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Quote from: Mohandis Ban-alam on August 31, 2007, 12:27:21 AM
grabeh! isa isa lang pre!

1. yup, tinood na no read no right si prophet muhammad(SWA) until the first revelation of quran by angel jibreel in his early 40's.
2. the quran did not came out from his mouth but thru the reveletion of angel jibreel as ordered by ALLAH (SWA).
3. Islam parehas sad na sa mga christian na daghan kaayo ug denominations...cge sad na sila ug debate until now pero ang the majority group is the sunnis followed by shi'ites.
4. the original quran is the one that revealed by angel jibreel to muhammad and is being used by the sunnis. after the deat of muhammad, daghan nigawas mga grupo sa mga muslim naghimo ug kaugalingon nilang quran. parehas sad na sa bible ang quran na naa sad lain laing versions.
5. dire saudi bawal man mag debate about religion. dakpon ka sa pulis.

Kuyawa pood na pre...pariho ra jud ang islam sa christianity with some differences then. The breaking of the Shii from the Sunnis is the same as the great schism of the Holy Church to two sects: the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. And the little sects in islam--rather similar to the protestant churches and its differences in the Catholic Church.

Also pre...amazed jud ko sa Q'uran kay..they talk alot about Mother Mary jud!! It is very similar to Catholic doctorine--jud kai daghang references to Mother Mary--and very unique jud na kai baji man na si Mother Mary--pero in the Quran--it seems as if she is regarded almost as a prophet/saint.

Naa kaning excerpt that i read, which really strengthened my own faith jud:

"So her Lord accepted her [Maryam] with good acceptance." (Quran 3:37).

Quran verses 3:37 continue ..  
"So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zachariya. Every time he entered Al-Mihrab (the praying place) to visit her, he found her supplied with sustenance [food]. He said:
'O Maryam! From where have you got this?' She said:
'This is from Allah. Verily, Allah provides sustenance who He wills, without limit.' "

So Mary was accepted by God, and was brought up in a good manner after she was put under the care of Zachary. Through her devotion and righteous upbringing and the prayer from her mother, Mary became the best woman to ever live as depicted in the Quran in the verses 3:42:

"And (remember) when the angels said: 'O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah (God) has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the world (of her lifetime).' "

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"And mention in the Book, Maryam [i.e. mention, O Mohammed, in the Quran the story of Mary], when she withdrew from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen from them; then We sent to her our angel (Jibrael, or Gabriel), and he appeared before her in the form of a man in full human form. She said:

'I seek refuge with The Most Beneficent [God] from you, if you do fear Him.' (The angel) said:

'I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.' She said:

'How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?' He (the angel) said:

'So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me: And to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (from God)', and it is a matter (already) decreed (by God).' " (Quran 19:16-21)

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The Miracle.
And then, miraculously, Mary becomes pregnant. The emotional story of her pregnancy follows:
"So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place . And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said:

'Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!' Then a call unto her from bellow, said:

'Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you; And shake the trunk of the date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you. So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say:

'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent so I shall not speak to any human being this day.' " (Quran 19:22-26)

From these versus one mentally pictures Mary, driven out of town, out of sight to Bethlehem valley 4-6 miles from Jerusalem, in the pain of labor, and in fear of what is going to happen to her. It is her first child, she has no husband. What will her people, the Jews, say? What will they do? How will she react? With all that, she wishes that she was dead, but the God who gave her the miracle, the God to Whom she worshipped, to Whom she devoted her life, did not forsake her. A voice came from beneath her, soothing and comforting her, and guiding her. And when she gave birth, the voice instructed her not to speak or explain, but make a vow of silence and everything will workout.

"Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said:

'O Maryam! Indeed you have brought a thing which is greatly evil! O sister of Haron (i.e. O you who we consider the like of Haron, who was a pious man at the time of Mary)! Your father was not a bad man (adulterous), nor was your mother an unchaste woman.' Then she pointed to him (to the baby). They said:

'How can we talk to one who is a child, in the cradle?' " (Quran 19:27-29)

Mary gives birth to the child, and takes him back to her village. And there Mary meets the Jews. Upon seeing her with her baby, they are struck. In their eyes, she has done a heinous crime. Their argument was: 'How could you do something so evil! We always considered you a model person of piety, and you come from a pious family -- known and respected!'. But Mary obeys the commands of her Lord. She is quiet and points to the baby.

Ngano ning stop man ka? O bitaw kindness is important--pero you should at least go even once a month--to recieve the sacrament of communion and confession. Ning mingaw man jud ang dios sa nimo.

I wish you the best.

haha.. July 1985.

Quote from: Mohandis Ban-alam on August 31, 2007, 12:00:02 AM
The INCs do not believe the doctrine that Jesus is the son of God neither the existence of the holy trinity yet they accept jesus christ as their saviour and redeemer. Therefore by logic, they can be called as christian!

You should research more about the INCs oni! Its a very interesting religion!

I'll take a look about the INC's, Mohandis. It does look like they try to connect christians--and muslims--jews together.

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Also, pre, I had a question--as I was reading the Q'uran--it said in the preface that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was illiterate? And that he was visited by the Angel Jibril (Gabriel in translation) for twenty years and spoke through Mohammad (peace be upon him)---from which the Q'uran came out of his mouth. It says that during the years after the Prophet's death--there were many versions of the Q'uran--and that it was during the reign of Abu Bahkr that the final version was produced. Are there muslims in the muslim community that debate on the topics of the old versions of the Q'uran? What were the differences--if there were any?

Please share with us pre.

Thanks

ps. I ran into this in youtube. Beautiful video about Islam...truly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypzpug6So9E

Quote from: Wyble on August 30, 2007, 11:54:06 PM
i see. but may i know how old you are?? im 42 im just curious...

Twenty two, ma'am.

Quote from: Wyble on August 30, 2007, 11:07:07 PM
and you know why??? churches dont allow them to use contraceptives, who is to blame now here???
balik na pod ta ani sa religion.... Hadjiiii where are you, heeeeeelp!!!!!

Believe it or not--the church's teachings dont really play a key role--its more on economics than on religious. Afterall, the PHilippines is not an industrialized/westernized country. Read the comment I posted above--hope that helps.

I mean, I'd like to try to solve this by making specific inferences; you say that the Catholic Church's teachings is the causatory agent; however, have you seen and compared the birth rates of the Philippines to neighbouring countries?

***note--this information comes from the 2007 CIA World Factbook***

Bangladesh:
Population:   
150,448,339 (July 2007 est.) 
Age structure:   
0-14 years: 33.1% (male 25,639,640/female 24,174,937)
15-64 years: 63.4% (male 48,659,087/female 46,712,687)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 2,818,638/female 2,443,350) (2007 est.) 
Median age:   
total: 22.5 years
male: 22.5 years
female: 22.5 years (2007 est.) 
Population growth rate:   
2.056% (2007 est.) 


Cambodia
Population:   
13,995,904
note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2007 est.) 
Age structure:   
0-14 years: 34% (male 2,405,561/female 2,355,404)
15-64 years: 62.4% (male 4,234,701/female 4,500,994)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 189,090/female 310,154) (2007 est.) 
Median age:   
total: 21.3 years
male: 20.6 years
female: 22.1 years (2007 est.) 
Population growth rate:   
1.729% (2007 est.) 

Laos

Population:   
6,521,998 (July 2007 est.) 
Age structure:   
0-14 years: 41.2% (male 1,349,352/female 1,338,252)
15-64 years: 55.7% (male 1,795,029/female 1,835,168)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 90,188/female 114,009) (2007 est.) 
Median age:   
total: 19 years
male: 18.7 years
female: 19.3 years (2007 est.) 
Population growth rate:   
2.37% (2007 est.) 

India
Population:   
1,129,866,154 (July 2007 est.) 
Age structure:   
0-14 years: 31.8% (male 188,208,196/female 171,356,024)
15-64 years: 63.1% (male 366,977,821/female 346,034,565)
65 years and over: 5.1% (male 27,258,259/female 30,031,289) (2007 est.) 
Median age:   
total: 24.8 years
male: 24.5 years
female: 25.2 years (2007 est.) 
Population growth rate:   
1.606% (2007 est.) 

Indonesia

Population:   
234,693,997 (July 2007 est.) 
Age structure:   
0-14 years: 28.7% (male 34,309,176/female 33,148,341)
15-64 years: 65.6% (male 77,132,708/female 76,731,481)
65 years and over: 5.7% (male 5,956,471/female 7,415,820) (2007 est.) 
Median age:   
total: 26.9 years
male: 26.4 years
female: 27.4 years (2007 est.) 
Population growth rate:   
1.213% (2007 est.) 

East Timor (Timor-Leste)
Population:   
1,084,971
note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2007 est.) 
Age structure:   
0-14 years: 35.7% (male 196,825/female 190,454)
15-64 years: 61.1% (male 337,816/female 325,094)
65 years and over: 3.2% (male 16,823/female 17,959) (2007 est.) 
Median age:   
total: 21.1 years
male: 21.2 years
female: 21.1 years (2007 est.) 
Population growth rate:   
2.059% (2007 est.) 

Pakistan
Population:   
164,741,924 (July 2007 est.) 
Age structure:   
0-14 years: 36.9% (male 31,264,576/female 29,507,174)
15-64 years: 58.8% (male 49,592,033/female 47,327,161)
65 years and over: 4.3% (male 3,342,650/female 3,708,330) (2007 est.) 
Median age:   
total: 20.9 years
male: 20.7 years
female: 21 years (2007 est.) 
Population growth rate:   
1.828% (2007 est.) 


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Note that most of these countries have a populatory growth rate of over 1.5%, and these countries are muslim countries, buddhist, Hindu etc--which correlates to the Malthusian concept and strengthens that the Church's teachings has nothing to do with population growth in a thirld world/ developing country--instead it is pure and simple economics that makes these influences. Population growth rate is directly linked to the human development index of a country. As a country is industrializing--its population will be high to fuel industrialization--and is a country summits industrialization and becomes a 'modern' state--so too will its population as there will be no need to maintain such a high population. (As mentioned in prior posts)

If you read history, particularly in Europe--you will see this trend. During the late 19th century during the Age of European Imperialism--and during the age of European Industrialization--countries such as Great Britain, Germany, France, Spain etc created empires to fuel its industries at home--and the population in these countries swelled to the millions--thereby providing man power to build steel plants, trains, mills, ships, homes etc. As Europe (western europe to be exact) finished its industrialization process--and the standard of livign increased--leading to decreased child mortality rates---there no longer was a need to have so many xxxx children--as the economy wasn't so dependent on agrarian market--whereas it was now focused on inter-regional/ intercontinental trade, business and bankings e tc.

We see this now in economics and politics in South East Asia and Asia-Pacific--as countries in our region are industrializing---so too is the population to fuel and aid in the process---and so long as the country remains highly dependent on agrarian market--then the population growth rate will continue to at the stagnant 1.5%. WHEN the Philippines changes and becomes a service-focused market economy---then we will see a negative effect on our population growth--and it will decrease.

We see this in S. Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia. (All of which had HIGH populatory growth rates when they were industrializing/developing)


This scattergraph shows that a country with a high infant mortality (many children dieing young) will tend to have a higher birth rate.

Quote from: swakee on August 30, 2007, 10:42:20 PM
nganong hirap ang Pinas? kay sigeg panganak ang mga tawo bisan wala na'y ipalamoy... mao nang inig dagku sa mga bata ma-end up na lang mangawat, manulis, etc., wa'y kontrol ang mga tawo... sige lang palami... tsk! tsk!

Developing countries have high birth rates because
Many parents will have a lot of children in the expectation that some will die because of the high infant mortality rate
Large families can help in looking after the farm
The children will be able to look after their parents if they become old or sick; there may not be a old age pension scheme
There may be a shortage of family planning facilities and advice

Developed countries have low birth rates because
It is expensive to look after large families
More women prefer to concentrate on their careers
Increasing sexual equality has meant women have more control over their own fertility
There is a ready availability of contraception and family planning advice


Developing countries have high death rates because, in many cases, there are
Dirty, unreliable water supplies
Poor housing conditions
Poor access to medical sevices
Endemic disease in some countries
Diets that are short in calories and/or protein

Developed countries have low death rates because, in many cases, there are
Good housing conditions
Safe water supplies
More than enough food to eat
Advanced medical services which are easy to access
Some developed countries have a high death rate as they have an ageing population with many older people.

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The concept follows the Malthusian theory; please check this link to see graphs related to the consensus:
http://www.scalloway.org.uk/popu6.htm

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Another study you would like to read:

Philippines

Nutritional Status of High-Fertility Women
In spite of efforts to in the Philippines to promote family planning, fertility remains high among older rural women with little formal education. Numerous studies in developing countries have shown that high-fertility women are at increased risk for maternal mortality and morbidity. The effect of high fertility on the nutritional status of the mother, however, has been less consistent.

Study Design
The original Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (CLHNS) recruited 3,327 pregnant women from 33 barangays in the Cebu City metropolitan area. These women subsequently had a birth or pregnancy termination within a one-year period beginning in 1983. A follow-up survey was successfully conducted with 2,395 of the women in 1991. This descriptive analysis is based on 2,037 women who were not pregnant at the 1991 follow-up survey.

Higher fertility was defined as six or more pregnancies; there were 825 higher fertility women in the study and 1,212 lower fertility women. Higher and lower fertility women were compared, based on socioeconomic characteristics, reproductive events and nutritional status.

In order to compare higher and lower fertility women in terms of nutritional status and reproductive patterns, researchers from the University of North Carolina, Family Health International (FHI) and the University of San Carlos in Cebu, Philippines, have analyzed data from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (CLHNS), collected in 1983â€"86, and from the follow-up study in 1991â€"92.

Research Findings

In comparison with lower fertility women:

Higher fertility women were older, less educated, rural, had fewer household assets and earned less money.
Higher fertility women were more likely to have experienced at least one fetal loss (44 percent) than low fertility women (19 percent). Higher fertility women had shorter birth intervals, were less likely to be using family planning, had breastfed a greater proportion of their children for longer than 12 months, and were more likely to experience overlap of lactation and pregnancy (68 percent experienced overlap, compared with 32 percent of lower fertility women).
Higher fertility women had poorer diets, with lower intakes of energy, protein and fat. The lowest intake was found in rural, low-income, older, higher fertility women.

Higher fertility women weighed less and had a higher prevalence of chronic energy deficiency than women with lower fertility.
Higher fertility women appear to be at greater risk for poor nutritional status because of the stresses of multiple pregnancies and lactations with inadequate recuperative intervals between pregnancies rather than from the stress of excessively long duration of lactation. An overlap of pregnancy and lactation caused additional stress. However, lactation was generally discontinued soon after a pregnancy was identified, although some women continued to breast-feed for several months; the mean overlap was 16.5 weeks.

In addition to reproductive stresses, the poor nutritional status of higher fertility women was related to inadequate dietary intake, older age, and characteristics such as rural residence, low income and low education.
Recommendations

For programs serving high fertility women in the Philippines, recommendations include:

Adequate birth spacing, especially for rural women, should be promoted; this means that access to family planning must be improved to make birth spacing possible;
Dietary intake needs to be improved for older higher fertility women; and
Breastfeeding should be promoted, combined with recognition of the importance of meeting women's increased energy and nutrient needs during lactation.

Study Details

This summary is based on a paper by Barbara Polhamus, "A Profile of High-fertility Women in the Philippines," Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, l996. It was supported by the Women's Studies Project through a Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Source: http://www.fhi.org/en/RH/Pubs/wsp/fctshts/Philippines6.htm

Quote from: Mohandis Ban-alam on August 30, 2007, 07:02:09 PM
The INC's claimed that they are christians but they dont accept the doctrine that jesus is the son of God and the dont believe the trinitarian teachings.

Then by that philosophy--they are not Christian. If you do not believe in Jesus Christ as your saviour and redeemer--who comes from the Father--to redeem the world of sins..then you are not a Christian. If you do not believe in the holy union of God the Father, the son (The Word Made Flesh) and the Holy Spirit--and all three in one, then you are not a christian.

They would be considered 'new' churches; however these styles of churches are considered heretics and cultists by traditional christian sects per se: The Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and some more traditional/conservative Protestant congregations (Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran,Anglican, Baptist).

I'm telling you as a Catholic and a student who attended catholic prep school--and from numerous conversations with my bishop and college catholic chaplain.

Lastly, I encourage everyone in here who is a catholic and christian to read the translated version of the Q'uran--as it does help strengthen your faith--as much of the teachings in the Holy Q'uran are reiterations of the Holy Bible and Talmudic texts. Blessed is the Lord, who works in mysterious ways, tinuud jud.
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Here are some excerpts form the Holy Bible and scripture:

"they shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US."
--MATTHEW 1:23

"...if ye believe not that I am he,
ye shall die in your sins."
--JESUS CHRIST, JOHN 8:24

y him (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth...all things were created by him, and for him. Colossians 1:16

I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself. Isaiah 44:24

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...All things were made by him...He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us John 1:1, 3, 10, 14

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:58

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, THE WORD, AND THE HOLY GHOST: and THESE THREE ARE ONE."
-1 John 5:7

"Philip saith unto him, 'Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.' Jesus saith unto him, 'Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me Philip? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER; and how sayest thou then, 'Shew us the Father?''"
-- John 14:8-9

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Some Objections to the Trinity Answered

Despite the clear Biblical evidence for the Trinity, some cults have objections based on misunderstandings of Scripture.

Jesus said: ‘My Father is greater (meizon) than I’ (John 14:28). But this refers to the Father’s greater position in Heaven, not superior nature. Philippians 2:5â€"11 states that Jesus had equality by nature with God, but voluntarily took on the lower position of a servant. The same arguments apply to related passages about Jesus submitting to His Father’s will.

The word ‘better’ (kreitton) would have been used to describe superiority in nature if this is what had been meant. Indeed, kreitton is used to describe Jesus’ superiority in His very nature to the angels (Hebrews 1:4). The distinction can be illustrated in the human realm by the role of the Prime Minister â€" he is greater than us in position, but he is still a human being like us, so is not better in nature.

Jesus is called ‘the firstborn of every creature’ (Colossians 1:15). However, in Jewish imagery, ‘firstborn’ means ‘having the rights and special privileges belonging to the eldest child’. It refers to pre-eminence in rank more than to priority in time. This can be shown in passages where the term ‘firstborn’ is used of the pre-eminent son who was not the eldest, e.g. Psalm 89:27, where David is called ‘firstborn’ although he was actually the youngest son.

‘Firstborn’ does not mean ‘first created’; the Greek for the latter is protoktisis, while firstborn is prototokos. In fact, the verses after Colossians 1:15 show that Christ Himself is the creator of all things.

Jesus is Son of God. From this, some cults try to show that Jesus is somehow less than God. But in Jewish imagery, ‘the son of’ often meant ‘of the order of’ or ‘having the very nature of’. For example, ‘sons of the prophets’ meant ‘of the order of prophets’ (1 Kings 20:35); ‘sons of the singers’ meant ‘of the order of singers’ (Nehemiah 12:28). Jesus’ Jewish contemporaries understood that He was claiming to be God, which is why they wanted to kill him for blasphemy (John 19:7).

Jesus is the ‘only-begotten Son’ (John 3:16). The Greek word translated ‘only-begotten’ is monogenes, which means ‘unique, ‘one of a kind’. Jesus is the unique Son of God, because he is God by His very nature (see above). Believers in Him become ‘sons of God’ by adoption (Galatians 3:26â€"4:7).

This is shown in the human realm by Hebrews 11:17, where Isaac is called Abraham’s ‘only begotten son’. Abraham had other sons, but Isaac was the unique son of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis chapters 15â€"18, 20), born when his parents were old.

Quote from: Bohol on August 30, 2007, 09:15:04 PM
I have already pointed out that there are many progressive cities all over the world that enjoy rapid economic growth, yet the people living in those cities are not horrified of fresh stories of robberies and murders right there in their own backyards.

Crimes in the Philippines, or in Bohol, to be specific, are rooted in the wickedness of the hearts of some men and women. I will not and cannot blame poverty as motivation of doing evil in society. People's wicked hearts want easy ways to extract money from others - worse by force and intimidation. Our politicians have exemplified that. 

Illegal recruitment is a crime. Who are the victims of illegal recruitment? Filipinos. Who are the perpetrators of illegal recruitment? Filipinos.

Who steal money from public coffers? Filipino politicians. Who are the victims? Filipinos.

Bank robbery is a crime. Who robbed a bank? Filipinos. Who are the victims? Filipinos.

Our nation is spiritually lost. Our people are groping in spiritual darkness. This spiritual darkness has decapitated our men and women that they cannot exercise love and respect for our fellow Filipinos.

I have mentioned in my earlier post that in my whole stay in Thailand I have been enjoying the kindness and generosity of the Thai people and I never had any single problem living and dealing with Thais and other nationalities. But my peaceful, smooth stay in Thailand became miserable at one time when a Filipino from Bukidnon province, whom I accommodated in my rented apartment out of compassion, ran away my money and my personal stuff.

Who is the victim? Michael Ligalig, a Filipino. Who was the culprit? Filipino.

I rest my case.

Dont loose hope, Mike. I know we can do better---lets just hope that that this is just a phase in Bohol. Hang in there, bro. Besides--i wont let anyone hurt you---we didnt even have our chess game yet. hahahha

God Bless our Bohol Island!

^ pare! kummusta ka dinha??

...everytime i hear this song yo..i always cry.
Hope you like it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwAGibo2XvM

Quote from: Ginger on August 30, 2007, 06:43:40 PM
Listen to this, Onic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH4X3DRSGC8&mode=related&search=

How about this, MB? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNDkFnHwbHU&mode=related&search=

Beautiful...i think i saw this video in ABS-CBN or GMA before like couple of years back..(i think 2 years?). Its very enlightening..thanks for sharing Ginger!

Quote from: Gervistill on August 30, 2007, 08:03:05 PM
Don't lose your hope..in every problem there is a solution........
Wait! the answer is coming.....
Economic Development is the Answer!hunger
Crime
Jobs
Housing
Corruption
Health
Education

wait until 2020.., a big changes!!!!

I remain confident in Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo's administration--so far they have delivered most of their mandated resolutions for the Philippines; such of these include:

1. Increased Philippine-American military exercises and aid
2. Increase jobs of the people--so far RP reports the lowest unemployment rate since prior to the '97 fiscal crisis
3. Increase international trade---the RP has increased export rates 10% per annum; and growing call IT/ centers in the Philippines has secured that growth; increased manufacturing plants throughout the country has been visible as well.
4. Increased foreign investment-- Securely in place; there are numerous investors in gas fields, gold mines, copper mines, zinc mines, real estate/ resorts and banking systems.
5. Resilient economy-- the Philippine's has surpassed its mark during the pre-1997 asian financial crisis--with a strong peso-to-dollar rate, growing gdp, a rising gdp per capita and human development index---the country is on the verge of a economic boom that will shake the foundations of ASEAN.

+++

At local trends--within 20 years--the Philippines will be in the same category as Singapore and Taiwan--even higher. We ourselves might not experience immediately--but our children and grand children will live in a better society--where immigration to another country wont be necessary to secure a 'good life'.

I have much faith in our RP. We as a nation progress slowly, however, we are still progressing. "Slow and steady makes the race", as the old proverb states.

Philippine economy will soar -- if politics do not get in the way

MANILA (AFP) - The Philippine economy is expected to enjoy robust growth in 2007 -- provided the perennial problem of politics does not get in the way, analysts say.

A raft of positive economic figures in recent weeks and the passing of the 1.13 trillion peso (23 billion dollar) budget has been greeted positively by international investors.

The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) recently raised its rating of the Philippines, placing it above China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in terms of the countries in which it invests.

With an investment portfolio valued at 194 billion dollars, CalPERS is the largest pension fund in the United States.

"This positive development is expected to encourage global fund managers to increase investments in the country as they take their cue from a global leader in the investment industry," Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said.

Stable inflation and interest rates, a stronger currency and revived investor confidence as reflected in portfolio investment trends all point to better prospects for the economy, a recent report by the Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis (IDEA) said.

The Philippine Stock Exchange composite index last week hit levels last seen before the Asian financial crisis 10 years ago.

Remittances by some eight million overseas Filipino workers last year rose 19.4 percent from 2005 to a record 12.8 billion dollars. This year remittances are expected to top 14 billion dollars, according to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said he was confident gross domestic product (GDP) this year would grow at 6.1-6.7 percent, compared with 5.4 percent for 2006.

The budget for 2007 should see an increase in spending on infrastructure and services, which are expected to jumpstart economic activity, Neri said.

This is only the third budget President Gloria Arroyo has seen passed since she came to power in 2001.

Under Philippine law, if the budget is not passed by congress, the government is forced to revert to the previous budget.

Last year, for example, the government had to re-enact its 2005 budget, which limited its ability to increase spending on much-needed infrastructure projects, schools and social services.

But the slowdown in government spending did have a positive impact on the deficit, which last year fell to 62.2 billion pesos (1.27 billion dollars), less than half the government's 125 billion peso target ceiling for the year.

The government intends to limit its budget deficit this year to 63 billion pesos.

Even the private sector is bullish.

Jaime Augusto Zobel, chairman of Ayala Corp., one of the Philippines' largest conglomerates, said "the fundamentals are in place for sustained economic recovery and growth."

"Key sectors of the economy are presenting opportunities that are creating multiplier effects on other industries," he said as his company announced record net profits for 2006.

But while the budget problem seems to be out of the way, political roadblocks remain.

Arroyo is facing congressional and local elections in May, which are widely seen as a referendum on her administration.

Campaigning is expected to be fierce, raising concerns the government will start giving out cash to win votes.

Whoever wins the election, there are likely to be charges of cheating and political bickering for months afterwards.

"I think GDP should be on the high end this year, especially after the elections are over," said Alan Araullo of Regina Capital Development Corp.

"That's the only obstacle. Everyone is worried about the elections," he added.

The government also has earned an unfavourable reputation of reversing policies in the face of political pressure even though officials say such practices will not continue.

Henry Schumacher of the European Chamber of Commerce, told a recent forum of foreign correspondents that in 2007, "politics, as usual, clouds (Philippine) economic prospects. That's the overriding message, election year or not."

He cited pending bills changing tax laws and other government policies as "creating uncertainties which potential investors don't like.

"This drives investors away. This delays the construction of much-needed infrastructure," he said.

"Investors are deeply concerned about the sanctity of contracts," he added, warning that "the changing regulatory environment... (is) clear evidence that long-term investment in infrastructure is risky."

Despite opposition accusations of corruption and poll fraud, Arroyo has been credited with passing crucial fiscal reforms that have brought the once-ballooning budget deficit under control.

But even the International Monetary Fund, which expects 5.8 percent growth this year, warns Manila that it must "sustain the reform momentum" and maintain investor confidence in the markets to lessen volatility.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/070218/19/12gn6.html

Quote from: Gervistill on August 30, 2007, 06:02:55 PM
uyab dajon...hehehe ok sab da

Haha wa oi, ning date ra man me for 4 months--pero only as friends. Ning break up me kai--i felt that i couldnt give her what she wanted, which was a full relationship. Take in mind this was the first relationship experience i ever had..hah..so i didnt know about things. Also--my parents told me to stop the relationship. Have been single ever since.

I think its better to be single anyway...

Quote from: Wyble on August 30, 2007, 10:21:49 AM
Abi ninyo no? moabot ang panahon nga mag pa convert na ko ug musllim ani, i have been searching churches to convince me wa pa gyud. If i can only read the Qur'an i would kay there are things they have in there nga wala sa atong Bible... and besides, they were the first people who were mentioned in the bible... ambot lang di ko kasabot....

I have read the translated version of the Q'uran--as a means to understand it better. The Q'uran's teachings are almost a copy of the Bible's old and new testament and it adopts somewhat the new teachings of the talmud, the holy Jewish texts. Conspicuously, Christians and Jews are actually the first people mentioned in the Q'uran--as we came before the Muslims. Judaism is the fountain of our faith--for is the faith that influenced christianity and islam. In fact, the Q'uran refers to Christians and Jews as 'The People of the Book'--or "Ahl al- Kitâb" (followers of the bible)

Here is a particular excerpt:

1. And do not dispute with the followers of the Book except by what is best, except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit. [Qur'an 29:46]

2. Not all of them are alike; a party of the people of the Scripture stand for the right, they recite the Verses of God during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin Al-Ma'rûf and forbid Al-Munkar ; and they hasten in (all) good works; and they are among the righteous. And whatever good they do, nothing will be rejected of them; for God knows well those who are Al-Muttaqûn .(3:113-115)

3. Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve . [Qur'an 2:62]

+++++++

However, Islam does clearly distinct itself from Christian teachings in that Islam Rejects our Lord Christ Jesus:

1. In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Al-Masih the son of Maryam. Say: "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His Will were to destroy Al-Masih the son of Maryam, his mother, and all, everyone that is on the earth? For to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between. He createth what He pleaseth. For Allah hath power over all things." Quran 5.17 ( Surat Al-Mayda , verse 17)

2. They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Al-Masih the son of Maryam." But said Al-Masih: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the Garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help. Quran 5.72 ( Surat Al-Mayda, verse 72)

3. Al-Masih, the son of Maryam, was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how Allah doth make His Signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth! Quran 5.75 ( Surat Al-Mayda, verse 75)

Quote from: Mohandis Ban-alam on August 30, 2007, 11:15:10 AM
not all christians believe that jesus is the son of God as well as the trinitarian doctrine. The INC church has a docrtrine almost the same as Islam. Makaah and Madidah is too crowded! Mamatay ka sa stampede didto if tatanga-tanga ka!

'Christians' that dont believe in Jesus as the Son of God; and those who don't accept the trinitarian view are not christians at all. Religions such as Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses are considered cults and heretics by the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Coptic Churches and by large protestant congregations such as the United Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Anglican churches.

The first time i dated someone--i was 18 y/o.

Quote from: Gervistill on August 30, 2007, 12:58:08 PM
Flash NEWS!!!!
GDP in Q2 rises by 7.5% from 5.5%, fastest in 2 decades

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net


(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines -- Buoyed by remittances from Filipinos abroad, gross domestic product (GDP) and gross national product (GNP) rose by 7.5 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively, in the second quarter of 2007.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made the announcement Thursday during a briefing in Malacanang with her economic team hours before she was due to depart for Malaysia.

"As I leave for Malaysia to join other ASEAN leaders in the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence from British rule, I am elated that for the second quarter of this year, our gross domestic product or GDP rose by 7.5 percent and gross national product or GNP by 8.3 percent, bringing to 7.3 percent our economic growth in the first half of the year," she said in a statement.

"We bring this elation and pride to Malaysia, the third largest economy in the region, and second home to thousands of overseas Filipino workers. I will bring thanks and congratulations to the Filipinos in Malaysia for their contribution to our GNP growth," she said.

Arroyo said the 7.5 percent GDP growth this year from 5.5 percent in the same quarter last year was the "fastest growth in two decades."

In her presentation of the second quarter economic performance, Estrella Domingo, secretary general of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), attributed the GDP growth to the strong remittance and robust performance in trade, construction, manufacturing and sustained increase in household spending and investment in construction.

Arroyo stayed on to listen to the presentation.

The GDP growth came despite the holding of the senatorial election last May, which some business sectors predict would slow down growth.

Acting socioeconomic planning secretary Augusto Santos said the strong performance of the economy showed that macroeconomic reforms have been effective.

But he said much needs to be done to push for policies to boost business, modernize agriculture, strengthen small entrepreneurs, expand enterprise, and spend more for social services, especially for education and health.

IMPRESSIVE!!!!!!!!!!

The Philippine economy is definately one of the fastest growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region--and nation's rise is inevetible! Wow, I am really really content and happy right now.

Well done, Philippines!!

Kuyawa pood na imuhang nokia, Mike! Ako-ang motorola galing..na bu-ak after i dropped it..jati..

Quote from: Ginger on August 30, 2007, 03:35:08 AM
oi, nindot diha mag date...hehe

Mao ba? Naa ba single babahe for me to date dinha? haha joke joke lang

Quote from: Bambi on August 30, 2007, 07:19:06 AM
Wow Pare!

the place is inviting for a walk.  am   fascinated of the sorrounding views.
what the guys fighting or searching for?

can't share any got no nice photos in possession not an even old one.

They were rushing to get pledged---they were just singing in the middle of winter outside...haha palamuut jud kai naa man ko amigo dinha--ning pledge pood siya---and gi ingan sila kono if you want to get into the frat--you have to take your clothes off and run around in the snow. Walay clothes jud. Ako--wa ko ning pledge ana kai too much ra pood na---


+++

Pre, guapo jud kastanan ang location dinhi--rural man jud ang college nako--like 100 miles away from any city--sometimes lonely kai gamay ra ang population sa town around the college---mo mingaw ko sa ahong pamilya pero if i go hiking around every other day around the allegheny mountains---di na jud ko ma depress or sad kai guapo man jud ang nature. One thing I realized during my tenure dinhi is how beautiful God's creation is--the mountains..streams..rivers etc. Just beware of brown bears....hahaha

Thanks for sharing mohandis, I was also talking to one of my friends the other day, he happens to be Pakistani and muslim, and he said that in the Q'uran--it is taught that Jesus Christ (ISSA--as he is mentioned in the Q'uran) is not the son of God, but a prophet of God and Mohammed (PBUH) is the last prophet of God.

Islam has very interesting and strict codes such and ways---such is seen in Shariyah--and is similar to old Hebrew laws. In my view though, and let me reiterate that I do have respect for muslims, the main difference between Islam and Christianity is that muslims do not recongize Jesus Christ as the Son of God--and do not share the trinitarian view of christianity: that God comes in three forms--The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.

Other than that--Islam and Christianity are rather similar from concepts of the old testament to the new testament. But it is that one critical and important difference that makes the two religions different. I admit that I am not an expert on Islam, and that explains my natural curiosity and interest in a religion--that traces its roots to Abraham/Ibrahim.

Mohandis, so you visited Mekka and Medina? How was the experience?

^ Courage and patience are good virtues, pre!

My favorite song at present is New Found Glory's "Its not your fault".
Hear it at

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ena9MuPleBs


+++++++++++

However, my favorite song of all time has to be the legendary Freddie Aguilar's "Anak".

The Philippines is a country of tremendous contrasts and extremes ;The economy is basically agricultural, with rice, corn, and kamote (sweet potatoes) the staple food crops. Key cash crops include coconuts, fruits and vegetables, sugar, tobacco, and abaca (the famous "Manila hemp" used for rope making). In aggregate, about two-thirds of Filipinos continue to depend on the agricultural sector.

The Philippine archipelago is rich in natural resources, as reflected in the fact that foreign exchange earnings have traditionally been derived largely from export of primary commodities. The export of fruits and vegetables, especially pineapple products and bananas, plays a key economic role every year. Among the minerals that the Philippines produces are copper, gold, nickel, chromium, iron, and manganese. Mining will continue to be important in the future, particularly copper, nickel, chromite, and iron. It is estimated that 90% of the country's mineral resources are unsurveyed and undeveloped. However, operating costs are high by international standards and many gold mines and other operations aren't economically viable at this time.

The country still has substantial timber land, primarily hardwoods of the dipterocarp family. Philippine mahogany and narra wood are widely considered among the finest in the world. Exporting logs was banned in 1976, fueling the growth of sawmills, plywood and veneer factories, and other value-added manufacturing ventures with wood as raw material. Overall, however, the country's forests are now largely depleted by inadequate reforestation, shifting cultivation patterns, and illegal cutting. Production of timber is currently suspended.

The manufacturing sector continues to increase its share of GDP relative to the traditional agricultural and mining sectors. Before the Ramos' years, manufacturing tended to be concentrated in processed foods (sugar, coconut oil, canned fruits), textiles, clothing, oil, wood products, transportation equipment, and the like. These sectors continue to be key, but manufacturing activity is shifting towards electronics components and related goods for export.

A major transition is now underway, involving various sectors that capitalize on the many strengths of the Philippines' first-rate labor force. The country has millions of eager, well-educated, and English speaking workers. There are now an estimated 250,000 engineers and technicians, with the nations' colleges pumping out 30-40,000 new engineering and technical grads each year. They are joined by thousands and thousands of "commerce" and marketing graduates on what is rapidly becoming a glutted labor market  .

Which means that the Philippines' comparative advantage - the low wage rates earned by those graduates - is not likely to go away. According to the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines, salaries for production mangers range from $1000-1500 per month and for production supervisors $450-700. Well-qualified customer service representatives (CSRs) in the many call centers around Manila earn about $200-300 a month; the current estimate is that it costs about 1/6 per seat what it does in the states. And stateside companies who have outsourced here are reportedly thrilled by the quality of the customer service compared to what was being delivered at their previous call centers in the Southern United States.

According to Hong Kong's Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC), the Philippines is the only Southeast Asian nation besides Singapore with a labor force with the potential to move beyond a manufacturing focus to a higher value-added level. PERC ranks the Philippines as 4th in Asia on quality of labor force (trailing only Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore).

One challenge for the country is its low domestic savings rate. According to a recent study presented by economist Y.H. Kim at the Asian Development Bank, gross domestic savings as a percentage of GDP declined from 19% in 1994 to 17% in 2000. That puts the Philippines in the "low savings" rate category along with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Uzbekistan. In contrast, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore all have savings rates over 30%.

However, as the nation's gdp real growth rate soars at an amazing 7%, with export rates ever increasing at 10% annually---the country is in the verge of outpacing its neighbours---with a healthy balance of service, agricultural and manufactural--the economy is predicted to rise to new levels.

Okay guys---so how do our colleges look like?? Ive been reading your posts and am really intrigued in how the setting and campus life looks like in Silliman, UP, UST, UB, CIT, CIM, etc. Can you please share with all of us---by posting pictures of your alma mater?


I'll start:


Some delta tau delta guys during winter rush.


Bentley Hall---in the middle of autumn.


Brooks Hall


The surrounding atmosphere.....breathtaking.

Beautiful pictures, man! Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,,

My dad was a graduate of Cebu Institute of Technology and my mom a graduate of Cebu Doctor's. Anyone in here from their alma mater??

The Philippines is definately progressing, the last time I checked up on the Philippines, our Gross Domestic Product was at $ 508 Billion--and the gdp per capita was at $5,000. Very good, in my opinion. Lets hope that our GDP rises to 600 billion--and the per capita at around ~$9000.

Our country is no longer considered 'third world' anymore, its formally an 'industrializing nation'.

Well done, Philippines!!

I believe you mohandis.

I can take constructive criticism on my part--however destructive and severe criticism is unecessary--it doesn't help anyone--only irritates the victim and worsens the relationship.
My advise to anyone who was a victim of extreme criticism is to hold your ground--and keep your chin up.

So what is your favorite song of all time?

haha oh ok! watsup mel? jokester man jud na si mohandis oi! haha

hahaha...Mike I love that photo. To answer the question--yea definately; same way as men need women. 

Quote from: junayag on August 29, 2007, 02:49:04 AM

mao nay nindot.... pero boring sad no kon wala buhaton...

A man who forgets his homeland is a man with no history, present or future. A man who remembers his heritage and cherishes them in his heart is filled with the yearning and goals of his ancestors and is the light of his children's dreams. 

You can take the Filipino out of HIS country, but you can NEVER take the Filipino out of the man.

So what are your views on the other two abrahamic religions per se Christianity and Judaism? Does the Q'uran have specific reference of about us?

There is a life after death--yes. But to which state of life we are afforded depends on the judgement given to us by our Lord our God. Heaven or Hell.

hmmm... **rubs chin** WHO is snowhite?

Snowhite, could you care to introduce yourself, ma'am?

^ jajajajaja...hadkola pood na..unsa-oon man if na-ai dako truck? mo diritso jud gihapon?

Very nice! This is what I'm talking about.

Quote from: Gervistill on August 28, 2007, 08:36:50 PM
hehehehehe
kini amo CARs,
ako na nag una ako bro na naulahi...

Oi kuyawa pood na! Igorot drivers eh?

Quote from: Ginger on August 27, 2007, 02:19:38 AM
Onic, you really love the fray, right? they have nice songs...maybe you should start a thread about fav songs...i have tons of songs to share, too!

love em' haha. Thats not a bad idea, hun.

Quote from: Bohol on August 20, 2007, 12:17:18 AM
Among the 225 successful examinees of the recent licensure examinations for Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, given by the Professional Regulations Commission, is a pure Bol-anon and a native of Valencia town.

Dr. Rodney Marante y Pagaran was born in Poblacion Occidental, Valencia, Bohol, and spent his elementary and high school days here in Tagbilaran City.

After six years of studies at University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB), the new doctor took the government’s licensure examinations for Veterinarians last Aug. 1-3, 2007 in Manila. Only 225 passed the said exams out of the 637 examinees. Out of the 50 fresh graduates from UPLB, 46 passed the board exams, for the school’s 92 percent passing rate.

Dr. Marante spent his elementary days at the Holy Spirit School and attended high school at the Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Technology (CVSCAFT). While in high school, he, along with elder brother Jay Warren, were mainstays of the famous CVSCAFT drum and bugle corps.

Dr. Rodney P. Marante is the youngest of the two boys of the two boys of Nathaniel Marante of Poblacion Occidental, Valencia, and Elizabeth Pagaran-Marante, of Tabuan, Garcia-Hernandez. Elder brother Jay Warren is also an alumnus of UPLB, finishing BS in Applied Physics in 2005, and is now working as a Design Engineer in Bitmicro Networks International, a company pioneering in producing computer softwares and hardwares. (The Bohol Chronicle)

Hahaha the Doc is from my mom's hometown! Congrats Doctor!!!

Kuyawa jud! Congrats!!

how does rajah sikatuna park look like?

Thank you ginger!!! The only word that i knew in that song was 'Diri' which means 'here' just like in bisaya. Other than that...i was lost. hahaha 

salamat happy! ako---mo hilak jud ko when i hear this song. I just think about my Lola...

Quote from: junayag on August 27, 2007, 02:34:07 AM

kong hilabtan ka, magpakaubos na lang gyod bisan ila sayop..naa man god uban magpaoppress lang... what i mean is we need to be assertive and not confrontational...

Tinuud bitaw, pare. Ayaw lang ta ma sukul nila kai kita man i-target-on sa ilahang posse--my only advice to anyone suffering from this is to just ignore them and worry about your own business--kai dili man jud mo tulug ang ginoo--kaibao man jud na siya what everyone is doing to you or what you do to others. Dili na ta maka respond now--pero when it is time to be called home--each of us will be judged accordingly.

God bless everyone who was unjustly targeted---luuy lang pood ta kai hard working man jud na ang Filipino (especially boholanon)--we work had so we can rise over our oppressors and give a better future for our children. Thats all that counts. Bahala lan na sila--kai jealous man ang racists sa nato--kai we Filipinos are always successful wherever we go!! Ang gift na sa ginoo oi!

AMEN!!!

I'll be posting some pictures of the Philippines and its people during the 19th/20th century--i'll be researching in archives--and ask anyone in here to please please contribute to the thread by posting pictures of family members from the past. Let us help and give awareness to our fellow Filipinos and Boholanos of how our ancestors looked/dressed like.

A full understanding of OUR history--results in a fuller understanding of ourselves in the present.

Much Thanks in advance!!   

++++++++++


Filipina nuns (Boholanas) during the late 19th century--taken after the Americans took over the Philippines after the Philippine-American War (1898-1903)



Source: Duke university archives

Remark: I am totally amazed and brightened by awe in how Hispanified the Philippines was--I mean the influence of Mother Spain even went deep as to influence not only northern Philippines but the central Philippine island of Bohol (our precious island!!)

It is also interesting to note how Spanish nuns looked like during the same periodic epoch:

The new 2007 Toyota 4Runner isn't bad at all; its economical, durable, comfortable and elitist.

Guapo imo.

exterior view


interior view w/ grey leather interior. 

Quote from: junayag on August 27, 2007, 01:18:08 AM

it's nice to excel in one language other than ours... and it is preferable to have English as it is a universal language... ( aside from love )... hehehe

Thats true, English is the 'Latin' of our epoch--everyone uses English as the mode of translation; we see this in Chinese-Japanese communication, Indian-Chinese communication, American-Arab communication; even in Filipino-American communication. Strategic bitaw if one learns English--and is looking to go into the communications, economics/commerce field or medical/health care fields.

Learning Mandarin wouldn't be a bad idea; considering the proximity China is to the Philippines and the amount of business interactions between our two peoples.

^ Good initiatives bitaw na--mo hope lang ta our gov is doing just that.

Quote from: lenjane5132 on August 27, 2007, 01:16:59 AM


mayor man siguro na siya sa tagbilaran..... hala naunsa naman na bohol hapit naman kada week tulis hadlok man sad ta mo uli maski wala ko kwarta

bitaw no? hadloka naman ang bohol--it has changed so much last time i was back 9 years ago. Mo hang out lang ko with group of people--safety in numbers. Jan, becareful kai cute ra ba ka--i-tulis jud ka haha jp jp

hala ka--i bet you there will always been dancing in the area..siguro in some secret house?

Quote from: Wyble on August 27, 2007, 02:48:58 AM

Im live in the very center of Michigan called Mt. Pleasant, but ou know what? i have never seen a single mountain here...

hahaha really? Ever been to annharbor before? I've got tons of friends over there--

Quote from: junayag on August 27, 2007, 02:58:56 AM

Onic,
you deserve to be called Sir kay profesoron man... that is a manifestation of being brilliant.... hehehe

Thank you, sir. And you are a leader--with a reputable personality. Tinuud jud na.

hahaha jan, musta man ka hun. unsa man gi buhat nimo dinha? Chilling around?

I never knew
I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a queue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be
It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Let's rearrange
I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
Just say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that's disregard
Find another friend and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between

[Over My Head (Cable Car) Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com]
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

And suddenly I become a part of your past
I'm becoming the part that don't last
I'm losing you and its effortless
Without a sound we lose sight of the ground
In the throw around
Never thought that you wanted to bring it down
I won't let it go down till we torch it ourselves

And everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Everyone knows
She's on your mind
Everyone knows I'm in over my head
I'm in over my head
I'm in over...

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind


To hear the song, heres the link:   http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qz4uLmbiLa4

Quote from: lenjane5132 on August 27, 2007, 01:13:10 AM





ay sorry i call you sir .. pero dili man sad tiguwang lang tawgon ug sir

oi..ni-blush lang ta ani! hahaha o sige, ma'am. 

safer pa! wala gud ka mo transmit kanang std..

hahaha lucky jud ka, naa ka dinha sa hawaii. I'll just go to sleep and dream of being back home to my paradise island....bohol.

hahaha okay ra man pood ko ana, pre! Di pood ta mo show off so we wont get mugged =P specially with all these criminal activities going around--iitargetan man jud kita fil-ams first!

SIMBAKO.

Mo learn ta english--so we can go abroad and make big bucks and bring it back to our pamilya!! And have enough capital to hire Koreans to be our maids etc.

hahaha guapa pood na oi! Rainy ug cloudy dinhi all week! Mao pood ahong feelings kai mo balik man ko sa college in 2 days--na mingaw na pood ko sa ahong pamilya--sus..mo hilak na pood ko soon...

=(

i-regards na lang pre!

Mao ba? wa man jud ko na think ana pood...sige, mo watch out pood. Di pood ko gusto mo ratatat kai mo attract attention bitaw? Di man jud ko extroverted--introvert ra ba ko.

Pre, unsa man ang meaning sa 'kafaets'?

Quote from: swakee on August 26, 2007, 04:01:22 PM
So far okay kaau dere sa Hawaii... wa jud ko ka-feel anang raciscm kay ang mga hawaiians mora man fud ug Pinoy ang mga dagway... BUT diha sa Manila sa nag-pa maid pa ko (aws... maid pa man diay gihapon ko hantud karon... duh!!!) naka-experience jud ko nga gi-down ko's kapwa nato Pinoy... giingnan ko nga "katulong ka lang"!!! sa public pa jud kay sa tindahan man to gisugo ko'g palit ug pan nya gilabay-labayan ra jud ko's pag-umangkon sa tag-iya... pagtawag nako nga miss..., sus gisipatan ko nya giingnan dayun ko nga maghintay ka!!! kasakit oi... nitan-aw pa jud nako ang mga customers... waaaaaaaa!!!

And I'm glad for you swakee for rising to the occassion--now you're in the US!! Turning the other cheek is always a good thing you know, lest we not be compared and considered racists ourselves. Ma sakit na lang atong dughan if we think about it too much. Ang ginoo--he will always provide and support--no matter what. Dili lang ta maka kaibao mo tabang man jud na siya--small or big.

Regards,,

PS. Hows the weather in beautiful Hawaii??

Quote from: Bohol on August 13, 2007, 04:52:07 PM
source: blogs.wsj.com/wealth Wall Street Journal blog

Rich kids, we hear, have it all. Money. Connections. Top educations. Cars and clothes. For those who are part of what Warren Buffett calls “the Lucky Sperm Club,” life is supposedly one long shopping trip with an no-limits ATM card.

A really big play houseBut what if it’s not?

What if growing up rich actually has disadvantages? And what if rich kids’ penchant for spending â€" and their lack of experience at earning â€" catches up with them, and that unlimited ATM machine winds up empty? (Not to feel sorry for these people, just to point out a reality.)

That’s the premise behind my article in the Los Angeles Times today, which profiles a wealth-education camp designed to teach today’s rich kids how to manage their money. My conclusion is that despite all their supposed advantages, today’s rich kids have grown up in such bubbles of privilege that they’re not prepared for today’s increasingly competitive job market. They don’t make good investors, they don’t compete well for the top jobs, and they’re not hungry for success like kids who grow up in middle-class homes can be.

Eventually, I argue, their money will run out. And much of the inherited wealth in America will flow back to people who actually earn it â€" as it has throughout history. This is what makes wealth in America dynamic, rather than dynastic.

Some readers disagreed. One sent me a thoughtful email arguing that “the ultrawealthy are not stupid. They know their children. Some just fork over hundreds of millions to willing yet untrained hands, but I think most set up foundations or other mechanisms that will keep their name and children in the pink for generations to come. The very smartest and most family-oriented probably even invest in training their children to take the reins.”

In other words, rich parents don’t give their money to irresponsible kids. I’m sure this is true for some families. But in my experience, rich parents can’t help themselves when it comes to spoiling their kids, no matter how irresponsible those kids are with money. And those kids usually wind up squandering their money through bad investments, bad relationships or lavish shopping sprees.

Since there are no reliable data on this, we have to go by experience. What do you think? Will today’s rich kids stay rich, or wind up leaving the bulk of their fortunes to the rest of us?

--Wall Street Journal--

Agreed. You are who you make yourself to be--a product of your own character; good work ethics and moral values and reverance of the Almighty is a good start. Being just well off and lacking in other areas--well thats just a bad combination IMO. The path of a one way street--spiralling downwards.

To die for my countrymen? Of course---unconditionally.
What is one life--compared to thousands? One blood shall reap multitudes--and remembrance. To walk in the footsteps of Sr. Dr. Rizal--is one of my life's callings and each and one of us should emulate him and his beliefs.

Quote from: lenjane5132 on August 26, 2007, 03:44:51 PM
i dont have  money    im only cute and sweet and above all im HUMBLE hahaha joke joke sir ha

cute bitaw, hahaha. ayaw pood ko i-call 'sir', hun, kai di man ko tiguwang..haha well i dont feel it...yet.
=P

Mao jud na tho--being humble is always best--good to keep a low profile.

Quote from: Franklin on August 26, 2007, 01:59:35 PM
Just thinking the same thing.
I guess human life is relatively worthless.

I don't understand how someone could live with that inside of them. Bad karma
Killing for money.
For what? Because they are starving? I doubt it.

Jealousy, i bet. This is the worst case of taking advantage of foreigners--i mean--seriously theyre not only helping out in bohol's economy---tourism; but also employing workers--giving jobs to boholanos. Why the hell would you kill them for? Why didnt they just take the gadgets and leave them alive??

Why did you have to kill......

PS. In my opinion, the maid deserves the firing squad. This is one reason why I always carry some kind of knife with me at all times--

Quote from: Mohandis Ban-alam on August 26, 2007, 11:24:19 AM
sunni is the traditinal and the original one and the religion of most muslim originated from saudi arabia.
shi'ite is the modern and revised form of islam which is originated somewhere in iraq or iran. this is the 2nd largest denomination of islam
druze also a revision of the traditional islam originated in syria/lebanon.

So what are the main differences between Sunni and Shii muslims, pare?

Dios mio!! Two lives for a measly laptop, cell phones and jewelry?? I pray for the couple that died---

Anyone know the final verdict ??

Hey Beth! Enjoy your stay here in Tubag Bohol, and pleased to meet ya!

Cheers,,

Can you tell us more about it? Aren't you a muslim?

Quote from: lenjane5132 on August 26, 2007, 07:26:13 AM
mao lisod mangita ug true friends kon naa ka kwarta kay you never know mao ra di ay na ila after ang wawarts 

lol, then my advice for the rich folks is to be prepared to live a life of hermitry, hahah joke lang. Im sure anyone can find true friends out there--just act humble. Diba?

Its a Malay song--i love the beat to it--but dont know the lyrics. Anyone know and care to translate it?

Heres the link:


http://youtube.com/watch?v=DpcQT_J44Dg

The word islam is derived from the Arabic verb aslama, which means to accept, surrender or submit. Thus, Islam means submission to and acceptance of God, and believers must demonstrate this by worshiping him, following his commands, and avoiding polytheism. The word is given a number of meanings in the Qur'an. In some verses (ayat), the quality of Islam as an internal conviction is stressed: "Whomsoever God desires to guide, He expands his breast to Islam."[8] Other verses connect isl?m and d?n (usually translated as "religion"): "Today, I have perfected your religion (d?n) for you; I have completed My blessing upon you; I have approved Islam for your religion."[9] Still others describe Islam as an action of returning to Godâ€"more than just a verbal affirmation of faith.[10]

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According to the Qur'an all Muslims have to believe in God, his revelations, his angels, his messengers, and in the "Day of Judgment".[11] Also, there are other beliefs that differ between particular sects. The Sunni concept of predestination is called divine decree,[12] while the Shi'a version is called divine justice. Unique to the Shi'a is the doctrine of Imamah, or the political and spiritual leadership of the Imams.[13]

Muslims believe that God revealed his final message to humanity through the Islamic prophet Muhammad via the angel Gabriel. For them, Muhammad was God's final prophet and the Qur'an is the revelations he received over more than two decades.[14] In Islam, prophets are men selected by God to be his messengers. Muslims believe that prophets are human and not divine, though some are able to perform miracles to prove their claim. Islamic prophets are considered to be the closest to perfection of all humans, and are uniquely the recipients of divine revelationâ€"either directly from God or through angels.[15] Islamic theology says that all of God's messengers since Adam preached the message of Islamâ€"submission to the will of the one God. Islam is described in the Qur'an as "the primordial nature upon which God created mankind",[16] and the Qur'an states that the proper name Muslim was given by Abraham.[17]

As a historical phenomenon, Islam originated in Arabia in the early 7th century.[18] Islamic texts depict Judaism and Christianity as prophetic successor traditions to the teachings of Abraham. The Qur'an calls Jews and Christians "People of the Book" (ahl al-kit?b), and distinguishes them from polytheists. Muslims believe that parts of the previously revealed scriptures, the Tawrat (Torah) and the Injil (Gospels), had become distortedâ€"either in interpretation, in text, or both.[4]

+++

Islam's fundamental theological concept is tawh?dâ€"the belief that there is only one God. The Arabic term for God is All?h; most scholars believe it was derived from a contraction of the words al- (the) and ?il?h (deity, masculine form), meaning "the God" (al-il?h), but others trace its origin to the Aramaic Al?h?.[19] The first of the Five Pillars of Islam, tawh?d is expressed in the shahadah (testification), which declares that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is God's messenger. In traditional Islamic theology, God is beyond all comprehension; Muslims are not expected to visualize God but to worship and adore him as a protector. Although Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, they reject the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, comparing it to polytheism. In Islamic theology, Jesus is just a man and not the son of God;[20] God is described in a chapter (sura) of the Qur'an as "…God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him."

Muslims consider the Qur'an to be the literal word of God; it is the central religious text of Islam.[22] Muslims believe that the verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad by God through the angel Gabriel on many occasions between the years 610 and his death on July 6, 632. The Qur'an was written down by Muhammad's companions (sahabah) while he was alive, although the prime method of transmission was orally. It was compiled in the time of Abu Bakr, the first caliph, and was standardized in the time of Uthman, the third caliph. From textual evidence, modern Western academics find that the Qur'an of today has not changed over the years.[23]

The Qur'an is divided into 114 suras, or chapters, which combined, contain 6,236 ?y?t, or poetic verses. The chronologically earlier suras, revealed at Mecca, are primarily concerned with ethical and spiritual topics. The later Medinan suras mostly discuss social and moral issues relevant to the Muslim community.[24] The Qur'an is more concerned with moral guidance than legal instruction, and is considered the "sourcebook of Islamic principles and values".[25] Muslim jurists consult the hadith, or the written record of Muhammad's life, to both supplement the Qur'an and assist with its interpretation. The science of Qur'anic commentary and exegesis is known as tafsir.[26]

The word Qur'an means "recitation". When Muslims speak in the abstract about "the Qur'an", they usually mean the scripture as recited in Arabic rather than the printed work or any translation of it. To Muslims, the Qur'an is perfect only as revealed in the original Arabic; translations are necessarily deficient because of language differences, the fallibility of translators, and the impossibility of preserving the original's inspired style. Translations are therefore regarded only as commentaries on the Qur'an, or "interpretations of its meaning", not as the Qur'an itself.[27]

There was one video online that I saw which was rather interesting. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypzpug6So9E

What are your views on Islam? Maybe some of our muslim posters can tell us more about their faith--and enlighten us on it.

Quote from: Bohol on August 25, 2007, 02:13:07 PM
1. Metal Jacket
2. Bazooka
3. Bullet-resistant helmet
4. Metal wallet with time-programmed lock.
5. Metal tupperware
6. Metal plate
7. Paper-made cellphone for emergency calls

Do you want to add to the list?

BYOD!

Bring your own dish, hahahaha

Quote from: Mohandis Ban-alam on August 26, 2007, 12:13:34 AM
wala nasuko si lord ana kay abnormality man na pagkabayot or pagkatomboy! inborn defect na siya sama sa pagka mongoloid or pagka abno! hahahahaha! naa sad na silay purpose na gipakatao sa kalibutan!

It is even mentioned in the Q'uran.

SURA IV: 19-21

19. But whoso rebels against God and His Apostle, and transgresses His bounds, He will make him enter into fire, and dwell therein for aye; and for him is shameful woe.

20. Against those of your women who commit adultery, call witnesses four in number from among yourselves; and if these bear witness, then keep the women in houses until death release them, or God shall make for them a way.

21. And if two (men) of you commit it, then hurt them both; but if they turn again and amend, leave them alone, verily, God is easily turned, compassionate.


SURA VII: 78-84 [On Lot at Sodom]

78. Then the earthquake took them, and in the morning they lay prone in their dwellings;

79. and he turned away from them and said, 'O my people! I did preach to you the message of my Lord, and I gave you good advice; but ye love not sincere advisers.'

80. And Lot, when he said to his people, 'Do ye approach an abomination which no one in all the world ever anticipated you in?

81. verily, ye approach men with lust rather than women- nay, ye are a people who exceed.'

82.But his people's answer only was to say, 'Turn them out of your village, verily, they are a people who pretend to purity.'

83. But we saved him and his people, except his wife, who was of those who lingered;

84. and we rained down upon them a rain;- see then how was the end of the sinners!


SURA XI: 77-84 [On Lot at Sodom]

77. And when our messengers came to Lot, he was grieved for them; but his arm was straitened for them, and he said, 'This is a troublesome day!'

78. And his people came to him, rushing at him, for before that they used to work evil. He 'Said, 'O my people! here are my daughters, they are purer for you; then, fear God, and do not disgrace me through my guests;- is there not among you one right-thinking man?'

79. They said, 'Thou knowest that we have no claim on thy daughters; verily, thou knowest what we want!'

80. He said, 'Had I but power over you; or could I but resort to some strong column....!'

81. (The angels) said, 'O Lot! verily, we are the messengers of thy Lord, they shall certainly not reach thee; then travel with thy people in the darkness of the night, and let none of you look round except thy wife: verily, there shall befall her what befalls them. Verily, their appointment is for the morning! and is not the morning nigh?'

82. And when our bidding came, we made their high parts their low parts. And we rained down upon them stones and baked clay one after another,

83. marked, from thy Lord, and these are not so far from the unjust!

84. And unto Midian (we sent) their brother Sho'haib. He said, 'O my people! serve God; ye have no god but Him, and give not short measure and weight. Verily, 'I see you well off; but, verily, I fear for you the torments of an encompassing day.


SURA XXVI: 160-174 [On Lot and Sodom]

160. The people of Lot called the apostles liars;

161 when their brother Lot said to them, 'Do ye not fear?

162. verily, I am to you a faithful apostle;

163. then fear God and obey me.

164 I do not ask you for it any hire; my hire is only with the Lord of the worlds.

165 Do ye approach males of all the world

166 and leave what God your Lord has created for you of your wives? nay, but ye are people who transgress!'

167 They said, 'Surely, if thou dost not desist, O Lot! thou shalt be of those who are expelled!'

168 Said he, 'Verily, I am of those who hate your deed;

169 my Lord! save me and my people from what they do.'

170 And we saved him and his people all together,

171 except an old woman amongst those who lingered.

172 Then we destroyed the others;

173 and we rained down upon them a rain; and evil was the rain of those who were warned.

174 Verily, in that is a sign; but most of them will never be believers.

175 And, verily, thy Lord He is mighty, merciful, compassionate.


SURA XXIX: 28-35 [On Lot and Sodom]

28. And (remmber) Lot when he said to his people, 'Verily, ye approach an abomination which no one in all the world ever anticipated you in!

29. What! do ye approach men? (or Do you commit sexual acts with men?) and stop folks on the highway? And approach in your assembly sin?' but the answer of his people was only to say, 'Bring us God's torment, if thou art of those who speak the truth!'

30. Said he, 'My Lord! help me against a people who do evil!'

31. And when our messengers came to Abraham with the glad tidings, they said, 'We are about to destroy the people of this city. Verily, the people thereof are wrong-doers.'

32. Said he, 'Verily, in it is Lot; they said, 'We know best who is therein; we shall of a surety save him and his people, except his wife, who is of those who linger.'

33. And when our messengers came to Lot, he was vexed for them, and his arm was straitened for them; and they said, 'Fear not, neither grieve; we are about to save thee and thy people, except thy wife, who is of those who linger.

34. Verily, we are about to send down upon the people of this city a horror from heaven, for that they have sinned;

35. and we have left therefrom a manifest sign unto a people who have sense.'



ON THE OTHER HAND


Although the Qu'ran does not have verse explicitly in favor of homosexuality, it does have verses which show awareness of male beauty. These are promises made to Muslim men who make it to Heaven.


SURA LII:24


"And there shall wait on them [the Muslim men] young boys of their own, as fair as virgin pearls."


SURA LXXVI:19


"They shall be attended by boys graced with eternal youth, who will seem like scattered pearls to the beholders."

Gen. 1 & 2 - we see from the beginning that the complimentarity of the sexes reflects God's inner unity and His creative power and Fatherhood. God created man and woman to become one flesh which is consummated in the act of marital love.

Gen. 2:18 â€" throughout the creation story, God says “it is good” seven times. But when God pointed out that man was alone, God says “it is not good.” God then created woman. Man and woman therefore belong together by God’s design, according to His natural and supernatural law.

Gen. 2:24 â€" God created man and woman so that they could share communion. This communion is consummated in the marital act (which must be between a man and a woman). This communion is also a reflection of the eternal communion of the Blessed Trinity, who created man in His own image and likeness.

Gen. 19:24-28 - the Lord rained fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah as punishment for the sin of homosexuality. Homosexuality perverts God’s covenant with humanity.

Gen 13:13; 18:20: while homosexuals argue that the sin in Genesis 19 was the sin of “inhospitality,” these verses show that the Sodomites were evil and wicked people before the alleged sin of inhospitality. That is because the Sodomites were guilty of homosexuality, not inhospitality. In fact, 2 Pet 2:6:8 says that Lot witnessed their evil sexual practices “day after day.” The Sodomites’ sin was daily and pervasive.

Gen 19:5: this confirms that the Sodomites’ sin is homosexuality. Here, the Sodomites mistaken the two angels for men and, surrounding Lot’s house, ask to have sex with them. When the yell to Lot “bring them out that we may know them,” the Hebrew for “to know” (yadah) in Gen 19:5 means having sexual relations. See, for example, Gen 4:25 where “yadah” refers to sexual relations between Adam and Eve.

2 Pet 2:6-10: Peter also proves that the Sodomites were guilty of homosexuality. He says God condemned them for “licentiousness” and “lust of defiling passion,” which is where we get the title “Sodomite” for a homosexual. The Greek “aselgeia anastrophes” for lustful behavior is also found in Rom 13:13; Gal 5:19; Eph 4:19 and Jude 4.

Jude 7: Jude also confirms the Sodomites’ sin is homosexuality. Jude says they “indulged in unnatural lust” (Greek, ekporneusasai) and went after “strange flesh” (Greek, sarkos heteras) in reference to their homosexual sins.

2 Peter 2:4-6: Peter also reveals that the Sodomites are suffering in hell for their sins by comparing the Sodomites’ punishment to the eternal punishment of the evil angels. Just as God did not spare the angels when they sinned but cast them into hell, so He did the same with the Sodomites when He “condemned them to extinction and made them an example to those who were to be ungodly.”

Jude 5-7: Like Peter, Jude confirms that the Sodomites are in hell by saying that they had the same fate as the evil angels. Jude says just as the evil angels were condemned to hell, the Sodomites “likewise” (Greek, hos) acted immorally and are undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. “Undergoing” (Greek, upechousai) is a present participle which means their suffering is ongoing. See also the clear polarity between those who are saved (v.5) and those who are condemned (vv. 6-7,11,13).

Lev. 18:22, 29 - God commands a man never to lie with a male as with a female, or he will be cut off. This refers to supernatural death which is eternal separation from God. While the Old Covenant laws have been abrogated by the New Covenant, the Church has adopted their moral principles. Thus, the moral prohibitions on homosexuality still apply in the New Covenant, as Peter, Paul and Jude demonstrate.

Lev. 20:13 - God says that if a man lies with another man, he shall be put to death. From the very beginning, God has revealed that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered, unhealthy, and mortally sinful.

Deut. 22:5 - cross-dressing is also considered an abomination before God.

Matt. 19:6 - after referring to God's divine plan for man and woman, Jesus says a husband and wife become one flesh, which ultimately reflects God's union with humanity through the Church. Homosexual unions pervert this divine truth of God’s love for and union with the human race.

Rom. 1:26 - also, when a woman lies with another women (lesbianism), this is unnatural and a perversion. God wants His children to be pure and holy as He is holy. Paul condemns all homosexual acts, whether committed by men or women.

Rom. 1:27 â€" Paul calls the practice of homosexuality shameless, unnatural and a perversity. It is contrary to the natural law, as it eviscerates the life-giving aspect of human sexuality and reduces it to a selfish, pleasure-seeking end.

1 Cor 6:9: Paul teaches that sodomites will not enter into the kingdom of God. The Greek word for “sodomite” (arsenokoites) literally means “male copulation” or “male sexual relations.” The Greek “arsen” means “male” and “koites” means “coitus” or “sexual relations.” Paul uses the same word in 1 Tim 1:10.

1 Tim. 1:10 - sodomites are called ungodly and sinners, unholy and profane, lawless and disobedient. They are called by God to chastity. It is important to note that homosexual attractions and inclinations, while disordered and dangerous, are not by themselves sinful per se. It is the acting out on homosexual attraction that is sinful. Those with homosexual desires can still live a life worthy of Christ by remaining chaste and pure as they abstain from acting out on their desires.

"You shall not commit fornication; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not be a corrupter of youth." Letter of Barnabas 10 (A.D. 74).

"You shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such." Letter of Barnabas 10 (A.D. 74).

"You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill one that has been born." Didache 2:2 (A.D. 90).

"[W]e have been taught that to expose newly-born children is the part of wicked men; and this we have been taught lest we should do anyone harm and lest we should sin against God, first, because we see that almost all so exposed (not only the girls, but also the males) are brought up to prostitution. And for this pollution a multitude of females and hermaphrodites, and those who commit unmentionable iniquities, are found in every nation. And you receive the hire of these, and duty and taxes from them, whom you ought to exterminate from your realm. And any one who uses such persons, besides the godless and infamous and impure intercourse, may possibly be having intercourse with his own child, or relative, or brother. And there are some who prostitute even their own children and wives, and some are openly mutilated for the purpose of sodomy; and they refer these mysteries to the mother of the gods." Justin Martyr, First Apology 27 (A.D. 151).

"All honor to that king of the Scythians, whoever Anacharsis was, who shot with an arrow one of his subjects who imitated among the Scythians the mystery of the mother of the gods . . . condemning him as having become effeminate among the Greeks, and a teacher of the disease of effeminacy to the rest of the Scythians." Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks 2 (A.D. 190).

"[According to Greek myth] Baubo [a female native of Elusis] having received [the goddess] Demeter hospitably, reached to her a refreshing draught; and on her refusing it, not having any inclination to drink (for she was very sad), and Baubo having become annoyed, thinking herself slighted, uncovered her shame, and exhibited her nudity to the goddess. Demeter is delighted with the sight--pleased, I repeat, at the spectacle. These are the secret mysteries of the Athenians; these Orpheus records." Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks 2 (A.D. 190).

"It is not, then, without reason that the poets call him [Hercules] a cruel wretch and a nefarious scoundrel. It were tedious to recount his adulteries of all sorts, and debauching of boys. For your gods did not even abstain from boys, one having loved Hylas, another Hyacinthus, another Pelops, another Chrysippus, another Ganymede. Let such gods as these be worshipped by your wives, and let them pray that their husbands be such as these--so temperate; that, emulating them in the same practices, they may be like the gods. Such gods let your boys be trained to worship, that they may grow up to be men with the accursed likeness of fornication on them received from the gods." Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks 2 (A.D. 190).

"[A]ll other frenzies of the lusts which exceed the laws of nature, and are impious toward both [human] bodies and the sexes, we banish, not only from the threshold but also from all shelter of the Church, for they are not sins so much as monstrosities." Tertullian, Modesty 4 (A.D. 220).

"[God forbid the Jews to eat certain foods for symbolic reasons:] For that in fishes the roughness of scales is regarded as constituting their cleanness; rough, and rugged, and unpolished, and substantial, and grave manners are approved in men; while those that are without scales are unclean, because trifling, and fickle, and faithless, and effeminate manners are disapproved. Moreover, what does the Law mean when it…forbids the swine to be taken for food? It assuredly reproves a life filthy and dirty, and delighting in the garbage of vice…Or when it forbids the hare? It rebukes men deformed into women." Novatian, The Jewish Foods 3 (A.D. 250).

"[T]urn your looks to the abominations, not less to be deplored, of another kind of spectacle…Men are emasculated, and all the pride and vigor of their sex is effeminated in the disgrace of their enervated body; and he is more pleasing there who has most completely broken down the man into the woman. He grows into praise by virtue of his crime; and the more he is degraded, the more skillful he is considered to be. Such a one is looked upon--oh shame!--and looked upon with pleasure…nor is there wanting authority for the enticing abomination…that Jupiter of theirs [is] not more supreme in dominion than in vice, inflamed with earthly love in the midst of his own thunders…now breaking forth by the help of birds to violate the purity of boys. And now put the question: Can he who looks upon such things be healthy-minded or modest? Men imitate the gods whom they adore, and to such miserable beings their crimes become their religion." Cyprian of Carthage, Letters 1:8 (A.D. 253).

"Oh, if placed on that lofty watch-tower, you could gaze into the secret places--if you could open the closed doors of sleeping chambers and recall their dark recesses to the perception of sight--you would behold things done by immodest persons which no chaste eye could look upon; you would see what even to see is a crime; you would see what people embruted with the madness of vice deny that they have done, and yet hasten to do--men with frenzied lusts rushing upon men, doing things which afford no gratification even to those who do them." Cyprian of Carthage, Letters 1:9 (A.D. 253).

"[T]he mother of the gods loved [the boy Attis] exceedingly, because he was of most surpassing beauty; and Acdestis [the son of Jupiter] who was his companion, as he grew up fondling him, and bound to him by wicked compliance with his lust…Afterwards, under the influence of wine, he [Attis] admits that he is…loved by Acdestis…Then Midas, king of Pessinus, wishing to withdraw the youth from so disgraceful an intimacy, resolves to give him his own daughter in marriage…Acdestis, bursting with rage because of the boy's being torn from himself and brought to seek a wife, fills all the guests with frenzied madness; the Phrygians shriek, panic-stricken at the appearance of the gods . . . [Attis] too, now filled with furious passion, raving frantically and tossed about, throws himself down at last, and under a pine tree mutilates himself, saying, `Take these, Acdestis, for which you have stirred up so great and terribly perilous commotions.'" Arnobius, Against the Pagans 5:6-7 (A.D. 305).

"[H]aving forbidden all unlawful marriage, and all unseemly practice, and the union of women with women and men with men, he [God] adds: `Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for in all these things the nations were defiled, which I will drive out before you. And the land was polluted, and I have recompensed [their] iniquity upon it, and the land is grieved with them that dwell upon it' [Lev. 18:24-25]." Eusebius of Caesarea, Proof of the Gospel 4:10 (A.D. 319).

"He who is guilty of unseemliness with males will be under discipline for the same time as adulterers." Basil the Great, Letters 217:62 (A.D. 367).

"If you [O, monk] are young in either body or mind, shun the companionship of other young men and avoid them as you would a flame. For through them the enemy has kindled the desires of many and then handed them over to eternal fire, hurling them into the vile pit of the five cities under the pretense of spiritual love. At meals take a seat far from other young men. In lying down to sleep let not their clothes be near yours, but rather have an old man between you. When a young man converses with you, or sings psalms facing you, answer him with eyes cast down, lest perhaps by gazing at his face you receive a seed of desire sown by the enemy and reap sheaves of corruption and ruin. Whether in the house or in a place where there is no one to see your actions, be not found in his company under the pretense either of studying the divine oracles or of any other business whatsoever, however necessary." Basil the Great, The Renunciation of the World (A.D. 373).

"[The pagans] were addicted to the love of boys, and one of their wise men made a law that pederasty…should not be allowed to slaves, as if it was an honorable thing; and they had houses for this purpose, in which it was openly practiced. And if all that was done among them was related, it would be seen that they openly outraged nature, and there was none to restrain them… As for their passion for boys, whom they called their 'paedica,' it is not fit to be named." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Titus 5 (A.D. 390]).

"[Certain men in church] come in gazing about at the beauty of women; others curious about the blooming youth of boys. After this, do you not marvel that [lightning] bolts are not launched [from heaven], and all these things are not plucked up from their foundations? For worthy both of thunderbolts and hell are the things that are done; but God, who is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forbears awhile his wrath, calling you to repentance and amendment." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 3:3 (A.D. 391).

"All of these affections [in Rom. 1:26-27]… were vile, but chiefly the mad lust after males; for the soul is more the sufferer in sins, and more dishonored than the body in diseases." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 4 (A.D. 391).

"[The men] have done an insult to nature itself. And a yet more disgraceful thing than these is it, when even the women seek after these intercourses, who ought to have more shame than men." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 4 (A.D. 391).

"And sundry other books of the philosophers one may see full of this disease. But we do not therefore say that the thing was made lawful, but that they who received this law were pitiable, and objects for many tears. For these are treated in the same way as women that play the whore. Or rather their plight is more miserable. For in the case of the one the intercourse, even if lawless, is yet according to nature; but this is contrary both to law and nature. For even if there were no hell, and no punishment had been threatened, this would be worse than any punishment." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 4 (A.D. 391).

"[T]hose shameful acts against nature, such as were committed in Sodom, ought everywhere and always to be detested and punished. If all nations were to do such things, they would be held guilty of the same crime by the law of God, which has not made men so that they should use one another in this way." Augustine, Confessions 3:8:15 (A.D. 400).

"[Christians] abhor all unlawful mixtures, and that which is practiced by some contrary to nature, as wicked and impious." Apostolic Constitutions 6:11 (A.D. 400).

Tell her! Go for it big guy!

Glad to hear your views, Frank, I do agree--btw i'm from Jersey; if you're ever visiting Atlantic City anytime soon--feel free to PM me--i'll show you some good places to get nice clams and oysters.

Back on the topic tho, Im rather split on the topic of prostitution. I know that there are people in this world that use that form of service to provide food and clothing for their family--desperation can lead men and women do do many things. And its great that Franklin mentioned that part in scripture---do not judge lest you be judged---and it is the Lord Our God who will judge us all in the end of times. I say--lend a helping hand to those who need your help. Random acts of kindness--thats what I say.

Frank, it is sick how people use religion as a premise to commit violence---specially seen in these recent bombings in the southern philippines and in the middle east.

When will all of this just end...

Quote from: Bambi on August 25, 2007, 01:37:34 PM
He is still  a suspect..... as long as it is not yet proven that he was really the bomber then he is subject first for trial and the right penalty, then FIRE!!!!!!

God bless you for being so civil, pare. Kai bao ka--i told my parents about this--and mao jud na gi ingoon nila sa nako--'batan-oon pa man na siya, sus maria josep'. Possession is 9/10ths of the law, diba? My only question is that--why on earth--did he have that much explosives for?

Hadloka man jud ni---kai bao ka--im thinking about not visiting bohol next year kai dili naman jud safe..

Good evening, Belle!

Pleased to meet you and enjoy your stay in Tubag Bohol!


PS. What part of Michigan are you from?

Quote from: Bambi on August 25, 2007, 01:32:00 PM
Hello Pare!

Is our linguist hero,  Dr. Jose Rizal your uncle? Saludo ko nimo da!

haha dii oi--i am nothing compared to the glory and intelligence and patriotism of Sr. Dr. Jose Rizal, pare.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen

GLORIA PATRI, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum.

...De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine:
Domine, exaudi vocem meam:
Fiant aures tuae intendentes,
in vocem deprecationis meae.
Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine:
Domine, quis sustinebit?
Quia apud te propitiatio est:
et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.
Sustinuit anima mea in verbo eius:
speravit anima mea in Domino.
A custodia matutina usque ad noctem:
speret Israel in Domino.
Quia apud Dominum misericordia:
et copiosa apud eum redemptio.
Et ipse redimet Israel,
ex omnibus iniquitatibus eius.
Gloria Patri, et Filio,
et Spiritui Sancto.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

~~~~

Blessed is Mother Theresa--a mortal woman on Earth--yet a dedicated servant of the Lord to the very end. It is clear that she, a most holy woman of the cloth, was subject to the temptations and lies and deceit of the Devil--the most unholy--but Mother Theresa did not give in. In her human body--and herself--like us--being human--make err from time to time. Her dedication to the Church and to the care of the masses is exemplary and is a message for Catholics and Christians--even in today's day in age--faith and communion with God is above all.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;Isaiah 61:1

that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, John 14:17; 15:26

As a Filipino-American, I have encountered times where I was treated differently based on my physical and phenotypic appearance---particularly in areas that have little to no minority groups. I wasn't physically maltreated, but the tone of their voice was rather conspicuous--and their actions were subtle. Generally tho, most Americans are very accepting and it rarely is it that you meet an outspoken racist.

I try my best to rise above the situation by leading through example and through good works--as in treating them with respect instead of negativities. Natural man jud good na--kanang tao--if he or she hasn't seen a personal ethnic group before--ma prejudiced man jud na siya initially. After some time--ma change man sila--pero sometimes they dont--depends on the individual. Bambi, when I was in Ukraine last year--I did notice that there are a rising number of 'neo nazis' in eastern europe. Hope that your Indian co-workers are alright. Stay safe, k?

Amen to this, Mike! Thank YOU, Mike for making this site---because of you we all are here discussing this. Now we're all addicted to TB, hahaha!

Sige~

Quote from: buenavista on August 25, 2007, 10:04:22 AM
History is one of my  fave subject...ganahan jud ko sige basa ilabi sa Phil. history..at least naay tay kaalam diin ta naggikan.
Thanks Onic for the article..I learned a lot.

I'm glad you liked it buena! Glad to have shared a little history here and there.

Quote from: Bohol on August 25, 2007, 10:02:16 AM
A native Thai is usually dark. The Chinese had changed all that. This is one apparent reason why there are so many beautiful Thai girls - a mix of Thai and Chinese blood.

Chinese population in Thailand before World War II was nearly 50 percent of the country's total number of inhabitants.

After World War II, there was an anti-Chinese hatred all over Thailand, a national sentiment that forced many Chinese to return to mainland China. Yet the Chinese rule in Thailand. They are the rich, powerful, beautiful, and influential.

Prime Minister Thaksin is half-Chinese.

That is true, Mike. The Chinese influence is vast all over asia, in Thailand--the Chinese minority control the economy--in Singapore--they are the majority of the city-state and contribute greatly to the financial competence of Singapura--in Indonesia and Malaysia--the Chinese minority hold great wealth--and even in the Philippines; examples of this are Mr. Lucio Tan, Gukongwei etc.

A fellow collegue of mine has started his thesis on the Chinese predominance in south east asia in the modern era was due to their massive migration during the 18th, 19th and 20th century--and he directly correlates their success with the Confucian work ethic and filial piety.

It is rather interesting how the Chinese were successful here in the Philippines--considering Mother Spain's anti-Chinese policies during the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries. My own great grandfather (mother's side)--migrated from Guangzhou, China and to Sulu then to Bohol--where he settled and worked in finance and business in Valencia, Bohol. Though he spoke Visaya in a strong accent--as accounted from my grandmother and grand aunt--he was nonetheless successful in being a businessman. It's amazing really how poor Chinese immigrants succeeded and blossomed in a foreign country.

@ Mike, is PM Shinawatra back in Thailand or is he still abroad? How is the constitutional process going? Are elections going to be held soon?

For thousands of years, Asia has remained the key point of civilization from Mesopotamia to the Hindus valley that has harbored the tribes of South and Central Asia and as far as China. From ancient texts and from oral tales, we understand that China has played a key role on its surrounding neighbors, including the Turkic Uzbeks of western Asia, to the Mongolian khanates in the north, the Korean kingdoms of Shilla, Pekjae and Koryo to the east and the islands of Japan. China has also left her mark in South East Asia to the southeast as well as the Indian subcontinent to the south.  The world knows China has influenced her neighbors in the past and continues to do so in the modern world. However, on the contrary of the world’s opinion that China had minor contacts with her neighbors as mere friendship court visits, many do not understand the importance of China’s influence in South East Asia. This paper will answer the question ‘How did the Ancient Yuan, Ming and Qing China influenced and affected South East Asia?’ This paper will answer that question and prove how the dynastic periods of the Ming, Yuan and Qing influenced South East Asian Kingdoms of Ayuthaya/Siam, the Khmer Empire, Dai Viet/Champa, Bagan, Srivijaya, the Sultanate of Brunei and the Sultanate of Sulu in an cultural and political aspect. This paper shall prove the deep relations China has had with these kingdoms and prove that without Chinese influence, these South East Asian Kingdoms would not have accomplished the feats they were remembered for or expanded in their regional spheres.

Before we can study and analyze the contacts the South East Asian Kingdoms had with the three dynasties, we have to examine the dynasties of the Yuan, Ming and the Qing. The Yuan dynasty was a Mongolic dynasty, established by Genghis Khan, which ruled China from 1279-1369 (Murowchick 145-147) (Khan 7-10). The Yuan rulers were not of ethnic Han nationality, but were of Mongolian ethnicities, who were the first non-ethnic Chinese to unify China militarily. The Yuan dynasty’s rule, although less than a hundred years, saw great political impact on South East Asia. The Yuan dynasty eventually fell due to rebellions and loss of the Mandate of Heaven and a new dynasty rose (Simkin 136-141). Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang established this new dynasty, the Ming dynasty. The Ming dynasty is considered by Chinese historians as one of the great Han-Chinese dynasties to ever establish itself. Under the guiding light of the Ming, China experienced a massive transformation.  Resources such as gold, silk, wood, wheat, rice was numerous and man power, especially the fact that the Chinese population boomed under the Ming rule. The Ming dynasty lasted hailed from 1368-1644 (Murowchick 152). After the dynastic fall of the Ming, the Manchu people managed in taking and placed a Manchu Empire, or better known to the world as the Qing dynasty. The Qing dynasty was established in 1644 after Ming power was crushed, and ended its rule in 1912 (Murowchick 155).

Throughout the span of 600 years, we will analyze the Chinese contacts with direct and indirect influence on the Kingdom of Ayuthaya/Siam, the Khmer Empire, the Kingdom of Dai Viet/Champa, the Kingdom of Bagan, the Empire of Srivijaya, the Empire of Majapahit, the Sultanate of Brunei as well as the Sultanate of Sulu. The Thais are an Asian ethnic group that were once from present day Funan, China, but were forced in an exodus when the Han dynasty destroyed the ancient Thai kingdom of AiLao. Thus, there are considerable Thai speaking people in present-day Laos, Thailand, Burma as well as parts of northern Vietnam as a result of the ethnic diaspora (Kingsbury 139). The greatest Thai kingdom to be established was Ayuthaya, which lasted for over 400 years, from the mid 1200s to the 1770s, under the guidance of Ayuthayan god-kings (Barraclough 168-169).

The Ayuthayan kingdom was rich in history as well as in culture, but could not have been as great as it was, had it not been for the influence of the Chinese dynasties. The Yuan dynasty played a key role in that it waged a destructive war with the Kingdom of Bagan, which was once a great power in the western parts of south east asia. After the war, Bagan was destroyed and the Thai princely states were able to take control of Mon and Shan regions once ruled by the Bagan power, thus allowing Ayuthaya to grow (Kingsbury 141). Ayuthaya owes a great deal to the Chinese politically. Had the Yuan dynasty not warred with the Burmese, Ayuthaya would have never been able to expand and acquire the man power as well as the rice low lands of the Chao Phraya region, the impetus for future imperialistic growth. Another example of how the Yuan dynasty aided Ayuthaya was when Bagan was destroyed; the Thais were encouraged to attack the Khmer Empire and partitioned old territories that were under the control. This is an example of political pressure from China, forcing the Thai kingdom to act and in doing so expanded and in the process gaining fame and historical reverence (Simkin 153-155). Ayuthaya was influenced culturally in that during the span of the Ming as well as the Qing dynasties, there was observable Chinese immigration into the Thai kingdom of Ayuthaya. After Ayuthaya’s fall, the modern day Siam, commonly referred as Thailand, Chinese immigration continued and resulted in a cultural mix of Chinese and Thai. As a result, the Thai-Chinese minority gained elitist status when they controlled the economy as the trade between Ayuthaya and China continued (Cushman 44-50) (Kahn 7-8).

Even before the rise of the Thai, or the growth of the Vietnamese Empire of Annam, there was once a great power in South East Asia. A power than commanded territories as far north as Annam, South as the Malay Peninsula and as far west as the very gates of Burma. This power was once known as the great Khmer Empire, which rose in the early 9th century and fell to the mighty Thais in the mid 15th century. The Khmers were influenced partially by China as well as from India, being that it was under heavy Indian influence prior to Chinese contact (Barraclough 132-133). The Khmer Empire was influenced and affected politically by one particular Chinese dynasty, the Yuan dynasty. During the Yuan wars in the south, which resulted in the destruction of Bagan, the Thais were induced to attack and defy Imperial Khmer sovereignty. As a result, the overwhelming forces of the Ayuthayan Thais destroyed the Khmer capital of Angkor, thus catalyzing the fall of the Khmer Empire. This is one example of negative indirect Chinese influences on a South East Asian kingdom (Simkin 153-154). Culturally, the Chinese influenced the Khmer Empire by the extensive trade the Khmers had with the Chinese. One particular example of this would be the Chinese introduction of silver and gold as monetary units, that was eventually used by the Khmer Empire. The Chinese partaking trade with the Empire influenced the Khmer market and people, as Chinese merchants came to Angkor, intermarriages would be necessary, as quoted:

In Cambodia women tend to trade. Even a Chinese who arrives there and takes a woman will profit greatly from her trading abilities. They do not have permanent stores, but simply spread a piece of mat on the ground. Everyone has her own spot. I have heard they pay an official for the right to a location. In small transactions, one pays in rice, grain, Chinese goods, and lastly, fabrics; in large transactions the use gold and silver (Simkin 122).

   The Chinese influenced the Burmese Kingdom of Bagan directly by force. The Mongol Yuan dynasty warred with Bagan, which resulted in the total destruction of Bagan. Bagan was a major power in western South East Asia, but after her destruction, the Thai kingdom of Ayuthaya engulfed her spheres of influence. This is an example of direct negative Chinese influence on a South East Asian kingdom (Simkin 153) (Murowchick 145-146). Culturally, both Hindustani and Chinese civilizations influenced the Bagan Burmese Kingdom, however, cultural contacts between China and Bagan were minor trading compared to the vast trading systems Bagan had with Indian Kingdoms of Kalinga and Chola. The relationship between Bagan and Yuan dynasty was an example of pure political ramifications (Simkin 155-159).
   As rivalry and power struggled continued in central and western parts of South East Asia, regional struggle in southern Vietnam and northern Vietnam continued. During this time, there were two kingdoms that were constantly at war. These two kingdoms were Dai Viet and the Kingdom of Champa. The Kingdom of Champa was a hinduized state that was established in the 2nd century A.D. The Chams, as the people of Champa were referred to as, experienced economic prosperity with the cultural contact with Han dynasty China to the Ming dynasty China at one side and economic as well as cultural integration with India and Arab traders (Simkin 25-26). The Champa kingdom came in contact with China in the form of Annam. Annam was an indigenous Vietnamese kingdom before being swallowed by the mighty Han Empire, thus we see massive Chinese correlations between Vietnamese culture as well as politics with China.  The Vietnamese fell under Han control in 111 B.C until the fall of the Han dynasty. From 111 B.C to the 4th century A.D, we assume Assam was Chinese, and at this time Champa continued its war with Chinese controlled Assam.

Chinese influence continued to partake on Champa as well as Annam until Annam declared its independence on the 4th century A.D. Political influence ceased from China to these two kingdoms until the arrival of the Yuan expansionists, where the proud Champa kingdom allied themselves with Dai Viet, the new kingdom that took the place of Annam. Their alliance allowed their survival and beat back the Yuan horde. This is one example of how the Chinese influenced regional kingdoms politically in forming alliances against Chinese expansionist tendencies form dynasty to dynasty (Simkin 24-27). Culturally, the Han as well as the Yuan dynasties influenced Champa and Dai Viet kingdoms by intermingling with the ethnic indigenous peoples, making the kingdoms essentially Chinese, a typical Chinese tendency for South East Asian kingdoms that had direct Chinese military influence (Murowchick 145-149) (Barraclough 128-129).

From the texts and written annals from the Han to the Qing, contacts with South East Asia were observed and sometimes direct, however, Chinese influences on the island kingdoms of South East Asia such as the vast Empire of Sri Vijaya as well as the Sultanates of Brunei and Sulu. The Empire of Sri Vijaya was a mighty sea faring state that participated extensive trade with India, surrounding South East Asian Kingdoms such as the Majapahit and the mighty Thai Kingdom of Ayuthaya. Srivijaya made contacts with China in the forms of ambassadors and trading partners, as we know that Srivijayan junk made their way to the ports in southern China. This was an example of cultural impact, with Chinese goods such as silk, gold being consumed by Srivijaya and Chinese importing Srivijayan products. Although Srivijaya was influenced by China politically as well as culturally, she was directly influenced compared to her northern neighbors such as the Thais, Khmers and Chams, who were militarily influenced. The geographical location of Srivijaya as being a vast island kingdom prevented immediate land invasion, as most of her neighbors were faced with, rather she enjoyed a perfect defense besides occasional rebellions within her peripheries (Kimball). The relationship Srivijaya had with China culturally was interesting in that instead of Srivijaya learning from China, it was China learning and utilizing Srivijaya. The reason for this was that the maritime empire was the center for learning Sanskrit; enabling Chinese Buddhist monks to learn the dead writing system as well as learn the Srivijayan form of Buddhism, as a Chinese monk quoted:

In the fortified city of Bhoga, Buddhist priests number more than one thousand whose minds are bent on learning and good practices. They investigate and study all the subjects that exist just as in the Middle Kingdom (China); the rules and ceremonies are not at all different. If a Chinese priest wishes to go to the west in order to hear and read he had better stay here one or two years and practice the proper rules and proceed to central India (Simkin 112).

   While Srivijaya was a Buddhist empire and was influenced by the Yuan and Ming dynasty, the Sultanates of Brunei and Sulu were mainly influenced by Ming traders. These Kingdoms differed from the rest of the other South East Asian states in that these two were the only Muslim kingdoms, whereas the others such as Khmer Empire, Ayuthaya, Champa, Dai Viet, Bagan, and Sri Vijaya were mainly Buddhist or Hindu (Brunei). Both the Sultanates of Brunei and Sulu were one consolidated power, however maintained 2 sultans. The sultanates, like the Srivijayan Empire enjoyed an open Chinese trading partner and experienced no military threats from the Ming dynasties. The sultanates were introduced to the Ming dynasty with the arrival of Zheng He and his fleet, toured South East Asia as well as the Indian subcontinent and Arabia. During his 7 voyages, Brunei and Sulu strengthened their cultural ties with China; The Ming dynasty sent Chinese princesses to the Sultans as a form of friendship and hence linked the kingdoms with China. The cultural links between the sultanates and China continued even after the fall of the Ming dynasty; trade and cultural link continued with the Qing dynasty (Barraclough 146-147) (Wow Philippines).

   The Chinese truly were a force to be reckoned with as they proved their ability to shape and form policy as well as history. Throughout the entire paper, we examined the major kingdoms of South East Asia that were hailed by western powers and China as major players within the Asian-Pacific region. To the common man, they might think of China as a gentle and passive power, especially towards her neighbors, in this case it would be South East Asia. However, they would have never realized that the dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing had direct and indirect influences in shaping the histories of South East Asian Kingdoms in a political and cultural aspect. Truly, we can come to a conclusion and prove that without Chinese influences, South East Asia as we know it today would not be the same.


What are your views on the subject?



********
Note: If you would wish to see the sources and bibliography--please PM me-
********

Quote from: Happy on July 20, 2007, 08:53:08 PM
Thats true Onic, eventhough there are many filipinos in Spain but the bonding of Spain-Philippines is not the same as Philippine-American or Philippine-Chinese

That may be true Happy, probably because of the patriotism of our people in the independence movement. However, I will attest that Spain's influence on the Philippines is everlasting--from the social etiquette that is in place, the religious nature, the language and the outlook of the nation. Filipinos, like many Latin American countries and Spain maintain a very fatalistic view of society and the world. Some historians in the west, particularly in Spain and in Latin American countries would even argue that the Philippines is a 'Latin American country in Asia' or in colloquial term 'a lost province of Spain'.

Last I heard, when President Macapagal-Arroyo visited Spain--she was cordially invited to the Royal Palace to meet the Spanish monarch--who stressed to our President of the necessity to revert Spanish as a national language in the Philippines. There definately is a nostalgia for the Philippines in Spain---though there really is a lacking of the versa on the Philippine counterpart.

Welcome to the forum, Van.

Quote from: Franklin on August 25, 2007, 09:28:31 AM
The victimless crime.

Some people always hve to tell others what to do.
Jesus didn't get all upset about prostitutes, did he?
He used to have a friend her name was Mary magdeline. He didn't go around telling her she was wrong.
He didn't go around and tell anyone they were wrong.
He did say to someone, "don't tell someone they have a splinter in their eye, when you have a log in your own."
So Jesus thought that it was wrong to go around telling everyone that they are wrong, better to take care of yourself.

Everyone who does not like something says it is wrong, because of something religious.
They are twisting Jesus to fit their ideas

But then again, as long as there are politicians, we will have prostitutes.

Glad that you mentioned that, Franklin, I know that this may be a bit off topic, but isnt this the example of how and why some radical evangelical christians such as the Westboro Baptist Church use scripture to fit their own agenda and twist it to comdemn others?

Btw, I read somewhere that you're a foreigner? Where do you hail from? Pleased to meet you, btw.

Is it true they're making the NYCLEX exams computer based?

What was in his head?? I mean..what can motivate a man to attack and bomb his own country?? This coward ridden SOB deserves the firing squad.

Quote from: Mohandis Ban-alam on August 24, 2007, 11:48:10 PM
mao raba gyud na kinaham sa mga muslim extremist ang mopatay ug mga amerikano! dili sad pwede bombahan ang mga abu sayyaf ug MILF kay they are living together with the innocent civilians. Mao nay isa sa mga strategy nila na mosagol permi sa mga civilian para dili sila mahilabtan sa AFP.

If the Abu Sayaff and the MILF continue in their offensive actions--and target American citizens--be advised and forewarned that the United States Armed Forces will demand its right to protect the citizens of the United States---

Keep in mind that there is already an American base in the Tawi Tawi group as we speak--and I know full well that Uncle Sam--and Pacific Command is keeping a tight eye on the situation in the Philippines.

I am pretty sure that it was American intelligence that told Philippine units of the Abu Sayaff suspect's location in Cebu en route to Manila; as the United States Intelligence has been cooperating with the Philippines in recent months.

Actually the US had to deal with such a problem during its police action in Vietnam some 3 decades ago--and one tactic they used was rallying the population of a village suspected in harboring vietcong members and interrogating them--until information was leaked out.

I know one thing, I totally support the AFP in doing what it MUST to establish peace and order and mandate the supremacy of the government--such challenges to the armed forces must cease and acceptance must be made--whether it is through an attrition war or repopulation of the region. Time and time again I've heard of politicians in Manila claiming that the hostilities will stop as soon as investment comes and employs the people---THIS will NOT work. Investors will not come to Mindanao so long as there are groups such as the MILF and Abu Sayaff and some parts of the MNLF and actively participated in subvertist activities to undermine the authority and legitimate right government has in these areas. There must be some kind of complete military rebuke and pacification by our AFP on the local population.

This is the very same situation that is going on in parts of Indonesia and Thailand--as they fight their own problems of rising extremist islamification--Thailand suffering from terrorist attacks in its southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Songkhla--and Indonesia suffering rampant islamic forces in bandah aceh, irian jaya, eastern java and parts of timor and sulawesi. These respectful governments are taking the initiative and implementing an offensive war against such groups.

So too must the Philippines--via the AFP--we must do our part and destroy extremist forces in the south---and cause massive damage so that they are rebuked. If we do nothing and pull back--as what some leftist forces are calling for--this will only embolden separatist forces--and cause irreversable damage to the integrity and unity of the Republic.

Quote from: Bambi on August 24, 2007, 11:36:51 PM
Hi Pare Onic!

tell ur sister.... pasakya unja mi.....WOW!

hahaha i'll tell her, pre. Wait so what are the hot cars in bohol nowadays? I hear that the hondas and mitsubishis are popular in bohol, true na?