I BELIEVE

I believe that everything happens for a reason and purpose, and it serves me.

I believe that there is no such thing as a failure. There are only results and learning experiences.

I believe no matter what happens, I should take responsibility.

I believe it is not necessary to understand everything to be able to use everything.

I believe that people are my greatest resource.

I believe that work is play.

I believe that there is no abiding success without commitment.

I believe that there are no limits to my learning and earning capacities.

I believe that I will reap exactly what I sow.

I believe that adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.

I believe what I think of myself is much more important that what others think of me.

I believe that there exists limitless opportunities in every industry, where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier.

I believe that the superior man makes demands upon himself, the inferior man makes demands on others.

I believe times will change for the better, when I change.

I believe if happiness is not already found within, it will never be found outside.

I believe that every resource I need is already with me and within me.

I believe that if I have to live in peace of mind, I have to live each day in accordance to, and in harmony with, my values.

I believe that the past does not equal to future.

I believe giving is at the core of human relationship. Give time, commitment, energy, support, prayer and love.

I believe that I should seek my joy in what I give and not in what I get.

I believe that we are all energy, and that we have a need to express this energy.

I believe that unexpressed energy causes dysfunction and disease within our body, mind and spirit.

I believe that our purpose for being here is to experience, express and expand our understanding of, and capacity to love.

I believe that the way we think, what we say, and how we act creates our reality.

I believe we can all attain peace, happiness, abundance and contentment.

I believe that no one needs to suffer.

I believe that suffering, stress, guilt, worry, jealousy, etc. are man-made devices that stem from fear.

I believe we come into this life with a script, designed by the areas within us that need healing and the circumstances of our life are the perfect circumstances to help us heal.

I believe that everything in our lives stem from two thought forms - love or fear.

I believe that we respond to our experiences through actions of love or actions of fear.

I believe that the only thing we ultimately have control over in our lives is whether we are happy or sad.

I believe that addiction is a fear-based search for an answer - something to make us "okay".

I believe that what we are truly addicted to are negative core messages, and these messages create beliefs that take on many different physical forms in everyone's lives.

I believe that we can all achieve authentic and enduring healing.

I believe that God loves us all infinitely.

Papa's Girl

My only surviving girl (the elder died in 2003 at age 3 1/2), Ma. Angelica or Angel celebrated her 7th birthday last Oct. 1 with a simple salu-salo attended by some neighbors and relatives (from her mother's side).

Angel is envied for supposedly "papa's girl" who gets anything I can afford and gets away with minor infraction of house rules. Truth is, she is not. It is just that being a girl, I understand her being a girl-child. Why not, when I have been an advocate of women's and children's rights for long?

I would usually explain to her mom that I am not trying to spoil her. Actually her being close and sweet to me allows us a rather more open line of communication, so that I can easily understand her, and would know how to handle her emotions and angst.

Although admittedly, children who feel that they are so special would have a tendency to overreact by displaying some attitude. Occasionally that happens too with my Angel. But what is important is that even at her tender age, she enjoys the advantage, and understands the disadvantage of being a girl.

ALL HYPE AND MATERIALISM

( I just wish to share my blog on an online article of Phil. Daily Inquirer regarding an online petition to recall Pampanga Governor Among Ed Panlilio).

I am honored to have met Gov. Among Ed Panlilio last June 2008, also meeting his controversial lieutenant, Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu. I even teased the latter that she has become rather prominent because of the controversies at the Pampanga capitol. And because I used to work for a good governor too, who was almost similar to Panlilio in terms of religiosity, except that he is not a priest but a celibate Opus Dei, I only had encouraging words for Dabu - that you really cannot satisfy many in politics, especially if you are doing what is right.

Well Atty. Dabu may not be such a good public administrator, but that job really calls for utmost trust and confidence from her boss, the governor. Her job is among those considered by law as co-terminus with the appointing authority and thus, requires only trust and confidence from the latter. So making her the center of all issues for a recall of the incumbent is really mind-boggling. Besides, Panlilio hardly has been in office for a year and a half, and to judge him so unfairly in his performance, is really something I cannot understand from those Kapampangans calling for his recall or resignation.

My wife happens to be a Kapampangan and we lived in Mabalacat for more than 5 years. Hence, my keen interest in the issue. I also know for a fact how disappointed some favor seekers when they went to the capitol after Panlilio assumed office, and went back home empty handed. Why? They were used to the old system that when they visit the capitol, they would have at least something to bring home, either cash or some goodies.

I would assume that since Panlilio won on a platform of reform and good governance, he would not follow the footsteps of his predecessors in practicing patronage politics, hence the change is really felt, especially by many who have materialistic intentions.

For the fault-finders at the capitol, Panlilio is an easy target, but people should really think hard and analyze the intentions of those people trying to bring down a neophyte executive who must have done more good to Pampanga than harm. He has brought Pampanga to the national psyche because of his crusade against corruption and illegal gambling, and in showing us that good still triumphs over evil, if only a few good men will take lead.

If any harm has been done, it must really be in threatening the business of illegal gambling and its lords, and putting in peril the future of its beneficiary-politicians.

But like Panlilio and the many who believe in his crusade, I have faith that good will triumph over evil, but not without a price - which is the vigilance of the people of Pampanga against those who seek to take advantage of the materialism of many people. I hope that you will not live up to the joke that you people out there are “mukang pera” and show us that the great province of Pampanga can lead this country in a moral crusade for good governance.

Bunso’s birthday!

Joshua Rafael Andrei or simply Andrei, my youngest, turned four (4) years old Tuesday, September 2, 2008. We had a simple family celebration last Saturday, August 30 when I came home from a week-long work in the capital. While it was a very modest celebration, I could sense the joy in my son, getting his favorite “ube-flavored” cake and palabok from Red Ribbon, and of course, his dream “dump truck” toy.

Life has been difficult lately, almost since the year started, and having a small celebration is really quite a feat for the kids. Well it pains me a lot that they have to sacrifice so much at such a young age, but the realities of a failing economy is really taking its toll even on supposedly gainfully employed citizens like me.

As a parent, I would like my kids to have some treasured memories of their birthdays that whenever one is approaching, I am almost always apprehensive. I have always prayed to God for provisions, and indeed, He never fails me.

As a “bunso” or youngest child, Andrei is sweet, and I am proud of the fact that he is never a brat. Matter of fact, he is one of a kind, in comparison to other kids of the same age, at least those whom I have observed. While he is “bulol” like his dad when I was the same age, and most of what he says is incomprehensible to me, what I understand is that he talks a lot, understands a lot and is very expressive of what he thinks. This is a very positive sign that he would also grow up just like his siblings, full of ideas, questions and opinions – a sign that he is a bright kid, as would the elders would often say.

Well, all my kids are actually sweet, especially the younger ones. My only surviving girl, Angel shown in photo here with another sweet son, Gabriel is so fond of his “papa” too, and she is a great source of inspiration. Why not, when I have lost her elder sister in 2003 and thought I could never recover? Thank God, that while any child is irreplaceable, I still got another little girl to cheer me up. But it was not a fast or an easy process to go through.


But I have learned that truly one cannot live alone. One has to have some source of strength to draw from – a family. There are no perfect relationships, neither a perfect partner, but there is such a thing called patience, borne out of love.

I am just too glad and apprehensive again, that my only girl is turning seven (7) in October, and I am bound to provide for a good memorable celebration for her reaching a milestone. Right now, everything that’s running in my head is a set of options. Whatever it amounts to, that should be the subject of my next personal blog.

introspection

“So what makes the Filipino special? We are brown, spiritual, timeless, spaceless, linguists, groupists, weavers, adventurers. Seldom do all these profound qualities find personification in a people. Filipinos should allow - and should be allowed to contribute their special traits to the world-wide community of men- but first,we should know and like ourselves”. – Pastor Ed Lapiz

Sometimes after having spent so much of your youth being a fighter and an idealist, and eventually losing your way in the maze, you hardly find courage to bounce and leap. But then again, what is one’s life worth if not lived the way it should? Even the most incorrigible is given another chance, then why not me?

“In this age of darkness, there are two ways of spreading light: You may either be a candle, or the mirror that reflects its light.” – Ninoy Aquino


As one grows older, the more you realize how important legacy is. Since not everyone is cut out to be a hero, we can still make a difference in our own little ways. Nothing is too late for something good.


Be the change you want the world to be – Gandhi

(Because) we can change the future by changing it today - J. Maxwell

"Desired Things"

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
Not "Found in Old St. Paul's Church"! -- see below

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

http://www.fleurdelis.com/desiderata.htm

Gloria's blunder in Muslim Mindanao, poor Bataraza, Palawan

For her greed for power, shameless desire to stay beyond 2010, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Philippine illegitimate president has sought ways to extend her term, this time by trying to use the issue of peace in Muslim Mindanao. She discreetly entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to extend the already in-place Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), promising the MILF more autonomy in governance and expanding the ARMM territory, to cover places which originally rejected being included in ARMM through the ballot.

Going over the MOA, I was particularly jolted seeing the inclusion of a beautiful, peaceful and quiet town of Bataraza as part of the newly "ceded" territory to the MILF. Bataraza, which I have visited last summer has a link to the original Muslim settlers by having a good leader and mayor in the person of the late Datu Sapiodin Narrazid, who was also mayor of nearby Brooke's Point (mother town of Bataraza), where I lived for a while.

It seems that Gloria's understanding of claim to ancestral domain is without historical basis at all. She thought that because early settlers in the southern Palawan region were Muslims, they automatically have a right to claim for ancestral domain or rights. She has completely forgotten that the original residents of Palawan were actually the Palaw'ans and other indigenous peoples. Even the so-called Panimusan (of both Muslim and Palaw'an ancestry) hardly harp on ancestral domain, until recently when everyone (other tribal and non-tribal settlers) there wishes to be considered indigenous because of money prospects from mining operations.

We were just surprised one day that such a MOA with MILF exists and it took the Supreme Court to halt its official signing in Malaysia. The violence that ensued as a result opened our eyes that the peace process is so volatile. Not even the central command of MILF could stop its "renegades" from sowing terror to dramatize their frustration over the Supreme Court's temporary stopping of the signing of the MOA. But what is now glaring is that once again Gloria and her government have deceived us, by denying us the right to know.

She probably thought with this issue of war, displacing thousands and creating a humanitarian crisis will convince all of us to take a second look at her "federalism" proposal, which means providing for an opportunity to amend the Constitution. Of course she only knows too well that it can lead to anything, even extending her term. Because once we open the discussions on amending the charter, it can lead to anything, and she is prepared for that, prepared to get things her way.

With the suffering we are already in as a result of spiralling prices of basic commodities and oil products, tell me, who can stop hating Gloria!!!