Welga Ng Mga Tunay Na "Marginalized Sector"

Eto pa. Mas lalong pa-iinitin ang ulo niyo.

Hehehe..

Tutal malapit na ang eleksyon, at patuloy pa rin ang mga kontrobersya sa mga Party List Organizations na tumatakbo, eto tignan natin ang mga hinaing ng mga tunay na "marginalized sector".

Eto ang kanilang mga sinasabi:

"Pinapaikot mo lang ako.
Nagsasawa na ako. Mabuti
pang patayin mo na lang
ako."
-Electric Fan

"Hindi lahat ng walang
salawal ay bastos."
-Winnie The Pooh

"Alam mo ba wala akong
ibang hinangad kundi ang
mapalapit sa'yo. Pero
patuloy ang pag-iwas mo"
-Ipis

"Hala! Sige magpakasasa ka!
Alam ko namang katawan
ko lang ang habol mo."
-Hipon

"Ayoko na! Pag nagmamahal
ako lagi na lang maraming
tao ang nagagalit! Wala
ba akong karapatang
magmahal?!?"
-Gasolina

"Hindi lahat ng green
ay masustansya. "
-Plema

"Hindi ko hinahangad na
ipagmalaki mo na ako'y
sa'yo. Ayoko ko lang naman
na sa harap ng maraming
tao ganun mo na lang ako
itanggi.."
-Utot

"Sawang sawa na ako
palagi nalang akong
pinagpapasa- pasahan,
pagod na pagod na ako."
-Bola

"You never know what you
have till you lose it.
And once you lose it, you
can never get it back."
-Snatcher

"Ginawa ko naman lahat
para sumaya ka. Mahirap ba
talagang makontento sa isa?
Bakit palipat-lipat ka?"
-TV

"Hindi lahat ng maasim
may Vitamin C!"
-Kili-Kili

"Sige, batihin mo ako.... Sigeee.....
BATEEEEEE!!! !!!!!"
-Omelette

Pilitin mo man na alisin
ako sa buhay mo, babalik
at babalik ako!
-Libag

"Wag mo na akong bilugin.."
-Kulangot

"Paano tayo makakabuo kung
hindi ako papatong sa iyo?"
-Lego

"Hindi lahat ng dugo
pwedeng i-donate."
-Regla

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Nakuha ko ito mula sa isang email na ipinadala sa akin ng aking kaibigan/kaklase noon. Wala lang. Naisip ko lang na i-post kasi malapit na ang eleksyon. Hehehe.. Tsaka, para makapag-isip-isip ang mga tao kung sinu-sino ba talaga ang tinutukoy na "marginalized sector" ng ating batas. Hehehe.. Sino ba talaga ang mga "marginalized"? Mag-isip muna bago bumoto.

God bless.

Breaking News # 1: Jollibee's Real Identity Revealed

Sobrang init.

Ang hirap mag-isip ng pwedeng maisulat. Bigla kong na-realize, hindi talaga ako tatagal sa isang disyerto. Pero bakit nung nagpunta kami ng Saudi Arabia kinaya ko? Hehehe.. Magdamag kasi ang aircon sa bahay namin dun. Dito, pilit kong pinipigilan ang timer ng aircon para mas humaba-haba ang pag-eenjoy.

Walang kinalaman dyan ang entry na ito.
Ala lang.

Gusto ko lang i-share ang isa sa mga walang katuturang trivia na nalaman ko mula sa isang kaibigan at classmate nung college. Minsan ko lang bisitahin ang blogsite ni RJ kasi hindi naman gumagalaw ang site niya. Wala namang pagbabago, puro promotion lang nung mga negosyo niya. Pero minsan naisipan kong bisitahin at mas lalo akong na-enganyong tingnan kasi sabi niya alam na daw niya ang tunay na pangalan ni Jollibee.

Sabi niya, kung Ronald McDonald daw ang buong pangalan ng Mc Donald's. Dapat si Jollibee rin daw meron din. Kaya yun, habang naglalakad sila ni Vier ng mga papeles ng kanilang negosyo inabutan sila ng lunch sa isang Jollibee branch. At yun na! Nakita na nila ang tunay at buong na pangalan ni Jollibee.

Ready na ba kayo? Naku, exclusive ito.
O eto na:

Kung sa McDonald's may Ronald McDonald, sa Jollibee naman ay may:

JOLLIBEE N. DOMINGO

Heto ang katibayan:

Ito ang pruweba niya.
Pinoy na Pinoy talaga!
Take note, may middle initial pa.
Woohoo!! Bwahahaha!!!

Nakakapang-init ng ulo, di ba? Hehehe.
Gaya ng sabi niya, wala na akong masasabi pa.
Naku, dapat next time pati middle name niya alam ko na.

P.S.
Sa Jollibee Bida ang sarap!
You're the best!! (Hehehehe...)
RJ, wala kang kupas!!

One Night Only (Outline)

Preaching no.: 3
Key Scriptures: Matthew 26:36-56
Other Verses: Mark 14:32-50; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-12
Date: 04-03-07

The Darkest Hour Of Jesus Christ

36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46Rise let us go! Here comes my betrayer!
47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
49Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
50Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
51With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
55At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
56But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

FACTS ABOUT "DARKEST HOUR"

• 2-4 a.m. is considered the darkest hour
• Idiomatic expression: the day is darkest before the dawn
• 50-65% crimes happen during the darkest hours
• Most Christians are disrupted from sleeping during 2-4 a.m.

FACTS ABOUT GETHSEMANE

• Gethsemane (also spelled Gethsemani) was the garden where, according to the New Testament and Christian traditions, Jesus watched, prayed, and suffered for the sins of the world the night before he was crucified. According to Luke 22:43–44, Jesus' anguish in Gethsemane was so deep that "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Gethsemane was also where Christ was betrayed by the disciple Judas Iscariot.
• The garden identified as Gethsemane is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, now within the city of Jerusalem. Located by the garden is the Chruch of All Nations , also known as the Church of the Agony. The ancient church was destroyed by the Sassanids in 614. The church rebuilt on the site by the Crusaders was finally razed, probably in 1219. Also on the Mount of Olives is the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Mary Magdalene with its distinct golden, onion-shaped domes (Byzantine/Russian Style). It was built by Russian Tsar Alexander III memory of his mother.
• The name Gethsemane is given in the Greek of the Gospels (Matthew 26:36 and Mark Aramaic 'Gath-Šmânê', meaning 'the oil press' or 'oil vat' (referring to olive oil). It would appear from this that there were a number of olive trees planted around the area at the time. The Gospel of Mark (xiv, 32) calls it chorion, "a place" or "estate"; The Gospel of John (xviii, 1) speaks of it as kepos, a "garden" or "orchard". The garden today is filled with olive trees that might well be descendants of those from the time of Jesus. 14:32) as Γεθσημανι (Gethsêmani). This represents the

BACKGROUND OF THE STORY

• Our Lord after having eaten the Passover and celebrating the supper with His disciples, went with them to the Mount of Olives, and entered the garden of Gethsemane.
• In company with His disciples, the Savior slowly made His way to the garden of Gethsemane. The Passover moon, broad and full, shone from a cloudless sky. The city of pilgrims' tents was hushed into silence.
• Matthew 26:17-19

17On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where

do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

18He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time

is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'"

19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

WHY GETHSEMANE?

• SECOND ADAM: May we not conceive that as in a garden Adam’s self-indulgence ruined us, so in another garden the agonies of the second Adam should restore us. Gethsemane supplies the medicine for the ills which followed upon the forbidden fruit of Eden. No flowers which bloomed upon the banks of the four-fold river were ever so precious to our race as the bitter herbs which grew hard by the black and sullen stream of Kedron. (Genesis 2:8)

8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.

KEDRON/KIDRON

• Kedron = Cedron, turbid, the winter torrent which flows through the Valley of Jehoshaphat, on the eastern side of Jerusalem, between the city and the Mount of Olives. This valley is known in Scripture only by the name "the brook Kidron." David crossed this brook bare-foot and weeping, when fleeing from Absalom (2 Sam. 15:23, 30), and it was frequently crossed by our Lord in his journeyings to and fro (John 18:1). Here Asa burned the obscene idols of his mother (1 Kings 15:13), and here Athaliah was executed (2 Kings 11:15). It afterwards became the receptacle for all manner of impurities (2 Chr. 29:16; 30:14) and in the time of Josiah this valley was the common cemetery of the city (2 Kings 23:6; comp.Jer. 26:23).
• Through this mountain ravine no water runs, except after heavy rains in the mountains round about Jerusalem. Its length from its head to en-Rogel is 2 3/4 miles. Its precipitous, rocky banks are filled with ancient tombs, especially the left bank opposite the temple area. The greatest desire of the Jews is to be buried there, from the idea that the Kidron is the "valley of Jehoshaphat" mentioned in Joel 3:2.
• Below en-Rogel the Kidron has no historical or sacred interest. It runs in a winding course through the wilderness of Judea to the north-western shore of the Dead Sea. Its whole length, in a straight line, is only some 20 miles, but in this space its descent is about 3,912 feet.
• Recent excavations have brought to light the fact that the old bed of the Kidron is about 40 feet lower than its present bed, and about 70 feet nearer the sanctuary wall.

• GREATER DAVID: May not our Lord also have thought of David, when on that memorable occasion he fled out of the city from his rebellious son, and it is written, “The king also himself passed over the brook Kedron,” and he and his people went up bare-footed and bare-headed, weeping as they went? Behold, the greater David leaves the temple to become desolate, and forsakes the city which had rejected His admonitions, and with a sorrowful heart crosses the foul brook, to find in solitude a solace for His woes. Our Lord Jesus, moreover, meant us to see that our sin changed everything about Him into sorrow, it turned His riches into poverty, His peace into travail, His glory into shame, and so the place of His peaceful retirement, where in hallowed devotion He had been nearest heaven in communication with God, our sin transformed into the focus of His sorrow, the centre of His woe. Where He had enjoyed most, there He must be called to suffer most. Our Lord may also have chosen the garden, because needing every remembrance that could sustain Him in the conflict, He felt refreshed by the memory of former hours which there had passed away so quietly. He had there prayed, and gained strength and comfort. Those gnarled and twisted olives knew Him well; there was scarce a blade of grass in the garden which He had not knelt upon; He had consecrated the spot to fellowship with God. What wonder then that He preferred this favoured soil? Just as a man would choose in sickness to lie in his own bed, so Jesus chose to endure His agony in His own oratory, where the recollections of former communings with His Father would come so vividly before Him.

• USUAL PLACE: See Luke 22:39

39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.

• JUDAS KNEW THE PLACE:But probably, the chief reason for His resort to Gethsemane was, that it was His well-known haunt, and John tells us, “Judas also knew the place.” Our Lord did not wish to conceal Himself, He did not need to be hunted down like a thief, or searched out by spies. He went boldly to the place where His enemies knew that He was accustomed to pray, for He was willing to be taken to suffering and to death. They did not drag Him off to Pilate’s hall against His will, but He went with them voluntarily. When the hour was come for Him to be betrayed there was He in a place where the traitor could readily find Him, and when Judas would betray Him with a kiss His cheek was ready to receive the traitorous salutation. The blessed Saviour delighted to do the will of the Lord, though it involved obedience to death. (John 18:2)

2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.

In Zechariah 13:7:

7 "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.

REASONS FOR CALLING IT AS THE DARKEST HOUR:

1. SIN:

• We are not a surprise to Him. John 3:16 confirms it

a. Death

Romans 6:23
23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Deuteronomy 24:16
16 Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.

Jeremiah 31:30
30 Instead, everyone will die for his own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—his own teeth will be set on edge.

Ezekiel 3:18
18 When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

b. Slavery

John 8:34
34Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Romans 7:25
5 Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave
to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

c. Sacrifice

Hebrews 9:26
26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

d. Short-time

Hebrews 11:25
25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.

2. SHAME:

Hebrews 12:2
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. SORROW:

Matthew 26:37
37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Mark 14:33-34
33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

a. Troubled

John 12:27
27"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

b. Very Heavy

Matthew 26:37
37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

c. Sore-Amazed

Mark 14:33-34
33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

d. Depressed

Matthew 26:38
38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

4. SUFFERING:

a. Agony

Luke 22:44
44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

John 11:35
35Jesus wept.

VICTORY OVER DARKNESS:

1. SALVATION:

1 Timothy 1:15
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Acts 4:12
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Psalm 51:12
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

2. SACRIFICE

Mark 14:12
12On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

Hebrews 10:10
10And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Chris once for all.

John 15:13
13Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 12:1
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

John 14:27
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

3. SUBMISSION:

Matthew 26:39
39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

1 Peter 3:22
22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

1 Peter 2:13-14
13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

4. SURRENDER:

Matthew 26:42
42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

1 Corinthians 15:58
58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

GOD LOVES YOU.

THANK YOU JESUS.

Pahiram Ng Valentines

Nung bata ako laging sinasabi sa akin na huwag daw akong kukuha ng isang bagay na hindi ko pagmamay-ari. Matuto raw akong magbalik sa may-ari ng mga gamit na aking hiniram. Humingi daw ako ng pahintulot sa may-ari bago ko kunin ang isang bagay na hindi sa akin. Kapag pumayag daw ang may-ari, maaari ko nang gawin kung anu man ang aking naisin. Ngunit huwag ko lang daw kakalimutan na alagaang maigi upang hindi ito masira, dahil nga hindi ito sa akin. Kapag hindi naman pumayag ang may-ari, matutunan ko daw ang pagtanggap sa pagtanggi ng may-ari na ipahiram ang gamit na aking hinihiram. Hindi raw sa lahat ng oras lagi akong mapagbibigyan. Hindi raw sa lahat ng oras ako ang masusunod. Hindi raw sa lahat ng oras ako ang panalo. At dapat matutunan ko ang tamang asal ng pagtanggap sa mga pagkakataong ako’y pagkaitan ng mga bagay na aking ninanais. Kung may pagkakataon, minsan daw pwede ko ulit tanungin ang may-ari kung maaari ko na bang hiramin ang bagay na minsang itinanggi sa aking ipahiram. Kung mangyari daw ito, matuto daw akong magpasalamat. Sa lahat daw ng pagkakataon, matuto daw akong magpasalamat----ipahiram man sa akin o hindi. Pasasalamat daw ang katapat ng pagpapahiram ng mga bagay na hindi mo pag-aari.

Hanggang sa aking pagtanda, lahat ‘yun ay natutunan kong gawin. Lahat ‘yun pinag-aralan kong tanggapin. Lahat ‘yun naitanim sa aking puso’t isipan. Hindi ako nang-aangkin ng mga bagay na hindi sa akin. Hindi ako kumukuha ng gamit ng walang paalam sa may-ari. Hindi ko kailan man nakalimutang magpasalamat sa may-ari, magpahiram man siya o hindi. Natutunan kong maghintay na ako’y magkaroon din ng mga gamit na aking minsang hiniram. Ngayon, halos bibihira na lang akong manghiram. Dahil sa masinop kong pagtatalaga ng sapat na halaga, mabilis kong nabibili ang mga gamit na aking kinakailangan. At kung minsan pa nga, ako na ang nagpapahiram. Nasubukan ko na ang manghiram at magpahiram. Para sa akin, kung gaano kahirap manghiram, ganun din kahirap magpahiram.

Ngayon, unti-unti ko ng natutunan na huwag maghanap ng mga bagay na wala ako---ang matutong maging kuntento. Ngunit minsan hindi talaga maiwasan, kinakailangan mo pa ring humiram. Ang sabi nga sa Math, kung cannot be, edi borrow one. Kung dati ang iniisip mo ay kung papaano ka manghihiram, ngayon nag-iba na. Pati nga ang hihiramin mo, nagbago na. Dati material lang, ngayon hindi na. Paano pag-ayaw mo ng ibalik yung hinaram mo? Paano kung masyado ka ng natuwa sa hiniram mo? Paano pag naging parte na ng buhay mo ang hinaram mo? Maari mo bang tawaging iyo ang hiniram mo habang hindi mo pa ito ibinabalik? Hanggang kailan mo balak angkinin ang hiniram mo? Hiram pa ba ang tawag mo? Pwede bang angkinin ang hiniram kung nakalimutan na siya nang may-ari? Paano kung ayaw ng bumalik ng hiniram mo? Paano kapag gusto ng bumalik ng hiniram mo sa tunay na may-aari pero gusto mo pa? Paano kung tila nakalimutan mo na nanghiram ka lang pala?

Isa lang ang alam kong sagot, ang hiniram ay dapat ibalik. Masakit man ngunit kailangang tanggapin----maging material man o di material, maging bagay man o tao, oras man o damdamin. Ang isang hiniram ay hindi maaaring permanenteng ariin ng humiram, liban na nga lang kung ibigay o bitawan na ito ng may-ari. Tulad ng sabi nila, kung para sa’yo, para sa’yo talaga. Di mo na kailangang humiram. Di mo na kailangang ariin. Ito’y kusang mapupunta sa’yo.

Sabi nga nila, paano mo aariin ang isang bagay na kailan ma’y di naging iyo?

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Maraming Salamat.
DISCLAIMER: This post is inspired by my friend's story. Nothing personal. Really. ;0)

A Second Wind From My College Professors

“okay” is a negative word.
again, how are you?
---- prof. cruz, english 1

what you see, hear and do will affect what you believe
...and what you believe shall affect your life!
---- atty. chua, taxation

the best defense is to make yourself unassailable...
---- prof. torres, fundamental principles of management

it is harder in real life..
---- atty. banzon, obligations and contracts,
law on negotiable instruments,
law on partnerships and corporations

you are consistently inconsistent
...what are your priorities in life?
---- atty. abadilla,
law on sales, agency and special contracts,
persons and family relations

be careful of what you are saying,
...choose the right words for the right person.
---- prof. santos, principles of finance,
managerial accounting

little knowledge is dangerous.
---- atty. jimenez,
labor relations,
labor standards

lahat ng tumataas...bumababa,
parang spaghetti.
---- atty. culling, legal research and bibliography

huwag kang hangal!
---- dr. galang,
rational psychology,
experimental psychology

it is better to have something when you need it
... rather than having nothing when you need it most.

---- atty. santiago, statutory construction

there are spanish classes because
...there are still spanish professors alive and kicking!

---- prof. galang, public administration

history repeats itself.
people repeats history.

---- prof. yanga ,
asian history, world history

life is basic accounting.
is there any reason to fail?

---- prof. lee,
fundamentals of accounting

A Muslim Gift For Christmas

I'm speechless.

Yes. I received a special ecru-colored turban/”balabal” as a gift from my law school classmate, who is a devout Muslim, her name is Bai Ampatuan. The Ampatuan clan in Mindanao is a well-known and influential family in both local politics and Islam religion. As what I’ve heard, she belongs to a Muslim royal family. She had just arrived from Saudi Arabia after having her “Hajj” Pilgrimage during our Christmas break. And she bought the turban/”balabal” there after the said event.

Why a turban/”balabal”? I don’t know.

I saw it on my table just this afternoon. I was really surprised.
I just told her that I had the chance to go to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia together with my whole family but I wasn’t able to buy anything that will remind me of that tour/visit. Or maybe, she heard me telling one of my classmates that I really like Ed Lingao’s and Abner Mercado’s turban. Or she just thought of buying it for me to compensate for the tutorial sessions. Hehehe..

Anyway, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BAI!!!

This special turban/"balabal" costs 65 Rials.
Just convert it to Philippine Peso.

Don't ask me to translate it.
It's enough that it's imported. Hehehe..

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.
(I can’t say “God Bless!” because of an obvious reason. Hehehe..)

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By the way, “Bai” in Muslim language means, “Princess”.
Nothing.

Politically Correct

Last November 15, 2006, the Department of Agrarian Reform Christian Fellowship (DAR Christian Fellowship) celebrated its 22^nd Anniversary of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We had Ptr. Jun Camcam (son of the historical figure, Gen. Fabian Ver, the Chief of Staff during Marcos’ regime) from Victory Christian Fellowship. We also had Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta who graciously shared her testimony.

Who would have thought that an opposition member of the government will suddenly turn the tables around and transfer to the side of administration? I mean in God's administration. Yes, former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta is now a (Born-Again) Christian (actually since 2001, it's only now that she has finally decided to be vocal and serious about it). Whew!

Former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta giving her inspirational testimony and message.

I’m glad that despite the ultra-religious background of the Aquino clan, former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta managed to firmly stand up for Jesus. She is attending regular Sunday Services at Victory Christian Fellowship-The Fort (Main). I’m humbled by her testimony and her conviction to fight for her faith despite the strong opposition of her family and career. I believe that God is continuously moving towards the total reformation of our political system through Christian political leaders.

Other photos taken during the service:

DAR Christian Fellowship during the Praise and Worship.

Ptr. Jun Camcam from Victory Christian Fellowship talks about salvation and faith in God.

Ptr. Jun Camcam leads the prayer of thanksgiving for the 22 years of DAR Christian Fellowship.

Photos taken after the service:

Rubbing elbows with former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta and DAR Christian Fellowship Leaders.

I pray that God will continue to move mightily in our government, and that every politician will come to the point of accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord and become a part of His family.

Truly, to be a CHRISTIAN POLITICAL LEADER is
to be POLITICALLY CORRECT.

CONGRATULATIONS!! To God be the glory!

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I’ve been the worship leader in DAR Christian Fellowship since 2004 (not sure or maybe 2003). It has been a special church for me since I’m always there every Thursday for the regular midweek fellowship/service/Bible study. I love their warmth and dedication to God’s work. Every Thursday, there is an assigned pastor to preach. Sometimes, I get to preach also if there are no pastors available (or every 5th Thursday of the month). And I really praise God for that break even though I’m not a graduate of any Bible school. I’m so thankful to God for giving me DAR Christian Fellowship. I love the experiences and the lessons that I’m learning from this fellowship. I pray that God may continue His work in DAR and also to other government agencies. Thank God for DAR Christian Fellowship. Thank God for them.

Freakonomics----The Hidden Side Of Everything

I learned to love reading.

Reading has been a part of my life, and most probably, for the rest of my life. I’ve been immersed and will still be immersed (as a law student) with many thick and stress-embedded law books, codals, case digest and cases. They have been a part of my system (gradually). Honestly, I don’t like to read much. I just read when I need and want to read something. I’m not a bookworm----probably a late-bloomer-in-denial. (Hehehe…). I hate reading out of compulsion. I read to satisfy my curiosity and nurture my interests.

I don’t like reading long stories, especially novels (To hell with the long narrative cases! Hehe…). I’m so lazy when it comes to reading books with fictional themes. I rarely enjoy them. I like books with non-fiction matters or subjects. I appreciate them so much.

Upon browsing the pages of our newspaper, (I can’t remember if it’s Philippine Star or Philippine Daily Inquirer.) I saw different reviews/critiques about the latest and best-selling books in town. As I read each review, a certain book struck my attention and triggered me to buy it as soon as it becomes available (Thank God for National Bookstore, I thought I needed to order the book through the Internet, but National Bookstore helped me to get it hassle-free.). That book was “The Freakonomics” by two weird economists yet highly respected and deeply honored by the geniuses of Harvard School of Economics, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. I don’t know about the background of these two guys. One thing I know is that, they are ultimately weird that they reminded me of my highschool classmates, and their weird questions during our class discussions.

Discover and learn life.

Anyway, they did a great job in writing this book. It’s not just educational, it’s entertaining as well. Reality and the wisdom of practical living is the soul theme of this book. I enjoyed reading it rather than those boring and bloody cases and codals. Every page is filled with different information not only to serve as a stored knowledge but also as a practical approach or perspective on daily living.

Geniuses of the Modern Economics
(The Authors)

I just finished reading it last sembreak.

I strongly recommend this book to everybody.

Enough with those tear-jerking, egoistic, hyper-analytical, highfaluting, ultra-dramatic, overly emotional, narcissistic, fantasy-based, ostentatious, controversial, and gender warfare-based books, it’s time for a radical shift.

It’s time to be practical and rational.
Truth hurts. Reality bites.
Reason mends. Faith heals.

Check it out! Enjoy life.

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Visit the website: www.freakonomics.com
Take note, the professors of Harvard School of Economics are planning to include, "Freakonomics" as a part of the Economics 101.

Part Two: Sembreak Fever

Whew! As I continue exposing my activities during the past semestral break, I noticed that I was able to achieve almost 90% of the pre-planned activities that I’ve scheduled before the break starts. Hence, God has been so great that He gave me the chance to accomplish almost all of the things I wanted to do before the second semester begins. Moreover, I learned many things about the essence of time management, discipline and perseverance in achieving the goals, whether it will have short-term or long-term effects.

For a two-week semestral break, every activity or appointment must be strategically scheduled. Time is of the essence. And every minute that passes by should be spent for remarkable and highly-valuable tasks or pursuits.

Here is a quick yet extensive preview of what I did for the second and ‘almost’ last week of the semestral break:

WEEK TWO: THE MARATHON

Sunday, October 29, 2006: INCOMPLETE YET COMPLETED

• Ate Joy’s family went to their ‘usual’ family reunion. (It has become ‘usual’ because it seems that they have it many times as they want in a year. I don’t know why. Let’s leave it up to them. Hehehe…) Plus, Haydee has not been attending in the church for a couple of weeks. (I don’t know her reasons, but we hope she can go back again. She and her boyfriend have been rumored with so many issues. I hope by the time she comes back, she’ll be ready to answer them. Hehehe…) Hence, we have to do some abrupt changes in order to make the regular Sunday Service possible. (Connection? Our regular afternoon Sunday Services are usually held at their house. Gets?!) Thank God, Bro. Roland, the head of their family, did not join the family reunion instead he helped us in fixing and preparing for the afternoon Sunday Service.
• Long before this Sunday comes, I already sent messages to both Jerry and PJ (our former churchmates/friends) to help us out because our drummer will not be around. Jerry did not reply, but thank God, PJ did. Surprisingly, they came together that Sunday. Jerry yielded to PJ, so PJ became our drummer. We also had Ptr. Manuel as our guest speaker. His message/testimony was so inspiring. We learned so many things about God’s providence and church-planting. Check it out: www.ccc-sm.blogspot.com
• That Sunday was a miracle. The whole story testified to that statement.

Monday, October 30, 2006: SORTING OUT

• I woke up late. (And there’s nothing new about it. Hehehe..) I stayed at home and tried sorting out different documents that I have since I began going to school. Bulks of papers are cluttered in my room for a long time; and I badly needed to sort them properly---an inevitable task in the life of a student.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006: UNEXPECTED BLESSING

• I stayed at home. I was writing a blog entry when my Mom called and asked me if I can preach in our Midweek Service at Cornerstone Christian Church-San Mateo. She had this idea because she knew that I have been preaching at DAR Christian Fellowship many times, especially when there are no pastors around. At first, I was surprised, but then I gave in. I prepared my message for our Midweek Service. I asked God for anointing and supernatural wisdom and revelation. God responded actively. And I had my message about assessing one’s net worth and using it for God’s glory. In fact, you can read my message outline in my previous blog entry: “Don’t Just Live, Get A Life!”.
• Dad and Mom went home very early. I invited them to watch the movie, “Laws of Attraction” of which they enjoyed very much. Then we went to our Midweek Service afterwards.
• During the Midweek Service, I was bit nervous because it’s my first time to preach to a familiar congregation, unlike at DAR Christian Fellowship, of which I don’t know most of them personally. Then, I started preaching God’s word for our church. The whole Midweek Service went well. Everybody was blessed. And I gave all the credit to God for He alone deserves to be glorified in what I did.

Wednesday, November 1, 2006:
HEAT STROKE IN CHRISTMAS SEASON/WHOLE DAY OUT

• It’s All Saints’ Day. It’s a holiday as declared by Malacanang.
• Dad, Mom, Ate and I went to Paco, Manila to attend the wake of one of our relatives---my Mom’s cousin. (I forgot his name.) He died due to heat stroke. He had three wives. He had children to each of them. But the most active or “punong-abala” during the wake was his second wife. Surprising!! We were shocked upon knowing his story. He is not a Muslim, but he managed to have three wives all at the same time. To be technically correct, one legal wife and two paramours. (That’s the effect of taking up Criminal Law. Hehehe….) Upon hearing the story of the second wife, I remembered the Pinoy movie, ‘Ako Legal Wife’. The whole story is almost the same, of course, minus the wealth. I don’t know what to feel upon hearing his story. All I understand is that after all he is accepted and greatly loved by his three wives, who were present during the wake, and also his children, even at the point of death.
• Then we went to Market! Market! (Again! This place has become a part of us, because of Aling Nene’s Sinigang sa Miso. Try it. Hehehe..) to eat dinner. Of course, we ate at Aling Nene’s again, with the same food order. Then, we went over the tiangges to check out for new arrivals. We bought few articles and accessories, as usual. My Dad initiated to go home, as always, so we can’t help but to obey. Actually, it’s already late in the evening that’s why we agreed to go home.

Thursday, November 2, 2006: FAMILY-BONDING

• All Souls’ Day. It’s not a holiday anymore.
• Dad, Mom, Ate, Joshua and I went to the Department of Foreign Affairs to have our passport renewed. The renewal of passports is usually done every five years. So early in the morning, we hurried to DFA and started the bureaucratic process (Again!) of renewing our passports. Except for my Dad (He has been traveling all his life that’s why his passport is always active.), we all went through the process needed for the renewal. We almost got into the deceitful schemes of the fixers outside the premises of DFA. Praise God, we discerned early that the man, who initiated to lead us through the process, was leading us to the wrong direction. Therefore, we concluded that he is one of those fixers loitering around. By the grace of God, we were led by an official from the DFA and we finished the whole process less than an hour. (Of course, legally and take note, with no long queues?! That’s amazing! Hehehe…) We were really grateful that God led us through the right direction----legal, fast, and logical.
• Then we were choosing either to go to Rockwell, to Mall of Asia, or to Market! Market! to eat lunch. We ended up eating at Market! Market!. (Again. I told you this is the place to be this sembreak. Hehehe..) Then after eating lunch and a little bit of strolling, we went to Cubao. My Dad, Mom and Joshua went to Farmers Market, while Ate and I went to LTO Driver’s License Renewal Center. I left Ate and Joshua at LTO and I joined my Mom and Dad strolling and shopping functional items there. (Of course. Parents are parents. Everything needs to be functional. Hehehe…) When we met Ate and Joshua, Ate told us that she saw Jonathan, our former churchmate/church drummer. She told us that Jonathan didn’t notice my Ate’s presence even though the place is so small that only blind people can have mistakes for not identifying everybody in the room. However, we didn’t take it as a big deal. Anyway, everything’s fine with us. We just don’t know about them. After waiting for a long period of the release of my Ate’s renewed driver’s license, we peacefully agreed to go home because obviously, we’re all tired after the long day out.
• The sad part of this day, I wasn’t able to come to DAR Christian Fellowship. I don’t know what happened to them. I just hope that Bro. Romy did relay my message that I will not be able to come.

Friday, November 3, 2006: CALLING FAMILIES

• Ate and I went to Barrientos’s house. I drove and we stayed there. Surprisingly, the Gallana family was also there. They had a lunch out there. When we arrived, they were just about to go home.
• Ate and I had dinner with Sis. Elena (the matriarch), Maan and Jen. I love the ‘Dinuguan’. I’m very choosy on eating it especially if I don’t know who made it. I also love the commercialized ‘Sisig’ that Sis. Elena was selling. Jennifer showed us some of her pictures during her pictorials in John Robert Powers (JRP) taken by no less than the socialite professional photographer Dominic James. The pictures are great. Jen looks gorgeous and elegant.

Saturday, November 4, 2006: SURFED THE WORLD

• I had a business meeting with RJ. I proposed another business opportunity to him of which I hope he would gladly accept. Then, I had my regular haircut back at Bench Fix- Sta. Lucia, and not in Robinson’s Metro East because my stylist there is absent when I went there. Then I hurried going home.
• I went home early because it was raining. I just did the usual routine of surfing the net and getting updates from different sites. I was very happy to explore Daphne Osena-Paez’s photo album site in Flicker.com. I enjoyed looking at her pictures and reading her stories. Daphne is such an admirable woman for me. Honestly, I want a wife like her, if possible. She’s very smart yet very candid, beautiful yet very simple, elegant yet very low-profile, very independent, yet very submissive to her husband, very career-focused but very family-oriented, and a lot more outstanding traits that are very unique. How I wish I could be Patrick Paez and marry someone like her.

Whew!
That was a great sembreak.

Life has many things to offer.
Thank God I’m alive.

Part One: Sembreak Fever

Thank God! I relatively had the busiest and most sensible semestral break in my whole life. (O.A.?! Hehehe..) Instead of having the ordinary indoor routine that I had before like sleeping, eating, surfing the net, watching TV and DVDs; and of course, sleeping, eating, surfing the net and watching TV and DVDs. (Actually it’s cyclical, but it’s not obvious on my part. Hehehe…) I believe God heard my fervent prayers; or maybe He read my previous blog entry and realized that I badly needed one. (Hehehe...) It has been pre-programmed long before the semestral break starts. (I noticed this part after reflecting on the things that I’ve done. Hehehe)

But hey, this time, I assured myself that it would be a different one. And it SHOULD be different this time. I wanted to have a dynamic outdoor routine. (Wow! Flexible?!) Hence, I had to strategically fix my schedules and appointments so that everything will be organized and balanced. (Hehehe.. That’s the real show business, in other words the‘Star Complex’.)

Here is a quick yet extensive preview of what I did last semestral break:

WEEK ONE: THE BREATHING PERIOD

Sunday, October 22, 2006: AN ANSWERED PRAYER

• Our whole family went to the regular Sunday Service at Robinsons Novaliches. I just can’t imagine how thankful I was for an answered prayer---the semestral break. I can still remember how I felt during the Praise and Worship part. I lifted my both hands as high as I can just to show to God how grateful I am for answering my-pretty-obvious-prayer-request.
• I was so happy that I bought the book that I really wanted to read and that intrigued me with its subject. I bought FREAKONOMICS by Levitt and Dubner. I will talk more about this in a separate blog entry.
• Then we went home to prepare for our next Sunday Service at Cornerstone Christian Church-San Mateo. I was ultra-excited to have our Praise and Worship practice (1:30pm-3:00pm) and the Ministers’ Bible Study (3:00pm-4:00pm). I was so blessed and enjoyed hearing the Preaching/Message part because I know that I don’t have to worry about any recitations or assigned cases that we need to digest for the next day. Whew! For me, it literally felt like ‘Heaven on Earth’. (As in!)

Monday, October 23, 2006: THE GENESIS

• I woke up late. (As usual! Hehehe…) Before the semestral break starts, I already planned to restore my ‘Work-Out’ routines like lifting weights and do some crunches in our home-based fitness gym. (Actually, it’s a room filled with different fitness equipment that my Mom bought through the Home TV Shopping. They’re getting rusty; and cobwebs covered most of them. So I should clean them first before I can use them. But my body wanted to rest more, so I decided to have a brunch (breakfast and lunch) first, then I’ll get back to it. Unfortunately, I forgot to clean and use them because I was hooked on watching a noontime variety show. (Of course, Eat Bulaga’s Bulagaan time! Hehehe…) In short, I decided to do those tasks the next day.
• Evening time came, I strategically (Take note of the word: strategically… Hehehe..) fixed my schedules and appointments for the whole week. I’m such an O.C.! Then, I prepared the (line-up) songs for the Midweek Service.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006: SIBLINGS DAY-OUT

• Last Sunday (October 22, 2006) for some uncertain reasons, My sister, Maan and Jen planned to go out and check out for some new tiangges/ bargains. They invited me to join them. Of course, the main purpose was to have a bonding with the whole star-studded cast (long lost friends), but for some usual reasons, we ended up having a ‘siblings-day out’. My Ate, Maan , Jen, Owa, and I went to Market! Market!
• Upon arriving at Market! Market!, we went directly to the food court/food district. (Hmm…Wow! Newly coined term. Hehehe..) It was lunch time then so instinctively we need to look for a place where we can eat. We opted to buy our food from one of the ‘lutong bahay’ stalls there. We chose Aling Nene’s for that matter. Jen highly recommended it. We had Sinigang sa Miso (Tanigue) and barbeques from Ineng’s Barbeque (Daughter of Aling Nene) with several cups of rice. We’re admitted to be fish-haters. I don’t eat fish generally speaking. I choose different kinds of fish to eat like tuna and all boneless fish. But that time was so different, we were able to eat the Sinigang sa Miso even if there are chops of Tanigue with it. Super delicious.
• Then we started roaming around and checking out the bargains/tiangges. I bought a sling bag/messenger bag and some accessories. They too have their own share of shopping items. Then we watched World Trade Center. I’ll talk more about it as a separate blog entry.
• Then my Dad sent a text message to my Ate telling us to go home early because we still have to attend the Midweek Service. My Ate is our church pianist/keyboardist; and I’m the assigned worship leader at that time. So we hurried going home. We left Market! Market! at 7:00pm; and we arrived at the church by 8:00pm. Imagine a 30-minute ride from Fort Bonifacio to San Mateo, Rizal. Amazing!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006:
ENROLMENT HORROR/STRESS OUTLET

• I woke up early. (Something different! Hehehe..) I needed to pass my paper for my Legal research subject. It’s reaction/proposal paper about the best way to amend the 1987 Constitution. I went to school at around 9:00 am. (Wow! I can’t believe this. I’m in the school at 9:00 am? I usually wake up at 9:00am. How can it be? Hehehe…) Then, after I passed my paper to our beadle. I rushed to the Dean’s office to start the whole bureaucratic enrolment procedure. I hate bureaucracy. (I’ll talk more about this in a separate blog entry) But thank God! It’s a miracle. There were no long and uneasy queues. I went through the enrolment process without the need to line-up because there was none. Maybe I came too early, that’s why. The only sad part was when I need the signature of our Dean for the approval of my scholarship. They said that Dean arrives in the afternoon, so I get to have my scholarship done in the afternoon. I just left the scholarship form and decided to go home. They’re wasting my time. This is not included in my schedule: to wait for the Dean’s arrival. Anyway, I can continue it some other time.
• Then I went to my Mom’s office and told her about the whole bureaucratic process of enrolment and the horror that it brings. Moreover, I told her that I get to have the discount for my tuition fee only that I need to secure Dean’s signature in my form. Then, to calm myself I get to go back reading the book that I bought, FREAKONOMICS while waiting for my Mom. We waited for my sister, and then we went home.

Thursday, October 26, 2006:
MIDWEEK AGAIN. (THREE MIDWEEKS IN A ROW?!)

• I went to DAR Christian Fellowship at 11:45am for their regular Thursday Service. The assigned speaker was Ptr. Jun Cam-Cam from the Victory Christian Fellowship (Main). He talked about the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I was extremely blessed for God anointed the whole preaching. Then, he discussed about the anniversary of DAR Christian Fellowship. He told us that he had a meeting with former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta. He informed us that she already accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior; and is now a Born-Again/Christian. He told us that she will be our speaker to our upcoming DAR Christian Fellowship Anniversary. We’re really excited about that. Thank God. Now, there is a clear and miraculous permeation of God’s Word in our government through our Christian political leaders.

Friday , October 27, 2006:
A SHORT WEDDING, A SHORT WAKE AND A LONG DAY

• Ate Chel and Kuya Richard had their court wedding. Maan and I were gate-crushers then because we only came at the wedding reception. At least we're not late! We saw Ptr. Bill Cadiang, our former pastor in our former church. Thank God. He took the initiative to greet us (Go, Ate Mhel, Maan and me) inspite and despite of what happened among us. It's so nice to see them again. I believe that this short wedding of Ate Chel and Kuya Richard paved the way for us (Pastor and the groups who transferred to other churches) to cross each other's paths, shake hands with him, and let forgiveness heal our longest longing.
• I checked my emails the other day. I read Jaja’s message about the death of Hutch’s Dad. I was surprised upon receiving that news. I buzzed at Andrei through the Yahoo Messenger. I asked what happened to Hutch’s Dad. He confirmed that Hutch’s Dad is already dead due to heat stroke. So some of the Pasteurites came to the wake of Hutch’s Dad. It was really sad though we filled the place with a touch reality and laughter.
• Then the whole group went to Tropical Hut at Concepcion, Marikina City because the Tropical Hut in Ampid was already closed at that time. We shared different stories that lightened up the whole evening. We went home laughing and laughing because of different jokes and rumors that has been spreading through a tread in our Yahoo Groups. I’ll talk more about it in a separate blog entry.

Saturday, October 28, 2006:
GENERAL CLEANING DAY

• Tons of photocopied cases are cluttered in my room. I barely recognize my personal things because of those stress-embedded papers. So I decided to clean and organize my things. I threw all the papers that has nothing to do with my previous and present status as a law student.

Whew!

Watch out for the Part Two: Sembreak Fever. More stories. More life!

Thanks. God bless.