ay nabasa ko rin sa internet ang isang 21-taon na ina ang nagtapon ng kanyang sanggol sa ilog at sukat ikalunod nito. Ganito na lang ba talaga ang pagpapahalaga ng tao ngayon sa buhay? O masyado lang akong sensitibo? Marahil ang iba ay maaring sabihin, “Sus, masyado ka naming sobrang moralista, bakit di ka ba nagkakasala? Besides, wala bang choice at kalayaan ang bawat isa sa atin na gawin ang sa tingin nilang makakabuti sa kanila? Kaibigan, sa palagay mo ba ay mabuti ang ginagawa mo? Ayaw kong maghusga dahil iyan ay labag sa kautusan ng Lumalang, pero mas mainam na tanungin na lang natin ang ating mga sariling budhi- iyan ay kung meron pang natitira, sana naman ay meron pa.

1 Peter 2:15-16

“Ang nais ng Panginoong Diyos ay pahiyain mo ang mga hangal sa kanilang masamang gawi sa paggawa ng mabuti. Ang bawat isa sa inyo ay may kalayaan hindi para gumawa ng masama kundi maging lingkod Ko.”

Sa Mga Magulang

“Bakit nagkaganoon ang inyong mga anak?” “Ama ng tahanan, maari bang tigilan mo muna ang pagtungga sa serbesang iyan at tingnan mo muna ang lagay ng iyong pamilya?” Ina ng tahanan, mano ba’t tigilan mo muna ang pakikipag tsismisan sa kapit-bahay tungkol sa buhay ng may buhay at asikasuhin mo muna ang sariling ninyong buhay? “Ah, tumigil ka nga, moralistang ewan, bakit? eh sa gusto kong itapon o ipalaglag ang batang dinadala ng anak ko, nakakahiya, ano na lang ang sasabihin ng mga kapitbahay ko, ke-bata-bata ng anak ko eh nabuntis na at wala pang tatay?” Mga kapwa ko mga magulang, nahihiya kayo sa sasabihin ng inyong mga kapit-bahay subalit sa Diyos, hindi kayo nahihiya? Marahil tama si Mateo ng kanyang isulat, ”Sa Bunga Nakikilala ang Puno.”

Sa Mga Kabataan

Paalala ko sa mga mga kabatan na nasa ganitong sitwasyon. Bagamat lahat tayo ay may kalayaan sa ating nais gawin sa ating buhay. Ngunit sana’y magisip muna kayo ng maraming beses bago kayo sumuong sa PRE-MARITAL Sex. Huwag ninyong hayaang nakawin ng pagiging batang ina ang inyong kalayaan maranasan ang maging isang bata. Ang lahat ng bagay ay may kanya-kanyang panahon at sa mura ninyong edad, dapat kayo ay naglalaro muna at hindi kayo ang nilalaro. Ang pagiging ina ay hindi pa ninyo panahon. Subalit kung ang inyong hangad ay pagrerebelde lamang o dili kaya’y naghahanap lang ng kaukulang atensiyon sa inyong mga magulang, mga anak, heto ang sasabihin ko sa inyo, hindi iyan ang tamang paraan.

At kung sakali mang kayo’y nasa sutwasyong kinalabasan ng inyong maagang kapusukan, pakaisisipin sana ninyo na ang bunga ng inyong desisyon ay dapat pangatawan at hindi dapat na itapon na parang disposable diaper na lamang. Huwag kayong matako’t sa responsibilidad bagkus ay harapin ninyo ng buong tapang at tatag gaya na lamang ng sarap na inyong naramdaman habang ginagawa ninyo iyan.

Sanggol na bunga ng inyong kapusukan ay buhay na bigay ng Diyos at wala sino mang may karapatan kahit ikaw na ina na nagluwal lamang.

A Repost from my blogsite- Gener 'Gino' Marcelo

Barking on the wrong tree
July 14th, 2008 by ginomarcelo

This is a reaction to the news article published in Philippine Daily Inquirer titled, “Anti-life pols must be refused communion” (07/14/08). Lyda Canson (Chair of Gabriela Women’s Party) is barking on the wrong tree when she issued her statement; “Instead of denying them (Catholic politicians) communion, why doesn’t the Catholic Church look for measures to effectively solve the problem?”

The role of the church is to promote moral virtues while finding solutions to economic woes is the responsibility of the State. While I agree with her (Lyda Canson) that moralizing will never be the answer to the problem of abortion but clearly, it is not the stand of the Church to do otherwise â€" to advocate abortion. The issue of abortion is a non-debatable and non-negotiable issue for the Church. This is why the separation of the Church and State is clearly provided for in our Constitution for there are irreconcilable issues between the two, both moral and social standpoint. How could one explain the putting of a ‘fetus’ in a basket for mass offering? Will the inclusion of this unborn fetus justifies or cleanse the guilt of who ever did this? It goes without saying to these politicians (advocating or pushing “anti-life” bills masked us “Pro-Quality Life” measures) that by going inside the church and by receiving communion that their sins will be washed away.

The sanctity of life must be preserved and life is not for ours to take but Him. If parents are incapable of raising their children, then learn to practice self-discipline and be a responsible parent for once and for all. “If the mind is willing but the flesh is weak” situation results to unwanted pregnancy, why not offer that “life” to other willing couples rather than aborting it? Though may not jive fully in terms of moral principle, but it’s a matter of choosing lesser evil among the devils.

The Church is doing what it is ought to do, shouldn’t government do what it’s mandated to?

Desperate times don’t need desperate but effective measures
July 14th, 2008 by ginomarcelo

This is a reaction to the news article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer titled, “Lacson: Pastoral letter vs pro-population planning stupid” (07/14/08).

I agree with Sen. Lacson when he said, “There’s not enough food on the table, many are homeless, and the poor have almost zero opportunity to have access to education,…” He added that “basic social services can otherwise enjoy with an efficient but moral population management program.” However what the Senator missed is the big question, “Why these things happen?”

Poor people are dying of hunger and poverty not because food is not available on the table but because there are no access or means for poor people to have one. The taxes collected by the government that is supposed to fund long term programs on Food, Education, Shelter and Social Services were misappropriated. Instead of giving 500-pesos electricity subsidy and other short term programs, why shouldn’t the government focus really on a more cohesive and long term program? Philippines is an agricultural country, why don’t government sustain this benefit for the advantage of sustaining food security? Efficient tax collection system rather than adding more tax measures. These taxes if appropriated honestly and wisely to education, shelter and basic social services would reduce if not eliminate hunger and poverty among others.

The Senator’s bill pending in the Senate that focus on program to abate our country’s monstrous population growth, no matter how they guise it to appear as ‘Christian method will not get the ‘yes’ of the Catholic Church simply because they don’t have a common principle on the definition of ‘abortion.’ Besides, you don’t treat a person with hypertension by ‘reducing’ his blood.

Filipino people doesn’t need mercy to be given alms and dole. What the Filipino people need is an honest to goodness government that will serve the interest of the people and not their pockets. The problem is, do we have one now?

very ironic seeing a sex-related thread getting high hits everyday compare to a thread related to spiritual. Funny is it not?

Finding solace in Saudi


By Karlo Jose R. Pineda
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 09:05:00 11/26/2008


FILIPINOS DEPART for a foreign land for many reasons reasons, from the all-pervading urge to earn in dollars to the self-indulgent itch to shop in the street markets of Hong Kong.

But for Yolanda Ilagan, 49, it was neither to upgrade her family’s income nor splurge in imported RTWs. It was all about moving on after a tragedy.

Yolly was never comfortable with the thought of leaving her hometown in Batangas to join her husband William who, for 11 years, had been working as an industrial painter in Saudi Arabia.

But she had no choice when fate meddled with her life.

“My psychologist advised me to go be with William in Saudi. She said it would be better if I moved to a new environment since what had happened to us was extremely traumatic,” said Yolly, painfully recalling how it was for them to lose both sons (their only children) to cancer in the same year.

“And she was right,” Yolly added. “I almost lost my sanity after the untimely death of my boys. Can you imagine what the chances are that I’d lose both my children in the same year to the same disease? It’s indeed a crazy thought.”

Her elder son Christopher, 17 died of brain cancer in May 2000. Chester, 14, followed five months later after suffering from leukemia.

In October 2003, with her emotional wounds still fresh, Yolly bid Batangas goodbye, hoping to put together the broken pieces of herself in Saudi.

“I came to Saudi all by myself. William was there, waiting for me. I imagined myself coming home even if, in fact, I was running away.”

She made the initial step to recover from her heartbreak back home and survive first-timer’s blues in the largest country of the Arabian Peninsula, but the past continued to haunt her.

Every time William would go to work, she would be left all alone in their pad, provided by the company her husband is working for, signaling the start of “a very long day.” She would spend hours contemplating on their sons Topher and Chester and the lives they could have lived.

This still happens up to now, says Yolly. “It’s been years and despite having accepted what had happened, I continue to find myself missing them.” During her first months in Saudi, there was little she could do in the house to busy herself. “I still look at their pictures and talk to them through the pictures until I can contain the tears no more. I also dream of them, and when that happens, my day becomes complete.

“It also shatters my heart every time I see children their age when William and I go out. I can’t help but think of them: That they could be wearing the very same trendy clothes and shoes those kids are wearing. See, I can’t even cook for them their favorite dishes now, and that never fails to sadden me.”

As a certain song goes, “scars are souvenirs you never lose.” And the scars of perhaps the greatest loss in Yolly’s life she could not forget. To her, the experience remains vivid as a vignette.

‘It’s crazy’

“I thought Topher’s sickness was just ordinary. But after the CT scan and the doctor’s confirmation that he had a tumor in his brain and that his days were already numbered, I really couldn’t believe it! I told myself that it only happens in the movies.

“And after he passed away, Chester, who became jealous because we hardly even bothered to check up on him while we were paying much attention to his kuya (older brother), strangely got sick, and we found out that it was leukemia, I really couldn’t accept it. No way did I want to accept it. I mean, how could that happen? God already took Topher and now my other son had cancer? It’s just impossible.”

After experiencing severe vomiting, Chester was brought to the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. Three days later, he died.

Yolly admitted she got angry with God. Anger and desperation led her to consider the idea of committing suicide even if she knew it was taboo in the Christian faith.

“What can I hold on to,” she asked, “when even the priest we asked why that happened to us couldn’t give us a logical answer? I knew that time I lost not only my sons but also my sense of self and family, even if William, who provided me his abiding support, was still around.”

Nevertheless even in that desperate time, Yolly arrived at enlightenment. “Maybe my boys up there had something to do with it,” she says, adding, perhaps “they guide and want me to continue living for them.”

Now five years in Saudi, Yolly carries on with her life by devotedly serving her husband who, she says, she has loved even more after all the challenges they have had to go through.

“I’m a housewife but, ironically, many are open for me to watch over their children for extra income,” Yolly said. “But since I’m a bit sicklyâ€"I have monthly check-upsâ€"I’m okay with growing plants and baking cakes. I also never fail to light candles and pray every night for Topher and Chester.”

Yolly said she and her husband plan to make frequent their visits to the Philippines to see the rest of their kin and, more importantly, to visit the graves of their sons when time permits. As of now, William has a stable job and they are maximizing this advantage, says Yolly.

Since the two believe they only have each other in the end, they are eagerly saving up for their gray-haired years, she adds. They aim to at least get themselves a small house.

“It’s funny that we’re here for our sons even though they’ve already left us physically. It’s fine, though, since I know we’ll be seeing each other again someday. I’m okay living here. Our life here is peaceful,” she said.

The Ilagans’ story was featured in ABS-CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya (Do you Remember?), the longest-running drama anthology on Philippine television, in May 2003. Yolly was played by Jacklyn Jose; William was portrayed by Ricky Davao.

Religion and its teachings are areas where argument is never ending.
Since Biblical times, Saul (Apostle Pablo) was very much concerned when he learned that people are arguing whether is it necessary to follow the law that has been given to Moses or the teachings of Saul as given to him by Jesus; that the death and resurrecion of Jesus free us form the angst of sin. Saul mentioned that it is not worthy to argue and quarrel about teachings and to set aside pride for it only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take
advice.

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a
quarrel.  Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on
disputable matters. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to
mutual edification. After all, religion could not save us all.

guys, it's not that i want to play the role of a devil's advocate here but i just want to stimulate all your provocative thoughts regarding the hanging questions on this thread, viz-a viz;

Is it my brother's fault?
Is he to be blamed?

These questions put me into quandary, first why would he (your brother) consider that thought that it is his fault? In the first place (based on the story) it is the girl who's insisting to be loved. Unless, he shows something that entices the married woman to let go of her feelings towards your brother.
Second, why your brother thinks that he is to be blamed? Is there really a reason other than guilt feelings for tripping back to the old memory lane?

No one can answer those questions better than your brother. Ask him to do a self evaluation- evaluation of consience.

What the bible says;

DEU 30:19  This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I
have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life,
so that you and your children may live

can i have one of those collection of yours?

here in KSA, price per liter is 50 halala, roughly equivalent to 6 pesos

The verses from the Bible need no further explanation for it already tells the turth about celibacy.


MAT 19:10  The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a
husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

11  Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to
whom it has been given.

12  For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made
that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom
of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

1CO 7:1  Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to
marry.

2  But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own
wife, and each woman her own husband.

7  I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from
God; one has this gift, another has that.

8  Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay
unmarried, as I am.

9  But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is
better to marry than to burn with passion.

25  Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a
judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.

26  Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to
remain as you are.

32  I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned
about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord.

33  But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he
can please his wife--

34  and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is
concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in
both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of
this world--how she can please her husband.

35  I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you
may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

36  If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is
engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to
marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get
married.

37  But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no
compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind
not to marry the virgin--this man also does the right thing.

38  So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not
marry her does even better.

39  A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband
dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the
Lord.

40  In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is--and I think that
I too have the Spirit of God.

1TI 4:1  The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the
faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

2  Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have
been seared as with a hot iron.

3  They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain
foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who
believe and who know the truth.

REV 14:4  These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for
they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were
purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.

     

I found another answer to this question from the Bible and if I may share verses from Romans 8:17-22

Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs
with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also
share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the
glory that will be revealed in us.

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be
revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice,
but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of
childbirth right up to the present time.

They hold the key to my heart

salamat manay tess

Can OFW families be whole again?

By Cathy S. Babao-Guballa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:47:00 11/23/2008

MANILA, Philippines - It was a simple message, but I was taken aback by the seeming insensitivity of it.
I had sent a birthday greeting to someone we had met earlier this year while my husband was based overseasâ€"that six-month period in our lives when we lived separately from each other, a difficult but necessary choice we had to make at the time. The friend replied, “We are one friend down here, but I am glad that you are all back togetherâ€"that’s how family is meant to be.”
Ouch. Something in his words dug deep into my heart.

I suppose I was hurt not only for myself but for the thousands of other OFW families who have a loved one working abroad. I think of my nephew and niece whose mother has been working as a nurse in Oxford for the last five years. I think of the countless children whose fathers or mothers toil overseas in order to give them a good future. My mind flashed back to that brief period earlier this year when I could see the loneliness in my children’s eyes whenever they would remember their dad. Did this friend even know the circumstances that led to my husband’s departure from that foreign country?

I guess my children were “luckier” than most because at least they got to see their father twice during that brief separation. Yes, I know that is “how families are meant to be”â€"together. But perhaps he should have been more sensitive to the circumstances that my family and countless other families had to make when we made the decision for my husband to work overseas.
I have rarely spoken of that period because it still stings. My husband left a pretty good job here on the premise and promise of a better one there. The people who sent him there were Filipinos, the headhunter there was a Filipina. Unfortunately, she was someone who looked out more for the interest of the client she was serving and not that of her kapwa Pilipino. Sad but true.
From the very start, when we made an initial visit and look-see, I had serious apprehensions. Something in my gut told me he should not take the job. At certain times, it felt like my husband was being treated like “cattle,” sold to be slaughtered. This was at the executive level, mind you.
In hindsight, we should have trusted that inner voice. It was too late when we learned the company had been blacklisted by other companies for its unfair practices.
When things began to fall apart, there was no one we could really turn to. There was no one we could really trust at that point. Only God and ourselves.
One time, while discussing our plight, I said to my husband, if this is happening to you, can you imagine what all the other OFWs must have gone through?

I thought of all those OFWs working under sub-human conditions with many of the stipulations in their contract that were not being followed. Or those who had to be deported because they were sent off with illegal papers.

Blessings

I ended up counting my blessings. Toward the end, we just wanted my husband back home. And when he returned after what I would describe a “harrowing” five months there, it was a real homecoming in the truest sense of the word.
Social psychologist and Miriam College president Patricia Licuanan says in her foreword in the book “Nawala ang Ilaw ng Tahanan,” a book on the OFW experience written by Dr. Honey Carandangâ€"“We need to increase our awareness of the realities of the globalized world with its winners and losers, to support programs for OFWs and their families, and most important, to contribute actively toward building a society where all Filipinos can live with dignity and comfort here at home and not need to work abroad to give their families a decent life.” Yes, I agree with that ideal and that is something that we as a people all need to strive together and work for. But for now, such is not the reality and we are still very far from it.

The global crisis has now forced many OFWs to return home, and the reintegration into the family will certainly be an issue that needs to be addressed and supported by programs to help families heal and become whole again.
So, yes, we are glad that we are one family once more, but having gone through that experience, I cannot help but be sensitive about describing the way that families “ought to be.” When one parent is away, does that make them less of a family?
The ideal is there, but we have to understand there are reasons why sometimes a parent needs to be away for a while. The best that we can do, if we really want to help, is to be sensitive to their needs, and to provide support systems in schools, barangay and community centers for those who have been left behind.
After having said that, and actually having lived the reality, I can say with confidence that with love and support, the Filipino family is resilient, that is our greatest hope.

E-mail cathybabao@gmail.com


Dear Cathy,

KUDOS to your another ‘shot through the heart’ article.  I must agree and I share with your hurt upon hearing such simple but insensitive comments from your friend. Though, I think your friend don’t intend to hurt you nor any OFW for that matter, but I guess, it’s just that there are things people couldn’t understand unless they are in the same situation as most OFW does.

I remember one comment I read from a fellow alumnus. He said that our country could be a better place to live if only those talented OFWs prefer to stay than to toil abroad. I just hope that these people know where we are coming from so that they will know what made us, OFW sacrifice the thing of not being with our respective family.

While I must agree that there are insurmountable lost accorded to the families whose father has its role relegated to just a provider and an absentee father. But I’m sure that a family can still be considered whole despite the physical absence of either the father or the mother; as long as they knew that the physical absence is often compensated by this immeasurable love that’s within the family, come rain or shine. After all, what more can be better than a family whose member is missing but love is continuously felt through sacrifice, both parents and children alike than a family who can be physically complete but emotionally and spiritually disunited.

Gener Marcelo
Jubail City
KSA

Quote from: fdaray on November 17, 2008, 04:21:28 PM
TB is open to everybody throughout the universe.
Welcome here in TB.

Thanks Mr. fdaray. I hope you don't mind me asking, is that really you in the picture? You look like Eli Soriano. (no pun intended)

Quote from: Angie Gulle on November 13, 2008, 02:02:29 PM
Di ba naa actor na rehab about sex addiction? Kalimot lng ko name niya.

Its David Duchovny, the star of X-files, husband of Theresa Leony

Quote from: A Layman on November 18, 2008, 05:15:53 PM
Pag kinawat kawat imong buhaton ato a ang thrill. Ug pasagdan ka na lang, wa na jamoy thrill. Para maundang na ang ingon anang buhata, ug ako ang natungdan, I will tell my wife the truth, that I am telling her lies, di ba? Sama sa magtiayon nga nagkalingaw ug away tungod kay sugarol kaayo ang laki,

ASAWA: Tan awa kanang imong mga anak ron, nagmokmok kay way gikaon. Gihatagan ti kaw ug kwarta aron ipalit ug bugas ug ginamos. Hain ra man to nga wa man kay napalit bisan ug tipasi.

BANA: Akong gisugal para unta makapalit tag fried chicken man lang, pero napildi ko.
ASAWA: Giingnan ta ka nga ajaw na ug sugal, undangi na nang imong bisyo, pero hangtod ron mao ka man gihapon. Sugod karon dili na ta mag dog. Diha kanas gawas, wa kay silbing bana ka. Diha ka na lang matog sa kilid sa atong anay diha sa silong.

BANA: Hon, ayaw baya tinud a nang imong gipangsulti, di man ko makatulog ug di ko katambid nimo. Promise na ko, di na ko magsugal.

ASAWA: Tinood? di ka na magsugal?
BANA: Cross my heart Hon, di na gyod ko mag sugal.

ASAWA: Unsa may imong pruweba nga di ka na jod magsugal.
BANA: Hon, PUSTAHAN pa ta, di na gyod ko.

MEdyo kasabot ako ng konti sa joke na ito, kaya lang, talagang nose bleed ako, hahhaa

Quote from: lumine on November 13, 2008, 10:59:10 PM
so that must be the 11th and and Gener's commandment will be the 12th.hahahha!

hahaha, i just hope though na wala ng 13th

Quote from: LanggamTamsi2 on November 15, 2008, 02:07:02 PM
hello gener open ka muna nito na site  www.photobucket.com tapos  iupload mo ang pics mo then copy the code and paste it in tb window. yong IMG code ha?.

Thank you, I will try to do it as per your tip.

Quote from: grazie7y on November 15, 2008, 04:06:45 PM
Let me try to help you, Mr. Gener, in translating what was earlier posted by Tita Lee.  I hope Tita Tess agrees with my translation though. :

For me Gener, whether or not a person is saying the truth - even my husband, I will not judge because there is someone (referring to our God), who knows the real truth.  Besides, I will not be answerable to what he or she is saying. 

Wow, this is the best reply I have ever read so far.  God bless Tita Lee. Thanks for the translation grazie7y.

When trust is doubted; how I wish I could surrender my soul.
Shed the clothes and become my skin,
To see the lights that’s within just to understand its meaning.

When misunderstood; how I wish you walk through the doors of my mind.
Hold the memories close at hand;
To help you understand I guess.

When love isn’t felt; how I wish I could scream it out that loud.
Remember the sacrifice that I have been;
Instead of finding it no meaning.

When hurt; how I wish I have chosen darkness from cold.
Endure blindness in eternity;
Than to see my soul so cold from fear.

When thinking about our future; how I wish I could chose between heaven and hell.
But I will endure hell for tomorrow can tell;
Just for you to be in heaven and well.

I guess it’s time I run far and far away;
From discomfort and pain.
Till pleasures the same just to keep me from trouble.
More than words can say, it’s just my tears in the rain.

Bored wife has cyber-BF Bored wife has cyber-BF

By Emily A. Marcelo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:04:00 11/16/2008

Dear Emily,

I am a 43-year-old happily married woman but I am bored with my life and daily routine. One day, I decided to chat online as a 25-year-old single lady using another name and someone else’s picture.

I met a 25-year-old nice man. We chatted for a weekâ€"about four hours a day straight. We began missing each other when we went offline. Mine was purely friendship, but I felt romance on his side. However, I felt empty whenever he would forget to text me.

One day he proposed marriage, but we are not in a BF-GF relationship. He has a new job in his country, which gives us less time on the Internet, only through cell phone. My husband doesn’t know about this.

Do you think I’m being disloyal to my marriage? I wanted to end this cyber relationship but how? I feel empty when he’s not in contact with me. I’m scared he would do something bad to himself.

MALU

You’re bored, you feel emptyâ€"pick up a hobby that will keep your body, soul, mind very busy. You’re playing with fire!

Who are you going to blame if you get burnedâ€"your comfortable and blessed life? And yes, you are being disloyal to your husband.

Didn’t you say you’re a happily married woman?

If you want to end this cyber relationship, change your e-mail address, change your cell number, do something to make him lose track of you. Don’t just sit there biting your nails.

Why should you be scared that this cyber boyfriend will do something bad to himself?
Did you mean suicide? If you’ve met and had eyeballed each other and went on a long-torrid-devil-may-care affair, that can be possible.

But since your introduction to him was as a 25-year-old woman with a faux photograph to boot, I don’t think so.

He might even get the electric shock of his life if you’d actually meet in person now, what with his visions of an entirely different you that you placed on the Internet.

He has fallen in love with an illusion of youâ€"both mental and verbal!

You did it to someone you said was a nice man. You were on the Internet because you were bored and wanted fun.

He could have been there to meet a soulmate, not a playmate! What you did was disingenuous and cruel. Finish the game already. Give him a break.

Quote from: hofelina on November 13, 2008, 06:41:27 PM
He he he, medyo  curios ako dahil sa postings mo tantiya ko lady killer ka!

ps

having your children enrolled in St Scholastica is a wise decision. Sis Mary John Mananzan is a very progressive nun. I met her twice in Germany.

Manay Tess

hahaha, hindi po manay tess, minsan lang naligaw ng landas.
yes, we prefer SSC kahit na may kamahalan ang tuition fee, maganda kasi ang moral at educational foundation ng mga bata and very evident sa mga anak ko kaya pilit naming pinagsusumikapan na mag asawa, this march graduation ng ng daughter ko also my son sa Don Bosco naman, kaya im planning to have a vacation sa pinas, ciempre im really proud of them

Quote from: simplylee on November 13, 2008, 07:20:16 PM
para naku Gener magsulti man sa tinuod o dili ang tawo or bisan kinsa man bisan pa akong bana dili ko mohukom kay naa bayay mas labing nasayod sa kamatuoran. unya dili man ako ang manubag sa iyang gipanulti.

Manay tess, help, need translation on this, hahaha

how can i post my picture in my profile?

Daghan na salamat po sa inyo na tanan (tama po ba ang grammar ko?)

I'm really pleased by the warmth of your welcome. Truly, Filipinos, and Boholanos in particular are very hospitable people even to an intruder like me. Honestly, I feel that this place is a home away from home.

God bless and may this group grow even more.

Quote from: A Layman on November 12, 2008, 07:52:47 PM
Sensitivity to me is  a very relative subject depending on a given situation. One may be sensitive for others who are in dire need. How could you turn your back  when your brother is in dire need for assistance? The best thing that one could do is to offer a helping hand no matter how simple it is. This is where sensitivity becomes an asset. This reflects a good behaviour of a good Samaritan. On the other hand, one might become insensitive when that same person is asking for  help all the time. Although it would be hard to imagine how it hurts to say no, especially when this peson is a close relative, insensitivity here is still considered an asset. Why? Because you enable this person to think for ways to learn how to stand by his own feet and become independent in the end.

This time, I agree, well said amigo

Hey ladies who are married, have you heard of the 11th commandment that most husbands are obediently practicing?, 'Thou shall not admit'. Have you experienced this from your husband?

Quote from: hofelina on November 12, 2008, 06:50:37 PM
Gener,

Pakilagay nga ng iyong litrato para makita ko ang iyong mga mata.  Dahil dito daw nababasa ang kanyang kalooban!

Ate Tess

Hi Manay Tess
Honestly, I'm trying to upload my picture here for the past weeks to establish my physical identity but I couldn't and I dont know how . Need help from the admin please

Quote from: Angie Gulle on November 10, 2008, 08:06:01 AM
Honestly Gener if I am your wife and  even if you are telling me the whole truth I would still suspect you.

So how could one validates the reason of another, whether he/she is telling the truth?

Saving the Best for Last
March 26th, 2008 by ginomarcelo

My sister in law has this habit to reserve the best part of the food as her last bite as if the joy of her meal is in the last bite. One time, my parent in laws hosted a dinner to treat their balik-bayan relatives who just came in from Australia.On that dinner, my sister-in law got what she believed was the best part of the meal and she took a medium size shrimp and put it on her plate. She carefully removed the shells of the shrimp taking care not to lose precious part of the shrimp that can go together with the shell. With all its dexterity, the ritual is over and she set aside the peeled off shrimp beside her dinner plate.

When the dinner was about to end and it was time to pay the bill, my son saw the peeled off shrimp near her aunt’s plate. Thinking that her aunt no longer wanted to eat that food, he tweaked the shrimp from the plate and PRESTO! the shrimp was gone in seconds. My sister-in law was so furious and berated her nephew by saying, “di mo ba alam itinitira ko yun para sa huling subo? (don’t you know I reserved it for my last bite?). Everybody was laughing leaving my sister in law disgusted.

The Test of Life

Year 2006 when we experienced life’s most difficult test. I quit my lucrative job in the semiconductor industry because of personal indifferences with my boss and settled for another job that pays me relatively lesser than what I used to received. With the kind of lifestyle we used to have, we find ourselves in the difficult part of life-style transition. Gone are the days of my family’s usual weekend break outside Manila. The countless Friday dinner dates with my wife and the Sunday treats for the entire family were all lost in an instant, together with my pride and self-esteem.

My new job then in the Fashion Retail Industry is to manage nationwide distribution of men’s apparel in all leading Department Stores in the Philippines. Daily, I have to leave home early and arrived home wasted from a daily grind of 12 hours work including holidays because these were the peak season for the company’s business. The situation was further complicated because the job demands time more than what I can give to my self and my family. Endless nights I couldn’t sleep trying to figure out the future of my family. I didn’t even know how it was like to spend time with your kids. My health succumbed to the pressure of stressful work and decided to leave my job and settled for small business at home. The business though profitable didn’t provide enough for my family’s needs and we were facing then the toughest question whether if we can still afford our children’s education. Going abroad for me is a bitter pill to swallow, but that time; I knew we never had good options left.

Year 2007 when I packed my suitcase armed with hope of giving better future for my family. I left Philippines for abroad leaving a wife, a son and 3 daughters. By chance, we managed to exchange communications and my wife makes sure to update me every time even the smallest and trivial things that are happening. Our life improves a bit and we were slowly picking up fragments of our broken dreams. “This is the kind of break I need”, I told myself.

The Tragedy

A month before Christmas I was busy filling up and checking the list if my balik-bayan box was complete with all the stuffs that should be there. I prepared this ahead because I want to give nothing but the best stuff for my family. Goodies, toys, shoes, perfumes and clothes were all perfectly selected based on my kid’s preference. My daughter keeps on asking me, “Daddy, kailan mo papadala yung yung gift mo sa akin?” “Malapit na, basta bago mag Pasko” I replied. “This time I’m sure they all gonna’ like it because these are the best” Saving the best for last? Maybe.

Days past and Christmas is just around the corner, almost a week had past but I never received any SMS from my wife or my daughter. Though quite unusual but I thought they were just busy. Sunday morning came, I sent an SMS message to my wife asking her if they went to hear a mass but still got no reply from her. That Sunday proved to be the most difficult test of my life. My wife and my 3 daughters ages 2, 7 and 12 got involved in a vehicular accident. The passenger jeepney they were riding was hit by a wayward truck while they were crossing the intersection of San Andres and South Super Hi-way. Miraculously, my 2 younger daughters were unharmed for they were cushioned by files of bodies over them who absorbed the impact of the crush. My eldest daughter was thrown outside the vehicle because of the impact of the collision but managed to escape with a little bruise. Good thing there were no approaching vehicle at the time of the accident. However, the young lady beside her was badly hurt and her leg was later amputated due to the severity of the injury. The other person beside her was not that lucky, she died on her way to the hospital. My wife absorbed the most injury what could have been for my children and survived the accident after having been in the hospital for about a week and recuperated at home a month after the accident.

Saving the Best for Last?

When the news was finally relayed to me, I was in the office and I couldn’t remember if I cried. All I know, I was dumbfounded; motion less and I don’t know how I would react. I realized that everything you saved, everything you hoped for and everybody you care for can vanish with a single instance. When I came back to my room I saw the balik-bayan box in one corner, carefully packed with a name and address of the intended recipient written outside the box. I opened the box and saw how the stuffs were carefully and neatly arranged inside but almost could be rendered nearly worthless by that accident.

My Spiritual Learning Curve

That accident had opened my eyes on the deeper understanding of life. Our desire to have or achieve the best of everything out of this world defines the kind of life that most of us is creating in the process, hence neglecting the very purpose of our life.

We enslave ourselves to work, neglecting our part at home. Forgetting about to visit your mother on her birthday or getting it hard to remember even your wedding anniversary. Having missed your son’s school graduation because you will be attending a business conference abroad. You can’t talk longer on the phone with your daughter asking you to come on her confirmation day because you a deadline to meet or your boss is calling you to his office. Lest to miss your flight to attend a provincial business conference, you forgot to kiss your wife and children on your way out. Are you slave of your own career for the fear of missing the promotion that you are aiming so dearly sacrificing the very same family we pledged to give undivided attention? This selfish desire is often disguise as “For the sake of my family”. How many times have you made a self-justification that your dream of going up the corporate ladder is for the sake of your family?  Don’t you know that if you die tomorrow, the company that you pledged your loyalty can replace you instantly, but the family we often neglected will be the only one left crying in our grave?

Mathew 6: 19-21 explain the awful consequence of man’s foolish priority of keeping wealth that can be lost and tarnish and not even a single piece of it can be taken with him at the time of his death. What profits a man if he gains the best thing in this world but loses his soul?

Perhaps the best question we may ask ourselves, Are we saving the best for our next life?

Promise from a Mother’s heart
April 27th, 2008 by ginomarcelo

Many years ago, my mother made us a promise that changed our lives forever.  

Now that I’m also a parent, I’ve come to see my mother’s promise as a kind spiritual umbilical cord to bring new life to me and to my other siblings from our humble beginnings.

Life’s Difficulties

Being the 4th sibling in the brood of 5, we were raised by our mother all by herself since our father has no steady means of livelihood. Despite her meager income from selling women’s undergarments, we’re still fortunate that all of us could still go to school. We lived in a shanty made of old galvanized metal sheets salvaged from a decommissioned foundry and with the help of my father’s friend; the once old foundry was turned into a bungalow that serves as our haven. Having an electricity source that time is a luxury that we couldn’t afford that we have to finish our school’s homework before dawn and the gasera (kerosene lamp) is the only source of light comes night time. More so that the source of our water comes from a leaking residential water pipe is short lived; after having been discovered by its owner that he had the damaged pipes repaired immediately. Having nothing much of life’s basic needs drives my mother to make night also a day. At my very young age, I saw life’s difficulties thru the eyes of my mother. She would often tell us that there’s nothing wrong to be born poor but to die out of poverty is unacceptable.

Being the only breadwinner in the family, my mother has to leave our house before sun rise entrusting all of us to our eldest sister and before dawn, we would all be together partaking what has been prepared by my ate (eldest sister) on the table after saying the grace before meal. Everything was going almost as a routine that by the time my mother arrived at the house, I could tell if her day is a success by the pasalubong (presents) that she will buy from a nearby carinderia (eatery). But this success happens only on a few occasions that I could count it only in one hand. More often than not, our meal would always be a loan canned goods from the neighbor’s sari-sari store (retail store). Pork and chicken for a meal could mean only one thing â€" special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas and New Year celebration. I remember one time how my father with the help of my older brother catches a hen that by chance wrongly entered our house. That time, we had our mouths greased by the cooking oil from a sumptuous chicken adobo.

Making Both Ends Meet

With the family’s meager source of income, my mother knew that she has to work doubly hard to make both ends meet. With the help of my eldest sister, my mother would go to Divisoria market on early mornings to buy vegetables and sell it to our neighbors. This newly found livelihood provides steady means of income; barely ensuring that we can all eat 3 times a day. Thus, realizing it as a better alternative livelihood, she left her garments selling job and focus instead on selling vegetables. Hardship in life knows no ages. Barely only 7 years old; while most children of my age are playing with toys, vegetables loaded in a basket or bilao has been my favorite toy every morning roaming street after street. While during school break, I would end up selling ice buko (frozen grated coconut with milk) and bibingka (rice cake) I got from a trader using my school ID as business collateral. Every night without missed, I would often see my mother talking to God thru her prayers and often that I heard her saying, “Panginoon, tulungan Mo po kami” (God, please help us).

Test of Times

Whilst our life is still no bed of roses despite the passing of years, the turn of events in our family life is something kid of my age couldn’t understand. Endless nights I would see my mother sobbing in one corner of our house, beaten black and blue by my father every time he gets drunk. All that I can do together with my other siblings was to comfort our mother in her time of despair. I developed the fear every time my father leaves home to be with his buddies for I know what would happen next when he arrives after his drinking spree.

Days had passed into weeks and months and I lost the count. But one thing I can never forget was the time when my mother could no longer bear the beatings from my father. She brought us out of the house; all 5 of us while my father was drunk and sleeping. With nowhere to go, she has no choice but to distribute the 4 of us to our respective ninongs and ninangs (godparents) taking only with her my eldest sister. I vividly remember crying and pleading with my mother not to leave me but with a heavy heart, she made me a promise, anak, pangako, babalikan kita at ang mga kapatid mo kapag maayos na ang lahat”(son, I promise, I will come back for you and your other siblings when everything is okay). At that time, I knew that my mother’s heart bleeds to watch me as she and my ate (eldest sister) disappear down the corner of the street. I don’t know how long we were separated from my mother; all I know was that everyday seems to be eternity.

Reunited at Last

Mother’s promise to her child is a promise from a pure heart that can never be broken. True to her promises, one by one she collected us and reunited at last. Though there has been not much of a change in our life but that moment I saw my mother and the rest of my siblings is more than what I can ask for. Determined not to be separated again from one another, the 5 of us promised to help our mother even more. I for one become a collector of bets after school and have to divide my time collecting kanin-baboy (hog feeds) from our neighbors to feed our hogs. With hard works and collective efforts, our life changes a bit better and we had the first taste of life’s little luxury when we purchased our first appliance â€" an electric fan that costs 450 pesos. My eldest sister’s first paycheck ended up as a down payment for a black and white television set while the meager earning from selling vegetables was used to purchased a Class B freezer at a factory price that eventually give us the queue to diversified our goods selling fish and meat. My youngest sister never to be outdone had her own share of business â€" selling ice and ice candy. For the first time we experienced a bit of life’s little pleasure and still as I normally see from her, I would see my mother talking to God and saying still the same prayer, “Oh, God please help us.”

Then I became a teenager

Years gone by and I was in the prime of my teenage years. Having been unexposed to people of opposite sex other than my sisters, I was often mistaken as suplado by my girl classmates. High school life proves to be the most memorable stage of my life for it was the stage I was able to build and extend relationship outside my family. It was the time I started to court girls and my mother is a very able partner of keeping my childhood secrets away from the girls I brought home.

When I was in college, I landed a part time job flipping burgers at a fast food restaurant in Makati. I worked in the morning and study in the evening. Hard work and perseverance to succeed has always been in my mind. Barely a year since joining the company, I was promoted to Junior Manager Position despite being still an under graduate. I finished my Engineering Degree in college and landed in good company after graduation. At night, I could still see my mother praying but that time, few words has been added to her old litany, “Oh, God please help my children in their work and studies.”

I got Wed

In my teenage years, I happened to change my misfit image for the gloss of popularity, whatever the cost. Having the financial freedom, I shrugged off any consequences and believed that to have a “good” testimony, like so many of the dramatic ones I had heard, that I had to have a “past.”

At 24, I got married to a workmate, with my mother initially not relish on my plan. My marriage relationship immediately bears me a son and my mother with her joy ballooned with the arrival of a grandson. That time, my mother’s nightly litany has grown few more words adding her grandson in the list.

My Ups and Downs in Life

My career continuous to flourish that I end up jumping from one company to another and so as the number of our kids. We spent our lives lavishly trying to savor good things in life that I have never experience before. We spent more than what we can save. My initial car was bought thru bank loan but my career continuous to flourish that I just found my self buying my second car in cash on top of the one issued to me by the company where I worked. At times, my only problem then was - where to park my all my rides.

Year 2005 comes the most devastating time in my career. I have to leave my high paying job because of disagreement with my boss. With no savings come that rainy day, I transferred to another job that pays me relatively lower and without any perks. We were facing then the biggest question that I have to answer â€" can I still afford my children’s education? My eldest son and daughter were studying at an exclusive school for boys and girls respectively while the third one is enrolled in a Catholic School. Our marriage relationship succumbs to the test of times. And there at that time where my life seems so low, I found my self in the arms of my mother helping me and my wife to pick up splinters of our broken dreams.

There I was retold by my mother’s promise to God from her heart â€" Which she would always pray for me and my family as long as she lives. A promise that she would never break like the promise she has made the first time we were separated.

Now, we are slowly picking the paces of our once fragmented hopes and dreams but my greatest hope is for me to respond to God’s given gift to me - my mother. As my children grow, I will tell them that God has a plan for all of us in our lives, and He intervened to protect us at all times. I will tell them the way God’s grace intervened to touch the spiritual deadwood that characterized our family tree, grafting in a new branch â€" one that is spiritually alive.

And I will tell them how it all began with a mother’s promise from the heart.

Funny is it not?
May 12th, 2008 by ginomarcelo

It’s funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world is in the condition it is today.


Funny how we believe what the newspapers say but question what the Bible says.


Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided that they do not have to BELIEVE, THINK, SAY or DO anything the Bible says.


Funny how someone can say “I BELIEVED IN GOD” but still follow Satan who by the way also believes in God.


Funny how you can share and accept comments on thousand funny jokes but when you start receiving messages and sharing regarding the Lord, you immediately think that you’re belief is being disrespected.


Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely thru the cyberspace but the public discussion about Jesus is suppressed.


Funny how can I be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me.


Funny, isn’t it?

(Note: Repost from my blogsite as an addendum to my previous posting,"Why God allows suffering?")

What is truly important?
May 19th, 2008 by ginomarcelo

I was browsing the internet for any news from the Philippines and one article struck my attention as the headline reads: “10 Killed in Laguna Bank Robbery”. The news came not as a surprise for me knowing that crime rates increases as the economy worsen but it’s the total disregard of human life that is bothering me. To kill a person is to kill one made in God’s image. Because all human beings are made in God’s image, all people possess the qualities that distinguish them from animals: morality, reason, creativity, and self-worth. But all of this put me in a situation to ask, Why God allows things like this?

Why God allows suffering?

We don’t know why God allows tragedies to enter our lives, but we do know that God hurts deeply with us and loves us more than we’ll ever know. He comforts us and gives us the strength to work through our pain. Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. (Psalm 10:17)

Money is not the root of all evil; the love of it is!

I share with the grief of those families who had lost their loved ones because of those senseless killings. Why would one have to waste human lives just to acquire temporal comfort of what money can give? One may easily quip that money is the root of all evil.

But it is love of money that is at the root of all kinds of evil (1Timothy 6:6-10). The love of money can get our priorities out of line. We must keep reminding ourselves that God must be first in our lives and that money cannot satisfy our deepest needs.

Poverty as an excuse

People easily make use of poverty as an excuse to commit wrong in order to live. It is ironic that people spend so much time securing their lives on earth and spend little or no thought about what comes afterward. We all have our hardships in life and I share with those people by experience that how difficult it is to live below poverty level. But being poor is not an excuse for people to take something that doesn’t belong to them, worst, taking someone else life just because they are poor and have nothing to eat?

People do not live only by bread, rice, fried chicken or even nice clothes to wear but from the word that comes from God’s mouth.

I fear for the safety of my loved ones

Shortly after reading that tragic news, chills went through my bones despite that mercury don’t fall below 40 degrees Celsius here in the Middle East during month of May. I fear for the safety of my wife knowing the vulnerability nowadays of employees in the banking industry. I sent an e-mail to the bank’s main office urging the management to develop proactive measures to prevent tragedy such as the Laguna bank robbery from happening in any of their branches. Maybe I’m just over reacting after reading the news but perhaps who is not going to over react when the lives of people close to your heart are at stake? If you knew where I’m coming from, it’s not so long time ago that I almost lost my entire family in a tragic accident simply because of man’s disregard to human lives; and having the thought of losing them again is nothing but a nightmare.

God is my tower of strength and my refuge

Being in a far away land and with the constant distress of worrying much of your family’s safety is inevitable. Morning, noon, and night I plead aloud in my distress and the Lord hears my voice. In my distress I prayed to the Lord and He answered me and rescued me from my fear. I found His answer in Psalm 91: 9-12

“For you have taken refuge in the Lord, my shelter, the sovereign One. No harm will overtake you; no illness will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you in all you do. They will lift you up in their hands, so you will not slip and fall on a stone.”

Life is short no matter how long we live. If there is something important we want to do, we must not put it off for a better day. Ask yourself, if I had only six months to live, what would I do? For me, I will let my loved ones know how much I love them. I will deal with an undisciplined area in my life. I will tell someone about Jesus. Because life is short, I must not neglect what is truly important.