The Lady in Pink

image credits to People Asia

     The lady who scoured places most candidates had never been, made a radical change on volunteerism. On October 7, 2021, when she signed up for her presidential bid, she wore a blue blouse with a pink ribbon. Though she had not planned on the campaign pink color, according to her, it is the color of volunteerism, protest, and battle... thus Pink Phenomenon was born...nay for those times when candidates were the ones who gave foods and gifts, she seems like the rockstar whose supporters are like fans. People were so delightful, gave her gifts, shared talents, and dole-out foods to fellow 'kakampinks'... the outgoing Vice President of the Philippines and the number 2, in Presidential elections according to COMELEC swift count. 

        For most people, businessmen, entrepreneurs, artists, talents, farmers, vendors, laborers, and students... she is number 1 as she had conquered the toughest hurdles in this year's presidential elections. Served as Vice President of the Philippines yet contributed to a radical change in the history of Philippine elections. Poems, songs, dance movements, paintings, and murals are dedicated to her candidacy and the people who supported her. Dubbed as the pink light at the end of the tunnel by People Asia Magazine. She is also awarded the Honorary Outstanding Woman Award of the Year (2016) by the Thailand government.

     As Vice President, Leni Robredo's office has these flagship programs that catapulted her into somewhat like an icon, a rockstar being given gifts during the campaign period. 

• Ahon Laylayan Koalisyon - for working with grassroots organizations to form multi-sectoral coalitions that develop their concerns into a common agenda and work with the private and public sectors in fighting poverty through Angat Buhay.
• Angat Buhay - bringing together the public and private sectors to address the needs of families and communities in the farthest and the poorest areas in the country.
• Istorya ng Pag-asa - showcasing extraordinary stories of ordinary people who remind us of the Filipino's strength, compassion, and resiliency for rising above the challenges of the times.
• BISErbisyong Level Up - building the Office of the Vice President into a model agency that went from performing largely ceremonial functions to leading advocacies for the laylayan.

     The Office of the Vice President has also been granted ISO Certification and still maintains it today. The OVP successfully emerged from the audit certification, assessing the office implementation of its quality management system under ISO 90011:2015, which the OVP first obtained in 2017. 

     VP Leni is Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo, a mother of 3 and a widow by his late husband Jesse Robredo.  The latter died from a plane crash and at that time the Secretary of  Interior and Local Government under the leadership of then President Benigno Aquino III. Being a single Mom, VP Leni as she is popularly known, managed to send her daughters to prestigious universities with their intelligence and demeanor and with the help of scholarships abroad. Her eldest daughter, Jessica Marie Robredo also known as Aika is a graduate of B.S Management Engineering at Ateneo de Manila University. She has had her master's degree in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School, USA. According to her Linked profile, she is currently the Executive director of Restart Micro-Enterprise Inc. (ReStartMe), a wholesale micro-finance NGO that assists micro-entrepreneurs to recover from disasters in the form of financing and business development grants through its member micro-finance institutions. Aika is also the chairman, along with Doc Tricia,  of the Jesse Robredo Foundation. VP Lenis's second daughter, a doctor by profession is Janine Patricia Robredo, also known as Doc Tricia. She is a graduate of B.S in Health Sciences at Ateneo de Manila University. Doc Tricia earned her Doctor of Medicine degree also in Ateneo with another degree of Masters in Business Administration. Doc Tricia also served as one of the volunteer doctors for the Office of the Vice President's initiative of  BEK (Bayanihan E-Konsulta). After the May 2022 election, VP Leni along with her three daughters went to the US for the graduation rites of her youngest daughter, Jillian Therese Robredo. Jillian is a scholar of New York University with a double major degree in Economics and Math.

     VP Leni has been known as a strong advocate of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) and a supporter of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. If you have been visiting the OVP website, one can observe that FOI is noticeable and inherent in the office itself. Transparency at its finest. Leni Robredo had served the country before being hailed as the 14th Vice President of the Philippines.    

     As her term ends this 30th of June, her supporters are waiting for a Non-Government Organization that stems from her campaign slogan, "Angat Buhay Lahat".

Educational Background: 

1997 - Philippine Bar Passer

1992 - Juris Doctor, University of Nueva Caceres

1986 - Bachelor of Arts in Economics, University of the Philippines

Occupational Background before politics:

2008-2010 > President of Naga City Council for Women

1998-2011 > Branch Coordinator and Lawyer of SALIGAN (Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligan)

1997-1999 > Lawyer, Public Attorney's Office

1987-1997 > Economics Professor, Universidad de Sta. Isabel

1986-1987 > Researcher and Economist, Bicol River Basin Development Program Office

1992 > Founded Lakas ng Kababaihan in Naga

Political Background: 

2016-2022 > 14th Vice President of the Philippines

2013-2016 >  Representative, 3rd District of Camarines Sur

            Vice-Chairman on Good Governance and Public Accountability

            Vice-Chairman, Committee on Revision of Laws

            Member, Committee of Appropriations

            Member, Bicol Recovery and  Economic Development

            Member, Climate Change

            Member, Human Rights

            Member, Land Use

            Member,  Local Government

            Member, People's Participation

            Member, Rural Development

            Member, Suffrage and Electoral Reforms

            Member, Welfare of Children

            Member, Women and Gender Equality

from OVP website

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

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 Real "Hampaslupa"

     Hampaslupa is a word that we mostly hear from our television soap operas when someone who has been in Alta-Sociedad (high society) belittles another person who is not equally the same with their social status. Hampaslupa, Pega la Tierra, is a derogatory remark originating from Spaniards which means "hits the ground" probably arises during the agrarian division between the haciendas and the rural folks tilling the land. It can also be associated with another Filipino expression of  "isang kahig, isang tuka" (one scratch, one peck-as what a chicken does), for hitting the ground one would be able to feed himself or his family. Until today, it has been widely used for insulting someone and in Senorita memes for humor.

     Hampaslupa used to describe our Filipino farmers, as pitiful, doing dirty work, considered a poor man's job. In contrast to other countries, farming/farmers are highly regarded. In China, Confucian ideology considered farmers as next to scholars, in Thailand, they taught their young in school that farmers are the backbone of the nation, in the United States, farming/farmers are particularly valued and mostly successful, even France and Germany shared the same view that farmers are an important factor in maintaining the equilibrium in the society's structure.
     So it is not really demeaning to be a farmer, even in the United States, they have the 'No Farm, No Food Movement' giving importance to farming as their source of food and income. Hampaslupa is the farmers who feed us, they plant and put their harvest on our table. We are the consumers of their products, therefore we are participating in farming and affirming the value and role of farmers. We contribute to tilling the soil by the choice of food we eat. Collectively and individually, we are hampaslupa. For this, we are encouraging everyone to make a pledge of securing the food on our table, encouraging farmers as well. Read the pledges and  Challenge yourself.

Read more:
Importance of Agriculture

No Farms, No Food

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

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...

Mercy...Not Sacrifice

     Reading the book of Matthews, I have come across one of Jesus' statements that do have an impact on me as a Christian, "I desire mercy not sacrifice" (Matthews 9:13&12:7). Jesus said these words when He heard what the Pharisees had asked His disciples about why He was eating with the tax collectors and sinners. On another occasion, the Pharisees condemn Jesus for allowing His disciples to pick some grains on the field and eat them during the Sabbath. At first, I thought, Jesus was talking about for people to show or feeling mercy on Him than giving their sacrifices. Upon researching, I thought I was wrong and also found out that somehow I may be correct.
      In the context of what Jesus has stated, he said those words when the Pharisees had asked questions that might be caught Him unaware (as the Pharisees had thought). For that matter, Jesus answered that it is not healthy who need a doctor, it is sick. Jesus told His people to go and find out what it means that He desires mercy and not sacrifice. Jesus also cited what David did when they were hungry, eating the consecrated bread which is unlawful for them to do and yet they are innocent. In a simple explanation, what I understood from the searches I have found, Jesus doesn't need our sacrifices if it isn't done in true devotion and faith and in love. Our sacrifices meant nothing if we don't have love. It was like, we are working all day making sacrifices for our parents, kids,  or siblings and yet we are just doing it because it is our responsibility and obligation to do so but we don't have love, all our sacrifices would be in vain. We will not be happy and contented doing all these things.

    Jesus said "I desire mercy not sacrifice" because he wanted His people to do what He has done, showing mercy for the sinners, for the lost soul, and for the broken spirit. Forgiveness for those who offended us, not being judgmental to other people, being considerate, and being sensitive to the needs of our fellows are what Jesus desires for us to do. Jesus had offered His life so He could save the sinners, find the lost soul, and heal the broken spirit. All these things Jesus had done because He loves us.  Following His example, Jesus desires for us to do His work, to make sacrifices out of love. I may be true to what I had thought first, that Jesus needs to feel that we love Him than giving our sacrifices for Him. For if we do love Him, what we have done to other people, we have done it unto Him. Follow His example and our sacrifices will not be in vain.

When You Are Hopeless..

image credits to thegoodbook.com/blog/ministry-blogs

I've chanced upon to watch this video...what I could say is.."Oh my God!"..these are people who seem hopeless but managed to survive despite their disabilities. I thought of my 5-year-old daughter who wouldn't be able to walk, because of a congenital defect. I am hoping for her...Hoping to see the day she could walk or excel in everything she does despite her disabilities, despite what she went through and what she will encounter as she grows up..and for all the people out there, watch this video, with courage and determination and God's help, nothing is impossible...

Hoping is believing...Believe even when others don't. Believe even against the darkness all around. Believe even when it is impossible. Believing is having faith...And we have a BIG GOD to have a BIG FAITH..(",)

#faith #hope #hopeless #believe #nothingisimpossible

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.

Edemsclaire Hannah, 14

     Having two girls in my brood is a wonderful feeling. I didn't feel how other girls do with their sisters since I don't have a real one. I have five siblings, all four are males and the other one is the in-between female. So, these two girls of mine are really a gift. 

     My first daughter, Edemsclaire Hannah, her name is derived from our nicknames, her father Ed-ward and I. Our favorite name if ever we would have our firstborn is Claire, but God wanted it to be a boy. Claire, from our favorite Christian love song Awit Kay Claire*click*(Song for Claire), and Hannah from the Bible, mother of Samuel the prophet. Her faith that God would give her a son and her obedience in dedicating her son Samuel to serving God.

     This is her day and dedicating this blog to my loving daughter, we call her EENAH (I-na). Today is her 14th birthday. The daughter who takes care of her younger siblings when I am away. The daughter who has been my assistant in taking care of baby Faith. I have seen her when she was still four years old, a very strong girl, not afraid to do things to experience the wonders of her childhood days. 

     Barely nine years old when I taught her how to administer a catheter to our baby and all the necessary hygiene and cleaning to be done at that time. She is the mother when I am out. She has a greater influence on her two younger siblings as I am observing them. She is loved by her younger sister and I am seeing they are very close. Last night, when she arrived from a Bible camp, her younger sister half-awake heard her voice, suddenly sit up and call her name. When she found out she has arrived, our baby Faith hugged her. Hmmm...a bit jealous on my part :)..but I am so glad they are that close. 

     As for my present for her birthday, I just put it on her bed so that if she wakes up she would see it. She said thank you and we kiss, waited for 12AM to open it, but I am the one excited so I told her to open it and I know she would love it...jaraannn..and I never did go wrong in choosing the Sanrio Hello Kitty watch for her...

I prayed that she will grow up stronger in the real world and in the Lord. I want her to be the best that she can be, not being affected by what others would say but by how her conviction and faith would dictate..L<3 ve U EENAH...

10 yrs old

# daughter #awitparakaykleyr #birthday

 #claire  #14th #eenah #hellokitty

#sanrio

12 yrs old

13 yrs old.

Bible Quotes About Our MOther

What does the Bible say about a MOTHER? ..In celebration of mother's day, I'm writing some Bible quotes about our beloved mother. Read and meditate on it. Happy Mother's day to all MOMs...

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my MOTHER's womb." - Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

     Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (2) “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), (3) “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” - Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV)

"Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, (9) for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck." - Proverbs 1:8-9 (ESV)

"My son, keep your father’s commandment and forsake not your mother’s teaching. (21) Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. (22) When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you." - Proverbs 6:20-22 (ESV)

The Proverbs of Solomon. "A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother." - Proverbs 10:1 (ESV)


Click below for some gift suggestions:

On this special day for her, give her styles 



#mothersday #mothers #Biblequotes

Angels from Norway Playing with my Daughter

This is the continuation of the blog I have written a week ago about angels who came from Norway. Click here for the full story about Emily Faith Princess

  

    This time, this blog is about the free therapy they administered to my daughter, Emily Faith. They gave us a video copy of the exercises they have done along with a hard copy of how these exercises are being done, their purpose, and their goal. I think posting it here could somehow help those moms having the same scenario as I am.  

    The goals of these exercises are the following: to strengthen Emily Faith's arms, to acquire better sitting balance, and to do better her general functions as well. So these are the program exercises, the 2 angels, Emmeli and Sarah had
administered. All of these were accompanied by
music so it's kinda like a play too for my daughter.

The following exercises were done:

1) The Hammer. Strengthening her arms by exercising the back of the arms. Easing the function of lifting herself up.

- sitting on a chair with good support, put some papers on the wall making her hit the numbers with a hammer alternately both right and left arms.

2) Ball on Numbers. For eye-hand coordination and strengthening her arms.

- just like The Hammer but the papers on the wall may either have numbers or letters written on them, asking her to hit once or twice the numbers or letters.

3) Rolling. To strengthen her stomach and back.

- rolling on the floor with a good rubber mat, making it a play, or singing a song to motivate her to do it.

4) Lion. Strengthening her pelvic area, stomach, back, and arms.

- crawling, moving from one place to another, with her knee bends while stretching her arms.

5) Jellyfish. To strengthen her whole body and for an endurance challenge.

- crawling, pulling the weight of her body putting some obstacles for her to overcome

6) Throwing the Ball. For a good sitting balance and stability.

- sitting on a bench or chair with her legs hanging down, without any support so she could use both hands at the same time in balancing her body

7) Michael Jackson. For sitting balance and stability.

- playing MJ's music (Wanna be Startin' Something) and initiating creative moves that include both hands over her head, while sitting on a bench or chair with her legs hanging down. Take note she should not be leaning on anything for support.

Music is for exercises only. Credits to Sony Music

Remembering Princess Diana...

     Today, April 29, 2011, marks the wedding of the century. Prince William, the 1st born child of the late Princess Diana and the heir to the British throne married Kate Middleton. Watching their wedding brings back the wedding of Princess Diana to Prince Charles which everybody knows tagged as a fairy tale wedding. Sadly, their wedding did not come out as in the fairy tale "and they live happily ever after". We all know the history, they divorced, and the tragic accident that we have lost the England Rose. 

      For some who still didn't know, Princess Diana was a descendant of King James II of England through an illegitimate daughter, Henrietta Fitzjames by his mistress, Arabella Churchill. On her mother's side, Diana was Irish and Scottish, as well as a descendant of American heiress Frances Work, her mother's grandmother and namesake, from whom the considerable Roche fortune was derived

     With all her deeds, stature, and grandeur she had lived differently, taken aside the protocol of a British monarchy, especially in rearing her children. I admired her a lot, from her face to the way she glances, to her smile to her elegant and classy dressing style to her no qualms in doing charity works and helping the needy. A true epitome of a queen. Diana was highly visible in support of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, a campaign that went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 after her death.   

      I don't wanna tackle here what she had been through while she's still married. We all know how sad she was. Watching Prince William's wedding, I have some regrets that she was not able to see and witnessed the wedding of her beloved son. Maybe if she's still alive, she would be happy to see how her kids have grown and how she has influenced her 1st born. My admiration for Her Royal Highness, Princess of Wales made me buy books about her.  Lady Diana, Princess of Wales is the Queen of People's Heart.

     Mourning was heard during Princess Diana's death at Westminster Abbey,  now an uproar of celebration for the wedding of her beloved son. Maybe that's the reason why Prince William now Duke of Cambridge wanted to hold his wedding with Kate Middleton Duchess of Cambridge, to erase the bad memories Britons and his family had at the time of his mother's death. Pray that it isn't another fairy tale but a true tale of love story and trust. 

the way she glances.

the way she nurtures her children ...

the way she smiles...

Princess Diana: "The worst illness of our time is that 

so many people have to suffer 

from not ever being loved" 

When Angels Came from Norway...

     It was one of the typical Sundays when Emily Faith's father told me that he had been told by Tita Divine if I could bring Emily Faith and talk to some Norweigian missionaries about Emily Faith's condition. So, the time came for us to talk and they had asked me what could be the perfect time for Emily Faith to undergo her therapy and that they are administering it free. The said Norweigian missionaries are actually students of PhysioTherapy and that they are into helping special kids who need therapy as well as for their case studies. 

     Sarah and Emmeli (whom I thought we have the same spelling) had been administering therapy for Emily Faith 3 times a week every morning which lasted 5 weeks. On their last day with Emily Faith, they had invited me to their mission house. This was actually my second meeting with the two of them, the first one was an interview regarding Emily Faith's mobility, capability, etc., a bit of talk about our personal lives, lunch with them, a mall tour around Monumento, Caloocan area. 

     They had first thought that the nearest mall where they are staying is the one standing in North Edsa, Quezon City until I brought them to some malls here in our area because they wanted to taste some Filipino dishes. I brought them to a cake store known for its cheaper and delectable Filipino dishes. We ordered relyenong bangus (stuffed milkfish), lumpiang sariwa (fresh lumpia), lumpiang shanghai (they call it spring rolls), and sinangag (garlic fried rice with some eggs and mixed vegetables). For the dessert, we had ordered one slice of black forest cake, leche flan (a gelatine made from milk and eggs with caramel toppings), and ube halaan (sweet purple yam). At first, it seems they don't like relyenong bangus but when they had tasted it, their eyes opened wide and made a nod and said "not bad, it's delicious". They said they can eat anything except the egg with a chicken on it. I told them it was "balut"..and Sarah said it was what she's hearing shouting during the night.

     Now for the second visit to their mission house..they had again asked me about Faith's mobility, capability, etc. if noticed some improvements. And some of their questions they have answered as they have an up-close observation on Emily Faith..then we had our lunch and of course, I'm not expecting these pretty gals serving rice as for the Western culture they mostly eat bread which I'm gladly and will always accept as lunch or dinner (my kids and I are a bread cravers).  Before we eat they sing a praise song I've never heard before even in some Christian families I've been with..(have asked Sarah for the lyrics of the song). Emmeli had prepared an omelet mixed with bell pepper and ham and wheat bread. Hmmm..really like it..yum yum... can't resist even though I told them I don't wanna eat 'coz I've got my brunch  (breakfast and lunch) and I'm too full! But..the moment I've seen the wheat bread, o-oh, find myself eating with them..(",)...

     Anyway, done with all that..they had gave me a copy of the exercises they administered on Emily Faith as well as they let me watch the video of the three doing the exercises., step by step ..haha..it's so kinda funny, especially on the Michael Jackson part (will blog later these exercises). After watching, they had given me a letter in a form of a greeting card but they never let me open and read it for a moment until they gave me the signal. They gave me 2 copies of the exercises on a DVD disc, a mini-calendar from Norway, some chocolates... Melkesjokolade... pronounced as "melkeshokolad". Then Emmeli and Sarah told me that since Emily Faith can move from one place to another through her monoblock chair, as I have told them, holding it and doing some balancing acts which I don't know how she's doing that. Emmeli and Sarah told me that they had asked some of their friends in Norway to give something to Emily Faith and whoa!... from out of the room..they are pushing a wheelchair, a baby wheelchair for Emily Faith!!!!... can't express how thankful I am for that wonderful gift as tears falling down... Really ..really thankful for that! I told them to extend our thanks to their friends who had to heed their call for Emily Faith's wheelchair. The wonderful effort that Sarah and Emmeli had done to Emily Faith!... Really... angels do come..angels came from Norway..would never forget their wonderful effort..no words can express how much they have made us happy seeing Emily Faith enjoying their gift!!! God bless them!

Emily Faith in her wheelchair courtesy of 

Sarah and Emmeli and their friends

A letter for Emily Faith by Emmeli and Sarah

Melkeshokolad

Stuffs Emmeli and Sarah had given

The RH Bill and the President

     What is in the RH Bill that many people and organizations are so preoccupied with whether they are for

it or against it? ..and what is RH Bill? RH Bill is an act providing for a national policy on reproductive health, responsible parenthood and population development, and other purposes. 

     According to the bill, Reproductive Health refers to the state of physical, mental, and social well-being of a person and not merely the absence of a disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. Responsible Parenthood refers to the will, ability, and commitment of parents to respond to the needs and aspirations of the family and children more particularly through family planning. Population Development, refers to a program that aims to: 

(1) help couples and parents achieve their desired family size; 

(2) improve the reproductive health of individuals by addressing reproductive health problems; 

(3) contribute to decreased maternal and infant mortality rates and early child mortality; 

(4) reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy; and 

(5) enable government to achieve a balanced population distribution.
     The debate may be lies on the definition of the population development that aims to help couples and parents achieve their desired family size, the aim to improve individuals' reproductive health by addressing reproductive health problems, and the aim to reduce teenage pregnancy. For these three aims to achieve, the bill stated in Sections 9 and 10, the availability of family planning methods and services and the use of contraceptives as essential medicines. The bill, however, is against abortion as stated in Sec 3m. Sec 12 and 19, stated that mandatory health education to be implemented from grade 5 up to 4th-year high school, and the intensified campaign of public awareness on the need to protect and promote reproductive health.
     Here lies the disagreement between the Catholic Church and the government. The use of these contraceptives somehow according to the Church promotes abortion for the married couple since life begins at conception. However, the use of these contraceptives prevents this life to form. The use of these contraceptives insinuates that premarital and extramarital sex is being promoted. The protagonists of RH Bill insist on the right to be informed and the right to choose.
     I am not good at the debate but I think we have to examine every detail of this bill. I am not pro-abortion or pre-/extra-marital sex but I am for responsible parenthood. The Church plays an important role in teaching us the values of life, checking and reminding us of the values instilled in us. The leaders of this country are responsible for every decision that they should take and that he goes for what is right and necessary for their people. Everyone has their own reasons and convictions. When the President, the leader of our country made his statement that he is for RH Bill, it is his prerogative as a leader and I think the Church should refrain (or is it from the church?) from throwing malicious statements at him. I was not pro-Noynoy Aquino, I did not vote for him. But I have just exercised my right to vote and elect whom I think would be the best for our country. As a citizen of this country under his governance, is it not right to follow the leader?  All along, standing out for what he thinks is right and good for his people, I support him in his stand for RH Bill.
      

Read to check:

RH Bill 5043