YARI KA, IT'S APRIL FOOL

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’ ” (Psalm 14:1)

No one knows for sure the exact origins of April Fools' Day, but one story I found most often cited dates back to the time of the Julian calendar when the beginning of the new year was celebrated on April 1. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered the Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar, and the first day of the new year changed to January 1. Many people either refused to acknowledge this change or were not aware of it and continued celebrating the new year on April 1. These people were called fools, regarded as "backwards" and were the subject of tricks and practical jokes.

Plenty of people see the time as an excuse to have fun at the expense of others, whether by playing pranks. Jokes can be quite elaborate, oftentimes including one or more people to pull a single prank on an unsuspecting individual. Pranks have also been pulled on the public by the mass media just like the popular weekly TV shows of "Yari Ka" segment in Bitoy's Funniest Video and "Just Kikay" of "Nuts Entertainment" of GMA Kapuso Network. Some might wonder who the fools really are on this day, as occasionally the pranksters appear more foolish than the victims. This light hearted time of year allows for many, the opportunity to take a break from the serious side of life.

Now, you should be on your guard more so at the time than any other time of the year. I hope you get to pull off a good April Fools’ joke today. In fact, you may even have a good-natured laugh at having one pulled on you. But, while all that is going on, don’t forget to honor God’s will and ways in your heart. Life is too short and too serious to live it as a fool!

As Mark Twain said,

"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other three hundred and sixty-four days of the year".

But always remember that humility before God and man is essential, sometimes we must become foolish in our own eyes to be wise.

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He catches the wise in their own craftiness; and again, The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile. Therefore let no one boast in men” (1 Cor. 3:18-21).

"It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom" (Proverbs 10:23)

POPE APPEALS FOR RELEASE OF RED CROSS WORKERS

Sulu Vice Gov. Nur Anna Sahidulla, second from left, poses with three kidnapped Red Cross workers last Jan. 28, 2009 in the hinterlands of Jolo in southern Philippines where suspected Abu Sayyaf militants are holding them captive for two weeks now. The Red Cross workers are Swiss national Andreas Notter, right, Italian Eugenio Vagni, second from right, and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba.

The Holy See Press Office communicated Pope Benedict XVI's appeal to international media in Rome late in the afternoon on March 30 for the release of three kidnapped Red Cross workers in the Philippines and urged the country's authorities to work toward a peaceful solution to the crisis.

"The Holy Father, making his own the concerns of the families and of all those who have at heart the salvation of the three humanitarian workers of the Red Cross who were kidnapped in the Philippine island of Jolo, wishes to raise his voice and make an appeal so that humanitarian sense and reason will prevail over violence and threat," the statement said.

It added that the Pope -

"asks, in the name of God, for their liberation, and requests that the authorities favor every peaceful solution of this dramatic event."

The papal call for their release came as the situation escalated following the kidnappers' threat to behead the hostages if the Philippine army did not withdraw from the area, where it claims to have surrounded the extremists' lair.

The kidnap crisis is now on its 75th day, let us pray that both Government and kidnappers to be patient and may they arrived at a peaceful solution to secure the safe and immediate release of all the Red Cross volunteers.

The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

"NATION OF SERVANTS, YOU DON'T FLEX YOUR MUSCLES AT YOUR MASTER"

Chip-Tsao
Journalist, HK Magazine

In his March 27 column for HK Magazine, titled “The War At Home,” Chip Tsao denounced the Philippines’ claims to the Spratly Islands, which are also claimed in whole or in part by China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia.

“As a nation of servants, you don’t flex your muscles at your master, from where you earn most of your bread and butter,” he said. Tsao said he gave his Filipino maid a “harsh lecture”on the issue and “sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell every one of her compatriots...that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China.”

A copy of the full article of Mr. Tsao was posted by Ruphael in his Perfect Square blogsite entitled Chip Tsao Discriminating Filipinos .

The humiliating representations of Filipina Domestic Helpers made by Tsao in his article only exposes our Filipinas in general to further exploitation and humiliation.

Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros Baraquel, condemned the column and lamented that Tsao’s “disgusting, derogatory and vile remark can only come from dim-witted and mediocre writing.”

“The article reflects the attitude that promotes intolerance and abuse against Filipino domestic workers,” she said.

There is a point where irony done in very poor taste becomes not humorous, but crass, bigoted and stupid.

"But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior;

therefore my persecutors will stumble;

they will not overcome me.

They will be greatly shamed,

for they will not succeed.

Their eternal dishonor

will never be forgotten."

(Jeremiah 20:1)

UBER AMAZING BLOG AWARD

I received this tag/award from Engr. Sherwin Calalang a.k.a. "Mokong" of "Mokong (Anong Nasa Isip Ko)", one of the most active Pinoy blogger I've met on Ka-Blogs and most deserving of the award. Thanks for tagging me with this one my good friend.

Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:

• inspires you
• makes you smile and laugh
• or maybe gives amazing information
• a great read
• has an amazing design
• and any other reasons you can think of that makes them
• uber amazing

The rules of this award are:

• Copy the badge and put the logo on your blog sidebar or post.

• Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!

• Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.

• Share the love and link to this this post and to the person you received your award from.

• Come back and comment here so that your link could be added to the master list of awardees.

I'm going to pass this award to all my friends in Ka-Blogs (with the exception of my good friend Ron Centeno, where all this award comes from him and with his kindness and generosity ay nakarating ang tag/award na ito sa ating Ka-Blogs community; at ipinapasa ko naman ang award na ito sa "Aking Sinusubaybayan" na mga kaibigan na sa kanilang panulat ay patuloy nila akong pinatatawa, minsan ay pinaluluha and inspired me of their writings - equally deserving of this award are as follows:

PaJAY of Klasrum ni Pajay

Abe Mulong Caracas of Naks Naman

Nebz of Isla De Nebz

RJ of The Chook-minder's Quill

Mightydacz of My Kaleidoscope World

NJ of Desert Aquaforce

Ruphael of Perfect Square

Bhing of Gumamela ng Paraiso

Bomzz of Bomzz in Iraq

Sardonyx of Hula Scoop atbp...

Marlon of Revolution Perspektib

LordCM of Dungeon Lord

Dennis Villegas of Dennis Villegas

Kenji of Thoughtskoto

Elyong of Blogging Life

Jez of On My Own

Jessie of Tastemoto

This one's for you guys...

AN EARTH HOUR INVITATION

Tonight, March 28, 2009, at exactly 8:30 p.m. local time,
millions of people are joining together committed to Earth Hour 2009,
and turning off their lights for one (1) hour
to help make a difference and raise awareness
about the issue of global warming.
Remember - turn off your lights!

Iconic buildings ranging from
the United Nations headquarters in New York City,

the Eiffel Tower in France, the Acropolis of Greece

and the Pyramids of Egypt will all go dark for the event.

Here in Qatar, Qtel supports this year's Earth Hour

as part of its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.

The company will switch-off every light in its imposing Headquarter Tower in West Bay.

Experience a 60-minutes of darknness for a cause.

"Do not defile the land where you live and I dwell."

(Book of Numbers 35:34)

I NEVER GET JEALOUS... NGAYUN LANG

Still from "You changed My Life" movie line and my daughter was shaking her head telling me "not again Dad", but what can I do, the movie quotes are humming in my head me to write about those lines, they are part of our daily 'love' experience, just like the "touch" expressions of love which lead me to the question of "kelan ba ako huling nagselos? It seems years that I cannot even remember and I am not even sure if I ever did.

People say that jealousy is a manifestation of love, but I strongly disagree. The question is are you really in love or are you just attached, because so much of what we experience as attachment, we call love.

Loving someone is loving the uniqueness of that person. You want to see them thrive, enjoy, and grow. You want to see them become more of who they are, no matter what that entails. That's the truth of love. It is what we would call unconditional love.

Attachment is quite different. You want to make him or her conform to what you want or think they should be. To what is convenient or comfortable for you in the relationship. Attachment is not caring for the other so much as it is care for yourself. This distinction needs to be understood before constructive work can be done on your relationship. Are you loving, or are you attached?
If you are attached, you are going to experience the pain of jealousy frequently because jealousy is all about FEAR. Fear of the unknown and of change, fear of losing power or control in a relationship, fear of scarcity and of loss, and fear of abandonment. It is a reflection of our own insecurity about our worthiness, anxiety about being as a lover, and doubts about our desirability.

The most extraneous and ineffective way to deal with jealousy is trying to control your partner. Attempting to manipulate your lover is a poor solution. To attempt to control outer circumstances by making your lover behave or act in a certain way is to miss an opportunity to understand yourself. The real and positive reason for dealing with jealousy, is not trying to blame or fix your partner, but seeing and understanding who you are. You can use the situation that created the jealousy as an occasion for clarifying communication, for negotiation within the relationship and perhaps most importantly, to understand yourself more fully.

Jealousy has no space on a relationship built on the foundation of unconditional love, trust and respect.

“For love is as strong as death,

Jealousy as cruel as the grave;

Its flames are flames of fire,

A most vehement flame.”

(Song Of Solomon 8:6)

"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart,

don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above,

but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition are,

there is confusion and every evil deed."

(James 3:14-16)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gusto ko lang pong linawin na hindi ko pa po napapanuod ang “You Changed My Life” subali’t iyong mga paulit-ulit na movie teaser nito sa TFC inspired me to write mula sa mga linya nila John Lloyd at Sarah.

Pero last night, a good Samaritan bought me movie tickets for today’s screening ng “You Changed My Life”, not just one – but two (2) FREE tickets for me and my wife. Thank you kaibigang Jhun, purihin ka. And happy graduation to your son Mikko.

CREATIVE OUTBURST - A MANIPULATIVE SOCIAL ANGER

Angelo "Boyet" Fajardo, Fashion Designer

Fajardo's flare-up, which was caught on a surveillance video, triggered public ire when the footage was uploaded on the popular video sharing site YouTube.

In a bid to diffuse the outrage amid calls for a boycott of Fajardo's products, Ricky Rivera, Fajardo's spokesman, defended the fashion designer's behavior as a result of "creative outburst."

"As a fashion designer, as an artist, sometimes he has creative outbursts maybe because of the fatigue he felt at the time of the incident," Rivera said.

While I cannot find the exact definition of "creative outburst" (as mentioned by Ricky Rivera) to describe the videos shown on You Tube and ABS-CBN, I took the freedom of describing this new emotional outrage.

CREATIVE OUTBURST'S EXTERNAL EXPRESSIONS:

• Unnecessarily pointing an accusing finger (a common mannerism of lawyers, Senators and Congressmen)

• Making people kneel before him even outside the Church (An act of contrition by the faithful requested by religious leaders - eg priest, pastors, etc.)

• Yelling, uttering offensive words and threatening (further medical research required due to absence of audio recording from available video sources).

CAUSE/S OF CREATIVE OUTBURST:

• Long haul flight - "Galing pa ako sa long haul flight.."

• Fever - "May fever ako nuon..."

• Starving - "Hindi pa ako nakakain..."

POST EFFECT OF CREATIVE OUTBURST:

• Memory Loss - "Wala akong maalala"... "di ko sya dinuro"...

CREATIVE OUTBURST RELIEF - BOOK OF PROVERBS' BIBLICAL DOSES

"A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated." (14:17)

"He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly."(14:29)

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."(15:1 )

"A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel." (15-18)

"Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. " (16:32)

"A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. " (19:19)

"Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared." (22:24,25)

"Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" (27:4)

"Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger." (29:8)

"An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins." (29:22)

AT ITO NAMAN ANG... "POWER KISS"

After Laida Magtalas leaned forward and gave her boyfriend, Miggy Montenegro; her powerful hug, she immediately followed it by a power kiss, a comforting and romantic scene in the blockbuster Pinoy movie - "You Changed My Life" - a double "kilig" to the movie viewers.

After a long loving hug followed by a slow tender kiss, a perfect kiss I might say will set your heart fluttering. Just like the power hug, "a kiss is the touching of one person's lips to another place, which is used as an expression of affection, respect, greeting, farewell, good luck, romantic affection or sexual desire" (See Wikipedia).

But a kiss is not just a kiss, - we give respect and love kiss to our parents, sister and brother, we give friendship kiss to our friends, we give care kiss to our pets.We give a warm, sweet, passionate and so much kiss to our spouse/partner.

But a kiss must be given with the purest intent to treasure the closeness you share with your other. Not just a peck on the lips or one hundredth of a second contact. Allow your thoughts to captivate the attention of your own lips. Think about all the moments that you have shared with your spouse, the instants that cause your heart to race and your skin to perspire. This is very important because these are the thoughts that should cross your mind during the seconds that pass while your lips hold the lips of your other half.

Remember that kissing brings couples closer together, it ignites the passion and maintains the best prelude to sex, palagay ko lahat ay sumasangayon sa akin sa bagay na ito.

And I was surprised to learn the a passionate kissing provides an endless list of health benefits from various medical websites such as Sound Medicine and WebMD, among them are:

• it provides self esteem
• it burns 2-3 calories a minute
• effective stress-reliever
• it helps exercise 30 facial muscles
• it stabilize cardiovascular activity
• prevents stomach, bladder and blood infections
• relieves pain through the release of natural antibiotics (anesthetic) secreted in the saliva
• increases levels of oxytocin that reduces anxiety

And whatever you do, never ever rush into a kiss, make sure there are no interruptions and there’s some privacy to enjoy the moment. And if you have no one presently to kiss, allow your first kiss to express all the desire and hope you long for.

Lastly, mutual attraction is essential to a great kiss. Without it, all you're doing is pressing your lips together, and you'll leave feeling unfulfilled and disappointed. Kissing is a way to show affection, to let someone know you really like them, and a passionate way to say "I LOVE YOU" - just like Laida and Miggy.

"Mangagbatian kayo ng halik ng pagibig.

Kapayapaan nawa ang sumainyong lahat na na kay Cristo."

(1 Peter 5:14)

2010 - PILIPINAS WOWOWEE KNB?

Ayon sa pinakahuling tala ng PulseAsia sa kanilang February 2009 Ulat ng Bayan, sa 65 personalidad na napiling mapabilang na 'Senatorial Preferences' ng mga nakilahok sa nabanggit na survey para sa nalalapit na May 2010 election, kapuna-puna ang paglitaw ng pangalan nina Edu Manzano (TV Game Host ng Pilipinas Game KNB) at Willie Revillame (TV Noontime Host ng Wowowie) at kung pagbabatayan ang nasabing survey ng Feb 2 -15, 2009 at magpapatuloy ito, malaki ang kanilang chances of winning sa politial arena.

Nangunguna sa nasabing survey si Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, at sinundan naman nila Pia Cayetano, Mar Roxas, Miriam Santiago at Frank Drillon.

Sa mga kilalang personalidad sa radyo, TV at pelikula, isama na rin natin ang asawa / kasintahan ng ilang entertainment celebrities na napabilang sa nabanggit na Senatorial preferences ay ang mga sumusunod:

• Jinggoy Estrada (Rank 1 - 3)
• Mar Roxas (Rank 1 - 4)
• Bong Revilla (Rank 5 - 11)
• Ralph Recto (Rank 6 - 12)
• Edu Manzano (Rank 6 - 12)
• Tito Sotto (Rank 12 - 16)
• Lito Lapid (Rank 17 - 21)
• Joe de Venecia (Rank 17 - 23)
  
• Willie Revillame (Rank 17 - 23)
• Orly Mercado (Rank 20 - 29)
• Solita 'Mareng Winnie' Monsod (Rank 23 - 31)
  
• Mike Enriquez (Rank 25 - 32)
• Butz Aquino (Rank 27 - 32)
• Gilbert Remulla (Rank 29 - 38)
  
• Grace 'FPJ' Poe (Rank 31 - 40)
• Arnold 'Igan' Clavio (Rank 32 - 40)

Bagama't may ilang personalidad na nagsabing hindi nila papasukin ang daigdig ng politika, subalit may higit 1 taon pa bago sumapit ang Eleksyon 2010, marami pang maaring mangyari upang magpagbago ng kanilang desisyon upang kumandidato. Madaragdagan pa rin ang nasabing listahan sa pagpasok ng susunod na mga buwan.

Kung madodominahan ng mga artista mula sa iba't ibang entertainment media, maari rin itong magbigay daan sa pagsibol ng 2 bagong political parties na tulad ng Partidong Kapamilya at Alyansang Makapuso (huwag seryosohin, joc-joc-joc lang po muna ito at huwag magagalit).

Pero balik seryosong usapan, iba't-ibang kumpanya pa ang magsasagawa ng ibat-ibang survey upang magbigay gabay o magbigay kalituhan sa atin. Idagdag pa natin ang iba't ibang opinyon ng iba't ibang relihiyon, tulad ng Simbahang Katoliko sa pangunguna ni Bro. Mike Velarde (na may intensyon ding kumandidato); ang Iglesya Ni Kristo; at ang Christian Fellowship o Born Again Movement.

Piliin natin ang mga kandidatong may matibay na pananalig sa Dyos, may malinis na pagkatao, may paninindigan para Bayan at malasakit sa mga mahihirap.

Bagama't malayo pa ang nasabing Eleksyon 2010, ating bantayan ang pagkatao at personalidad ng mga prospective candidates, kung sila ay nagpapatawa lamang, nananakot, nanunuhol o seryoso sa paglilingkod sa ating Bayan.

Laging tatandaan, maging "Mapagmatyag, Mapanuri at Mapangahas".

"TAGGING" - ISANG URI NG PAKIKIPAG-UGNAYAN SA KAPWA BLOGGER

A Graphology Test Tag

Excited, happy, and proud - ito ang aking nararamdaman sa unang tag invitation na natanggap ko mula ng magsimula akong magsulat ng blog since February 2009. At sa pananaw ko ay isang healthy blog activity ito kung saan nagkakaruon ng isang dynamic exercise within the blog community irregardless of their differences in personalities and blog interests.

Bilang pagpapaunlak sa paanyaya ni kaibigang N.J. sa kanyang Graphology Test Tag, aking inilalathala ang aking likha alinsunod sa kanyang sample tag.

Isang Tag Invitation na rin itong aking ipinahahatid sa aking kaibigang LordCM at Kosang Bomzz, isang paanyaya sa kanila na makilahok sa tagging experience na hatid ni N.J. Nawa't mapaunlakan ang aking paanyaya.

Purihin at mabuhay ang mga Pinoy Bloggers!

PABABAUNAN KITA NG... "POWER VERSES"

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Mat.11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:2)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith
(Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

Believe God is there just for you..

Para kay YaNah at sa mga taong dumaranas ng matinding pagsubok sa kanilang buhay... ipanalangin natin sila na huwag mawalan ng pag-asa sa buhay. Tulungan natin sila kaibigan.

'PABABAUNAN KITA NG...POWER HUG'

I am not a fan of Sarah and John Lloyd, but the "power hug" line interests me when I saw the movie trailer which provides a positive demonstration of love and affection and emotional warmth, sabi nga ng anak ko, it sends a "kilig" effect.

Physical intimacy as the body language of love such as the power of touch is often taken for granted and instead love and affection is always equated with the material things.

And moreover, let us not forget the power of hug has a therapeutic effect, an essential tool for healing that help relieve pain and depression and anxiety, to bolster a patients will to live. The therapeutic touch such as caressing makes a growing child feel secure and is known to aid in self esteem.

In her book "The Hug Therapy", Kathleen Keating Schloessinger says - "In a world that has grown more complicated, more fierce in the demands made upon our hearts and pocket books, there is one easy, free gift left. The power of touch. Don’t turn away from the elderly, disabled, terminally ill or long term care residents because their needs seem beyond your ability to give. The one thing they need the most is the most simple, yet profound gift you have to give. Your kind hand holding theirs and a hug from your heart. The gift of touch is the most powerful healing you can offer another, and it is the most powerful healing you can give yourself. Give generously and watch yourself grow rich in what matters the most. Hug often, hug well...I embrace your spirit.... "

The miracle of touch is already with us since our conception, our body has been receptive to the sensitive touch because of the sense organs of our body. While inside our mother's womb, each part of our fetus' body is touched by the amniotic fluid which maybe the origin of the yearning for touch all our lives. And as we are delivered into this world, we recognized our mother through her touch, during our infancy, we tend to cling to our mother's fingers as she caress our body.

"There is something godlike everyone of us possesses in our arms, hands, fingers. This is the power to make someone feel cherished....the power to give (and receive at the very same time!) kindness, warmth, tenderness, support, healing, security - and most of all belonging. All add up to the profoundness of love....all human qualities that humans can give - and give with a simple touch - a simple hug." by Kathleen Keating

Let us express our love, share it by giving a warm hug to our love ones, our partner in life, our parents, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters, the sick and and ailing people we knew, our friends, the people longing for our love and affection... "pabaunan natin sila ng power hug."

FRIDAY the 13TH...

As I was staring at my desk calendar, I can't help but wonder what is stored for me tomorrow, it's Friday the 13th. Nung nakalipas ng buwan ng Pebrero ang unang Friday the 13th sa taong 2009.

Ano ba ang misteryo ng Friday the 13th, bakit ba may mga taong naliligalig sa petsang ito lalo pa't pumatak sa araw ng Byernes.

"Paraskevidekatriaphobics" ang tawag sa mga taong may di maipaliwanag na pagkatakot sa Friday the 13th. Ang hirap bigkasin ano, nakakabulol tuloy sa takot.

Sa dami ng mga superstitions nating mga Pinoy ang Friday the 13th mas madalas na iniiwasan o kinatatakutan at pinaniniwalaan rin ng karamihan.

Bakit nga ba malas ang Friday the 13th? Bagama't walang makapagsabi ng eksaktong pinagmulan ng takot sa Friday the 13th, maraming haka-haka tungkol dito. Sabi nila, ang bilang na labindalawa (12) ang pinaka perpektong bilang dahil 12 ang apostoles ni Kristo, 12 ang Tribo ng Israel, 12 rin ang bilang ng Dyos ng Olimpus, 12 ang uri ng zodiac signs, may 12 buwan sa loob ng isang taon, at 12 ang bilang na nasa mukha ng orasan. Kaya't ang bilang na 13 ay kalabisan na lamang, samantala ang araw ng Byernes naman ay isang araw ng pagluluksa, ito ang araw kung saan ipinako at namatay sa krus si Hesukristo.

Ang ilan sa mga kaganapan na pilit na idinudugtong sa kamalasang hatid ng bilang na 13 ay nang ang Apollo 13 spacecraft ay nagkaruon ng malfunction nuong April 11th sa oras na 13:13 CST, at napilitang bumalik sa Earth na hindi man lamang nakalapag sa buwan na naglagay sa buhay ng kanyang mga crew sa alanganin. Si Jospeh Estrada ay naluklok bilang ika-13 Presidente ng Pilipinas ay napatalsik sa puwesto nuong 2001. Nuong Aug. 13, 2004, Byernes, sinalanta ng Hurricane Charlie ang Florida sa Amerika kung saan maraming naging biktima ng kalamidad.

Marami pang mga istorya tungkol sa Friday the 13th, pero malas man o hindi, kailangang harapin natin ang araw na iyan, dahil bukas Friday the 13th, Day Off naming mga OFW sa Gitnang Silangan (T.G.I.F.). Hindi naman siguro badluck ang maglaba, magplantsa, maglinis ng bahay, etc, kasi routine work na ito pag Friday sa Gitnang Silangan.

At bukas rin, Friday the 13th, karamihan sa manggagawa sa buong Pilipinas ang tatanggap ng kanilang sahod, kung walang Friday the 13th, tyak na sa March 16 pa kayo makakasahod.. At sa ayaw ninyo at sa gusto, ang susunod na pagpatak ng Friday the 13th ay sa buwan ng Nobyembre ng kasalukyang taon.

Fridy the 13th man o hindi, huwag makalimot magpasalamat sa Panginoon sa mga biyayang ating natatanggap sa araw-araw at ilayo nawa tayo at ang ating mga pamilya sa anumang sakuna at kapahamakan na maaaring dumating sa ating buhay. AMEN.

She Shall Be Called WOMAN

I am sending this message to all the women of the world, the "kababaihan", the grandmothers, mothers and sisters, in recognition to the International Women's Day which is currently celebrated in 56 countries around the globe right now (and on every 8th of March each year).

You have made your presence felt in the world that was once ruled by men in the field of politics, business & entertainment, science & technology, religion and sports. You have come a long way from Eve and have gained international respect in your own respected fields of achievements. However, disparity and gender gap exists in countries which praises human rights and the so called democratic nations of the West and the developing countries in the East.

There are still so many challenges and obstacles that women faces in this modern world, and I look forward and support the advocacy for women empowerment in a society.

And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man,

made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

Genesis 2:22-23

SALUMPUWIT AT IBA PA

Di pala biro ang magsalin ng mga salitang Ingles sa wikang Tagalog. Matapos kong tulungan ang aking anak sa kanyang assignment sa skul sa pag-translate ng isang essay na nasusulat sa wikang Ingles ay napatunayan na kulang pa rin ang aking kaalaman sa wikang Tagalog.

Kaya't tila pagbabalik-aral, sinubukan kong isulat ang ilan sa mga salitang Tagalog na bihirang gamitin at ang katumbas nyang salita sa wikang Ingles tulad ng mga sumusunod:

agimat - talisman

silanganan - orient

pranela - flannel
talamak - widespread
gulod - slope
medida - tape measure
imbudo - funnel
kawatan - thief
halimuyak - aroma
tadyang - ribs
guryon - kite
salumpuwit - chair

May mga salitang Tagalog din na madalas kong naririnig na hindi ko mabigyan ng kahulugan sa wikang Ingles tulad ng:

kangkarot
haliparot
nakakabagabag
alimuom

Marami pang salitang nais kong isama dito pero minabuti kong kayo na lang ang magbigay ng karagdagang kaalaman.

Sa paghahanap ko ng tamang Tagalog-English translation sa internet, may isang translation quiz na nilikha sa Excel at available for download sa www.scribd.com upang ma-Palipasan ng oras at masubok ang inyong vocubulary power. Bilang karagdagan, nais kong ipaalam na hindi ito conclusive para maging batayan o "gauge" para sa vocubolary skills.

Sabi pala ng iba, "upuan" daw ang tamang Tagalog equivalent word sa salitang Ingles na "chair". Subalit para sa akin "salumpuwit" pa rin ang eksaktong salita, dahil sa kanyang literal meaning na tumutukoy sa desenyo ng pagkakalikha na di maitatanggi sa nakalarawan sa ibaba.

Ano naman ang Tagalog ng "brassaire" o "bra" at "underwear"? Ipapaubaya ko na lamang sa inyo kaibigan ang wastong kahulugan.

Ipagmalaki natin ang wikang Pilipino na bahagi ng ating Pambansang kasarinlan.

"Kung hindi ako "salumpuwit", ano ako?"

PAALAM, FRANCIS M. (44)

Paalam kaibigang Kiko, maraming salamat sa iniwan mong alaala bilang artista at mang-aawit. At ang awit mong "Mga Kababayan Ko" na nagbigay daan upang bigyan kahalagahan ang ating lahing Pilipino, na magsikap para sa isang magandang bukas.

Ipinakita mo ang katapangan, na nagsilbing inspirasyon sa mga taong may sakit na kanser, at malalang karamdaman sa pakikibaka mo sa sakit mong leukemia, bagama't "ang espiritu sa katotohanan ay may ibig, datapuwa't mahina ang laman".

Minabuti na rin siguro ng Maykapal na wakasan na ang paghihirap ng iyong katawan at sakit sa damdamin na nararamdaman ng iyong pamilya dahil may mas mahalaga kang haharapin na gawain sa Kanyang Kaharian. Sayang nga lang kaibigan, inaabangan ka pa naman bukas, Marso 7; ng iyong mga tagasubaybay sa iyong pagtatanghal sa final set ng reunion concert Eraser Head.

Maraming salamat Kiko, lagi ko pa ring pakikinggan ang mga awitin mong iiniwan sa amin na patuloy na magbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kabataan at babalik-balikan rin namin ang iyong blog - http://magalona.com/ kung saan mo ipinakilala ang tunay mong pagkatao.

Purihin ka Kiko, isa kang tunay na Master Rapper ng aming bansa, ngaun mapayapa mong makakasama ang Lumikha.

Mga Kababayan Ko
Francis m.

Chorus

Mga kababayan ko
Dapat lang malaman nyo
Bilib ako sa kulay ko
Ako ay pilipino
Kung may itim or may puti
Mayron naman kayumangi
Isipin mo na kaya mong
Abutin ang yung minimithi

Dapat magsumikap para tayoy di maghirap
Ang trabaho mo pagbutihin mo
Dahil pag gusto mo ay kaya mo
Kung kaya mo ay kaya nya
At kaya nating dalawa

Magaling ang atin
Yan ang laging iisipin
Pag asensyo mararating
Kung handa kang tiisin
Ang hirap at pagod sa problema
Wag kang malunod
Umaahon ka wag lumubog
Pagka't ginhawa naman ang susunod
Iwasan mo ang ingit
Ang sa ibay ibig mong makamit
Dapat nga ikaw matuwa sa napala ng iyong kapatid
Ibig kung ipabatid
Na lahat tayo'y kabig bisig

Repeat chorus

Respetohin natin ang ating ina
Ilaw siya ng tahanan
Bigyang galang ang ama
At ang payo ang susudan
At sa magkakapatid
Kailang ay magmahalan
Dapat lng ay pag usapan ang hindi nauuwaan

Wag takasan ang pag kukulang
Kasalan ay panagutan
Mag malinis ay iwasan
Nakakainis marumi naman
Ang mag kaaway ipag bati
Gumitna ka ang wag kumampi

Lahat tayoy magkakapatid
Anong mang mali ay ituwid
Magdasal sa diyos maykapal
Maging banal at wag hangal
Itong tula ay alay ko
Sa inyo at sa buong mundo

"Father, Forgive Them; For They Know Not What They Do"

The remaining 10 former soldiers involved in the murder of former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. were freed yesterday, March 4; after 26 years of imprisonment in New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, Rizal; on the strength of release orders signed by Sec. Raul Gonzales of the Department of Justice based on the commutation order from Malacanang office.

But who will forget that fateful event of August 21, 1983, the assassination of Ninoy has brought the nation to a standstill. So many military officers and allies of former President Marcos were implicated by the investigation commission, the defendants were acquitted in the 1985 trial.

In 1986, Mrs. Cory Aquino was sworn into office as elected President of the Philippines through Peoples Power Revolution, and the Supreme Court has declared Ninoy Aquino's murder trial a "mistrial". A new trial was commissioned and in 1990, sixteen military officials were convicted for their participation in the assassination of Sen. Aquino.

Today, after 26 years of incarceration, the remaining 10 convicted soldiers of the Aquino-Galman murder case are now free and reunited with their families, to have a normal life in their respective communities.

And yesterday, Sen. Benigno Aquino III and Kris Aquino have criticized President Arroyo's decision to free their father's killers. They cried foul, since the beginning of the trial there was perjury and cover-up on the case.

Three questions disturbed my mind:

1. With almost 26 years passed since Ninoy's death, can we say to his grave that "justice has been served"?

2. Was the 26 years of incarceration, sufferings and good conducts shown by the remaining 10 former soldiers inside the Bilibid Prison "enough" to heal the hearts of the grieving families and of the Filipino people, and deserve pardon and forgiveness?

3. Will you agree with Ninoy that "Filipinos are worth dying for"?

The fallen hero has long been laid to rest and he will always be remembered in our history. The convicted felons have been given a new breath of life by the Pres. Arroyo. And the mastermind behind the murder case remains a mystery (and could still be very much alive) only God knows who.

I am (the Pope) a sinner not a saint, to err is human and to forgive is divine.

MGA TAONG KALYE

(Photos courtesy of Dennis Villegas)

I tried to avoid visiting photo blogs sites because of the snail pace opening of web pages attributed by the congested internet traffic resulting to slow downloading of images particulalrly of high resolution photos.

During my blog hopping, I have come across Dennis Villegas blog site, at natyempuhan kong mabilis ang net ngaung hapon at madali naman na nagbukas ang mga larawan na nakapaloob dito.

Para ka palang nagsa-sight-seeing kapag bumibitisa ka sa photo blogs, its was full of vivid and rich colors, masasayang kulay at tanawin sa silhouette ng magkasintahan sa tabing dagat sa pinamagatang My Valentine Post ang unang tumambad sa akin. And as I slowly moved the slider down, umagaw pansin sa akin ang paningin ang larawan ng mga taong ordinaryong tao na sumasalamin sa kahirapan ng ating bansa. ang mga taong tinatawag na taong kalye, ang mga batang malayang nasinghot ng rugby upang makalimot sa daigdig ng kahirapan (Rugby Session) at ang mga larawan ng mga taong may mga "keloids" (Mang Lando's Only Friend) at ang lalaking ay sakit na ketong (A Leper Story).

But what touched me most ay iyong mga larawan ng mga taong natutulog sa kalye (Manila Downtown: Street Sleepers). I was an elementary student and I used to go with my mother sa palengke every Saturday or Sunday morning. Madaling araw pa lang ay naglalakad na kami sa kahabaan ng Libertad at nasasaksihan ko ang mga pamilyang natutulog sa kalye, ang iba ay nasa loob ng kariton, ang iba ay karton na lamang ang nasa pagitan sa kanilang likod at ng malamig na semento. At sa tuwing makakakita kami ng aking ina ng kalunos lunos na anyo ng mga natutulog sa kalye ay pabulong na sinasabi ng aking ina na "kung hindi ka mag-aaral at magsisipag, maaaring ganyan rin ang mangyayari sa iyo anak".

Mahirap lang din kami, nangungupahan, dalawa lang kaming magkapatid na inaasahan ng aking ina, namatay na kasi si tatay when I was grade 2 sa sakit na T.B., at ang kapatid ko lang ang kinakapitan namin sa aming financial needs.

Kaya't tumanim ito sa isip ko na "kapag hindi ako nagsikap mag-aral at nagsipag sa buhay" I will end up in the street one day... natakot akong magpalaboy-laboy sa lansangan tulad ng nakikita ko nuong maliit ako sa mga kalye ng Libertad at Taft, kaya't nagsikap naman ako, nagsipag, at nag-aral ng husto, sayang nga lamang hindi nakita ng nanay ko ang bunga ng aking pagsisikap, pumanaw sya on my third year sa college sa "atake de corazon". Di nya nasaksihan ang aking pagtatapos at pangingibang bansa.

Pero naging palaisipan ang mga taong kalye na aking nakikita sa lansangan araw araw. Hindi ba sila nagsikap o nagsipag sa buhay, o kaya'y napagsabihan ng kanilang mga ina tulad ng habilin sa akin kayat naging ganun ang naging kapalaran nila? Ano ba ang nagtulak sa kanila para maging palaboy sa lansangan. Sila ba ang mga itinakwil ng panahon o iyon ba talaga ang nakatadhana sa kanilang kapalaran.

Sila ang mga biktima ng kahirapang hatid ng kapabayaan ng ating pamahalaan, na kung wala ang mga taong kalye wala ring ghost projects ang mga Senador, Kongresman, at Alkalde ng bayan, ganun rin ang DSWD. Biktima rin sila ng mga mapang-aping lipunan na kinabibilangan ng mga mayayaman at elitista na ginagamit ang mahirap sa kanilang mapagkunwaring kawang-gawa upang mapanatili ang kanilang mileage sa media at sa lipunang kanilang kinabibilangan at sa mga sindikatong hantarang pinangangalakal ang mga pulubi sa kalye sa harap ng mga kapulisan at mga MMDA na abala rin sa pangongotong. Sila rin ang mga taong ginagawang ehemplo at laging ipinapangaral ng mga pari at pastor sa kanilang mga simbahan, ang tinatawag na mga banal na pinagpala na magmamay-ari ng kalangitan, subalit bibihira namang mabahaginan ng tulong mula sa simbahan ang mga pinagpala raw Diyos.

Sila ang mga pinandidirihan, nililibak, at iniiwasan; at ikinabubuhay na lang nila ang panalangin at sa kalansing ng barya sa lupa mula sa ating mga bulsa. Maraming salamat sa larawan ni Dennis, sa kabila ng hatid na likhang sining nito ay nabigyan ng puwang ang mga taong nakalimutan ng lipunan.

"At sasagot ang Hari at sasabihin sa kanila, Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo, Yamang inyong ginawa sa isa dito sa aking mga kapatid, kahit sa pinakamaliit na ito, ay sa akin ninyo ginawa."

(Mateo 25:40)

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