"Short Time" Only?

I didn't know that there's a ban on "short time" (quick sex) admissions at Metro Manila motels until I read this article. The Supreme Court decided the ban is unconstitutional and a violation of personal freedom.

Although the proponents of the ban have good intentions - prevent the use of motels in illicit sex, prostitution and illegal drugs, they could have been more strategic and wiser in executing their goals.

Could the ban really curb the growing problems of illicit sex and drugs in the Philippines? I agree with the court's ruling on what they think is best to solve the problem,

“The behavior which the ordinance seeks to curtail is in fact already prohibited and could in fact be diminished simply by applying existing laws. Less intrusive measures such as curbing the proliferation of prostitutes and drug dealers through active police work would be more effective in easing the situation.”

Aside from implementing existing laws on illegal sex and drugs, whats more important and effective are more programs that strengthens healthy family values, promote good moral character and teach Biblical principles on relationships, sex and social responsiblity to all Filipinos.

Filipinos deserve better than weak and temporary answers to our social problems. Filipinos need strong, realistic and long-lasting solutions... Bawal ang "short-time!"

Do you agree?

(image from The Philippine Star)

The Kindness of Mang Mel

Good citizens help each other in special times of need. Here's one touching story that caught my attention that demonstrate that truth. I basically spent my growing up years in UP Diliman that's why the story of retired UP janitor, Mang Mel interest me a lot. Naaalala ko tuloy yung mga janitor at maintenance staff sa UP College of Engineering kung saan teacher ang tatay ko na naging mabait sa akin at parang naging tatay-tatayan din habang nasa trabaho ang tatay ko. Ang daming oras ko din yata sa spend sa UPEng since pre-kinder hanggang last day ng tatay nang mag-retire sya nung 1996, thats 16 years.

As Inquirer.net reported, a story posted on social networking website Multiply grabs the attention of the alumni of the University of the Philippines. It is about the plight of Meliton Zamora, the university's janitor who was unable to get his retirement package due to some "miscalculations" in his leave credits. In this interview with INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Anna Valmero (see above), Garcia recounts how he became a loan guarantor to UP students and his call to resolve issues on his retirement pay.

The Fight is On Between Manny Pacquiao & Ricky Hatton

Pacland, a website dedicated to Manny Pacquiao confirmed the fight between the Pacman and Ricky Hatton is set on May 2. Read what Manny has to say about the fight,

…natapos na rin ang negosasyon para sa laban namin ni Ricky Hatton ng England at sa lalong madaling panahon ay opisyal na naming ia-announce ang laban na gaganapin sa May 2, sa Las Vegas, Nevada.

Itong huling linggong nagdaan ay naging isang malaking pagsubok sa mga miyembro ng aking koponan at marami akong natutunan sa mga taong nakapaligid sa akin at sa aking career.

Hindi rin natin masisisi ang ilang mga tao kung bakit kulang pa rin ang pagbibigay nila ng respeto at pagkilala sa akin, sa mga naipundar at naibigay kong tulong sa sport, bilang isa sa mga mandirigmang nagbibigay ng excitement at aksyon sa larangang ito ng palakasan.

Nasabi ko ito dahil sa gitna ng lahat ng negosasyon, ang namamahala sa Golden Boy Promotions na si Richard Schafer, ang CEO ng kumpanya na pinamumunuan at ipinundar ni Oscar "Golden Boy" Dela Hoya, ay pilit na ibinababa ang aking mga nagawang resulta sa labanan. Minsan, naging personal ang kanyang galit at dinadala niya ito sa gitna ng negosasyon, isang bagay na hindi dapat humantong sa ganoong mga usapin.

Hindi rin natin siya masisisi. Dalawang beses kong tinalo si Marco Antonio Barrera, tinalo ko rin si Juan Manuel Marquez at nakuha ang World Boxing Council super featherweight title mula sa kanya. At higit sa lahat, si Dela Hoya ay natalo natin noong isang taon sa isang laban na mahirap makalimutan ng mga boxing fans sa maraming taon na lilipas.

Lahat ng mga boxer na nabanggit ay ang mga pinakamagagaling na talento ng Golden Boy Promotions kaya siguro hindi maalis ni Schafer na gawing personal ang natapos na negosasyon.

Gusto ko na ring tapusin ang hidwaan na iyan dahil walang maidudulot na mabuti ang pag-aalitan. Ngayong medyo kuntento na ako sa mga kasunduan at mga pinag-usapang mga detalye ng kontrata, gusto ko nang magsimulang maghanda para sa susunod na laban…

Go Manny! Continue to strive for excellence in your sport both in and outside the ring. Excellence is what God called us to do in everything we do. Make Filipinos proud again.

(image from http://www.mannypacquiao.ph/)

Si Obama at ang Biblia

Nakita natin nung Martes (Jan. 20) ang pormal na pagtaguyod kay Barrack Obama bilang ika-44 na Presidente ng America. Kabilang sa seremonya ay ang kanyang panunumpa sa harap mga tao at sa Diyos na sinisimbolo ng paglapat ng kanyang kamay sa Biblia. Ginamit ni Obama ang orihinal na Biblia ni Abraham Lincoln na isa sa mga nakaraang Presidente ng Amerika na bukas sa publiko ang paniniwala sa salita ng Diyos. God bless at mabuhay ka Barrack Obama.

Ang tanong ko lang, sa paggamit ni Obama ng Biblia sa harap ng milyon-milyong tao sa buong mundo sa kanyang inagurasyon, paano o gaano kaimpluwensya kaya ang ito sa kanyang gagawing mga desisyon at dadalhing pagbabago sa Amerika lalo na sa mga isyung kritikal tulad ng moralidad, abortion at traditonal marraige? Sana naman gamitin nya ito ng husto.

(image from The London Standard)

WHAT IS WORLDVIEW? Article 1: Ang isang pananaw na nakabase sa katotohanan ay magbubunga ng mabuting moralidad na magbubunga naman ng tamang pamumuhay

Lahat tayo ay may kanya-kanyang pananaw sa buhay at mundo. Ang ating pananaw ay binubuo ng mga bagay na ating pinaniniwalaan at pinahahalagahan. Ito ang nagbibigay kulay at kahulugan sa mga bagay at pangyayaring nagaganap sa ating paligid at nagbibigay hugis sa ating pagkilos. Halimbawa, ang taong hindi naniniwala sa Diyos ay hindi magsisimba. Ang taong walang pakialam sa karapatan ng mga nasa sinapupunan ay hindi sasalungat sa pagpapalaglag o abortion. Ang mga kalalakihan na hindi pantay ang pagtingin sa mga kababaihan ay hindi maglalaan ng tamang respeto sa kanila.

Ang tanong ay ito: Saan ba nakatayo ang iyong pananaw?

Noon, maraming mga squatters ang namamalagi sa tabi ng tulay sa may amin. Minsan, dumating ang isang napakalakas na bagyo. Marami sa mga barong-barong na itinayo doon ang gumuho at nadala ng baha. Maraming mga batang namatay. “Bakit tumitira ang mga tao doon sa bahay na walang pundasyon at sa may tabing ilog pa?” “At bakit sila pinapayagan ng gobyerno?” Ito ang mga katanungan na hindi ko masagot sa aking sarili.

Matapos ang isang mahabang pangangaral ni Cristo, sinabi Niya ang ganito, “Ang sinumang makarinig ng aking mga pangaral at magsapamuhay nito ay tulad sa isang marunong na tao. Itinayo niya ang kanyang bahay sa bato. Bumuhos ang ulan, umapaw ang ilog at humampas ang malakas na hangin; subalit hindi ito nagiba sapagkat ang pundasyon nito ay nasa bato. Subalit ang sinumang nakarinig ngunit hindi nagbigay kabuluhan sa Aking mga pangaral ay tulad sa isang hangal na nagtayo ng bahay sa buhanginan. Bumuhos ang ulan, umapaw ang ilog, at humampas ang malakas na hangin, at ito ay nawasak at nagiba (Mateo 7:24-27).”

Kung ang ating pananaw ay hindi nakatayo sa katotohanan, siguradong babagsak ang ating moralidad kapag nagkaproblema tayo, lalong-lalo na sa pera - tulad ng mga naguhong bahay sa tabing ilog na walang pundasyon nang bumagyo. Habang dumarami ang mga pulubi, mga magnanakaw, mga prostitutes, mga drug addicts, madalas na ang sinisisi ng madla ay ang gobyerno. Panahon na upang harapin ng mga Pilipino ang kani-kanilang personal na resposibilidad. Kailangang magbago ang pananaw ng bayan (sulat ni Conrado Tolosa, Lambat - posted with permission)

Hollywood Films Coming to Manila in 2009

Mario Bautista of Malaya published 22 Hollywood movies set to invade the Philippines this 2009. Since having a child and and soon children, I only get to see these big movies on DVD. Mas nauunahan pa ako ng mga Pinoy sa Pilipinas kasi halos sabay na rin ang premier dates dun. Nauuna pa nga minsan dahil sa international dateline. I do hope to catch at least some of these films on real wide screen movie theaters. Among the major movies that I am personally looking forward to are Star Trek, Transformers, X-Men Origins and Land of the Lost. Below is the list and its expected showing dates. Be sure to check the film's rating if its appropriate for you and your family.

Which film are you anticipating?

"Watchmen" (March 6) – Based on the graphic novel of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons starring Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson and Carla Gugino.

"Monsters vs. Aliens" (March 27) – Dreamworks animated flick about a rag-tag band of mutants assembled by the US military to thwart an invasion, with voices by Reese Witherspoon and Hugh Laurie.

"The Fast and the Furious 4" (April 3) – Paul Walker and Vin Diesel reunion in this new sequel about driving really fast.

"X Men Origins: Wolverine" (May 1) – Hugh Jackman recreates his Wolverine role but stars solo to show how he became the blade-wielding mutant.

"Star Trek" (May 8) – This is a prequel of the hit sci-fi franchise showing the younger days of Capt. Kirk and Spock, from JJ Abrams, creator of the hit TV series "Lost."

"Angels and Demons" (May 15) – This is from the same author of "The Da Vinci Code" and Tom Hanks reprises his role as cryptologist Robert Langdon who aims to foil a dastardly plan by some bad guys to blow up the Vatican.

"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" – This is the sequel to Ben Stiller’s previous hit comedy fantasy about museum exhibits coming to life at night. This time, Ben reprises his role as security guard Larry Daley who rescues his favorite museum characters when they are put in danger.

"Terminator: Salvation" (May 2) – Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in the first three "Terimator" robot action franchise. This time, it’s the turn of "Batman" Christian Bale to do a lot of time-traveling in this new "Terminator" flick which is both a sequel and a prequel.

"UP" (May 29) – This is an animated movie for Pixar about gourmet rats and lonely robots who get entangled with a grumpy old man and his balloon-powered floating house.

"Land of the Lost" (June 6) – Comedian Will Ferrell stars in this remake of the popular ‘70s TV show about three people who find themselves transported to a strange world populated by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptiles.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (June 26) – Sequel to the hit first "Transformers" flick, again starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox with more warring robots who transform into giant warriors, once again directed by Michael Bay.

"Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (July 1) – Pre-historic creatures Manny, Sid, Diego and Ellier are back in this new adventure once again featuring the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Dennis Leary, and Queen Latifah.

"Public Enemies" (July 1) – Johnny Depp stars as legendary bank robber John Dillinger and Christian Bale is the G-man on his tail in this true crime drama directed by Michael Mann.

"Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" (July 17) – Harry, Hermione, Ron and friends return to Hogwarts and face Lord Voldemort again in this sixth installment of the series.

"Funny People" (July 31) – A new comedy from "Knocked Up" and "40-Year-Old Virgin" creator Judd Apatow, who writes and directs this comedy/drama about a stand-up comedian starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen.

"G.I Joe: Rise of the Cobra" (July 7) – A live-action extravaganza based on Hasbro’s popular line of action figures starring young hunk Channing Tatum with Dennis Quaid and Sienna Miller.

"Inglorious Basterds" (July 21) – After tackling kung-fu action and grind-house horror, writer/director Quentin Tarantino goes to war with Brad Pitt leading a team of Nazi-hunters.

"Where the Wild Things Are" (October 16) – Director Spike Jones brings to life Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book about a boy transported to a world of monsters.

"The Wolfman" (November 6) – Benicio del Toro stars as a nobleman who is bitten by a werewolf and starts the massacre of the people in his village.

"Sherlock Holmes" (November 20) – Robert Downey Jr. stars as the legendary London detective, with Jude Law as his sidekick Dr. Watson, directed by Guy Ritchie.

"Avatar" (December 18) – Director James Cameron of "Titanic" comes with a sci-fic action epic in 3-D with ground-breaking eye-popping special effects.

"The Princess and the Frog" (Christmas 2009) – This is Disney’s return to traditional hand-drawn animation after focusing on computer animation for five years. The story is a fairy tale set in New Orleans during the Jazz Age.

(image from firstshowing.net)

Who Will Be the Next Philippine President?

According to this news report, a survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) shows Filipinos favor Vice President Noli De Castro (31%) as a likely successor to President Gloria Arroyo in 2010. He is followed by Senators Loren Legarda (28%), Manny Villar (27%), Francis Escudero (19%), Panfilo Lacson (14%), former President Joseph Estrada (11%), and Senator Mar Roxas (10 percent).

Although it's too early to pick who will be the next leader, we can expect these potential candidates to campaign early for our votes. Every candidate will have his/her gimmick to get our attention (remember VP Noli De Castro at the Pacquiao-Dela Joya fight?).

What can we do as Filipino christians? One is to start thinking critically on these politicians. Examine their actions, know and study their positions on issues important to the Filipinos. Read and watch them on the news, discuss them with your friends. This way you an I can make an objective and responsible decision who to vote for more than a year from now.

More importantly, it's good to start early to pray for these potential candidates and the new government they will form. God instituted government because it provides order and structure to a society. The new government will protect and help Filipinos to function. Those in position of authority such as the President are there by God’s permission. It is therefore important that we obey them, respect them and most specially pray for them.

Who do you think will be the best next President or what qualities he/she should possess?

Some scriptures to consider: 1 Peter 2:13-17; Titus 3:1-2; Ecc 8:2-5; 1 Tim 2:1-3

(image @ adb.org)

(additional reference @ gotquestions.org)

Love Thy Neighbor's Dried Fish

Loving their neighbors must be tough for these New York nuns, as they are up against a popular Filipino delicacy called tuyo (salty dried fish). According to the article, the nuns are suing a Filipino couple for cooking tuyo and another popular dish, tinapa (smoked dried fish). Both have a strong "foul" smell that all Filipinos love.

I’m Filipino, and this was a dilemma at our house too. We gave up on the dish some time ago out of courtesy for others. We can’t cook it indoors because it will stink up our condo and clothes, but can't fry it outdoors either because it will offend our neighbors (as happened with our next-door Filipino neighbor who fried fish last summer).

What do you think of the story and what would you do? Is this a racial issue, an ethical issue, or just an issue of respect?

(originally posted on The Point)

Some Statistics on Filipino Youth

Thanks to Basta Lovelife podcast I heard some interesting updates on the state of the Filipino youth. Referring to a national study, host Kuya Kevin reported at least 40% of Filipino teens in Manila engage in premarital sex, 23% of all Filipino teens are young mothers, 75% of young Filipino men are exposed to pornography and 400,000 abortions are estimated to occur every year.

It's a little troubling but as I commented on his blog about the statistics, I said... I’m not surprised. I read a similar study on American teens that showed somehow similar results. Someday the two cultures will mirror each other. Teenagers need to learn how to make good choices - choices that are morally objective and not subjective or based on “how I feel”. The best way to establish that is to teach them how to live Christianly and have a Godly perspective in everything. I believe many Filipino teens are way ahead on this aspect than their Western counterpart and that’s one good news I want to highlight.

The young generation need their "love life" to be based on Biblical guidelines because only in the context of God's principles they can live their relationships healthy and few heartbreaks. Nothing beats the Bible as the greatest relationship book of all time.

(data @ State of the Philippines Population Report, 2002).

"If I'm killed I know I will be with Jesus" - Ninoy Aquino

Thanks to my friend Brian of The Emerge Network , he posted a video clip of Ninoy Aquino's interview on The 700 Club in 1981. On the clip, Ninoy had a profound message on his Christian faith, finding God and human suffering. The clip shows why I consider him as a personal hero and why I admire and consider him as the greatest Filipino who ever lived. Hope Ninoy's life will influence your views and patriotism for the Filipinos as he did for mine.

I want to share a blog post I made for The Point in 2007 for Ninoy's 24th death anniversary for all of us to to ponder on.

Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, recipient of BreakPoint’s first Wilberforce Award in 1988 and my personal hero, was a well known exiled leader of the Philippines against dictator Ferdinand Marcos. What is not well known, especially to his countrymen, is his conversion to Jesus Christ. Inspired by Chuck Colson’s Born Again, Aquino was in his prison cell when he surrendered his life to Christ. But his conversion took away none of his heartfelt concern for his nation. Aquino vowed he would one day return to the Philippines, stating that “If I’m killed, I know I’ll be with Jesus Christ..."

Aquino’s decision to return despite the risk of death made him both martyr and hero. But it was his faith in Christ that strengthened his courage to return and made his conscience not let him do otherwise. As Chuck Colson says in his new book, God & Government, “One can never quite calculate how one conversion like Benigno Aquino’s in a lowly prison cell may set a motion a train of events to shake a nation.” His return and his death sparked the well-known People Power revolution in 1986 that toppled Marcos and inspired democratic change not only in the Philippines but also around the world.

As the late Jaime Cardinal Sin of the Philippines said, “it is hard for our doubting hearts to believe that spiritual power -- which is peaceful, prayerful, humane, forgiving, willing to suffer on the side of the poor and oppressed -- can change society. We know the gospel affects the lives of individuals, but can it make an impact on institutions and governments, where the heartless realities of power pierce like a knife?” The answer to this question is, yes, it is possible. Because in the end, aligning our will to Christ compels us to surrender the worst times and the most difficult political situations into the hands of the sovereign God.

(image @ Facebook/Ninoy Aquino)

Love Life & Twilight - Part 2

I got a comment from my previous post on Twilight that Christians should stay away from these kinds of movies.

Although the comment made sense to me, I must say I disagree with turning my back away on the book and movie. As Christians we should see and read these popular entertainment influencing the young Filipinos even more. Do you agree? Only this way you and I can discern, rate and guide the young or less experienced generation to question and think critically about the media they see today.

Although it's hard to change and regulate the contents in Philippine and Hollywood media, teaching young people to think critically guided by Biblical principles will equip them to filter the various messages they see everyday and in turn help them make wise and healthy choices.

Just for FYI. Twilight is the third top grossing film in the Philippines in 2008. Click here to view full list.

Click here for a different perspective on Twilight via Christianity Today.

You decide!

(image @ Twilightthemovie.com)

The Philippines Need Good Citizens

I saw this opinion letter by Reginald Tamayo on Inquirer.net that echos my prayer to the Filipinos.

For the year 2009, it is my prayerful wish that we learn to become good citizens. It is my prayer that we should learn to be more aggressive about our rights, freedom and dignity as a people. I do not wish to leave this country even when it is filthy to live in. That would be unpatriotic. There is hope for this country. Let us start contributing our fair share by caring for and loving our country, making it more decent and respectable in the eyes of the international community and God. And we can do that by learning to become good citizens.

To make a better Philippines, we need better Filipinos. To make better Filipinos we need God.

Here are some scriptures to ponder:

“Makes Jesus your Lord proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of fools... Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” 1 Peter 2:13-17 (The Message)

“Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen.” Romans 13:1 (The Message)

Respect Chicks?

Konting showbiz news naman tayo... This PETA ad caught my attention today. It features Philippine singer actress Yasmin Kurdi posing behind a chicken cage calling us to respect the chickens right to live. Medyo natawa yata ako sa ad na ito. Rights ng manok? Rights ng Chicken Joy? Paano na lang ang rights ni Yasmin? The right to live and choose better modeling or endorsement projects.

Wala akong information kung gaanong karaming vegetarian sa Pilipinas pero mukhang pinupush talaga ng PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ang kanilang campaign to go vegetarian ang bayang masagana sa adobo, lechong kawali, dinuguan, bulalo, sisig, binagoongan, atbp (gutom na ako!).

Obvious sa ad na ito ang worldview o pananaw sa mundo ng founder ng PETA na si Ingrid Newkirk. Naniniwala ang PETA sa naturalistic philosophy na walang pinagkaiba ang tao sa hayop. They don't see humans as unique and spiritual but just one species among many - pangkaraniwang hayop lamang. Kalevel lang natin ang mga aso, pusa at manok.

The biblical worldview says that humans are unique and created in the image of God. I don't mean to say its alright to hurt or mistreat animals that's not we are called to do. We our called to be steward over creation and use our stewardship for good. We protect the environment and stand against cruelty to animals not in the name of animal rights but in the name of biblical stewardship. The best way to "relate whats on your plate" is to relate and share to those who don't have plates and food on their table. Hindi sa diet nakukuha ang pagrespeto sa hayop at kalikasan kundi sa pagsunod natin sa Diyos na lumikha ng mga ito.

(image @ vegetarianstar.com)

(reference @ BreakPoint.org)

The Greatest Filipino Who Ever Lived

(Filipino Christian Blogger) Tanong ng Filipinos Voices blog... If we're to vote for the BEST FILIPINO who ever lived, who would most likely be in the short list and who will get the most votes?

Here are the nominees (click nyo na lang yung name for information about the person kasi wala akong time mag-summarize).

The Sure Ins
Jose Rizal
Andres Bonifacio
Lapu-lapu
Past Leaders
Diosdado Macapagal
Ramon Magsaysay
Ferdinand Marcos
Manuel Quezon
Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino
The Arts
Fernando Poe Jr.
Atang Dela Rama
The Saints
San Lorenzo Ruiz
Jaime Cardinal Sin
Pedro Calungsod

Kung ako ang tatanungin si my vote goes to Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino. Until now, hanga ako sa tapang nya para harapin ang kanyang kamatayan. Di ko makalimutan yung bilin nya sa mga reporters bago sya lumabas ng plane to get their cameras ready to record every moment of his arrival because his life can be over in a split second. Naniniwala ako at naconfirm ko sa aking boss na si Chuck Colson that his motivation to die for the Philippines is not only because he loves the Filipinos but because He love the Almighty. Sabi nga ni Chuck sa akin his final phone conversation with Ninoy before he left for the Philippines and he said "if I die, I know I will be with Jesus." Ninoy really felt that he was called to give his life to the Filipinos. Serving and dying for the Filipinos to honor God deserve my vote as the greatest Filipino who ever lived.

Who would you nominate or vote for?