People Power in Egypt

As the Philippines is about to commemorate the 25th anniversary of EDSA Revolution where Filipinos ousted a dictator in a bloodless revolution, our Egyptian friends are in the streets of Cairo demanding for drastic reforms.

The street scenes in Egypt bring old but fresh memories when Filipinos finally decided to say enough is enough to an unwanted regime.

May the people of Egypt find ways to restore order in their country and may they shun violence in achieving their goal for a better government.

In 1986, we were not able to do it by ourselves, the dictator and his minions were so strong. We asked for the help of the Almighty and that help came unexpectedly.

Pictures from Cairo show a group of people praying in front of a tank and another giving a baby to a soldier. There’s also another crying while praying in a Mosque.

We did the same here in the Philippines in 1986.

Egypt is so close to the heart of the Almighty. It is a place where the pregnant Mary and husband Joseph sought refuge in the middle of the night from the cruelty of a dictator. May peace descend upon Egypt and may the Almighty take care of you.

Shalom.

Sing Away the Hurt and Fear, Philippines

As the country is on the healing process from the fangs of violence and apathy, may peace come again in our country.

HARMONY 

The time has come, let us begin
With all our voices joining in
To sing of love and brotherhood
People doing what they should to

Help their fellow man be free
And fill this land with harmony
The young and old, the rich, the poor
Make it sound as never heard before

Harmony! Harmony!
Let's all join in harmony
Sing away the hurt and fear
A great new day will soon be here

Like the shepherd guards his sheep
Watch your children as they sleep
Like the potter turns his clay
Help to shape a better day, and
Let us sing a song of love
There's one thing I'm certain of
Love will fill the hearts of men
Peace will come on earth once again

Harmony! Harmony!
Let's all join in harmony
Sing away the hurt and fear
A great new dream will soon be here

Harmony! Harmony!
Let's all join in harmony
Sing of love, and brotherhood
And people doing what they should

(Fades To End)

Harmony! Harmony!
Let's all join in harmony

Kris Aquino and Christian Duty

I am not sure why a concerned party reminds presidential sister Kris Aquino of her Christian duties and not the rest of us.  The whoness of Kris, her parents,  her brother and the social stature they are blessed with are not the motivating factors to dutifully practice Christian faith and discipline.   A Christian is not required to have possessions and titles before s/he is an effective witness or follower. The Apostles, human  like us, were just simple fishermen depending  on the sea for livelihood. Destitutes in the slums can also be effective evangelizers through their good example.  A father working honestly (unlike Zacchaeus the tax collector) to provide food for his family without stealing reflects a Christian virtue.  Innocents suffering  from social injustices and persecution; "crucified" and abandoned by an oppressive and unjust system and people share with the suffering of Christ on the cross. (Jesus showed concern to those whom Saul persecuted.)

Rather, our public officials from the president down to the last barrio official should  be urged to practice the Gospel so to speak because it is they whom we entrusted our country, provinces, cities, and towns.  As we know this is a graft and corruption infested Christian (Catholic) country  where social evils and criminality thrive.

A non Christian Filipino critic is half-correct in saying that the Catholic Church of this country failed to teach her followers the true meaning of Christian values otherwise, the Philippines, predominantly Catholic, should have been one of the most disciplined countries of the world.

The truth is; kids in their first catechism class are taught to fear God and about the Ten Commandments  which are the bases of civil laws.  To this day, priests and pastors every Sunday preach calling all of us to be holy.  The difference is we are not listening or even not interested on issues about faith and discipline.  At worst, to some, religion and faith could be useless.  Even the Imams of the Muslim faith emphasize peace as one of the cores of Islam but alas, the voice of the devil  is sometimes more audible and easier to follow.

I am not a fan of Kris Aquino.  To me, she is just another lady across the street enjoying a plentiful blessing of wealth and name.  In fairness to her, after her brother was sworn to the presidency, there were news stories telling that she is active in helping Caritas, a Catholic charity; she helps some seminarians in their schooling and yearly till P-Noy leaves Malacanang, she doles out school supplies to kids.  Other than these, we do not know if she still have anonymous  charity donations.

Kris and the rest of us are human but every time we fall there is always a chance to get up and start anew.  Examples worth emulating have no boundary that any one who strives to do good and avoid evil is doing his/her Christian duty to follow the example of Christ and not just celebrities or members of the elite.

Born Again Issue (Religious Debate Part II)

I don't enjoy or am interested in engaging religious debates for it does nothing beneficial to me. However, it challenges my commitment and attachment to my Catholic faith and at the same time, tries my knowledge about my religion which is a way of life.

Religious debates/discussions in the end has no finality but rather continue in a parallel direction like a railway. After all, it's just like a "dispute" between Mac lovers and Windows users --- my brand is my brand, yours is yours.

BORN AGAIN ISSUE

Dora correctly says that unless one is born again, s/he cannot be saved. That is also what John the evangelist says but Dora differs from my understanding. For me, to be born again means to be baptized. Baptism transforms us as the children of God, gives us a passport to inherit heaven. It also reansforms us as apostles preaching the Good News.

Dora's rough concept is to know Christ first, turn away from a childhood religion and be baptized again to a newly-found religion. Shes does not believe in infant baptism although she believes in original sin. From the Catholic point of view, without baptism or Christian initiation, one cannot receive other sacraments. She said that we must follow Christ who was baptized when He was already an adult.

Christ did not need baptism for He did not need a savior. We do for we are sinners. Jesus was baptized to initiate the sacrament. If we follow the example of Christ's baptism, He was baptized only once.

Dora, a fellow searcher of truth has been a Catholic, an Iglesia ni Cristo and now a Baptist. She was baptized three times. I asked her if my baptism when I was an infant was invalid. That is answerable by a yes or no but she was evasive hinting that my Catholic faith is false.

If Dora believes that she is already saved became she is now a born again and that faith alone is necessary for salvation, I wonder why she still goes to her church. Her being "born again" did not make her unique that she no longer sins.

No other religion among thousands can trace their roots from the time of the Apostles other that Catholicism.

CONFESSION

Dora said that there is no need to confess sins to a fellow sinner. Instead, confess directly to God. That is correct for the priest in the confessional box cannot and does not forgive the sins of a penitent. At the end of his counsel the priest says, "Through the ministry of the Church I ABSOLVE you from your sins . . . etc."

I though that she is reading her "true" Bible. If she is, probably, she has not yet encountered the verse where Christ said to Peter after entrusting (empowering)him the keys of heaven saying "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Take note that the wording of the empowerment is absolute --- without any condition.

It is true that some priests are black eyes of the Church but no matter how bad they are, their faculty to absolve sins remain intact through the power of their ordination to the holy orders.

Christ forgives sins but priests absolve sins because that is a part of their job description given by Christ.

To be continued . . .

EDSA Bombing Victims: Condolence!

 
This blog shares with the grief of the families of the EDSA bus bombing victims. Our  heartfelt condolences.

May peace, justice and prosperity reign in our country and may we learn to live as brothers and sisters under one Flag with different religious persuasions.

In these difficult times, may you find comfort, peace and strength through the help of the Almighty. 

Rep. Singson' s Case: Wait and See

The nation is on its feet monitoring the latest on Ilocos Sur's Rep. Ronald Singson's drug case in Hongkong. Now is the time for him to clear his name although the story does not end there. It is expected that when back home no matter when will that be, as an elected official, he tells his story and briefs the nation especially the people of this province on drug-trafficking charge.

We wish him and the entire Singson family good luck.  We are with him in his effort searching for justice in a foreign country whose government and legal system are different from ours but could be better in some ways.

Hong Kong residents are as eager as we are in keeping vigil for Mr. Singson's court appointment knowing that he is from an influential and powerful family aside from being a member of the Lower House.  These, however do not have any bearing to the embattled Congressman in the Hongkong court.

The question is, "Can Rep. Singson convince the court that he is innocent?"

Answer: "Wait and see."

Faith Alone (Religious Debate Part I)

Days ago, I paid a visit to my friend for rounds of beer and exchange techniques in home cooking. Every time I go to his house, there is always a political discussion or exchange of ideas if you will. The more beer we have, the better ideas come out. After all, our drinking spree is “professional”.

Never in my wildest expectation that on that day, I was forced to discuss (We Filipinos prefer to use the term “debate”.) with someone on issues about faith or religion.

She was prolific in quoting Biblical verses to stress her point while I could only mention stories in the Bible and not sure where exactly they are.

I wish to blog the discussion issue by issue through installment in easy to understand and simplified form based from our discussion.

BIBLE

Dora (not her real name) claims that the King James Bible is the true (sic) Bible.

Is she saying that the Catholic Bible is false or fraudulent? Before the English Reformation in 1500s, there were no Protestants. Protestant comes from the verb “protest” meaning to dissent or to refuse.

They refuse the Apocrypha as part of the Bible Canon because in there (Machabees) lies the basis of the doctrine of praying for the dead and others the Reformists refused to believe. Even if they don’t believe in praying for the dead, for centuries our forefathers in faith practiced it and I don’t believe that it is bad to do that now.

SOLA FIDE (Faith Alone)

Dora said that we are saved through faith and not through good works. Is she saying that as long as one has faith, s/he is saved? St. Paul says that faith without charity is useless. Christ said, whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren you did it unto me. Then He said, “Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward.” What reward then is Jesus talking about?

Not one single verse in the Bible supports “faith alone” doctrine. St. Paul is correct while Martin Luther is wrong.

MARY

I heard that Mary is not necessary for salvation. Christ alone can save us.

I agree with that perfectly but Mary plays an important role. What if she said NO to the angel during the annunciation; would there be Jesus who gave up His life so that we may live? As full of grace, called by all generations blessed, and mother of God, can she not intercede for us to her Son?

During the wedding in Cana, one goes to Mary telling her that there was no more wine and in turn Mary went to Jesus telling the same. The guest could have gone straight to Jesus but he believes that her being a mother of Him, her word has weight.

IS THAT IN THE BIBLE?

Although she did not mention in black and white, I know that when it is not in the Bible, it should not be true or accepted.

Where is “incarnation” and “Trinity” in the Bible? (She believes in Trinity so there was no need for me to “prove” the existence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.) Where is “faith alone” in the Bible?

To be continued . . .

Doc Gerry of Palawan: RIP

Another journalist is taken down. Who is next?

I don’t personally know Gerry but as a radio anchor, he broaches issues, may be pungent to the powerful, affecting the lives of his province mates such as mining --- legal or illegal. Now that he is silenced forever, the subjects of his advocacy should continue shouting his voice and resist whatever is detrimental to their livelihood and to the livelihood of Palawan as well.

When will the killings end?

A lot of orphans and widows have been made out of senseless murders. We share in their grief and understand their anger directed against the government and politicians who seem to be losing in their fight against criminality and lawlessness.

This nation is getting scarier as days pass but it is even scarier to know that the targets are persons of names. If they are not safe, how safe is Juan de la Cruz from the countryside who cannot afford bodyguards?

Doc Gerry, you are gone but remember that where you fell, another will get the torch from your cold hand and continue searching for truth and welfare your people deserve. You gave your best and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes we win; sometimes we lost. As you lay lifeless before your family, in death, you are not defeated for you gave a good fight. In life, you conquered the mighty out of your love to the people of Palawan.

For that, your people should be eternally grateful to you for fighting for their welfare.

Rest in peace, Doc!

My Home-Built Computer

Phew! Finally, I have a new computer and I am very proud to say that I built it. And you know what? I almost gave up but persistence and belief in one’s self paid the price.

My good old computer which is almost a decade old is on its last days and I will surely miss it and its XP Professional OS.

With all the complexities and thoroughness in analyzing the compatibilities of the innards, researching a lot, included; I never thought that I could have the best computer in the world. What came to my mind that I became a pseudo-tech?

I have a very good friend who invited me to his place and have rounds of beer. What caught my eyes in the receiving room is a strange-looking computer bearing no brand name. Eager to know the details, I asked what a heck is it and where did he buy it. He said that he assembled it. He opened the side panel and showed me one by one its components which at that time, I did not understand anything. I just mumbled  "ganun ba?" (Is that so?)

That was years ago.

As time went on, in jest I ask if I can also build my own and his unbelievable response was “It’s easy, you can do it.”

Spending two to three hours a day for two weeks researching on how to build a computer, I started buying the following:

1. ATX Full Tower

2. Intel Core 2 Quad CPU @ 2.40 Ghz

3. 4 GB RAM @ 2.45 Ghz

4. Heatsink

5. 1GB  HD Video Card

6. 7.1 HD Sound card

7. DVD ROM

8. DVD Player

9. 500 GB HDD

10.600 GB HDD

11.1TB HDD

12. Card Reader

13. 512 MB Video Card (everyday use)

14. Abit Mobo

15. 500 watts PSU

16. 4 GB DDR RAM
17. 5.1 Sound Card (for everyday use)

(I need a lot of  HDD room for my music, photography, video and writing needs.)

When all of the parts were placed, I turned on the unit and voila! It looked perfect until I sweated in setting my BIOS which to my mind is a critical part. Then I installed my favorite OS Windows XP. So far, everything went good.

Problem only arose when I was not able to connect to the internet. For almost half a day, I could not figure out how and why. At that time, I almost raised the white flag and looked for the help of the professionals but why should I pay an exorbitant fee when I knew that I was almost there?

I took a lunch break to rest my already-exhausted brain. Going back to my work place, I could not really find out what is wrong.

I turned on my old and turtle-pace computer patiently to find the answer on how to connect the newly assembled computer to the internet.

And the answer?

I should have installed the CD drive of the motherboard.

The solution I missed is simple but excitement sometimes weakens mental capabilities.

Well, I had a hard time connecting a labyrinth of wires. Thanks for the help of my magnifying glass and flashlight. It was easier to find “places”.

As of now, my new computer I call INVICTUS is in perfect condition although I know that I am not yet totally done with it in improving where improvements are possible.

I intend to build another for my daughter sometime in the not so distant future.

Tip: If you intend to build your computer, research a lot and take note of the numerous compatibilities. Don’t be intimidated in building it. Just be precise and follow all the rules.

Death Penalty: To Be Revived?

Death penalty is no longer a part of our laws but a speck of reviving it has come out fresh after a series of horrendous crimes that shocked the nation.

“Penalty”, I understand, is a punishment an offender has to endure as a “payment” for a crime s/he committed. The punishment which may be a jail term, fine, or both serve as a correcting factor for the offender hoping that after paying for his/her crimes, s/he will be a better person --- corrected person. Thus, jail is also known as a correctional place.

In the case of death penalty, the subject is not corrected but terminated. In plain and simple words, s/he is killed in the name of law --- legally killed or murdered in the case of a firing squad.

For this reason, I am against the death penalty for everyone is entitled for a second chance --- conversion. I also believe that no human has the right to take the life (in any of its stages) of his fellow human being. No matter how evil a person is, the face of God can still be seen in him and his human dignity is still there and no one can take it away.

Rodolfo Diamante, a spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Pastoral Ministry said:

“Instead of looking at death penalty, they have to think of the other stages of the criminal justice system which starts from building up the case, arresting the perpetrators of the crime and seeing to it that they’ll be properly persecuted [sic - COR INVICTUS]. The last stage is the death penalty.” *

I agree with him but I believe that the word “persecuted” should have been “prosecuted”.

Our problem is the double standard of justice. One does not need a law degree to know that there is a justice system for the poor, the powerless, the marginalized and underprivileged while there is another justice system for the rich, the powerful and influential. It may be correct to say that the blindfold of other countries’ Lady Justice slips down once in a while but it is even more correct to say that our Lady Justice wears a one-way blindfold (magicians use it) from her perspective while her scale is uncalibrated and her sword dull and rusty.

This is the justice we have that sometimes, some of the elite even use the law to protect their crimes for their benefit.

As long as the Filipina Lady Justice’s scale is fraudulent, her sword rusty and dull, and her blindfold a cheat; crimes thrive in this country where life is getting cheaper and cheaper as time ticks.

Woe to the powerless! Woe to the poor! -30-

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Photo Credit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HK_Central_Statue_Square_Legislative_Council_Building_n_Themis_s.jpg

Black Nazarene Procession: Where You There?

Seven to 7.5* million devotees clogged the narrow streets of Manila to celebrate the annual feast of the revered Black Nazarene of Quiapo.

The sights of the religious festivity I saw form TV footage remind me the deep piety of Filipinos who, according to the great Jesuit Horacio de la Costa, are known for their faith and music as treasures.

People from all walks of life stripped from social standings joined the procession in barefoot to share with the brutal suffering of Christ on the cross. Others brought along with them a white handkerchief to be thrown to the “handlers” of the centuries-old statue and returned to them. The cloth, they believe, has miraculous power to cure ailments. Touching the charred image of the Nazarene brings miracles, so a prevalent belief says.

There are also some to fulfill personal vows to the Black Nazarene in exchange  for requested favors while the rest, in their personal way of giving religious meaning to the event, joined the crowd in prayers as believers.

No other than a barefoot former Vice President Noli de Castro and others from the government and elite were among the millions in the annual feast who “disappeared” in the crowd of believers.

Thanks to the standby medical personnel and volunteers who tended those who fainted, exhausted, dehydrated and suffered other medical problems caused by the sea of people and tropical weather condition.

Except for the tons of trash left in the streets, it was an orderly and pious event.

Now, my personal belief:

I am not saying that being there barefooted; waving a white handkerchief or to touch the religious statue is bad or devoid of religious significance but that is not the proper way of showing personal conversion and piety. The outnumbered and less-equipped but victorious soldiers after the La Naval  de Manila Battle went to the (Sto. Domingo) Church in barefoot to say “Thank You” for Mary’s intercession but I still have to read something about handkerchief-waving's religious significance.

Veronica wiped the face of Christ carrying his cross but I cannot find any verse from the Scriptures that Veronica waved first her handkerchief or the handkerchief is written with something like a prayer or a song.

If I were one among the crowd, I should have worn my pair of shoes or sandals, prayed  piously the rosary, contemplated the sufferings of Christ and the Paschal mysteries. If touched by the Spirit, I cared less if I were in tears like a  devout child walking. Of course, I should have been in the state of grace and received the Body and Blood of my Savior in the Eucharist. Last but not least, an honest intent and determination, that I do my best to amend my life for the better and obey the first and second commandments which are:

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  -Matt 22:37-39

I understand that joining the procession in bare feet is a sign of penitence just like the actual nailing on the cross or self-flagellation of a number of our brethren in Pampanga during Lent as a form of penitence. The Bishops of the Philippines say that that is not the proper way to make penitence and they must be discouraged!

I agree with the Bishops.

Instead of those corporeal punishments that endanger lives, it is more meaningful if one refrains or stops doing anything that offends God which is spelled out in the Decalogue.  For example, although it is beneficial to be a corrupt government official; and I like doing it as a habit and way of an evil life, I stop it. Similar to this are things we think and occasionally do as good or even a way of life but in reality, they darken the heart, cloud the face of God and transform the dignity of man into a brute’s.

Remember the case of the tax collector.

"But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ' O God, be merciful to me a sinner'"  -Lk 18:13

God sees the invisible in us and not the visible we have.  May the Black Nazarene have mercy on us and our suffering country. -30-

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Photo Courtesy:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Senornazareno.jpg 

* http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20110111-313771 

A Warning from Heaven on RH Bill?

The Catholic Church which I belong teaches that miracles, apparitions and maybe messages received during trance must not be treated rushly whether it is authentic or not. Before the Church declares that any of these are authentic or hoax, it needs a long time to dig “evidence” before making a formal declaration.

The Church also teaches that no one is forced to believe any miracle or apparition, Church approved or not for these are not sure tickets for one’s salvation. All miracles and apparitions such as that of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes have the same and immutable call “Repent and believe the Gospel” or in two words, “Be Converted”.

One of my favorite newspapers carries the story of a septuagenarian named Guadalupe Yabes, known as a visionary. Its last part tells that the RH Bill will be enacted into a law.

During Yabes’s trance, one was able to record a “voice” through a cell phone saying “The RH bill will be passed and the wrath of God will fall upon the people.”

In a desperate tone, the voice said that she had tried hard to hold back the hand of God who was “angry at the sinfulness of man.”

“If God was angry at the time of Sodom and Gomorrah, why would He not be angry at your generation? The people today are a thousand times more sinful.”

Mommie Mary, blasphemed and disrespected by a lot, is always interceding for all of us in times of great dangers. Her intercession was felt during the Battle of Lepanto, Battle in our La Naval, EDSA-I Revolution. These days when the RH Bill is about to “become a law” we need Mary’s intercession once again otherwise the “wrath of God will fall upon us (the people).”

If that is the voice of Mary, it must be true that sooner and not later, we realize that God is God. Before we feel His striking hand, not only our legislators must think more than twice but we the citizens especially our President. Is playing the hand of God in our reproductive system morally good or intrinsically evil.

If the “voice” is a hoax (But how when the speaker of the “voice” was nowhere?), the messages are still valid and tell us once more to be converted.

Obviously there is a warning and before the angry God of Sodom and Gomorrah and our God hits us with His raised hand, “repent and believe the Gospel”. -30-

Rep. Ronald Singson to Plead Guilty Soon

New year greeted us with bleak news most of us have been waiting for. Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson is set to plead guilty this 29th on drug charges in Hong Kong.

Back here at home, Singson’s expulsion from Congress is sought although there is a grey area. House Deputy Minority Leader Milagros Magsaysay has stressed that “It depends on the gravity of the offense and how congressmen will perceive it (his criminal offense) based on our own laws (governing) elected officials.”

It is sad that a young congressman is expected to plead guilty on drug related issues. For sure Mr. Singson not only turns the face of our legislative branch into red but his puerile if not stupid action tarnishes the integrity of the government which Pres. Aquino is trying to sanitize and exorcise.

At the infancy of the case, there were a lot of denials and Gov. Chavit Singson, the solon’s father, even suggested that his son could have been framed up.

If so, how and how possible could it be when the younger Singson is tightly fenced with a cabal of security like his father? Who could have placed the cocaine into the younger Singson’s possession without him noticing it?

The die has been cast. Rep. Singson readies to admit guilt but if he is indeed innocent, he is not supposed to do that.  Truth will set him free.  If he admits guilt then he is really guilty.  Don't you think so?

What’s next?

China is not the Philippines and they have their own strict judicial system. Some gravely erring Chinese officials have suffered death sentence and thus, there is no reason to believe that the court in Hong Kong leniently treats a foreign law-maker whose country failed to end a hostage standoff peacefully killing a number of Hong Kong nationals.

It is certain that Mr. Singson is jailed and after serving his time in prison, I am sure that he will be welcomed back in the country and in Ilocos Sur as “a brave man” and “blah blah blahs” who is back home to show how he loves so much his constituents.

At one point, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte offered government help to the Singsons to clear his name in Hong Kong. That is a good government gesture showing a compassionate heart to its citizens in need. I just don’t know why a number of jailed Filipinos in mainland China facing death sentence are not accorded the same act of charity on the part of the government. Probably because drug-related convicted Filipinos in China are ordinary citizens while Mr. Singson belongs to a powerful, wealthy and influential family.

If and when Mr. Singson is on his political feet again and ready to rumble, there is no guarantee that he will hang his political gloves and there is no reason too to believe that the people of Ilocos Sur will not vote him again to be a winner in any seat he chooses.

That is if the dark cloud of apathy and indifference on the mind of the people refuse to leave. Yet one thing is sure according to my favorite singer Rico J:

"Ang lahat ay may hangganan . . . ang tao’y marupok, madaling lumimot." (All have an end  . . .  man is weak and easily forgets.) -30-

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Further readings:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=644558&publicationSubCategoryId=63 http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20110102-312072