Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

Tropical storm Ondoy was one of the devastating storm of our century. Within 9 hours of contineous, it left hundreds dead with so many persons missing and still unaccounted, thousands homeless and a nation shaken by mother nature.

Survivors tell of desperate struggles to survive. This is one of the disasters of our century that will test the souls and test the spirits of our Filipino people.

And with God's mercy, the Filipinos will show the world once again, that not only we survive, but we will be united and stronger community.

Storm Ondoy brought out the best and the worse in people, as thousands ran to save the community, Muelmar Magallanes, 18 years old boy gave up his life to save more than 30 people in Manila floodwaters (posted in flippin' in singapore blogsite); others create overwhelming outrage of filipino against some infamous personalities.

HEAR NO EVIL

The National Disaster Coordinating Center (NDCC) headed by Gilbert Teodoro has been criticized by the public for their slow disaster response which clearly shows that the NDCC does not have a well prepared action plan and probably because of the inadequacy of emergency fund.

Could this justify the accusation made by Rep. Teofisto Guingona III as published on Philstar; that President Gloria Macapagal Aquino has used P800 million energency fund for her foreign trips which include her infamous extravagant dinner in New York?

SEE NO EVIL

Congressman Mikey Arroyo was photographed at Rustan's Katipunan buying liquor while thousands of people nearby are either begging to be rescued from flood or pleading for food and water from Government and NGOs. As one blog caption states "... you can pretty much see what evil lurks in the hearts of men."

SPEAK NO EVIL

Many Filipinos including KABLOGS members are outraged by the insensitive comment that Ms. Jackie Bermejo made on her Facebook Account.

Her comments as published:

buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! yeah deserving wat hapend...

Is she for real or is this a case of theft identity?

Who is Jacque Bermejo? According to Ryan Ericson Canlas of Speaking One's Mind, Jacqueline Bermejo is a Marketing and PR Officer in Dubai. It was said that Jacque Bermejo is a victim of someone with so much hatred and this was a case of identity theft.

The following is Jacque's official statement.

I am issuing this statement to clear my name in the current controversy in which I allegedly posted a highly insensitive and offensive message on the social networking website, Facebook, in relation to the victims of typhoon Ondoy that recently struck parts of the Philippines.

About two years ago, an anonymous source created these accounts using my identity, posting my personal details, my real pictures captioned roughly and attacking other people. Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc.

In the early stages, I was advised by close friends to ignore the situation, saying this would simply go away. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Hence, I filed a complaint with the Dubai Police about eight months ago hoping they could help me with my problem. Should anyone wish to check my statement, my case is still under investigation with said authorities.

Time passed and these sites continued to generate malicious, obscene and cruel messages that are widely exposed and relayed to the public under my name.

Yesterday, September 27th 2009, I received phone calls from my close friends regarding very alarming posts in the above mentioned websites that directly offended flood victims as a result of typhoon Ondoy..

These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me and I do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard.

I too, have become a victim as much as those who may have lost their lives and properties to such a devastating natural calamity. This recent controversy has greatly affected my reputation, my family, and my friends. I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated.

I have a deep respect and regard for my country. I am proud to be a Filipino and would never say or do anything to harm the interest of my country or countrymen. I have also had the privilege of participating in civic-oriented activities in Dubai, particularly in trying to help my fellow countrymen seek employment during the height of mass layoffs brought about by the ongoing global financial crisis, as well as those seeking employment for the first time. Making a mockery of any unfortunate incidents befalling any of my fellow Filipinos is simply contrary to my character. I condemn the person or persons behind these malicious acts to impute damage on my integrity and I hope that you can dig deep into your hearts and minds to truly find the truth in all these.

Jacqueline Bermejo. September 28 at 5:11pm.

Mga Tanaga Kay Ondoy

ANG TANAGA – "Tulang Tagalog na palasak na sa Pilipinas bago pa dumating ang mga Kastila. Ito’y may mataas na uri at binubuo ng apat na taludturang may pituhang pantig. Itinuturing ito na malayang tula at sagana sa talinghaga" - Dr. Crisanto Rivera

MGA TANAGA KAY ONDOY

Nakapanghihilakbot,

Nakapangingilabot,

Putik na dambuhala,

Ragasa’y walang awa.

Mga kotse’y lumakad,

Mga ref ay lumipad,

Kompyuter ay lumangoy,

A, kay bagsik mo, Ondoy!

Patak na malulupit,

Baha ay pinagngalit,

Inalis mga bahay,

Winalis mga buhay.

Bubong ay humihiyaw,

Kable’y pumapalahaw,

Bangkay ay nangagkalat,

Pumipikit ang lahat.

Kamay na nakalahad,

Pantapik sa balikat,

Anuman ang maganap,

Biyaya’y laging lantad.

Tulang likha ni Gng. Ma. Teresa B. Nicolas,

Guro, Mataas na Paaralang Kanluran ng Lunsod ng Pasay

Larawan mula sa flickr.com hatid ng kookaikookai's photostream

PEBA at KABLOGS Isang Panawagan Bilang TulongSa Mga Biktima ng Ondoy

Isang kawang-gawa ang isinusulong ng mga kawani ng PEBA at Kablogs upang matulungan ang ng ating mga kababayan na naninirahan sa Kasiglahan Village ng Montalban, Rizal sa kanilang kalunus-lunos na kalagayan matapos ang nakapangingilabot na hagupit ng bagyong Ondoy. Isang panawagan sa ating mga kababayan at kapwa bloggers na nais magbigay ng anumang donasyon ay maaari po lamang na ihatid ang mga ito sa sa mga sumusunod na lugar:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/lv?key=tBMVeBvbdAtYRaRB6ErFWnA&toomany=true

Para sa dagdag kaalaman at anumang katanungan, maaaring tawagan ang sumusunod :

Pete - (632) 920-2595 local 107

Beth - (632) 922-0246 / 927 -0794

maari ring magpadala liham sa pamamagitan ng e-mail:

peba09@gmail.com and kablogs123@gmail.com

You Cling To 'Someone' During The Storms

There will be storms, my child,

there will be storms;

And with each tempest,

you will seem to stand alone against cruel winds;

but with time, the rage and fury shall subside.

As the sky clears before you open your eyes,

you will find your feet dry

because I held you up;

you will find your body warm

because I embraced you in the cold night;

and you will realize that you're not alone

because you are clinging to Someone;

You would have never known, but for storms.

----

Prayer for Victims of Storm "Ondoy"

Our Heavenly Father, compassionate and merciful God,

Please spare and show compassion to the Filipino people,

the inhabitants of the 7,100 islands from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

particularly the residents from the provinces of Rizal, Laguna,

Quezon, Pampanga and of Metro Manila .

We beg you to save every Filipino people from every calamity,

from the winds of storm and the heavy rains,

from the waters of the sea, and from every sorrow and evil,

And send deliverance and redemption

to all those who call upon Thy Name.

Save them from the floodwaters, landslides and rescue them from the abyss,

Lead them to a place of safety, and do not abandon them,

And in Your abundant mercy

send them redemption in the measure of their loss,

And complete healing to the sick and those in pain,

and comfort to their souls and spirit.

May all the Filipino people and of the world

recognize that You are the Supreme King,

Who rules the powers of the universe

and shows mercy to His creatures,

who praise Your great Name,

AMEN.

Photograb from flickr.com uploaded by Greenpeace Southeast Asia's photostream

I Was Worried As Ondoy Gone Wild

I was struck with fear as I watched from ANC News Channel the video footage of Metro Manila streets particularly in Marikina City which was submerged in waist deep water, and some were on their roofs including ABS-CBN's sexy star Ms. Cristine Reyes crying for help waiting to be rescued by the local authorities.

Tropical Storm Ondoy hit the main island of Luzon, people from Metro Manila were stranded on malls and offices, what worries me more is that my daughter along with her classmates were also stranded in Pasig City.

I received a text message that they are working on a their school's group assignment when strong and heavy rain started to pour in the afternoon, and in less than 1 hour the flood water started rising so fast that it has entered the house where they are working and they have to move fast to the second floor.

The next text message I received from her was that the rain continues its heavy downpour, the water continues to rise and the water is already waist deep. The electric power was cut off as expected and she told me that she along with her classmates have to spend overnight in their classmate's residence in Pasig which is less than 10 km away from our house in Antipolo. I agreed with her that she is more safe where is right now with the company of her classmates and wait until early morning until the water subsides before going home.

I am familiar with the vicinity of Cainta and Pasig and I can imagine the roads behind Santa Lucia Mall along Marcos Hi-way crossing Marikina City and its thoroughfares is not passable to road vehicles because of the high flood waters.

And I am confident that my house in Antipolo will not be affected by the thunderstorm because of its high elevation. However, I tried to call our "kasambahay" and our neighbors in the area but unfortunately I cannot contact them thru PLDT or Smart mobile, probably the cellular sites in the vicinity was damaged by the strong winds.

This is another disaster which hit our country with so many provinces including Metro Manila has been placed in State of Calamity.

Please help the families that has been hit by disaster. You may want to read MLQIII blogsite for further information on how to help our "kababayan" affected by the storm Ondoy. And also check news update from TFC and GMA channels and thru internet news.

Let us offer a minute of prayer to the families who are affected by the calamity.

I hope your families are safe and are not affected by this typhoon and let's pray that tomorrow morning this is over and may the sun shine behind those dark clouds.

I'm A Finalist For PBA 2009 Best Filipino Abroad Blog

this boy employed his unique tactic... he removed his short

halfway the bamboo pole to remove the grease,

and put some dirt on the pocket...

unfortunately, he dropped his shorts..

together with the dirt....
pinoy ingenuity at work here...

Whew! I am incredibly surpirsed!

Is this for real? Ever has been so nice to inform me that Palipasan is shortlisted as a finalist in the Special Award: Best Filipino Abroad Blog of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards.

My overwhelming gratitude to Kenjie and family of Thoughtskoto for the faith they have shown in me for nominating Palipasan, it was funny that I can still recall that I have to ask Kenjie on which blog category I should fit while I reading the nomination form. I wouldn't made it as a finalist if I hadn't been nominated.

I would not have been able to get as far as I have without the support and love from all you guys, to the Palipasan followers, readers and commentors. Palipasan's existence is because of YOU people who form part of my daily statistics, your clicks and peeks have been my bloodline for the last 8 months, Palipasan not about me, it is more about YOU, and I am sharing this achievement with YOU.

And to my OFW family, my wife and son who are with me in Doha, and my daughter from the Philippines, thank you for giving me that extra boost and confidence when entering this fantastic experience.

I share the same sentiment with Nebz as I was browsing the PBA Finalists roster, I was searching for familiar names like Kenjie, NJ, Blogusvox, Life Moto, Lord CM, RJ, Ruel and Azel. It would be much better if more KABLOGS members have been included in PBA 2009 finalists.

There are eleven finalists in this category and I must say that I am extremely honored to be listed up there along with those ten other amazing sites!

Congratulations to my Kablogs friends, to Nebz of Isla de Nebz, Chico of The Monologues of A Dessert Dude and Noel of Baul ni Noel as my co-finalist the same category. And to Ever of Pamatay Homesick as finalist for Best Filipiniana Blog.

To all of you, thank you so much. The past eight months was a very remarkable blogging period for me and Palipasan, and may this PBA 2009 event, as well as the PEBA 2009; bring a better and fruitful blogging experience to all the Filipino bloggers around the world.

The envelope gets opened on Friday, October 9th at PETA Theater, Quezon City, Metro Manila. Yes, it would be nice to win, but it’s true what they say: just being a finalist is a great honor.

I am proud to be a Filipino and an OFW.

Maraming salamat po.

Image and caption grabbed from Ucket's photostream.

Live Each Day To The Fullest

People lose their health to make money;

then lose their money to restore their health.

By thinking anxiously about the future,

they forget their present

such that they live

neither for the present nor the future.

They live as if they will never die,

and they die as if they have never lived.

Take each day as it comes,

and live each day to the fullest.

Democracy - Unending Political Struggle

Kung sya ang sumasalamin

sa ating Bansa,

Pababayaan mo ba Sya?

It seems that the legacies of our great heroes is going down the drain, when some favors fascism particularly the Marcos-style dictatorship as an instant solution to our growing political and economic problems. Wala na nga bang pag-asa ang ating bayan, at kailangang isuko ang laban na sinimulan ng ating mga bayani mula sa hanay ni Lapu-Lapu at ang pinakahuli ay si President Cory Aquino.

Some people loses hope but please let us not give away our liberty and it pains me to think that some are most willing to trade-off our democracy to a dictatorship form of government for a political change of atmosphere.

It's very important to understand exactly what democracy is, and what it depends on. Many people leave school just thinking that it means that people have the vote.

We should know what a fragile, complex and nuanced creature a liberal democracy is. They also need to be taught about 'democratic deficits'; the imperfections and corruptions in democratic systems, whether in our own country, the Philippines, USA, UK or wherever.

I say "democracy" is always imperfect and always needs to be questioned, rethought, repaired. The advantage is that you can do this in a democracy - faulty as our democracies seem to be at the moment.

What we need right now is faith, believed in ourselves and together with our youth, YOU, we could change the our country. Without this belief we cannot do it as we are unable to maintain the motivation necessary.

I always believe it is possible to change our country and that is why I spend so much time producing blog articles that suggests we can. Otherwise I will stop blogging and will tell my children to stop believing in the word "CHANGE". We must firmly believe that we can change, however; it can’t be done alone with old codgers like me. We need the young citizen like YOU, with all your surplus energies, to get involved in this great political struggle.

Yet so many are apathetic. I can understand that given the current situation. But it is a recipe for a new kind of fascism.

I say, never ever embrace a dictatorial form of Government. Galing na kami duon, nakipaglaban kami para sa inyo, huwag na nating balikan ang isang madilim na kahapon.

Let us prove that Ninoy is correct that "Filipinos are worth dying for".

Batas Militar: Pagkamatay Ng Demokrasya

Tatlumput pitong taon ang nakalipas, ika-21 ng Septyembre, 1972, ang bansang Pilipinas ay sumailalim sa Batas Militar sa pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos sa tibay ng Proklamasyon Bilang 1081, labing isang taon ako ng panahon na iyon ng aking masaksihan ang pagdidilim ng langit ng demokrasya.

Di ko malilimutan ng ako'y nasa ika-5 baytang sa mababang paaralan, sa di malamang dahilan ay maaga kaming pinauwi sa aming paaralan. Pagsapit ko sa bahay di ko maunawaan ang pinag-uusapan ng aking Ina at Ate, at tanging pangalang Marcos at Martial Law lang ang aking nariirnig sa kanilang pag-uusap.

Binuksan ng aking Ina ang kabinet ng aming TV, isang black and white na telebisyon, pinihit nya pakanan ang rotary channel selector, walang palabas, may nag-iisang istasyon na ang tanging mukha ni Marcos ang nasa telebisyon nagsasalita sa wikang ingles... tahimik ang aking Ina at malungot na lumingon sa akin... tila nais sabihin, "anak patay na ang demokrasya".

Kinabukasan, walang mabiling peryodiko sa lansangan. Wala ring marinig marinig na programa sa anumang estasyon sa radyo. Nagkaruon ng malawakang curfew sa buong bansa. Takot at pangamba ang namayani sa bawat mamamayan. Ito ang panahon ng batas militar, na isang diktaturang pamahalaan na isinulong para sa kapakanan ng iillan.

Bilang pag-alala sa nakaraang Batas Militar, aking inihahandog ang isa sa labing isang video clips na nilikha ng NinoyAquinoTV para sa You Tube, isang pagbabalik tanaw sa madilim na nakaraan na nawa'y gumising sa kamalayang Pilipino na pahalagahan ang ating tinatamasang demokrasya at ating isulong ang adhikain ng isang malayang Pilipinas.

Hahayaan mo bang muling maulit ang ganitong kasaysayan?

OFW: Sa Paglaki Ng Kita, Lumalaki Rin Ang Pamilya

Pangunahing dahilan ng pangingibang bansa ng mga Pilipino ay ang dahilang pang-ekonomiya, ang malaking sahod upang maitawid sa kahirapan ang kanyang pamilya bilang isang payak na pangarap ng isang mamamayang Pilipino, magkaruon ng sapat na pagkain sa hapag-kainan para sa pamilya, maayos na edukasyon sa kanyang mga anak, at sariling bahay na magbibigay proteksyon mula sa ulan at init ng araw.

Kapansin-pansin sa pangingibang bansa ng mga Pilipino bilang mga OFW ay ang paglaki ng kanilang mga kita kung saan kasabay rin ang paglaki ng pamilya. Ang pangangailangan pinansyal ng mga magulang, kapatid at lolo't lola ay nagiging bahagi na rin ng kanilang kampanya para sila matulungan mula sa kahirapan.

Ang buwanang remittance ng isang OFW ay hindi nagsisimula sa Western Union at nagtatapos sa bulsa ng asawa o magulang lamang. Ang bawa''t dolyar na kanyang pinapadala ay nababahaginan rin ang kanyang mga kapatid at pamangkin na pinag-aaral, ang mga magulang na kanyang pilit na pinasasaya, ang mga tyuhin at tyahin na may sakit o karamdaman, ang kanyang biyanan bilang tulong at paggalang, ang mga hipag at bayaw, manugang at apo mula sa kanyang mga anak na walang maasahan kundi ang dakilang OFW.

Hindi pa kasama rito ang kasambahay pati na rin si yaya ng kanyang pamilya na tinuring na ring kapamilya, at pati ang anak ng kasambahay ay naambunan din sa biyaya ng bawa't OFW mula sa ibang bansa.

Sa dami ng umaasang kapamilya at itinuturing na ring kapamilya, sana naman ay kanilang pahalagahan ang bawa't sentimos na ipinadadala sa kanila ng mga OFW dahil hindi kayang tawaran ang sakripisyong kanilang pinagdadaanan sa ibang bansa bilang mga banyaga.

Sapat na rin itong dahilan upang kanilang ipanalangin sa Panginoon na pagkalooban ng malusog na pangangatawan at kaisipan ang bawa't OFW na nasa ibang bansa bilang ganti sa kabutihan sa biyayang kanilang tinatamasa.

Wala akong nakikitang masama sa pagiging matulungin nating mga Pilipino lalo pa't sila'y ating mga kapamilya, tulad ng kasabihan -

"Charity begins at home."

Subalit isa lamang paala-ala na huwag ring kakalimutan na paghandaan ang sariling kinabukasan dahil hindi panghabang buhay ang pagiging OFW, dahil darating ang panahon na ang ating katawa'y mapapagod rin sa pangingibang bayan at kailangan magpahinga sa Bayang Sinilangan, nawa'y sa pagsapit ng panahon na ito, may sapat na ipon sa pagsisimula ng buhay sa kanyang panunumbalik sariling bayan.

Sa katauhan ng bawa't OFW makita ang tunay na pagmamahal at pagpapahalaga sa kanyang buong kapamilya, isang pagpapatunay na sa bawa't Pilipino mahalaga ang bawat myembro ng pamilya, isang pagpapatunay na sa bawa't OFW pamilya ang laging una.

Kamustahin natin ang ating mga kapatid na OFW, sila'y pasalamatan at ipagdasal na sa kabila ng kanilang matinding kalungkutan kinahakarap sa kanilang pag-iisa bilang mga banyaga, nawa'y kanilang mapaglabanan ang mga tukso na karaniwang nagiging dahilan ng pagkawasak ng masasayang tahanan at manatiling tapat sa kanilang mga iniwang asawa't anak na sa kanila ay tanging umaasa.

Kaibigan, alalahanin mong maraming umaasa sa iyo. Huwag mo sana silang bibiguin, higit pa sa bayani ang tingin nila sa iyo.

It's All Up To You

You are the person that has to decide;

Whether you'll do it or toss it aside.

You are the one who makes up your mind;

Whether you'll lead or linger behind.

Whether you'll try for the goal that's far;

Or be contended to stay where you are.

Take it, or leave it.

Here's something to do;

Just think it over.

It's all up to you!

Photograb from http://www.flickr.com/

Uploaded by Mio Cade photostream

Paglaki Ko, Gusto Kong Maging..

Ilang beses mo bang itinanong sa mga bata ang katanungang -

"Paglaki mo, anong gusto mong maging?"...

At tila mula sa maliliit na tinig ay iyong maririnig ang kanilang mga pangarap...

"Gusto ko pong maging nurse, duktor, titser, engineer"...

Pagkatapos ay tila nais mong sundan ng pahabol na katanungan na... "bakit?"

Nakakatuwang pakinggan ang kawalang malay na kasagutan ng mga batang musmos sa mga katanungan para sa kanilang pinapangarap na karera sa buhay.

Karera o "career" sa wikang Ingles, sadyang tugma ang salitang "karera" dahil sa kasalukuyan ang bawa't mag-aaral at nagsisipagtapos na estudyante ay tila nakikipag-unahan sa bawa't isa na malagpasan ng maaga ang hirap ng buhay na kanilang pinagdadaanan.

At sa takbo ng kasalukuyang pamamalakad ng ating pamahalaan ay tila unti unting ipinagkakait at masasabi nating tila ninanakaw ang katurapan ng mga pangarap ng mga kabataan mula sa pagpapabaya ng Gobyernong tadtad ng kaliwa't kanang kontrobersya sa pangungulimbat sa kaban ng bayan ng mga taong politiko't makapangyarihang nasa pwesto.

Ako'y nag-aalala na kung hindi magkakaruon ng pagbabago ang ating ekonomiya, ang pangarap ng isang bata na nais maging titser, may naghihintay pa kayang kinabukasan sa kanya sa ating bansa o matulad kaya sya sa mga OFW na naging Domestic Helper o Sales Lady sa Gitnang Silangan at sa Europa?

May naghihintay kayang kinabukasan sa mga batang musmos sa kasalukuyan na nangangarap na maging duktor o matulad din kaya sila sa mga OFW na naging Nurse sa Estados Unidos.

Nakakabahala, ang mga pangarap ng ating kabataan ay unti-unting ipinagkakait ng kahirapan at lumalalang antas ng "unemployment" sa ating bansa na naging dahilan kung saan patuloy ang paglikas ng kanilang mga magulang, kapamilya at kamag-anak upang sundan ang kanilang mga pangarap na maitaguyod ang kanilang mga pamilya at mapag-aral ang kanilang mga anak at kapatid.

Ang mga magulang na hindi nagkaruon ng pagkakataong makapagtrabaho bilang OFW, at hindi rin pinalad makapaghanapbuhay ng maayos sa ating bansa, karaniwang pangarap sa kanilang mga anak ay mapagtapos ito ng kolehiyo sa mga kursong in-demand sa abroad upang pagka-graduate ay makakita agad ng employer sa ibang bansa bilang OFW. Sila ang mga magulang na nawalan ng pag-asang umasenso ang kanilang buhay kung mananatili silang magtatrabaho sa sariling bansa. Sila ang mga magulang na ayaw nang makita ang kanilang mga anak na masasadlak sa hirap na katulad nila na nananatili at nagtitis sa kakarampot na sahod mula sa pagtatrabaho sa Pilipinas.

Subalit tanungin natin ang nakararaming OFW, gusto ba nila na ang kanilang mga anak ay sumunod sa kanilang yapak bilang mga OFW?

Sa mga ordinaryong OFW na nakaranas ng matinding kalungkutan sa kanilang pangungulila sa ibang bansa, sa mga nakaranas ng panlilibak o pangungutya ng mga banyaga dahil sa ating lahing kayumanggi, sa mga inabuso at pinagsamantalahan, tiyak na hindi nila hahayaan na mag-abroad ang kanilang mga anak.

Subalit ang anumang kalungkutan o kapighatiaan na ating dinanas sa pangingibang bayan ay hindi naman mangangahulugan na kailangan din nila itong sapitin o pagdaanan. maaaring ang tinahak nating daan patungo sa pangingibang bansa ay iba naman ang kanilang tatahaking daan bilang bagong banyaga.

Kung ikaw ay naniniwala na kapuri-puri at marangal na hanapbuhay ang karera bilang OFW at maipagmamalaki ang ating Lahing Pilipino saan mang sulok ng mundo bilang mga dakilang Bagong Bayani ay walang dahilan upang ikaw ay matakot kung pipiliin ng iyong mga anak at magiging anak ang maging OFW tulad ng kanilang mga magulang.

Ang mahalaga, bigyan natin ng maayos na edukasyon ang ating mga anak, gabayan sila sa kanilang paglaki at hubugin ang kanilang kaisipan bilang tunay na Pilipino, mapagmahal sa magulang, sa kapwa at sa Bayan at may hustong pananampalataya at takot sa Dyos. Ito ang ating responsibilidad bilang mga magulang sa ating mga anak.

At kapag sila ay makapagtapos sa kanilang napiling karera, taas nuo nilang harapin ang hamon ng buhay, sa loob man ng bansa o bilang banyaga.

At kung maging OFW man sila, huwag kang matakot o mag-alala, kung hinubog mo ang kanilang katauhan sa wastong pagpapalaki at pananampalataya, sa kanilang dalang talento at edukasyon, at sa kanilang sipag at tyaga, sila'y mananatili pa rin na tunay na Pilipino at sa tamang panahon sila'y magbabalik sa ating Bayang Sinilangan.

Subalit kaibigan, ipanalangin natin na sana sa susunod na mahahalal na lider ng ating bansa, nawa'y matugunan na ang hinaing ng taong bayan sa suliranin ng kahirapan at kawalan ng hustong hanapbuhay upang hindi na kailangan mangibang bayan ng ating mga anak para hanapin lamang ang kasagutan sa kanilang mga pangarap.

Ikaw kaibigan, nung bata ka anong gusto mong maging?

Nangarap ka bang maging OFW?

Photograb from www.flickr.com

uploaded by Chubbskie's photostream

Maricris, A Cancer Patient

Brethen,

Please forgive me for interupting your regular reading of Mr. Pope's blog because of my desire to convey my present ordeal in life.

My name is Maricris Garcia Ugay, 36 years old, a happily married housewife and blessed with a son. And I am presently residing at No. 14 Cristobal St. Paco, Manila.

Last year, July 15th, 2008, I was diagnosed with a known case of invasive ductal carcinoma, right, stage IIA(T2N0Mx), hence surgery was done on my right breast.

After surgery, I underwent four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy . Months have past, I experienced difficulty in breathing, check-up and laboratory x-ray test were conducted. It discovered that I have a Massive Pulmonary Metastasis (stage IV) and was adviced by the doctors to undergo a series of chemotherapy.

With these regards, I’m making an appeal to each and everyone of you, who has a big and generous heart, for a financial assistance that you could extend in my behalf. The chemotherapy sessions would entail a big amount of money that me and my family could not hardly afford to sustain. This could extend my chances for survival.

I wish I could live long enough to feel the cold breeze of the coming Yultide season, smell the freshly baked "bibingka" accross our street, see the bright colored lanterns on our windows, hear the my son's voice singing Christmas Carols to my ears and my husband Jonathan whisphering Merry Chirstmas.

I wish I could live long enough to thank you personally or through Mr. Pope, and wish you a Happy New Year.

Your help would mean a lot to me and to my family, and please include me in your prayers.

For more information, you may please contact my husband:

Mr. Jonathan Ugay

+639159296960

Home Address: 14 Cristobal St. Paco Manila

Metrobank Account No. 033-3-03361666-0 Ermita Branch

God bless you.

Maricris

Siya si Maricris, isang mabuting kaibigan ng aking pamilya na kumakatok sa aking puso at aking inihahatid sa inyo ang kanyang pagususmamo na sana ay sa inyong tulong ay madugtungan ang kanyang buhay. Ating ipanalangin nawa'y malagpasan nya ang pagsubok na ito sa kanyang buhay sa tulong ng ating mapagmahal na Ama.

In behalf of Maricris family and my family as well, our depeest gratitude to our fellow bloggers and KABLOGS family who have re-posted Maricris' pleadings as follows:

Kenjie of Thoughtskoto

LordCM of Dungeon Lord

Jessie of Life Moto

Ruel of Perfect Square

MarcoPaolo of A Journey Of My Simple Life

Bhing of Gumamela Sa Paraiso

Amorgatory of Darkroom

To the KABLOGS members, OFW Bloggers and KABLOGS supporters, thank you for your support, the outpouring of love and prayers from people accross the globe for her immediate recovery which is enough to say that with FAITH there is HOPE beyond CANCER.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.

When Sun Rises, Run At Your Best

Every morning in Africa,

When the sun rises, a deer awakens;

Knowing it has to outrun the fastest lion,

Or, be hunted to death.

And when the sun rises, a lion awakens;

Knowing it has to outrun the slowest deer,

Or, be starved to death.

It does not matter,

Whether you are a deer or lion;

Wherever you are when the Sun rises,

Better be running at your best.

Photograb from Flickr.com
Uploaded by Leon B. Dista

Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

“Whatever life holds in store for me,

I will never forget these words:

With great power comes great responsibility.”

Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spiderman

Responsibility is an essential element of integrity; it is the congruence of what you think, what you say, and what you write. Responsibility is essential for reciprocity, trust, and for maintaining symmetric relationships.

Responsibility is a choice. Choice without responsiblity is greed, an attempt to get something for nothing that is the wasteful and harmful excess of egotists and tyrants. Responsiblity is a congruence between the actions we choose and of our values, because it unleashes choice. Whenever we think, decided, choosen and act we are exercising our personal responsibility.

I believe in the greatness of humankind, in the power that lies in every individual – the power to choose our response. The power to love rather that hate; the power to respect rather that disrespect; the power to deny self rather than being selfish; the power to stop fighting each other; the power to build each other up rather than tear each other down; the power to be united by mutually respect, acceptance and tolerance.

I pray that we will exercise the true power that lies within each individual human being – the power of responsibility.

Photograb from Flickr.com

Uploaded by Adriana Casellato

Another Step For Love

The greatest mistake in Love is trying to possess it.

It will spill out of hand just like water.

Love will retrieve from you if you demand, if you expect.

Love is meant to be free; you cannot change its nature.

If there are people you love, allow them to be free beings.

Give, but don't expect. Advise, but don't order.

Ask, but never demand.

------------

Life is Beautiful, let us stop for a while

and smell the early morning breeze of Chirstmas.

What Builds You More

The world will provide you with stones everyday.

What you build out of it, is your choice..

Wall,

Road

or a Bridge.

You may even choose to

do nothing.

At the end, world will know you

by what you did with it.