More than just divinity

This is my third (short) article this April as having been inspired by the National Geographic Channel. As I was changing channels this Holy Friday, I came across this particular documentary about an intriguing tomb excavated some 30 years ago that was rumoured to be the lost tomb of Jesus. This particular discovery brought about some other intriguing concepts about the divinity of Jesus Christ. There was a particular point suggesting that he was married to Mary Magdalene and had a child. Dan Brown has used this as a turning point in his novel – The Da Vinci Code. The Church has contradicted this claim. Many Catholics have reacted violently to this claim. I just felt I have to express my thoughts on this as a person, a Catholic, and a Son of God.

This is quite an attack to the divinity of Jesus Christ. But if you truly believe in Him, you should not be alarmed. So what’s wrong if He had married? Or more so if He had a child? Do these destroy your faith on Him? If yes, you have a faith which is shallow and untrue. So what if He had a family? It does not remove the fact that He have done all to save our lives, even sacrificing his own life to do it. The value and worth of His love and sacrifice should not diminish even if he had a family. You should look deeper into his devotion to the world. If this being a fact (supposedly) rattles your faith, then maybe you really do not believe in Him. I am a fan of Dan Brown’s novels and reading The Da Vinci Code did not alter my belief. (Truly, he used the wrong words in his cover page but this an entirely different topic.) Having faith is believing in someone’s worth and not in his status. Jesus’ worth is more than just an issue of divinity. His worth is reflected in His undying love for us. This is what we should hold on to. Keep believing and be thankful of Him. Happy Holy Week!

Editorial to Noy's Appraisal

Just this April 14, I posted something in facebook. The post: “What's happening? all prices are going up!!!! any progress in the country? mr president? hello???? are you there? bakit di ata nararamdaman presence mo?”. I posted it as a reaction to the some news on TV (which is just the tip of the iceberg to why I had such a post). I thought of it as a harmless post. But to my surprise, some friend reacted to it a bit violently and opinionated. They have their point. All are acceptable points of view. Well, at least on my part they are. But before any comment or criticism get out of hand. I have to explain myself.

President Noy’s administration is really young. But so far the facts has not been good. I have watched a certain episode of Mareng Winnie's "Bawal ang Pasaway" program where facts has been presented as to why the president has been adjudged to have not been fully working in his capacities as a president the president's meeting with the cabinet and important councils is greatly not within what is mandated by law. These meetings are deemed important to steer the country. Ms. Winnie Monsod may not be a perfect resource person but she knows the facts and she has the right to say that the President may have not been performing at par. Ms. Monsod is a former member of the President Cory’s cabinet and she is knowledgeable of what is mandated by law as to the time needed to be rendered by the President on priority meets such as that of the LEDAC, cabinet, and the like. As a result, the public asks as to why GMA and especially her mom was able to do it during their time.

Also, it is a fact that his work or activities is not much publicized to the people. It seems logical that you do not have to brag so much about the things you’re doing for the country. But you should not leave the people clueless – Keep them INFORMED of what you’re doing for them to feel a sense of security. Less time should be given to running crazy and going after those people who did good for the GMA administration by performing their jobs well but not necessarily loyal to her. My post is not just about the prices going up. It is just the tip of the iceberg.

President Noy’s administration is young indeed. It may be too early to judge his administration’s capability. But his approach seems to be too “laid back” that the people (or his BOSS) are not feeling his presence as president.

Life is interesting

I have not fulfilled my promise to myself to write an article last march. It has been another month and a half or so hiatus. So I am again writing two articles to somewhat fulfil my “promise” of writing at least one article a month.

It is never easy to write an article because you have to be in the right mood and have the right inspiration in order to come up with the right words to exemplify or describe appropriately a particular topic of interest. Last month, these things seem to be just not there for me. I am stressed since the mid of February but ironically this has brought up my interest to write just now!

Why was I so stressed? It’s all particularly because of some series of events. First, I have to devote time and effort with a quite stressful yet fulfilling - knowledge wise – subject at the graduate school. Specifically because the standards set were a bit in a perfectionist state. This was quite understandable since our professor was a multi-titled professional. But I am thankful to be under such a person for our class were able to learn a lot from her. Adding a particularly significant load of stress is that I was not granted an extension by my then employer until the end of February. But it proved to be good because it offered me time to make a do with the requirements I have to complete and submit by March to a new employer (which is again quite a stress – certifications here and there are just some of the requirements).  Another source of stress but one which is good in its essence is our batch’s induction climb – February 25-27 - (Mt. Ugo at Benguet) for the mountaineering club of UP –PGH. Stress in the sense that this climb that we need to finish and prove that were worthy of being labelled as mountaineers – pressure! But gladly after what seemed to be an endless journey to the summit and down, we were finally inducted as members– sound and safe with just a few minor scratches and (sun)burns. Well, it seems a fitting end that we end our trip at the Pinagbenga Festival in Baguio. But rest is quite short for me as I have to attend immediately the following day with an aching body and sunburn an HR orientation. The following week I participated in Run United 1 (March 6, a day before my birthday!). Nice to see again those old familiar faces from my previous line of work – somewhat lessening my being tired for having just a week gap from the induction climb and my first 10 km run. All of these add up to my life experiences. Most importantly, these things made me realize that life is so wonderful and we are empowered and are capable to make our lives fulfilling and interesting.

On writing poems

Since I was not able to write last month, I am writing another article to express my thoughts. Last week, I was cleaning my room. I stumbled into one aspect of my personality that I seem to have forgotten. I used to write poems! (I was influenced by a dear friend). Believe it or not! When and how? It was back in 2000 when I first wrote poems. Somehow, I lost interest on it after two years. I do not know why. It is not easy to write poems. You have to be in the mood (bad or good! but better: in the good mood!) and find the right inspiration to write one. I found copies of some poems I made. I was surprised because I thought I no longer have copies of them. Well, I am happy to unearth this aspect of my personality then. Maybe, somehow this will lead me having a renewed interest in poetry. I will just to wait and see! Anyway, I include in this article three short verse poems I made. One of it created when I’m in a really bad mood! Do not judge me so bad because of these! Ha! Ha! Ha!

“Struggles of Life” (4-3-2001)

Each of us has struggles of our own

For whatever purpose it may serve

Nobody knows

Only God really do

But it’s not right

To put the blame on Him

Instead, stand up

Face the day with courage

Live up with faith

And make the most

Out of your life

___________________________

“Pledge” 4-3-2002

Love isn’t just a word

Nor a mere theatre act

It is a pledge

Not of forever

But of Eternity

Found in our hearts

Filling the world with magic

And making it

Such a wonderful place

__________________________________

“Everything Sucks” 8-31-2001

What a day it has been

Nothing to be seen

The river used to flow

With the wind blowing so slow

But look what you’ve done

Its life has gone

Would you even care?

You’ve never been fair

Go away fucks

For everything sucks!

Thoughts about running

I sort of promised to myself that I’ll be having a new year blog or at least a blog on the first month of 2011. But sadly, I was not able to. I was thinking then to write about the four Christmas parties I attended and the debut party of my beloved cousin Ann. But that may no longer be the case now as those can now be regarded as “distant past” (for a lack of a better term). So what now? What topic shall be my topic of interest? Wait! Maybe, I can dwell into my being a runner. Well, being an accidental one that is.

I never thought that I’ll be a running enthusiast. It was all merely an “influence” (coercion? Joke!) by a co-worker then. But why did I allow myself to be influenced? At first, I do not like to join a running event. But what convinced me is my belief that running will benefit me for the good. How? First, running would help me develop stronger legs (somehow?) for my “intentional” hobby, mountaineering. Second, it will serve to make my body more healthy (in stamina, that is?!). Third, and most importantly, it tends to improve the friendship and bonding between co-runners and co-workers.

To sum up my thoughts as a runner, I agree that running is a competitive sport or interest. But it is more than a competition. It is about friendship and having fun. Beating your previous race time serves only as a bonus. Running has more to offer than competition. Look into it in a wider perspective. Enjoy life! Have fun! Run!

Commenting on HP 7 (Not violently!)

Well, as a promise to myself, here is another blog article/commentary. Hmm... What to blog? What to write? The four Christmas parties I attended this year? My participation in two running events? Our climb in Mt. Pundaquit (Anawangin)? Well, let us just reserve these topics for the new year or January blog of mine. Ha ha ha.

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I will just be blogging about a movie. Yes, a movie! I watched the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) just recently- before the Christmas break. Well, I was a ecstatic at start. Excited perhaps that this is the first part of the last movie installment of Harry Potter series. JK Rowling's writing is superb in the last book of the series. Well, enough for the book already! I am writing a blog for the movie. There was high expectations for the movie. At the start, it was good. But somehow, in the middle and towards the end, the "pacing" of the movie somewhat slowed, relying much on sounds and effects to awe the viewers. The book may have been given more justice if attention was given to other details on the book. These may look minor details on the cinematic standpoint but these could have given the movie more impact as what others may say "mas may kurot ang story" or you can feel more the story if these details were given a bit of emphasis or created as a part of the movie or these may not make the movie look a too abridged or summarized version of the book's first chapters.

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There are many of them. Here are just a few: The "Potterwatch" program was reduced to merely a radio program Ron was listening into, enumerating the deaths caused by Death Eaters. In the book, it provided the three somewhat a happy relief hearing the voices of "River", "Rapier", and "Romulus" on the radio showing support for their cause and Harry Potter. How about Harry Potter's contending with Hermione how the three hallows fit with the ring (how it may had the resurrection stone), the cloak (Harry's), and the elder wand - Dumbledore's that is. Or how was it that the Sneakoscope deleted in the scene? And the burial of Dobby? This is how the book pictured it. He was taken inside the Shell Cottage - where Bill and Fleur stay. Harry used a spade to dug a grave for him instead of using magic to give him a proper burial near the Shell Cottage. Harry even made his jacket more of a blanket to protect the elf's body. And this is where Luna closed his eyes and not in the ocean banks as in the movie. More importantly, Harry etched a marker for Dobby in a stone stating "Here Lies Dobby, a free elf". A touching series of events which could have put the emphasis on the story of the book.
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The movie is good in its entirety but if you look into it together with the book on which it is based, it somewhat too abridged, too summarized. As comparing it with other HP movies, it is good but still not good enough to earn my nod as the best of the series. HP 1 and 2 movies are rich in details that a first time viewer will understand the essence of the story contained in the book without even reading it. If I were to rate the movie, 3.5 out of 5 stars for the effects, sounds, and visuals, 2.5 for the vividness of the story details, 3 in its entirety. But if this is a prelude to the second part (which it seems to be as being too condensed on details for a three hour movie), i will give it a 4 out of 5 rating. Well, i hope the second part will not be too abridged and will concentrate more on presenting vividly the story details. (The movie is based on the book!)
I will be looking forward to the second part of this last movie installment. See you all in the movie houses!

The Real Essence Of Christmas

I am back after almost a month and a half of not blogging. I said to myself that I will write a blog article once in a month but it took me another month to write again another article. Well, it is the last month of the year 2010 and so as not being able to write last month, I will be writing two blog articles or "commentaries" or "stories" or whatever may fit, for lack of a better term.

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Christmas is one of the two most awaited events (or spectacles?) in the country. One being the new year. Christmas is over. December 25 had past. (The Christmas spirit still lingers as the Christmas Season is not yet over as others may contest?!) The Christmas this year is particularly simple and somewhat lackluster (again, this is for a lack of better term!). If compared to past years, many families (or some - as others may disagree) "obliged" to have simple dinner or noche buena which maybe a reflection of having financial setbacks and "challenges". Some families maybe saddened by a sudden change of atmosphere in the annual noche buena. Less extravagance. Less food. Less gifts. In a more appropriate term, "SIMPLE".

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Most people think of Christmas as a time for being thankful of your blessings. So they make the effort to have a ham, grapes, wine, and the like for noche buena. Most people even look more forward for gifts and "aguinaldos". Yes, Christmas is all about celebration and being thankful for the blessings we received for the whole year. But we are forgetting its real essence. We must must not saddened by "sudden" simplicity of our celebrations. Remember, Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus Christ. And His birth is NEVER about "extravagance" and "materialism". It is rather rooted upon simplicity. Yes, simplicity! In case you have forgotten, He was born on a manger in a stable full of animals. Today's yardstick of Christmas celebration was fanned by the media as countdowns, concerts, bazaars, tiangges, holiday sales and alike abound during the Christmas season. (For God's sake, it is not also about the MMFF!) Christmas' real essence is all about being with the family and being thankful to the Lord. Let us not teach the kids about aguinaldo and "bonggang" noche buenas, let us inculcate in them the real essence and importance of Christmas Day - that is being with Him and the family. Merry Christmas to all again! (well, the Christmas season is not yet over!) Enjoy the rest of the Holidays!