Remembering Two Great Men, My Dad and Chuck Colson

April 21st will always be a special date for me. Exactly eight years ago my dad, Romeo Bruce went home with the Lord, and at 3:15pm today I lost a mentor and friend, Chuck Colson. The date of their death is not the only thing they have in common, both are Godly men who lived exemplary lives to proclaim and defend God's absolute truth. Both played a big part in my life and influenced me to become who I am now. My dad introduced me to the Truth and Chuck taught me how to live the Truth. I imagine my dad greeted Chuck at the door with a big welcome hug. I’ll miss them both.

Romeo Bruce, March 14, 1932 - April 21, 2004

Chuck Colson, October 13, 1931 - April 21, 2012

Pop Music: Is It Only Entertainment?

This article from RapRehab.com is by far one of the best commentaries I’ve read on pop music and its influence on our daughters. The author and I share the same sentiments with good Ol' pop music (i.e Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, etc.) and my angst with the current crop of pop starlets (i.e Rihanna, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, etc.). We rant about pop music’s use of over-sexualized lyrics, self-hating labels on women, raunchy publicity stunts and the blatant hypocrisy of the music industry for turning a blind eye to its own and the callousness of the listening public to give these artists a pass and regard them as role models - all because "its only entertainment,"... yeah right!

What the Impeachment Trial of Chief Justice Corona Tells Me

There are mixed opinions surrounding the ongoing impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona. But there's only one message the trial tells me. The trial tells me that the rule of law in the Philippines is alive and well no matter how perceived its corrupt or disappointed Filipinos are with the country’s justice system. The Constitution remains the supreme law of the Philippines and it's designed by God to create order and a strong moral foundation for the country. A foundation strong enough to withstand "storms" and able to hold "bad fruits" in our government accountable for their actions. Clearly no one is above the law.

Repeating what I said in a previous article, it's up to us parents to teach our children about politics and tell them what they see in the news are great lessons in what they ought not imitate. News like the Corona impeachment is a teaching opportunities to tell them that doing the right thing always matter.

What's the Real Cause of Crimes in the Philippines?

As the poverty incidences in the Philippines and the proportion of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger increases in the last decade, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that crime rates in the country are in a downward trend. According to the PNP, 502,665 cases of crimes were recorded in 2009 to only 246,958 in 2011, indicating an average monthly decrease of 3.57% by the end of 2011. The PNP's Chief Executive claimed that the drop in crime rate was because effective anti-crime measures have been put in place in the form of increased police visibility in crime prone areas.

The PNP efforts to stop crime were great but I don't think it's the best solution nor the most effective to bring crime rates down. Alleviating Filipinos from poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and other ills of our society can do little to have a significant impact to maintain peace and order in our neighborhoods.   To fix the problem, the root cause of crime should be addressed.

The cause of crime is not poverty or the inability of the government to provide basic social needs such as jobs and education. Crimes are caused by people making wrong moral choices. Yes, lack of employment or food on the table is an influence but its the lack of moral training that cause an individual to steal, cheat or murder. Most Filipinos know what's right or wrong but the bigger question, and most important question to ask - do Filipinos have the will to do what is right even in the face of temptation or incentives to do what's wrong?

To deal with crime we have to start with the task of moral reformation and teaching ethics to Filipinos. Increasing police presence and stricter crime laws only creates overcrowded prisons and not a reformed crime-free society. Family breakdown is the leading indicator of criminal activity. Instilling good character and virtues of self-discipline, integrity and service within the context of a loving family and healthy community structures like schools and churches is the best anti-crime program we all can take part and believe in. Of course its ideal to start forming these virtues when Filipinos are young. But it's not too late to start for adults. Because latest statistic shows that high poverty doesn't necessarily mean high  crimes. It's not poverty but depravity that causes crimes.  To slow it down, it should begin not by empowering the PNP but strengthening the Filipino family.

(Adapted from BreakPoint. Article also posted on Definitely Filipino)

Pentagon: United States Military Wants Increased Access to Philippines

According to a report from the Washington Post, "the Philippines is in talks with the Obama administration about expanding the American military presence" in the Philippines, a strategic moves aimed at China and its growing military activities in the region. (Read full story here)

Are the talks about US military bases back in Philippine soil? Filipino leftist groups think so and were quick to stage a rally in Washington DC to express their disapproval. A leader from the leftist group, Bayan said, "If we allow more US troops to enter our country, the entire archipelago will be transformed into one military outpost for US hegemonic interests."

Filipino Blogger Dad (Me) Slams Chris Brown & the Grammys

Is it bad to wish that these girls get their wishes granted to knock some senses into their looney heads? Check out the 25 Extremely Upsetting Reactions to Chris Brown at the Grammys. I wonder how their dads would react if they read what their daughters have been tweeting about the self-admitted female beater.

Manny Pacquiao, the Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin of Boxing?

It looks like boxing has found their Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin. Filipino boxing world-champ Manny Pacquiao is now a born again Christian, and he's not keeping his new faith all to himself. He studies the Bible seriously, he leads Bible studies, he evangelizes, he quotes scriptures, and according to reports he turned his back away from his old unhealthy and sinful habits to begin a new life as a follower of God (see video here). He is so high in this faith that he wants to be referred as a "Bible Ambassador" and might retire from his boxing career soon because of the violent nature of the sport. Hope he continues his spiritual journey strong. He needs it to knock out all distractions and temptations. living as a witness for Christ is not easy. It's a daily fight against the hard punches of sin and trials. Be strong Manny Pacquiao and I hope you dig deeper in your faith so you have stronger ground to stand on when you fight.

Manny Pacquiao as a Bible Ambassador?... Um?! Why not!

Introducing New Filipino Daddy Blog on the Important Things in a Pinoy's Life

I'm trying something new and humbly attempts to re-brand my blog. Hope you all noticed the new tagline on the top title header.

"The Living Rice: Filipino-American Daddy Blog on the Valuable Things: Faith, Family, and Country."

Hope the tagline explains it all.

It's up to us parents & church leaders to teach kids about politics in the Philippines

PNoy’s alleged reputation for malevolence is undeserved. I do not regard him as a corrupt or an evil person who is bent on destroying our governmental institutions. On the contrary, I find him sincere and determined in his intention to get rid of people who are using our very institutions for their own hidden agenda. I think the President is on the right track to protect all branches of the government whether it is the executive, legislative, or judiciary from the existing and potential abuses of those who populate them.

Dad to Be Mo Twister's Sad Video to Unborn Child & on Girlfriend's Abortion

Wow! This is so hard to watch. Filipino TV and radio shock jock personality Mo Twister or Mohan Gumatay in real life records a video message to his unborn child as girlfriend, model-actress Rhian Ramos gets an abortion. The video was shot in 2010 and was recently leaked via social media. Read the transcript below the video on YouTube to understand its content. Twister is already facing legal action and has apparently left the Philippines. Rhian Ramos is mum about the video as of press time.

Valid or not, or the intention behind the video is unknown, the grief of this man proves that people inherently know that abortion takes a human life. We are made in the image of God and destroying life has a profound effect on our minds, emotions, and souls. One can’t just “get over” an abortion and move on. We must recognize that there are likely many women (and men) among us who are silently suffering from past abortions and will carry that grief for a very long time. These people need our compassion and prayers.