BATU-BATO SA LANGIT!

"There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"- James 4:12

In this Bible verse, it says that there is only one who could judge people. The one who made it all, the one who made us all. Is it you? Is it me? Oh no no no no. I don't think so. Then why do you judge? You don't have the right to condemn others. You are not perfect. And if you consider yourself as one, then think again my friend. Think again and again until you realize your imperfection. It hurts right? because it's true. Some of us don't know how to look on themselves first before judging other people's imperfection. 

Look at yourself, not because you're beautiful, you're famous, you're wealthy and has an army of friends, you think you can live your life the way you want it to be? WELL I TELL YOU, YOU CAN'T! This life is not always about you, it's not always about us. Jesus said love one another and love others as you love yourself. But of course, we cannot please everybody, I guess not everybody knows what these commandments mean. Sometimes, we are being too insensitive of the feelings of others because we're too selfish to think that other people has feelings too. 

According to Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Kung puro negative talaga yung titingnan mo sa isang tao, puro negative din ang lalabas sa bibig mo. Why don't you try to look on the positive side of others and you will see how precious and good they really are. Another thing that the Bible is saying about the HYPOCRITES "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." taken from Matthew 7:5 which made me also realize my mistakes before that now I really regret and asked for forgiveness for. I don't want to judge others anymore because I know that aside from I'm committing sins in God's eyes, I am also fooling myself. Fooling myself in what way? I am fooling myself because I'm making myself believe that I am way too perfect than anyone else. Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan magbago.

We know that all of us have these flaws that others may seem can't accept because we're different from them. Pero sana marealize natin yun bago tayo humusga ng kapwa natin. Sabi nga ni Lord “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." Now tell me, who are you to judge and condemn others? 

P.S This is based from general experience. 

Nothing Important

Sorry to bother you. I don't have a topic or social issue right now like I used to blog about. I just want to express myself here. Please stay and listen to me. I just need someone whom I could talk to right now. I don't want to consider myself as sad.. I don't usually get sad because I'm a happy person. But this time, I feel like it's me against the world. Unidentified feeling it is what I am feeling right now.Maybe it is sadness maybe it is not. Trying to escape from this madness of mine. Keeping all the tears that I can't really hide. An emotion that keeps on bugging me. Where does this come from? Even if I wanna leave it all behind, my mind is being fooled by it. I don't wanna waste my time now. I should be thinking happy thoughts, yes? Okay I will. Erase that, maybe it's better if I'd say I shall. 

FRATATATAT!

Fraternities, what is so good about it? After hearing the "hot" issue about the crime committed because of this Frat thing just recently, this issue really lingered on my mind. I really don't understand why people need to be on a secret organization and let themselves suffer from different rituals and abuses or so called "hazing". That's why I researched about it. Fraternities from the Latin word frater means brother, Fraternity is a brotherhood, a formal and secret organization that is dedicated to the intellectual, physical, and mental development of the members.

Well obviously, by the meaning itself, people join fraternities because they want to fit in, they want to be accepted, they want to feel that they belong, they want to feel secured and have some people who would be there for them whenever they need one and one way to get all these is to undergo initiations rituals which they call hazing. This is the part where they need to do some unreasonable, harsh and cruel acts from their seniors. Here pa nga lang, you should feel na you're not secured and protected kasi if they really want to make you as part of their brotherhood, hindi ka dapat nila sasaktan. Those things won't make you stronger, those things will just bring you more fear and might kill you as well. Hindi naman lahat ng tao malakas ang resistensya, you don't even know if kaya mo yung mga ipapagawa nila sayo, they will hurt you and make you feel na after those rituals mapapatanuyan mo na malakas ka. That's not brotherhood, that's foolishness. You're just making yourself get into trouble and will bring you into situations that you don't expect.

Well I'm not saying that it's bad or not good to seek for security and companionship but joining fraternities won't make you feel the same freedom that you have after you pass all the initiations that they will make you experience. Tao ka rin, nasasaktan at napapagod physically. True brotherhood aims to be there for one another in times of trials and will push you to do good and not to lead you into trouble. Ang nangyayari, para mapatunayan mo na malakas ka, or karapat-dapat kang sumali sa isang fraternity, iuutos sayo ang mga bagay na labag naman sa loob mo, brotherhood ba yun? Where's the freedom there?

Many people in fraternity would say, "e kasi gusto ko may back-up ako pag may mga umaway sakin e." Hello, first and foremost bakit ka papasok sa gulo lalo na kung alam mo namang mapapahamak ka? Diba? Simpleng-simple, kung iniisip mo muna ang mga ginagawa mo, hindi ka mapapahamak. Palibahasa kasi para sa iba ang pakikipag away is like innate na sa kanila na parang hindi sila matatahimik hangga't hindi sila nakikipagbasag-ulo. Well, if you're looking for fight and you know naman na walang magandang maidudulot ito, better wag mo na lang gawin.

Let's talk about the poeple who are in law school naman. They join frats cause they want to pass the exams, or get high grades and be recognized ng mga professors nila sa Law School. We all know na mahirap pagaralan ang LAW. We know na napakaraming pinagaaralan diyan at masakit talaga sa ulo, pero diba you chose that course which you know na mahirap kaya dapat alam mo na ang dapat mong gawin, magaral ng mabuti. Ok, maybe you'll say "e mahirap talaga e anong magagawa ko", may magagawa ka you just want to make it easier for you. Law yan e, malamang mahihirapan ka. You chose that path, so take all the risks. Life is about choices ika nga and life is what you make it.

Well, I'm just saying my opinions here. I don't mean to offend anybody or anyone here. If you guys want security, ask God for it. Actually, kay God pa nga lang secured ka na e. You don't need to join fraternities to belong and be accepted cause there are a lot of people around you who accept you for who you are. People who would always be there to help you out and be there for you. In the case of law students, think before you decide, matalino kayo, don't put it into waste by risking your own life in joining these fraternities. For those who are already a member of any fraternities, God bless you and I have said earlier, LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT.

Thank you for taking time reading my blog. 

PANINIWALA: Sta.Nina (Movie Review)

Courtesy of: http://pinoypower.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sta-Nina-Poster.jpg

Maraming bagay sa mundong ito ang pwedeng luminlang sa ating pananalig.. Maging kultura man, kapamilya mo, ang mga kaibigan mo o mismo ang simbahan na iyong kinabibilangan. Hindi lahat ng itinuturo sayo ay tama. Eto ang madalas na nagiging problema ng mga taong akala nila kontento na sila sa kanilang pananalig. Palasimba, pero paglabas ng simbahan bumabalik parin sa dati nilang maling gawain o di kaya nama'y hindi niya napapansin, wala parin siyang pinagbabago. 

Ang Sta. Nina ni Emmanuel Quindo ay pinagbibidahan ng ilan sa mga kilalang personalidad at artista sa showbiz ngayon. Hindi maikakaila ang kasabikan ng ilan sa palabas na ito dahil sa trailer pa lang, pasok na. Nang aking mapanood ang pelikulang ito, hinahanda ko na ang sarili ko dahil alam ko na maganda ito. Bagama't medyo nakulangan ako at ang ilan sa storya ng Sta. Nina, hindi naman ako nagkamali. Napakahusay ng mga gumanap, ang mga shots ay magaganda rin. Maganda rin ang mga linyang binitawan ng mga gumanap. Pero ano nga ba talaga ang mensahe ng Sta. Nina? 

Courtesy of: http://www.cinemalaya.org/images/films/2012/sta-nina-still-3-big.jpg

Nang aking balikan ang mga linya at eksena sa pelikulang ito, narealize ko na pasok na pasok sa mga Pilipino ang kwento nito. Para sa mga katoliko, napakahalaga ng mga imahe o rebulto lalung-lalo na kapag and bagay na ito na akala nila ay sagrado, ay gumagawa ng milagro. Minsan nagkakataon lang, minsan naman ay nagiging instrumento ang mga imahe o rebultong ito para tugunin ang mga hiling ng tao. Nirerespeto  ko ang pananalig ng ibang tao sa mga bagay na ito, ngunit minsan, nagiging dyus-dyusan na natin ang mga imaheng ito na maaari namang, daretso na tayong manalangin sa Panginoon. Mahirap magsalita ng mga bagay dahil talagang ayun ang nakasanayan ng marami sa atin, lalo na dito sa Pilipinas. 

Ang Diyos ay tapat sa kanyang mga pangako. Ang pagkamatay niya sa Krus ng Kalbaryo ay isa ng patunay na tayo ay magaling na. Ang nais niya lang na ating gawin ay manumbalik sa kanya at tanggapin siya bilang sarili nating Panginoon at tagapagligtas. Ang iyong pananalig kay Hesukristo ang maaaring makapagligtas sa atin at sa lahat ng gawa ng kaaway. Manalig tayo ng buong puso sa kanya, wag sana tayong malihis dahil sa mga maling paniniwala. 

God Writes Your Love Story

This lovely and very inspiring poem was made by Joshua Uy. I was inspired to add the women's perspective on what he has expressed here and also I would also like to add some of the realizations and learnings that I gained earlier while I was listening on the preaching of Pastor Daniel in Victory Malate. 

"Women and Men should not settle for good when it comes to relationship, because God has planned what's best for each and every one of us." - Pastor Daniel

Well, who doesn't want to love and be loved? Who doesn't want to to feel complete? Who doesn't want to hear those romantic lines and words from the person you love? Of course, everyone does. I also believe that Love is God and God is Love. So if you're blaming God for feeling bitter right now because of the broken-hearted situations that you've had, you're barking with the wrong tree. God gave us a choice and a freedom to do what we want. But when it comes to bad relationships, God also feels sad whenever you chose to get hurt rather than choosing to be happy. 

From the women perspective, based from my own experience, I never had a boyfriend before but that doesn't make me inexperience when it comes to relationships because I don't need to do the trial and error thing in love. If you're not yet sure, why enter into a relationship? I believe that women are worthy of the long wait. But both women and men should have this virtue called patience before entering into a relationship that God has designed for each and everyone of us. Waiting is not just meant for men, but also for women. 

According to Genesis 2:18

"The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

a helper suitable for him- means a woman 

God designed a woman to help the man. Even before in the book Genesis, God proved that He is the author of love.  God made the men and women to compliment each other and help each other. You're just waiting your time if you want to enter into a relationship that you're unprepared and unstable. God has His own perfect time, don't rush things by following your own desires. 

As Josh has mentioned in his poem, he just want to be honest. He doesn't deserve a woman like the person meant for him yet because he knows that he is not yet ready for commitments. It is very rare to look for guys who has the same principles as Josh has and personally, I am very happy to meet people like Josh who is willing to wait, how long may it take he don't care, because that's what God wants him to do. 

According to Song of Solomon 2: 7 

"Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."

This is especially for women, who thinks that the time would pass by easily if they don't meet their partners in life as early as now. As Pastor Daniel said, Love is not about timing and if he/ she is the right person. We should prepare ourselves for God's time. Instead of asking if she/he is the one, let's ask if am I the one. Although usually, we abuse the freedom that God has given us to get the desires of our hearts, without even praying for it, that's a NO NO. Women, we were made by Christ to be with the person that God has destined for us, we should not settle for less. 

It's You (Original Composition)

IT’S YOU

By: Jojo Armenta

I. Here we go again

My stomach stumbles and my heart beats fast.

I wonder what it is in you

That made me often nervous and wet my hands.

II. And I wasn’t looking for somebody

And I haven’t been in love

But this feeling I have for you

Really bothers me for a while.

Chorus:

Because of you, ooh it’s you

Who always makes my day right

And makes me smile everytime

And you turned my whole world upside down,

When I look into your eyes, I am alive.

III. Here we go again

Your smile that really captured my heart at once

I wonder what it is in you

That made me often nervous and wet my hands.

(Repeat II stanza)

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge:

I asked God to see you again

And He gave me a second chance

All I want is to know you more   

And you’re the one I’m looking for. 

Dedicated to that someone I admire the most. :)

SAKLA: Oros' Movie Review

Ang Oros, na ang ibig sabihin ay gold coin ni Direk Paul Sta. Ana ay tungkol sa dalawang magkapatid na ang pangunahing ikinabubuhay ay ang pagsa-sakla o illegal gambling tuwing may burol. Bagama't Sakla ang pinaka focus na social issue na nais ipakita ng pelikulang ito, marami akong nakita na isyu na makikita rin sa reyalidad ng buhay. Ang sakla ay madalas nagaganap sa mga squatters area kung saan alam naman natin na puro mahihirap ang naninirahan. KAHIRAPAN ang nagtulak sa mga tao para sumugal sa ganitong klaseng gawain. Konting ingat lang naman ang gagawin mo, kikita ka na ng pera.

Sa sobrang pagiging desperado,minsan kahit sa burol ng mismong sariling kamag-anak, gagawin parin nila ito dahil saan naman sila kukuha ng pagkain sa araw-araw, pang aral sa mga anak nila, pambili ng gamot sa mga kapamilya nilang may sakit? Nangyayari talaga yang mga bagay na yan, kaya hindi rin siguro masisi kung bakit ginagawa ng mga tao ang mga bagay na labag na minsan sa kanilang kalooban.

Hindi man ganoong karelate-relate ang kwento ng Oros para sa maraming manonood, sa pamamagitan ng pelikulang ito, nagkaroon ng salamin an reyalidad na ang kahirapan ay siyang nagtutulak para gumawa ng mga hindi kanais-nais na bagay ang mga tao. Pero sana hindi mawalan ng pag-asa ang maraming tao sa kakayanan nila. Madalas kasi nagiging sanhi rin ng kahirapan ang katamaran ng tao. Hindi man nakapagtapos ng pagaaral pero hindi ibig sabihin nun, gagawa ka ng mga hindi kaaya-ayang gawain para mabuhay. Lahat ng tao may "choice", pinanganak ka mang mahirap, hindi ibig sabihin nun wala ka ng pagasang guminhawa. Marami nga diyan e, dahil lamang sa sipag at magaling na diskarte kaya sila yumayaman. Kung kaya nila, kaya mo rin diba.

A Journey with God

Every Christian has their own experiences and testimonies on how they found Jesus and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. God seeks His children in so many and in different ways. He wants us to know Him in every aspect of our lives. But how do we really walk with God? How do we really see Him in our lives?

I became a Christian when I was 12 years old.  I grew up in  a Christian environment, meaning my parents and my siblings are all Christians. When I was a kid, I just knew Christ because I was afraid of my Dad, who is a Pastor. But that was before I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My mom is a Spiritual Counselor, she's the best person I've ever met. Though sometimes of course, moms are moody, but still, she's the best! My mom and dad were the best example of marriage life for me, because God is the center of their relationship that's why. They taught us almost everything in this world and because of them, we met Jesus Christ. What I want to say is that, because of OBEDIENCE to our parents, we were able to build a deep relationship with Christ and now, we're walking by faith.

 During that time when I was about to accept Him, I wasn't in any trouble or any circumstances as other people experienced. I remember clearly, I was just standing there watching my parents and older siblings worshiping and praising God. Then my father told us (younger ones) to close our eyes and pray with him. I was crying and crying and crying. I don't know what's happening to me and I felt that something was covering me, something comforted me. From then on, I started a new chapter of my life with Christ. Of course, I experienced persecutions because that's part of Christian life. My mom told us that us Christians will also experience what Jesus had experienced 2000 years ago, the persecutions and all because this world is full of selfish and self righteous people. But the good part is, our parents taught us that if there are people who condemn and persecute us, be kinder and do more good things to them. 

I can say that I am so blessed with a family that I have right now. Since I became a Christian, more challenges and trials came, but for us they were all just test of faith. God is just teaching us to hold on to Him and still believe. Now what am I saying, meaning you don't need to suffer so much pain or undergo so much trials in able to see God in your life. God's love for us is FREE and He's giving it all to us. It doesn't matter where you come from or whatever kind of person you are. 

Now, my hope and prayer is that for me to be used by God for the youth. In able to reach out those lost souls to seek for God's help and Holy Spirit. Accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior. We believe that God has something great in stored for this generation. I want to be used by God through my talents, as a worship leader or as a leader. My heart is also to speak in front of so many youth who are thirsty for the Word.

Now let us all together pray for a great revival... 

Father God, we come to you once again. Lord, we pray for this generation, we pray that you will use more Christian youth leaders who will stand up and share the Gospel. We pray that you will give us knowledge and wisdom. Father God, we pray for a great revival in this generation that a lot of youth will seek you more and more everyday. Lord, help us and teach us to do Your will always. In Jesus name. Amen

Always look out for Number One

Reality check: Who doesn’t want to own a company? Who doesn’t want to become wealthy and rich? Who doesn’t want to be called the “boss”? Who doesn’t want to earn lots of money?  Well, most of us would answer “I do” and who wouldn’t? When you got the success that you’re aiming for, you will probably do everything to keep this so called “Number One” status. Being on top feels like you own the world and can control everything in our hands that’s why in any way and anyhow, we will do anything just to secure our desire to be on top of everything. This is the scenario usually happens when you have a business and has a great source of wealth. But usually people in the business take things and other people for granted because the only important for them is PROFIT.

       “Business is business” as they would say. It’s what they should do. Their business means everything to them. But what if they consider doing something worthwhile causes instead of putting all their money to investments for their security in retirement, isn’t that wonderful? Anyway we will lose everything after we die right? Why don’t they think of ways on how to contribute in the society and help people at large? Instead of thinking on how to make their profit grow, think on how to make an impact on the lives of the people by seeking their needs and share. Profit is just an evident that you’ve work hard but touching the lives of the people in need means there’s an eternal reward waiting for you that you will forever be grateful of.

        Money is not always the answer and solution for everything. Money can buy new shoes, clothes and food but it can never buy real happiness and joy. Money can pay your tuition fee in school but it can never buy real education and values. See, there are things that money can’t buy and yet we let money control us because we think money can solve everything. Now if you may ask, what is the real meaning of success without money? It’s not the big houses that you bought neither the number of cars that you have. Real meaning of success for me is when you can already share something you have that others don’t have. In this way, I could say that success doesn’t have anything to do with money. It will bring us to the concept of LOVE.

        What does this blog wants to impart? I am not against rich people or powerful people. I’m just saying, we should always go back to basic so we could aim the success that we’re looking for. It all begins with LOVE. If you’re really hard working, money is just there and it will run after you so don’t worry. But touching other people’s lives by helping them would mean a lot to these people and to you as well, it could change your life and you may not notice it. “It is more than to give than to receive”, please don’t forget. The number one thing you should do is start investing for your real happiness right now, do what Jesus did.... SACRIFICIAL LOVE.

From Workers to Prisoners

               It was my first time to see the Hanjin Shipyard in Subic Zambales. The outside look of it is very peaceful and quiet. You don't even see the people working. Then I asked, "Bakit parang walang tao?" Kuya Mars, one of the leaders of SAMAHAN answered, "Kasi nasa loob sila ng mga duck na yan". Then I connect my thoughts. Kasing tahimik ng panlabas na anyo ng Hanjin Shipyard ang mga workers nito, hough hindi lahat, pero marami parin ang natatakot magsalita kasi they know that there's a big possibility na matanggal sila sa trabaho. Kaya din siguro hindi sila masyadong napapansin kasi parang hindi naman totoo. Kasi wala namang nagsasalita. Until that day, I found out that marami narin palang media ang nakipagusap sa mga leaders and members ng SAMAHAN at ng Friends of Hanjin Workers.

              I and Elmer from Friends of Hanjin Workers, went to Subic Zambales together with the staffs of GMA7's Reporter's Notebook to cover the issue of Hanjin workers and know their stories. For me, it was a privilege that I've met different Hanjin workers and the leaders of SAMAHAN cause I've learned A LOT from them. The stories that I've heard from Ka Renante's stories, totoo pala talaga lahat yun at mas marami pang nangyayari sa loob na hindi pa naisasawalat kasi natatakot ang mga workers na i-terminate sila sa kanilang trabaho. Damang-dama ko ang paghihirap habang sila ay nagke- kwento. Nakakaawa. Sabi ko nga, kung meron lang ako na alternative na trabaho na pwedeng ibigay sakanila, ginawa ko na. Pero dahil talaga sa kahirapan, they are all willing to take all the risks and sacrifices to survive and to feed their family. 

Here's the story: 

         When we went up the mountain to see the wide view of the Hanjin Shipyard outside, Reporter's Notebook's camera persons set up their staff to shoot the outside view of the shipyard. In a while, the security guard of the shipyard (is a Filipino) noticed us and stared as if we are criminals.I wasn't frightened at first but when the security guard (Mr. Manalastas) went up to where we were standing and brought a military person with him, I got scared, honestly. Then the Segment Producer of RN talked to them and explained everything. They want us to go inside and go to the information center and talk to their General Manager (a Korean). The Segment Producer said we will go inside when the permit is already okay. To cut the long story short, Mr. Manalastas insisted that we should go there and talk to the General Manager to clear everything. But we were surprised when we found out that our service van was already inside the Hanjin Shipyard. He said that their General Manager let our service van in. 

        Then after meeting the General Manager, the crew of RN got nothing. They didn't even let them shoot inside the shipyard and didn't even get an interview with the Hanjin Management. So, our next stop was the hospital where they usually bring the Hanjin workers, which is 45 minutes away from the shipyard. We went there to see the worker who is currently in coma because of the accident that happened to him inside the Hanjin Shipyard. When we got there, the camera persons were stopped by 2 security guards and didn't tell them why. The Segment Producer of RN was the only one who could go inside. Then after about an hour, the Segment Producer told us that they can't see the patient or interview any of his relatives because there was a not written from the patient's brother saying that they are no longer willing to do an interview in any media that will invite them to. The Segment Producer of RN also mentioned that the Finance Officer of Hanjin Shipyard was inside. Well, alam na natin kung anong ginagawa niya dun. Ang masaklap pa dun, nung nasa office kami ng SAMAHAN, nakausap pa namin yung Kuya nung pasyente na na-coma. The analysis is that the Hanjin Management forced the brother to make a letter to neglect any interview involving Hanjin because if not, they will not pay for the hospital bills of the patient. 

Isa lang ito sa pagpapakita na talagang may hindi magandang ginagawa ang Hanjin Management, kasi bakit nila kailangang pigilang magpainterview ang mga workers or relatives ng mga workers kung wala naman silang ginagawang masama?

Because of that experience, I convinced myself that I will become more aggressive on showing the unjust labor conditions that are happening inside the Hanjin Shipyard. I will do anything that I can to help the workers and to spread the issue for the people to become aware, informed and involved on the fight that these Hanjin Workers are experiencing. 

We can help in many ways, even in our own simple ways, yes we can do something to help these 23, 000 Hanjin Workers. Hanjin Shipyard is in their 5 years this year, 45 more years to come (5o years contract). Let's all make a stand to stop these unjust labor conditions inside the Hanjin Shipyard!

P.S Please watch Reporter's Notebook later 11:30pm after SAKSI on GMA7, they will be featuring the issue of Hanjin Workers.