Filipino Christian Blog: It's About Time! Campaign Hopes to Redefine "Filipino Time"

According to this article, for years, the Pinoys' penchant for arriving late at an appointment has been described as "Filipino Time." Most Pinoys, apparently, are habitual late-comers that it has earned for them a virtually new timezone.

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said it is launching "Juan Time," a campaign that aims to promote time-consciousness among Filipinos. The agency said that the Filipino Time has become a "notorious habit" that, unknown to most, "pulls back the country in terms of lost productivity."

Congratulations, Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup! Ms. Universe 3rd Runner Up

My wife and I together with Filipinos around the world, watched Miss Philippines and fellow UP graduate Shamcey Supsup win 3rd runner up in the Miss Universe beauty pageant last Tuesday evening. We're very impressed with her looks and her answer during the Q/A portion of the competition. She didn't disappoint Filipinos who were cheering for her with her smart and well-spoken answer.

Congratulations, Shamcey!

I really enjoy Filipino fondness and enthusiasm on beauty pageants. I also get a kick out of hearing post-pageant reactions and gossip from Filipinos that sort of sweet-lemons Shamcey's 3rd place win. Click here, here, and here.

Everyone's thoughts, including mine, on pageants and beauty in general reflect how our society prides too much on physical attractiveness. The hard truth is no amount of makeup or fancy clothes will hide the fact that beauty is temporary. Sooner or later age will rob us of our beauty. The good news is inner beauty is the true measure of ones good looks and it will last not just our lifetime but forever. My hope is that more Filipino women (and men) will focus in the inner beauty of their character by working to be more like Christ.

(adapted from 3/12/09)

So What? Many Filipinos Optimistic About Quality of Life & Economy

Some good news, an exit poll conducted by Social Weather Stations shows that 49% of Filipinos are optimistic that their quality of life will be better in the next 12 months after the election while, only 2% expect life to be worse. As for economic outlook, 52% of surveyed Filipinos are optimistic, while 2% are pessimistic.

Most Beautiful Filipinas

Filipinos are fond of beauty pageants and according to this blog, the Pinoy's enthusiasm for beauty contest has become cultural. With this said, I’m sure many Filipino eyes will be glued to the three recent Binibining Pilipinas winners hoping either one of them will bring home a crown and follow the footsteps of Gloria Diaz or Miriam Quiambao.

I always tell my wife that Asian women specifically Filipinas are among the prettiest in the world (my wife of course is No. 1). I really do believe that! I find the Pinay's petit, gentle and friendly facial features and fair skin qualities very attractive.

Unfortunately, my thoughts on beauty reflect how our society prides too much on physical attractiveness. The hard truth is no amount of makeup or fancy clothes will hide the fact that beauty is temporary. Sooner or later age will rob us of our beauty. The good news is inner beauty is the true measure of ones good looks and it will last not just our lifetime but forever. My hope is that more Filipino women (and men) will focus in the inner beauty of their character by working to be more like Christ.

Just for fun, who do you think is the most beautiful Filipina?

(Image from Straitstimes.com)

Filipino Drivers Are Road Terrorists?

I've been meaning to post this for a long time but I only had the opportunity to do it today. Its an article from Conrado Tolosa of Lambat. He shares his observations and thoughts on the Filipino driver. Please read and dont forget to share your thoughts and visit the Lambat website.

Marami ang nagsasabi na ang mga Pilipino ay mahusay magmaneho. Para sa akin, hindi yan totoo. Sa aking obserbasyon, ang pangkaraniwang Pilipino driver ay barumbado kung magpatakbo ng sasakyan.

Ang tanong ay ito: Bakit?

Ang clase ng pamumuhay ng tao ay may pinag-uugatan. Ito ang tinatawag na pananaw sa buhay at mundo. Ang ugali ng tao ay namumula sa kanyang mga pinahahalagahan, at ang kanyang mga pinahahalagahan ay nanggagaling sa kanyang mga pinaniniwalaan.

Ang isang driver ay hindi magmamaneho nang pabarumbado kung ang buhay ng tao ay mas mahalaga sa kanya kaysa kanyang panahon at gustong puntahan. Maraming mga batang Pilipino ang nagiging biktima ng mga terrorist drivers sa ating mga lansangan. Basahin natin (RP Has Asia's Dealiest Roads).

Paano makatutulong ang ating gobyerno sa suliraning ito?

1) Higpitan ang pagbibigay ng driver's license. Mayroon akong isang kaibigan ang may lisensya ngunit hindi naman marunong mag-drive at walang sasakyan.

2) I-enforce ang batas. Kapag hindi natitikitan ang mga reckless drivers lalo pa silang magiging reckless.

3) i-educate ang mga pedestrians. Tikitan ang mga nagje-jaywalking at sumasakay sa bawal na lugar. Ipaunawan ang kahalagahan ng pagsunod sa traffic rules sa pamamagitan ng mga public service announcements sa TV.

Paano makatutulong ang Media?

1) Magpalabas ng mga documentaries tungkol sa a) defensive driving, b) ang mabigat na bunga ng reckless driving, at c) kahalagahan ng pagsunod sa batas trapico.

(image from Macuha.com)

Gambling Filipino

Umabot pala ng more than $100 million ang jackpot sa lotto recently. Sigurado akong humaba na naman yung pila sa mga lotto stations sa Pilipinas.

Whether you agree with me ot not, lottery is a form of gambling at napakalaki ng impluwensya ng sugal sa buhay ng mga Pilipino. Linggo-lingo makikita mo ang dami ng taong bumibili ng lotto tickets. Bukod dito meron ding organized gambling activities (illegal or legal) na popular sa mga Pinoy tulad ng jueteng, casino, sabong, karera, at iba pa. Siguro nga dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay kaya malakas ang sugal at tumataya na lang ang ilang Pilipino sa suwerte. Ang mga TV gameshows tulad ng Wowowee at Eat Bulaga ay sugal din. Milyong-milyong piso ang pinamimigay araw-araw at kapansin pansin na tinatarget nila ang mga mahihirap. Maganda ang kanilang intensyon, but good intensions doesn't always mean a good idea.

Ano bang ang Christian perspective sa gambling o sa Wowowee? I hope hindi ito lumabas na legalistic or parang nanghuhusga pero bilang mamamayan, dapat di tayo pabor sa gambling dahil sa problema na dulot nito sa bayan tulad ng corruption, poverty, broken family at krimen.

Oppose din tayo dahil it promotes poor work ethics. Mas maraming tao ang mas gustong tumaya o sumali sa gameshows kaysa sa magtrabaho, mag-aral o mag-ipon. Naghahangad ng instant gratification na hindi naman realistic o healthy lalo na sa mga mahihirap.

Kailangan mas maging demanding tayo sa ating mga lawmakers to make tighter limits on gambling and be tougher to those who promote and abuse illegal gambling.

More importantly, we should also oppose gambling because it encourages people to substitute faith in God’s provision with the illusion that trusting in luck is the surest route to wealth and happiness.

(image from The Philippine Star)

Kapuso, Kapamilya, KaBlog

Here's my first Kapuso, Kapamilya, KaBlog post that will feature snippets of selected blog posts that caught my attention this week. Visit, read and post your comments.

Filipino Voices blog posted some good thought provoking questions about the 2010 presidential elections that will serve as a good reminder for us to examine all aspiring candidates for experience, truthfulness and integrity. Will anyone tell me who should lead this country next so that any form of corruption can - no longer rear its ugly head?

Some good news from Good News Pilipinas about Filipino ingenuity and the transformation of former landfill Payatas, Quezon City: A Philippine social enterprise won the Grand Prize in the international leg of the Business in Development Challenge, an online business plan competition, presented in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Rags2Riches, whose bags are produced by women from Payatas, stole the spotlight from 32 other entries, no less than the best and the brightest after a series of rigorous elimination rounds done in nine BiD satellite countries worldwide.

Just when we thought we've seen the last Rocky movie, here goes a new tsismis of Rocky 7 on the planning table. It will of course feature grandpa Sylvester Stallone and no other than our very own Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquioa. Click here for a blog post on it and share your joy or dismay.

"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)

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)

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)

Philippines Teenage Smoking at Alarming Levels

Health experts have expressed alarm over the increasing number of Filipino women smokers as a result of the tobacco firms' strategy to make smoking look "glamorous and fashionable." According to a recent report, most affected are young girls between 13-15 years in which 30% or 3 out of 10 already have a smoking habit. This is alarming considering that tobacco consumption in developed countries like the United states has dropped due to successful campaigns on the dangers of smoking.

The Philippines need to have more anti-tobacco campaigns specially to directed to young Filipinos. But to be effective, campaigns should teach within a larger perspective or the right worldview that the human body is a gift and made from the image of God. Because when Filipinos understand this they will make good choices for their bodies and do more than just say no to tobacco and other bad habits but yes to honoring God.

(image @ google images)

7 of 10 Pinoys haven’t given up on RP

According to this article from Malaya, majority of Filipinos has not given up on the Philippines and will still choose to stay in the country than migrate somewhere else. This is good news despite of the ongoing problems in the country such as high food and gas prices, government corruption, unemployment, Cha cha, etc. Filipinos are generally optimistist about life in my opinion that's why I'm not surprised with the positive results of the survey. The common expression of hope that most Filipinos share is encouraging but I think what's more significant to recognize is that the feeling of hope is not as important as the object of hope. If it's Christ that majority of Filipinos get their hopes from then that for me is better news and worth celebrating.

"Merry Christmas" not "Happy Holidays"

I recently receive a text message from my friend (itago na lang natin sya sa pangalang Kristan Cleto) who's from Los Angeles. The message says... I'm annoyed when people say "Happy Holidays." So what if there are Jews out there. Christ IS the reason for the season. I still say Merry Christmas to everyone. I somehow share his frustration. The political correctness of Christmas in the US is a major contrast from the Filipino Christmas celebration. In the name of not offending people of other faiths, "Christ" is being removed from Christmas. Happy Holidays" replaces "Merry Christmas" and the Nativity Scene (Belen) and Christmas carols with the birth of Jesus in its message are now banned in some public places. The Philippines is predominantly Catholics which makes political correctness of the season a non big issue. This is one thing I am thankful for. Children carollers, whether at you're house or at your car during rush hour traffic (mahirap iwasan at parang wala kang choice kasi nakatitig talaga sa yong mga mata) can openly sing "Joy to the World" and "O Holy Night" without fears of offending others. I give two thumbs up to the Philipppines' rich Catholic/Christian population and traditions for helping keep "Christ" intact and always part of the Christmas season.

(image @ asianclan.blogspot.com)