tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57648638622813332322024-02-08T03:24:30.073+02:00¡SOY NEGRENSE!'My Thoughts and Opinions'Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-15800433146938534272015-12-25T16:14:00.000+02:002015-12-25T16:14:15.068+02:00Sign Of The Times: Christians Finding Hope In Duterte Magic<div style="text-align: justify;">
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In school, we were taught that "necessity is the mother of invention". Simply put, it is man's need that drives and motivates him to satisfy that need so that he lives with ease and free from discomfort. All this time, it sounds very much a cliche, but sometimes man's own quest for gratification leads him onto perilous grounds, going as far as doing away society's norms - if it means obtaining the very things that ensure he lives by his own terms.</div>
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Strange because we do not talk here of conventional remedies for society's ills to ensure our survival, but we talk of people of every demographic on a national scale, synonymously and loudly calling for long-held moral traditions be stamped out in favor of thuggery-driven leadership so that we as a people are guaranteed survival. Ambiguity aside, this article is not in any way a complete departure from our usual posts as we will be talking about politics in a Philippine setting in a Christian's perspective.</div>
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<b>The Rodrigo Duterte phenomenon</b></div>
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In recent weeks, this has become an eye-popping revelation that could turn one's sanity into cerebral paralysis for us not being able to find logical and moral rationale why society descends into this low by favoring violence as an answer to violence. For Christians who happen to be politically savvy, this is worth a topic especially when biblical tenets cross path with one's own secular leanings.</div>
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In a battle for mainstream media fodder, Donald Trump surely wins hands down on account of his proposal that Muslims in general, be banned from entering America until its leaders get to figure out what's wrong with their immigration policies. But we won't go further than that as our focus centers on the Philippines' own controversial presidentiable<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_Duterte"> Rodrigo Duterte</a>, who in his own right is as equally as controversial if not the most controversial political figure to have burst into the local political scene in recent memory.</div>
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National consensus shows that Duterte is highly favored to win the presidency. Survey results aside, his popularity across all social classes cannot be denied if social media pulse is anything to go by, and we've heard and seen how passionate his supporters are. Social media platforms dominate pro-Duterte conversations as if they're heralding the long-awaited messiah peeking at the door with all the celestial bonanza at his disposal. On the contrary, if you have the audacity to assert your thoughts against popular opinions - before you realize it you already found yourself laboriously pleading for a return to a civilized discourse as his self-declared keyboard warriors have already classified you a lamebrain thus a worthy recipient of all sorts of cussing imaginable.</div>
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<b>Rodrigo Duterte and his famed Davao Death Squad</b></div>
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To many frustrated and disgruntled Filipino citizens, Duterte is the "messiah-in-waiting" who they believe would save them from their endless woes. Digong, as he is fondly called has been credited for turning the city of Davao around from one of the most criminal-infested cities in the country into one of the safest cities (allegedly) in the world. His supporters claim that Duterte's reign as mayor of the city for almost three decades has resulted in their city being "crime-free" and corruption in the government is almost non-existent. Most people in Davao city themselves are proud of their city's achievements due to the efficient and iron-fisted leadership of their mayor. As a matter of fact, the city has been a perennial awardee for good governance and efficiency.</div>
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On the surface, Davao city should be a model for every local government unit to be emulated anywhere. But the manner by which its reputation was achieved is where human rights advocates have got an issue. It is an open book not only in Davao city but the entire nation as well that there exists a so-called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davao_death_squads">Davao Death Squad</a> (DDS) a vigilante group that serves as the implementing arm of Mayor Duterte's program to purge the city of "criminals" so that the peace-loving majority is ensured of its safety. Revised estimates have it that deaths carried out by this vigilante group range from 1200 to 1700 since the second term of the mayor in 1998. All these cases of summary executions were either unsolved or brought to oblivion as it is widely believed the executioners are either members of the police force or some paid individuals who have received training to carry out the killings. It is also important to note that while the mayor brags about low criminality in his city due to his famed DDS, the majority of those "criminals" whose lives have been snuffed out from them prematurely were either petty criminals some of them out-of-school youth living in the slum areas.</div>
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Despite his well-known persona as a rifle-brandishing mayor and a self-confessed murderer, Duterte commands respect and fear from his constituents. He is even well-loved by the majority of them who sincerely vouch that their city is one of the safest on the planet. <i>(But the same could not be coaxed into confessing that even petty criminals are being subjected to summary execution to ensure zero criminality for as long as the city's crime-free reputation is not jeopardized.)</i></div>
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<b>Being foul-mouthed and a philanderer now passed off as charisma and machismo</b></div>
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Mayor Duterte makes no apologies for showering expletives in his interviews. Watching him on television makes you cringe at the frequencies of bleeps that it requires instantaneous brushing up of one's skills set so that you won't lost track of what he is saying. He cusses indiscriminately that he makes <a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/114481-rodrigo-duterte-curses-pope-francis">no distinction between a political opponent and a pope</a>. His supporters call it unparalleled charisma and brutal honesty very few in the universe can match. Typically, Filipinos love their heroes at face value - no pretenses - one whose kinship to a ghettoish behavior is believable and not encumbered with hidden baggage associated with most politicians.<br />
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If a typical politician is outed to have more than one wife and a beeline of mistresses, that could pretty much spell his doom, but Duterte is dubbed a political genius for nothing, he projects himself as an antithesis to anything morality epitomizes. Except for the squeamish minority, one can easily digest why the euphoria and loud cheers when he admitted on national television that he's got two wives and maintains two mistresses apart from random women who flirtatiously elbow their way for his attention. It has also become a common sight wherever he goes of women randomly coming up to him and routinely offering their cheeks or lips so that he's not deprived of his self-proclaimed fetish. And so the common people cannot be denied of entertainment and they love him even more.<br />
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<b>Filipino's culture and religiosity challenged in the wake of Duterte's magic</b><br />
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It's a known fact that the Filipino culture has its endemicities deeply derived from a great sense of pride and nationalism. Our passion coupled with a combative attitude is something that does not go easily unnoticed in just about every conversation when at stake is the Filipino pride. We are a very sentimental and assertive people that could spontaneously initiate warfare if only to defend our own belief system. In every cause that we believe in, we don't hesitate to banner our bravery just to drive a point.</div>
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As a people, our stakes are high to the goody-two-shoes label that the title "the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia" is a patented slap-to-the-face to whichever nation attempts to share or challenge this accolade. We don't hesitate to educate our doubters that we are the bedrock of Christianity, and along with it comes every virtue we think we have the monopoly of. There is no denying, we Filipinos in general, are very spiritual people on the basis of our religiosity. <i>[When you have the rest of the world in utter envy (read disdain) at us for having so many of our own, living and departed, claiming to be the "incarnate son of God" - speaks volumes about our spirituality and our tendencies to incorporate God in our way of life.]</i></div>
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When social media was abuzz with yet another Duterte heroism when he allegedly forced a smoker to swallow a cigarette butt for disobeying a smoking ban, most of us cheered the mayor and demanded we want the same style of discipline enforced in our localities. Every time we see criminals on television such as drug pushers, snatchers, carnappers, kidnappers, and a host of menace in society being dragged into jail, inexplicably the Christian in us wanted them outrightly decimated and banished from the face of the earth. Our disdain for these criminals who wanted a fast-track to a good life at the expense of their hapless victims becomes our convenient excuse to validate a belief that thugs and lowlifes deserve no mercy.</div>
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As a nation, we've probably come to the point that we conclude enough is enough. We think our government is corrupt, that our president though a noted graft buster and anti-corrupt - lacks empathy for us ordinary citizens. That despite the country's current tag as an economic miracle a proof of his hard work, we still argue that he failed to deliver the goods. Additionally, we are not impressed with a type of leader who's too prim and proper that we decided he's a total disconnect from the poor. We label that type elitist. Our disdain for him and his inept subordinates forces us to think that they are the reasons for all our woes. Worst, our attitude says that we don't give a damn if our leader is above the law for as long as he sees to it the nation is bereft of criminals so that the over 110 million of us live in peace and security.</div>
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<b>Wild fantasies as by-product of false hopes</b></div>
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This early, we started to fantasize that our future as a nation has been sealed under a Duterte presidency. And this is where our fantasies brought us: that each morning we wake up to, we get thrilled to witness a lovely sight - of police having their hands full collecting dead bodies of suspected criminals, thanks to an executive prerogative to double up on ridding the country of criminals and curbing population at their expense. Because this is what we expected of Duterte there is no doubt in our mind that surely he will deliver the goods. We're so brainwashed to believe that his formula in making Davao a peaceful city is the best remedy for our woe-infested country that we badly want him president. We care less if it's all about annihilating bad people as long as we the "good" people get to live in safety and comfort.</div>
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When we heard Mayor Duterte has purged Davao City of "bad people" and its residents self-deployed en masse in social media so that we covet the quasi-utopia in their city, our response was a chorus of indignation at our government for its failure to deliver a crime-free and corruption-free society that Davao has long attained. The rage in us even breached celestial limits when the social paranoia brought about by the "Laglag-Bala" scheme proved to be the last straw to provoke every Filipino into dissent and righteous indignation. We then did not hold back sending the vilest of curses to our president and his subordinates for allowing such barbaric practice to thrive at the expense of us poor OFWs as if it was his brainchild and of his ilks. We tantalizingly came close to labeling the president and his administration the plagues sent from the abyss to torture us day and night that we wanted them banished from the face of the earth.</div>
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On Facebook, we were hypnotized by his battle cry saying,<b> "I don't care if I live in hell as long as my people live in paradise"</b>. Its message so powerful that we simply melted in utter surrender sending us into orgasmic euphoria that we're so convinced finally, change is coming. The pleasure it gives us causes us to dream on and so we refused to stop dreaming because to us the messiah has come - armed with a "double-edged sword" and clad with a "cloak of righteousness" - with his harem in tow and a mouthful of expletives to spew - so that his every speech being blared live doesn't get to our homes in real time to see to it the young ones are spared from the virulent fruits of his tongue.</div>
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We are so peeved by our leaders' ineptitude and apathy that we are convinced only a Duterte presidency can restore our hope as a nation, at least according to the seers in us. Imagine no more corruption, no more apathetic pieces of trash in the government, and no more hellish traffic in EDSA. The hope that we have in Duterte forces us to assert that every demand of ours will be handed to us in a silver platter. That sooner the LRT and MRT will be touted as the best in Asia next only to Japan's bullet train system. That remnants of Laglag Bala gang will have bullets for their meals, and we're excited to see that on tv. That there will be no more phone snatchers, rapists, pushers, Akyat-Bahay, and so on and so forth. And no more carnappers, no more cars beating the red light, maybe just a few jaywalkers to apprehend to make it appear prison cells still host undesirables.</div>
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Our delusion already got the better of us because we are already sold out to the messianic message Duterte has fed us. That delusion even brought us to our wildest fantasy yet that the Philippines could stake its claim to be the next Singapore if ruled by an iron fist. History tells us discipline and iron-fisted leadership made Singapore what it is today, and we can easily smell the resemblance in a Duterte's presidency. Just there is one problem: last time we checked, Singapore did not implement summary executions of their "bad people".</div>
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<b>Duterte candidacy exposes Christianity's shallow foundation</b></div>
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It's humanly understandable for people who don't know God to fall for false hopes in a leader whose message of change resonates with them. We've seen that very clearly in people's misplaced hope in Barack Obama's "messianic advent", and eight years later they're still stuck in that same quagmire of hopelessness beyond their mend. But for people who profess to be Christians and falling for such a trap by putting their hopes in a man who shows not one bit of traits every Christian should look for in a leader - now that is really alarming.</div>
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One benefit of social media is that it helps us to seize up or gauge people's sentiments or views about almost every subject under the sun, and as a powerful platform it also guides us even into the innermost part of a person, as the Scripture says,<i> "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).</i> But for Christians especially pastors aggressively campaigning and using their influence over their flocks to endorse a candidate that publicly contradicts every Christian value is beyond stunning.</div>
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We don't say that we should completely lose our hope to rise up as a nation but as Christians, we are called to pray for our nation and our leaders and ask for discernment from God as to the best person who He would raise up to lead us. For the Scripture says, <i>"...for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13:1). </i>All authorities under heaven are ordained by God - they were allowed for a purpose. The beauty of democracy is that we have the unalienable rights to choose our leader, and by exercising that right to our advantage we can vet our choices as to who suits the kind of leader we want to lead us. But as Christians, our choices and actions should be anchored on God's word by which we are called to live by.</div>
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<b>Carnality and self-preservation over godly aspiration</b></div>
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The people of Israel demanded prophet Samuel that God raise up a king to rule over them. God told Samuel to fulfill their request, not because their request was good or right but because God would teach Israel through this. Sometimes when we insist in getting what we want instead of praying for God's will in us, God will allow us to have it and then teach through it. God knew Israel would have a king, but He wanted to give the king in His timing and one who pleases Him. But because Israel demanded a king no matter the condition of his heart, God gave them what they wanted.</div>
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It's true, as Christians we also have our share of frustrations at the social perils that we have to put up with on a daily basis, but that does not necessarily allow us to override the purpose of God in our lives by making sure, in our capacity of carnal reasoning - that it's perfectly okay to have a leader who is a self-confessed unremorseful murderer, a proud philanderer, and a foul-mouthed gossip-mongering thug whose notoriety for his indecision rather than being firm is a hallmark of an unstable leader. Just like the people of Israel, they demanded a king instead of waiting for God's will and timing. But God said to Samuel, "they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me". God had a purpose in not giving Israel a king up to that point. It was because He did not want them to put an ungodly trust in the king instead of the Lord. In the end, God gave them a king whose heart was overwhelmed with pride, selfishness, and disobedience to the Lord - that would eventually lead to his downfall so that they only had themselves to blame.</div>
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Are we not seeing here the similarity? By our actions, we have completely eliminated God in the equation by trusting and putting our hopes in a man, in an ungodly man who publicly exalts himself as a demi-god by declaring "God would cry if he gets elected". We all know what he means by ridding the country of "bad people". He advocates shortcut to peace, a false peace that is. We cheered on him when he proposed Manila Bay be made a dumping ground for the lowlifes to fatten its inhabitants. Yes, our cheers are a token of approval that finally he will make things happen. Our streets will be safe again, no more criminals on the loose because we advocated for their premature demise, and then we can proudly say, "yes, I'm a Christian and I love the Lord". Really? It's just that He is the same Lord who is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).</div>
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If anything, Rodrigo Duterte is a setup. His popularity cannot be denied and a lot of Christians have fallen for his charisma and message of change. A known pastor in a local community that boasts hundreds of members is tirelessly glorifying Duterte on Facebook and even banners a shoutout that says, "this is my beloved president, please campaign for him for change is coming", to which one of his members commented, "he is my future". (Now that's the biggest myth ever told, and coming from a supposed Christian's point of view.)</div>
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And if you're a modern-day Christian and perhaps a pastor for 20 years, or maybe an over-worked elder who's preoccupied with recruiting members into your growing congregation, we think it's about time you acquaint yourselves and your members about the book of Revelation. It's not really helping a lot that your Bible studies and sermons revolve around Jeremiah 29:11(which you love to take out of context) and Matthew 7:7. Sometimes it pays that your congregation is also familiar with the terms like Anti-Christ, son of perdition, false peace, the abomination of desolation, 666, Laodicean church and most importantly the Blessed Hope.</div>
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<b>Misplaced hope in man borders the sin of idolatry</b></div>
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So many of us Christians think change is coming, genuine peace is achievable and prosperity is peeking at the horizon because we see it possible and we're confident Duterte will make good on his promises. That is exactly what God had told Samuel about an "ungodly trust on a king" that He did not want His people Israel to have on any man. He wanted us to trust Him because He is God and not man. Psalms 118:8 says, <i>"it's better to trust in God than to have confidence in man."</i> The world does not give us peace, but God gives us peace that surpasses all understanding. <i>"The world passes away and the lust thereof, but he that does the will of God abides forever"(1 John 2:17) </i>Jesus is our only hope and that hope is anchored on His promise when He returns. Man will always fail us but if we seek the Lord and His will He will never fail us.</div>
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Have we come across yet the prophecies of Paul he wrote to Timothy that in the last days people will be lovers of themselves and the love of many shall wax cold? (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Don't be stunned! We ourselves are the fulfillment of this prophecy. We are so head-over-heels with ourselves that we want decimated those who pose as threats to our happy existence. And before we know it our love for our fellow human beings have waxed cold, well, except maybe for those who we deem lovable. The Scripture says when we agree or tolerate sin in our midst we have become partakers of them.</div>
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We seem to forget that a godless society will never be devoid of corruption, lying, cheating, killing, bribery and all sorts of moral decay because people operate in the flesh and God is not present in the works of unrighteousness. We have been blinded by our ungodly adoration for a man whose promises are ethereal music to our ears but whose heart hosts the very things that God detests:<br />
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<i>These six things does the LORD hate: yes, seven are an abomination to him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. </i><i>An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19 KJV)</i><br />
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The greatest sin in the Bible by far is the sin of idolatry. Idolatry is the main reason why God rebuked and judged the nation of Israel. It is when we put something or someone first in our life before the true living God. We may not actually or knowingly intend to do that but when we put our trust and hope in a man to be our future, that is idolatry. Worse, instead of praying for God's will for our nation that He would raise up a God-fearing leader, we lead our flocks into the pitfall of trusting and putting our hopes in an ungodly man. Remember, God does not take lightly the sin of idolatry and He will in no way be pleased. Remember Israel had wanted a king instead of God to reign over them. God had warned them of the consequences of wanting an unrighteous man to rule them. In the end, God gave them what they wanted and it was not what they had hoped for. And as the saying goes, "be careful of what you wish for."</div>
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Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-69854777364425943722015-01-09T20:55:00.000+02:002015-01-12T11:08:49.195+02:00Black Nazarene: The Folly Of Idol Worship<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i>"Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God." ~ Leviticus 19: 4</i></span></b></div>
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Imagine the miles-long queue of devotees that formed past midnight way into the next day and beyond till the day of the actual procession of a life-sized image of the Black Nazarene - and you see people young and old from all walks of life in their miserable state - mostly coming from remote places - just to get near the statue, kiss its feet - and go home in ecstasy believing answers to their prayers are on the way. Such is the incomparable devotion and religious fervor you can see from devotees and fanatics alike of the ebony statue during the early stages of its feast in Manila. But that's only a prelude to the actual procession day with which devotees are expected to turn up in millions.</div>
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Today the 9th of January, is the actual procession day and crowd estimates according to authorities range from 5 million to 9 million. Latest report says, a 44-year old male devotee has died while participating in the carriage of the Black Nazarene probably due to tiredness and suffocation that led to his having a heart attack.</div>
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<b>Actual scenario</b></div>
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The culmination of what they call 'Traslacion' or the actual procession of the Black Nazarene normally draws devotees numbering to over 5 millions. And each one of them tries to at least touch the image while it is being carried. While it is impossible for the old and sickly to venture near the carriage, they can still get someone as proxy - probably a strong and fit relative to bulldoze their way onto the carriage - and touch the image with a special cloth which they believe can bring healing to their sickness. Of course when you battle it out with another five million people who are equally as determined to get close to the image and touch it, the odds of you emerging unscathed from such an ordeal is zero. On previous occasions, records show that the event has produced deaths and limbs lost - that instead of people getting healed from their sickness, they just topple on the scene - not because they experience epiphany right where they stand, but simply because these devotees get suffocated and crushed.<br />
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<b>The folly of idol worship</b><br />
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I'd been there half of my lifetime. When I turned seven, my mother took me to a Catholic church four towns away - where the patron saint is San Isidro Labrador (the one who pulls up his garb showing his thigh dripping in blood from a dog bite while the dog stands calmly beside him). Even as a child, I was not impressed to be on a long queue watching impatient mothers dragging their children and let them watch scolding one another for not following first-come first-serve rule while waiting for their children's turn to kiss the image. (I remember certain amount was then required of us after completing the process which everyone in line should dutifully oblige - a church employee sometimes runs out of loose change that causes chaos and stalled traffic at the exit.)</div>
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Idol worship has been a way of life for most Filipinos dating back centuries ago from the Spanish colonization. It has been the most successful commodity the Roman Catholic empire has exported around the globe for more than a millennium. Hardcore Catholics would vow to die defending their religion - and their idols. They believe they are doing God a favor if they put themselves in harm's way as their way of participating in Christ's sufferings. But does the Scriptures approve of such practices?
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The Scriptures below is a testament to God's hatred for idols that like a kindergarten teacher He would show us the perfect example of the embarrassment man has brought upon himself for his idolatry and His disdain for people who do such a practice:</div>
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<i>"All who make idols are nothing,</i></div>
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<i>and the things they treasure are worthless.</i></div>
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<i>Those who would speak up for them are blind;</i></div>
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<i>they are ignorant, to their own shame.</i></div>
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<i>Who shapes a god and casts an idol,</i></div>
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<i>which can profit nothing?</i></div>
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<i>People who do that will be put to shame;</i></div>
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<i>such craftsmen are only human beings.</i></div>
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<i>Let them all come together and take their stand;</i></div>
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<i>they will be brought down to terror and shame.</i></div>
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<i>The blacksmith takes a tool</i></div>
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<i>and works with it in the coals;</i></div>
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<i>he shapes an idol with hammers,</i></div>
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<i>he forges it with the might of his arm.</i></div>
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<i>He gets hungry and loses his strength;</i></div>
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<i>he drinks no water and grows faint.</i></div>
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<i>The carpenter measures with a line</i></div>
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<i>and makes an outline with a marker;</i></div>
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<i>he roughs it out with chisels</i></div>
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<i>and marks it with compasses.</i></div>
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<i>He shapes it in human form,</i></div>
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<i>human form in all its glory,</i></div>
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<i>that it may dwell in a shrine.</i></div>
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<i>He cut down cedars,</i></div>
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<i>or perhaps took a cypress or oak.</i></div>
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<i>He let it grow among the trees of the forest,</i></div>
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<i>or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.</i></div>
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<i>It is used as fuel for burning;</i></div>
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<i>some of it he takes and warms himself,</i></div>
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<i>he kindles a fire and bakes bread.</i></div>
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<i>But he also fashions a god and worships it;</i></div>
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<i>he makes an idol and bows down to it.</i></div>
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<i>Half of the wood he burns in the fire;</i></div>
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<i>over it he prepares his meal,</i></div>
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<i>he roasts his meat and eats his fill.</i></div>
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<i>He also warms himself and says,</i></div>
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<i>“Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”</i></div>
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<i>From the rest he makes a god, his idol;</i></div>
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<i>he bows down to it and worships.</i></div>
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<i>He prays to it and says,</i></div>
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<i>“Save me! You are my god!”</i></div>
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<i>They know nothing, they understand nothing;</i></div>
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<i>their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,</i></div>
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<i>and their minds closed so they cannot understand.</i></div>
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<i>No one stops to think,</i></div>
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<i>no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,</i></div>
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<i>“Half of it I used for fuel;</i></div>
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<i>I even baked bread over its coals,</i></div>
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<i>I roasted meat and I ate.</i></div>
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<i>Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?</i></div>
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<i>Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”</i></div>
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<i>Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him;</i></div>
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<i>he cannot save himself, or say,</i></div>
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<i>“Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” ~ Isaiah 44:9-20</i></div>
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It is very clear that the God of heavens, the Creator of the universe shows His contempt for idols. He hates idol worship and shames idol worshipers for their foolishness. Why would a man bow down to the work of his hand? Did he not go to the forest and cut down a tree and a portion of it he carved and shaped into a man and then worshiped it; and some portions he used to make fire and warmed himself and baked bread from it? In the scriptures above, God was taunting his created man for not using his sense of reason and He feels sorry for him that he cannot be saved from his foolishness.</div>
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During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught His disciples that God is a spirit and that He seeks a worshiper who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The Bible is God's truth and nowhere in the Bible that says God commands His creatures to make images resembling Him for no one has seen God and still live. The Ten Commandments written by God and given to Moses has been passed on from the time the Jewish people fled Egypt up to the present generation but only to be changed by the Roman Catholic church because they believe their authority stands above the Word of God. Let's find out the the <a href="http://www.the-ten-commandments.org/romancatholic-tencommandments.html">glaring dissimilarities:</a></div>
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<b>The Second Commandment from the Bible:</b></div>
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"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my Commandments. ~ Exodus 20: 4-6</div>
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<b>The Catholic Second Commandment:</b></div>
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"Thou shalt not take the name of thy LORD thy God in vain" ~ (This is actually the Third Commandment out of ten in the Bible. There is idolatry in the Papal system so the Second Commandment has been deleted or sometimes it has been absorbed into the first. All remaining Commandments are therefore shifted along one count.)</div>
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<b>Why is Idolatry a Sin and an Abomination to the Lord?</b></div>
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<b>1. It is a clear transgression or disobedience of the following commandments of God.</b></div>
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<i>"You shall not make for yourself a carved image - any likeness of anything that is in heaven above,or that is in the earth beneath, or that is the water under the earth.: ~ Deuteronomy 5:8</i></div>
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<i>"You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it: for I am the LORD your God." ~ Leviticus 26:1</i></div>
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<i>"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." ~ 1 Corinthians 10:14</i></div>
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<b>2. It is a work of the flesh rather that of the spirit.</b></div>
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<i>"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, IDOLATRY, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies." ~ Galatians 5: 19-21</i></div>
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<b>3. God is a spirit, and we must worship him in spirit and in truth.</b></div>
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<i>"God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth." ~ John 4: 24</i></div>
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<b>4. We must not worship God in earthly things which are lowly in forms, wears and tears, and perishes in time. Isn't representing God (who is spirit, Holy, Almighty and everlasting), with a wood, metal or stone, a dishonor to Him?</b></div>
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<i>"Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret. And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen'." ~ Deuteronomy 27: 15</i></div>
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<i>"Those who make an image, all of them are useless, and their precious things shall not profit; they are their own witnesses; they neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed." ~ Isaiah 44: 9</i></div>
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<b>5. We must not also think that God is like an image formed by human's art and invention.</b></div>
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<i>"Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising." ~Acts 17: 29</i></div>
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<b>6. God does not dwell in man-made temples or buildings.</b></div>
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<i>"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." ~ Acts 17: 24</i></div>
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<b>7. The last but not the least, God does not give His honor or praise to carved images.</b></div>
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<i>"I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images." ~ Isaiah 42: 8</i></div>
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<b>Final Thoughts</b></div>
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I do not in any way gloat at the millions perhaps billions who have been deceived by the Devil into worshiping idols thinking that they are just a representation of God on earth. I pray that they will come to the knowledge of truth - that they be set free from the bondage of idolatry and religiosity. God did not appoint anyone on earth to be His official representative as what the pope claims himself to be - nor He commissioned craftsmen to carve an image to be paraded supposedly representing Him and command multitudes to flock around it and get crushed and die, and voila they already did God a favor by dying for His cause.</div>
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People need to be saved from their sins and idolatry is one of them. No idolater will ever enter the kingdom of God - that is what the Bible assures us. But God has given us His Son Jesus to die for our sins - the Jesus who is alive today, the omnipresent One who is not confined inside the Quiapo church and emerging only once a year to give people false hope. - the Jesus who is neither black nor white for He is a spirit and in His glorified body - the Jesus who is the God of all mankind who did not stay a baby all His life just what the Sinulog portrays Him to be. This same Almighty Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords knocking at the door of your heart, pleading that you hear Him - that if you invite Him to come in He shall be with you, save you from your sin and give you eternal life.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="309" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/levkpv3-8wU?list=PLxIGRNqt1BBg2zVbSBReo1-Ux53bN7ybW" width="550"></iframe></div>
Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-48531124861195265382015-01-08T01:57:00.000+02:002015-01-09T14:19:17.515+02:00It's Not More Fun (In The Philippines) Sans Eyes and Limbs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">"In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule." ~ Friedrich Nietzsche</span></i></b></div>
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The backdrop was by any means reminiscent of World War 2 except for the obvious works of art that lit up the sky - the atrociously ear-piercing explosions here and there that you thought the metropolis just fell at the hands of the ISIS - and by then had their hands full massacring every breathing Filipino at every turn so that you scurried for dear life. If not for reveling faces on the ground that compete as to who gets to detonate the loudest arsenal to 'scare off some naughty spirits' that bring bad luck for the new year - the world war 2 scenario is completely resurrected but with a catch: almost all injuries are self-inflicted from failed 'suicide attempts' - in this case one's own limbs and eyes are deliberately the targets.</div>
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It is the era of genetics, stem cell phenomenon, and Kim K 'breaking the internet' - yet these are miniatures of an achievement compared to what tradition-infested Philippines have conquered. Not even the lame and subdued pyrotechnics display (by Filipino standard) of first-in-a-beeline Auckland and Sydney, nor the extravagantly splendid but fleeting Burj Khalifa stunts, nor the Times Square revelry - not even an inch can compare to the bloody pursuits of Filipinos for a really 'enjoyable and prosperous new year ahead'.</div>
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Take this: despite the looming fare hike in MRT and LRT greeting the 20 plus million residents of Metropolitan Manila who mostly go about with their lives availing of this transport system - the temerity to allocate a rather big chunk of their hard-earned income to buy firecrackers to greet the new year is such that a plate of pale spaghetti paired up with some nearly rotten round fruits will suffice - for as long as firecrackers are stacked up in abundance to get the rear of those naughty evil spirits off lest they'll get asphyxiated from smoke and render them deaf from loud bangs so that they no longer pester again our religious Filipinos all throughout the new year.</div>
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This powerful Filipino tradition is world-renown in both ways: the incomparable revelry characterized by bomb-like explosions and ground shakes that may at times compel PHIVOLCS to frantically announce they are yet to come up with a device on how to differentiate an authentic earth movement from a Goodbye Philippines or Bin Laden-triggered earth shake, for one - and the inexplicable insanity Filipinos might be suffering from, for another.</div>
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Reasons why the world collectively thinks Filipinos have gone insane and have reasons to point finger at science or maybe religion for not being able to rescue this group of people from the torture of perpetual madness it is being subjected to:</div>
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<b>1. Firecrackers and Guns</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP-yRpW8ttU0uNe3yPd99v68-ZmQeflS1XgD-2DiLJFTUB3HagHNZRVyV3LOIupZlBgIW_yNJZYlVUkoOFN07uhHF4ldYRwrxUjCIcYBk_W0ceCjc7LdxC7r5W8SUV7p-agmPLNuz6is/s1600/FirecrackerInjury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP-yRpW8ttU0uNe3yPd99v68-ZmQeflS1XgD-2DiLJFTUB3HagHNZRVyV3LOIupZlBgIW_yNJZYlVUkoOFN07uhHF4ldYRwrxUjCIcYBk_W0ceCjc7LdxC7r5W8SUV7p-agmPLNuz6is/s1600/FirecrackerInjury.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">In any random place imaginable, there is no shortage of mangled limbs and fingers you see squiggling on the ground and struggling to find their rightful owners whom you find staggering and gasping for clean air amid the smothering smoke that equally devastates their lungs. And also those who lost eyesight on new year's eve are not to be denied of the limelight - at least they too are given substantial media mileage that their new-found fame reaches their already wailing OFW relatives who also have to deal with oppressive employers.<i> </i><i>(*When the UN releases figures in February as to which country takes the cake with most amputees at the first salvo of 2015 - surely Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and Yemen would be fuming mad and green with envy at Filipinos who dared join their league and rightfully snatched the crown from them.)</i></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">An average Filipino thinks the more firecrackers he blows up and the louder it gets, the more chances bad luck and bad spirits get mortified at the thought of being bombed out and unable to perfectly piece their tails and horns together. <i>(*yeah, speaking of spirits, right? at least humans called Filipinos beat Casper's progeny in this one, hands down. "Better luck next time you filthy ghosts, prove your being a sport and get back as soon as you figure already on how to counter smart Filipinos' weaponry. But man don't trip over limbs and eyeballs on your way out, you may find some, just to remind yah!" </i></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">New year is perfect time to show off that they have tons of money hence tons of firecrackers - and the loudest and brightest home is assumed to have the most money in the neighborhood - to which they should remain the loudest and foggiest till sunshine to erase any doubts of their accolade. Filipinos are way too assertive of anything, in this case, of his reputation. Ego unlimited eh?<i>(and oh by the way, this competition dates back since time immemorial and may or may have not directly triggered Filipino exodus to other countries to keep tradition afloat from generation to generation.)</i></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Parents especially those from the slum areas lack training on how to teach their kids to differentiate edibles from non-edibles. Proof is, cases of kids ingesting firecrackers they mistake for food or candies, are mounting. <i>(At least the taste-first-before-swallow approach by Freud should have been taught at the oral stage.)</i></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3sQeiVihYSbF4AA_nEyozyv1_nT2gOSZT6-Cs03HqBFOaePIoK7jHC2taybbUWjRVNXEmUR_Bq3f6p_8f1qej2ph65ihSYsMLkgE1353e4FXPtZjRQBgW4Mc2sd02ExP3f8XDmyrYsU/s1600/KakulayBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3sQeiVihYSbF4AA_nEyozyv1_nT2gOSZT6-Cs03HqBFOaePIoK7jHC2taybbUWjRVNXEmUR_Bq3f6p_8f1qej2ph65ihSYsMLkgE1353e4FXPtZjRQBgW4Mc2sd02ExP3f8XDmyrYsU/s1600/KakulayBlog.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Gun owners are in a frenzy to fire bullets into air thinking government has its hand full to bother and keep them in its worry list amid the Bilibid scandal and Ruby-Senyang trails of destruction.<i> (In fact, pictures on Facebook posted by the thugs themselves firing their rifles and ammunition into the air on new year's eve can vouch to that thought-pattern. Unfortunately for the ego-maniacs, netizens who were not impressed go on an online rampage that nudged police from their tipsy state to get those thugs to answer for their 'showmanship'.)</i></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Figures from New year's eve fatalities attributed to 'random firing into air' is but a common scenario because people cannot be held back from such tradition. Meaning, no entity from above and below can interfere with tradition dearly held by some macho thugs that "rifles and guns are naturally fired into air notwithstanding the bullets coming back to the ground to kill innocent people".<i> (So, the agony of those who lost their loved ones from bullets fired indiscriminately are prolonged, the fact that no one has yet to answer for this heinous crime. But you cannot fight tradition, right?)</i></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">While all sectors of society are into relentless revelry, the same cannot be said of the doctors and nurses who have to work round-the-clock to treat the injured in 'battle'. Though some of those who emerged alive from their 'battles with bad spirits' and are projected to keep their limbs intact - others, young and old alike, battle to contain the shame and pain of losing limbs and fingers, or burnt faces. Unfortunately for some who lost an eye - a last fair request to do a selfie may not be the best memento to keep when one loses his ability to steady the lens.<i> (I think it's but a natural thing to do to commend these medical practitioners for their professionalism and dedication in the service of the injured. Surely, it takes great passion and precision to be able to cut-and-saw mangled limbs while not losing the spirit of media noche. Proof is, there was no report that a spaghetti perched next to a bloody gauze flew into a sutured wound.)</i></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYP3GVhK7ysvOJqmIAGdYurT88bmMceL9D3D_C12jd-txPKuLeJVc3NkYNdpUhj4_11-SdY4i5Gp4Tvscm_Rm1WTy0rRBrAZ_XBQRcRyxQT1KFlqDJzHY8GV5_7dwsCjfRKPHX7HjKXE/s1600/PHILIPPINES-articleLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYP3GVhK7ysvOJqmIAGdYurT88bmMceL9D3D_C12jd-txPKuLeJVc3NkYNdpUhj4_11-SdY4i5Gp4Tvscm_Rm1WTy0rRBrAZ_XBQRcRyxQT1KFlqDJzHY8GV5_7dwsCjfRKPHX7HjKXE/s1600/PHILIPPINES-articleLarge.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">I think it's insanity of the highest order when over 2000 families in Quezon City lost their homes in the early morning of January 1, 2015 due to a firecracker that was set-off by children resulting to a huge inferno that claimed some lives, and needless to say dashed hopes of those poor residents for a better and prosperous new year.<i> (oh tradition, people will die to fight for tradition, and oh some of them did get killed by tradition, literally. The bad news is: the trend is here to stay as long as those who survived did not learn their lessons - and the good news for those who can keep their reason: the prognosis is, they may live longer.)</i></li>
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<b>2. Food</b></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Ushering new year is the time of the year when Filipinos believe that dining tables should be overflowing with food that signals abundance and prosperity for the entire new year. And abundance means lechon, cholesterol-laden oily foods, carb-rich entrees and desserts, and heavy beverages congesting their table. In the Philippines this is the perfect picture of a dining table that epitomizes abundance and prosperity. If you're a health buff and insists on seeing unconventional green leafy menu on the table, chances are you're a spoiler of tradition and promptly labeled.<i>(In case you stand true to your conviction, be of good cheer, who knows, you're may be up for a rigorous task next: transporting those who fall like snows in blizzard - to the nearest emergency - maybe, just maybe.;)</i></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-zp9r0FHQj0PgmZlo775hMfxsDSSRC3JYEoG2ES6EXrsbhg-c0hR6HW9tHQnNy8I1QRvmdSqzu5RIAykAC_4pQQ8Y1zO-l1OnaVZhGR5GcUBUrpRqlPlYALG1DJ9ecs-HsNbH417zQo/s1600/5884061_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-zp9r0FHQj0PgmZlo775hMfxsDSSRC3JYEoG2ES6EXrsbhg-c0hR6HW9tHQnNy8I1QRvmdSqzu5RIAykAC_4pQQ8Y1zO-l1OnaVZhGR5GcUBUrpRqlPlYALG1DJ9ecs-HsNbH417zQo/s1600/5884061_f520.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Of course in every argument there is pros and cons. If the well-to-do families can fill their tables to the brim with sumptuous foods and the next day they populate hospitals due to usual suspects i.e. cardiovascular issue, high blood and stroke - poor families on the other hand are not that constrained for obvious reasons. So the poor, though wallowing in their supposed inability to cope up with tradition, they in the end win the race for flatter belly and longevity - something that the flip side <i>(those with talents in stuffing their bellies with carbs and drowning themselves in pork oil) </i>have to only dream about in their hospital bed. <i>(this opinion is only brought up for the sake of sarcasm but does not in any way generalize, but is partly true. ;)</i></li>
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Feng Shui</div>
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<li>I am not referring to the title of a horror film moviegoers are raving about, it is about the Filipinos' undiminished belief in lucky charms that they would do anything to follow the advice of supposedly 'feng shui experts' to usher in all the 'good luck and positivity' for the new year. The advice comes with selling lucky charms to the 'gullible majority' composed mostly of 'can-afford' families who leave no options to omit one single lucky charm if only to scoop up all the good fortunes on offer. </li>
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<li>Unbeknownst to many, it is imperative for feng shui 'experts' to master the book "How to Trick the Greedy and Gullible" before plying their trade - and part of the Trick 101 is to establish a name in media - in this case, maybe befriend a tv host, or lucky them, if they get a presidential sister to tour to their feng shui shop and pretend to adore her acting prowess that should have won her the MMFF acting award. Then the greater the media mileage, the longer the beeline formed by clients to seek advice - and the louder these 'experts' laugh their way to the bank.</li>
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<li>Judging on the bad luck that befell those thousands who lost their homes from fire on new year's eve, it's safe to assume that none of them heeded the advice from feng shui experts: to stuff their homes with lucky charms, hence the bad luck that greeted them on the first day of new year. But who's to blame when those slum dwellers have only had scant meal on their table let alone get a lucky charm even at a bargain?</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdf_VZcSopDRo6SXze_hxNGt_m2Jqxgqb-a-ynwXJA6GZ9-xbMCfsQV5k-Ee2Se3fCT_ZkVwMhqPzYo5IDHWLAlkoLAWlZWCDVwgsOWCb8cOs-RzHxUeA_MQStONkeOottmDYYEZiqh8/s1600/fengshui-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdf_VZcSopDRo6SXze_hxNGt_m2Jqxgqb-a-ynwXJA6GZ9-xbMCfsQV5k-Ee2Se3fCT_ZkVwMhqPzYo5IDHWLAlkoLAWlZWCDVwgsOWCb8cOs-RzHxUeA_MQStONkeOottmDYYEZiqh8/s1600/fengshui-3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>And just how true is the report that on the last day of 2014, all city hall employees of Makati were deployed to Binondo and Quiapo to shop for the most potent amulets and charms available to be buried beneath the most expensive parking building on the planet and under their master's palatial mansions? If in the next few weeks survey results say their master had stretched his lead, then the reports were in fact true.<i> (But whatever happened to GMA with all the best feng shui experts surrounding her and her hospital bed adorned in glittering lucky charms that all she could muster for herself was a Christmas furlough? Umm, maybe some spirits have developed fondness for Pnoy even before his Vice-Ganda interview?)</i></li>
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Firecrackers, Food binge and Feng Shui are but staples in new year's tradition some Filipinos cannot live without. But who cares about what the world have to say? When the world has ISIS to deal with, and the French losing their country to Islamists - with the Americans still obsessed with their Bieber, Pitt-Jolie and Game of Thrones - and Kim Jung Un has some catching up to do from briefly losing his internet - the Filipinos' notoriety in ushering a new year with a fraction of its citizens losing limbs and eyes, is just a testament that Filipinos are a unique people - world-renown for its peculiarity, even if it means the whole world shifts its eyes in unison at a glaring endemic <strike>stupidity</strike> insanity - but for the sake of political correctness, you get ambiguous silence which means either scorn or respect. And so there shall be peace! Happy New Year!</div>
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Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-72154267274927211342014-11-08T02:03:00.001+02:002014-11-08T22:00:32.367+02:00"Feeding The Homeless Is Politically Incorrect"<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYBtk6ens41052LTc0YY1Oqo4MmB_Swj6vUa3AdOk-pT90CruuhrpYMVL4paJy-wjqLPcysKzAXgcvw56rVAQi9FQ_8VtAbZtm5EKUx4l_npBZAISShDfhec2lidOg-XGOaqLmJ9wvwU/s1600/90-year-old-man-feeding-homeless-00002113-story-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYBtk6ens41052LTc0YY1Oqo4MmB_Swj6vUa3AdOk-pT90CruuhrpYMVL4paJy-wjqLPcysKzAXgcvw56rVAQi9FQ_8VtAbZtm5EKUx4l_npBZAISShDfhec2lidOg-XGOaqLmJ9wvwU/s1600/90-year-old-man-feeding-homeless-00002113-story-top.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness...~ Isaiah 5:20</span></b></i></div>
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At home and in school, children are taught to be kind, respectful and generous. That's very basic - nothing special about such rudimentary tenets expected in a well-functioning society - at least in an era when most of us were brought up in. But what about in this age where reason and humanity can be obsoleted for political correctness' sake? It is no exaggeration to say that one's inherent human attributes such as compassion for a fellow human being can land you in jail. Call it absurdity of the highest order but this actually happened in the most unlikely of places - not in some ISIS enclave, not even in hermit North Korea, but in a highly-civilized society such as America.</div>
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<b>When feeding the homeless becomes a crime</b><br />
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In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a group of Christians were recently scooped up by police for the most absurd of crimes: feeding the hungry. These recipients of kindness and generosity were no random people who just decided to skip their meals and all of a sudden in a fit of hunger queued up in a beeline for free meals. These were homeless people who had no roofs on their head and who survive only through acts of compassion by other people. One active participant in this good deed a 90-year old man who despite his age and vulnerability could even spend time in jail. He along with other Christian workers were apprehended in action, shouted at by police and ordered to drop the tray filled with food, as though he was brandishing a gun aimed at babies. </div>
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Feeding the homeless at Fort Lauderdale is a violation of an existing city ordinance, thus it is a crime to do so. I just wonder how many days or weeks this ordinance had been debated upon by the brilliant city council and how much joy and exasperation it elicited from those proponents after every member was convinced that compassion has no place in their city. It's safe to assume that no one from among the members of the city council had argued that feeding the hungry in their city is okay and that it costs government coffers nothing, so what the heck? It's also safe to assume that they were doing incessant high-fives after such dramatic victory from a drawn-out debate that won them the argument that to be compassionate to fellow human beings is <i style="text-align: justify;">evil</i><span style="text-align: justify;">. I would add that the city council was ready to label the homeless the new terrorists. Such is their brilliance that needs to be recognized around the world that would certainly put their city in the world map. To them, this ordinance is a product of hard work and an accomplishment worth every taxpayer's money. They however are not alone in their quest to outlaw compassion - there are cities reportedly following suit in some parts of Illinois and Washington sate.</span></div>
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<b>Political correctness is a brainchild of Satan </b></div>
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Some may not have heard of the phrase "political correctness" but it is becoming the norms powers-that-be would want to shape society. It is becoming a worldwide phenomenon that everyone else is raring to adapt and cling to. They equate political correctness to social justice whereby everybody is bound to be happy. But that 'everybody' refers only to a select segments of society whose goal is to promote their own selfish agenda at the expense of the harmless majority. To me this is pure evil and highly demonic. I just don't know how others see it. My argument might succumb to them who are more inclined to being politically correct, but it depends on who judges the argument presented. I say, this argument carries more spiritual tone rather than moral and societal.</div>
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<b>Political correctness in action</b><br />
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To feed the homeless means supporting and tolerating the unwanted, the vagrants, the nuisance, lest many more will take up this kind of profession thus draining up government resources and individuals' for that matter. Homeless people are an eye sore to locals and tourists, they are a bane to society. They are a picture of hopelessness in an otherwise hope-filled generation. They are called lazy, depressive and must be shunned at. They can be predatory in nature waiting for a chance to pounce on any peace-loving individual, so why feed them?</div>
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Another political correctness in action coming to the aid of a convicted rapist in the UK or in America is by way of the media refusing to be specific about the nationality and religion of a rapist. After all they are just trying to be politically correct. They would identify him as Asian instead of pinpointing that he is a certain Mr. Khan or someone named Ahmad or Hassan because by doing so it automatically connects him to his religion. For the record, 90% of all rape cases in the UK are committed by them. But by media saying he is Asian leaves to one's imagination that he could be Chinese, Korean or Filipino where in fact these rapists are from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh whose religion permits them to rape 'infidels'. So, if one is familiar with ISIS, Yazidis, Syria and Iraq, this is where rape of 'infidels' are systematically rampant, babies are not even spared and to them it's perfectly okay.</div>
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<b>Just one of those landmark victories of "political correctness":</b><br />
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In some US states, gay marriage had been legalized already. Okay, they'd won and reaping benefits and there is no stopping them. The homosexual agenda in its most aggressive campaign yet postulates that public school system in America adopts a gender-free bathrooms for all students so as not to deny rights to homosexuals. lesbians and transgenders who may be feeling confused as to where they belong. Their argument has gained momentum when two homosexuals who are barely in their teens demand that they be allowed to use girls' bathroom because they are "females assigned in a different body". This outrageous demand made the principal to frantically give in so as not to offend the two 'princesses', the result being a national headline that gave the principal countless recognition, only second to a Nobel peace prize winner.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Seriously? And the "good news" is they are winning in some parts of America. The amazing part is, the rights of the majority are being sacrificed to keep these deviant minority happy. Their invincibility does not stop there, they are out to conquer every fabric of society to its knees, and it all starts in America then everyone else follows. Hello political correctness!</span><br />
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<b>Thoughts from the Word of God</b><br />
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The Bible has already warned of these things so this should not come as a surprise. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul strongly warned of perilous times to come when "<i style="text-align: justify;">people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, arrogant, boastful, disrespectful to parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power." </i><span style="text-align: justify;">And if it surprises us that an act of compassion and goodness can now become a crime, this is what the prophet Isaiah has warned:</span><i style="text-align: justify;"> "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. ~ Isaiah 5:20</i></div>
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If there is a debate as to who is winning the battle in the spiritual realm, I think Satan has a strong case here, at least to them who openly rebel against the holy God. People can get incarcerated for feeding the hungry. Christians who preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ can be dragged from public parks for offending a passerby who is a Muslim or an atheist. In real sense I do not see the threat here when people preach love, justice and forgiveness, but others do get hurt and the problem starts when these people get <i>hur</i>t, the government runs to their rescue, and the offenders - those Bible-bearing folks have to be put in their place. </div>
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So what we can say to this? In everything, the one who has the final say is the One who has in control of everything. People can rebel all they want against a holy God that they do not see. We know that the battle has been won already. No fretting my brethren for as the writer of Ecclesiastes says, "there is a time for everything and a season for everything". And indeed it's only a matter of time. </div>
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See what is seriously wrong in society today:</div>
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Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-78226568208773477892013-11-15T17:35:00.000+03:002013-11-16T13:09:11.616+03:00Hope Is In God Alone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."</i> - Psalm 46: 1-3</b></span></div>
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It's exactly a week since the strongest typhoon ever recorded in history hit the central Philippines. Deaths and devastation in its wake are staggeringly beyond description. Not in a million years would local people think this was going to happen. No amount of typhoon drills or tsunami drills for that matter had prepared them for what was coming their way. Even to piece the thoughts on this catastrophe is beyond heartbreaking. Where do we start from here?</div>
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Even I myself cannot imagine being in the company of those zombie-like survivors who wander aimlessly from all corners scouring for food while soaking wet. They seem to have forgotten that they left behind dead bodies of loved ones uncollected and resigned to their fate so that they should hold on to survive. Men, women and children all orphaned by the catastrophe have no answer in their minds on how this misery could end sooner than they hope for.</div>
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There's no point in weeping if what we can only contribute is a bucket-ful of tears while watching the extent of people's miseries on television. Though some of us may not be able to help in the most conventional way, yet we can pray hard enough for them that they will still see hope in God despite this unheard of tragedy. Of course some of us would say, "are you serious?" kind of thing. In this genetic age or should I say bluntly as the 'end times', most people take away God in the equation. We just remember God only as our last option when we are at the center of the 'eye of the storm' literally or figuratively.</div>
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<b><i>God is awesome and takes care of His children</i></b><br />
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No one was oblivious of the fact that a super typhoon was coming, its might unheralded in recorded history. People at the paths of the typhoon were all prepared, well-drilled and grew in confidence that previous experiences will get them through. In fact, government leaders had forecast that a zero casualty is a strong possibility considering their preparedness level. And that's what they thought.</div>
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Even before the typhoon made its first landfall in Leyte and Samar provinces, I being a Christian, did not waste time calling out to God for His divine protection for my family and relatives and all those who are in harm's way. It's the most effective and most powerful way that get results - it is tested by time and generations - because God never changes. Do I sound senseless here if I may guess some people perceive me to be? This is the confidence that we have in Jesus that when we call out to Him with faith and humility He will hear us.</div>
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Just four days ago, power had been restored in my home province of Negros Occidental. My family instinctively knew how it was like waiting in agony to hear how everyone fared after the super typhoon . Our province specifically the northern part where we are located was among those places projected to be on the typhoon's path earning it a signal no.4 badge. My sister knowing I'd been on almost vigil mode since communications were cut off tersely messaged me that "we are all okay". And what a relief to know that indeed they were spared and as she puts it, "we can feel the hand of God protecting us". My younger brother has even a great testimony to tell when a flying tin roof almost hit him, but God was there, hallelujah!</div>
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In times of trouble when everything seems to conspire against you, be it frustration, desperation, crushed hopes, abandonment or even imminent death that you think there's no escape, we can still get comfort from God's promises and it takes only faith to be able to do that. Psalms 91 promises that those who trust in God will find refuge in the midst of trouble and that He delights in those who call out His name. That's His promise. And He never lies because He is God and not man. Thank you Jesus!</div>
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Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-81840532611560481662013-08-08T00:33:00.000+03:002013-08-08T03:56:01.412+03:00For The Love Of Money<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive..." (2 Timothy 3: 1-5)</span></i></b></div>
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As the ninth child in a brood of ten, being raised in an over- populated home has never been easy. First things first - food. Though it was not much of a dire issue, it never came by easily. Both my parents had to toil beyond their means so that each one gets to have a proper meal. Sending us to school and finish our elementary is already a bounty, to say the least.</div>
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At school, I envy my seatmate named Garry for his daily "baon" of Ovaltine powder neatly wrapped in green cellophane. I thought that really tastes good as it smells good. He would sniff at it and teasingly parade on our faces as he stuffs his mouth. I would look at my classmates' glossy notebooks with 'That's Entertainment' stars for their cover while mine a hand-made by my mother salvaged from some unused pages from previous year. Ah, those were fine memories that bring smiles to me nonetheless.</div>
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A lot of people have gone through so much in their lives. Poverty, poor health, oppression, getting marginalized and the list goes on. I have seen on TV people who have won lotteries and became instant millionaires. They tell their stories of wastefulness as soon as they get rich, how they satisfied themselves with all the things they lacked and even going the extremes till they see themselves going down the drain with no hope.</div>
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There was also this one episode sometime ago in a GMA public affairs program, an old woman in Leyte in her early seventies who was left to care for her three grandchildren whose mother ventured to work in Manila and not to be heard again after a few years. Their decrepit house had no lights save for the generous night sky that lights up when it's full moon. Needless to say, it's good when it's not raining. The old woman gathers firewood and sells them in exchange for a meal - if it is fittingly so. Understandably, she would forgo her share for her grandchildren's sake. I can feel every tear she shed, the calluses in her bare feet stalked by the camera adds up to the agony of every viewer for her frail and bone-encased body. How much more pain she should endure daily?</div>
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Sometimes when we're not confronted with this kind of reality, we seem to have lost touch with what is happening around us especially when we are literally swimming in the comforts of our achievements. Then very basic questions in life come to mind. With so much poverty around us, still a lot of rich people have that insatiable cravings for more riches even to the point of robbing others, even a whole nation. Look at some politicians in the Philippines and you will see greed personified. And it doesn't stop there. Truth is, these things don't bother us a bit as long as we too are unhindered in our own quest to store up more wealth for ourselves.</div>
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The internet and social media in particular has been abuzz recently with the corruption issue involving the Napoles family who allegedly channeled billions of pesos into their own pockets in connivance with some supposedly respectable Philippine politicians. And we are talking here of billions stolen from the Filipino people by these privileged few. It's not for me to talk about details but the flaunting of wealth by the daughter of the Napoles matriarch is vomit-inducing you wouldn't believe all the while there already existed an heir to the so-called the greediest woman in history. And your guess is as good as mine.</div>
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Though mostly got the shock of their lives for such a brazen display of extravagance at the expense of people's money, I'm not a bit surprised. I'm not talking in a perspective of a citizen who helps keep the local economy afloat but as a mortal being who believes everything in this world has an end. Even the world's richest men know that at some point they will let go of their riches upon death. However, it is only the belief that they can pay their way to heaven that keeps them greedy even more. It has been foretold in the Bible (2 Timothy 3) that in the last days people will be lovers of themselves and lovers of money - such is a terrible time that we are witnessing right now. And this is where it gets even more scary.</div>
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<b>Justice Is On The Way</b><br />
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The Bible says in Mark 8:36, "For what profit is it for a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?" In this world where everyone is busy storing up riches for himself even at the expense of another human being, kindness and generosity toward those in need sometimes get obsoleted when the love of oneself supersedes anything that is called humanity. I am a firm believer though that God is coming swiftly with His justice and righteousness for the nations. Not that we should gloat on a bunch of robbers and bandits for their imminent destiny but that there is still hope for them if they change their ways no matter how sinful they think they have been.</div>
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<b>The Good News</b><br />
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God loves His creations. He loves us, yes, even though it's too good to be true that a righteous and just God can forgive even the worst sinners among us. Jesus laid His life for all of us sinners: robbers, murderers, idolaters, liars, homosexuals, adulterers, fornicators, everyone of us, even those plunderers. If we repent of our sins and sincerely sorry for all the sins that we have done, then Jesus will forgive us of our sins and remember them no more. And He will most importantly give us eternal life. But who can escape God's wrath if we reject such a great salvation?</div>
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<b>And The Bad News</b><br />
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It's just the opposite of the Good News. If we don't repent of our sins the wrath of God will follow us and He will come swiftly with His judgment that not even our gold and silver will be able to hide us and save us from His justice. That is the saddest news when people do not repent from their sins and refuse to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6) We might be struggling to find another way or some other ways imaginable, like donating to our church or giving alms to the poor or doing some good works just like what Oprah insists on her show because obviously she cannot accept that there is only One way. It's up to us people. We have been warned and lovingly told of the Gospel at some point in our lives. It is for us whether we accept or reject such a great gift of salvation. Sadly, many of us choose the path that we take. I hope it's not too late. We are happy to be alive today, but what about tomorrow? Do we know what tomorrow will bring forth?</div>
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<br />Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-90473996777936035022013-01-22T19:57:00.003+03:002013-01-27T18:53:15.056+03:00SE2-J Fellowship At The Corniche<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" - Psalms 133:1</span></i></b></div>
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Back in August, wilting under the scorching summer sun, you wouldn't imagine plotting a trip to the Jeddah Corniche and virtually swimming in a pool of sweat as humidity level sees no letting up, let alone getting your epidermis toasted by midday sun. The city is topnotch for its whole year-round notoriety for soaring mercury so people get to experience only a feel of Siberian wind sometime in Feb or January.</div>
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Shunning soaring temperature as such is one thing (even for those gifted with rich melanin deposits), and frolicking into bitingly cold night is quite another. And you see the contrast when people, young people at that (and at heart, wink wink), get to parade their best winter getup amid throngs of black-clad eye-only-popping spectators and their white-gowned counterparts. Hey, they aren't there for no purpose, it's a TGIF night meant for a workers' fellowship of Southeast 2-J!</div>
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Normally, Friday worship service at SE2-J concludes at around 2pm, and understandably workers are not in their freshest state notwithstanding the smiles that attempt to cover their glaring eye bags from a previous night's tug-of-war with drooping eyes. (Don't get me wrong folks, Thursday night BS is one of the most exciting and most anticipated sessions of all midweek services that participants almost have no regard for time except for a little consciousness that fellowships in the church also have got to adjourn :)</div>
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No one would have opted to forgo a needed afternoon slumber to compensate its lack thereof, but wait till Kuya Sancho declares an invasion of the Corniche at dusk. Instead of seeing one romancing his bed to make the most of what remains in a Friday off, one if not all grapples to find his armor, this time a little bit panicky whether Ephesians 6 would be potent enough for a battle gear. Or what about a newly-bought 5-rial H&M scarf to complement a dream winter outfit most wearable only when gliding through the slopes of Abha or when plowing oneself down through a thick crowd in Batha?</div>
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Just the sheer excitement of cruising along the long and winding stretch of Jeddah Corniche on a cold and breezy night already hastened the J flock to assemble in less than an hour, except for Kuya Froilan and Kuya CJ who cannot be absent for a Friday afternoon duty. Okay, let's not exaggerate things. Everyone simply lusted for the wintry breeze by the seashore while wolfing down loads of pizza in various flavors.<br />
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Forget about some diet regimen getting breached not to eat heavy at night. Okay, it's not a daily occurrence so let's reward ourselves with some mighty slice and thick-crusted pizza!</div>
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And who can resist Kuya George's supposedly brimming hot and gigantic coffee pot in tow? Sadly, the hot coffee sees its life curtailed courtesy of a mercilessly freezing Red Sea breeze, so that we found ourselves conspiring to gulp it down while it still has relevance. Pizza, coffee and relentless pictorial make up for a rather worthwhile fellowship.</div>
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This is what you get when juvenile minds outnumber the venerable. I say minds not age ha ha! And it doesn't get better than that when one fashions out a bottom up stunt - literally- the manager himself that is. Unarguably, when you are in Christ your outlook in life turns positive, hence the youthful disposition. (Look Mr. Manager, I have come to your defense, so I don't expect any rebuke from you anytime soon ha ha!)</div>
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We call it a parade of hidden limbs terrified to get frost-bitten, except for one glaring misadventure of a pair of bare legs. This is a fashion statement gone awry. So what's with the guffaw Kuya Jeff?</div>
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Nope, not a beeline raring to harass the piles of pizza that begged to be devoured. Neither a parade as to who sports the best winter outfit or who best projects a friendly smile worthy of an evangelist. Just simply spontaneous. But let's make it a point when wrapping our arms tightly around someone else's neck it is not tantamount to strangulation. What do you think Kuya George?</div>
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Street lamp lights glowing against a man-made pool serve as a perfect backdrop for photo junkies. Wait till the lens had flashed and see everyone sprinted up towards the edge, thanks to the suffocating thick pollutants down there.<br />
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Seems like constipation or a match up with diarrhea takes its toll on Kuya Nhomer - it's quite unclear - the facial expression ambiguous by all indications - overjoyed or the opposite - as he shows off his exit visa. God has better plans for you Kuya, remember Jeremiah 9:11. We will be seeing you off at the airport. God bless you!</div>
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This is the downside when your stick-like frame makes everyone think you can pass for a javelin that you become easy pick for getting flipped around and dumped at sea, more so if you're a consenting victim. But just like Disney 's policy, no one gets hurt in this scene. Ironically, the benefit outweighs the peril of riding a human carousel ride, right Kuya Neil?</div>
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Don't mistake him for some school principal or CEO at Ortigas, he'd been there I guess, though much younger than most of us, if there is one I know being used mightily by God, this is the man - the newly-married but soon to be wedded (again?) Pastor Sancho - the jack of all trades in God's vineyard. He is our BS teacher, music mentor, a prophet with an amazing testimony to boot and a laughter-inducing giggle only God knows how he developed it.</div>
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If only for some meaningless and youthful escapade, we would have not set out for this activity, but for the glory of God it was an appointed time to have fellowship with one another. Our pastors had decided that we could make use of the ambience for a workers' open forum as to suggestions how to improve and rectify lapses in the church, from church beautification to proper decorum.</div>
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Once the ball started to roll, Kuya Neil had plenty to admonish the photo buffs to shut their lenses once preaching gets underway. Though some have muttered that the right phrase referred to it for political correctness' sake should be "documenting church activities" and not "taking random pictures"; either way, as everyone concurs, that shutterbugs need to be discreet so as not to create distraction with pulpit proceedings. Kudos to Kuya Neil for bringing that up!</div>
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Obviously, his hunger for learning deeper God's Word shows in his input, the zealous Kuya Celso suggests that some workers be assigned tasks to lead Bible studies in the event that the pastors are tied-up with their hectic schedule - to which the pastors concur that there is time for everything as it is God who determines the time and season. </div>
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Everyone's attention gravitates towards the unassuming Kuya Noli as he takes center stage with his litany of serious and honest observation of the way some conduct poorly in the church. Seriously, that calls for some soul-searching as it is difficult to draw a line between engaging in godly humor and "being annoying"(picture-taking included). So confused also that Kuya George shudderingly prays for wisdom, I assume. Or did I say everyone else shivers in cold? :)</div>
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Winter is great and all, but oftentimes there's just not enough opportunity to showcase one's fashion savvy. And what opportunity better than this to connive parading in hoodies? By the way, when the manager speaks up everyone has got to listen, right Kuya Josh?</div>
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Kids, don't mistake him for a genie who emerges from the bottle. He is Kuya Gener, our worship leader who catches everyone's attention with his Omani-like outfit more than what he has to say. Hmm, if my imaginary transcript were to vouch, he sort of says back-up singers are not allowed to use a microphone during praise and worship. And what's with the banning Kuya? Still we don't get it, ha ha!</div>
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Open forum adjourns, time to pack things up. I mean our garbage and all. Group pictorial follows. And it has been hard though to create captions. But not with this one, as obviously Nhomer gets to release something in here - probably a memento (a toxic one?) as he is flying home in a week or so. </div>
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Camaraderie born out of agape love spontaneously develops at church so are talents discovered. When we speak of skills and talents, edibles such as these generate yet another exciting race as to who gets to win best in take-out citation. And in this case, Kuya Neil wins hands down ha ha! (Joke only Kuya!:)</div>
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Of course, being deep into the night and we were already a little weary, we decided to call it a day. Soon we were away from the cold night shudder at the Corniche , leaving plenty to reminisce soon down memory lane as we hit off-road and pray for a repeat of the bonding time, hopefully soon. To God be the glory!</div>
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Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-10268555599947595152012-12-31T02:43:00.000+03:002013-01-22T20:06:43.253+03:00Celebrating The Real Reason For The Season<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b style="color: blue; font-size: xx-large;"><i>"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor" - Romans 12:10</i></b></div>
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Thursday night was long and damp. We could have dropped our scheduled BS for a last dance practice. But no, the topic certainly entailed a no-nonsense dare-to-miss-and-wail-later moments that you didn't want it to end. Once he is sat at his fave spot in a circle of lounging and slumping listeners, Brother Sancho never lets go of the anointing and sees to it everyone gets challenged...and hopefully changed. </div>
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Quietly, most of us had our minds fixed on a late night final practice. We were set to perform at the joint fellowship at A so our minds were urging on our BS teacher to conclude the session rather earlier. Bad thing, our choreographer Kuya CJ had a bout with colds and tonsillitis. I suspect the virus became more potent when the previous night we still messed up with our steps he thought so simple for even autistic kids to master in a jiffy. And partly I take the blame and pass it to my progenitor for the absence of dance DNA in me. Buoyed by an audio upgrade and sheer determination to do well, we pulled off our last practice sans our choreographer. </div>
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It's almost dawn break and we were still scrambling to find a bigger kettle, really big kettle (imagine the beeline at every GMA's Kapuso Foundation soup kitchen). We were six members in a group assigned to cook one of the main courses. Obviously I've got no talent on the dance floor and so I might compensate its lack in the kitchen. I could have easily egg-scrambled a dozen trays but I doubted whether it makes sense to be in a lunch table. Hello it's a Christmas party!<br />
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Aside from excelling at a karaoke and being good at surviving a mouth stab, Kuya Pepe can cook too. He thought Callos would be perfect (we'll see later how it fares once served). </div>
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Okay. Modest guess-timate for Friday's worship service is sixty. The transport ministry is expected to be plowing back and forth Jeddah roads come early morning. If one wonders how on earth a tiny Suzuki Alto can ferry all shapes and sizes to and from the church, well that is a God matter, and yes even sometimes it feels like you're being toasted inside. Kuya Pepe can still give you a lift anywhere as long as you show up. Aware that one invitee of Kuya George had to be fetched at eight, the rush to get a couple of hours sleep was paramount than anything else. </div>
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We were excited to bring new souls for the Lord, we're optimistic that is. We almost forgot Christmas parties are celebrated in ubiquity. George's sms had preempted the alarm set at seven saying that his invitee will be a no show-up, probably some heads already spun around in merriment that night. Wisdom learned: when confronted with this spoiler, don't wail over ruined sleep, though five minutes of deep sleep matter. </div>
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With an hour to spare before the supposed start of the worship service, we proceeded to fetch Neil with the Callos-brimming kettle in tow. Thank God even our Alto's A/C is acting up, our dish settled well in heat and reached our destination still edible notwithstanding the thick tomato paste.</div>
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As I was busy recording (sorry folks, the video of him belting out "Still" will not figure here), this picture of the day's coordinator will suffice.</div>
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Forget about swelling midsection! This is our moment, and it's our thanksgiving day too! Looks like cliche on the menu table but once confronted with the sight and smell, better be well-stuffed than sorry :) Right Kuya Phallus Maximus?</div>
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Gotcha Roy! It's a welcome news that you've officially renounced your quasi-emaciated frame to join the race for thicker belly! Yes, the irresistibly yummy purple yam cake will certainly help your cause. Bon appetit!</div>
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"Don't look at me like that! And don't say I have jumped on the bandwagon of "take-out-club". I am just thinking of my flock at B. They would be happy if they get to taste this trophy purple yam cake", rationalizes Ate Malou.</div>
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To say that everyone was overjoyed is an understatement, well, except for Kuya Celso who barged in late and envied Phallus' spot. Take solace from me Kuya Cels: I didn't figure in any of those group pics as I made myself busy scooping up the residue for a week's fuel, ha ha! And hey, Pepe's Callos seems to have been largely ignored? Not exactly, it soon found its final destiny across another fence. In fairness to Kuya Pepe, his Callos was served late so that it didn't attract much attention (who wants to make him feel bad by the way?:)</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">"Amid the noise and haste (as borrowed from Desiderata), I won't let go of my caldereta", says Ate Florence. "And I'm still the handsomest of all sans my white locks", adds Kuya Orayan. "Wait, though I fall short in that department I am still in the running for the most photogenic plum", argues Kuya Jonie. "How did I get in this trouble dear Lord? I have long abandoned my job as a bouncer and here I am in the midst of this commotion", laments Kuya Noli.</span></div>
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I really wanted to pick any of those Guess boxes. "If I could only rig the numbers to my favor", says my old self. But yeah, that's not quite possible and none of us would want to do the same, it's a sin folks! I hate to do that. Okay, I would be appeased later, as those were just Guess boxes; inside were some candles which are best used when there's power outage! Oh by the way, brown out here happens only if you failed to settle your electric bills.</div>
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Phallus beams with pride for winning, err, taking elekta iron for his gift (though he muttered he would prefer a rather well-known brand :). Pastor Raul on the other hand cannot contain his joy with his two gifts that he clasped them tightly, lest somebody else would offer a swap. And Pepe whispered, "whatever, as long as I look good in the picture, my gift doesn't mean a thing. By the way, he had planned already that his gift will go to a worthy recipient: our building watchman.</div>
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Who says I came up short of documenting real action as to whose talent emerges relevant amid economic crisis? Roy, had you not slipped this ultra-big bowlful of "take-outs" into your bag, well, probably for a "week's meal" as Ate Malou had estimated, I would have not been convinced you're in for the most-improved waistline contest. George too, of course didn't want to be outdone with an empty rice cooker he had flipped for easy stacking, well, also for a week's supply maybe? (Joke only mga Kuyas:)</div>
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At the joint fellowship later that night, we're glad Kuya CJ could not come with us, otherwise he would not be talking to us anymore given our actual performance. And naturally, a plethora of reasons were to blame for such a botched performance. One, space is too small compounded by an elevated platform on the back steps that hinders our smooth execution. Two, we couldn't hear each other's counting that each one was on his own. And that was really gross. We resolve though that next time we will do better, maybe minus this fellow here, ha ha!!</div>
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If there is one deserving of all thanksgiving, it is the Lord Jesus Christ who stripped himself of his divinity, was born in a manger full of humility, died for our sins in the most painful and humiliating way so that we have hope in this life and for eternity. He is the real reason for the season and in Him is real hope.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Have a blessed and Christ-filled new year!</span></b></div>
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Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-70849013547712973642012-12-20T03:46:00.000+03:002012-12-20T04:03:01.331+03:00Trudging Through Fear With His Peace<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7</i></b></span></div>
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I dreaded to be here at the Philippine Consulate. I had already a script written in my mind. Hope is never fading. Only armed with bravado and honest rationale should I get caught in this escape-attempt I had staked myself in. Totally unimpressed with how the government generalizes domestic workers to be vulnerable to abuses, still I had to submit myself to what it requires of me to be allowed entry back to Saudi Arabia once my vacation concludes. The odds are tough but I should be flying home in two days.</div>
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First step: OWWA. I was spared of 90 rials or so for my last payment still covers this year. It's only been a year and half since I last went on vacation. Then at Pag-ibig, I was purged of 30 rials. Though mandatory, I never foresee myself trooping down to its office to borrow as paying for loan interests scares me to the hilt. Last step OEC - the least costly at 9 rials yet the most important one. Then came the familiar dilemma most common to OFWs like me holding a domestic worker visa. When asked, I had the original contract in hand signed in Manila in 2006, but Miss Ruby Ruby (a quasi-twin of the real one on the boob tube) won't concede to its validity and cannot be appeased with the "old one" she refers to. Yes, she's too smart to know I had transferred to another employer by this time, and demanded that I showed her the new contract with all the capricious demands stipulated in it including the repatriation of my remains to be shouldered by my boss once oxygen escapes my nostrils, for good. So there goes my script as she wouldn't lend an ear to my case.</div>
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My feel-good story about my job and how much privileged I am to be paid for my conceptual skills rather than my manual skills didn't register to her logical bearings either. And I understand she adheres to strict compliance to orders, in which case technicality reigns over logic and textbook rules trump humanity. There's nothing more humiliating and self-diminishing than being warned of not being able to come back because I am not considered a legal OFW. In the absence of a contract (in which case a phony one makes a perfect substitute at a cost of 1,200 rials), she will not issue an OEC hence I'm no better than a pauper if I fail to come back. She's not interested anymore in even looking at the bulks of documents in my hand, i.e. salary certificate, company perks, job title.</div>
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Then she called the one next to me. He is a cleaner working for a contracting company. Not that much perks understandably. He beats me in this: he does not belong to my category - a household servant as many call it as per my iqama.She proceeded to issue him an OEC in haste. And suddenly, I seemed to look the most miserable among the people in that room. Along the frustration comes a stern warning publicly declared that if I proceeded to go on vacation on my scheduled trip after two days, I will not be allowed to come back by the government that sees to it every OFW is protected and the same that seeks to alleviate poverty of its citizenry by promoting labor export. Thus, I am sure to lose my job and over a dozen imminently going to go hungry.
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I would have been convinced of the "sincerity" and "uprightness" expressly demonstrated by certain people in the Consulate had I not witnessed myself how unscrupulous people can easily profit out of our predicament. Barely two months ago, a colleague in the same department as me almost cancelled his vacation. He already had a two-way ticket and his passport stamped with exit-reentry. His nightmare two years back still vivid in mind and a firmly-held vow never to mess-up again with the POEA in Manila, he took an ugly short cut abetted by certain Consulate people who obviously are big beneficiaries too.</div>
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It's an open secret though inside Consulate premises who these sharp-witted ones are, cashing in on technicality-laden government rules to conspire with a local owner of a translation and typing center opposite the Consulate building to make dubious contracts in lieu of original ones yet perfectly honored by the Consulate. The price all in all is a hefty 1,200 rials. So if you have no contract to show as requisite for obtaining an OEC, just consider yourself to be a consenting victim of a friendly robbery in return for a phony contract replete with phony names and information. So imagine that I and my colleague are no isolated case, if not we are in the thousands. And oh the daily premiums except Fridays! Indeed business is thriving.</div>
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Though a little grateful for my visa profession as family driver (my iqama can never be renewed should my profession be otherwise due to nitaqat thing), I dreaded this biennial moment to troop to the Consulate to secure for myself an OEC. Yes, the drawback is exponentially high when as a driver you don't have a contract to show. First, my boss thinks the Philippine government of being intrusive to demand how much he earns or if he has no tendency to run away with my salary, and how many children he has, their names and ages, and so on and so forth. Their house location included (so better be equipped with a ruler and a pencil just like your life depended on it, so authorities could easily track down your erring boss. </div>
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I can understand fully well why my boss thinks it to be creepy. He never employs me as a driver, in fact I have never seen his home in 6 years of my employment. I only get to see him very rarely in the office otherwise we communicate through email. I am blessed to be entrusted with an independent department reporting directly to him. So as long as he is being updated with status reports coming from all his business interests across the kingdom, he is fine with that. I have also that privilege to schedule my own trips to all regions regularly. And so the question in his mind - why on earth the Philippine government demands from him all personal information in a way that seems intrusive to him? He all the while thinks he has been a perfect boss to me but why the creepy demands? His opinion on this was relayed to me through his secretary. The fact that he needs to sign a dozen times or so in blank pages reinforces his belief that we are a government of crazy people devoid of sound reasoning. And mostly he is out of the country doing business otherwise he will come unannounced, so it's like I'm chasing the wind and get it to sign some sort of paper as required by my government.</div>
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Amid this tribulation I may say, doing the right thing is not always the strangest thing to do. Coupled with prayers and right intentions firmly in check, I asked confirmation from my sister and her pastor husband whether it is God's will for me to push through with my vacation or not. If losing my job and subsequently failure to provide for my family equates to not seeing them temporarily till government relaxes its rules on us (household workers), then I prefer to defer my vacation even if it means forever. But God has different ideas and His script always prevails. I got the confirmation after they prayed and fasted that I should be home in a couple of days.</div>
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On the second day since my arrival, I wasted no time discovering and facing either the consequence or reward of my faith. Either way, I was excited. But God is faithful and true, He will never put to shame those who put their trust in Him. At the back of my head, I know I can still push through with my vacation if I was ready to dispense what they require of me. I even came close to making bribes. But thanks be to God, He shows mercy and grace to those whose hope is only in Him, when every circumstance seems to conspire so that we lose our faith in His power to turn things around.<br />
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The pastor and wife tandem who was there with me in spirit throughout my ordeal and gave me the word that I am indeed coming home. </div>
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A cool early morning breeze greets you at Silay airport with a refreshing view of eucalyptus trees behind concrete pavements and well-manicured lawns as backdrop.</div>
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And finally I got my OEC in minutes on just my second day home! No cheating, no bribes involved. Just complete trust in what God is able to do. After all, in Jeremiah 32:27 He declares, " I am the God of all flesh, is there anything too hard for me?"</div>
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And more posts to follow about my brief vacation in Negros, hopefully, if I find it fit not to hibernate again! :) </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Merry Christmas!</b></span><br />
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Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-29094820308143572742012-01-07T19:10:00.023+03:002015-01-07T23:24:02.250+02:00It's More Fun In The Philippines When You Have Complete Set Of Limbs<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein</span></i></b></div>
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In elementary, we were taught that Bayanihan only existed in the Philippines. The iconic scene that is of a nipa hut with both ends perched on the shoulders of men in the village and carried off to a nearby place, comes to mind. Volunteers sometimes run a risk of getting stuck in the mud and losing the balance, if unfortunate the hut follows somersaulting into the dirt mud. Then cheering women let out a scream in unison that turns into laughter. Men stuttered by the sheer weight can't help but join wriggling in laughter as women start to pick on them for having lost their stamina in a previous night's grind. My childhood memories store of similar scenes from where I grew up and indeed our Bayanihan is a virtue that is one of a kind, if not unparalleled, even so intellectuals grapple to find its foreign equivalent, the jargon of sort, at least.</div>
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Okay, we own the patent for that world-renowned virtue embedded in our culture. So what's next? Of course we are darn proud of our customs and tradition. We are proud to be Filipinos. We are proud of our race. We are the best and we are willing to don belt bomb to annihilate skeptics. It is but natural, no argument here. <i>(In fact, this one here has a familiar banner gleaming over the sidebar of his blog)</i>. But ask one sincere fellow whose candor to say he is not proud to be one could spontaneously provoke a race to set up a Facebook page condemning him and putting him in the same breath as the anti-christ. Add up some smart mind literally swimming in wealth due to the success of a venture on polo shirt with the ubiquitous Philippine map emblazoned on it, for a proof.<br />
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Of course, this degree of patriotism does not only thrive within domestic confines, more so a bold statement a Filipino carries with him beyond his shores. In the streets of Jeddah, one does not need to make a wild guess whether the driver is an Indonesian or a Filipino. Tendency is, the gleaming tri-colors and I love Philippines stickers spread across the windshield or trunk of the car serve for easy identification, well, in this case it makes a patriotic compatriot easy target for a cruising hormonally charged local.<br />
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Now here goes the question: What is the relevance of us being proud to the gruesome photo above? Okay, we are proud to be Filipinos, right? And we are super proud of our tradition too. So it's about time that we own up too to the colossal embarrassment that we rightfully deserve from a taunting world because of our world-renowned New Year's tradition.<br />
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<b>Random Thoughts on the 3 Fs of New Year's Tradition in the Philippines:</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Food:</span></b> For the well-to-dos, ushering the new year should be a picture of opulence that dining tables overflow with sumptuous food. Mountains of carb-rich and cholesterol-laden menus adorn tasseled tables of the well-to-dos that leftovers could still feed an entire village - not the typical scene you find in poor households. The month-long holiday mode in December sets the norm for food bingeing that the omni-present Christmas parties get a malevolent middle finger for a palm-sized increase in waistlines as the year culminates. High-end hospitals similarly enjoy the perks of draining cash from rich patients, whose talents at stuffing their bellies to the brim trigger the hypertension and cardiovascular issues in them. And some who survived the death threat still get the chance to flock online, filtering on the very best advice on how to get rid of the curse slash proof of gastronomic indulgences. So they say, at least they're active in promoting what our culture teaches us: to welcome and feel the Christmas spirit in the form of food, exchange gifts, getting drunk, debauchery, excessive revelry and some endless and senseless partying.<br />
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The stark contrast of Christmas 'spirit' seen in poor families is hardly surprising, given the glaring gap between two social levels. The poor do not see Christmas and New Year much of happy holidays when nothing has changed much in their dining table. Not many similar left-and-right invitations for some Christmas gathering; a stray one could prove a nuisance to their daily quest for a living, yes even for a day. Christmas parties at school of their kids can sometimes pose a problem for parents who find mandatory exchange gifts a real burden. But in the race for a flatter belly after the holidays, the poor win hands down. They don't have much to burn; good for them, their daily grind for a living does them a favor. Observe a decrepit cart-pushing man in his topless along the streets of Manila and you will envy at his six-pack you would want to trade your skin-encased blubber with his, except for his trade.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Firecrackers:</span></b> It is without a doubt that no other country on the planet comes close to the fame the Philippines enjoy for being outrageously crazy over New Year celebrations. What new year revelry in the Philippines without fire crackers? And what new year celebration without flying limbs and blown-up fingers strewn across empty spaces, where adults and kids alike compete setting light to bombs like Goodbye Philippines and Bin Laden?<br />
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The Philippines has laws in placed banning powerful firecrackers that perennially gift significant members of population on new year's eve the following: bombed-out limbs, mangled fingers, blown-up faces, and take this - mangled bodies reminiscent of Baghdad bombings where relatives struggle to piece together their dead's limbs and entrails. Forget about those laws. They were made to make it appear that the government is doing something else besides plundering and milking the cows.<br />
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And what government can constrain a determined people bound by tradition and belief that loud and scary explosions actually scare evil spirits off? <i>(By the way, if nations of evil spirits were successfully driven out year after another, we would have succeeded in jailing the politicians and illegal loggers who conspired to wipe off a substantial populace in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. We would have sent the Marcoses in jail in the company of a pardoned convicted plunderer, and the Arroyo clan that occupy rightful places alongside greatest corrupt leaders in history. And the list goes on and on.)</i><br />
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<b>To make a really credible point here, the data below and actual situation in the wake of New Year's celebration especially in Manila have given weight to the shift of world's attention on us, not with awe but this time a well-deserved contempt:</b><br />
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<li><b><i>916 firecrackers-related injuries</i></b> - combine the power of Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye Universe and Bin Laden and you will get a real war zone reminiscent of World War 2 that rendered Manila the most devastated capital next to Warsaw. The world has been educated that the Philippines is a third-world country famous for its manpower export, but New Year tradition in the country is tantamount to hundreds of millions of pesos spent on firecrackers, in addition to millions worth of destroyed properties and lost lives brought about by careless handling of these explosives - all for the sake of tradition. So, despite their award-winning campaign to keep limbs still attached to their owners come 2012, people at the Department of Health were reduced to tears, not for overflowing compassion for the victims but of feeling slighted when all they had to deal with were a bunch of boneheads.</li>
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<li><b><i>28 injuries caused by stray bullets (a handful of them died)</i></b> - who else feel entitled to spray the air with bullets with complete disregard for innocent recipients of their bullets of arrogance, but the men in uniform and educated individuals? This is the worst part of the New Year tradition when monsters are itching to pull the trigger of their guns, knowing fully well that at some point the bullets will be buried in the bodies of the unlucky ones in a mega city of over 20 million. When does killing another person become acceptable for the sake of tradition? When does revelry become a license to cause others to mourn? Okay, it's a given, where else but the Philippines where revelry is equivalent to savagery. </li>
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<li><i><b>5 kids injured for ingesting firecrackers</b> </i>- perhaps parents underestimate the dire consequences, thus the complacency and carelessness to keep firecrackers close to their kids' mouths, or as one CNN comment puts it - these being "easily edible when nothing is on the table save for four corners". When have we become a country of responsible parents, when 85% of the population squirm in poverty and disease due to overpopulation propagated by the Catholic church and sanctioned by the government? </li>
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<li><b><i>An international airport unable to handle air traffic due to thick smog hovering over Metro Manila</i> </b>- and now that's very self-explanatory. People cannot just curse the smog and pray it away when its sheer thickness can shield the whole city from hailstones as big as Pacquiao's fist. Include the upsurge in respiratory illnesses that cause a stampede to get to emergency rooms first, then we have a bunch of people to blame for preferring fried chicken over vegetables that weaken their immune system. Please forget the amount of toxins they inhale - they are there to stay for weeks, or months - so count them as part of their existence - remember there are still remnants of Bin Ladens that didn't get to explode.</li>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Feng Shui</span></b>: Of course this is big fat business. Remember how so-called Feng Shui experts find their lives changed? Most of them live glamorous and opulent lives. They are being given substantial media exposure because people rich and poor alike, come to them for advice on what to do and what to avoid for the coming year so that nice fortunes don't frantically running from them but beggingly coming to them. And what happened to Gloria? I just doubt if she ever got the best advice and offered the most potent charm with all her money to buy much, if not all of Binondo's and Quiapo's amulets and lucky charms on offer. I once heard one famous Feng Shui store razed by fire and another ransacked by ciminals and never to recover. If only those spirits invoked by Feng Shui were offered the best perks or perhaps a little entertainment, they would have not staged a protest and firmly guarded those stores and not let misfortune ate them up. But don't count the poor just yet out of the equation, because some of them try, really try, to acquire some prized lucky charms in lieu of canned sardines for a meal. Did they not argue that a meal can be ignored but not the nice fortune that awaits them the entire new year? Ah, only in the Philippines!<br />
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I don't mean to advocate sarcasm but here is to tradition that symbolizes our national identity: Those who survived the war zone with limbs still attached and both eyes able to see, happy and prosperous <b>New Year!</b><br />
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Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-88747542644799261942011-12-19T19:04:00.010+03:002011-12-21T18:52:20.662+03:00When We Least Expect It - Even On Christmas<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLvZWTN_MA91Dtz3C1wXswYvL4dAQoM50-5yBCIT3Q2hqFt35OrPr4Wrxeju5sJX7nJ4utm4d5qoA2vv7YZmXUQcwP2-mNTL41wJR9WXt4TzLwouEZCHhlVA3QU8cEQmArTOTU22Z9ZI/s1600/380021_154203198020340_154150194692307_237476_1619008739_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLvZWTN_MA91Dtz3C1wXswYvL4dAQoM50-5yBCIT3Q2hqFt35OrPr4Wrxeju5sJX7nJ4utm4d5qoA2vv7YZmXUQcwP2-mNTL41wJR9WXt4TzLwouEZCHhlVA3QU8cEQmArTOTU22Z9ZI/s640/380021_154203198020340_154150194692307_237476_1619008739_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"When they call on me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them." - Psalms 91:15</span></i></b></div><br />
We thought Ondoy was a big blunder and the last of such scale. Then we saw all fingers directed toward government inefficiency. Those affected thought they had not been properly warned. The president in his rage sacked the <a href="http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/">Pag-asa</a> chief for incompetence. Ondoy had claimed many lives though it poured out its wrath in daylight. But who can escape such a fury unleashed in the middle of the night the way Sendong did?</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">People of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities did get warned. They knew they were at the storm's path. As to the extent of the damage it had to leave, they could only predict, it was to be another storm meant to be forgotten, as oblivious as history should put it to be. Older folks had no recollection of a storm that ravaged their cities in the past, and the young were told so, as history validates, then people flirted with complacency. After Sendong had left, the lives of those lucky to make it will never be the same again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The figures are staggering: over a thousand dead bodies piled up with debris strewn across the city, hundreds more are missing. Funeral parlors have no capacity for such a deluge of cadavers streaming their gates, not even a chance to identify the victims. The pictures are horribly graphic. Jessica Soho of GMA likened the onslaught to be that of a 'thief in the night', albeit the culprit took no accountability.<br />
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Take note of this: survivors frantically looking for their missing loved ones were advised to go to the city's dumpsite to search for their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, babies and relatives. You don't believe this is happening. The sheer number of bodies recovered rendered the city incapable to bury them that they are left with no choice but to dig a mass grave to contain the stench and a likely epidemic.<br />
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What's even incomprehensible is how human hands had actually played a role in the fate of those who had perished. Whether people still remain clueless and have the temerity to point a finger at nature when thousands of logs and tree trunks swamped the city, is totally beyond me. Now people realize that they are paying dearly for the endless rape of our forests due to unabated illegal logging. Now, no one wants to take responsibility. How many times entire communities get wiped out and thousands of lives taken as a result of illegal logging? Even if someone gets crucified for the wrongs of many, I bet lessons will serve no purpose, as long as human greed comes in abundance.<br />
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Life always remains a mystery. When we think all is well, suddenly destruction hits. At times when we think we have security and things are going alright in our lives, tragedy comes our way. Then most of us don't know what to do when we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere. We don't know where and who to turn to and how we are going to get by. But if we were offered a way to live without ever having to worry about anything ever again and it won't cost us a cent, would we jump on it? Judging by the world trend, things are not going to get easier, they are going to get worse, especially that materialism and greed by some come before the good of many.<br />
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In facing repercussions, there will always be more at the losing end. In life, there are countless possibilities that we may face but only one thing is certain - death is forthcoming - in whatever manner, we are left clueless. It will come still, yes, even at a time when we least expect it. But no matter how much people weep for those they've lost, their lives will never be the same again, because indeed very few find the real reason for living. He is in fact the reason for Christmas.<br />
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I still wish my kababayans in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities a happy Christmas! We from Saudi Arabia may not be able to hand you a bottled water or a noodle, yet our prayers at your time of distress abound for you. Life is short but as long as we are blessed with air to breathe, there is hope, and that hope is just within your reach. In fact, He is the reason why we celebrate this season. His name is Jesus. Have a blessed Christmas!<br />
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Please click <a href="http://greensili.com/1827/how-to-donate-to-bagyong-sendong-victims/"><b>HERE</b></a> if you wish to make a difference in the lives of those who survived.</div><div></div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-64576334768680125852011-12-13T16:08:00.012+03:002011-12-18T13:27:25.660+03:00For The Love Of Banana<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikVqYh6coDqGs5EEquBIG4fOrKxEV4w9u7RVOx_KNQ8aJYOdwb6uLWWsAuUZMdhxiqjWVdMDnPoZsOtAuhmEs6lHnMw5GIfIgTGbD03VcuSeE6uo8h4G0SQyj-rzWaAcN9OyjjvXWzzg/s1600/banana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikVqYh6coDqGs5EEquBIG4fOrKxEV4w9u7RVOx_KNQ8aJYOdwb6uLWWsAuUZMdhxiqjWVdMDnPoZsOtAuhmEs6lHnMw5GIfIgTGbD03VcuSeE6uo8h4G0SQyj-rzWaAcN9OyjjvXWzzg/s640/banana.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"These fruits and vegetables resemble the male penis and could arouse women or make them think of sex" - A Muslim Cleric</span></i></b></div><br />
Before this tragic fate of getting to task our scientists and horticulturists to do away with a next-to-impossible mission, my deep sympathy already goes out to them, well, except if they happen to be non-Muslims, who do not feel obligated obeying a fatwa. If only to be tasked to modify the shape of a banana into something else except its natural shape, then it guarantees some heads spinning or brain cells squirting out of ears and noses, all for the cause of Muslim women who might be in danger of going to hell for a banana-driven sexual fantasy, let alone from humongous ones that are ubiquitously sold at lovely prices anywhere.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the sake of ensuring chastity among their women, <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/islamic-cleric-allegedly-bans-women-from-touching-bananas-cucumbers-because-theyre-too-sexual/">a fatwa has recently been declared that women should keep their fingers off anything that resembles a male reproductive organ </a>so as to avoid sexual thoughts and risk getting dumped into the lake of fire. The fatwa was announced in Europe by an unnamed Muslim cleric and any devout Muslim who shares the same belief is expected to obey. I don't know if this is a cause for celebration for men who envy bananas getting massaged and pressed by women in the supermarkets <i>(to check worthiness)</i>, or sad news for women who love their potassium supplement taken from their well-loved Chiquita, Dole or Del Monte brands.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Now the task of reinventing a banana shaped as square or triangle or even a round one rests on the shoulders of Muslim scientists, who have the moral mandate to uphold the chastity of their women who are prone to temptation by the tasty and shapely bananas. <i>(Or better yet take out the round-shaped from the option as it may still resemble a proud scrotum.) </i><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2072488/Muslim-cleric-warns-cucumbers-sexy-women-bans-penis-shaped-foods.html">The cleric who issued the fatwa however did not zero in on banana, as zucchini, cucumber, carrots, aubergine (eggplant) and a lot other elongated produce products </a>also qualify for the criteria of being a temptation for women who potentially see these products as penile substitutes. Well, if these are to be eaten other than the conventional way then it surely poses health hazards to women and the cleric certainly has a case. He even went on saying that women should not lay their hands on these fruits and should require someone else to slice it for them, adding that these should be kept from their sight as this easily provoke them into making sexual thoughts.</div><div><br />
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The article has been shared by as many people on Facebook, who feel the sense of urgency that this fatwa has to be circulated in the earnest so that more Muslim women could be warned of the danger of even touching a banana so as to stop them from free-falling to hell. I have taken note some of their suggestions <i>(and the reasons)</i> that deserve a second look and should have a rightful place in the cleric's list and therefore be taken off from shelves:</div><div><ul><li> upo (bottle gourd) and patola (sponge gourd) - more powerful and sturdy</li>
<li> Ikea scented candles - easy to cut and shape</li>
<li> markers and ballpens - comes in handy at all places</li>
<li> energy drinks such as bison and red bull - has no tendency to become flaccid</li>
</ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though this fatwa certainly is a source of saving grace for Muslim women, vegetable business could soon be a thing of the past in Muslim countries, given the burning desire by every Muslim woman to avoid the temptation for fear of populating hell. If in the future a rising incidence of suicides among vegetable sellers can be attributed to this fatwa, it will be a difficult situation for Muslim governments that will be faced with dilemma between upholding the salvation of their women and killing off livelihoods of their small vegetable sellers, who some of them have inherited the trade from their ancestors. I think at this point a government bias needs to take form by prioritizing the salvation of their women from eternal fire over sustaining the livelihood of vegetable sellers, who in turn could be introduced to other trades away from selling bananas, carrots, cucumber and some other 'sinful' elongated vegetable produce.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>In fairness to the cleric, he did not say it is haram or unlawful to sell bananas, cucumber, carrots and other vegetables and fruits of similar shape. He only emphasizes that women fondlingly touching these things can be lured into thinking sexual thoughts and therefore risk sinning and will be in danger of going to hell. So his advice is tantamount to keeping women from entering the vegetable section except if they are able to convince the store-in-charge that they will only lay their eyes on broccoli, water melon and some other leafy stuff that pose no harm to their chastity. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X9AMbyRK6H5l2HX_DGagU9tmfwLW4PW-QvZEBCak3kwNIzmqn66e0dsnC9U921mnRCmfR6nPL_0UjnchmowCaglKs9GaNEaZbkQdrbhho34GZgxfpjQQSw9O3nlXmtN6NdlofQYZk-U/s1600/P5220013+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X9AMbyRK6H5l2HX_DGagU9tmfwLW4PW-QvZEBCak3kwNIzmqn66e0dsnC9U921mnRCmfR6nPL_0UjnchmowCaglKs9GaNEaZbkQdrbhho34GZgxfpjQQSw9O3nlXmtN6NdlofQYZk-U/s320/P5220013+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If this scenario becomes prevalent in the future, I can see supermarkets in Saudi Arabia with their vegetable sections devoid of black-clad shoppers, especially banana section, with a stern warning hanging as boldly, and even bigger than its price that says: "Muslim women are banned within 5 meter-radius except non-Muslim maids". (<i>Non-Muslims are called 'disbelievers' and therefore have no place in paradise, their fate is sealed, hence the exception.) </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In light of the potential complication this fatwa could cause, Muslim women who are die-hard banana lovers in Saudi Arabia are not expected to weep in one corner and may in turn set the following trends:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>Saudi women could suddenly develop an adoration for non-Muslim maids especially Filipino maids, as they will surely be allowed access to well-loved bananas in supermarkets by showing proof they are Christians in their iqama. <i>(Please note that any Muslim woman, Saudi or not, is not allowed to even look at bananas, let alone get close or touch them.)</i></li>
<li>There will be a renewed negotiation between Saudi and Philippine governments initiated by the former, to lift the ban on Filipina domestic helpers with the Saudis bowing to the demands by its counterparts to put in place worker's protection and implement salary demands for Filipina household helpers - a move foreseen as a boon for jobless Filipino women - a surprise Saudi concession, all for the love of banana. </li>
<li>Indonesian and Filipino drivers will be finding their niche soon around vegetable sections in lieu of their usual routine of huddling around in malls' parking lots and benches as if they are permanent ornaments in squatting position, while waiting for their women bosses do their shopping. Hmm, could be another worthy cause for a wage hike which is not impossible.</li>
<li>For families without non-Muslim maids, kids may get their early training of picking the best bananas in supermarkets, while their mothers employ a baton-less conductor skills 15 meters away as to which one to pick.</li>
<li>There will be unreasonably high hoarding incidence of bananas, as mostly Filipino maids are deployed profusely in all supermarkets nationwide and parading home hunched up with loads of bananas. Filipino maids don't always have to go with their masters when they go shopping, so it is understandable that they invade the supermarkets at once and buy tons of bananas for the love of it.</li>
<li>Expatriate families that cannot afford a maid may soon find themselves paying for a service charge when the nearest baqala<i> (mini-store)</i> salesman delivers a cluster of banana to their doorstep.</li>
<li>Finally, women may develop a deep interest for banana as to its mystery and why the warning that could send them rolling into hell. In this case, cucumber, carrots, aubergine, sponge gourd and bottle gourd with their own powerful lure, could give banana a run for its money.</li>
</ul><div>Given the scenarios above, it will be safe to assume that a widespread protest in Chiquita plantations in South America and a similar one in Del Monte in Mindanao is still remotely possible due to massive sacking of their employees. If a status quo remains, except of course for some imminent changes in policies at our favorite supermarkets <i>(re women have limited access to bananas)</i>, there is no need to panic just yet as the Gulf region's favorite bananas are here to stay.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Dear banana, out of sympathy for these poor women who would soon be bidding farewell to your irresistible taste and seductive form, I wish you were designed into another form not resembling a mighty truncheon that could weaken their resolve. But who am I to question the wisdom of your Creator? It is my wish that not a single Muslim woman falls into your sexy trap and be thrown into eternal damnation. We also dread the day seeing you transform into another shape as you would certainly lose your appeal. But it's up to Muslim scientists if their skills and knowledge are up to what is required to get you into another form, hmm probably in a shape of a bulb? If anything, the Christian world prefers that you stay as you are...yellow, sweet and long.<br />
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</div></div><div align="center"><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://soynegrense.blogspot.com/2011/12/for-love-of-banana.html" data-num-posts="7" data-width="650"></div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-88210289468198836042011-12-05T22:02:00.009+03:002011-12-18T13:28:31.608+03:00A Tale Of Two Beauties<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2enP1fg6EncJp5WJttFTnNwNs-357S0Ik9_ziqkU9yByTviobMEKz989wM1loCy-1tQhXDfSYlos9SFiN2i2S26RjsWijpzPD8dSCiJy3kYB7Ol47TnTNiUWh-hrru7PMVIb7ttzEIbM/s1600/theatre-mask1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2enP1fg6EncJp5WJttFTnNwNs-357S0Ik9_ziqkU9yByTviobMEKz989wM1loCy-1tQhXDfSYlos9SFiN2i2S26RjsWijpzPD8dSCiJy3kYB7Ol47TnTNiUWh-hrru7PMVIb7ttzEIbM/s640/theatre-mask1.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">"None is righteous, no, not one." - Romans 3:10</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Finding Facebook and other social media steaming hot over the past few days with the Piolo-KC and Mo-Rhian sagas that almost killed off the laughable "putting a tiny tot to sleep forever" sort-of-plot buzz did not only amaze me; yes, I even see myself now tapping my thoughts together into a post. Would you believe that? Anyway, I can only imagine which obvious pair from the duos gets the sympathy, and the obvious half passed off as evil. I have read substantially enough to know the pulse and not be so surprised at the reactions. Guess what, the immoral label is readily tagged to a villain aka fetus murderer, and what more to an unforgiving homophobic society's wrath on a celebrity's hunky image that turned out (allegedly) to be the biggest hoax ever - next to the vomit-inducing assertion of a purported Ampatuan innocence?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>On KC - Piolo saga:</i></b><br />
Why a flurry of criticisms on Piolo as though the man owes every Filipino an apology for ditching such a desirable woman? Why every gossip-mongering citizen especially feels entitled to force him to parade his skeleton in public? Just because he ruined the libidinal fantasy of the third kind from this confirmation? On people hell-bent to hammer him against the wall till he declares to the world that he willfully swallowed the stone or Ding forcefully shoved it down his throat, is totally beyond me, and that's not just right. If early in his career Piolo did a Bebe Gandanghari, would the public actually adore him for everything that he is made of? Sort of unthinkable for Piolo to shed his macho image, get rid of those muscles till he pass for a worthy torchbearer for anorexic community and strutting around in red stilettos and thick lipstick and go around telling the world that the old persona is dead.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx__8lIyygGq0Rm972IgVkre7I9d6pBWjITF6gCo84CeOP5RtS-AIc5WnHq8s2vU6igUhLv7Gr8LKzsy0cdY2nmjSGi1pWZ0MKmfxSW8_CpXBCYEVD5Bd3OHS6LDfNKNmLzB1mUcRM-0/s1600/piolo-pascual-kc-concepcion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx__8lIyygGq0Rm972IgVkre7I9d6pBWjITF6gCo84CeOP5RtS-AIc5WnHq8s2vU6igUhLv7Gr8LKzsy0cdY2nmjSGi1pWZ0MKmfxSW8_CpXBCYEVD5Bd3OHS6LDfNKNmLzB1mUcRM-0/s320/piolo-pascual-kc-concepcion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Whether there is truth to it, most people would be so frustrated not to see him come out of his closet and duplicate Bebe's exploits. Not even in this lifetime, I bet. But still the question remains: is the frenzied public which has successfully nailed him on the cross ready to forgive him for his 'transgression'? And who are these 'righteous' to demand he satisfies their whims at the expense of him getting flogged so that they gloat over in victory? God knows people don't care about his predicament. But still he is left with no choice but to shrug off taunting eyes that feast on his agony. Sadly, what's all the more telling is that people seem to live off on the misery of others. To them, they play the role on how society works, how to shape the norm - to be yourself, that is, and that you cheat them when you're acting out what you are not. But wait till tabloids banner news of philandering celebrities if it appeals to them. Not even a snout even if one sired three quarters of a hundred progeny. It is a requirement though when your estrogen level outweighs your testosterone: the public expects a revelation party anytime soon or else you're rewarded public flogging if the delay takes forever.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, I have only sympathy for KC for her heartbreak, but cashing in on her vulnerabilities on national television did not help her cause either. She wins outright sympathy for her 'underdog' narratives: a prize accorded to the oppressed helped by compassion-induced tears and occasional daffy demeanor. She could be easily perceived as a classy intelligent woman who could have risen above her circumstances. But what I see in the interview is a desperate woman, who unconsciously falls into a trap of a cunning and manipulative interviewer by urging her on to wash her dirty laundry in public, albeit the subtle way. People have different opinions on the matter, though Piolo obviously is at a disadvantage. My take on this is, when a woman announces that a man is incapable of giving the very basic needs of a woman, what comes to mind of every forthright sane individual is only one thing - sex. As though she wants to keep a little decency for herself, the public was made to make a wild guess that even kindergartens have staked their claims to the prize. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The public loves this kind of drama: a macho hunk outed from his closet by his woman - the culprit being his inability to satisfy her. Unsurprisingly, the overwhelming public sympathy for her is not due to her being sex-deprived but because he cheated her for another man. This is the kind of drama most people would love not to ignore. With time, the moral landscape of any given society has greatly evolved, and this contributes to people readily accepting premarital sex as a norm that is widely acceptable. Ordinary people look up to showbiz personalities as their models and this is what society gets: premarital sex that sometimes leads to abortion, nursing mothers barely out of puberty, and poor illiterate kids doomed to fail in life even before they reach their life's potential.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>The Mo - Rhian predicament:</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl3A8hRWzs6gookwhvUEIA3IW-QY8WDuoMDaalGbNPm25AgWfVfta13SoowNIeq6izOUlQnyK-yHq6ICErGnD0eOdhnXNGevAKVmt26E7zQqW3MA8eJFAsyfMFPCX7eLdfiHO9dijjTI/s1600/tumblr_lkcduq2DLH1qd7wc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl3A8hRWzs6gookwhvUEIA3IW-QY8WDuoMDaalGbNPm25AgWfVfta13SoowNIeq6izOUlQnyK-yHq6ICErGnD0eOdhnXNGevAKVmt26E7zQqW3MA8eJFAsyfMFPCX7eLdfiHO9dijjTI/s320/tumblr_lkcduq2DLH1qd7wc3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This is a classic sad tale involving the butcher of a fetus. It is horrible that an innocent child gets a death sentence for being a threat to its mother's blossoming career. She is on top of her game and getting pregnant is never an option. Then she did the unthinkable. The father of the child seems genuinely disturbed by his conscience for playing the role of reluctant accomplice, and so the confession video surfaces. In here, there's no dearth of moral vanguards who are quick to label the culprit as evil and permanent inhabitant of a place that overflows with sulfur and brimstone. Unfortunately for the culprits, the stench of their deeds will not be contained for eternity just as they would have wished it to be, until truth finds its own way out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Putting up a brave face and singing her heart out on a Sunday show while consciously aware of the world bashing her in unison, elicited applause for her brand of bravery; either way people did cringe at the sheer lack of compunction. Sometimes people tend to be irrational and unforgiving yet living off on another's predicament for a fodder. They always crave for gossips that tickle their ears, often feasting on other people's predicament. Indeed there's no free ride to fame, for you pay what you owe and reap what you sow - and that's part of the deal.<br />
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Still people wonder how does she cope with her new-found fame after the turmoil. In showbiz, everything revolves around money and fame, yes even for a wrong reason, so she has not much to weep for, as long as she has what it takes. Of course, people close to her and those who are cashing in on her image have plenty of encouraging words to offer. She's a total package and a face to die for, so seeing her career fade anytime soon is not what seers have predicted. But would that be enough to appease her conscience?<br />
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<b><i>Personal Thoughts:</i></b><br />
It's a pity that very few people find the solution to their agony because money, pleasure and reputation are what they value the most. They forgot that there is something of greater value that lasts for eternity compared to the temporal things that only last for a time and then vanish quickly. People are so blinded by fame and fortune that they believe these are the only things that matter. It's sad to know how people can be so clueless that we have a just and righteous God to whom we will give account of ourselves for everything that we have done. He is such a loving God that despite all our filthiness and stench of our deeds reaching Him, still He loves us and is able to forgive us. The Bible clearly says that we all have sinned and come short of His glory and there is none righteous, not even one. That is such a sad state of every human being that we ought not to condemn others for the speck in their eyes for there is only one righteous God who judges us. He only wants us to humble ourselves and repent and turn back from our sins and accept His offer of salvation through His son Jesus.<br />
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All man's possessions such as money, fame, power and good reputation will not last forever. Jesus clearly warns us that, "for what profit is it for a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?" People need Jesus because what He can offer is much more of greater value than all the riches of this world combined. But what makes people reject Him is the life of sin that they cannot repudiate. Yet His grace is abundant and people find it if they seek it, but not until when it's too late. If only people experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, and that can only be found through Jesus who readily gives it to those who will call out to Him.</div><br />
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<div align="center"><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://soynegrense.blogspot.com/2011/12/tale-of-two-beauties.html" data-num-posts="7" data-width="650"></div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-59648271733081163442011-11-20T22:20:00.007+03:002011-11-21T18:06:07.572+03:00Hillary Clinton: A Conversation In Manila<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFDo5XnGuGugrxFmF-SX4aLf_H0tpVXHn1dRjlRCC83P4PcID9jE9BS2daWwAAV0rcYXaRxvSt67ktICAVo_nV-kKsyWb7nbRXguPn9NlHFx9zNOAZ6mlHwnSkNoBTDxjzsv715zn9h8/s1600/111611_hillary_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFDo5XnGuGugrxFmF-SX4aLf_H0tpVXHn1dRjlRCC83P4PcID9jE9BS2daWwAAV0rcYXaRxvSt67ktICAVo_nV-kKsyWb7nbRXguPn9NlHFx9zNOAZ6mlHwnSkNoBTDxjzsv715zn9h8/s320/111611_hillary_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">An interesting video featuring US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton billed as "A Conversation In Manila", a town hall meeting-inspired public forum that also featured a wide array of bloggers and student journalists from all over the Philippines. From the description of the Clinton entourage itself, the forum is described as 'groundbreaking' for its youth-oriented social media component, breaking away from the formalities of many of the globe-trotting Clinton's public events. Speaking of 'youth-oriented', Winnie Monsod and Mel Tiangco - famous celebrities in their own right, did not hesitate to make their presence felt in the audience to see to it that Clinton did not lack not-so-young admirers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Questions for Secretary Clinton were fielded via YouScoop, Twitter, Facebook, Skype and SMS. Members of the young audience were also given time to field their questions. Among those distinguished personalities from the audience were actress Heart Evangelista and fellow celebrities Isabel Daza and Maxene Magalona who were both lucky to have fielded their questions to Clinton. Vicky Morales and Howie Severino served as moderators while Ramon Bautista (the lesser illustrious namesake of the one who sired 75 children) made sure an audience participation became lively.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The forum largely went smoothly apart from one notable distraction courtesy of Marjohara Tucay, the editor-in-chief of the 'The Philippine Collegian' who interrupted Clinton in between discussions and held up a banner protesting the VFA thing. Despite his show of rudeness (he could have conveyed his concerns in a rather refined manner and shined given the nature of the forum), the audience instead responded in crisp laughter as Clinton repeatedly addressed him as a she. Well, Mrs. Clinton did not mean to be rude judging on the high-pitched soprano scream of Tucay that started to reverberate inside the hall before he was being led away while still frothing in anger. Hmm, not a really nice stunt to pull off for a future journalist who should have demonstrated some measure of civility without being rude and dissenting.</div><br />
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<div align="center"><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://soynegrense.blogspot.com/2011/11/hillary-clinton-conversation-in-manila.html" data-num-posts="10" data-width="650"></div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-45418687540945305342011-11-15T20:28:00.016+03:002011-11-20T00:05:18.893+03:00Let Her Go And Wish Her Well!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXMC_wimNEwDs8Hz3vYRuWTNiZf4_8IJgcdzTydzg7yyXSYylRqZpEoJ7SRGN2iGDlhM9JfOnRsO6EK_JE8xo7db-v5JEFlXMEN7UKmAU7Tgpz9fYLHdwBsKCKEZXRBHzmJQvdzjSxn4/s1600/373901_315697998456400_100000486076910_1281963_965871687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXMC_wimNEwDs8Hz3vYRuWTNiZf4_8IJgcdzTydzg7yyXSYylRqZpEoJ7SRGN2iGDlhM9JfOnRsO6EK_JE8xo7db-v5JEFlXMEN7UKmAU7Tgpz9fYLHdwBsKCKEZXRBHzmJQvdzjSxn4/s640/373901_315697998456400_100000486076910_1281963_965871687_n.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>"You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well" - Lewis B. Smedes</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the much controversial Pacquiao victory over Marquez that led many Mexicans to launch a global defacement of the Filipino image that stemmed from their own son's supposed 'stolen victory', the Latinos in a fit of rage, are in no mood to put the battle behind them within the confines of the ring. The rage is so palpable that the Filipino race is branded by them as <i>numero uno </i>when it comes to 'stealing victory in the ring', a catchphrase born in the Sin City immediately after the fight. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">And what else this outrage spared to feast on but a Philippine former president's ability to steal an election? Seemed a little off to me because sport and politics do not share the same DNA except if an athlete is a multimillionaire boxer who happens to be a congressman, in which case a massive exodus of his colleagues to watch his fight had turned the Congress ghostly and desolate for days or weeks. Yes, we read it right, the Mexicans proved they read and monitor us as much as we flinch at the murders by drug cartels in theirs. So, let's assume they are aware that we have a tiny former president who stole the election and was today barred from traveling on suspicion she is plotting a future fugitive stunt.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I admit, just like any other citizen, sympathy for the Arroyos is hard to come by. Most people are convinced that what has befallen them is 'karma' to that effect. Even before she stepped out of the palace, she had been mired into countless corruption scandals that made her a favorite for citizen bullies in social media, understandably myself included. Not only she did enrich herself and her family while in power but also most people believe she indirectly ordained into power the family of beasts in Maguindanao that massacred 58 innocent civilians including 34 journalists - the bestial murders seen as the product from special favors accorded to the criminals as <i>quid pro quo</i> for ensuring she and her party win a clean slate in the elections.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now the tables have been turned on her and her family. In what others call as 'divine retribution', the seemingly inexplicable wealth of the Arroyos proves of little help to what fate has brought upon them. Over the past few months, the former president had been diagnosed with <i>hypoparathyroidism</i>, something to that effect<i> (well, God knows as to the extent of her illness - ordinary people seemed not to care much less dig how to pronounce it)</i>. Her team insists that the country has no capacity to cure the severity of this disease, perhaps due to lack of specialists available or lousy credentials if there's any. <i>(Her fear could be attributed to lack of specializations in the country apart from the prolific ObGyne, as evidenced by meteoric birth rates espoused by her administration's fondness for Roman Catholics 'pro-life' stance.)</i> Well, that might be a safer assumption on their part, for what used to be a not-so-special disease became ultra-complicated one - thanks to a naruto-like robotic structure that adorns her neck - hoping the whole nation simultaneously cries a river out of pity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Blame it on Arroyo's zero credibility, the Pnoy administration distances itself from a perceived 'pity trap' the Arroyos might be contriving for a smooth escape. Despite pleadings to be allowed exit for medical help abroad, the DOJ has put the entire family on a Watch List Order, convinced that they are only acting up using the former president's 'illness' as a ploy to run from the grip of the law. There are however local physicians of the same specialization, who assert that her illness does not seem too gravely ill as they would want it look like to be. Over the week, there were reports that she and her family had sought political asylum in Dominican Republic, which were later disproved by its ambassador. This allegation even fueled the Justice Department's suspicion that the former first family and some of its cohorts, are keen to escape arrests as they see no substantial deterrent for their imminent jail terms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Surely, it's not over yet till the fat lady sings. The last hurrah still belongs to our protagonists in their bid to laugh their way out of Alcatraz. The Supreme Court by a majority decision has today granted a TRO allowing the first family to travel abroad. Being a co-equal entity to the executive branch, the SC is independent of its ruling thus it calls for implementation in which case beneficial to the Arroyos. What transpired next is a saga of historical proportion. Buoyed by a favorable SC ruling, our protagonists did not waste time and trooped to NAIA in pompous show of 'victory for human rights'. The spectacle covered by media had the nation in a stand still equating to that of Pacquiao's pummeling at the hands of Marquez. But this time the stage has been set eliciting cheers - not for a hero who's falling behind in a scorecard but cheers and jeers combo for an escaping former leader who either needs genuine medical help abroad or just keen to write an initial episode of her 'the fugitive story', only God knows. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaC7zWEWfT_ac2KXoOsuZfSjF4XBriJygkF348BYVI-M71DHAr8uIqJ3Sdz1t0NKpsDt6R6GaZzQv6MtLKsyD3RGfqALLviLpWetRQcjDtubYycPHoBLtbwn0IaROvmDsoHWDDPQzqtw/s1600/375844_315697941789739_100000486076910_1281962_2103109327_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaC7zWEWfT_ac2KXoOsuZfSjF4XBriJygkF348BYVI-M71DHAr8uIqJ3Sdz1t0NKpsDt6R6GaZzQv6MtLKsyD3RGfqALLviLpWetRQcjDtubYycPHoBLtbwn0IaROvmDsoHWDDPQzqtw/s320/375844_315697941789739_100000486076910_1281962_2103109327_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the cliche goes, "all is well that ends well". Unfortunately for the Arroyos it did not bode well with what they expected. What had transpired at the airport in what is supposed to be their swan song, turned into a historic humiliation not befitting a living former president. It was shockingly odd to see an ailing former president denied entry at the airport despite an SC ruling, affirming her right to travel and get medical help abroad. The DOJ's order barring them exit has been put in place and remains a <i>status quo</i>, according to the Justice chief Leila de Lima. And that is what prevailed to the dismay of the Arroyos and the apex court that granted the TRO. The president and his entourage was left with no choice but to go back to a local hospital.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Contrary to the majority's consensus in social media praising airport officials and mocking the former president and her family, I do not see it a worthy reason for Filipinos to celebrate and be proud of. Yes, justice should take its course, but I believe the former president is no less of a human to be accorded disrespect and treated as evil, even when she looks to be in a contrite state, and for God's sake she looks very sick! Having said that, I for one agree that she be allowed exit so that she could seek medical help. That is the way forward - to exercise right judgment and act like humans beings. She may be corrupt as most of us believe, but that does not give us the right to judge her heart and hate her to the point that we join in unison praising the administration for not allowing her to seek treatment abroad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes we can completely understand the ways and thoughts of man - his desire to seek justice and see the transgressor punished, but God's ways and thoughts are beyond our comprehension. He is a God that despises evil and corrupt leaders, the rich and powerful who takes advantage of the poor and vulnerable. His judgment is righteousness and His standard is holiness that nothing, as in nothing in this world escapes His eyes. But just the same, God loves both the sinner and the righteous but He hates sin.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The very recent Arab Spring that unfolded before our eyes showed us how God's handiwork had been manifested for all the world to see. Ben Ali of Tunisia, Mubarak of Egypt and Gadhafi of Libya - all these men created their own world of make-believe, thinking that the world is under their feet. Plundering their nation by billions of dollars, marginalizing the poor and oppressing and murdering those who pose to challenge their authorities - all because of greed that they ceased to think and act like normal human beings - mortal and far less invincible. For when man thinks his power and wealth render him untouchable, suddenly destruction comes because arrogance has usurped his heart.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ben Ali is in Jeddah in a comatose state. His gold bullions that filled his basement room in his former palace did not help him. Neither did he profit from the billions of cash he hid in his room. One of his poor contrymen immolated himself because of desperation to give his family a decent meal. Majority of his people struggle to make do with less than two dollars a day. Thousand others drown in the Mediterranean - men, women and children, in their desperation to sail to Europe to escape the scourge of poverty. Mubarak of Egypt did just the same - he reigned nearly three decades in wanton opulence while his people suffer before he is seen in a cage while undergoing trial. And volumes had been said and written about Gadhafi - all the world had witnessed how this tyrant had fallen and died like a rat in a most humiliating way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These once great people as they used to believe they were had seen their reigns ended. Their families cut off from civil society branded to be criminals bereft of the dignity that the poorest of the poor has. Gadhafi not only abundantly reaped what he sowed - his fake locks pulled from his scalp, his face spat at, kicked and hit with a rifle while begging for his life, as the gory details circulated for the world to feast on - a grand slam reward for a tyrant before he saw death. T<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">he book of Ecclesiastes assuredly says, "there is a time for everything and a season for everything", and that speaks a lot of God's own timeline.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, who says God is oblivious to the cries and pleadings of the oppressed? Everything is laid bare before His eyes and surely His justice will come swiftly without delay. As for the transgressors, the murderers and the greedy, and to us all who think we are a lesser sinner than any of those we despise - God still extends His forgiveness if we repent and turn back from our transgressions. He loves even the greatest of sinners among us, for all have sinned and come short of His glory. He loves all mankind without condition - yes, even the most wicked; He is just waiting for us for it is His desire that no one should perish but everyone should come to repentance. Is it not amazing and comforting that His love is no respecter of who we are as long as we come to Him? Yes, even GMA included! So, have we stopped condemning her yet and let God have His way?<br />
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<div align="center"><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://soynegrense.blogspot.com/2011/11/let-her-go-and-wish-her-well.html" data-num-posts="10" data-width="650"></div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-572850480919147292011-11-07T16:32:00.008+03:002011-11-11T16:36:33.130+03:00Even Here He Thrives<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDzZlQcEGYxSuh1b-aK4IG_663Plk5UEGYPlPRaubeYud8BNAuowzrLDKVOpnSs5vpB48nzOu0qGG_esx_axF2oGUwb-QZMd0WJ6sBGXhy4GbBbPM_tl59FI1uVn-ExP3SNXqB0rz5SE/s1600/light-at-end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDzZlQcEGYxSuh1b-aK4IG_663Plk5UEGYPlPRaubeYud8BNAuowzrLDKVOpnSs5vpB48nzOu0qGG_esx_axF2oGUwb-QZMd0WJ6sBGXhy4GbBbPM_tl59FI1uVn-ExP3SNXqB0rz5SE/s640/light-at-end.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i>"In Him was life, and that life was the light of men." - John 1:4</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>For some reason, stories of people heads chopped off because they carry Bibles or caught keeping one already caused little hysteria in my psyche even before I ventured to Saudi Arabia. Fiction or otherwise, I was in no mood to put myself at risk and the thought of my family wailing over a sewn reattached head to a familiar body scares me to the hilt.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">For a first-timer in a country where other religions are not encouraged except theirs, I had a hard time deciding whether to toss off my old and new NIV Bible from my bag or simply let others pick it up from the airport lounge to be a forgotten article by some disoriented traveler. The agency people were keen to warn us that no offensive articles be found in our luggage, or we risk imprisonment upon arrival. Thankfully, there was an inconspicuously small mail station in the vicinity where I dropped off my Bible to the surprise of my family when it reached them.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Being an expatriate in Saudi Arabia, you don't necessarily fear going about with your normal life as long as you obey the rules and laws of the country. Of course, there are bad elements on the loose preying on unsuspecting expatriates who most often than not, are too terrified to call the police and end up hapless victims because they do not know their rights, or in most cases choose not to bother asserting them.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyaomvFKl2D0TEOJzEyyR4BkhKJwuYecWjvvqX540Es9c_iSu7l64RijNjUudo5p7Qji5nIHRBFiVWFlemo-RUZengNVp6iHByfc4yXE88_VmY12c_EOf_e4_po9LaZT_XpYJV2aoauc/s1600/308441_2454317911039_1044788653_2939641_726298361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyaomvFKl2D0TEOJzEyyR4BkhKJwuYecWjvvqX540Es9c_iSu7l64RijNjUudo5p7Qji5nIHRBFiVWFlemo-RUZengNVp6iHByfc4yXE88_VmY12c_EOf_e4_po9LaZT_XpYJV2aoauc/s320/308441_2454317911039_1044788653_2939641_726298361_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Speaking of obedience to rules and laws however, is a struggle to a bunch of people who cannot be perfectly law-abiding , but nonetheless are peaceful-loving <i>(practice of other religions apart from Islam is not allowed here)</i>. These are the Bible-believing Christians who find ways to keep their faith burning, even amidst persecution and arrests of believers, who are only gathered albeit secretly, to worship God. The biggest irony of them all, the one tasked to arrest Christians worshiping in secret is a state-sanctioned moral police aptly called the Commission for the Promotion of Virtues and Prevention of Vice <i>(still I'm less than halfway through an agonizing journey of equating gambling or prostitution to worshiping one's Creator).</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since the inception of globalization and mainly due to the king's open-mindedness, efforts to clamp down on Christian worshipers have dramatically subsided. <i>(Of course, Christian gatherings are kept painfully discreet that no one suspects from outside that some living beings do exist inside and too scared to sneeze. If that's what the government decrees, it is being complied dutifully and fearfully with so much trembling)</i>. Or I must admit we are a little blessed because in this part of the kingdom, the <i>mutawwas</i> are less passionate in their mandate to punish <i>disbelievers</i>, unlike in Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom where they are relentless in their bid to cut off those who they term as enemies of Islam.<br />
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It sounds ridiculous, but owing to the threat of getting incarcerated, or perhaps it is best that you choose people whom to trust, in my long years of stay in Saudi Arabia no one has dared invite me to a Bible study. Funny, I don't see it strange if people find my countenance as someone who tends to run to the <i>mutawwas</i> for a tip off. While there are a hosts of issues or concerns to talk about related to life as an expatriate, getting comfortable to talk about one's faith even with a colleague, is a struggle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7Q1VLDja-i6VL_Fz-qOu7B9hbngGZ5dI0rN08kbYPxPl-rDKeI0UDCzkixbToj_ZunlXPxY8_MA7ryDx88XyPPjU37rWE7qTAGTZqbLweqZw38PsOeQYL1UDuhebtO8VWO1dA1YyQu0/s1600/387826_2454148826812_1044788653_2939553_502415606_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7Q1VLDja-i6VL_Fz-qOu7B9hbngGZ5dI0rN08kbYPxPl-rDKeI0UDCzkixbToj_ZunlXPxY8_MA7ryDx88XyPPjU37rWE7qTAGTZqbLweqZw38PsOeQYL1UDuhebtO8VWO1dA1YyQu0/s320/387826_2454148826812_1044788653_2939553_502415606_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Who would have thought that a former colleague whom I only get to see occasionally could be an instrument for this new journey I take? Okay, this time I give some credit to the advent of social media, Facebook in particular, where people feel free to express anything under the sun, and yes even their faith sans the glare and threat from the claws of another kind. It's been three months now since I responded to a Facebook invite and I'm enjoying every bit of it -- the fellowship of the believers and the worship of the living God, even in uncharted territory. By the way, Romans 8:31 assures us that "if God is for us who can be against us?"<br />
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Twenty four years ago, a young OFW started a small Bible study group consisting of only two attendees including himself, acting as jack-of-all-trades being the pastor, worship leader and all. Armed with a well-concealed Bible and a bike to get to homes of other members, and of course with the bravado of a Spirit-filled person, the once tiny group became a big congregation that multiplied into several sectors spread out in different parts of the city. Twenty four years of God's faithfulness and souls are being harvested for His kingdom.<br />
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The great commission is being fulfilled in the four corners of the earth, for God's plan of salvation for all does not change. No authorities, powers and dominions will prosper against God's divine plan, for it is written, "Whoever listens to Me will have security, he will be saved and no reason to be afraid." - (Proverbs 1:33)<br />
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<div align="center"><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://soynegrense.blogspot.com/2011/11/even-here-he-thrives.html" data-num-posts="12" data-width="650"></div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-53540474381562444192011-10-16T00:57:00.012+03:002011-11-02T21:16:29.678+03:00Blog Action Day 2011: Famine Claims Thousands As Tons Of Food Wasted<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyJKaMs4FwexKqmouzfwtvR1qCVTiA4e9i3kxvxU74eP__bbohZsKba0qUF-6nlJgF_CMENMNGRZ47H3xazjvamZ1CFdE6YYdIAouf970gF1qtbLL4hImvTKA3cxgpwaInmomNcZgQQE/s1600/somalia_wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyJKaMs4FwexKqmouzfwtvR1qCVTiA4e9i3kxvxU74eP__bbohZsKba0qUF-6nlJgF_CMENMNGRZ47H3xazjvamZ1CFdE6YYdIAouf970gF1qtbLL4hImvTKA3cxgpwaInmomNcZgQQE/s640/somalia_wide.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"Statistics tells of an ominous: the day will come when many would fight for a single grain, rich and poor alike, the dispensation when money is a non-factor." </span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>When a tourist or an expatriate worker for the first time lands in any Saudi city, chances are the conspicuous Arabian culture pretty much does not go unnoticed. Tall minarets dotting skylines and at some point juxtaposed with a skyscraper, bustling traditional souks and ubiquitous modern malls greet you with explicit Arabian hospitality. From the unmistakable traditional garb worn by men to his unique driving style (left foot nestled on the dashboard while behind the steering wheel is a common sight in major roads), one can easily make out and understand local customs and behavior. Sea of black-clad shoppers can be seen raiding the malls at night is another peculiarity unique to Saudi women. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While a lot of positive things come out long in the list, speaking of Saudi uniqueness however, entails a variety of opposing qualities. Let me stick then to the obvious. If one happens to be in Jeddah, one thing that won't escape your eyes is the all-gleaming blue occupant in every street corner that hosts substantial feline population. These poor creatures can be seen fighting one another for a lump of wrapped yellow rice and ribs loosely hanging on the edge of blue dumpsters. These wasted foods dumped by people come from the excess on their tables. You cringe knowing that thousands of people die in Somalia due to starvation, and here you see foods being abused and disrespected. Some foods they throw are still fresh and look very much edible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuLrRCtgSpCE3udEqQ05bjHCK9P3GRSSZYqxdoT77a59lQiF3Ezm73VAZJN3bh_Cj2ORjkl2HzYyX0L9JspDBq7FBpJ_yDRnP5zxz4MBai1kXzTdzWzjB-3NlSeKQU4epOw2E_lskUr8/s1600/biryanipreparedg+%25281%2529+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuLrRCtgSpCE3udEqQ05bjHCK9P3GRSSZYqxdoT77a59lQiF3Ezm73VAZJN3bh_Cj2ORjkl2HzYyX0L9JspDBq7FBpJ_yDRnP5zxz4MBai1kXzTdzWzjB-3NlSeKQU4epOw2E_lskUr8/s320/biryanipreparedg+%25281%2529+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Coming from the word itself of one Saudi mother, she admits that Saudis in general live in a culture of excess, and food is no exception. Saudis have penchant for holding feasts especially during summer holidays when weddings are preferably held. Along with the massive feasts also come tons of leftover food that they simply dump. People show less concern for the hungry ones around them that wasting food has been ingrained in their culture.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The month of Ramadan is no exception. Okay, everybody knows every able-bodied Muslim adult fast from dawn till dusk (well, they see to it they are pretty well-stuffed before the break of dawn so that feeling hungry during the day does not make sense). Fasting is imperative so as not to 'lose' reward from god. Even most of my colleagues are too terrified a drop of water touches their lips or they risk losing their reward (hence talking with them closer is not advised). The zeal is there to perfect the daily ritual of shunning food and water, but wait till they get to the table when the loudspeaker signals time to break their fast. You don't believe your eyes how leftovers could still feed a handful and yet fly straight to the garbage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ramadan 2010 actual data: </div><div style="text-align: justify;">* In <a href="http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article489225.ece">Dubai, 1,850 tons of food on average are thrown out daily</a> - mostly from large banquets and top-end venues like 5-star hotels. The rich and famous in the emirate demand lavish food served in hotels at Iftar, after which all excess go straight to the garbage as per hotel policy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">* In neighboring Abu Dhabi, 500 tons of food on average are dumped daily. It is not clear whether attempts by various NGOs to raise awareness on food wastage have been successful.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">* In Saudi Arabia, no figure or estimate is available due to some press censorship. Anything that comes out unfavorably for the country's image is an outright 'lie'. But consider this: the very media outlet that screams of massive food wastages over in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is a Saudi daily, yet it carries no figure or estimate of the same from its very own.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">* Saudi Arabia has one of the highest obesity rates in the world. Local health experts readily blame the culture of over-eating especially in Ramadan, that some even die of high-blood pressure and other related illnesses triggered by eating oily and fatty foods.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rDhjK0PWJjaNNa0aSet72rfZvTFqje44jqBUOxpmtv8zHKzseaDOEK5M5iodPhw4-fjc7eg4pHT7cD5dFi6A7Gt3ks4m3uwDWvX8QTR5GbGQBU3UbCGLjz1uHAsD8FzQ9bDNNdC8sGs/s1600/kabesa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rDhjK0PWJjaNNa0aSet72rfZvTFqje44jqBUOxpmtv8zHKzseaDOEK5M5iodPhw4-fjc7eg4pHT7cD5dFi6A7Gt3ks4m3uwDWvX8QTR5GbGQBU3UbCGLjz1uHAsD8FzQ9bDNNdC8sGs/s320/kabesa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Emphasis on Ramadan: Traditionally, families prepare sumptuous meals and gather for Iftar (breaking the fast) and Suhoor (meal before dawn). As a festival of giving and sharing, Ramadan is centered around on providing bountiful meals so that increased food purchasing is witnessed during the month, making way for more wastage. At mealtime, the habit of piling food on to the plate (in most cases, hunger breeds gluttony), contributes to massive food wastage. Cooking too much food to reward oneself for enduring a day's fast is also an unbeatable habit by many in Ramadan. Anticipating guests to join Iftar meals also drives them to cook more, to which extent excess food has no more room in the fridge, thus food is wasted.<br />
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Putting into perspective, facts laid down are simply comprehensive. The glaring display of extravagance on food and the resulting food wastages by rich countries is beyond anyone's comprehension, yet across a narrow strip called the Red Sea, piles of dead bodies are strewn everywhere due to famine. Aid organizations do exist in the Gulf region, but they are yet to make an impact proportionate to the region's food wastages. Efforts have been made to minimize food wastages, but without the cooperation of the people, these blah blahs could well turn out to be some vexing advert of epic proportion.<br />
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Global impact: Food waste is a real concern of global proportion. Many food products can be classified as biodegradable, but its non-consumption means that precious resources used in its cultivation and production are wasted, such as energy, water and material used for its packing. Carbon emissions resulting from the food's transportation, storage and disposal are also big contributors to climate change.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf1onbAmMJjG3odnJtBCLUVZ7ZKHoZStvw65bCSIKm3_CvZ-7BYzEm7KGKk1FN7f95oKMH3JuKIicTGe-M12kXaWT5VV-Jebqm5ldMwnfRIgkPU1946gHWCMveX-x3T8RzHmSrJ1mF9s/s1600/0726-somalia-famine_full_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf1onbAmMJjG3odnJtBCLUVZ7ZKHoZStvw65bCSIKm3_CvZ-7BYzEm7KGKk1FN7f95oKMH3JuKIicTGe-M12kXaWT5VV-Jebqm5ldMwnfRIgkPU1946gHWCMveX-x3T8RzHmSrJ1mF9s/s320/0726-somalia-famine_full_600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>While thousands die of hunger in many parts of the world, food waste is deemed a serious global issue. Studies indicate that not all rich countries have a hand on this global phenomenon (as this issue is more culture-based). This global concern however is a source of national shame for those countries whose people act irresponsibly, without regard for those dying because of hunger. It is not their fault, yes, but the attitude certainly does show utter defiance to human conscience, that human beings are inclined to show respect and compassion to their kind.<br />
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Today marks this year's <a href="http://blogactionday.org/">Blog Action Day</a> and coincides with the celebration of World Food Day. Apparently, food scarcity is the single most pressing issue that affects many nations on earth. The Horn of Africa for example, is beset with famine due to a prolonged drought that results to hundreds, if not thousands of death every single day. On the other hand, just less than an hour- flight across, rich nations like the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia traditionally compete with each other as to which one gets the crown of having the most number of tons of food wastage on summer holidays and in Ramadan. If tradition is to take the blame, I hope people start to act like humans and practice humanity for the sake of their kind, albeit inferior to their eyes.<br />
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If nation or nations preach peace to be their way of life because that is what their religion teaches, then let it practice what it preaches. Let it start by being peaceful with nature - to show respect for all the blessings nature has given them, and show compassion to those who lack in life. The media and the academe in those countries should spearhead educational campaign and rally the support of its national and local leaders, thereby gaining a foothold on gradually changing the mindset and practice of its people that are proven irrelevant in the fast-shrinking globalization. Statistics tells of an ominous: time will come when many would fight for a single grain, rich and poor alike, the dispensation when money is a non-factor - the one foretold in the Bible as the coming Awful Horror. Let's hope that everyone stakes his claim to the greater cause of preserving nature, so that food and other necessities in life do not vanish in haste, when climate change has the final say in man's destiny.</div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogactionday.org/"><img alt="I am proud to take part in Blog Action Day Oct 16, 2011 www.blogactionday.org" border="0" height="300" src="http://blogactionday.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/blogactiondaybloggerbagde1.gif" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center"><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://soynegrense.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-action-day-2011-famine-claims.html" data-num-posts="10" data-width="650"></div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-11760009922962344672011-10-13T05:21:00.029+03:002011-10-13T19:32:09.308+03:00Masskara Festival: Reliving Its Spirit And Grandeur<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxW1xpWRXDbZiOoWtdGey3x4Zuv2m_Olj7YvE7JoYsho4RdzexSDOSTYga1pFtxXrs_0k-sl-wn0LvqG5OIUHwFgpVnPg1rmE3V6Mk0e87_oDgNZ3Uqm1Lc_ZwjDFKRNLvJO_7izGZ84/s1600/308742_202139569858412_171720999566936_500364_623617734_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxW1xpWRXDbZiOoWtdGey3x4Zuv2m_Olj7YvE7JoYsho4RdzexSDOSTYga1pFtxXrs_0k-sl-wn0LvqG5OIUHwFgpVnPg1rmE3V6Mk0e87_oDgNZ3Uqm1Lc_ZwjDFKRNLvJO_7izGZ84/s640/308742_202139569858412_171720999566936_500364_623617734_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">"It's okay...it's alright! No matter what adversity, Bacolod fights on!" - (Masskara Streetdancing lyrics)</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>To a Negrense at home or abroad, if there is one thing to be proud of or get excited about, it is the annual Masskara Festival celebration that takes place in the month of October in the city of Bacolod. The celebration is world-renowned for its unusually three-week long merrymaking activities marked by street dance and float parade, and the participants' ostentatiously colorful costumes which is proven to be the most popular tourist attraction.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Growing up in the Northern part of the province, I actually did not know the history behind the Masskara Festival. In fact, I could even better relate when I first set foot in Manila as friends would call me "Batang Negros" - maybe because of my skinny frame and sun-drenched color that could qualify me for a cousin of Aborigines. Little did I know that the sobering label for Negrenses as "Batang Negros" (a poster kid portrayed in media as emaciated and hungry holding an empty bowl), was one of the reasons Masskara Festival came into being.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV4Qgn5R7j4msFpx0MBTCu0-ODfGBIdHw3wzZvZrQZJJpCtTakVTUO62gUg02z3n0wTQL8fDrFv_xy8dSsLsupLGAKSADU24iYqxgURlpoZX5fEqstJ2y3c5trby9gh2hjgSeEjfcW7k/s1600/206220_171989769540059_171720999566936_406655_3395734_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV4Qgn5R7j4msFpx0MBTCu0-ODfGBIdHw3wzZvZrQZJJpCtTakVTUO62gUg02z3n0wTQL8fDrFv_xy8dSsLsupLGAKSADU24iYqxgURlpoZX5fEqstJ2y3c5trby9gh2hjgSeEjfcW7k/s320/206220_171989769540059_171720999566936_406655_3395734_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Let's talk a bit of history here. Negros Occidental was once called the "Sugar Bowl of Asia" and was reputed to be one of the most progressive provinces in the Philippines. If my elementary history serves me right, it used to be the only province in the country with 5 chartered cities and one highly urbanized city that time. In fact, even its capital Bacolod still maintains its moniker as "Billionaires City" as some prominent sugar barons and highly successful businessmen in the Philippines live in the city.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those glory days however were put to a real test and in fact the province succumbed to gloomy times in late 70s through early 80s. This was due to the price of sugar in the world market pegged at an all-time low, compounded by America's sudden preference for sugar substitutes like high fructose corn syrup that reduced the demand. And that consequently sealed the fate of the sugar industry in the province. Subsequently, people from all walks of life fell on hard times as it is the lifeblood of the province. On 22nd of April 1980, an inter-island vessel Don Juan owned by Negros Navigation collided with the tanker Tacloban City and sank. Over 700 lives were lost in that tragedy including prominent families in the province. Those were days of gloom when you almost see a lot of people in mourning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the midst of these tragic events, local artists and leaders decided to hold a "festival of smiles" to showcase the unique Negrenses' brand of resilience and fortitude, in light of the devastating gloom that overtook them. This was also symbolic of every Negrense's declaration of keeping his spirit aloft amid every adversarial situation. Thus it gave birth to the concept of smiling mask identifiable to the Negrense spirit, and so the Masskara Festival was born.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFug2CukeFH-UbV9V5uMBbzODYHLDvi0RTMbGlybAI8GLaCDaUUJs454puMeVK4Zyvg04gZ6edK7e2wpd4VykTfqVH_b1dJs59_jUeXXyDydkxthBGNRI4gl49Smea16JTLxWGl8w7nQ/s1600/223615_171988256206877_171720999566936_406606_4117_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFug2CukeFH-UbV9V5uMBbzODYHLDvi0RTMbGlybAI8GLaCDaUUJs454puMeVK4Zyvg04gZ6edK7e2wpd4VykTfqVH_b1dJs59_jUeXXyDydkxthBGNRI4gl49Smea16JTLxWGl8w7nQ/s320/223615_171988256206877_171720999566936_406606_4117_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>One feature of Masskara Festival that is a knockout draw for tourists is the street dance competition, where elaborately colorful costumes worn by participants are a feast to the eye to match with the smiling masks that complete the pageantry. Some say it is the Philippine's answer to the world-renowned Rio Carnival, for its gaiety and spectacular display of skills by the dancers to Latin beats that usually accompany the dance. There were twists however as this year's organizers decided that the music to be used in the street dance should be original, hence a battle for originality.<br />
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The street dance competition alone is scattered in as many days as possible to accommodate all participating groups which are divided into different categories: barangays, schools and commercial establishments. The Masskara Dance Showdown is another separate competition held at the city's public plaza and is usually the highlight of the festival. Apart from these attractions, the crowning of Masskara Queen is also a proven blockbuster every year for it is a brain and beauty battle among universities and colleges in Bacolod.<br />
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</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfR8ZNmxzF_1iQi17LRDMBOqY2CZJ31jmEaPt6dvVsQtfb6AwgRMafX2L4_LdeI4ySDGgs2Q8MgvfiqbMt3zmOh7V-1dY7slt12_ud1ETiTGXym3QJKm071Z24idIEZGu-gpdLTIBRFE/s1600/masskara2011logoA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfR8ZNmxzF_1iQi17LRDMBOqY2CZJ31jmEaPt6dvVsQtfb6AwgRMafX2L4_LdeI4ySDGgs2Q8MgvfiqbMt3zmOh7V-1dY7slt12_ud1ETiTGXym3QJKm071Z24idIEZGu-gpdLTIBRFE/s320/masskara2011logoA1.jpg" width="218" /></a>This year's theme "Celebrating the New Icons of Bacolod", points out how far the city has gone in terms of its progress. Many notable supermalls and world-class hotels have sprung up in the city including business centers and BPO hubs that provide jobs to locals. In fact, the city owns the title of "I.T. and BPO capital" of Western Visayas with the presence of 8 major call centers. It also ranks 3rd, next to Metro Manila and Cebu in the top 10 Next-Wave Cities due to its upbeat economy and its being an ideal investment center. The city is also a Hall of Fame awardee for being the cleanest and greenest highly urbanized city in the country. And the new pride of Bacolod - its government city center which is widely regarded as the most beautiful in the country, so that speaks a lot in terms of achievements for the city.</div></div><br />
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Bacolod's charm as a tourist destination is known to be boundless, not only because of its unique brand of merrymaking that keeps tourists on coming back. Other equally fascinating attractions such as food, pasalubong items and mementos are cool enough to be ignored. Those who want to pamper themselves with celestial gastronomic experience, the unique tradition that is chicken inasal of Bacolod is one to die for. Owing to its own success, this great cuisine uniquely endemic to Bacolod has also given birth to its own Inasal Festival - when the city is virtually conquered by chicken inasal fanatics.<br />
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Indeed the Masskara experience is something to be looked forward to - the revelry, the gaiety and the sea of smiling faces that is uniquely Negrense. To them, it is their way of celebration and expression of thanks for whatever life brings them, be it blessings or otherwise, the Negrense spirit is held aloft through the test of time.<br />
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<div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="220" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27767644?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/27767644">MassKara 2011 Official AVP</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5398659">Daryl Jimenea</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<b>***Masskara is coined from two words: Mass, which means "many" or "multitude" and Kara, a Spanish word for "face", thus Masskara is a multitude of smiling faces.</b><br />
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</b></div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-67401229418747561282011-10-09T03:53:00.006+03:002011-11-25T20:29:57.521+03:00Its Value Greater Than Apple's: Steve Jobs Should Have Known It By Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVCy3tGQwgql9v-roZh2UqJftJic-ZlyqyUEHXQIkmsn4xaCpAvKLbLonImxtGoyyWGVACZDPKqA7Nhi7IoEWShuXHF07kAEj3AIvSQJzqpXJJ8kDX01fgYL6NpHXmg5TQSuoWUa5mJE/s1600/apple-ceo-steve-jobs11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVCy3tGQwgql9v-roZh2UqJftJic-ZlyqyUEHXQIkmsn4xaCpAvKLbLonImxtGoyyWGVACZDPKqA7Nhi7IoEWShuXHF07kAEj3AIvSQJzqpXJJ8kDX01fgYL6NpHXmg5TQSuoWUa5mJE/s640/apple-ceo-steve-jobs11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">"No one wants to die; even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there." - Steve Jobs</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was a true icon of this generation. A creative genius, a visionary. A Cinderella man whose legacy will be remembered forever. A real pop star in every sense of the word. When Steve Jobs died, Apple's website announced that the world has lost an amazing human being. He had touched lives and essentially changed the world. A tsunami of praises heaped on him after his death doesn't seem to fade just yet. But if in his deathbed he still could not overcome his fear, then one can say, he was a scared man till he breathed his last.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Make no mistake, 'though I do not own an Ipad or an Iphone (I chose not to), I am a big fan of Jobs. I have read a lot about him - how his genius and innovation simply made life for people on this planet easier. Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, given his monumental success was once a pundits' object of ridicule when he could not pull off a Job's charisma and spontaneity at a product launch. Even for brilliant techies and contemporaries, Jobs is someone who's being looked up to.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What a waste to have lost such a genius at still a young age," others rationalize in deep resentment. Many fans just can't come to terms with the loss. Some complain that how in the world his billions could not save him from death. Others resent why a pancreas could not just be rendered redundant in this genetic age. It is unbelievable how people get so caught up with the things of temporal value that they forget there is one thing that lasts for eternity. Death for some is a hard fact to swallow, but sadly the tentacles of death taunting us is a terrifying reality one cannot just look over.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even atheists at some point entertain the thoughts that what if indeed God exists. Certainly, we cannot lie to ourselves that death is a big hoax because at some point in our lives we have witnessed death happening - in the family, our closest friends, or even our beloved pets. We even hear those who have lost their loved ones saying, "we will soon be together in the after-life". Why so? One thing we can conclude though - they believe that there is life after death, and that they believe there is a place where people who died will see and join their loved ones.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most of us feel doubtful about the things beyond us such as death, but the Bible is straightforward in its truth saying "For it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) Death is certain as we all agree, but where do we go after we die? Maybe we take the form of mist-like Casper and hang around in creeps yet with good intention? Or is it the perfect time to turn the tables on those vain fellows who had once made our lives miserable? Even our imaginations would sometimes take us to where we would choose to be - to some fairy tale realm, or us going through the process of reincarnating into a bird, a penguin or a dinosaur - yet none of this sort of things will ever come true. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Bible is very clear about death and judgment. But how one can avoid judgment? Let us remember that God is a loving god and that He loves the world so much that He gave His one and only Son Jesus so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16). Therefore if one does not believe in Jesus there is a possibility that he will not have eternal life. And God speaks of those who do not believe that they are perishing into eternal damnation which is the lake of fire. But still God desires that everyone could get saved, and come to the knowledge of truth. (1Tim. 2:3,4)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLElFh3mneQstjHSSlaO7idtWNh_7qgQFpS_E5UHAru75VQ_bWGOSliE5e7ug1GQ5hOdUYNRzMglnJLpPvFLo9Zcj1Ny5MIcbCCHtHrYN0G_ejPbc_e2yY9YM7OH6-0m7ROBe5gX6v0A/s1600/Jesus-Christ-The-Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLElFh3mneQstjHSSlaO7idtWNh_7qgQFpS_E5UHAru75VQ_bWGOSliE5e7ug1GQ5hOdUYNRzMglnJLpPvFLo9Zcj1Ny5MIcbCCHtHrYN0G_ejPbc_e2yY9YM7OH6-0m7ROBe5gX6v0A/s400/Jesus-Christ-The-Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Why is it important for humans to obtain salvation? God is holy and no sinner could get to heaven. But the Bible says we are all sinners, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3;23). "For there is none righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10) And if we all have sinned, what then do we deserve? The Bible answers, " For the wages of sin is death but God's gift is eternal life through Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:23)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But what about our good works? Don't they count as much? What about giving alms to the poor, giving money to the church, sponsoring a poor child's education, or giving a piece of hamburger to a beggar while your friend takes a photo of your generosity? Of course they are commendable. But God says, "we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteous acts are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). "For it is by grace that you have been saved, not by your works so that no man should boast (Ephesians 2: 8,9).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">No matter how many different roads we prefer to take for us to get to heaven, the Bible says there is only one way and that is through Jesus (John 14:6). But sadly, a lot of people prefer to take their own way only to fail when they get to the end. Not even Oprah, with all her wealth and influence could accept that there is only one Way and that is Jesus. The Bible says, it is Jesus who paid for our sins through His death on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins. Instead of us getting nailed on the cross for our sins, he took our place and made himself a sacrifice for us, so that anyone who believes in him will be saved.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">God is love. That's true. That's why people refuse to come to terms that a loving God could put His creatures in hell, and that creates a heck of an argument. Yes, God is love that's why he sent Jesus His son to die for our sins, but let's not forget that God is also a righteous God. He cannot accept us sinners because He is holy that's why we are eternally separated from Him because of our sinful nature. But there is good news here. Jesus had bridged that gap between a holy God and a sinful man, so that all can get to heaven. And not only that, God himself calls us His own children if we accept Jesus into our lives because He is the one who sent Him (John 1:12), (John 12:44-50).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, it is difficult to talk about death because it follows that you talk heaven and hell as well. Most people prefer to talk about the good things that a dead man had done when he was still alive. However, it is very sad to note that the tributes, the praises heaped on the dead cannot be appreciated by him because he had no awareness of what's happening on earth after he dies. A believer in Jesus after his last breath is taken to heaven while a person who dies without Jesus in his life goes to hell immediately, and this is the plain truth. (Matthew 25:46), (Matthew 13:41,50) The Bible is precise about the two destinations of man after he dies. The bad news is, there is no such thing as purgatory for those who have 'slightly' sinned. Clearly, salvation is by choice and not by destiny. Man has been given free will and intellect to decide. It's only two things. Whether we accept Jesus who died for our sins, or we reject Him and continue with our sinful deeds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For us Steve Jobs' fans, I have here a thing to get excited about. If he had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ before he died, then we have something to rejoice for. He must be rejoicing in heaven now and have met the One who gifted him with enormous talent that impacted the world. But there's another to get sad about - if he died without Jesus in his life, he must be in a place of terrible torment now. To a rich and powerful person, it takes a great deal of humility before one recognizes that he is a sinner and that he needs Jesus. I hope Steve Jobs did just like that. For you wouldn't wish for anyone to go to hell, not even Hitler or Bin Laden, for it is a really really terrible place of torment. For a person who has been blessed to have known the truth, I wish that everybody should come to the knowledge of truth, and accept that Jesus is the only way for us to get to the place where everybody dreams to belong, for it is what God desires for us all. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I am not a fan of this guy posting his thoughts on Steve Jobs' death, but what he had to say is something worth pondering about. You may also check out this blog by <a href="http://www.cybergenica.com/blog/business-post/is-steve-jobs-in-burning-in-hell/">Daniel St. Pierre</a>.</i></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-81986043685135335682011-09-30T02:22:00.045+03:002011-12-08T17:46:43.076+03:00PEBA Conquers Al Laith!<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcKtdUWrDXxg8Wqa5foqKEqSNPWDeBGUKrZXtjYHzbJspjf5hhDcDzDR38rPxaLjRpak_hyFd_VZWkBX2dXfVrCWl_OfpFUxtnx9nyIxfs7ttxfAKjOIP2R9c_UpZqOxXGU89ad9peTE/s1600/321039_10150310589347404_594332403_7987307_1585768779_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcKtdUWrDXxg8Wqa5foqKEqSNPWDeBGUKrZXtjYHzbJspjf5hhDcDzDR38rPxaLjRpak_hyFd_VZWkBX2dXfVrCWl_OfpFUxtnx9nyIxfs7ttxfAKjOIP2R9c_UpZqOxXGU89ad9peTE/s640/321039_10150310589347404_594332403_7987307_1585768779_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure." - William Feather</i></b></span></div><br />
When quizzed where<b> </b>Al Laith can be found in Saudi Arabia, most expatriate workers especially Filipinos would pass for the next question convinced that some remnant from old civilization has finally been discovered from obscurity. Talking about obscurity, not too many information Google or Bing is able to dispense apart from a similar description that, yes, not a majority of Saudi residents both locals and expatriates know which part of the peninsula the town is located, and its being a sleepy and dusty town 180 kilometers south of<b> </b>Jeddah.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Normally, going to places as quiet as Al Laith does not appeal to big city dwellers, hmm, unless you have suddenly developed a dislike for large shrimp and fish for which the town is known for. Compensating for the town's 'ghostly' attributes however, is the existence of the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Prawn-Company/128648617193329?sk=wall">National Prawn Company </a>- the pride of Al Laith and one of the largest prawn farms in the world. The sprawling company alone, I heard, is a city within the city, and the invitation to visit the place couldn't come any better.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As planned originally, a group of <a href="http://www.pinoyblogawards.com/">PEBA</a> bloggers from Jeddah along with TFC Mideast correspondent Charles Tabbu, will invade the place to witness and cover some sort of events I understand, that will take place Tuesday night under the auspices of NPC. If one wonders how did we get the invitation, well, the PEBA president <a href="http://www.desertaquaforce.com/">Mr. Nereus Jethro Abad </a>is one of the top managers at NPC and himself the program director of the said event. So there we go, with the media in tow, supposedly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Always a formidable leader that he is and the most punctual too, PEBA founder <a href="http://www.jbsolis.com/">Mr. Kenji Solis</a> came at the meeting place the earliest, tagging along with him a protege and another potential talent in<b> </b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/mhel.mante">Mhel Mante</a>, whose off day coincided with the trip. <a href="http://x-spotsaudiarabia.blogspot.com/">Pepe Cabrera</a> and I just managed to skip from duties for this adventure. And along came <a href="http://www.facebook.com/charles.tabbu">Mr. Charles Tabbu</a> in his best outfit, sporting a bravado befitting a media man. But to some extent, the guy's entrance was far from being climactic. He had the trip cancelled the last hour because on the same night he flies to Riyadh on a company obligation. And who says we were disappointed? Not at all, because it was not the end of the road for bloggers who wanted to be interviewed and get seen on TFC (thank Lord only those with Tagalog accent made the shortlist).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not wanting to miss a perfect broadcast material, it didn't take long before Mr. Tabbu had the SACO parking lot converted into an instant workshop for broadcast journalism. Fifteen minutes later, the Jeddah bloggers were all but hesitant to banner their new-found profession as they geared up for a shooting and interview mission . By then, Mr. Tabbu was already stripped of his camera and other media paraphernalia, and oh yes, his press ID has been turned over to some aspiring journalist too. It will be an understatement to say that our mission is nerve-wracking, not only because Mr. Tabbu wouldn't accept anything less than excellent, but because we were expected to be interviewing people in a broadcast quality setting. We didn't pretend anymore to have wanted to see him off to the airport because we wouldn't have much time left to rehearse our role to pull off our stunt convincingly. Indeed, to a novice, this was one heck of an assignment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
If we could have dragged more with us, there was still room in the<b> </b>Nissan 4x4 that the NPC sent to fetch us, courtesy of Mr. Abad. Ibrahim the Sudanese driver jokingly warned us of everything Badu (Bedouin) that would greet us there. He seemed to loosen up a bit understandably because the road is something else. We hit the road at around seven, though a little late. Just a tidbit how it's like negotiating a road to Al Laith (at nighttime) - the highway is a stretch of nothing but black, no sharp curves, except for ubiquitous road signs warning of "camels crossing", as though half of Saudi Arabia is inhabited by camels. If the driver ceased to be impressed by the lengthy drive, in which case hunger and/or sleepiness trumps virtue, the "distance to destination" road signs are as equally as ubiquitous to encourage him that the tape is getting closer. The seemingly never ending stretch of excavation ironically helps motorists with its well-lit detour and arrow signs. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Al Laith here we come! First off, it won't take much persuasion for one to agree that the adjectives appended to the place fit the scenery. If you're used to drive in Jeddah, you tend to obey traffic rules even in dead hour. But don't get terrified when upon entering the town, the traffic lights though working are constantly in red. There is no dereliction of duty insofar as traffic enforcers are concerned, in fact you'll find no one. It's just that the number of vehicles plying around town center are too scant to count let alone manage. Small roundabouts instead dot the street corners, perhaps their efficient way to manage traffic. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">During business hours most shops are conspicuously empty, save for a vendor or two. Seems like desolate lots forever await their tenants that never came. Most outlying streets don't have streetlamps. I even joked that this similar setting is perfect dump site for salvage victims. And that's for some first impression folks. Wait till you hear first-hand accounts from Filipinos who swear to have loved their city. Truth be told, I didn't hear anyone of them complaining of homesickness, because the Filipino community especially at the NPC is a close-knit family in itself, as shown in the level of camaraderie in the air.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the venue, we heard that the program will be the closing ceremony of the Messengers of Peace and the Boy Scouts of Saudi Arabia Jamboree hosted by the town of Al Laith. But I'm not really sure as to my information, though I tried to grab one of the program brochures only to see it in full Arabic texts. The program was to be highlighted by a video and cultural presentation prepared by the Filipino talents of the NPC that sponsored the event. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even in Jeddah, I've never seen the over 400-year Philippine history portrayed in a single presentation. So that explains why a Rizal, a Lapu-Lapu and Marcos duplicates fight off for your attention at the dressing room. The distinctively Masskara outfits of Bacolod, the Ati-Atihan of Aklan, the Tinikling<b> </b>and Igorot dancers were not to be denied of the spotlight if only for their creativity and colorful costumes.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Moments captured in sequential order:</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMrezKcdi95QnNRLjMjXphmiCXDAnluvwmiRECHTccFG7g2OZ9r5HHlROumKLgEsrmLNmDgw9yVh0SzqJ-BLuO9fJq2r54fuNNzZXj_MnHXtQ64Wp6d6oAmhyphenhyphenAbLrUjTG6WwzrOnWymw/s1600/304173_10150310702442404_594332403_7987865_2000002835_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMrezKcdi95QnNRLjMjXphmiCXDAnluvwmiRECHTccFG7g2OZ9r5HHlROumKLgEsrmLNmDgw9yVh0SzqJ-BLuO9fJq2r54fuNNzZXj_MnHXtQ64Wp6d6oAmhyphenhyphenAbLrUjTG6WwzrOnWymw/s640/304173_10150310702442404_594332403_7987865_2000002835_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">History books say one of the earliest Philippine settlers are the Malays who drove out their Indonesian predecessors who earlier had the land's native black people or the Negritoes driven out to the mountains. To me, the settler with a spear dons a shoulder strap resembling a bullet cartridge, or perhaps it's time to brush up my history? Bad location and my grumbling midsection did not help my cause either.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIKpEi3hyphenhyphena5UCth7kn2bAWzt7B63WL3XNzawg2BAZELJJX9ixgLSFJVD04MbmrbM-GDfMiRAuoQRUpwBWjnQ4Wbpayuglh-AonlILgcDBKiNs02HWa8twxi-ZoSoblKL4yGQWST7bDmQ/s1600/294785_10150310702972404_594332403_7987867_368018759_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIKpEi3hyphenhyphena5UCth7kn2bAWzt7B63WL3XNzawg2BAZELJJX9ixgLSFJVD04MbmrbM-GDfMiRAuoQRUpwBWjnQ4Wbpayuglh-AonlILgcDBKiNs02HWa8twxi-ZoSoblKL4yGQWST7bDmQ/s640/294785_10150310702972404_594332403_7987867_368018759_n.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Who doesn't know the story of Magellan and Lapu-Lapu in the battle of Mactan? These two guys try to overpower each other, although in the end the favored protagonist wins to the dismay of Magellan fans whose excellent swordplay is no match to the muscular Cebuano. Got no idea if Magellan got the revenge backstage.</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ca565O_oSJfIH60PgYHnh2ESiYi6OGBQuyyoO9Cu0jZkzzBMXRTvwloVHig2ntqLlWXib0UeN-UbbrXXwGtQ55O6_2ThsiqLiJKA1hGCgq1xAufI9cSlMhLChMUAXRaAoHzqx92fgBk/s1600/297556_10150310703547404_594332403_7987869_1433601308_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ca565O_oSJfIH60PgYHnh2ESiYi6OGBQuyyoO9Cu0jZkzzBMXRTvwloVHig2ntqLlWXib0UeN-UbbrXXwGtQ55O6_2ThsiqLiJKA1hGCgq1xAufI9cSlMhLChMUAXRaAoHzqx92fgBk/s640/297556_10150310703547404_594332403_7987869_1433601308_n.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero in his most chinito version. The book he cuddles is enough for you not to mistake him for some Korean popstar our girls back home go gaga over.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIIMyglnVnJ1JxkJ7VofmJpkXEB_Qn_FWpMQEYQsC-gVQ_Ke9X2kRFltwr5W_tYJdCZnqzpuoXa9bVIfjh-J44jN3YtEfCte5qskmB3t-D5-30mUEU6C3rGPEvSyFs2xzUWtblvA2Lkc/s1600/293382_10150310704462404_594332403_7987875_1231989351_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIIMyglnVnJ1JxkJ7VofmJpkXEB_Qn_FWpMQEYQsC-gVQ_Ke9X2kRFltwr5W_tYJdCZnqzpuoXa9bVIfjh-J44jN3YtEfCte5qskmB3t-D5-30mUEU6C3rGPEvSyFs2xzUWtblvA2Lkc/s640/293382_10150310704462404_594332403_7987875_1231989351_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Nope, they are not Japanese soldiers aiming their rifles at the perceived 'traitors'. In fact they are Rizal's assassins and history says they are Spaniards. Too bad for Rizal, he fell flat to his back almost hitting the narrator.</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hVksWJUzfyV5EUUzc0pzy-Wug731xEY8SvRXAVRxkPqjWHmtQCKpm6gN25USEdJCUImmqQTljbXYyi5VdO-IKkimylyfMFJysKR2SnscuOKXVp-0TPPH-tP-CZ6fuf5qz8c-I1hycKs/s1600/320959_10150310704747404_594332403_7987876_216454905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hVksWJUzfyV5EUUzc0pzy-Wug731xEY8SvRXAVRxkPqjWHmtQCKpm6gN25USEdJCUImmqQTljbXYyi5VdO-IKkimylyfMFJysKR2SnscuOKXVp-0TPPH-tP-CZ6fuf5qz8c-I1hycKs/s640/320959_10150310704747404_594332403_7987876_216454905_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Andres Bonifacio is the face of the Katipunan. Though he was no threat to Rizal, yet his avid fans still pose a challenge to the latter's title. Manong acted out his role convincingly that sent chills up my spine. The Saudi audience also could be seen erupting in approval though you don't expect them to be googling what KKK really signifies.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesxe3FDnYSCiNmr93Fz8BEMx5Xq3c3PkC-O3IkNyIlzgkE_q1-6X2VeTWYDfoDvTPHkFg3O9Y1u6FISbnD08d4-HMHdexB0xkkN9pw5QNmhT9M8KskWdAd17BNcaa_QtkG3pcANbAAv0/s1600/316608_10150310705057404_594332403_7987877_1654819064_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesxe3FDnYSCiNmr93Fz8BEMx5Xq3c3PkC-O3IkNyIlzgkE_q1-6X2VeTWYDfoDvTPHkFg3O9Y1u6FISbnD08d4-HMHdexB0xkkN9pw5QNmhT9M8KskWdAd17BNcaa_QtkG3pcANbAAv0/s640/316608_10150310705057404_594332403_7987877_1654819064_n.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>It is a fact that Saudis are not Uncle Sam's biggest fans. Not until he takes center stage that drew immense cheers from the audience. The portrayal didn't come any better in an Obama-like swagger, neck arched high- an Obama signature, and yes the skin color complemented the trick. Just I got a little problem here, I thought FDR was the wartime president.</i></b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk9HNw6f7WhKU8y1Wnjc-owPOr8I4r625V2Gs8VrtwVSjD0c9FhNt1rcvxr1UsyrZIlNYh3WfcEBOUYclcejqIJzMwVGZuXX1vPQ5QrFmGVHh2T2creKoQrRpywQTVZ0WoUiG6tOWByM/s1600/310536_10150310705367404_594332403_7987878_1213199616_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk9HNw6f7WhKU8y1Wnjc-owPOr8I4r625V2Gs8VrtwVSjD0c9FhNt1rcvxr1UsyrZIlNYh3WfcEBOUYclcejqIJzMwVGZuXX1vPQ5QrFmGVHh2T2creKoQrRpywQTVZ0WoUiG6tOWByM/s640/310536_10150310705367404_594332403_7987878_1213199616_n.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The face has some resemblance. The slightly over-sized barong did not matter as much. This is Ferdinand Marcos, arm poised to pull off a Hitler, I mean a Martial Law declaration, I guess. Yes, even without the table in his office and the dreaded 1081 in his hand, the Martial Law got declared. Later I learned Marcos is an Ilonggo. He speaks just like me. </span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vrstdkdaA7Swc1EtN8UrWAa56dhgn8gi3u7CYGjedr0r8XLiU7U2dUNN2oCH9Yyj-g0Obj2Pyv-Aj2Os4kf65FKD9nSdzJWasB9CdY59I-50wa2b7TrPreYF97Serp3YPVmsl5dRd0c/s1600/314744_10150310705602404_594332403_7987879_862791726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vrstdkdaA7Swc1EtN8UrWAa56dhgn8gi3u7CYGjedr0r8XLiU7U2dUNN2oCH9Yyj-g0Obj2Pyv-Aj2Os4kf65FKD9nSdzJWasB9CdY59I-50wa2b7TrPreYF97Serp3YPVmsl5dRd0c/s640/314744_10150310705602404_594332403_7987879_862791726_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The emergence of basketball as the most popular sport in the Philippines. These guys did a great job emulating Caloy Loyzaga's era when the country once placed fifth at the Olympics. Except of course that when you play defence you don't smile a lot and trick the dribbler into glaring at your forehead when it emits some fierce light.</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMizz_mNzZ88jC0ncOaPZJCUsV46PxYqRqN0TErghuRrKKHMZQukef9kpSqnZcGBsFJzf8_SIJcA-N_P89hFN5iRM6fJJtXMLQSvK7fFz5HCWZ2LE4U2JFVNE4VoSHw7Q785sZES0hD7Y/s1600/302121_10150310705832404_594332403_7987880_1320055849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMizz_mNzZ88jC0ncOaPZJCUsV46PxYqRqN0TErghuRrKKHMZQukef9kpSqnZcGBsFJzf8_SIJcA-N_P89hFN5iRM6fJJtXMLQSvK7fFz5HCWZ2LE4U2JFVNE4VoSHw7Q785sZES0hD7Y/s640/302121_10150310705832404_594332403_7987880_1320055849_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Arguably the most famous Filipino is Manny Pacquiao. Volumes have been said about this southpaw from Gensan, hence a real Filipino pride. He is immensely wealthy and famous. He graces magazine covers and rubs elbows with Hollywood celebrities. Our protagonist above may be no match to the real Pacquiao, but he swears he will give the guy a run for his (Pacquiao's) money when they both belt out "Sometimes when we touch", of course diction is 50% of the criteria.</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHOrbyxdWOT3Zop-mmqfvP1Rqrq9jciodFCpMJh7BAwxjTWwQF4YzaNjga6qS14nD6ot3qrMqV7g7_gW_DWBS11Q90qLoAxLNusRNcZ5RNmqbynglMnu-UtWMt1hxZ3dMJcYyCl2yTAk/s1600/300759_10150310706477404_594332403_7987884_1515378160_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHOrbyxdWOT3Zop-mmqfvP1Rqrq9jciodFCpMJh7BAwxjTWwQF4YzaNjga6qS14nD6ot3qrMqV7g7_gW_DWBS11Q90qLoAxLNusRNcZ5RNmqbynglMnu-UtWMt1hxZ3dMJcYyCl2yTAk/s640/300759_10150310706477404_594332403_7987884_1515378160_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'm still perplexed whether it's some sort of sticks made of rolled cardboard or real wood used in modern arnis. But what impresses me is their precision and grace. Even locals were transfixed at the spectacle. If one day they started to trade their sandals for an arnis in a fight, then we are convinced we left a legacy there. By the way, Mr. Abad how many off days you gave the guys to practice their stunt?</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjELKjFQ8NN-2FivQRmL0YgoNk99ROjXejIkmW6A-1rBJBaYFfa6fDBPBo1c_Ap5C_kCQzVp9Or0tuAJnfINe9089tF17SoPVu_VwCjPV7xqvl5ptWAWJCVKT6eCXjPLW8bJmUuLeukg/s1600/305382_10150310707052404_594332403_7987888_897508066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjELKjFQ8NN-2FivQRmL0YgoNk99ROjXejIkmW6A-1rBJBaYFfa6fDBPBo1c_Ap5C_kCQzVp9Or0tuAJnfINe9089tF17SoPVu_VwCjPV7xqvl5ptWAWJCVKT6eCXjPLW8bJmUuLeukg/s640/305382_10150310707052404_594332403_7987888_897508066_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Can somebody tell me is this an Igorot tribe? I'm a little lost (read as dummy) when it comes to indigenous costumes. The dance though was gorgeous. The costumes rarely a staple in the nearest flea market, and that says a lot of the effort. I'm also convinced some moral police present had their orientation taken seriously, re some exposed skin/abs here are not to be taken either seriously .</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7NBTMPdHyMvFjiH-BAUDixZqYWdI0DygOPeKpxSFzqu0uIWmyNcglteBe_XKimN5bIpysvtI3ihSkRqMZHO25Flf6fQzE8q6OThHdXi-Db3huDGitsOmqHOftljVSEA2EoeQQN18AKs/s1600/296474_10150310708332404_594332403_7987897_486113117_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7NBTMPdHyMvFjiH-BAUDixZqYWdI0DygOPeKpxSFzqu0uIWmyNcglteBe_XKimN5bIpysvtI3ihSkRqMZHO25Flf6fQzE8q6OThHdXi-Db3huDGitsOmqHOftljVSEA2EoeQQN18AKs/s640/296474_10150310708332404_594332403_7987897_486113117_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A war dance. I thought the costumes and props were meticulously crafted, and that's where the audience's attention was drawn to. A tremendous amount of talent is what I see here. Making a shield and cleaver duplicates ( I heard they're made of carton) could use up a week's time? The warrior prays that his cleaver doesn't break or he has a straw in his hair left for his arsenal.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHK78paN-J8biNr2-ClPJFxyuFISBs7zd13W-5ELpvUugqlzUfLcGcHHM0X-YlMR89c5JxqfT5xRLdq7htzyfcOUt3HWCmWRaq2RDRi_0tjerV2oTEnTuUxCX4q_zudm6deremNitHPE/s1600/303933_10150310709962404_594332403_7987903_944937635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHK78paN-J8biNr2-ClPJFxyuFISBs7zd13W-5ELpvUugqlzUfLcGcHHM0X-YlMR89c5JxqfT5xRLdq7htzyfcOUt3HWCmWRaq2RDRi_0tjerV2oTEnTuUxCX4q_zudm6deremNitHPE/s640/303933_10150310709962404_594332403_7987903_944937635_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This is what we call a Maglalatik dance, another hit to the audience. Latik in the southern part is always associated with coconut, hence the props. Our protagonists in yellow seem to be racing to outshine each other with each pulling off separate moves. Kuya in the center obviously is the leader/choreographer. "Please don't copy me", he says to the left. "Look I have made my bra into a choker!"</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V6QPFSTdaJvUlKwpMstc_pCccHg8x3HkPBKGmMsbADH_mVkLRLBEwkzbxVHSgoB2nUMojESXJ9RfVY8-P8g7lZ2cRp2VegxsEnDtmJGkl5rqDeJXr71nI66jGRDojD5_3Mnxig46sKw/s1600/320543_10150310710567404_594332403_7987905_525080158_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V6QPFSTdaJvUlKwpMstc_pCccHg8x3HkPBKGmMsbADH_mVkLRLBEwkzbxVHSgoB2nUMojESXJ9RfVY8-P8g7lZ2cRp2VegxsEnDtmJGkl5rqDeJXr71nI66jGRDojD5_3Mnxig46sKw/s640/320543_10150310710567404_594332403_7987905_525080158_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Another distinctly Filipino "Sayaw sa Bangko" or chair dance proved to be another showstopper. I thought if Mang Pula is a lot heavier than Mang Azul, then there goes the show. This is the show's part when I prayed not one of them loses his balance and hits the floor. Overall the dance was fantastic as much as the skills were superb.</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXWAAs3Ju0OTNEbSLyRSPMK0Kjn-_l25HJwg6cL590oH9uAL1675q8NK987DOY8q-3aj7h2kJq3gas77nZ9W2vSJTypLAJTVNxBfx_K5gDjiQFnl7c5zaIOvBwzUQ6SE7ZOiCmso7m2M/s1600/303197_10150310711992404_594332403_7987911_233848845_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXWAAs3Ju0OTNEbSLyRSPMK0Kjn-_l25HJwg6cL590oH9uAL1675q8NK987DOY8q-3aj7h2kJq3gas77nZ9W2vSJTypLAJTVNxBfx_K5gDjiQFnl7c5zaIOvBwzUQ6SE7ZOiCmso7m2M/s640/303197_10150310711992404_594332403_7987911_233848845_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Oh yes, this is almost the highlight. To say that the audience was mesmerized is simply an understatement. The skills, the steps, the beat, the synchronization all made up for a fodder for all eyes to get fixated to. That uniqueness I think gives Tinikling a more well-deserved status worthy to be called as national dance. </span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls4zvnp5iODvUaEae25OVqU7cyQ4xjWMLRxxxACHLWNSMX7IfTP4wnHCeIoucYC4-vneXIvaKg35kGCCuu4UsCRdokgDWh1AO0DJ-C_ouhGm4JQW9uE6BVpiU9S0aZQ7SA0R-ASrMtXs/s1600/298511_10150310713527404_594332403_7987921_1977783879_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls4zvnp5iODvUaEae25OVqU7cyQ4xjWMLRxxxACHLWNSMX7IfTP4wnHCeIoucYC4-vneXIvaKg35kGCCuu4UsCRdokgDWh1AO0DJ-C_ouhGm4JQW9uE6BVpiU9S0aZQ7SA0R-ASrMtXs/s640/298511_10150310713527404_594332403_7987921_1977783879_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Ati-Atihan of Aklan is a festive and colorful street dance. It is almost as old as history. Ati refers to a person with black skin and kinky hair. Their features are more similar to the Aborigines and the locals of Papua New Guinea. They were thought to be the first inhabitants of Panay and Negros islands. Given the scant supply of charcoal in the KSA, our three protagonists had only their necks and faces painted black in a quasi dalmatian spoof minus the bark, but with a bite.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0Z5JKrFkfMrpAqpZmWHPD0V7tUrnZLxt5_8F6i3v_SbsddVrM_4J_NRe9tUf1WnDKn1UMCeKcQaGCJ0qHHL4WahVyWGXlHEFvzcSjqEoeOCIfPec3JlyDNNZXh-Lx3WEeikm0De5_I4/s1600/309164_10150310715777404_594332403_7987932_677911096_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0Z5JKrFkfMrpAqpZmWHPD0V7tUrnZLxt5_8F6i3v_SbsddVrM_4J_NRe9tUf1WnDKn1UMCeKcQaGCJ0qHHL4WahVyWGXlHEFvzcSjqEoeOCIfPec3JlyDNNZXh-Lx3WEeikm0De5_I4/s640/309164_10150310715777404_594332403_7987932_677911096_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Move over Mardi Gras. The Masskara Festival is uniquely Negrense. Sounds familiar huh? I'd been watching this on the streets of Bacolod since I was a kid. Oh dear, it brings back a lot of memories. Thanks to these four guys who did justice well enough to the grandeur that is Masskara. Dazzling costumes, along with some abs, and oh yes some cleavage too can come in a package.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZiiwLM5UP3Rh4hVaksDObx-6FS06ZBE6vhKvbJOfI_8dhCYIYiM7OY-2DtBaO2EM15e_83ticbDNPCuCy9hAB2nqA4XurzKe2mR_s4nrslVxCQH3CbKdMAj-vljhi7EHpPaNyNKa5mI/s1600/307343_10150310717952404_594332403_7987941_2057617139_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZiiwLM5UP3Rh4hVaksDObx-6FS06ZBE6vhKvbJOfI_8dhCYIYiM7OY-2DtBaO2EM15e_83ticbDNPCuCy9hAB2nqA4XurzKe2mR_s4nrslVxCQH3CbKdMAj-vljhi7EHpPaNyNKa5mI/s640/307343_10150310717952404_594332403_7987941_2057617139_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The entire cast appears onstage eliciting loud cheers from the audience. And who would not? The show did not disappoint. In fact I could have slipped through the rows and collected ten riyals from every one in attendance.</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo75hBw9Wq8NF39KeScc5GQiadUjTEWwz3p32F8A1WRfk8rsQbNfO4IGgbHXWIab2XiXiNBC4tpetDLeP5C5yn446gzbrXjC4vkdqA2MXGhdMn8pdlamp_iI-sUE83V0ZL1lz__0WC18/s1600/291749_10150310718962404_594332403_7987946_1369618608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo75hBw9Wq8NF39KeScc5GQiadUjTEWwz3p32F8A1WRfk8rsQbNfO4IGgbHXWIab2XiXiNBC4tpetDLeP5C5yn446gzbrXjC4vkdqA2MXGhdMn8pdlamp_iI-sUE83V0ZL1lz__0WC18/s640/291749_10150310718962404_594332403_7987946_1369618608_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">If there was one surreal and proudest moment we had, this was it - the Philippine National Anthem being played in front of a packed Saudi audience. I heard some choked up while the anthem is being played, I thought I was alone. I later heard myself from the video I recorded, belting out as if I am in a trance. :-)</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OciCM_Gl0BZIr3cypL-DSKeI-j5kYxBFBMSrMQw1AJyf-_Y_pc8z7UORx1tJ6BRP9hNkj3TmM55BuiIEEqF98VXXDHGUwseZkhefQX2Bw29ZcK67iSylbKeKdd09Fb7N1C6j3yBsyEI/s1600/300144_10150310723572404_594332403_7987966_1011519225_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OciCM_Gl0BZIr3cypL-DSKeI-j5kYxBFBMSrMQw1AJyf-_Y_pc8z7UORx1tJ6BRP9hNkj3TmM55BuiIEEqF98VXXDHGUwseZkhefQX2Bw29ZcK67iSylbKeKdd09Fb7N1C6j3yBsyEI/s640/300144_10150310723572404_594332403_7987966_1011519225_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">He is not kind of reciting some Boy Scout oath. This scout official demonstrates a profound respect to the Filipino flag while the Philippine National Anthem is being played. It was odd to see him the only one standing in the front row where dignitaries are seated. It took a while however, before others realized the faux pas and followed suit. Breach of protocol? No. It was a miscue for they heard the song for the first time other than theirs when Ittihad and Hilal lock horns in the pitch.</span></i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUJ19VOuyzWPsFbDyqiitBkxVktl5no_gP8dkusGjg3P6oHsAXfWHpyv7dXofX8Aqm3srpOhVgzsb_sbfjeZCXBiisw_z9rj5tdFTI6SBNRkZx4lWO-yr_gDWN253BKhxrYN5hGfU0ko/s1600/297554_10150310725222404_594332403_7987974_600119962_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUJ19VOuyzWPsFbDyqiitBkxVktl5no_gP8dkusGjg3P6oHsAXfWHpyv7dXofX8Aqm3srpOhVgzsb_sbfjeZCXBiisw_z9rj5tdFTI6SBNRkZx4lWO-yr_gDWN253BKhxrYN5hGfU0ko/s640/297554_10150310725222404_594332403_7987974_600119962_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The dignitaries at the front row to their amazement at an all-Filipino male crew's ability to put up with lack of female counterparts, yet the moves still turn out to be graceful. If Saudis eventually decide to incorporate Hair Dance in their own all-male shows then we have a really big problem here. Blame it on some hip-swaying skills by the Filipino talents that drag some audience into confusion, but the talents certainly will not be denied of the rapturous response.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyRfaGvhMbSPA-bPIEvWaQjO0IhioywGPgPwGTUC4zNLdkLczFswUA9TaSRTMIpzFzA-8y8smnHF4eJ9QKppdfaOj4QeJmJCsB9XSA5A6TqvirqulOUU77yjSSj8lN7wtgx40NrZsCeQ/s1600/311006_10150310495837404_594332403_7986741_2122308704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyRfaGvhMbSPA-bPIEvWaQjO0IhioywGPgPwGTUC4zNLdkLczFswUA9TaSRTMIpzFzA-8y8smnHF4eJ9QKppdfaOj4QeJmJCsB9XSA5A6TqvirqulOUU77yjSSj8lN7wtgx40NrZsCeQ/s640/311006_10150310495837404_594332403_7986741_2122308704_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hear ye, hear ye! This one could paint a thousand words! Might as well be entry material for this year's PEBA photo contest? Anyone?</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULfkI5M9dTPlgWtFhZ7DcI644KZ6t8AH4hPwpF2ooqYkwIKtGGEnvvMB49ujT_GW1WtnkFNw2kuhZV5hPswTtZhSDg88tSflFWNovLLLyv-KJ4sPHdspt2qfq1GovDm6t9WQqlzPysHA/s1600/297191_2339309395898_1044788653_2843157_2025829221_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULfkI5M9dTPlgWtFhZ7DcI644KZ6t8AH4hPwpF2ooqYkwIKtGGEnvvMB49ujT_GW1WtnkFNw2kuhZV5hPswTtZhSDg88tSflFWNovLLLyv-KJ4sPHdspt2qfq1GovDm6t9WQqlzPysHA/s640/297191_2339309395898_1044788653_2843157_2025829221_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Man of the Hour Pepe Cabrera steadies the lens as Engr. Ahmed Al Balla, Managing Director of the National prawn Company heaps his appreciation on Filipino talents and citing their great contribution to the company, in an interview.</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl5f_Nu0-1iBWXWaovq54zE0h4caNIrGcF1TdTZVzujXyycbjp052tCn87d7n1N2up3hjUqGEyuoxOL3wcQT58NG1g0047uZzZYlZTuuvmtiEYX3HS5h0-_-nbvZxKnND7UBAX66h-eQ/s1600/307748_10150310510622404_594332403_7986815_1520125112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl5f_Nu0-1iBWXWaovq54zE0h4caNIrGcF1TdTZVzujXyycbjp052tCn87d7n1N2up3hjUqGEyuoxOL3wcQT58NG1g0047uZzZYlZTuuvmtiEYX3HS5h0-_-nbvZxKnND7UBAX66h-eQ/s640/307748_10150310510622404_594332403_7986815_1520125112_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Despite the unanimous hesitation to stay longer, we agreed to Mr. Khaled Al Aldali's invitation to experience their state-of-the-art digitarium, where we were basically treated to a barrage of shooting stars and celestial bodies that adorn the galaxy, live as shown from their own satellite. I don't know if I described it right. We were then ushered to their own screening room (not quite inferior to that of Megamall's), and had a taste of 3D experience. That explains why we got dazed even more, this time starving stomach didn't take the blame.</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1owsoEY2B3wuCxvQN-Lz9SecM2EnzPRX_cZX25PKsmNz_y9U6vKOPhHbD2NceI_3cmRmMUKUbdIO7VZuniPkTMjZ2X-9H2he-1sZe5GASIN3pZH83ebkRvDt0BoTOazHZ7BKUK9w_y8/s1600/310530_10150310508492404_594332403_7986798_664751377_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1owsoEY2B3wuCxvQN-Lz9SecM2EnzPRX_cZX25PKsmNz_y9U6vKOPhHbD2NceI_3cmRmMUKUbdIO7VZuniPkTMjZ2X-9H2he-1sZe5GASIN3pZH83ebkRvDt0BoTOazHZ7BKUK9w_y8/s640/310530_10150310508492404_594332403_7986798_664751377_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">PEBA people and Filipino managers at NPC pose with Mr. Khaled Al Aldali, NPC's Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. After the photo ops, the group headed straight to the restaurant where talents and volunteers had almost staged a rebellion in a fit of starvation. We feared Marcos, Magellan and Pacquiao could cause a melee as it was almost 12 midnight sans dinner.</span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N8exqWZjlvQ2OL6mQlmK8oXZLSR28Nng_gNW4ZpyMMIYbl5DOjwQ-4X8Mrf8mb9aqI0HpW9sy-s6heeUsXnFBx-mGVZJ4-_sl70Dd7rG2EFhE3Yzv1CxrEZQkFi_8hd0DSdwmiwIUBI/s1600/294116_10150310517167404_594332403_7986856_1367884417_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N8exqWZjlvQ2OL6mQlmK8oXZLSR28Nng_gNW4ZpyMMIYbl5DOjwQ-4X8Mrf8mb9aqI0HpW9sy-s6heeUsXnFBx-mGVZJ4-_sl70Dd7rG2EFhE3Yzv1CxrEZQkFi_8hd0DSdwmiwIUBI/s640/294116_10150310517167404_594332403_7986856_1367884417_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The talents minus their costumes still manage to smile once confronted with a lens. This time PEBA founding chairman Mr. Kenji Solis initiated the trick that essentially calmed the starving souls down. Once served, 26 basins of kabsa got wolfed down mercilessly, with the sexy part (thighs) competing with chicken wings flying around oral cavities. I have to admit though, that was my best dinner in quite a while. </span></i></b></div><b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
Three and a half hours later we were safely back home. Thanks to our dear PEBA president Mr. Abad, for taking good care of us and credit also goes to Ibrahim who ferried us back to Jeddah safe and sound. My gratitude goes to <b>God </b>for<b> </b>His protection and provision, all the glory belongs to<b> </b>Him. Indeed, what an adventure it has been!<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>**pictures courtesy of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mhel.mante">Mhel Mante</a>, the event's lensman whose stamina was truly unbelievable. Good job Mhel!</b></div><br />
</div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-44317978893440983242011-09-22T07:38:00.013+03:002011-09-25T19:27:22.965+03:00Somalia: Hell On Earth As The Rest Of The World Forgets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOir-WYLUpuh6fB9ZDDklYxCg06CNENhhHi4EFsuZRlzlNGDD3kHR9jC9NEvlDPDbcQmmIjp3_U0ZqTEdojn2hFpVq-pLeCbYvk0Y92HaWYS5kVAnQRT10IOlSNhy21mtEaRhn5GGqvc/s1600/pb-110126-somalia-whalen-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOir-WYLUpuh6fB9ZDDklYxCg06CNENhhHi4EFsuZRlzlNGDD3kHR9jC9NEvlDPDbcQmmIjp3_U0ZqTEdojn2hFpVq-pLeCbYvk0Y92HaWYS5kVAnQRT10IOlSNhy21mtEaRhn5GGqvc/s640/pb-110126-somalia-whalen-06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>"Is it because Somalia does not equate with Japan's status as being too glamorous to suffer a catastrophe? That the people of the Horn do not matter as much as people from traditionally 'important' nations?"</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Djokovic had won his third slam in a year. "Mad Men" <b>dominated</b> the Emmys in the nth year running. The pop world goes<b> gaga</b> over Lady Gaga, until when, I have no idea.. And Sarkozy came to Tripoli and <b>treated</b> like a rock star. Yet there is <b>no dearth</b> of sobering news as the world economy is in <b>tatters</b>, at least in the West, for now. More and more Americans are <b>getting</b> poorer. Greece is likely to be tossed off of the EU for its <b>irreparable</b> economy that further sends the bloc into economic <b>doldrums</b>. The world has plenty to <b>talk</b> about - mostly those that <b>titillate</b> our senses, and sending others of importance to <b>oblivion</b>.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Had it not been for Gadhafi, the <b>world</b> would have completely<b> lost</b> account of what is happening in <b>Africa</b>. News that centered around the tyrant's demise albeit virtually had all media outlets around the world <b>screaming</b> in unison. For all its oil's worth and bisexual innuendos pertaining to one of Gadhafi's sons, even the resignation of Steve Jobs from Apple's top echelon, was poised to upstage even the more hellish scenario further east at the <b>Horn of Africa</b>. Still<b> few</b> would choose to read or google about the <b>famine</b> in <b>Africa</b>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsLEyf8s8EpwKgBaQThJlBDDtrOXPewA-92Fefd0Xi341sGimf69Q5Uke8lz2Pn0kwsMjMxlp0lZtOMqAQg64AEpQ5yTQVgyncgvH1Tz9DGkD-zwfQ1qy2_mh66KUgTZsAk9zyNedDSU/s1600/Drought-and-famine-Somalia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsLEyf8s8EpwKgBaQThJlBDDtrOXPewA-92Fefd0Xi341sGimf69Q5Uke8lz2Pn0kwsMjMxlp0lZtOMqAQg64AEpQ5yTQVgyncgvH1Tz9DGkD-zwfQ1qy2_mh66KUgTZsAk9zyNedDSU/s640/Drought-and-famine-Somalia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These are <b>not</b> scenes told with exaggeration. It will <b>break</b> your heart. <b>Somali</b> families <b>trek</b> through the desert for weeks to get to the nearest UN refugee camp on Kenyan border some 50 miles away.<b> Babies</b> born along the way had their baptism of <b>life's cruelty</b> the moment they emerge from their mothers' wombs. <b>Lucky</b> if they make it through arduous journey and if their mothers are strong enough without having to eat anything to continue the journey. And my eyes welled up on this one - a mother had told of her <b>little boy</b> she <b>left </b>on the desert road because he was <b>too weak</b> to walk because she knew then he <b>wouldn't</b> survive. She had to be <b>strong</b> for her <b>other children</b> whom she thought stood a <b>chance</b> to survive in a long journey that took them <b>forever</b>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqigFCe5lV00UPsPPUyNPNZzngns90e2F-H2n9RRJPxstjIu5b2yEIkCccVGG7jszjIFi1w8Upb0M4MWsIo3NAi03M1Kl_wu3NqnSWG2bSXlK7BFewMiKLLsP8MRw62a8mDXNuUcSVgM8/s1600/572546%252Ch%253D425%252Cpd%253D1%252Cw%253D592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqigFCe5lV00UPsPPUyNPNZzngns90e2F-H2n9RRJPxstjIu5b2yEIkCccVGG7jszjIFi1w8Upb0M4MWsIo3NAi03M1Kl_wu3NqnSWG2bSXlK7BFewMiKLLsP8MRw62a8mDXNuUcSVgM8/s640/572546%252Ch%253D425%252Cpd%253D1%252Cw%253D592.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1HdxfUR0qVTrvBVzt4c21sPH9Ok1h2tyPHkgHIe9i4ghb1_qXiNkQi3wEBh6cQUzwIwqIcrY5-SjPQwgJcX0OnUUbwNgvYpT_Fq95G7NtFsvZ-p7wx3nrxXvlO_NEL9ymX8y2d8WTRc/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1HdxfUR0qVTrvBVzt4c21sPH9Ok1h2tyPHkgHIe9i4ghb1_qXiNkQi3wEBh6cQUzwIwqIcrY5-SjPQwgJcX0OnUUbwNgvYpT_Fq95G7NtFsvZ-p7wx3nrxXvlO_NEL9ymX8y2d8WTRc/s640/download+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Carcasses of dead animals along every single patch is a sight in ubiquity. As both humans and animals struggle to stay alive, there is <b>nowhere</b> near a tiny hint of vegetation that can bring them little hope. People <b>fight</b> off one another for a <b>scant </b>supply of drinking water. Given the situation, children and weaker ones do <b>not</b> stand a chance to survive longer. Even when herdsmen wish to sell off at knock-down prices what is left of their livestock, <b>nobody</b> would buy them for chances are they would soon be dead. A man who along with his family survived the trek to the refugee camp swears he used to be rich in their community but has <b>given up</b> little hope, looking at the <b>loosed skin</b> hanging from his <b>emaciated </b>son.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmM51Y5-ewy9_zBR4dHkemJ0OVMiVxErP3V0UCtVqPzuUWSPds3iUbb-h4-AXkEcPT-aACX9A9ZCjhk7A-TntdsJbZuDgH3thI5wWCx6wfAgga9p1c_cZG3OTU2eTBkuHErjFb41RvN4/s1600/Kenya-Drought.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmM51Y5-ewy9_zBR4dHkemJ0OVMiVxErP3V0UCtVqPzuUWSPds3iUbb-h4-AXkEcPT-aACX9A9ZCjhk7A-TntdsJbZuDgH3thI5wWCx6wfAgga9p1c_cZG3OTU2eTBkuHErjFb41RvN4/s640/Kenya-Drought.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXsvCDVbm03gGMuOmUGZ-ObsXHRcGQE1h5p-8LLkopkXGCe-BMsnBBHfx3aN9O-05JtA8x4z86gzMJaSv4ym1iU6LESZpQDVh6Wv2QsatYGXoNpEkLx7Ofm9gr3B7N0j_3LABdIVAn_g/s1600/mn-africa22_ph3_0503811600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXsvCDVbm03gGMuOmUGZ-ObsXHRcGQE1h5p-8LLkopkXGCe-BMsnBBHfx3aN9O-05JtA8x4z86gzMJaSv4ym1iU6LESZpQDVh6Wv2QsatYGXoNpEkLx7Ofm9gr3B7N0j_3LABdIVAn_g/s640/mn-africa22_ph3_0503811600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some survivors who made it to the camp have brought with them <b>harrowing tales</b> to tell. Other families according to them were being <b>stopped </b>by <b>Al Shabab</b> militia on their way to Kenya, telling them to go back and pray to Allah for rain. "For there is dignity dying in your own country than in another land", the militia's leader preaching at them. And for all its notoriety, it is hideous to think that this terrorist group is preaching dignity to its people when for all other reasons, this group has <b>created </b>famine for <b>not</b> allowing aid agencies to function in its own country so that thousands of lives could be saved in the process.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalQaCb1A0QR8jWaxCmxVlGn3xlpeuJCHuW2iAFVQjRKHvAwUOUEj_GXsnIP51onX6GnYRpnVB9SSRGzk_ozlark0rBRjFSKcW5A_bh-q8_2MzM6ZaTDuiAq14RbCWjteH5tyUw8AHi1s/s1600/man_drought_20090718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalQaCb1A0QR8jWaxCmxVlGn3xlpeuJCHuW2iAFVQjRKHvAwUOUEj_GXsnIP51onX6GnYRpnVB9SSRGzk_ozlark0rBRjFSKcW5A_bh-q8_2MzM6ZaTDuiAq14RbCWjteH5tyUw8AHi1s/s640/man_drought_20090718.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv-Neg2ocKaV-4oWUCyZ7sCxnPtNhQmoau-r96A031dJK4uyZzMUVcbaSRgYIzMx3o3_Sfo3-04ldKNpp5-zhIn4hmll-_YiRU4YhkPO0wlDx7fTTem8AozTQYGdJQtKbIGwHAkVsOUI/s1600/5965226270_a14272ca5e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv-Neg2ocKaV-4oWUCyZ7sCxnPtNhQmoau-r96A031dJK4uyZzMUVcbaSRgYIzMx3o3_Sfo3-04ldKNpp5-zhIn4hmll-_YiRU4YhkPO0wlDx7fTTem8AozTQYGdJQtKbIGwHAkVsOUI/s640/5965226270_a14272ca5e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's been <b>two years</b> running that drought has gobbled up the livelihood of people in <b>Somalia</b>, <b>Sudan</b>, <b>Ethiopia </b>and parts of <b>Kenya</b> and <b>Djibouti</b>. Save for Somalia, the aforementioned countries have tackled their problems without so much chaos because there exist a functioning government in those states. By contrast, Somalia has had <b>no</b> functioning government since 1991 that paved the way for <b>anarchy</b> to rule, compounded by the <b>Al Qaeda</b>- linked militia Al Shabab's<b> presence </b>that has virtually <b>taken over</b> the control of most of the country. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <b>drought</b> at the <b>Horn of Africa</b> is said to be the <b>worst</b> in over 60 years. Its natural arid land somehow has taught the people how to cope with <b>scarcities</b> from rain, but a prolonged dry spell <b>unprecedented</b> in the region has caused international aid agencies to sound an alarm of a looming <b>humanitarian catastrophe</b>. It's been three or four months that various aid agencies had unanimously asked world donors especially rich countries, to take <b>seriously </b>if not prioritize the <b>widespread</b> humanitarian catastrophe besetting the region. Indeed, bulks of aids came trickling albeit <b>haphazardly</b>, but <b>not</b> in a manner tangible enough to cope with the needs of the refugees. Given the scale of this humanitarian disaster, sadly some rich countries do <b>not</b> seem to see it as emergency.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZa3eEcz5l04QpvGFTEdAi6pLKu4Q6SnB6NSRAQs4mf9W5bhGXyAkLVO1xsJF7u6e-hEO7mPMsoBUM3weZ4jO2ab7kZet7KyJpH_3x2GqsPSKGoWF_Hx6am1MOgw9aSkB9D5kjp3DcAk/s1600/0727_somaliafamine_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZa3eEcz5l04QpvGFTEdAi6pLKu4Q6SnB6NSRAQs4mf9W5bhGXyAkLVO1xsJF7u6e-hEO7mPMsoBUM3weZ4jO2ab7kZet7KyJpH_3x2GqsPSKGoWF_Hx6am1MOgw9aSkB9D5kjp3DcAk/s640/0727_somaliafamine_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIHyQNq5wjD6nkIm0G07aAeFNibsXwkhLwho66QvU-fFZyG0ey80o94bEcckiFn0wC4wemWqo93jz7fTC9sjUgrrK_6n9ngCYOJ3aFQm9CIzh0KcFsUf9f5cuoV2RiuwdUzjcHpP1dEk/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIHyQNq5wjD6nkIm0G07aAeFNibsXwkhLwho66QvU-fFZyG0ey80o94bEcckiFn0wC4wemWqo93jz7fTC9sjUgrrK_6n9ngCYOJ3aFQm9CIzh0KcFsUf9f5cuoV2RiuwdUzjcHpP1dEk/s640/download.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For God's sake, <b>thousands</b> are dying and will surely be dead if the UN<b> fails </b>to respond appropriately. How many rich countries have so far pledged to make a difference in the lives of those <b>still living</b> that <b>refuse</b> to die just yet? Okay, even rich nations have their own share of problems ranging from inflation to unemployment, or perhaps a regular movie ticket that has gotten more expensive, but seeing a tent city supposedly for the living juxtaposed in an equally crowded <b>burial ground</b> for the unlucky, does that not <b>bother</b> them? Is it because Somalia does <b>not </b>equate with Japan's status as being too glamorous to suffer a catastrophe? That the people of the Horn do not matter as much as people from traditionally "important" nations?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WnyTbkLu2a6Np_uq_8QPH0Xgxq-IFLoWUNYSA-1yfJ3uSEjCv4_-ZeD1vwjSx3hn_jjOPDnOQvANuxeh1LSpN7Pg8cKvGnBGDAzYyaV40YI6zsh3q3-THfIiA5nuJ2IGyU1mR-CAL58/s1600/21aa5bc244c59910f30e6a7067004e33_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WnyTbkLu2a6Np_uq_8QPH0Xgxq-IFLoWUNYSA-1yfJ3uSEjCv4_-ZeD1vwjSx3hn_jjOPDnOQvANuxeh1LSpN7Pg8cKvGnBGDAzYyaV40YI6zsh3q3-THfIiA5nuJ2IGyU1mR-CAL58/s640/21aa5bc244c59910f30e6a7067004e33_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWyVTDGnXmt9vmn1M-NDGT1RNNGNeVsh1w-DuI0S6l7fdviu_z3gimtK-37Wmi7DH9uQtRFyA2unFi5tvqWwmPq5mvSwvgpUEV0MyqnmUmpuONY_aUGWZQgZ_3euXFDTMirCEFmgl-xg/s1600/gal_famine8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWyVTDGnXmt9vmn1M-NDGT1RNNGNeVsh1w-DuI0S6l7fdviu_z3gimtK-37Wmi7DH9uQtRFyA2unFi5tvqWwmPq5mvSwvgpUEV0MyqnmUmpuONY_aUGWZQgZ_3euXFDTMirCEFmgl-xg/s640/gal_famine8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Why all this time only one famous celebrity in <b>Yossou N'Dour</b>, himself an African has come forward to rally support from his continent out of compassion for the needy? Has George Clooney ultimately grown weary of rallying support from Hollywood, that none from among the megastars seems to be aware of what is happening to <b>another class of human beings</b> down there at the Horn? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don't get me wrong, famous celebrities are not bound by any contract to use their fame and power to be able to raise awareness on any world problem. And if anything, that is the least they could dispense from their wealth to save others from perishing. They have the power to <b>effect</b> change and be a <b>catalyst</b> for the world to act. But judging on a slow and disappointing response, it is very <b>discouraging</b> that very few people actually know the <b>real situation</b>, with which to some extent they describe it as "<b>hell on earth</b>".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Obviously, the miseries of others easily get <b>swept</b> under the rug, for we are not in any way affected by their plight. That is the <b>coldest </b>and most<b> irresponsible</b> reaction any sane human being could demonstrate towards a fellow human being. And if the scenes of <b>untold </b>of miseries unfolding on television do not rend our hearts, and instead we opt to hop on another feel-good channel for us to escape reality, and still we unhesitatingly parade our left-overs in a fast-food chain for all to see, so that we escape being branded as glutton in public, then <b>shame</b> on us, because we heap <b>scorn </b>on ourselves.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">How many people around us have the <b>temerity</b> to <b>flaunt</b> their <b>wealth</b> and <b>excesses</b>, yet their next door neighbor <b>hardly</b> had a meal on their table? How many people we know that easily <b>forget</b> their humble beginnings when luck comes by, so that they readily had a bout with <b>amnesia</b>? Yes, life is <b>truly</b> unfair. Some have the gall to <b>show off</b> their fortune, others their so-called fruits of their labor, but just the same there is<b> no dignity</b> gained from a<b> lavish</b> display of <b>ostentation</b> when most people around us die of <b>deprivation</b>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jesus</b> in his teaching has<b> warned</b>, "For what<b> profit</b> is it for a man if he <b>gains</b> the whole world but <b>loses </b>his own soul?" (Mark 8:36) And in Luke 12:15 he warned his disciples, "Watch out! Be on your guard <b>against</b> all kinds of <b>greed</b>; a man's life does <b>not</b> consist in the abundance of his possessions." And for the least of our brothers, he declares, "I tell you the truth, <b>whatever </b>you did <b>not</b> do for the<b> least </b>of these, you did <b>not</b> do for me." Then they will go to <b>eternal</b> punishment. - Matthew 25:45,46.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6fmawS1iXhrClbLIiSaQrGgyNaLcr7nbY-qQqvZSqtaun5SmB9CqvkYiL4rR9o8G0hw_73GOO5U-xMOOH7sW1oXrJFEczqHIssw7muiRSErG6nZVuqplJgRxV4d1VIW71bY0NFBeDY4/s1600/donateButtonLarge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6fmawS1iXhrClbLIiSaQrGgyNaLcr7nbY-qQqvZSqtaun5SmB9CqvkYiL4rR9o8G0hw_73GOO5U-xMOOH7sW1oXrJFEczqHIssw7muiRSErG6nZVuqplJgRxV4d1VIW71bY0NFBeDY4/s1600/donateButtonLarge.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Each one of us is human enough not to be moved by the conditions of our fellow human beings in Somalia. It is a feeling that we all should embrace and not turn a blind eye to. So, if your conscience dictates you to bless others and be blest, you may click<a href="http://humanitariancoalition.ca/"> HERE </a>to donate a little of what you can share, or at any link located on the side bar of this blog. Thank you.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-1415492353282345972011-09-02T16:16:00.070+03:002011-10-11T15:33:29.760+03:00On Blogging And Winning (My PEBA Experience)<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgyKfXpu4OXPdrtfwUIbxtKIGrildyOU0iFsJfega8ISnyELCPbZfSjIH-4Lg-0HlAeoSfmHc_5PFwdmOcFAmv3o0S9HI5lEYJlj0AlAFAbxNO1B3PIDYPZK-iKbgoOZHz1udI-fcwEY/s1600/Soy+Negrense.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgyKfXpu4OXPdrtfwUIbxtKIGrildyOU0iFsJfega8ISnyELCPbZfSjIH-4Lg-0HlAeoSfmHc_5PFwdmOcFAmv3o0S9HI5lEYJlj0AlAFAbxNO1B3PIDYPZK-iKbgoOZHz1udI-fcwEY/s640/Soy+Negrense.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"The men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try nothing and succeed." - Lloyd Jones</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Before I could even decide the title of my blog , and as I am computer illiterate, the whole concept of blogging was completely foreign to me. I did not even know what to write or if should I actually write. I would say my foray into blogging happened by accident. Let's say I did not have the luxury of time in front of the computer, for in the first place I did not own one. In our company accommodation, I have a colleague who has been blogging since early 2008 but I never had any idea what he was up to. On off days and after work, much of his time centers around blogging, blog-hopping and facebooking while I am contented to while my time on TFC. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Typically, one major reason why I opted not to buy a computer was that, I hated it to get addicted to it apart from its being expensive. But thanks to a little Ramadan bonus, I finally decided to buy one for myself in October 2009 -- a rather cheap brand but at least I would not be waiting till my colleague complains of spine-breaking stint in front of his computer before I could finally check my email.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not that I am the type that can easily be influenced or gullible for that matter, but the prodding of my colleague to get me on the bandwagon just appealed to me. Essentially, creating a blog is one thing and writing a post is another. And I have to admit, I am the least confident person you will ever know, so much that even in high school I would sit at the back row and never participate in recitation, never wanting to be at the front of the pack and drawing attention. So, in essence, my first blog post would be my first piece of essay in my whole conscious life. Still, I did not know what to write and not confident to write. So, my colleague helped me out on my first post and it turned out to be a video of Efren Penaflorida campaigning for support for the CNN Hero of the Year Award.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On my second post, I remember I wrote at least four paragraphs about typhoon Ondoy, and to my surprise, a blogger by the name of IsladeNebz had left his comment. And to tell you, his comment was so sincere that it helped me grow some confidence. And that was the start of it. One post bore another until I met some great bloggers on the blogosphere whom I truly admire for their great personality on top of their great writing skills. That time also coincided with the PEBA fever and everyone on the blogosphere seemed to be hyped-up by these award stuff, and most bloggers I've known were also nominees. (I've been especially a fan of IsladeNebz, Palipasan, The Pink Tarha and FrancescaInFrance.) As expected, all of them ran away with top awards.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Joining contests may be last in my bucket list, let alone essay-writing contest. So it never occurred to me finding myself writing an entry to a theme I feel strongly about. Lacking in confidence and only few blog posts to brag, I was wondering if I could write effectively that would resonate with readers. Apart my strong views about the theme, I also had my experiences and lessons in life to rely on as my inspiration to write an entry. To be able to share my story through blog is already a rewarding experience, but getting a recognition for your work, to me it is really something. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG_D3xBs8io10_nRglqcKhL86O4tADTzTYSjvgWUAKRFwRYxpwyvptqqc5HQP2PpEwIU3V32ZKdEqLgfdcpzJ2e1Mi4gj8_EIwpLAdNyzkgUINYXg1df8iXJrjrkLXJNmqmSYuIVBjBI/s1600/OFW11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG_D3xBs8io10_nRglqcKhL86O4tADTzTYSjvgWUAKRFwRYxpwyvptqqc5HQP2PpEwIU3V32ZKdEqLgfdcpzJ2e1Mi4gj8_EIwpLAdNyzkgUINYXg1df8iXJrjrkLXJNmqmSYuIVBjBI/s320/OFW11.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>Luckily for me, my entry was officially recognized as one of the nominees. And to be counted alongside others whose entries were masterpieces in their own right, was a life's trophy in itself. I would say my goal did not stop there, for obviously I became too ambitious to have wanted to land in the top ten. The nominee banner that hung on the side bar of my blog would have done me a great deal of contentment, but PEBA had another thing in mind. A week or so before the awards night, came a really great surprise when I received an email from PEBA, informing me that my blog will receive one of the awards. And mind you, the awards night coincided with my birthday, so the timing didn't get any better than that. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Over lunch, my mind vacillates between the pros and cons if ever I decided to send one of my siblings on my behalf. As financial considerations weighed heavily on my decision, I was faced with a dilemma whether to skip the awards night or not. Sending a sibling or two from Bacolod to Manila (and back) by plane is really costly and wouldn't help my family tide over on Christmas. Finally, I texted my sister at the spur-of-the-moment decision. Her reply was, "are you serious?" kind of thing. For the record, none of my other nine siblings has ever traveled by plane, so I kind of anticipated the shock it gave them. It's just that, I had a really tough time explaining to them about some 'strange' things that confronted them. By the way, apart from fulfilling my obligations to them, they had no idea what I am up to let alone this thing called blogging. So to make things rather simple for them to understand, I said I joined a contest and won something and that they should receive my prize.<br />
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Watching my big sister on live stream holding up my trophy was a surreal feeling, so to speak. The occasion marked so many firsts in our humble lives. Not that I felt overwhelmed by its grandiosity, but to someone who barely had college education and be mentioned in the same breath as the finest bloggers I really admire, to me that was crazy. On arriving home in Silay City, my two sisters have not run out of stories to tell. Maybe not so much about the glitz and glamour at the venue, or the freebies that they took home with them, not even the dizzying skyways and colossal traffic that confronted them, but on feeling proud of the recognition I received.<br />
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The hype over PEBA 2010 might have faded in days, yet the greater cause greater than PEBA itself will have lingered in the hearts and minds of those wonderful people behind it. The noble goals they set may have not been reached in its entirety, however we OFW bloggers, could not find a better and more visible platform than this, that allows us to champion our common cause and getting our sentiments heard, so that we don't fret if our collective voice seems not to matter in a bigger stage. The PEBA that I know is one that, from my point of view, offers multidimensional agenda by not only tapping raw talents through blogging, but more than anything, to be able to help OFW communities around the world one way or another, and serving as a voice by raising awareness in matters that concern the OFW diaspora in general.<br />
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Without a doubt, this year's theme "Ako'y Babalik Hatid Ko'y Pagbabago" resonates with all OFWs who have left their families hoping for a brighter future. If there comes an opportunity that we feel compelled to share our thoughts, stories that inspire, or even lamentations from frustrations so that they serve readers a lesson, then this is the best time. Here at PEBA, every story is unique, every thought and aspiration of ordinary OFW like me is provided a platform to get read and inspire others. So, if you are a blogger and the prospect of getting your story published through PEBA amuses you, then this is your time to shine. Another milestone waiting to be added to your already accomplished resume could be just around the corner. <br />
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</div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-70613329576310262192011-08-31T23:56:00.010+03:002011-09-01T01:45:03.025+03:00A Gift Anyone Dreads To Receive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j25yeFO1MGo5XOYl9YujMNgk1tzDRCPILTtZlIJttBDr3XJXmgU2CgTfvkSPOO6A6IZF04KrppoF8HltuTRr6yG2NSWleFMeImAvYdn1D1N44hNXDA1JqydeR-gA92Br4WroSAOxoT0/s1600/thumbnail.aspx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j25yeFO1MGo5XOYl9YujMNgk1tzDRCPILTtZlIJttBDr3XJXmgU2CgTfvkSPOO6A6IZF04KrppoF8HltuTRr6yG2NSWleFMeImAvYdn1D1N44hNXDA1JqydeR-gA92Br4WroSAOxoT0/s400/thumbnail.aspx" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"For as long as man breathes, the conquest for answers to life's questions continues, and there is an awful lot of answers to face."</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Arguably, <b>Eid Al Fitr </b>is the most appropriate time of the year for Muslim communities around the world to celebrate with families and friends. The celebration would be incomplete without gift-giving to loved ones and friends, being generous and performing good deeds as the most natural things a Muslim is expected or required to do. Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan when all adult and able-bodied Muslims are required to fast from dusk till dawn. They also believe that a good deed performed in Ramadan earned them ten or hundred times more reward than an ordinary good deed done in any time of the year, hence they come in <i>abundance</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While most Muslims have the right attitude toward the significance of Eid, sadly there are some who believe the opposite. Just last week, a <a href="http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/08/29/AQIM-says-Algeria-attack-a-gift-for-Eid/UPI-79311314632978/">twin suicide bombing </a>happened in a military academy in <b>Algeria</b> that left 16 students and 2 civilians dead. <b>Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb </b>(AQIM) immediately admitted responsibility, and proudly announced that it is their <b>gift</b> for Eid to the mothers and wives who had lost their sons and husbands in the carnage. The bombings coincided with the time when people in the academy were gathered for the <b>iftar</b> or breaking of fast. The leader of Al Qaida offshoot who took responsibility for the gruesome killings, even congratulated the mothers of the victims for their sons' lives who will be rewarded in "heaven" for their "martyrdom".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In <b>Egypt</b>, a recently released senior leader of the Egyptian Islamic jihad terrorist group <b><a href="http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=339305">Sheikh Adel Shehato</a></b>, announced that Christian churches in Egypt and others that exist in Islamic countries may need to be <b>blown up</b> and <b>Christians exterminated</b> to allow the advance of Islamic law, or <b>Shariah</b>. He confidently says that his principles are <b>guided</b> by Shariah and that he is not bound by the laws of men or any constitution, but by the "divine law" that says, if Christians don't want to convert to Islam they have to pay what they call a jizya tax, or else they are compelled to exterminate them. He further stressed that the Shariah is not based on logic but by the law of god. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><b>His take on democracy:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"As Muslims, we must believe that the Quran is our constitution, and that it is impossible for us to institute a Western democratic regime. I oppose democracy because it is not the faith of the Muslims...According to Islam, it is forbidden for people to rule and to legislate laws, as Allah alone is ruler. Allah did not hand down the term [democracy] as a form of rule, and it is completely absent from the Arab and Islamic lexicon.</i>"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>And on a worldwide Islamic kingdom he envisions:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Of course we will launch a campaign of Islamic conquest throughout the world. All The Muslims in the world who wish to see the Shariah implemented worldwide will join the Egyptian army in order to form Islamic battalions, whose task will be to bring about the victory. There are Muslims and there are infidels. We will have ambassadors in every country. We want to call all other countries to join Islam, and that will be the task of the ambassadors. If [they] refuse, there will be war."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">His pronouncements were quite <b>scary</b> if we were to analyze them, and who would not? The man believes he is following the precepts of his god and in fact he is doing him great service by advancing the cause of Islam. He even believes that true Muslims should not make friends with Christians for it is the commandments of Allah. He would further say that he knows everything what the Quran instructs all Muslims to do in order to please god. Well, these are words coming from a terrorist - a sworn murderer of anyone labeled as <b>infidel</b>. And yes, I was convinced that this does not constitute the true Islam, knowing fully well that <b>Islam</b> is a "<b>Religion of Peace</b>". In fact, this slogan is uniquely endemic to Islam just like "Connecting People" is to <b>Nokia</b>, and "Just Do It" is to <b>Nike</b>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As though I was poised to discredit the words of the terrorist on my own lame arguments, my curiosity led me to search through Bing and cringed at what probably one of the most liberating and shocking revelations I have never imagined. Still not convinced, I went on rummaging at my old clothes where the small English Quran given to me by our company accountant was neatly buried that I almost forgot I hid one there. Perhaps just the second time I laid my fingers on that gift to me, I felt awkward and awesome I had to read it leftward. And there I found the truth that would support the claims of the man, whom many of us would want to call insane and hateful. If indeed he believes he is actually following what his religion preaches, then I have every reason to believe that this man <b>knows</b> what he is talking about.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The following are verses I copied from the holy Quran that are worthy to ponder upon. If this is actually what gave birth to unheard of hatred in the world, I hope that all religions can still co-exist without lives being wasted for religions' sake. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Believers, <b>make war on the infidels</b> who dwell around you. Deal firmly with them." <b>(Surah 9: 121)</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Prophet, <b>make war on the unbelievers</b> and the hypocrites and <b>deal rigorously with them</b>. Hell shall be their home." <b>(Surah 9:73)</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"<b>Fight</b> against such as those to whom the Scriptures were given [Jews and Christians]...until they pay tribute out of hand and are utterly subdued." <b>(Surah 9: 27)</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"<b>Make war</b> on them until idolatry shall cease and God's religion shall reign supreme."<b> (Surah 8:36)</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends." <b>(Surah 5: 51)</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"<b>Slay them wherever you find them</b>...Idolatry is worse than carnage...<b>Fight against them</b> until idolatry is no more and God's religion reigns supreme." <b>(Surah 2: 190)</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmVRdGh0RJ25DQwafre9OGIY-pZ9pCnD0unJGJFrbX-bamAOynuUA9jdQ9PrVeQy34W6KKgz9_7I7AgulLphQwXzU3dSymJraeNoDxssaTFzrDDTgu0vmVxjbBSy4BI7yBQf6FG9YqDo/s1600/signlove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmVRdGh0RJ25DQwafre9OGIY-pZ9pCnD0unJGJFrbX-bamAOynuUA9jdQ9PrVeQy34W6KKgz9_7I7AgulLphQwXzU3dSymJraeNoDxssaTFzrDDTgu0vmVxjbBSy4BI7yBQf6FG9YqDo/s320/signlove.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>To them, the Bible may be the book of the infidels and the enemies, yet these are what it says pertaining to one's enemy and to people who do harm to them :</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"But I say unto you, <b>Love your enemies</b>, bless them that curse you, <b>do good</b> to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. -<b> (Matthew 5:44)</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"But I tell you who hear me; <b>Love your enemies</b>, <b>do good to those who hate you</b>; <b>bless those who</b> <b>curse you, pray for those who mistreat you</b>. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. - <b>(Luke 6: 27-36)</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This post would have not led to what you may call a discourse, a debate or what, for it was never my aim to talk about religions. I just found it necessary not to ignore elements of great importance, to be able to perhaps find answers to a polarizing 'truth' why there is enmity towards one another. The articles that I stumbled upon that I thought betrayed logic and defied human compassion, on murdered peaceful sons as gifts for orphaned mothers in Eid - just does not sink in well with my psyche, or maybe I just need to accept the plain truth as it is? As the saying goes, "You should know the truth and the truth will set you free". For as long as man breathes, the conquest for answers to life's questions continues, and there is an awful lot of answers to face. It only boils down to whichever man decides to embrace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Still the second day of Eid, I prefer to dwell on tradition that this holiday is meant to be joyful for a variety of reasons. Having a longer rest after a month-long of exhausting work is one. After all, I still believe the <b>real God</b> of the universe is a <b>merciful and gracious</b> God who created humans for His glory and that He <b>loves</b> them so much more than anything. Surely, it is comforting to know that the God that I've known personally is rich in compassion and slow to anger. If anything, this divine truth is more liberating as opposed to the anxieties of war, famine, natural disasters, human greed and all these hatred the world is known to offer. Eid Mubarak to all!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span></div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em;"><b><br />
</b></div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-4713650761150681092011-08-28T06:08:00.007+03:002011-08-28T15:46:12.174+03:00At The Threshold<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzVhPFcHgAcLoQQL9Hdc1n1GzPGcesrs8hXRVzqHTtNtS_pQ4tiyBGqL52e8Y2-47zYjUsj1nmeeKeRQi1Lj6rWjgzobycaVqWSFpi5nGxyH8NW_31rAIk4hR5hVDyL_TBcmDVL1Oo2Q/s1600/25944808.pbase4horse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzVhPFcHgAcLoQQL9Hdc1n1GzPGcesrs8hXRVzqHTtNtS_pQ4tiyBGqL52e8Y2-47zYjUsj1nmeeKeRQi1Lj6rWjgzobycaVqWSFpi5nGxyH8NW_31rAIk4hR5hVDyL_TBcmDVL1Oo2Q/s640/25944808.pbase4horse2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive..." - 2 Timothy 3:1,2</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Historical accounts would tell, today marks the first time New York City - the mega city that it is -is closed for a reason - a hurricane - unprecedented in magnitude that is expected to wreak havoc on the city. Airports have been shutdown, public transit system halted, businesses that make the city the world's financial capital spontaneously stopped operation, and regrettably, the US Open which I have been earnestly waiting to watch live on television, understandably had to bow down to Irene the hurricane. Sixty five million people are said to be living on the harm's way, with an unprecedented massive evacuation that has been taking place already.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While Irene takes landfall on North Carolina for her expected pummeling spree all over East Coast of the Atlantic, Mina on the other hand has already started her orgy of destruction on Northern Luzon. Landslides that caused deaths this early has been reported already and the death toll of course is expected to rise.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday, Al Jazeera was beaming graphic images from Tripoli with the city literally chokes on stench coming from dead bodies that litter around the city. Dead bodies on top of another become a mundane scenario that serves as backdrop for fleeing little children gripping the hands of their parents in search for refuge as the city has turned into an apocalyptic war zone. Even a dying boy who lies unattended in a hospital bed for lack of medics and equipments, proudly displays a V-sign. Several other injured from the battle have managed to drag themselves into hospital corridors as blood splatter all over the aisle until they reached a doctor-less emergency room till rigor mortis sets in their bodies.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Syria, tens if not scores are reported to be dead everyday due to a government-sanctioned killings of civilian protesters who have grown weary of a corrupt and repressive government of Bashar Assad. Hundreds of thousands have already been displaced to the neighboring Turkey in the north, some, even old men die of their injuries upon reaching the border as government soldiers go on their shooting spree of the fleeing civilians. Assad would not back down from his murderous rampage of the civilian population he labels as terrorists.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just weeks ago, rioting took place in the cities of England where young men went on looting businesses and setting fire to establishments and offices, passersby even robbed and mugged for no reason at all. What makes it incomprehensible is that, this normally does not happen in rich and highly-civilized countries like the UK. No matter what prompted this unheard of violence, no rationale can ever justify this reprehensible act that has put the country's reputation in murky water. It was just that simple, thousands of rioters felt obligated to join the bandwagon of violence forgetting their basic humanity attributed with reason.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the Horn of Africa, where aid agencies astoundingly announced that famine brought about by drought could cause millions of deaths especially children, aids of food and medicines are being routinely ransacked and plundered by Muslim militias so that they themselves benefit from them and the needy goes on to die from deprivation. International agencies feel crippled and helpless knowing that very little aid reaches the needy because of these Muslim militias that feel empowered and divinely ordained to rob at gunpoint the very basic needs intended for the needy.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday, Al Qaeda militants had bombed the UN building in Abuja, Nigeria initially killing 18 people. All fatalities were civilians who had spent most of their lives helping other people in need. UN Sec. Gen Ban Ki Moon said, the building housed 26 different aid agencies tasked to distribute aids and medicines to the unfortunate people of the continent. They just died that easy. </div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A day before yesterday, 53 people were killed in a casino in the city of Monterrey in Mexico, when drug syndicates set fire to the building where the victims were trapped and burned alive. The president of Mexico has decreed four days of mourning for the victims. So many lives lost inexplicably when evil doers are on the prowl.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At a glance of the news, our reaction comes naturally - to cringe for wasted lives due to violence birthed by man's loss of rationality. But somehow we feel immune to the things that have become a way of life for most of us. Hardly these things strike a surprise. Maybe this is how our planet concurs to Darwin's "survival of the fittest" theory. Certainly, these do not stop us to go on with our lives, and understandably, some would even trivialize these as much as we treat it like things of the ordinary. But what if these were the precursor of greater/terrible things to come? What if these were warnings that we failed to heed?</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">From nature's fury to man-made disasters, every phenomenon seems to be an indicator that the world has reached greater lengths ominously forewarned in the Bible. In Ephesians 6:12, the apostle Paul says that this world is ruled by wicked spiritual forces, they are the rulers of this dark age. And yes, many would scoff at the truth, just like in the days of Noah. But the Bible clearly warns, " But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." (2Timothy 3:1-5)</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG3bzhvwXjwsZ-QIU6P-7IIxCTa-tN4sTgUSHAncoyb6ly61S6q5lFIdfY0ZWSxz3HymxO_xsYwwn0noNFs7PupDtRoUgX_WpjxULpXlboyw16sJ-CWLDAYg2l0mK9HTaf1hHXJxI_QE/s1600/Matthew7_24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG3bzhvwXjwsZ-QIU6P-7IIxCTa-tN4sTgUSHAncoyb6ly61S6q5lFIdfY0ZWSxz3HymxO_xsYwwn0noNFs7PupDtRoUgX_WpjxULpXlboyw16sJ-CWLDAYg2l0mK9HTaf1hHXJxI_QE/s400/Matthew7_24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matthew 24: 3-14</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, "Tell us when will this happen, and what sign will there be of your coming, and of the end of the age?" Jesus said to them in reply, "See that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Messiah," and they will deceive many. You will hear of wars and report of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place. All these are the beginning of the labor pains. Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name. And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.<br />
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</div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764863862281333232.post-90071167128852560802011-07-31T02:29:00.018+03:002011-11-28T15:20:49.898+03:00Inept POEA: A Bane To OFWs<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIcomXVV97917dBHU0PddBI6GkYbxeL-S0YKnWrywG8ndARhNdZ57nKVYRaH2R1lwXFGvJF_K0mnWvo7Kx15j7iLEbfXkaoe9r3wUbhKewAgw7ZWnmju1rk9QF7VsK_e0us-bqRnH2x4/s1600/poea_job_fair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIcomXVV97917dBHU0PddBI6GkYbxeL-S0YKnWrywG8ndARhNdZ57nKVYRaH2R1lwXFGvJF_K0mnWvo7Kx15j7iLEbfXkaoe9r3wUbhKewAgw7ZWnmju1rk9QF7VsK_e0us-bqRnH2x4/s640/poea_job_fair.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"A certain combination of incompetence and indifference can cause almost as much suffering as the most acute malevolence." - Bruce Catton</i></b></span></div><br />
Let's talk about mundane things here, I mean, the Filipino way. I guess nobody will argue with the consensus that the dreadful long queues at the <b><a href="http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=POEA">POEA</a></b> grounds that extend to EDSA even before dawn is world-renowned. Though office hours officially start at eight in the morning, notice that some personnel maintain their propensities for having much to do with nothing before actually hitting the ground running, on their term, fifteen minutes later. By this time, the breakfast-less and sleep deprived hordes of people are already in their palest. Seriously, a day at this notorious government office is dreaded by all.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you think adherence to the famed American time gives you an edge over third-world behaviors, think again. Labeling them desperate and insane will not help their cause, because the <b>OFWs</b> falling in line outside of the POEA even before the roster crows are perfectly sane and hardworking citizens who are reluctant recipients of the lethal bureaucracy entrenched in the veins of government officials. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Jose </b>is just one of the thousands of OFWs that flock to the POEA everyday. His case was no extraordinary. He just needs to secure an <b>Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)</b> because every returning OFW has to have one as a government requirement for them to be allowed to fly back to their work destinations abroad. He complains that if his company had only given his passport days before his flight for Manila, he could have easily secured his OEC from the <b>Jeddah Consulate</b> and not facing this horrendous ordeal that he is into. With barely an hour of sleep and left with no choice but to confront his ordeal, Jose had to get up already even others could just be starting rolling out their blankets. He would insist, he had been doing this already almost a fortnight into his vacation.</div></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">At three early morning, breakfast or coffee forgone, he sees himself tugging his red eyes so as not to fall asleep, while one hand grips the handrail over his head and the other clutches his backpack loaded with documents to prove he really is a documented OFW, a vacationing OFW at that, whose misfortune he finds himself in, he swears, he blames on the government's inefficiency and its legendary bureaucracy. He has in fact lost count of the number of times he catches an early tricycle ride on an unholy hour of day to make it early at the POEA grounds, to get in line and hope to get a really nice number - and failed another time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While still in Jeddah, he already had itineraries planned for a month's vacation. This time he says, he promised to spend quality time with his family or perhaps a vacation in Baguio. Thinking that he needed to secure his requirements first, on the second day of his arrival, he already found himself in a monstrous queue that others say had formed long before daybreak. Still his only first day at what would later turn out to be a two-week ordeal, and no dearth of virtues yet, as everybody else goes through similar circumstances. Queuing up at seven in the morning and your number called out at around three in the afternoon probably is no exciting moment, at least he's already a step closer to the finish line. But once he got there, he was told to renew his passport that will expire three months later. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9BOTJU_HU7DTpHUzMi6TMkwa_Iy_sqogzYxz7V5oInTvHaYeBh-ytA5SnJ-L9ei4pJGAU8d00gYYIakX5k6WvPlFPndnE5S30Kvibgm2QID61Hc0nFaSWMg0GfrgdbQMHbK40GA6p6o/s1600/POEA-Jobs-and-Accredited-Agencies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9BOTJU_HU7DTpHUzMi6TMkwa_Iy_sqogzYxz7V5oInTvHaYeBh-ytA5SnJ-L9ei4pJGAU8d00gYYIakX5k6WvPlFPndnE5S30Kvibgm2QID61Hc0nFaSWMg0GfrgdbQMHbK40GA6p6o/s1600/POEA-Jobs-and-Accredited-Agencies.jpg" /></a></div>For whatever reason, the government that determines the validity of one's passport does not accept a passport to be valid with an active life remaining of still three months. <i>(I guess if you have a return ticket after exactly a month's vacation, and still your passport is over two months valid, I find no reason why an OFW cannot travel back and decides for himself to renew it in the embassy or consulate in the host country where he finds it convenient). </i>The dreadful thing is, even obtaining a form for renewal or passport extension will take another day for which you will be required to come back again, and repeating the same process all over again. Jose complied diligently and after five days his passport was released, its validity already extended. Take note that every compliance of documents or a mere change of counter, one needs to reach deep into his pocket to make people in the government happy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At long last Jose thought this could be it. This was going to be the final phase of his agony - of getting up at three before dawn and sleepless, taking three separate rides, patiently standing in the queue for hours, and needless to say a growling stomach already trained into submission. He however had the slightest idea that his real ordeal had just started when at the counter he was promptly told that he cannot be issued an OEC because he cannot be considered a<b> Balik-Manggagawa</b> (returning OFW). At first, he thought the woman was not referring to him because he in every sense of the word is a certified legal OFW - that is unless you're faced with a dilemma of either you lack technical merits, and or you are talking to a moron behind a hole. In this case, the POEA has its own set of criteria to determine whether an OFW is legal or documented to be considered a returning or vacationing OFW.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And how on earth he was refused issuance of OEC? If Jose has with him a valid passport with an exit-reentry visa valid within 45 days appended to it, and a return ticket to Jeddah, then how could the POEA classify him as not a real Balik-Mangagawa? Their contention however is, he had a couple different names written in his passport as his sponsors, which is not the case. They further argued that it is illegal for him to work for a new employer while still under the sponsorship of his first sponsor. And after a drawn-out debate, he was told to proceed to the second floor for assessment of his case, for which he will be asked to provide a contract copy that further stipulates that the employer takes responsibility for the repatriation of the remains of the employee in case he dies in the host country. Okay, before we react simultaneously, this is what the Aquino government wanted to implement to advance the cause of OFWs. Nice try though, not really moronic. This is fine albeit shocking, yet utterly disgusting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The following reasons prove that POEA has failed to look at the merits of Jose's case:<br />
1. Jose was hired in 2006 by his first sponsor after which he obtained release after a year with no obligation whatsoever to the latter. Please note that Jose had transferred to his second sponsor (a personal friend of his first sponsor) in 2007, therefore making the former his new and legal sponsor as shown in his iqama (residence permit). To educate the stupid and unqualified people of POEA, let me tell you that in Saudi Arabia, it is perfectly legal to transfer sponsorship even for the third time, meaning you can have four different sponsors one after another if you wish to.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Jose had already gone on vacation in 2009 under his current sponsor, therefore this is already his second vacation under the same sponsor, in fact his fourth year already under his current sponsor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. He has a return ticket to Jeddah and an exit-reentry visa valid within 45 days. That alone supports his cause to be considered a legal OFW.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. In his 2009 vacation, he secured his OEC from the Jeddah Consulate with no fuss at all and not a bit of change in his status. The only difference is that, people at the Consulate can read and understand Arabic and are well-versed with the <b>Saudi Labor Law</b>. If there's any hint or trace of irregularity, they are the first people to detect it, unlike at the POEA where employees just like to act smart in order to intimidate the OFWs.<br />
5. And if ever the stupid brains behind this stupid game of moronic proportion wanted him to bleed in order for him to furnish them a stupid contract that stipulates some stupid thing, then he could not, because it's impossible. Jose was hired directly from the Philippines under a driver's visa but works in Saudi Arabia as a Visual Merchandising Specialist and getting a good salary that he will never find in his five lifetimes in the Philippines.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So why still refuse to issue an OEC to a documented OFW who has only gone on vacation so that he could take a needed rest and enjoy time with his family? This is crazy because refusal to issue an OEC to a vacationing OFW is tantamount to depriving his entire family a life and a future. Who would have thought that a supposed great vacation turned into nightmare? Literally, I think the poor guy really needed a punching bag! I could see him sobbing his way through a nearby store and struggling to carry a caseload of beer, and getting tears all over the IKEA sheepskin he brought home, as his stupid tormentors go about with their usual habit of feasting on someone else's life in between coffee breaks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74QZ_8Cqjfn1wu9MXmFUl1WllZC4yuRUrE2QolnxYxAz2Z8jrAVN3lbtKMPBCKqK1xU1e0yXO7KyPKExYA0_cb0_GdCfhzCdQ0RaSvz0b7j3FL7I9Njl3_1ULvDc3rKIC4NCT5jhBXgw/s1600/online-depression-help-traceithere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74QZ_8Cqjfn1wu9MXmFUl1WllZC4yuRUrE2QolnxYxAz2Z8jrAVN3lbtKMPBCKqK1xU1e0yXO7KyPKExYA0_cb0_GdCfhzCdQ0RaSvz0b7j3FL7I9Njl3_1ULvDc3rKIC4NCT5jhBXgw/s200/online-depression-help-traceithere.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>The situation he was in was far from what he had hoped for - a well-planned vacation that turned out to be anything but happy. But for all its worthy cause, and nothing greater than fighting for your family to survive, the will and faith in God will see him through, especially when the very existence of your loved ones is on the line. From great friends - personal and virtual - a network of support came in. Despite the odds seemingly getting slimmer, and depression almost took over, he had not lost sight of his rights and his purpose. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Before then, however, <b><a href="http://www.pinoyblogawards.com/">PEBA</a></b> volunteers had already initiated some steps to help his cause through its founder <b>Jebee Kenji Solis</b>. And no less than <b>Ms. Susan Ople</b>, the daughter of the great former senator <b>Blas Ople</b> had offered help to convince the POEA that Jose is a documented OFW, and therefore should be allowed to get the OEC. Even Ms. Ople had apprehensions that what they were trying to do was a long shot considering that the new POEA policy re squeezing out a contract from a vacationing OFW should be upheld. (Without the contract, an OFW is deemed illegal.) Jose's cause could have merited him a slot high up in the mountains with the Reds, it's just that the very entity he was fighting against, is the government that vows to pursue a "straight path" and encourages its citizens to work hard for their family and country. His only transgression though was his failure to get OEC from the Jeddah Consulate that he was left with no choice but to suffer from the stupendous stupidity by the insecure and irrational POEA people.<br />
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Though there was no clear cut solution to Jose's problem, the effort of Ms. Ople to speak with one of the big bosses of POEA was nothing short of commendable. His dilemma remained for a brutal two weeks, half-way through his vacation, with no hope in sight. Still, he is not ready to wave a white flag. And who does when you see your family weeping with you? He thought if he will give up easily and not give his last shot, the government will not give him a cent either, for he cannot be classified as displaced, to them he is illegal and therefore should be punished.<br />
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And his last recourse - give another try, perhaps his last. And again he followed the same routine - filled out a form, the same familiar form, except that he made some changes - he wrote the name of his first sponsor as his current sponsor (which is not the right information since it has been five years since he had transferred legally). And voila! <i>They did not question him because he had returned to his first sponsor, therefore he is no longer illegal. </i>Quickly, the most-prized OEC was issued to him to his great relief, as though he won a lottery. And yes, because he wrote a different name, the wrong name, he suddenly became a legal and documented OFW. Kudos to you morons at the POEA whose understanding of the Saudi Labor Law is nil! When are you going to realize that your sheer incompetence and ineptitude almost ruined lives of hapless people who feel helpless because you idiots in the bureaucracy do not have the capacity of sound reasoning?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZgdw_3Wda7L6Kjcg4M_M2PM0coi8oOiQW3jSVb6aSeIsJOdWepfmJ3f7T2WEQ-PZxx3yj5lXTKqeI9yiZeJMbQ0jOMQx_3kGwbmZ-I_T4llIaUrITap0xa4ocvojNhW6dzFHhLF38xA/s1600/logokalabaw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZgdw_3Wda7L6Kjcg4M_M2PM0coi8oOiQW3jSVb6aSeIsJOdWepfmJ3f7T2WEQ-PZxx3yj5lXTKqeI9yiZeJMbQ0jOMQx_3kGwbmZ-I_T4llIaUrITap0xa4ocvojNhW6dzFHhLF38xA/s320/logokalabaw2.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>Even the penguins of Antarctica will swear that the human species called OFW is the milking cow of the 13th most populous country in the world called the Philippines. And despite the superficial accolade accorded them, they are sometimes treated no more than a bunch of annoying export commodity by people in the government. Some people think that because they work in the government they are there to uphold the system, even if it means the system goes against logic and humanity. Yet, it is utterly incomprehensible to say the least, how government employees at the POEA can be so stupid and dumb to ignore facts and reason laid down before their noses, and still insist that they are just protecting the dignity and welfare of OFWs even if it means to deprive them of their life and future.<br />
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Jose learned his lesson the hard way. Half of his vacation wasted and gone - he did not enjoy a family outing, decided not to celebrate his birthday, did not have time to go out with his wife and daughters - depression got the better of him - all because he thought his family's future fades slowly before his eyes - because the administration he helped campaign to win in Jeddah, "cares" for his welfare and the rest of the OFWs. Jose only had his instinct to trust and of course God. If he did not try the last time, he would have not discovered the art of fooling the fool that refuses reason for fear of being humbled. And so he lives to tell another day that God's grace is sufficient for those who persevere.<br />
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* Jose is a blogger who maintains three blogs including a photo blog that counts some media personalities in the Philippines as its fans. In 2010, he won recognition from PEBA as one of its winners in a photo contest.<br />
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</div>Esoy1216http://www.blogger.com/profile/13409483266753309782noreply@blogger.com8