Earth Day 2024: Planet vs. Plastics

image credit to earthreminder.com

Our planet is engulfed in plastics. From the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, plastic waste has left its mark, causing irreparable damage to ecosystems and posing a grave threat to wildlife and human health. The statistics are alarming—more plastic has been produced in the last decade than in the entire 20th century, and the production is only expected to increase.

Earth Day 2024 is set to be a pivotal moment in the global environmental movement, with the theme "Planet vs. Plastics" taking center stage. This year, Earth Day-April 22, 2024, transcends beyond a celebration of our planet—it's a call to action against one of the most persistent pollutants of our time: plastics. The call aims to unite students, parents, businesses, governments, churches, unions, individuals, and NGOs in a commitment to call for the end of plastics for the sake of human and environmental health. 

The "Planet vs. Plastics" theme for Earth Day 2024 is not just a slogan; it's a battle cry for change. EARTHDAY.ORG, the global organizer of Earth Day, is leading the charge with a bold demand: 

This year's theme demands a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040 and an ultimate goal of having a plastic-free future generations. This advocates for the recognition that plastics pose a threat to human and the environment, and the climate as well. This ambitious goal underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action.

Mobilizing the Masses

To achieve this significant reduction, a multifaceted approach is necessary. It involves promoting widespread public awareness, phasing out single-use plastics, ending the affliction of fast fashion, and investing in innovative technologies and materials. Everyone from students to businesses, governments to NGOs, is called upon to play a role in building a plastic-free future.

Health at Stake

The health implications of plastics are as concerning as their environmental impact. Microplastics, which break down from larger pieces of plastic waste, have infiltrated our food and water sources, carrying with them toxic chemicals known to cause cancer and disease.

The "Planet vs. Plastics" campaign emphasizes the need for more research and transparency regarding these health effects.

The "Planet vs. Plastics" campaign emphasizes the need for more research and transparency regarding these health effects.

Innovative Solutions

The fight against plastics is also a fight for innovation. Alternative materials, recycling technologies, and sustainable practices are the keys to unlocking a plastic-free world. Earth Day 2024 serves as a platform to showcase and support these innovations, inspiring hope for a cleaner, healthier planet.

Joining the Movement for this Earth Day, we are all called to join the movement against plastics. Whether it's through participating in local clean-up events, advocating for policy changes, or making personal commitments to reduce plastic use, every action counts. Together, we can tip the scales in favor of our planet and pave the way for a future free from plastic pollution.

 

As we look forward to Earth Day 2024, let's embrace the theme of "Planet vs. Plastics" and commit to making tangible changes in our lives and communities. It's a day to reflect on our relationship with the environment and to take decisive steps towards a sustainable and plastic-free world. 

The 4th of July

image credits to Christopher Ramos/GMA Network online

The 4th of July also popularly known as ID4, for the Americans, was the day they become independent. Independence day is celebrated every 4th of July, the day the United States of America has been established. The independence was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on 1776 of July 4. The Second Continental Congress was a meeting of 13 colonies that united the American Revolutionary War. This is actually a separation from the British government which happened on July 2, 1776, and is believed to be the real Independence day.

The 4th of July is being celebrated by the Americans as it marks the day the United States has become its own nation. Americans celebrated it with parades, fireworks, and festivals. Watch the highlights of the celebration in New York and Washington DC.

image credits to Wall Street Journal youtube

Coincidentally, it was the day the Philippines has been recognized as an independent and sovereign country by the American government. It was July 4, 1946, as the Philippines were under its rule for 48 years after the 333 years of Spanish colonization. July 4 back then is being celebrated as Republic Day  It was a national non-working holiday until the late former president Ferdinand Marcos, changed it to Philippine-American Friendship Day, and became a working holiday. Then the former president Cory Aquino abolished it as a national holiday. 

I still believe that July 4 is the correct Independence Day for the Philippines and not June 12, 1898. Yet the islands were free from Spanish colonization but they had just passed it on to the United States of America. It becomes totally independent as a nation on July 4, 1946.

The ALDUB Magic

      It has been a year since the ALDUB is a byword not only in the entertainment world and our homes but even as well in the cyber world through social media. The ALDUB phenomenal love team is Alden Richard and Maine Mendoza, the power couple that spans the world, and created noise through different social media, especially Twitter. Celebrities even outside the Philippines began to ask curious what is ALDUB.

     The power couple has so far received ten (10) awards, aside from the solo awards they
each has received since last year. They are also the most sought brand endorser, as a couple and solo garnering thirty (30) commercial ads from different companies in just one year. Bigger companies such as Mcdonald's, Coca-Cola, Bear Brand Adult Plus, Mitsubishi, and Cadbury are among those whom they have endorsed. Successful as it is, they have been on the cover of various magazines from local to international such as Reader's Digest and Forbes magazines. Just recently, in time for its 1st anniversary, the power couple ALDUB, also known as MaiDen or MaiChard leads the YES! Magazine 100 Most Beautiful Artists of the Year. ALDUB is also recognized by Guinness World Records as the Most Used HashTag in 24 hours on Twitter, for its #AlDubEBTamangPanahon (AlDub at the right time) with 40,706,392 tweets in October last year.

     The ALDUB Magic continues .. the power couple celebrated its 1st anniversary, (July 16) on its home tv station and program, GMA Channel 7 & Eat! Bulaga is the number 1 noontime variety show in the Philippines. For the record, Twitter created customized social media emoji for ALDUB for every tweet with its hashtag #ALDUB1stAnniversary, the 1st in Asia. Twitter only does this for NBA FInals, Game of Thrones, and Marvel Movies. And weeks before the anniversary, ALDUB shoots their first solo movie in Como, Italy for their anniversary offering to their fans, the ALDUB Nation. "Imagine You & Me" garnered Php 21 million (almost $ 500,000) on its 1st day of opening.

* The hashtag #ALDUB1stAnniversary garnered 6.6 million tweets in 24 hours on July 16. Real magic!


WATCH: ALDUB 1st Anniversary

What We Need To Know About El Niño & La Niña

With the ending phase of El Niño and the coming of La Niña, everyone seems to be bothered about what it would cause to the environment and the food supply in a certain country as well as its economy. El Niño is a Spanish word that means "The Little Boy" or "The Christ Child", and was used since the occurrence emerge of Christmas. Whereas, La Niña (also called"El Viejo") is the counterpart of El Niño meaning "The Little Girl", this is the ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) cold phase or event. El Niño occurs every 3 to 5 years and is almost always followed by La Niña.

      *oscillation > movement from one position to another.  

   

What is El Niño?

     El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), it is characterized by warm ocean temperatures that develop in the equatorial Pacific.

What causes the El Niño?

     It is caused by the warmer waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Why the waters are warmer?

     As the trade winds lessen or reverse their direction, winds from the west push the warm surface of waters to the east in the direction of South America, such that there are lesser cold waters pulled up from below due to increase in warmer waters.

Watch this >> Animated Video on El Niño

What are the effects of El Niño?

Changes in weather patterns

• temperature changes
• precipitation changes
• storm track changes
• changes in currents and ocean temperature

These changes lead to other consequences such as:

fires, drought, flooding, economic changes, price of heating and food, a crash of fisheries, famines, plagues, insect population explosion, and crop failure.

However, there are also positive effects  brought by El Niño such as,

fewer hurricanes and other tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic, milder winters in southern Canada and the northern continental United States, replenishment of water supplies in the southwestern United States, and less disease in some areas due to drier weather like malaria in southeastern Africa.

======================

What is La Niña?

     La Niña is the cold phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), it is characterized by cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific.

What causes the La Niña?

     It is caused by the build-up of cooler-than-normal waters in the tropical Pacific, the west coast of South America.

Why the waters are cooler?

     The unusually easterly trade winds and ocean currents bring these cold waters to the surface, known as the process of upwelling.

Watch this >> Animated Video on La Niña

What are the effects of La Niña?

• drops in the ocean temperature
• cold currents rise up along the coast
• extended rains
• higher than average rainfall
• hurricanes and cyclones
• flooding

These effects can also have consequences on the agriculture and food supply of countries, as well as on private and insurance costs for crops.

There are also positive effects such as enhanced growth of fish populations and marine life due to the nutrients brought about by upwelling cold currents, thus fishermen get a good catch.

Click to watch more >> Observing El Niño

Leonardo DiCaprio: The Actor, The Environmentalist

And the OSCAR for Best Actor goes to...Leonardo DiCaprio!

     As the winner was announced by Julianne Moore on the Oscar Awards night, friends and colleagues of  Leonardo DiCaprio and his fans all over the world screamed for joy, that finally, the long-delayed and most coveted award is already his. Though anticipated for his acting performance in the movie The Revenant, the Oscar awards had bypassed him for four performances which most of his colleagues and fans believe he deserved to be. Imagine, a highly paid actor with box-office hits and mostly recognized by other award-giving bodies but continuously snubbed by OSCAR. Thus, numerous memes emerge on social media for non-winning of the said award (he could have won an award for the most number of memes of all time).
        In 1994, he was nominated for best actor in a supporting role as a mentally challenged younger brother of Johnny Depp in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?; best performance by an actor in a leading role for the movie The Aviator in 2005; two (2) years after he was nominated again for the same category for Blood Diamond; in 2007 he has been nominated again for the movie The Wolf of Wall Street, and finally, the prestigious OSCAR award recognized his performance in his latest movie The Revenant. He was a runner-up in those (4) movies toppled by Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive), Jamie Foxx (Ray); Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland); and Matthew McConaughey (Dallas' Buyers Club), respectively. He had won many awards from other award-giving bodies in his other movies as well as his latest one, The Revenant.

         I may have reacted to some of his movies for which he didn't win an award or get nominated for his acting. He is not only a good-looking actor, he can really act and gives justice to whatever role he was given with. Since his movie Titanic started his full stardom (though he had other movies back then), people noticed not only the handsome face he has been carrying but his charisma and how he reprises each role given to him. I have been able to watch most of his movies, from a doomed lover in a cruise ship to a medieval king with a twin, to an American backpack adventurer, to a con-man, to a filmmaker and aviator, to a police undercover agent, to a gunrunner and diamond smuggler, to a CIA agent hunting down a powerful terrorist leader, to an unheroic cowardly husband, to a corporate spy who uses subconscious infiltration through shared dreams, to a plantation and slave owner during 1850s, to a mysterious millionaire longing for his already married ex-girlfriend, to a Wall Street stockbroker millionaire, and recently to a crew trapper/frontiersman survivor. DiCaprio is also one of the highest-paid actors in the world and all his movies are earning well and well.
      Now, Leonardo DiCaprio on his advocacy for wildlands conservation, ecological biodiversity, ocean conservation, and climate change made him love even more by fans who admire him for his looks and movies. A fan like me who does not only support but practices what the Greenpeace Movement holds for, in its effort to make this place a better place to live in by our children's children, will really have his hands up for these undertakings from famous people. True to his words, he has solar panels installed in his home, he owns an electric Tesla Roadster, a Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid, and a Toyota Prius. In 2007, he produced, co-written, and narrated a documentary film about the problems facing the earth's ecosystem. The documentary entitled The 11th Hour addresses the problem of global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and depletion of the ocean's habitat. The 11th Hour documentary also proposes potential solutions to these problems. His winning moment during the OSCAR night was staged by an unusual speech to a call about global warming which catches the attention of all the celebrities, fans, and bashers alike.

"Climate change is real, it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. We need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters, but who speak for all of humanity, for the indigenous people of the world, for the billions and billions of underprivileged people out there who would be most affected by this. For our children's children, and for those people out there whose voices have been drowned out by the politics of greed." ~ DiCaprio, Oscar 2016

The many faces of Leonardo DiCaprio

The Pixie Dust of New Year

    

The new year comes and a new hope begins. Welcoming the new year with fireworks displays all over the world signifies a new spark of hope for everyone, the spark that my younger daughter had noticed, telling us..it's like pixie dust. The spark of happy thoughts! Pixie Dust! Pixie dust of fairies from the movies Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, a magical golden glitter that grants the ability to fly. As to the Oxford dictionary, pixie dust is a substance or influence with an apparently magical effect that brings great success or luck. And as fireworks have different colors and effects, so are the Pixie Dusts. According to Disney Wikia, pixie dust have different colors with abilities and talents. Let us try to associate the colors with our gifts and talents.

Gold >> Grants flight and/or weightlessness. Helps a fairy greatly argument and strengthens its magical talents. Creates other colors of Pixie Dust when mixed together with Blue Pixie and certain ingredients.

"This could be our Hearts/Passion and Dreams that can make us fly and be successful. As our Hearts and Dreams can win an argument for us and strengthen our desire to achieve our goals."

Blue >> Creates golden pixie dust. Replenishes Gold Pixie Dust supply. Supremely powerful multiplier. Creates other colors of pixie dust when mixed together with Gold Pixie Dust and other ingredients.

"This could be the Self-Motivation and the Values that supply and strengthens our Hearts/Passion and Dreams. These gifts are powerful multiplier as it builds people to go and move on with their lives."

Green >> Grants the intellectual and intuitive abilities of a Tinker-Talent Fairy. Restores a Tinker-Talent Fairy's lost/swapped-out abilities. Augments a Tinker-Talent Fairy's abilities onto a Non-Tinker-Talent fairy. Enables Tinker fairies to forge and create, mend and repair, modify and upgrade anything they make with ease.

"This could be our Mind and Reasoning ability that would enable us to think, create, innovates, and find more ways to succeed in life. "

Amber >> Grants the abilities of a Light-Talent Fairy. Restores a Light-Talent Fairy's lost/swapped-out abilities. Augments and amplifies a Light-Talent Fairy's abilities onto a Non-Light-Talent Fairy.

"This could be for those who have the abilities in motivating and encouraging other people, how they give light, hope and touch lives."

Pink >> Grants the abilities of a Garden-Talent Fairy. Restores a Garden-Talent Fairy's lost/swapped-out abilities. Augments a Garden-Talent Fairy's abilities onto a Non-Garden Talent Fairy. Create and control plant life and vegetation.

"This could be for those who have the abilities in caring, the supportive one. How their care and support can control and create something new in people's hearts and minds."

Purple >> Grants the abilities of a Fast-Flying-Talent Fairy. Restores a Fast-Flying-Talent Fairy's lost/swapped out abilities. Greatly augments and magnifies a Fast-Flying Talent Fairy's abilities onto a Non-Fast-Flying Fairy.

"This could be for those who seem like to have the Midas touch in everything they do and yet able to help those who needed help in an instant without much thinking, generous."

Cyan >> Grants the abilities of a Water-Talent Fairy. Restores a Water-Talent Fairy's lost/swapped out abilities. Augments a Water-Talent Fairy's abilities onto a Non-Water Talent Fairy.

"This could be for those who have the abilities of easy adaptation and calmness in every situation/circumstances, those who give way for peace and security."

Orange >> Grants the abilities of an Animal-Talent Fairy. Restores an Animal-Talent Fairy's lost/swapped-out abilities. Augments an Animal-Talent Fairy's abilities onto a Non-Animal-Talent Fairy.

"This could be for those who have the abilities of loving people, whoever and whatever they are and what they have been. Appreciate everyone's qualities and everything in its place."

The ALDUB Phenomenon

     Phenomenon as defined by Webster is something, such as an interesting fact or event that can be observed and studied and that typically is unusual or difficult to understand or explain fully. His other definition is someone or something that is impressive or popular especially because of an unusual ability or quality. The word Phenomena, however, has been in occasional use as singular primarily a speech form used by poets, critics, and professors. They both functions as nouns while Phenomenal functions as adjective.
     The above definitions clearly stated what ALDUB is -- interesting event, difficult to understand, someone impressive because of unusual ability/quality. People, organizations, media were stunned and curious what ALDUB is all about nationwide and worldwide. Tagged as the Kalyeserye (street series), counter part of a tv series but done on the street, since the segment is being shown outside the studio and visits to a selected barangay. ALDUB stands for Alden and Yaya Dub.

     It all started when a simple yet ecstatic and pretty girl from Bulacan became a yaya (maid) of actor impersonator Wally Bayola known as Lola Nidora, in one of the segment (All for Juan, Juan for all) of a famous and popular TV show in the Philippines, Eat..Bulaga! That girl is Maine Mendoza popularly known as Yaya Dub for her numerous dubsmash entry in Youtube. During one of her dubsmash in the said TV segment, a familiar and refreshing good looking face of Alden Richards was flashed from the studio screen and voila!..the surprised and blushing look of Yaya Dub caught on camera was the beginning of an unexpected happenings on and off screen..'on' for the casts themselves began exchanging feelers through dubsmash and later, love notes/fansign, with the meddling of Lola Nidora with her lessons/values in accordance with the losing Filipino customs and traditional values..' off'' for the people watching the show with much delight, excitement, and expectation have high hopes for the couple and the ever-far-reaching forever.

     The love team ALDUB reaches the curiosity and ears of even the Filipinos working and living abroad, foreign artists, celebrities, and news media and continues to break into the Twitter world. They were even compared by Morning News USA online to Hollywood stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. But what makes the love team unique? What does the ALDUB fandom see that makes it so famous? Sociologists and socio-analyst from universities even used ALDUB as an example in their lessons and talks.
     I have enumerated some observations though I am not a sociologist, just a mere fan who wanted to be entertained and observant of what's happening around us as a part of my task as a blogger. My opinions are just my observation on what makes ALDUB  creates the fandom, the ALDUB Nation; trends in the social media, thus, topped the list of Twitter for 41 million tweets in just 24 hours (for the #AlDubEBTamangPanahon, breaking the #WorldCup) Watch Rish Jaitly, Twitter VP Exec for East/AsiaPacific; breaks even international newsroom (CNN & BBC); covers famous local magazines and the world's Reader's Digest; gets on the curiosity of even some well-known celebrities around the world (Bryan White, Darwin, Brandon Beal, among others). Added to that the numerous product endorsement of the two as a couple and solo.


And these are my observations:

• The first encounter on split-screen of the two unknowing persons which was sudden, unique, and natural has made people feel the spark on its own. This sudden impact on the audience became history as we all know. Watch the 1st encounter and 1st pabebe wave.
•  The unpredictability and creativity of the characters in the series make it unique, i.e., Lola Nidora (Wally Bayola), Lola Tidora (Paolo Ballesteros), and Lola Tinidora (Jose Manalo) and some other characters impersonated by only one person, such as Doctora TheExplorer, Duhrizz, Rianna (Wally Bayola) and Frankie Arinolli (Jose Manalo), Alden Richards and Yaya Dub (Maine Mendoza).
• The fun and entertainment the show has been giving to Filipino people not only in the Philippines but also those living and working abroad because of the "kilig" factor as well as the lesson being imparted by Lola Nidora. It also serves as a stress reliever with all the problems and life's difficulties. (I, for one, can attest to that).
• The Kalyeserye is a replica of what our culture was about courtship, the decreasing respect for elders, and the importance of "Palabras de honor". It depicts the somehow lost values of the Filipinos during and after the Spanish era as Lola Nidora cited how they were in those times. As we have observed, these values we cherish but cannot be implemented on our own as the influence of the West and the modern technology lure Filipinos to modernize their way of life. Yet, the show is trying to say that even in today's generation, we can still implement or do it fair.

For more about ALDUB you can hover over names and click on them for links:


ALDUB Episodes

Alden Richards

Maine Mendoza

Arctic Region's Role in Climate Change

     Arctic region is found in the northernmost part of the earth and is made up of countries like

Greenland, Iceland, Sweden , Finland, Norway, Canada, USA and some parts of Russia. Different type of animals also make their home in the arctic which includes the polar bears, wolverines, squirrels, birds, walrus and sea lions. Despite its cold climate, the Arctic has a number of natural resources, including fish, oil, gas and various minerals.. and this is where the problem goes...

     Major companies capitalizing on Arctic's natural resources threaten its fragile ecosystem due to offshore drilling and destructive industry, thus, climate change is already affecting Southeast Asia.

How does it affect Southeast Asia?

First, Arctic region plays a critical role in regulating the global climate, acting as the "world's refrigerator" and keeping the planet cool. Second, Arctic's ice acts as a "giant mirror", bouncing sunlight and heat back into the atmosphere, so without it, the effects of climate change will become unstoppable.

     As the ice melts, climate changes are on its way, affecting Southeast Asia with higher temperatures, decreasing rainfall, rising sea levels, greater frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. All these changes lead to widespread flooding, landslides and drought. Climate change is putting more energy in the form of heat, into the world's weather systems. And this energy speeds up the whole system, increasing the number and intensity of storms. One example is the typhoon Bopha (typhoon Pablo) which is categorized as Super Typhoon 5, the strongest tropical cyclone ravaged Mindanao in the southern part of the Philippines.

    Unless we protect the Arctic by voicing our opinions and signing up to make an impact, climate change will become even more severe. I care.. so I have added my voice to the millions who already made themselves heard! If you don't care who else will..

Sign the petition now..

or  Know more how to be a Greenpeace volunteer..

The Three Great Men of Israel: What We Could Learn From Them

     During my attendance at a post-encounter study of the Bible, we had a short discussion about temptations. It came to my mind the irony of how these three of the many great people of God faced decisions or choices they had made. What they did and how they managed with their trials.   Joseph, the so-called the dreamer for he had dreamt of his future and interpreted the dreams of other people including that of a Pharaoh. Samson was a man of strength that had killed a lion and three thousand men. King David, who was at a young age killed a giant with his sling and through faith in God. All these men have shown great faith in God and undergone trials that could teach each one of us a lesson.

     Joseph, son of Jacob by Rachel, his favorite among his 12 children, was sold as a slave by his own brothers. He was brought to Egypt and became a trusted servant of the Minister of defense. The wife of the minister seduced him but he knew that it was wrong in the eyes of the  Lord and he ran away from her. But then he was still instigated for the crime he did not commit. He was imprisoned, interpreted dreams, and became one of the ministers of Pharaoh. When the time came for Joseph to meet his brothers again who had sold him, he forgave them and realized that it should happen to save the people of Israel from a great famine.

     Samson, a Nazirite set apart from God since birth, was put under a special consecration governed by the Nazirite (meaning separated or dedicated) vow. No razor would ever be used in his head and great strength was upon him. God had apparently planned to provide Samson with unbelievable superhuman strength to be used against the Philistines. As Samson had grown, he seemed to lack the concern about Philistines' oppressive domination of Israel. Samson even tried to blend into their lustful and perverted society and married a Philistine much to the dismay of his disapproving parents. Sex is the bane of many a man and Samson didn’t resist its pull. He frequented harlots and seemed bent on following the destructive pulls of his flesh. One mistake after another-one loose woman to the next-that was the path Samson took during his twenty-year judgeship in Israel. He had been largely faithful to his Nazirite vow and at times made an effort to serve God, but his desire for Philistine women was his undoing. Unlike Joseph, he dabbles in the things around him, that later slipped him away from God's favor. He had revealed the secret of his strength to a woman he loved due to her frequent prodding. It was too late for Samson to realize his mistakes. The Philistines had gouged out his eyes, bind him in chains, fastened him to a grinding wheel in a dark prison, and made him grind grain like an ox, stepping in his own manure and continuous abuse from his captors.

      King David, had great faith in God. Fighting the giant of Philistine with a mere slingshot he killed it. He knew that God would help him to fight. David's faith in God caused him to look at the giant from a different perspective. Goliath was merely a mortal man defying an all-powerful God. David looked at the battle from God's point of view. But what made him fall?..he coveted the wife of one of his armies. He had caused the death of this man, Urriah the Hittite by putting him on the frontline to be killed. At his death, King David had his wife brought to his house and became his wife. The Lord was displeased with what he had done, so God sent Nathan to tell King David that he dishonored God in what he had done and that God would bring trouble into his household as a consequence of what he did. King David later asked for forgiveness for the things he did. Realizing what he had done David repented of his sin and asked God to restore him.

     What we could learn from these three great men?.. Run away from temptation, and make a stand against doing it as Joseph did. His life became a blessing for following God. The Egyptian Pharaoh had him as the second-in-command. He was able to save Israel and Egypt from the great famine of seven years. And one more thing, he forgave his brothers for what they had done. Joseph had thought that his brothers who sold him as slaves to Egypt were a purpose of God for a great job he would partake in saving His people.

     What we could learn from these three great men?.. Do not conform to the ways of the world. Seek the Lord's will, do the purpose you have been created for as Samson had not done. Always remember that sex or lust of the flesh is one of the primary sins that could take us down. Giving in to the desire of our flesh more than the desire to do the right thing might bring us to our own destruction, our miserable life, or a sad end.

      What we could learn from these three great men?.. Realize your mistakes as early as possible. It is better to be convicted by our own conscience rather than be convicted by other people. Heed what your brothers in Christ or elders are saying. To realize is not well enough if you haven't confessed and asked for God's grace and mercy to forgive you. As King David had done, he realized his mistakes right away as God sent a prophet to rebuke him, he asked for God's forgiveness, and he restored his faith and joy of his salvation unto God. Though David's wrongdoing as a consequence led to the chaos of his own household, God's grace and mercy were upon him. He was faithful to God, nonetheless, God had chosen David's line from whom HIS only Son would be born.
     In all of our trials/temptations, we could do as Joseph did, literally run away and do what was right. Though Samson was able to realize his mistakes and have his thoughts toward God before he died, he had lived a miserable life under his enemies. I am sure no one wanted to have a fall. There are consequences for everything that we do. For every temptation that we encounter, the decision is ours to make and it's better to say no. In all stances that we have fallen, God is there to forgive us, His grace and mercy can be counted on. King David, when rebuked by the prophet Nathan for the sin he had committed and as commanded by God, asked numerous forgiveness in the Scripture. Through it all, God had restored him but still, the consequences of what he did might be unbearable for a man without faith in God and King David was a man of faith. So, it's better to run away and keep our focus on the truth and the loving arms of God...

PhilPop Music Festival

How many great Filipino songwriters does an everyday Filipino know? Chances are they only know a few.

 “The First Philippine Popular Music Festival” is a songwriting competition open to all amateur and professional composers who are Filipinos or of Filipino descent residing in the Philippines. The competition not only aims to celebrate the talent of Filipino songwriting but to glorify the contributions of songwriters and composers to the Filipino music industry.

Orchestrating the competition is no other than Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, the country’s prominent songwriter, musician, academic, and the Festival’s Executive Director. “Mr. C” plans to bring together the Filipino talents into one grand event.

The event is the outcome of Overall Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and Organizing Committee Chairman Ricky Vargas’ desire to help revive the Philippine music industry.

 For more information click here:

If you’ve got the music, then you’ve got our ears – and 1M cash! Join the #PhilPop Music Fest! Submit entries now!

#musicfest #philpopmusic #ryancayabyab #songwriters

The Cross

'Ants are crossing through a stick leading to the water. A child noticed that the ants might get drowned, so he was shouting at them. "Hey, ants, don't go there! You might get drowned, go back!" He keeps shouting at them then came his father and said, "my son, they would not understand you. You are human, they are ants. You should be one of the ants so they would be able to understand you.' 

This short story tells us that God the Son was to be like us for us to be understood and for us to understand Him. So we could be saved just as he wanted us to be saved.

The cross where Jesus was crucified took on a new significance whereas before, the cross had been used as an instrument of torture and death in Babylon and Rome. On the cross, Jesus Christ shed His blood as God wanted to rescue us from the dominion of darkness and for Jesus to bring us into His kingdom. On the cross, we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. 

Before, we were enemies of God because of our evil behavior, but now He has reconciled us by Christ's physical body through death to present us holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusations. We have to know, understand and believe what Jesus did for us on the cross. We must humbly come to Him in faith. All our efforts are nothing but Jesus' work is everything, His work on the cross as He declared "it is finished." When it's done we receive full forgiveness of our sins.

The cross of Christ is the bridge between man and God. 

When Jesus breathe His last breath, the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom. For many years before Jesus' death, the most sacred place on earth had been the temple, where the presence of God dwelled behind a thick curtain. Only one person a year, the high priest, was allowed to pass by that curtain and enter the presence of God on one day, the Day of Atonement. At the death of Jesus Christ, the temple curtain ripped from top to bottom, signifying that God had opened his presence to the world through the cross of Jesus.

 " Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (NIV John 14:6)

The New Year And New Hope

 

Image credits to commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Gate_into_Forest_Reserve._Rancho_Naturalista_-_Flickr_-_gailhampshire.jpg

"The Gate of the Year"

GOD KNOWS

- Minnie Louise Haskins (1908)

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So heart bestill: 

What needs our little life  

Our human life to know,  

If God hath comprehension? 

In all the dizzy strife  

Of things both high and low,  

God hideth His intention.

God knows. 

His will Is best. 

The stretch of years  

Which wind ahead, so dim  

To our imperfect vision,  

Are clear to God. 

Our fears  

Are premature; 

In Him, All time hath full provision.

Then rest: until God moves to lift the veil  

From our impatient eyes,  

When, as the sweeter features  

Of Life’s stern face we hail,  

Fair beyond all surmise  

God’s thoughts around His creatures  

Our minds shall fill. 
---------

This poem became popular and caught the attention of many people when Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) handed a copy of it to her husband, King George VI, and used it as one inspirational quote in his Christmas Broadcast in 1939. God Knows is the original title given by the author but it is popularly known as Gate of the Year.

It has also caught my attention as it was a part of our family devotion before the turns of the year.  (Using some of my devotional pieces from my subscription in  crosswalk is really a blessing, authored by different remarkable Christians who stood by their faith.) This poem is a think tank on what lights can do to move in the darkness, to see what is known, to see what lies ahead this new year..and yet the most that we can do is to sink our hands deeply to God so He would light and lead us into the path of the unknown. 
"He who trusts in the Lord will be exalted," (Proverbs 29:25) Nothing is better if we could light our path by following His words yet there is more than reading it...if we could hold on to Him knowing He wouldn't lead us astray... so whatever the struggles that we have left behind, a new hope for this new year is to keep holding on to His promises, trusting God, and let Him lead us.

And as we make the turn to a new year, a face that needs and sink our hand more deeply into God's hand. Pray for one another that as we embark upon a new year, God will grant us and our family His favor. 

Unto us a Son is given, Unto us a Child was born

Who has heard the real Christmas story? It isn't the fat man in a red suit that we always know giving kids gifts on Christmas eve, it isn't some guys who are singing carol songs and handling you a small, white envelope, it isn't the shopping spree that we do during the 'ber' months making us tired and cash strapped after it...Christmas story is about a young virgin who was engaged to a carpenter and yet even though she conceived a child by the power of the Holy Spirit, the carpenter took her as his wife. It is about a couple who were told by God to go even if the woman is heavy on her pregnancy, asking for a room to stay in and to give birth. Christmas story was about a baby named Jesus, born in a manger, visited and praised by shepherds and wise men from the East. Christmas is Jesus Christ who saves His people from sin. The only begotten Son who was given to us for us to have eternal life

We don't know the exact date of His birth, but one thing is sure... once in this world a Father has given His Son to save us, a child was born in a lowly stable though he is great to give us hope in the face of uncertainty...

#Christmas #Son #God #JesusChrist

The Day It Started Once Again..Does It End Once Again?

The capture of the moment once again repeats itself..after a year and a half. She cherished the moment that they had been together, praying what has been started would be preserved if God wills for it. She did not know what he was thinking about it then.
A year and a half had passed, and a prominent restaurant had been a witness to two people wanting to take another chance..they were eating when the Big sister had passed by, they looked at each other and smiled.. reading between the lines... He accompanied her that time when she was looking for a finer pair of shoes. Soon, the dark sky needs to go... there was this rehearsal for a musical night to celebrate His coming...they went...

..on their way on a hub cab drive he holds her hand seizing the moment to behold her beauty, capturing the time to promise a better stance this time. It started from then on..to cherish once again the time they have shared, to patronize the gift that He has given ..to start once again for a more nurtured stance..asking to fill in all the shortcomings, promising to have given it more importance..it started that day..that day was "today"(click here)...does he remember?

She did not see it coming nor he knew what it is... the turmoil.. they see it ends the moment..does He approve it? or will He cease that moment for a better one and just let this turmoil passes by?..or is it really meant for them to unhold and let go of each other?..nobody knows..only He knows what His plans are for them...

                         

Meet Me In The Stairwell

I stumbled upon a blogsite (clinicallyclueless.blogspot) and found this youtube slideshow and the notes about the 911 tragedy. As the slides roll on, it is as if God is talking to whoever watches, hears, and reads it...

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

("I WAS THERE") 

You say you will never forget where you were 

when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. 

Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke-filled room 

with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' 

I held his fingers steady as he dialed. 

I gave him the peace to say,
Honey, I am not going to make it, 

but it is OK...
I am ready to go.

'I was with his wife when he called 

as she fed breakfast to their children. 

I held her up as she tried to understand his words 

and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor
when a woman cried out to Me for help. 

'I have been knocking on the door of your heart
for 50 years!'
I said. 'Of course, I will show you the way home
- only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven.
He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes,
in every seat, with every prayer.
I was with the crew as they were overtaken.
I was in the very hearts of the believers there,
comforting and assuring them
that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, and Afghanistan.
I was standing next to you
when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face.
I knew every name - though not all know Me.
Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them
through the smoke and flames;
'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.'
Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day.
You may not know why, but I do.
However, if you were;
there in that explosive moment in time,
would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you.
But someday your journey will end.
And I will be there for you as well.
Seek Me now while I may be found.
Then, at any moment, you know you are ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

~God~

Copyright©2002 Stacey Randall

ANALYSIS...

       
       The writer's tone of the song is nostalgic of that particular event, depicting every situation a person in there can be. The writer nostalgic as it may seem, characterized himself as our God who would be meeting the people in their dire situation only if they have heard of Him what to do and where was the safest place to be if at the last minute of their lives they would call upon Him if they are ready to meet Him on the stairways of heaven and to assure those who had believed that He will surely meet them after this chaos.
    The mood of the song is somewhat sad as one can remember that fatal and horrific day, many lives who have been lost, families looking for their loved ones hoping they are still alive, and people can imagine what transpired what happened in the last minute of their lives.

           The message of the song is fair and clear when one knows he would surely die at that moment, we call our loved ones back home, readying ourselves for what could happen and/or call on to God if they could be spared and hope to live or be just ready to meet Him at the stairwell of Heaven.

    If that same situation comes, I do hope I am ready to meet Him at the stairwell.

World Teachers' Day

Since 1994, World Teachers' Day is celebrated across the world on October 5. The importance of teachers has been recognized by UNESCO as an appreciation for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development. Over 100 countries observed World Teachers' Day. Education International (EI) the global union federation that represents education professionals, launches a public awareness campaign every year to highlight the contributions of the teaching profession.
In the Philippines, Teachers' Day is actually celebrated in schools between September and October by Presidential Proclamation No. 479 to honor more than 500,000 teachers nationwide. These activities are planned by senior students in the Student Council/Government who coordinate the activities well in advance.

 

Teacher, as they say, makes a man perfect. They could make a wonderful experience and a difference in the lives of their students. What is sometimes lacking in their homes, the teacher fills it and tries to save what was left of them.
Teachers motivate and do not put an end to a dream or goal or strength or ability of their students. Teachers let their students come out and bring the best in them and from them. The teacher equips his/her students to learn how to learn.

Pen is Mightier than the Sword

  

* image credit to http://peachyqtz.deviantart.com/art/Rizal-Pen-61071597

    Who would have not known Jose P. Rizal? The Philippine National hero had written the famous novel Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and its sequel, El Filibusterismo (The Greediness). Jose Rizal had proven that the pen is mightier than the sword through these two novels tackling issues and problems in the government and society. These two novels somehow contributed to the Philippine independence, a long tyranny from the Spanish regime. 

     Noli Me Tangere was written based on an excerpt from a Bible verse in the book of John 20:13-17 wherein a leper was made to wear a note announcing his leprosy so that people he met would avoid and stop bothering him. Noli Me Tangere depicts the social cancer Philippines have been had even up to now. The novel discusses the Philippine culture under the Spanish influence, the vices and habits of the Filipino people, and the powerful Roman Catholic church, more powerful than those in the government positions during those times. Jose Rizal was 26 years old when it was first published in 1887. Every character from that novel represented every facet of the Philippine society, from every Filipino home to its neighborhood, to gatherings, to education, to the church, and to the government.

     Three years after, El Filibusterismo, a sequel of Noli Me Tangere was published. Rizal dedicated the book in honor of the three Filipino martyr priests,  GOMBURZA, (Fathers Gomez, Burgos, & Zamora). El Filibusterismo depicts the political and educational situation of the Filipinos from the Spanish regime, making the Filipino reader clamor for real independence and democracy.

      These two novels somehow influenced and helped ignite the Filipinos' emotions and cravings for freedom that made the spark on Filipino revolution but Rizal remained on what he believed was a peaceful means of acquiring freedom and asking for direct representation of the Filipinos to the Spanish government, through his pen, through his writings.
     Today, June 19, 2011, marks the 150th birthday of the Philippine national hero who paved the way for the Philippine independence along with hundreds of Filipino who shed their blood for the freedom we Filipinos are enjoying now.

Nuffamily Day..One thing I Love Nuffnang

     Nuffnang is not only an earning opportunity and advertising website in the bloggers' world.. but it's also about the blogger and their families. Nuffamily Day is one reason why I love Nuffnang. I never made a mistake joining this site. At first, I thought, it is just another pay-per-click ad but it isn't..it's about social influence, earning opportunities, and social awareness..take a look at Mothers' day. And why I do love Nuffnang...

N - oteworthy and 

U - nique gathering of

F - amily and

F - riends with

N -ew

A -dvertising

N - etworking

G - roup

     That group of bloggers, with their families, is a good idea, and meeting bloggers from different places. It's making a wave to look up to by the advertising community and companies who wish to be a part of the NUFFNANG bloggers.

     On May 28, I will have my 4 kids and their Papa join this Nuffamily day, bringing with us our camera..and of course, excited to feel the winds of Tagaytay once more.  The calming scent of 20,000 pine trees of Crosswinds Tagaytay and the breathtaking view of its long terrain. I think we will be joining the Nuffnang bus going to Tagaytay because traveling is more fun than riding a bus and the road we'll be trekking are full of things to catch on with my camera.

     NUFFNANG events such as these are made possible, of course by sponsors..thanks for all the goodies and freebies to come...(",)...

  

* I just received an email from Nuffnang...I will be joining this Nuffamily event with my kids!!! Yeah! We're very excited!!!... Luv  Nuffnang!
* Due to a typhoon, the event was moved to June 4.

#nuffnang #bloggersevent #tagaytay #familyday