Lessons from Steubenville: Teaching Boys to Be Kind and Brave

In the months since the news broke about the horrific case in Steubenville, Ohio, the nation has been reeling from it and the attempts to cover it up. The questions about what’s been called our “rape culture” are flying around: “How was this situation allowed to spiral out of control?” “How could two high school boys so heinously assault, humiliate, and exploit this girl?” “Why didn’t anyone try to stop it?” “How could the victim be the one shamed by both adults and kids in her community?” And, what does all this tell us about ourselves and our culture?

Reasons for the Media Blackout on Kermit Gosnell Trial

It's hard to ignore the horrifying details coming out of the Kermit Gosnell trial. If you don't know who Kermit Gosnell is, don't feel bad. The mainstream media has been silent about reporting such heinous crime because of its so-called "liberal" agenda. Dr. Gosnell is an abortionist from Philadelphia who is facing the death penalty if convicted of performing medical procedure without license, and the intentional killing of infants born alive during abortion procedures. You can read more details of the Gosnell trial here.

What added to the horror of what is already a disturbing story is the mainstream media's silence on the issue. To date, ABC, NBC, CBS and major print publications has not reported the story. As a believer and a dad, I've always been open with my pro-life convictions and have taught my kids to respect the human dignity of the unborn. Rarely does news make me too sick for words - the Gosnell trial and the media black out does. Now, I plan to make more opportunities to talk to my two kids about babies and the humanity of the unborn. No way will I allow anyone to convince them that children inside the womb are blobs of tissue or somehow less than human because they are small. I want them to see abortion the way I see it - not as a "rights" issue, but as a "moral" and "ethical" issue.

Filipino-American Dad Blogger Goes to Final Four 2013, Atlanta

Thanks to the great dads of Dad 2.0 Summit and the champions of freshness Dove Men+Care, my wife and I had a chance to attend the NCAA Final Four game last weekend in Atlanta, GA , where the Louisville Cardinals beat Michigan Wolverines for the 2013 NCAA Championship title. We're winners too. It was our first time to win an all-expense-paid trip out of town and "bonus round" winners because we have an entire 5 days-4 nights stay at the fine Sheraton Atlanta Hotel without our kids to bother us, and boy did we have a blast. The pictures below are proof of our exciting, relaxing and “finally-just-the-two-of-us-have-fun-while-it-lasts” trip to Atlanta.

Are You Raising a Narcissist?

Every time my daughter leaves the house for school, I always whisper to her, “You’re special and beautiful.” However, someone once told me that I should not tell her that because it could put ideas in her mind that she is entitled or above everyone else. My daily words of affirmation to my daughter in short can turn her into a narcissist. In the culture that my daughter lives in, more people will be telling my daughter she’s unattractive and not-good-enough.

The media’s obsession with beauty and perfection sends her the message that to be accepted, she has to keep up with celebrities and trends she sees on TV and the internet. That’s why I truly believe that as dads, I need to tell my daughter that she is beautiful and one-of-a-kind. Not better than anyone else, but not less than any other, either. Just beautiful the way God made her to be. I honestly don’t think that complimenting my daughter’s appearance builds an unhealthy and grandiose sense of self-importance.

Our Character Can Be Measured By What We Laugh At

I don’t stay up on the world of rap music, but it was hard to ignore the recent media storm caused by an “artist” who goes by the moniker “Lil Wayne.” His recently leaked song was so over the top that even the hip-hop industry—known for its casual use of sex and violence—reacted. The song, referencing a sex act and a part of the female anatomy, contained the line, “beat that [blank] up like Emmett Till.” His recording label apologized. Apparently, although violence against women is commonplace in rap lyrics, it’s still taboo to mock the Civil Rights movement.

Many musicians, such as Stevie Wonder, took the rapper to task, as did Till’s family. Said Till’s cousin, “He wouldn’t even be out there rapping these stupid lyrics without the sacrifice Emmett made.” If you’re unaware of what she’s referring to, Till was a 14-year-old African American boy who, in 1955, was savagely beaten, tortured, and killed by two white men in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman. My wife’s grandfather was one of the prosecutors in the trial, despite the great risk to his life and livelihood as a white man prosecuting a black lynching in deep Mississippi. The jury, in a kangaroo court, acquitted those men, who later confessed. But it was the courage of Till’s mother to hold an open casket funeral that finally exposed the deep evil of racism in the south. The horrific images of Till’s body were published in Jet magazine and provided a major spark for the Civil Rights movement.

Oz the Great and Powerful: A Powerful Tale of Good and Evil

Here's an excellent review on the new move, "Oz the Great and Powerful" from a colleague and posted in my work website, BreakPoint.org. The movie is a powerful tale of good and evil and a nice film for older children. My kids might be too young for it and may find some scenes too intense to watch in the big screen. We'll just wait for it in DVD. But I like the main theme the movie presents, that goodness is better than greatness - a theme that our culture today needs to understand. It's good to know early what the film is about so I have a head start of what to discuss with my kids. I can't wait to have this discussion with them! "Oz the Great and Powerful" is produced by Disney and features James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis. Now in theaters.

Free Copy Giveaway, “American Sniper: Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S History” by Chris Kyle

I just finished Chris Kyle’s book, American Sniper: Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S History. It is an excellent read on a great American hero. Unfortunately, we lost Kyle recently when he and a companion were shot and killed last February by a fellow veteran, who Kyle had taken to a gun range in an effort to help him with post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite of his tragic and sudden death, his active service as a Navy Seal sniper and the self-sacrifice he displayed to save American lives will always be remembered. Kyle was straightforward not to take sole credit for his accomplishments but gives credence back to other military service men who also sacrificed their lives for the mission. These men got shot, lost their vision, lost their limbs and ultimately their lives to protect Americans from those who hate the country because of freedom and allegiance to Christianity.

Manila Zoo’s Lone Elephant Mali and the Rise of PETA’s Animal “Rights”

Singer actress Geneva Cruz and other female model-celebrities recently posed nude for a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) advertisement that called for the transfer of Manila Zoo’s lone resident elephant, Mali, to a sanctuary in Thailand. PETA believes the 38-year-old female elephant had been suffering from “profound loneliness” and must be in the company of other elephants in a sanctuary. Manila Zoo officials and veterinarians opposes the transfer stating that Mali is not fit to travel and argues that being alone in the zoo does not mean she is suffering. (Photo by Danny Pata, PETA Philippines)

The Rock, Fatherhood and Milk

One commercial that stood out last Super-Bowl XLVII was the “Got Milk?” ad from action-star Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock. Why? Because it shows a noble character who was willing to do whatever it takes to get milk for his children. Even if it means chasing the milk delivery truck through the streets in his pajamas, while the city around him is in absolute commotion. I understand the urgency. An 8 oz. glass of milk contains 8 essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high-quality “body fuel” protein that will help tackle your day – who doesn’t want that for their family.

Protecting My Children from Sexually Explicit Media

My daughter walked into the living room just as Beyonce started her halftime performance at the Super Bowl. But instead of changing the channel, I decided to let her sit on my lap and we watched the pop star together. I had the remote control in the other hand in case Mrs. Jay-Z pulled a Janet Jackson on all of us.

I told my daughter that Beyonce was a popular singer and was part of a pop group before she (my daughter) was born. She recognized some of the songs and was pleased to discover the singer behind the songs she sometimes hears from her friends. After the performance, I asked her what she thought of the show. She said, “I like her songs and the singing but I don’t like her clothes . . . it’s showing too much.” (In my mind I did the Macauley Culkin’s “Yes!” gesture from “Home Alone”).