Exorcism in the Philippines: From Yahoo News, "Philippine Priest in Ancient Battle with Demons"

"There is a great dramatic increase of possessions right now," said Father Jose Francisco Syquia, Head of Manila Archdiocese's Office of Exorcism. "More and more the demons are gaining a foothold into this society" he added.

Father Syquia's statement reminded me of the 2010 movie "The Last Exorcism". The film's tagline says "If you believe in God, you must believe in the Devil".

Is the Philippines Hopeless?

Thanks to my friend Vicki, I came across the article below by political analyst Daniel Wagner who finds the Philippines "hopeless." Interesting enough is the mixed reaction the article has generated from Filipinos around the world. See the comment section here and you'll see na mukhang mas madami yatang Pinoy ang napikon o na-offend. The article has some honest analysis of the Philippines, it's harsh and painful and it's up to you to decide whether you'll take it as an insult or a constructive criticism. I think going back to the creator and source of hope is the best solution to this "hopelessness" - considering the Philippines as a Christian nation, Filipinos should easily know who I'm talking about.

Are Filipinos too Critical of Each Other?

An observation I made about the Philippines regarding last weeks events, the hostage drama at the Quirino Grandstand and the 4th place win of Ma. Venus Raj at the Miss Universe Pageant was how critical and borderline unforgiving Filipinos are of each other. The Philippines worse critic are Filipinos.

Manila Hostage Crisis - Where Was God?

Sad and frightening news greeted my Monday morning with the hostage crisis in downtown Manila by former policeman Rolando Mendoza. Demanding to get his old job back, Mendoza held 22 Chinese tourists hostage inside a tour bus for more than 10-hours and fatally shooting several of them.

Do Filipinos Rely Too Much on Government?

Blogger and online marketer Carlo Ople has one good response to Noynoy’s recent SONA, huwag masyadong asahan si Noynoy.

Epigenetics and Sin

TIME magazine's cover story on the new science of epigenetics examines evidence that environmental factors like diet and stress can make an imprint on ones gene's without changing the DNA, and can be passed down from one generation to the next.

I still can't wrap my mind around the possible implications of epigenetics on the "I was born this way" argument, commonly heard from many claiming genetic predisposition for behaviors such as homosexuality and sexual infidelity. But the article reminded me of the numerous Biblical warnings about sin and its consequences passed down from fathers and succeeding generations.

Are You Smarter than Flipper?

If tuna is the “chicken of the sea,” dolphins may soon be labeled the “non-human person of the sea.” According to this report, scientists are suggesting that because dolphins are so bright, they should be treated as “non-human persons" and qualify for "moral standing as individuals."

Lessons from Kimmy Dora

The last few days of my recent Christmas vacation was spent catching up on the Filipino movies I missed in 2009 with my wife. One flick that I made sure I get a glimpse of was the Kimmy Dora. An indepedently produced comedy which stars Eugene Domingo, Ariel Ureta, Dingdong Dantes, et al. The positive reviews the film got commending the lead actor, script writers and director were well deserved. The film was well done and was truly entertaining.

"Superstition on the Richter scale"

Thanks to my friend Vicki, I stumbled upon this article from Cito Beltran. As I mentioned on my previous blog post, popular ang mga psychic at manghuhula ngayong bagaong taon and Beltran shares what to him really brings true fortune to his family. His suggestion number 4 is really the key and meat of the entire article. Gusto ko yung commentary nya about the Filipinos at ang sinabi nya na true source of good fortune:

What the Future Holds

In demand na naman ang mga psychic at manhuhula tuwing new year. Sa hirap ng buhay, madami ang handang gumastos kapalit ng assurance na madaming swerte ang dadatuing sa buhay nila. Very comforting malaman ang future but dangerous din.

Christian Worldview and Kids

Teaching Christian worldview to children can be a challenge, because parents are required to find creative ways to simplify profound Biblical truths or respond to questions like “Why can’t I see Jesus?” or “Why is hell hot?” that test our knowledge of basic fundamentals of Christian faith.

For our kids, we've found movies an effective way to introduce worldview. We teach our 5-year-old daughter the concept of “opposites” by showing her characters that are acceptable and unacceptable, and we're training her early to find messages behind what she sees onscreen. We had one of our best moments as parents of young children when our daughter said the other day, “Every time I see a bad person in a movie it reminds me of how good God is.”

How about you? How do you teach your children or teens Christian worldview?

(Originally posted on The Point blog)

Tunay na Mukha ni Santa

Di ko alam kung paano minana ng Philippines ang paniniwala kay Santa Claus pero karamihan ng mga bansa sa buong mundo ay may sariling version ng Santa o naniniwala sa isang “gift-giver” tuwing pasko. But do you ever wonder kung anong tunay na itsura ni Santa Claus? Click here to find out and more importantly try to read who the real Santa Claus is - Saint Nicholas, a former bishop from Turkey who loves children and witnesses Christ’s love for others.

Doomsday Philippines

Salamat sa Hollywood blockbuster movie na "2012" naging malaking hype na naman ang usapan tungkol sa apocalypse o end-of-the-world. Ayon sa movie, base sa ancient Mayan calendar December 21, 2012 daw ang katapusan ng mundo. Last year naging usapan din ang "Doomsday email" na nag-predict na July 18, 2008 diumano ang katapusan ng Pilipinas. Obviously walang katotohanan ito. Ang totoo, ang apocalyptic thinking ay manifestation ng lack of faith at anxieties ng tao sa mga uncertainties ng buhay. Ang mga kalamidad tulad ng Ondoy, tsunami, lindol at hysteria sa man-made global warming ay nagpapaalala kung gaano ka-vulnerable tayong lahat. Ang pananaw sa mundo bilang random at walang sovereign creator ay nagdadagdag din sa anxiety kaya't marami ang madaling maniwala at nakakahanap ng kasagutan sa mga ancient text at manghuhula sa katapusan ng mundo.

Mabuti na lang at ang dapat malaman ng madami... only God offers the real solution. Christians know that true faith in Him cast out all anxieties dahil may kapayapaan at pananalig tayo na sya lang ang may hawak at may alam sa future natin at ng ating mundo. Sa halip na mag-focus sa end-of-times, mag-focus na lang sana tayo sa nag-iisang Creator of time.

Click here for further reading.

Whats Wrong With Kindness?

I was not surprised to see many Filipinos around the world working together to help other Filipinos affected by the recent typhoons. It proves that human beings are generally kind and generous specially in time of great need. This reminds me of how human goodness or kindness counters the basic worldview of evolutionist that says survival of the fittest is the ultimate good for the species or eliminate the weak members of the species for the common good. Fans of Charles Darwin have a problem because they don't have a strong argument of the altruistic nature of human except they say that people do "good" to others so that others will do the same good to them which will increase their chances for survival.

Fortunately Christianity offer a better and stronger explanation. While all humans are born with the capacity to sin, we are also capable of caring for others because God created us in His image. Not only we compete with our neighbors for survival but we can care for them and even willing to sacrifice our lives for them.

(Click here for further reading)

Elvis, Michael and Jesus

The kingmakers of the world of entertainment had brought us two larger than life icons: Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. Surely, they will be remembered for a very long time.

The problem is that the world never delivers. At the end of the day, it always fails to make sense of a life it had birthed and orchestrated. Elvis and Michael shared the same "fame and fortune" fate. Lisa Marie who knew them both testifies to that. Some of us who became fans of either or both, are left with this hollow feeling inside of us that demands a reason for our being.

It is recorded in John 6:14-15 that after the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

There is indeed a void inside the human soul that only God can fill. Jesus rejected the promise of power, fame and fortune when He was tempted in the wilderness. We would do well to follow in the footsteps of one who is truly King.

10 Most Attended Funerals in the Philippines

According to Spot.ph the following are the 10 most attended funerals in the Philippines.

(1) Corazon “Cory” Aquino; (2) Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.; (3) Ramon Magsaysay; (4) Fernando Poe Jr.; (5) Julie Vega; (6) Rico Yan; (7) Francis Magalona; (8) Cardinal Sin; (9) Nida Blanca; (10) Rudy Fernandez

Interesting to note that 6 are from showbiz, 4 from politics and half were unexpected deaths.

Its a good reminder that life is short and fragile. But in our lives death does not have the final word. Christ triumphed over death on the cross; He will give eternal life to all who have faith in Him and in the end, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

I know I have forgiven if...

Originally posted on The Point.

As I read Catherine’s book As We Forgive, it reminded me of the forgiveness issues I have in my life that I daily bring to the foot of the cross. The men and women in her book suffered a great deal; by comparison, my own experiences are nothing. They all have to come to terms with people who did horrific things to them, and I only have to deal with forgiving myself for the poor choices I’ve made in the past.

It made me reflect on the question "How do I know if I have forgiven?" And it revealed once again some of my flawed understanding of forgiveness. Unfortunately, all of us are guilty of such flaws. I wrote down some things to remember about forgiveness:

I know I have forgiven if...

I no longer have feelings of anger or bitterness.
I have asked God to forgive the other person.
I have asked the other person to forgive me.
I have confronted the other person.
I have attempted reconciliation.
I am willing to allow time to heal the wound or get on with life.
I can say “let's just forget about it.”

What's comforting to realize is the fact that I don't have to be flawless to experience God's forgiveness. No one is required to change to be proven worthy of His forgiveness. The only evidence needed is my life submitted to the presence of Christ.

Is Self-Defense Consistent with Your Christian Beliefs?

The article I posted on The Point blog about the pastor who encourages his congregation to bring their weapons to church started an interesting conversation on the Christian perspective on self-defense; and with the distrubling crime news I recently read from the Philippines, the topic became more relevant to reflect on. The question, is self-defense consistent or inconsistent with your Christian beliefs?

Personally, I don't find any problems with self-defense which includes martial arts and gun ownership as long as its applied under upmost understanding and responsiblity. What's unChristian is, applying these things for pride or ego. It goes back in the Imago Dei, the truth that we are made in the image of God- the perspective that we have value, worth and dignity. If you believe in the right to life, including your own, because you're made by God, then there's nothing wrong with wanting to protect it and defending yourself and others (family) from attack.

What do you think?

Ang Katotohanan ay Yaong Sang-ayon sa Sinasabi ng Diyos

Ang paniniwala ay ang pagtitiwala sa katotohanan ng isang bagay, may katibayan man ito o wala. Ang isang paniniwala na batay sa katotohanan ay makapagdudulot ng benepisyo samantalang ang isang paniniwala na batay lamang sa haka-haka ay maaaring mauwi sa kapahamakan. Halimbawa, ang taong naniniwala sa suwerte ay madalas tumataya sa lotto, sa sabong o sa jueteng maski magkaubos-ubos man ang kanyang pera. At kapag mayroong mabuting bagay na nangyayari sa kanyang buhay sasabihin niya na siya ay sinusuwerte.

Ang tanong ay ito: Paano mo malalaman kung ano ang totoo?

Sa Genesis 2, nasasalaysay ang ginawang pagsuway ni Eba’t Adan sa kaisa-isang utos ng Diyos. Sinabi ng Diyos kay Adan na puwede siyang kumain ng bunga ng kahit anumang puno sa Hardin ng Eden maliban sa puno ng kaalamanan ng mabuti at masama. Binalaan siya ng Diyos na kung siya ay kakain ng bunga nito, siya ay tiyak na mamamatay. Ang sinabing ito ng Diyos ay pinabulaanan ng ahas sa hardin. Sinabi ng ahas kay Eba na hindi siya mamamatay maski kumain siya noong prutas na iyon.

Ang totoo ay yaong sang-ayon sa salita ng Diyos. Ang kasinungalingan naman ay ang kontra sa Kanyang salita tulad nang pagsasalungat na ginawa ng diablo. Sinabi ni Cristo sa Juan 8:44 na ang diablo ang ama ng kasinungalingan. Namatay nga si Eba’t Adan nang sila ay kumain ng bunga ng puno ng kaalaman ng mabuti at masama. Tinamo nila agad-agad ang kamatayang espirituwal (ang paghihiwalay ng Espiritu ng Diyos sa tao) at namatay din ang kanilang katawang lupa matapos ang maraming taon.

Minsan napag-usapan sa aming klase ang tungkol sa pagbabayad ng buwis. Noong mga panahong iyon, ang tawag sa BIR ay Bigay Ikaw Regalo. Balita ang pagiging corrupt ng maraming tax examiners. Balita rin na ang mga yumayaman sa lagay ay malaking magbigay sa simbahan. Naniniwala kasi sila na nababayaran ang kanilang mga kasalanang kapag sila ay nagbibigay sa simbahan o namumudmod sa mga mahihirap. Ang pagyaman sa ganitong iligal na paraan ay naging bahagi na ng kulturang Pinoy. Tinatawag natin ngayon ang nakapag-amas ng ill-gotten wealth na “ma-abilidad.” At ang ating maling katuwiran ay, “Eh, bakit pa tayo nasa puwesto?”

Sa Exodo 23:8, pinag-utos ng Diyos sa Kanyang bayan ang ganito: "Huwag kayong tatanggap ng lagay, sapagkat ang lagay ay nambubulag at nagbabaliko ng salita ng katarungan.” Sinasabi naman sa Proverbs 17:23 na, “Ang isang masamang tao ay tumatanggap ng lagay sa ilalim ng mesa upang patirin ang takbo ng katarungan.” (sulat ni Conrado Tolosa, Lambat - posted with permission)

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)