Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Miagao Church, Iloilo
Miagao Church
[photo taken April 2009]
Constructed more than two hundred years ago in the year 1797, the Miagao Church stands as a living legacy of the culture and way of life of the people of Miagao centuries ago, anchored in a strong foundation of Christian faith. As most travelers would agree, the Miagao Church is one of the country’s architectural gems because of its unique and imposing designs, ornaments and motifs.
The artistic facade of the Miagao Church is decorated with a relief sculpture of St. Christopher carrying the Christ child amidst coconut, papaya and guava shrubs. Like any other foreign influences, the architecture of many colonial churches has undergone the process of indigenization. This process is carried out by incorporating the prevailing Hispano-American and Medieval Spanish architecture with local as well as Muslim and Chinese touches. Thus, the synthesized topology which is anachronistic with the unmindful sues of decorative elements. It had no distinction in terms of periods or orders. A truly ‘Philippine Church’, it exudes a native touch.
A large stone image of St. Thomas of Villanueva, parish patron saint, dominates the center. Carved life-size statues of the Pope and St. Henry with their coat-of-arms above them flank the main entrance. Supporting the facade are the twin belfries, one towering two-storeys and the other three-storeys high. The church’s simple interior is nevertheless highlighted by a striking gold-plated retablo.
In Baroque-Romanesque style, the church sinks six (6) meters deep into the ground with walls one-and-a-half (1 1/2) meters thick and buttresses thrice thicker.
The creative and aesthetic abilities of Spanish colonizers are reflected in many colonial churches in the Philippines. This is especially true in Miagao Church – a world-renowned religious structure now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Miagao Church can be accesed via jeepneys plying the Southern Iloilo (Miagao or San Joaquin) route.
Source: Explore Iloilo
Efren "Kuya Ef" Peñaflorida
Screenshot | CNN
We are all happy for this guy. Yes, I'm sure we are. But I encourage you not to stop there.
As how our hero puts it:
"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes, and sizes.
We are one great tapestry. Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need."
I'll put emphasis on the last phrase: "and be the hero to the next one in need."
Visit their org's site, Dynamic Teen Company.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
10 Cheesy Political TV Ads by Spot.ph
We all know that media plays a very vital role in our country's politics.
So if you're a political aspirant, I tell you:
the best way to present your self to the public is to use MEDIA.
In most countries, debates are aired to acquaint the public with their candidates'
platforms, etc. However here in the Philippines (well at least in my opinion), the most we (public) can get are forums. Other than that, we have nothing but POLITICAL ADS.
Check this 'list' from Spot.ph entitled 10 Cheesy Political TV Ads.
At first, it's kinda amusing. But if you look at it critically, are they really that
amusing?
* Photo grabbed from Transcultural Blog
Friday, November 20, 2009
Silence = Betrayal -Dr. Batalla
Silence is a symptom of an impending betrayal
-Dr. Eric Vincent Batalla
Threading the needle by J.P. Realista Garado ...and a little reflection by me
Although our mother was leaving us so we could have a better life, the ties between us could ever be broken
___
Mama sat quietly in the corner of her bedroom, sewing a torn shirt. Her reading glasses flashed momentarily in the light when she looked up to see who had come in.
Across the room under an open window stood a large grey suitcase.
Although it was framed by bright, mint-green walls and a curtain fluttered merrily over it, it was a lonely sight for me. For the suitcase and all the things inside it would be the only things from home that Mama would have with her when she left for Canada in a week's time.
Mama barely earned enough for our family as a Department of Health inspector in a small town in the southern Philippines. In addition to paying the regular bills and expenses, she insisted ons ending her three children to a private Catholic school.
But Mama was admiringly hardworking. Each day she endured a 90-minute bus ride to her office and back again to our humble home in Davao City. Often, she travelled across rocky roads to faraway villages to do fieldwork, sometimes coming home sunburned and aching.
I was 11 years old. Mama decided to leave in 2001 for Toronto, where her brother lived, to take a job as a domestic helper. My brother Johannes, sister Jollibee, and I would have to stay with our uncle and aunt.
The tthree of us were counting down the days, wondering when we would see Mama again after she left.
"I just wish she didn't have to go," I said
"She wants to go. She wants to get away from you," Johannes would tease me. "You're so unbelieavably stinky when you get home from school that she wants nothing more than to move to another country."
I would stick my tongue out at him, but I knew he was kidding. Mama wanted to improve our lives by working abroad. She wanted to be a good provider, a role she has shouldered since her marriage to our father crumbled when I was seven. After that, we never saw him or received any support from him.
Raising three kids on her own was extremely difficult. Sometimes during examinations, my siblings and I had to stand before the severe-looking nuns and beg them to allow us to take the exams even though our school fees weren't paid up.
I often wondered why mama didn't send us to a public school instead. It would have spared her something like 3000 pesos ($64) every month. But I know exactly what she would have said if I had ever had the nerve to ask her: "Education is important. We may not be rich but at least I have given you that priceless gift."
Mama pulled me back from my thoughts as I stared at the suitcase in the corer. Holding out her needle and thread, she said, "Inday, could you please do it for me?"
I understood what she meant. She always asked me to put the thread through the needle hole when she was sewing. Sometimes it annoyed me.
"Why always me?" I once demanded, after she had interrupted me while I was playing jackstones with my cousins.
"Because you have clearer eyesight," Mama said.
"Well, Ate has clear eyesight," I said, referring to Jollibee. "Why won't you get her to do it?"
"Because you are the youngest," she simply replied
Today, as I took the needle and thread from Mama, I noticed that her nose glistened with sweat from the effort of trying to do it herself. It took some time for me to thread the needle, but I know that if I'd let Mama do it, she would have missed her flight to Canada before she actually succeeded.
I realized at that that moment threading the needle for Mama was a very small favor compared to what she had already done and will be doing for us. When I finished, I handed the needle back to her. I dare not look her in the eyes, because I knew what she would see in mine--sadness.
That feeling only grew worse as my gaze fell on the suitcase again, and then the needle in her hand. Without thinking, I said: "Who's gonna put the thread through the needle for you in Canada?"
I wanted her to know that I would put every thread through every needle in Davao City just to make her stay, even if it did annoy me.
Tears started rolling down Mama's cheeks. She reached out and pulled me into a tight embrace, I started crying too because at that moment, I knew what Mama's answer was--no-one.
I realized that everything that she needed from home, she could carry not in a suitcase, but inside of her. I understood that all those tiring days Mama spent climbing hills through remote villages were nothing compared to what she could still do. She would be willing to go through a thousand needle holes if it meant a better life for us. I knew at that moment that even though Mama would be far away from us for years to come, our hearts would forever be sewn together.
***
This is an excerpt from the April 2009 issue of Reader's Digest. I read this a few months ago and my heart was really touched by the story. I thought of sharing this thinking that it might touch yours as well.
I don't know. But I am really touched by the story. Perhaps because to some extent, the author and I had similar life situations.
1. The marriage of her mom and dad failed thereby giving her mom all the responsibilities parents should provide. | I am not a product of a failed marriage but my dad died when I was 8, my mom provided me everything since then.
2. She and her other siblings were sent to a private school despite the hardships. | My mom also did that to me. My mom even managed to send many other people (like relatives) to school--all to private school, that is.
3. Her mom is willing to do everything for her children as exemplified by her willingness to go abroad and work there as a domestic helper. | I am pretty sure that my mom is also willing to do that. There are already a number of times wherein she did that, I have lost my count.
I can go on and on but I'd rather not.
Let me just say,
I LOVE MY MOM.
Live simply that others might simply live. - Elizabeth Seaton
Simplicity of Life in Oslob, Cebu
[photo taken April 2009]
San Miguel Archangel Parish, Samboan, Cebu
San Miguel Archangel Parish in Samboan, Cebu
[photo taken March, 2009]
Buried statue in Samboan, Cebu
St. Joseph statue buried in Samboan, Cebu
[Photo taken March 2009]
You can read more about the buried statue here.
Here in Taguig, we are pro-environment
Electric Trikes plying around Global City
[photo taken December 2008]
Eight Toxic Personalities to Avoid
1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics. Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late. These individuals figure out what your 'buttons' are, and push them to get what they want.
Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation. The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.
2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their n
eeds met. You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."
Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled. Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.
3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast. If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.
Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.
4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'. If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.
Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers. In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over. If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.
5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.
Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.
6. Insincere Illissas:You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response. You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.
Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships. When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are. When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.
7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you. Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business. Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.
Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.
8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.
Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process. They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.
All of these personalities have several things in common. 1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. 2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one. 3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.
Source: Shine
Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation. The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.
2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their n
eeds met. You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."
Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled. Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.
3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast. If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.
Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.
4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'. If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.
Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers. In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over. If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.
5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.
Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.
6. Insincere Illissas:You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response. You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.
Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships. When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are. When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.
7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you. Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business. Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.
Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.
8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.
Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process. They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.
All of these personalities have several things in common. 1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. 2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one. 3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.
Source: Shine
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