Hello Kitty and Friends On Duty

Fourteenth of September Thoughts

In the outskirts of Recto and Avenida one Sunday morning, while this boy was on his way to attend a mass at The Feast, something happened for the first time in 5 years of his adventure in the city. Oblivious and complacent the boy was, an old man suddenly jerked, loomed behind his back and snatched the boy’s wallet within a second or two. After a few meters from where the scene had taken place, a man shouted at the boy’s general direction telling him “Nanakawan ka! Nanakawan ka!”. The boy was shocked almost numb for what he just heard. After checking his bag, and learned that his wallet was stolen together with its collection of cards, he rushed back to the place and found no one except a sleepy security guard on duty, perceptibly unaware of what just occurred in his general area of responsibility, and an empty police emergency outpost with few stray cats as if ready to conduct a blotter report on Sundays. The boy doesn't want to be frustrated, “there is hope for this country, still, it’s a beautiful Sunday anyway” he convinced himself.

The boy made his way to the LRT Doroteo Jose station and found his friend waiting for him. After some pleasantries and a quick narrative of what had happened she bought him a card to Vito Cruz to catch their 8am mass session.

So what is the message of the story?

It’s just a simple reminder that no matter how valuable our mundane possessions are, the Lord is telling us that our REAL TREASURE is still our DESTINATION yet emphasizing that the JOURNEY, no matter how tough, towards that DESTINATION is something that would really make you appreciate the latter. Hence, the attitude or reaction towards the experience, or perhaps what is happening around you is all that matters. The Lord has embedded you a character and wisdom that will comfort you even amidst the deadliest of all tempests.

Guess what?

I'm safe. I have wonderful parents and two sisters. Awesome friends and Gracious God that provides.

CASTS:
The Boy – Beam Andalecio
The Friend – Novie Lozada
The Man – random by passer
Stray Cats – I named them Hello Kitty and friends

P.S. The story also ATTEMPTS to call the ATTENTION of all the elements of the Philippine National Police to PLEASE (EMPHASIS ADDED) workout on your POLICE PRESENCE and STRICT LAW ENFORCEMENT for the people, whom you protect and serve. Please refer to Art. XI Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Thank you and God bless. :)

TRAILBLAZER

“Seek not to follow the footsteps of the wise, you seek what they sought.” –Anonymous

Have you ever experienced being compared to someone? Perhaps our generation would have given a knock on the door of the past, not just once, nor twice, but perhaps a hundred times. That’s how the present operates. Yes, it is normal to look at the past. Doing so only means that we have the audacity to correct our mistakes and learn from it. Most importantly, it gives us the humility that before we have gone this far, we are once upon a time a struggling fool in search for knowledge and wisdom.

The World Revolves 360 degrees

According to McCarthy, D.D. & Seidelmann, P.K. in 2009, the Earth rotates once in about 24 hours with respect to the sun and once every 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds with respect to the stars. Earth's rotation is slowing slightly with time; thus, a day was shorter in the past. This is due to the tidal effects the Moon has on Earth's rotation. Atomic clocks show that a modern day is longer by about 1.7 milliseconds than a century ago, slowly increasing the rate at which UTC is adjusted by leap seconds.

So what does that mean?

Simply put, everything changes under the sun. You and I change every millisecond. In fact I’m not the same writer a second ago. Am I making sense? You, the reader, are not the same as you are seconds ago. Your psyche changes, your body's cell count changes, your mood changes and so on. Everything that happened in the past had its own share of joy, sadness, delight, grief, enchantment.

And challenges too. Many of us are stuck on the bait of hanging in our past. Yes, the story of the people in the previous course of history has definitely something to do with what we are now. But always put in mind that the encounters are different. Different challenges that needs another course of solution. Do not compare your accomplishments from the accomplishments of your older brother, sister or parents. You see, their generation had different set of challenges, and you have your own. Find solution and solve it.

The generation in the past made their mark and created their trails. It’s up to you weather to use it or.. act in the present and trail blaze your own way by opening another door specially designed for the vendetta of this generation. “Seek not to follow the footsteps of the wise, you seek what they sought.”

Dealing with present? HAVE IT YOUR WAY. 

What Do You Think Is The Problem?

A Personal Observation

The patchy economic record of the Philippines shows that there are inconsistencies in our economic reforms. Economic development continues to be elusive in spite of our abundant natural and human resources; dismal poverty unmoved for years, weak institutions and oligarchic private sector has contributed immensely to the problem.

Makati City Business Hub, Philippines

Like a steering wheel, the Philippines has adopted an openness model, entered a series of multi-lateral free trade treaties, agreements, and inter-Asian conventions. These efforts provided domestic firms access to markets overseas and leverage to policymakers that allowed them to pursue economic reforms more aggressively. However, investment rate in the country remained to be one of the lowest in the region in recent years because of the poor physical infrastructure that discouraged foreign and domestic investors. The fiscal position of the country remained to be one of the other factors. This is ultimately brought by weak revenue collection.

Lack of economic transformation has brought further dilemma as the country exert its efforts for progress. This deficiency elevated and gave rise to production and economic imbalance. Evidently, the lack of economic transformation is one reason as to why there is increasing number of Filipinos wanting to hook a job overseas.

I agree that a vigilant society adds to better governance. Pressure groups are vital on expressing the majority’s stand on public issues and concerns. They act and serve as an instrument to hear the voice of the masses. Conversely, policymakers should be aware that there are possible drawbacks brought by these pressure groups. There are possibilities that policies may become paralyzed because of populist clamor.

CTO

I have gathered a set of aspirations and challenges for the Philippines in doing this reflection. These aspirations and challenges are composed of five and three areas respectively. It gives emphasis on an opportunistic approach to development with respect to the visible strengths of the Philippines; the Business Process Outsourcing, Human Capital, Agriculture, Tourism, and Rich Natural Resources. Also included are the challenges to the Philippine Government, Private Sectors, and ultimately, to the Filipino People.

Philippine Stock Exchange

The idea of a Balanced, Rapid, Inclusive, Sustainable, and Capital-led Economic Growth, more that its adjectival characteristic, are appealing. These concrete steps can be a turning point for economic, political, and social renovation provided that each private and public institution, empowered with people’s participation would steer the application of the proposed model.

I would like to quote the assertion of the late anti-apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela; “The greatest glory in living lies not on never failing but in rising every time we fall.” Dr. Jose Rizal described our country; “The beloved region of the sun”, “The pearl of the orient seas”, and “Our lost Eden.” The Philippines has experienced many ups and downs in the past years and has tried to be cured by different administration during the past decades but still stuck at the near bottom of the East Asian neighbors.

CTO

We probably ask ourselves at one point in time, what’s the problem with our country? In spite of our rich and abundant natural resources as well as human resources, we still fail to reach the top? During the past months, we were being staggered by natural calamities and brought us to total dismay by the exhumed scandals of dirty politics that tested our faith and vigilance.

I guess that’s how it is. These challenges should come to pass to genuinely transform the Philippines into a matured nation. I believe that the universe is pushing us to explore new solutions, to innovate and to act as a true citizen with one aim, and that is to prosper and renew the spirits of each Filipino to stand and to sacrifice in the name of patriotism and brotherhood. I believe these characters will guide us from the inherent enigma of the past and direct us to the dream just like what Jose Rizal emphasized; “If a man wants to be free, he should live with Personal Discipline, Moral Dignity, Refusal to submit to tyranny, and willingness to die in defense of these traits.”

CTO

True enough; a country is composed of free men living for the common good and betterment of life. These free men and women will strive to realize a free and prosperous nation, a nation we call the Philippines.

I still believe in miracles, I still believe that in the near future, the only pearl in the orient seas will again shed light to the world and become a model of modern development and good governance.

In Search for a Solution

Searching the Lost

Jose Rizal

I believe that the primary need of a formidable country is the concrete-solid values system rooted from its rich past. Searching the lost values and retrospecting the life and works of our great heroes standing side-by-side in search for our liberty and self-rule is a challenge to all Filipinos.

Andres Bonifacio

Rizal, Mabini, Bonifacio, Jacinto and all of those unsung heroes who fought and have sacrificed their time and youth to alleviate this country, our lost Eden, the pearl of the orient seas, Las Islas Filipinas, from the injected plight by her conquerors.

Apolinario Mabini

Our values system that has been deteriorated by the manipulating schemes of the foreign force taking advantage of our humble approach being inflicted resulting into inferiority complex, lack of pride being a Filipino, western mind-setting, lack of discipline and all others.

Emilio Jacinto

Our values system should be restored. Reviving the inherited pattern bestowed to us by our forefathers to relive our stolen rich past of culture, glorious communities of golden abundance and harmonious brotherhood and cohesion, a self-governing, self-reliant, skilled men and women working and contributing hand in hand for the perpetuity of our magnificent story.
In the past 100 years of our long-sought freedom, did we realign our lost path of greatness? Like our forefathers did, did we fight to bring back the prosperous promise to our mother land? Did we make an attempt to execute all possible random act of patriotism to save this land from the scars of the past? Or are we just contented as to what the Westerners have sowed in our soils?



(to be continued)

Paano mag Flip-Top ang isang YFC?

Bulalas Ng Pasasalamat

-Kuya Beam

Credit goes to the rightful owner

Kay ganda ng gabi at kay ganda ng araw
Biyaya dito biyaya ja'an kung sumabog animoy bulalakaw
Noong pagmasdan ko kayo, aking napagtanto, mga kapanahunang di pa uso ang tao
Ang swerte ko, sus ginoo!

Credit goes to the rightful owner

Pero syempre joke lang yan mga pare ko
Ang totoo sa pusong misyonero mata ko naka sentro
Magmula ng maka Household ko kayo
Ako'y napabilib sa nagaalab nyong puso


Kaya kahit nagpa-panic ako every time na magtetext kayo
"Kuya! Kuya! kelan Household!?"
Mga batang to. parang kahapon lang, di nagsawa sa fries ng Mcdo
Ultimong ketchup sa'id to the last drop, sus ginoo!

Credit goes to the rightful owner

Pero kahit ganyan, mahal natin ang isa't isa
Pasalamat ako sa Diyos kayo'y aking nakilala
One time, akin pa ngang nasaksihan sa Camp
Deodorant mo, ginagamit nya!

Kaya kayo mga kapatid kelangan pa bang magtaka?
Kung sa mga sharings nila, si Lord walang kaparis, Siya'y unang una!
Kaya kayo wag ng magugulat sa kanila
Mapa Akads, Pamilya, Service o mapa Love life

Credit goes to the rightful owner

Ang blessing ng Diyos, di lang agad agad
Kundi kara karaka!

Kaya sambayanang YFC!
Sa Youth Camp walang bahid ng pagsisisi
Subok sa lahat ng pagkakataon, ultimong dalang chibog ng mga Coords walang bahid ng pagka-choosy!

Credit goes to the rightful owner

So mga freshmen ano pang hinihintay nyo?
Wag ng hintayin ang alas otso
Sa joyride ng YFC kitakits tayo
Kilalanin natin ang Diyos, tara byahe tayo!

BoOm! #AFG

Credit goes to the rightful owner

Composed in His name, for His glory, for the entertainment of the CFC-YFC community.
FLIP-TOP!!! MAG INGAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photos taken by Kuya Joel Manacap of YFC SBC
YFC METRO MANILA FRESH PARTY 2013
20 July 2013
DLS- College of Saint Benilde

Water World

While I was wandering around the University Belt area this morning during the blitz of the monsoon rains and flood covering the concretes of the Legarda Street, C.M. Recto, Nicanor Reyes and Espanya in search for a banking service, it was not unusual to see the deluged outskirts once a heavy downpour arrives.  The overflow from a blocked drainage out of the streets forcing the pedestrians to use the center islands as their alternate trail to avoid manholes.

Flooding has been the problem of the LGUs over the past years. Elevating street of Espanya, decongesting drainages of Morayta and other water passages all over the Metro, these has been the crucial concern of the Local Disaster Management Authorities and LGUs. For the longest time, the Local Government has no concrete solution to this kind of crisis.

It is perennial agony for all the students and residents of the city. I guess it is not the time to blame someone or an agency. This is our responsibility that we should work hand in hand with the government to alleviate these recurrences. Every simple act of nationalism and respect for the environment can be a catalyst for the sought after solution. Yes, we cannot be flood resistant, but we can be flood resilient.

Proper Strategic Planning and Management together with community participation and efforts could be the long lost solution to these concerns. An inclement weather is a natural occurrence that is why a community needs to adapt from it and be always prepared and organized.

 And just like the father with his child on the picture, we can row through the flood with the use of simple combined materials, united with ropes for one purpose. Hihintayin pa ba nating paulit ulit nalang mangyari ang ganitong delubyo? o gagawa ka ng paraan para makiisa sa hangarin ng gobyerno para mapabuti ang pamumuhay mo. Tama na ang reklamo. :)

On St. Thomas Aquinas: Layman's review

This is a reflection on how a Saint inspired me to study, serve, and to appreciate the people around me.

1.       St. Thomas Aquinas’ personal discipline and his relentless erudition brought me an inspiration through studying him in retrospection. I was ignited to give my heart on my craft. His moral dignity and intellectual integrity that made him like a star whose brilliance only appears once in a century. There is no doubt that he has the kind of inner freedom, a prize from his covenant for the Lord in the service of the people.

2.       Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasure. Without friends, even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious. In my life, no matter how happy and blessed I am, without my comrades, this life would never be blissful. They are my teachers for they taught me some of life’s greatest lessons. They are a part of my family where I feel the love and comfort a midst the fiercest storm. Without them as my inspiration and guide, it is like flying to the skies without the air beneath my wings.

3.       Thomas Aquinas’ commitment and pledge to the Church. To remain faithful and persevering in-spite of the cunning temptation and deception that was set for him, in front of his face. An ability that cannot be taught inside the four corners of the classroom. A gift from years of devotion and personal experiences that figured him to his stature in the field of academe and service. I discovered that if you have instilled and nourished your self-respect with God’s love and grace, you will never be in peril. Instead, you will be able to drive out temptation and ignorance (in the government) with a lighted torch.

4.       “To study is to pray and to pray is to study.” This annotation captured my senses. As per my search for new wisdom and in pursuit of my dreams, in the present as a Program Volunteer in my community of service (CFC-Youth For Christ) and a full-time graduate school student. I should abide on this principle because I believe that all things in this world are interconnected with each other. I will serve hard. Study harder. Pray hardest.

5.       St. Thomas’ legacy for the commitment of the truth made him move mountains of challenges and conquered his quest. Without the vow he would not be able to be Competent in his craft and a compassionate adherent of God through charity deeds.

6.       As a UST Graduate School student portraying the stellar deeds of a great man of character, I may not be the most intelligent student among the herd, I may be the youngest and the least experienced, but because of passion and commitment to learn, with the love and support from my family, I will follow my vision no matter how huge the waves are and vast the sea is. By stepping out from my comfort zone, I will conquer new territories. I believe that this is another opportunity to be modest and to trust the Lord.