an introspection of humanity

CARS

2010-03-29T02:13:00.000-07:00

It is said that a person can be known through his actions and the way he thinks. Well I believe on such saying and to show you who I am, here are some of the favorite things that I collect from the web.

THE TALE OF THE PHILIPPINE ELEPHANT

2008-04-03T00:30:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I am very happy when I first visited Manila Zoo. This is not because that I live in the province nor because I am excited of the snacks that I may eat during such visit. This is because of the new things that I saw in such place which of course consists mainly of animals. Everybody would agree that the animals present on the zoo are not the same animals that we see in every day of our lives.

One of the animals there that I find great fascination is the elephant. Big as it is, such animal caught my attention. And the more I was fascinated when such mammal started to dance by the sound of a flute. Maybe I was lucky enough to see this mammal which not every Filipinos is fortunate to see it.

Last Sunday, I am deeply sorry that the same elephant I saw during my childhood is the single elephant that we have in the country. Maybe its not amazing to know such reality because to have this kind of mammal would cost the Filipino people 1 to 2 million pesos each. This is so as we are not capable of raising such mammal locally.

My senses start to accept such reality but when I think of the billions of dollars being talked about in the Senate with regards to ZTE scandal, I am greatly dismayed. It come to my mind that if our government officials have the guts to corrupt people’s money for their selfish interest, how come they could not afford to buy even five of this mammal. It maybe the reality that elephants are not part of the day to day lives of every Filipinos but is it not worth spending for this mammal for our next generation not just to see it in picture.

Filipinos.... before casting your votes, think first of what a certain politician can do for you even how minute it is.

EXECUTION

2008-03-07T23:30:00.000-08:00

Our history would tell us that in order to achieve a gloriouus era for our society, execution should be implemented. This is being reiterated when Henry VIII of England was executed just for marrying his wife. Recently, the leader of Iraq was executed in front of the public for the crimes he commited against his countrymen. Japan has also a long story of its leaders executing themselves voluntarily for corruption that they have inflicted to their country.

With all the misfortunes that are happening in the Philippines, I am longing for a person who probably would initiate the assasination of our leaders who continouosly plunder our beloved country. I may sound murderous, but it is the only thing where public service in our country can be done by our leaders without endulging themselves to corruption. Another is, street revolution may brought us to nothing but shame to the international community. Such revolution is always done when we are tired of our leaders endulging themselves to corruption. For this, let us try another forum by which we can change our leaders and their attitudes toward governing our nation.

Execution of our leaders may not be morally upright but it is the only way for our dear motherland to survive and ultimately to regain its lost reputation as the Pearl of the Orient. Moreover, our leaders should be ready to give up their lives in serving their constituents and most importantly our nation........THE PHILIPPINES.

TERMINATION

2008-02-15T16:33:00.000-08:00

One of the confronting questions in my entire humanity is that why God has allowed infirmities in His creations. Well, such questions can draw lots of answers depending on whom you are speaking to. Religious would say that it is for those who have infirmities to be strong. On the part of medicine, infirmities of whatever kinds have been explained in scientific way dealing with experiments, researches and other scientific methods. Well, what I am supposed to deal in this blog is the so called Down syndrome which is an infirmity of both physical and psychological in nature and is confronting not only the one inflicted with it but the society as a whole.

What is Down syndrome? Medically speaking, Down syndrome is a kind of chromosomal aberration in which the genetic make up of a human being is disrupted. It is evidenced by the duplication of chromosome 21 where physical and mental abnormalities are manifested by the person inflicted with it. People with this condition can hardly contribute to his community as they are said to be slow learner. But looking and analyzing them critically, we can say that they are even greater than normal human beings as they are very much talented. For the cure of this medical condition, it is still on the process of research. But how can we eradicate this societal scar as some would call it in our society?

One of the practices about this medical condition is the so called termination wherein a part of the ameotic fluid is examined in the laboratory. Such fluid is the one accompanying the baby while it is still in the mother’s womb. The ameotic fluid carries with it the genetic make up of the baby wherein one can see if the chromosome 21 is duplicated or not. The intriguing question about this medical process is if it is indeed found out that there is such duplication in the fetus’ genetic make up would it mean the termination of the life that is in the mother’s womb and will result to abortion?

Medical procedures can be viewed in two aspects; the good and the bad. The good point of view of medicine is that it can heal or can even survive life as a whole. On the other hand, the other side of medicine is that it can also eradicate life through euthanasia, abortion and other practices which as a Catholic nation can be unacceptable to us Filipinos.

Our views about Down syndrome can be affected by lot of factors but foremost is the family’s economic situation. Accept it or not, a family with member of such genetic aberration entails much expense, emotional bearings and the like. But great is the honor that should be given to families who have less in life but able to manage or survive a member with physical or psychological infirmities. Also, for this great respect should be also given to mothers who have able to bring their children in this world even knowing that such is inflicted with infirmities.

DESPERATION

2008-01-31T15:35:00.000-08:00

Every time I watch the news on television these past few days, my senses are caught by this priest named Fr. Suarez. I am fascinated in him as almost all people whom he comes contact with say that they were healed by their infirmities. Well, I remembered the first time I saw him was on a Sunday Mass being aired at a national television where on the last part of his mass he made a crippled man bound on his wheel chair for a long time walk. I may sound fanatic, but I see in him the persona of Jesus Christ Himself as being reiterated on the Scripture in His numerous healing sessions.

Such action of the said priest brought to the attention of the Filipinos as of today he is roaming around the country to heal people. Well, the reason why such form of healing is accepted in our country is perhaps Philippines is a Christian nation and we have great inclination to spiritual heal notwithstanding that it is cheap and entails less burden to anyone as compared to conventional medicine where lots of drugs are involved.

According to what my professor said in our class in Pathophysiology, there are really illnesses that are without any known cause and such ailments bring lots of headaches to our medical professionals. There are also those psychomatic ailments where any illness is not an action of a particular part of the body but of the mind translated to a particular illness. We Filipinos are also fund of bringing our patients to people other than the medical professionals who claim that they can cure any illness. This is the medical environment here in our country where we have different illnesses and also different ways of treating such illnesses.

But why faith healing? Faith healing is an alternative form of medicine that requires no scientific medical approach but only entails our faith to our Creator. Well, this is the form of medical approach that Fr. Suarez is doing at this moment. What is needed in such form of healing is nothing but only our faith and our patients to forego such medical approach considering that there are many people who wish to be healed through such process. The reason perhaps why faith healing is patronized in our society is it entails less cost compared to scientific approach of healing.

Whatever is the form of healing that we choose to lessen our ailments what is important is we are cured and that for me does not questioned any aspects of our lives. This is so as if one makes access to faith healing some would say that he is less fortunate or if one is surrounded by topmost physicians it is a sign that he is well of in terms of his economic life. What is important is that we are cure of our infirmities so we can be contributors in our nation building.

BEAUTIFUL

2008-01-25T22:46:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, January 26, 2008, I have encountered a very intriguing question which for me I am only expecting to hear from my future wife or fiancé. This is when an officemate of mine ask me whether she is beautiful or not. Well, what else I can say but she is beautiful and that for sure satisfies her senses. But what is really beauty for me?

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs states that the first need of every man is the physiological need which entails for us as a human being to look good to others. this would mean that we should care for ourselves in order to look nice to others. but the question is how about those persons with physical infirmities, is such need fully satisfied in them.

Speaking from my own experience, I personally not meticulous about my looks as I am contented with what I am and what I have. I just think that even though I look different from the others, I am even much better than them considering that I can do what they cannot. That is not to brag about my personal accomplishments as a student, an employee and ultimately as a son to my parents.

Overcoming the first strata of the hierarchy of needs as proposed by Maslow does not mean that one should be contended in his life. This is so as life is a continuing process and ultimately we should strive to be at our very best in order to look good in our society and ultimately to our Creator.

HEAVEN

2008-01-24T18:19:00.000-08:00

One of the intangible things that are important to our lives and is affecting our life is our so called heaven. To the holy people it is the place where God and angels live but to others it is the thing that is the measurement of how one lives in this world. Heaven is said to be the final resting place of all of us but the sad thing is we have our own individual idea of what it and most of the time such is the place where we compare ourselves.

Heaven when being talked by the so called righteous is a very beautiful place where God will receive them. But for bad people, it will remain a dream place especially if they have accepted to themselves that they are sure to meet Satan. But come to think of it, no one has reached heaven and for this how can they say that it is good. For me, heaven is here on earth and we can make our lives good in here as to follow what God has suggested which are contained in the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes, then earth is heaven but as the reverse is happening on us we are presently on the other side of the story which is hell. The so called presence of God in heaven can be done by us through being good to others. After all, Jesus himself said that he can be seen right through our fellowmen. And if ever there is indeed a place called heaven after we die, then we would not have any recourse as we have done what God has commanded.

It is indeed a challenge for us to make our present situation a heaven. But right now, we are far from that. Now to do it, we should be opened to change our lives that is to say backing off from what is evil and turn to life that is heavenly.One of the intangible things that are important to our lives and is affecting our life is our so called heaven. To the holy people it is the place where God and angels live but to others it is the thing that is the measurement of how one lives in this world. Heaven is said to be the final resting place of all of us but the sad thing is we have our own individual idea of what it and most of the time such is the place where we compare ourselves.

Heaven when being talked by the so called righteous is a very beautiful place where God will receive them. But for bad people, it will remain a dream place especially if they have accepted to themselves that they are sure to meet Satan. But come to think of it, no one has reached heaven and for this how can they say that it is good. For me, heaven is here on earth and we can make our lives good in here as to follow what God has suggested which are contained in the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes, then earth is heaven but as the reverse is happening on us we are presently on the other side of the story which is hell. The so called presence of God in heaven can be done by us through being good to others. After all, Jesus himself said that he can be seen right through our fellowmen. And if ever there is indeed a place called heaven after we die, then we would not have any recourse as we have done what God has commanded.

It is indeed a challenge for us to make our present situation a heaven. But right now, we are far from that. Now to do it, we should be opened to change our lives that is to say backing off from what is evil and turn to life that is heavenly.

DIFFERENT

2008-01-24T18:14:00.000-08:00

I am living in a community where there is a mixture of residents from poor to middle class to rich families. And for this, I can say that in our community there are different personalities, different ideologies and beliefs but somehow I can say that we are united which I personally experienced during last year’s calamities. And as we are of different personalities, one can expect that among us will come one that can be considered as “pasaway” or black sheep.

I notice this man who is 50 years or older, a carpenter the fact he helps in building our houses, of 5 children all were jobless and a wife who is inclined in simple game of chance. It is normal for all men to drink liquor but every man has different personalities after drinking such thing and he is one of the few that should never taste or even see such drink. This is so as when he is drunk, he makes chaos over our community and even encouraging everybody that he meets to fight with him.

What a disgrace to his family. I realized that every time he is drunk he puts his family in shame particularly his daughter. That is why such child of him transferred to another place. But it is different when he is not drunk as he portrays a very respectable man to me as he is kind. Also, what makes me think of him is that even though he is of such character when he is drunk, his wife remains at his side even though they can be considered a low income family. It may be called true love and that for me is a remarkable character of his wife.

I may not have a business with them but I want to share their story especially to those who are just married or even those in a relationship that as problems are part and parcel of the so called love, it is also worth suffering just to survive that love. Also, in a relationship it is a bilateral thing that both parties should do their part in surviving their love for each other after all both of them will have a morsel of happiness.

SOUTH

2007-11-05T18:39:00.001-08:00

History is said to be recurring all the times but we humans as our own masters, have total control over what is to happen in us or what we should avoid to happen in our lives. and if we allow to happen what will be negative on our part, that I think is stupidity.
Mindanao, a part of the Philippines which is beautiful and abundant of agricultural products is again in the lime light. well, that’s good if what is happening there can bring our country to its glory. But it is not, as kidnapping in again in its rampant situation. this time, its an Italian priest. Happening it on us again and again is an annoying thing because of the shame that it is inflicting to us. And our question again, when will this stop? Again, its our Muslim brothers that we are blaming. Poor Moslems, if they are not that poor I think they will not do it. But part of their fate should be on our part as admit it or not, discrimination is also happening on our country. That it is evident by what opportunities do Moslems have as compared to us Christians.
Maybe its time for our government not to cradle such criminals and for me it is time for the iron hand to inflict punishment on such criminals. And if any innocent people will be affected, then let it be.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE

2007-11-05T18:35:00.000-08:00

In the past, we are proud to say that we are Filipinos as we have many good traits that we can brag about to which one of them is close family tie. This is good since, within all Asia, we are the people practicing such tradition. But today, a mostly used explanation why this trait is becoming extinct with us is our way of life and we should not marvel it.

In a broken family, the most affected party are the children since they are the only one that is left especially when the father has his own partner and the mother has her own. From the time that parents have their vows, it is good as promising to support each other whatever happens. And for this, it is but right for them to put the welfare of their children as their primary objective over their own interests. This is also a way to minimize the problems that are confronting our society because it should be understood that children coming from broken families is more or less would become menace to our society.

Exemption to this situation should be applicable to no one even if you are an artist, a politician or other profession since the problem cause by a wrecked home is confronting us in a large scale.

TARABANGAN

2007-11-05T18:34:00.000-08:00

It is a very rear opportunity for a community to be united especially during these days where there are differences in beliefs, ideologies, religion and others. There are times when we get united, but that does not last long. I am a resident of the Province of Albay which was devastated by two typhoons and even though we are suffering from such ravage, my heart exudes with happiness as I observed harmony among my fellowmen. There are the helping hands that accompany us in our great downfall.

For the first time, I also experienced to be an evacuee and I discovered that there is joy to be one. There are people I’ve encounter for the first time, telling story about themselves, which as a youngster, I really admired and hoping that I can use them in my life. There are also kids which I enjoyed playing with them in the evacuation.]There is that feeling of being safe while there is an imminent danger because I am not alone and I know that God will help me through the people around me.

As I peep behind the window of the school, I see truck loads of people from different places which are in their wretch condition. I have enough time to have pity on them, but much like I would help them, my condition is not far from them, and so I closed my eyes and pray that if possible that night would pass with all of us safe.If only everyday is a day to help each other, our nation and our community will not be suffering much like this. But after such moment, our people go back to their same character which for me is a sad moment. Let us try to be the God’s saving hand each days of our life and we will see a glorious era for our nation - the Philippines

SAVOUR

2007-11-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

Love can withstand against anything and it is considered as the most powerful thing here on earth that can make the impossible possible. Well, that is the thought of those who think that they can live with only love at their being. But as I look around, it made me think how love can make things impossible possible.

One Sunday afternoon, as I looked on the window of our house, I see this fellow who is known to me of age 18 with no job, still studying for his high school diploma, with a live in partner and with a newly born son. It come to my mind how this fellow can support his family considering that he has no job and is dependent to the support coming from his parent. It may be true that I cannot question the love that he has for his partner but economically speaking, there lies the big question. It is true that you can only savour the love that you have to your partner only if your stomach is full so that you can think good. After all, love is the action of two parts of your body, the heart and the brain, absence of any one of them make the love inexistencia.

Forming a family today is no joke as you have to think of many consequences that you should prepare before going to a relationship.

THE UNFORTUNATE THING

2007-11-05T17:51:00.000-08:00

One thing that is confronting us for decades is the war in Mindanao. It is also the reason why our country is not moving towards progress the fact that in that area of our country lies the vast of our nation’s wealth. But the question is, what keeps the fire burning.

Recently, soldiers have been abducted and treated inhumanely where there is decapitation and cutting of body parts and it is also for us to understand that our military have been hurt by the death of their comrades. But what keeps our Moslem brothers to do such an act; terrorism. We should agree to the fact that whenever there is an aberration to our nation’s internal peace, it is always the Moslems whom we are bound to blame. Or maybe they are just short of recognizance in our society and they have recourse of being identified but through spreading misfortunes to our fellow Filipinos.

If there is one thing that our government should stand for, it is the giving of much sought peace in Mindanao where two choices are available for us; to confront it with arms or to address it with harmony.

CORNER STONE

2007-11-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

The date Sept. 12, 2007 is a much celebrated day in the history of the Philippines. But it will be an occasion depending on our political beliefs and ideologies. And we will be sure that it is a day that is to be added on the pages of our history books. And for this, it is sad for the students as it will be another thing to memorize but we will never be sure that it is a date to ponder by all sectors of our society.

Sept. 12, 2007 is said to be the day when the justice system in our country works at its fullest as it is said by those who are presently working for the government. But to the lower strata of our society, it is the failure of such system. Our justice system is designed in excellent manner as it is to benefit and protect all citizens of our nation but it is the reverse that is happening on it. The one accused of plunder is said to meet the many firsts in our government considering that Pres. Estrada is the first member of Philippine showbiz to have rose from political ranks; from being an ordinary Mayor of a small town up to being the highest official of the land. He is also the first leader of our nation to undergo the impeachment proceedings and continued to the court, tried, imprisoned and judged guilty. This thing is never accepted by the poor as they considered him as their only hope to be freed from their hostility from poverty. But as elite rules in this country, they never feel that their effort to survive will never be vindicated as long as their so called “Idol of the Masses” is suppressed.

On the side of our nation’s justice system, it is a triumph to convict such an official of our country. But we don’t know whether this conviction will serve as a strong and loud signal against those who continue to plunder our government. We may feel for now that we have laid the corner stone in assuring that our government officials will behave as they have to but the foundation on which such stone is intended to build lays its strength to us who makes our country, the Philippines.

OFFICIALLY MISSING YOU

2007-11-05T17:34:00.000-08:00

With the influx of foreign movies, it makes me seeking of the way a true Filipino movie is presented. Maybe it is true that there are still Filipino movies that are shown in cinemas nowadays but for me they are just copycat from the foreign movies. What I mean to say is the manner how the plot of a movie is presented. And considering those highly technical way of producing a movie, Filipino movies are not far from those foreign films which for me is not clear whether I should be proud of them or not.

Last Saturday, I have the chance to watch an FPJ film in our television and I realized how much I missed the way that the protagonist is playing the gun in with his hand, the low toned voice of the character and the scenic setting of the film which is entirely shot on the countryside. Nowadays, seldom one can observe such characteristic in most modern day film made by Filipinos. Today, most local films are shut in the midst of the city and tackle only a shallow topic such as flirting and other. But films of the past especially an FPJ film deals much with heroism, an icon for the poor and oppressed which should be shown to our youth nowadays especially that such sector of our society is leading to astray.

We can see modern day hero in our local films such as Lastikman, Volta and other but it is still far from what is the reality for they are considered as a fantasy. But in movies of yester years, heroes or the protagonist is portrayed by a human being or one of us which could happen even in the four corners of every household.

Socially speaking, movies have great effects in moulding our society and for this, movie producers, actors and actresses should be meticulous enough in choosing what materials is to be shown as a film. After all, the kind of movies that we are showing in our theaters reflects much of our personality as a nation.

MY COUNTRY

2007-11-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

All Filipinos are complaining about what kind of government does our country has but did we ever ask ourselves what things have we contributed to our country. Well, it may sound popular but it is the reality that nothing will happen in our country if we do nothing to it but of course it should be in our little way.

Running a country like the Philippines is not only for one man to do as it should be through the concerted effort of all its citizens. We may not be making decisions for our country but our participation in running it is best evidenced by ou8r right to suffrage which we do during Election Day. If we voted for the best candidates without any malice such as bribes or coercion, then we can be sure to ourselves that we have done our part in running our nation.

Though it is not popular and some people think that it is just nothing, but the Barangay election is the one that will dictate the entire edifice of our nation – politically, economically and other attributes. But as I have experienced such election, I can say that we are still far from what we dream of for our country. That is to say that it is an election full of cheating, adversities and all the bad things that one can say about such process. We could even expect that our country’s political landscape will still be the same over a quite number of years.

But as change is the only thing permanent in this world, maybe we can affect change in such aspect of our country which can be done gradually. It only takes for us to have a courageous heart.

AN ARGUMENT WITH GOD

2007-11-05T17:30:00.000-08:00

For days now, I am endearing to write about God and His relationship with the human race – His foremost creation. But the same it is just my own opinion.

One of the qualities that are in God is being omnipotent as He is said to be knowledgeable of all the things that are happening around us even before it has to happen. The knowledge of God includes what is the best for us and for that we cannot questioned what are happening on us or what will happen on us in the future. Questioning the will of God is even considered as a sin by the church and for this God is made an absolute being.

I may sound atheistic but from what I am observing especially for the things that are happening around us, it makes me wonder whether these are really what God wants us to experience - a life that is full of miseries, chaos and uncertainties. A Theology professor of mine once said that God allows these things to happen in order for our faith to be strengthened but it makes me wonder if such professor has ever spoken to God. Take the example of a child born with infirmities as for sure his future will be affected by such infirmities. May be some would say that it is the best thing for him but logically speaking it is not as he is deprived of contributing his best to his society and worst his opportunity to praise God is also hindered.

I acknowledge the supremacy of God over us human beings but sometimes it comes to my mind whether God created us or we created God. Come to think of it that God in all his perfection would create a world that is full of imperfection. We can create our so called god to compensate our weaknesses and for us to have something to depend. But nevertheless, I am still a believer of God for I am a person full of weaknesses and in Him I obtain refuge.