Genie In A Boto

Gusto mo ba ng maginhawang buhay?
Gusto mo ba ng magarang bahay?
Gusto mo ba ng mamahaling kotse?
Gusto mo ba ng ipod, PSP, Nintendo Wii, at ng Nokia N90?
Gusto mo ba ng laptop o ng DLSR camera?

May katuparan na ang inyong mga pangarap!

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Never Alone

“I will…not forsake My people.”
I Kings 6:13 NKJV

The Lord is with us. And, since the Lord is near, everything is different. Everything!

You may be facing death, but you aren’t facing death alone; the Lord is with you. You may be facing unemployment, but you aren’t facing unemployment alone; the Lord is with you. You may be facing marital struggles, but you aren’t facing them alone; the Lord is with you. You may be facing debt, but you aren’t facing debt alone; the Lord is with you.

Underline these words: You are not alone.

Your family may turn against you, but God won’t. Your friends may betray you, but God won’t. You may feel alone in the wilderness, but you are not. He is with you.

1 of 365 devotionals in Grace for the Moment, Volume 2
Originally printed in Traveling Light

Mirrored:

It is comforting to learn that no matter what we go through in this life, we never have to go through it alone. Should friends and family fail to be with us, God is there. He is always there. Even in times where we decide to run off from His will, his eyes are always upon us. Watching and waiting for us to realize our mistake and to go back home and confess our sins. I know, for every sinner who has gone astray, He desires for them to return home.

Father, sorry. Don’t give up waiting for me.

Akon (feat. Snoop Dogg) – I Wanna Love You

Akon‘s sophomore album, entitled Konvicted, was released on November 14, 2006. Konvicted included collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Styles P. Late August 2006, Akon released the single “Smack That” featuring Eminem, from the album. This single peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks. The music video for “Smack That” was directed by Raymond Garced. “I Wanna Love You”, the second single off Konvicted, was released in September 2006. It is a collaboration between Akon and Snoop Dogg. This single earned Akon his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and Snoop’s second. “I Wanna Love You” topped the U.S. charts for two consecutive weeks. (Source: Wikipedia)

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Lyrics not included due to explicit content.

San Agustin Church and Museum

I managed to visit the San Agustin Museum and Church on one lazy Sunday afternoon. I decided not to talk much about the historical facts and backgrounds about the place since they are easily accessible on the web. However, I do want to stress out two points on why you should not fail to visit this place:

One, the San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the Philippines. Built between 1587 and 1606, it has survived a number of earthquakes and wars and is the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros during the 1945 Battle of Manila.

Two, the San Agustin Church, together with three other ancient churches in the country (2 in Ilocos and 1 in Iloilo), was designated as part of the World Heritage Site “Baroque Churches of the Philippines” in 1993 by UNESCO.

Cameras are either prohibited or allowed with no flash depending on the museum sections. Below are some of the pictures I managed to take. Click the image to enlarge.

NOTES:

1. The trompe-l’oeil painted ceiling of the church, chandeliers and pulpit dating back to the XIXth century, and four of the fourteen side chapels.
2. Father Manuel Blanco is regarded as the “prince of Botany” for pioneering in the study of medicinal plants in the Philippines. This bronze monument was made by Amado Castrillo.
3. Fray Blanco carried out most of his experiments at this monastery garden which was destroyed in 1945 and restored in 1991.
4. The main staircase is made of 44 pieces of Chinese granite stones brought in Canton in 1780. It is topped by a perfectly round stone dome covered with light bricks. Here hangs XVIIIth and XIXth century paintings.
5. The crucifix dates back to the XVIIIth century.
6. Part of the 68 choir seat carved in molave with fine inlays.

The San Agustin Church is located in Calles Gen Luna and Real in Intramuros and is open daily from 8am to 12nn, then at 1pm to 6pm. Entrance fee is at 80 and 50 pesos for adults and students, respectively.

For more photos, visit Pix.E.Log.

He Gives Us Himself

“I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20 NIV

The story is told of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle. The guide before him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeds and thick underbrush. The traveler, wearied and hot, asked in frustration, “Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?” The seasoned guide stopped and looked back at the man and replied, “I am the path.”

We ask the same questions, don’t we? We ask God, “Where are you taking me? Where is the path?” And he, like the guide, doesn’t tell us. Oh, he may give us a hint or two, but that’s all. If he did, would we understand? Would we comprehend our location? No, like the traveler, we are unacquainted with this jungle. So rather than give us an answer, Jesus gives us himself.

1 of 365 devotionals in Grace for the Moment, Volume 2
Originally printed in Traveling Light

Mirrored:

I do not like being left in the dark. I guess no one does. As much as possible, we all want to know the things that will unfold in the future and make necessary adjustments today.

Among the many times I have asked God, “Where are you taking me?”, there was not a time I received a definite answer. A pastor friend once told me that God chose not to reveal the destination because He wants us to trust Him.

With questions such as, “Where is the path?”, God indeed answers nothing but, “I am the path. Follow me.” He does offer Himself.

Unfortunately, I was never contented with those answers. And like a traveler who is unacquainted with the jungle, I have gone off wandering through life fearing that I may not like the destination my guide is leading me.

Foolish? I know.

Thank You, Miss Julia Campbell

It is now confirmed. The body found buried in a shallow grave on a dried-up creek in Batad Wednesday morning was that of US Peace Corps Julia Campbell. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her friends and family.

I have no knowledge about Miss Campbell prior to the reports that she had gone missing while on a trek to Banaue last April 8. What I know about her now, I all learned from the reports following her disappearance.

News reports revealed that she was a hard working volunteer. Testimonies of the people she touched attests to her kind heart. Her pictures showed a lady with a radiant face, a striking smile, and a lover of life. It saddens me deeply that death caught up on you on the hands of a local from the land you have learned to love.

In your life, you have brought joy, encouragement, and hope to those people you have helped. In your death, you have inspired and touched us strangers who came to learn of your life. Thank you for sharing your life with us Filipinos.

To know more about Julia, visit Julia In The Philippines.

Azure – Stick Around

Just like classic R&B/Pop acts like Prince and Earth, Wind and Fire, Azure mesmerizes live audiences with exciting, energetic performances. Both on-stage and in the studio, lead vocalists Douglas Y and Geno Medina intertwine their voices smoothly, delivering Azure’s lyrics with passion and intensity.

Interestingly enough, although the band formed in 1991, three of the members have been playing together for considerably longer, thanks to their family ties. Geno, Mario Valentin, and Ronnie Medina are all cousins. The Azure story wouldn’t be complete, however, until the trio saw Douglas performing in a rival Midwest band.

“One night, Doug got on stage with us and joined us for a song, and it was an unbelievable feeling,” Ronnie said. “We all had this vibe you get when everything comes together perfectly and you know you’ve hit on something special.” (Source: Amazon)

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Voters Education? We Can Do Better Than That!

I am dismayed by the kind of (some) candidates we have. Since amendments to raise the qualification for candidates is not possible at this time, the least that could be done is provide an orientation or some kind of briefing for the aspiring candidates. I think that educating them is more doable compared to educating millions of voters. Perform some realization check on how serious it is to hold a public office. I recently read an editorial by professor Randy David which I think is a good material for this purpose.

The following link will take you to INQUIRER.net :
To run or not to run: an ethical question

In the above link, professor David quotes Max Weber, “What kind of a man must one be if he is to be allowed to put his hand on the wheel of history?” He also stressed three traits that are essential to a political vocation—“passion, a feeling of responsibility, and a sense of proportion.”

However, I know that there are candidates who will stop at nothing in order to grab a public office, whose calloused hearts rendered their conscience to become insensitive. With that, nothing will match the value of an educated voters.

Formal Education Against Voters Education
Though voters education may help, government should seriously improve the quality of education in the Philippines and make it accessible for it’s citizens. Only then could the government come up with wise people that can vote wisely. Only then can we have voters who will have an independent mind to vote based on needs and platform rather than based on popularity and personality.

A study by IBON Foundation showed that the government’s neglect of education, coupled with worsening economic and social conditions, means that millions of children are unable to obtain a decent schooling. Out of every 100 children who enter Grade 1, only 66% will finish elementary school, 43% high school and only 14% will graduate from college.

With that predicament, will Rizal’s famous words that “the youth is the hope of our nation” still holds true if only 4 out of 100 children who enters Grade 1 manages to finish college?

BREAKING NEWS!
10% Cap Tuition Fee Increase, Inalis Na Ng CHED;
Matrikula, Tataas Sa Pasukan.

Vote In Pinoy’s Big Bother: Senatoriables Edition

I think people should take the trouble of participating in a national election. This is probably the time that one’s voice rings the loudest. Election therefore, should be us Pinoy’s Big Bother.

I would like to know what you think about some of our senatorial candidates. Your views and opinion will be much appreciated and respected.

Mechanics: Assume that the 12 senatorial candidates below are the ones most likely to win in the coming election, participate by leaving a comment answering the questions below. Votes will be summed every now and then, and will close on the eve of election day.

• 2 OUT: Choose at most 2 among the 12, that you DO NOT want to win. Why them?
• 2 IN: Who among the other senatoriables not listed below, would you like to win in their place? (up to 2 choices as well)

NOTE: Candidates above are the Top 12 candidates in Pulse Asia’s April 2007 survey arranged according to rank in a descending order starting from the top going left to right.

The Common Life

“Is not this the carpenter?” (Mark 6:3).

Jesus’ neighbors spoke those words. Amazed at his latter-life popularity, they asked, “Is this the same guy who fixed my roof?”

Note what his neighbors did not say:
“Is not this the carpenter who owes me money?”
“Is not this the carpenter who swindled my father?”
“Is not this the carpenter who never finished my table?”

No, these words were never said. The lazy have a hard time hiding in a small town. Hucksters move from city to city to survive. Jesus didn’t need to. Need a plow repaired? Christ could do it. In need of a new yoke? “My neighbor is a carpenter, and he will give you a fair price.” The job may have been common, but his diligence was not. Jesus took his work seriously.

And the town may have been common, but his attention to it was not. Mountain flowers in the spring. Cool sunsets. Pelicans winging their way along the streams of Kishon to the Sea of Galilee. Thyme-besprinkled turf at his feet. Fields and fig trees in the distance. Do you suppose moments here inspired these words later? “Observe how the lilies of the field grow” (Matt. 6:28) or “Look at the birds of the air” (Matt. 6:26). The words of Jesus the rabbi were born in the thoughts of Jesus the boy.

The maker of yokes later explained, “My yoke is easy” (Matt. 11:30). The one who brushed his share of sawdust from his eyes would say, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matt. 7:3).

He saw how a seed on the path took no root (Luke 8:5) and how a mustard seed produced a great tree (Matt. 13:31–32). He remembered the red sky at morning (Matt. 16:2) and the lightning in the eastern sky (Matt. 24:27). Jesus listened to his common life.

Are you listening to yours? Rain pattering against the window. Silent snow in April. The giggle of a baby on a crowded plane. Seeing a sunrise while the world sleeps. Are these not personal epistles? Can’t God speak through a Monday commute or a midnight diaper change? Take notes on your life.

Next time your life feels ordinary, take your cue from Christ. Pay attention to your work and your world. Jesus’ obedience began in a small town carpentry shop. His uncommon approach to his common life groomed him for his uncommon call.

The UpWords Weekly Devotional from Max Lucado
Originally printed in Next Door Savior

Mirrored:

I guess today’s devotional teaches us to be diligent no matter how common our job maybe. Moreover, it teaches us to be open to God as He speaks to us through our day to day affairs.

This is yet another challenge for me. I tend to grumble over little discomforts in my job and I know that because of that, I am missing some important life lessons. For the moment, I do not have a regular job that God might use for my “education”, but His lessons are everywhere. We only need to be receptive and actively listen. Let us all learn how to be quiet so that we may here God’s still small voice even in the midst of our discomforts or injustices we are experiencing.

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