"PEBA Family" Video

PEBA believes that the strength of a country, especially the Philippines is not found in Malacanang or in military camps. The true strength of a nation lies at the heart of its people, and at the walls of a holy place we call - HOME.

PEBA will be releasing a series of uplifting videos encouraging OFWs and Filipino to strengthen the bonds of unity and love within their families that will in turn strengthen the nation not just economically but morally.

If you want to participate and have your family photo added to videos such as this, please send them to

photos@pinoyblogawards.com

and we will be grateful for your participation.
 

Happy Birthday 'Bebi Ko'

On this date, October 12 -  twenty years ago today, my daughter was born as we named her Geehan Maika and it was the happiest moment of our lives as the world seemed to stop when the nurse handed her into my arms, she was God's most beautiful creation, a little angel, so innocent and pure.

Her giggles, laughter and cry are like melodies from the sky. And we rejoice on every new words  she uttered... and I watched her first steps and her first walks.. I go crazy following her making sure that she'll not stumble and cry.

It's hard to believe that my baby girl is 20 years old now. It wasn't long ago that she always jumps into my back or carry  her on my shoulders as I proudly carry her in my arms when she's half asleep. It was just like yesterday that I call her "Bebe ko.."

But I cannot remember how many birthdays I missed, perhaps 5, 7, 9... I lost my count...  and I admit it was painful for me for not being present in my daughter's birthday celebrations. I wish I could see her close her eyes, make a wish and smile as she blows the candles from her birthday cake.

But God must be listening to my prayers. As each year she turned out even better than I often dreamed she'd be. She's more than I had hoped for and she's a sweet reward to me and my family. She grew up to be a lady full of wisdom, warmth and love, a good and fine role model, truly a blessing from above.

I couldn't be any prouder than I am today of her. She is my daughter and my friend, and a wonderful person, too. she has our love forever whom we adored her from the start.

It's a privilege to be her parent, a father and mother for my wife. She's a dear daughter of our heart.

From Daddy, Mommy and Jason & Mely

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 'BEBI KO', 

I HOPE NEXT YEAR WE'LL BE TOGETHER ON YOUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

OFW's Life Beyond Limit

The following is an excerpt from my column on The Kablogs Journal Issue 7 (September 2010), copied here as part of my effort in tribute to sacrifices of our Modern Day Heroes - the OFWs.

  

OFW's LIFE BEYOND LIMIT

OFWs around the world have a story to tell and if all their stories combined in one book, we will have a compilation nf 12 million unique stories from OFWs around the world, stories of familial love, pain and sacrifice, heroism and martyrdom.

Even before I become an OFW, I always admire the exceptional courage of Filipinos chasing their dreams in foreign lands - and I wonder how could these people withstand the chilling winter snow in USA, Canada and European countries and scourging desert heat of Middle East and Africa. And I even wonder if my kababayans' are gifted with a nerve of steel to withstand the pain of separation from their love ones, wife, children, mother, father and siblings. And I ask myself in a satire manner "sila ba ang bagong Superman".

On January 1992, along with other 40 OFWs we're heading to Doha, Qatar, a country which I have never heard of. I never knew that at this point in time I am about to unmasked the real lives of "Supermen".

>>> Please  read the rest of the article by clicking the link to The Kablogs Journal 

Hangad Ko'y Kapayapaan Sa Usaping RH Bill

Sa isang demokratikong bansa na ating kinabibilangan, mapalad tayong mga Pilipino na malaya nating naipapahayag ang ating mga personal na opinyon sa malawak at makabagong na pamamaraan ng 'media' tulad ng usaping RH Bill.

Nakakalungkot nga lamang isipin na ang ilang talakayan ng mga sibilisadong mamamayang Pilipino sa iba't ibang plataporma ng media lalo pa't sa internet ay nababalot ng poot at galit na nauuwi sa batuhan ng hindi lamang maaanghang na salita kundi paglilibak at pag-aalipusta sa pananampalataya ng nakararaming Katoliko.

Sa pagtatanggol ng RH Bill, huwag sana nating hayaan na galit at poot ang manaig sa bawa't damdamin nating mga Pilipino upang ikondena ang mga nakararaming pari at obispo na nagsisibli sa Simbahang Katoliko. Hindi rin sapat at matuwid upang ang pagkakasala ng ilang kaparian ay ating uriratin sa isyu na RH Bill at kung may ilang makasalanang pari ay nararapat lamang na isaalang alang rin natin ang damdamin ng mga tapat at mga taos pusong paring Pilipino sa iba't ibang bahagi ng ating bansa na nagsisilbi para sa tunay na kabanalan at pagmamahal sa Dyos at sa kapwa. At ang ating mga kababayang paring misyonaryo na nasa iba't ibang bahagi ng mundo tulad ng Gitnang Silangan na kanilang buong tapang na itinatag ang mga simbahan para sa mananampalatayang Pilipino na naging sandigan ng mga manggagawang OFW.

Ang ating bansa ay nasa bagong kabanta ng pagbabago at tayo bilang mamamayang Pilipino ay nararapat lamang na maging bahagi sa pagsusulong ng isang tunay na pagbabago para sa maunlad na kinabukasan na sa mga darating na panahon kung di man tayo ang makinabang ay ang ating mga anak, apo at mga aani ng tagumpay na ating itinataguyod sa kasalukuyan.

Subalit sa ating pagsusulong ng pagbabago, dapat mapagtibay natin ang isang makabuluhang batas na ang bawa't panig ng lipunan ay mabigyan ng sapat na boses upang maipaliwanag ang kani-kanilang opinyon sa pamamagitan ng katotohanan at hindi ng pananakot, ng katwiran at ng hindi pang-aalipusta, paliwanag at hindi pambabastos.

Ilang beses ng sinukat ang katatagan ng lahing Pilipino, mula sa madilim na kasaysayan ng dekada 70, mga lindol, bagyo at iba't ibang sakuna, subalit sa pamamagitan ng ating pananampalataya lahat ng ito ay ating napaglabanan at napagwagian, ngaun pa ba tayo magkakawatak-watak bilang isang lahing Pilipino?

Lahat tayo ay may karapatang pumili - isang karapatan na nakaakibat sa puso at kaluluwa ng bawa't mamamayan mula sa kanyang pagsilang na itinuturing nating kaloob ng Maykapal sa ating katauhan. At ang karapatan rin na pumili ay binibigyan proteksyon at nakapaloob sa ating Saligang Batas. Gamitin natin ang karapatan na ito tungo sa isang tunay at mapayapang pagbabago na puspos ng pag-ibig at pagpapakumbaba.

Nawa'y magsimula sa bawa't isa sa atin ang tunay na kapayapaan tungo sa hinahangad nating pagbabago sa ating sarili, pamilya at ating bansa.