Hurricane Sandy and Funny Viral Flood Photos from the Philippines

Hurricane Sandy left a trail of destruction along the eastern part of the US. My family survived the storm without any major damage at home. My family spent 2 days of no work and school watching videos and TV shows OnDemand, carving Halloween pumpkins and setting up Christmas decorations (yes, that early).

I found some old funny viral flood photos from the Philippines (via Facebook) during the tropical storms there in the recent past months. I’m posting it here not to make fun of the situation in the US but to make the situation a bit lighter and inspiring for everyone coping with the storm. If there's one thing Americans and Filipinos have in common during natural calamities, it's the resiliency to bounce back stronger - though I think Filipinos do it best because they always have a smile on their faces.  :)

Help victims of super storm Sandy, here are 7 great options. 

Halloween Reading List

My colleagues at the literary blog WarrenAdler.com and myself came up with a reading book list to celebrate the season of scares, Halloween. Horror and supernatural thrillers are not my thing but it was fun to create a list that are mostly composed of classic literature. Definitely, I'm adding Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on my "To-Read" list. Check out the list below and if you get a chance, purchase a copy on Amazon.

Teens' Sexual Behavior Affected By Relationship With Dad, Researchers Find

Share this: Fathers' attitudes toward teen sex and the emotional closeness of their relationship with their teens have a big influence on teenage sexual behavior.

The review showed that dads' attitudes toward teen sexual behavior were linked to the age at which teens first had sex. Teens whose dads approved of adolescent sexual activity tended to start having sex earlier than teens whose dads did not approve, according to studies in the review.

An Important Message from Billy Graham

Thought I'll post this important message from a living giant in the faith, Billy Graham. The full-page ad was featured in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. As believers of Christ, and as dads we are called to be good citizens and set a good influence to our wife and children. It is important that we understand the issues, support solutions based on Christian principles and vote. 

"Elections and politics will not fix the issues — we have to change culture since it precedes and shapes politics. However, God anoints government leaders and it is our right and duties to elect leaders who we believe have integrity and represent the issues we feel passionate about. Some studies show that only half of Christians are registered to vote and only half of those that are registered actually do vote. We are not doing our duty as citizens if we fail to study the issues and the candidates and vote." (ColsonCenter.org)

Rice Topping: Help Us to See

I'm currently contemplating on this one:

"Help us not to fool ourselves with words, with talk of being sorry when we are not sorry, with talk of sacrifice when we have no intention of sacrificing, with talk of action when we are too lazy to act.

Where our vision is dim, help us to see. Where our hearts are imprisoned by fears, release them. And when we see and feel Your truth, give us the courage to act." (Avery Brooke, 1959)

It's easy to be good, selfless and loving to others. But to do it consistently? That's a task you and I need constant prayer for.

Breakfast with Kellogg's Apple Jacks & What Kind of Breakfast Are You?

Here's my son posing with his favorite breakfast, Kellogg's Apple Jacks. I think his face says it all on how much he loves this cereal.

I stumbled upon this blog post or series of pictures of people and their breakfast. It's weird to see how people look like their food and how it reflects their personality. If I'll describe myself as a breakfast menu, I'll probably be a bacon, garlic fried rice and pork tocino kind-of-guy. Yum!

Teenage Pregnancies in the Philippines is Now Third Highest in South East Asia

According to the First National Youth Commission (NYC) , teen pregnancy in the Philippines is increasing in an alarming rate. Teen pregnancy increased 70% over 10 years. Compared to other South East Asia countries, the Philippines is the third highest in teenage pregnancy and the only country experiencing the increasing trend.

This is one thing that is not "more fun" in the Philippines.

Building a strong moral courage to delay gratification is a sure way to slow down the increasing number of teen moms in the Philippines. So dads, let's tell our children the truth - sex outside of marriage is wrong and it has unintended consequences. 

Presidential Fatherhood: Obama and Romney on Being Fathers

I watched the first 2012 Presidential debate last Wednesday night. It was the first time I saw both President Barrack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney together on one stage delivering their case and messages to the public on who is the best person to do the job as President of the United States. But I wonder what the two candidates are like as fathers. What their constituents say about their paternal role and policies. Here’s a quick comparison on the two candidates and their stance on fatherhood.

A Literary Look for Your iPhone

A Literary Look for Your iPhone.

One simple way to introduce your children to classic books (click here to purchase). I'm currently reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby in preparation for the movie coming out this December. The novel tells the story of the lavish and mysterious life of Jay Gatsby set in the 1920s, New York. I won't go into details because I'm still half way. But if there one lesson I'm already learning from the book, it is, the way to happiness is not found in material pleasures.

Happy reading!