The Roaring Dragon

The world have heard it plenty of times and only recently the fiery dragon once again roared in a deafening sound, sending a message to all nations that the once tamed dragon is dead serious to confront of what it says agitators of its political independence and self determination. China a.k.a. the dragon was incensed after the Norwegian Nobel Committee collectively had chosen Liu Xiaobo, one of the peace activists critical of China’s one party system as 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The “roaring dragon’s” bellicosity reverberated across the globe, prompting nations with diplomatic ties to China, including the Philippines, to snub the Nobel awarding ceremony in the land of King Theodoric the Osthrogoth in Oslo, Norway. Other nations, headed by Uncle Sam’s US of A, ignored the rhetoric of the “roaring dragon” which irked the latter more and called them “clowns” for making too much ado about Xiaobo and the Nobel Peace award.
As a result, the Nobel Peace award ceremony caused a divided stand among allies making it easy for China to win support from among the close allies of the US, which includes the Philippines, to snub the yearly Nobel “ritual.” The non participation of the Philippines were said to be a diplomatic concession to soften China in giving reprieve to Filipinos sentenced to death for drug trafficking.
There are more than one hundred Filipinos jailed in China and a number of them were already handed the death sentence for violating Chinas’ strict law on illegal drugs. Worst, these Filipino nationals were paid to act as drug mules or couriers for drug syndicates based in Africa and South America in exchange for a few thousand dollars.
This incidence involving Filipinos are alarming and it seems that not only in China where Filipinos are being caught but also in other parts of South East Asia particularly Malaysia. It was middle of last year when I saw on a TV news report of a Malaysian news channel detailing on how Malaysian authorities caught a young and pregnant Filipino woman in possession of illegal drugs.
The woman came from South America and disembarked in Kuala Lumpur International Airport for a brief stopover for another flight to China where the said illegal drugs will be delivered. In just a few weeks, the same news program reported that another Filipino woman was taken into custody for the same offense of being a drug courier. Unfortunately for the two women, Malaysia is one the countries that have a severe and strict laws on illegal drugs.
The plethora of reasons seems too close to ponder on why this is happening to a number of Filipino nationals. For one, it was said that they are the unwilling victims of drug syndicates. On the other hand, the color of dollars made them so and the opportunity to travel from one country to another. Others, well of course, employment to support their family in the Philippines. In spite of the reasons given, they practically knew that they will end up in jail and suffer the fate of a criminal once nabbed by the authorities.
In this situation, the Philippines could do nothing but to make a practical decision-though unwise in some aspect-to give assistance to its own nationals awaiting execution in China. For having done so, the Philippines’ diplomatic stance was tested and would somehow influence the legal debacle of its nationals to overturn the death sentence and hand them down long years in jail instead.
But it depends on the attitude of China to reciprocate the action taken by its neighbor. For the Philippines, skipping this year’s Nobel “ritual” is less damaging to the nationalistic pride of the country. Kowtowing to the wishes of China is more than enough to appease the “roaring dragon” and to put above all the protection and redemption of its own nationals and deliver them from the maximum penalty of death.

Gunpoint Social Activism

World AIDS Day was observed last 01 December 2010 and as usual the same awareness campaign about the dreaded disease was again the main topic of discussions to educate people whereby putting more emphasis on how the world will prevent and fight the disease. The intent and purpose of World AIDS Day has a clear program of action to inform the world that AIDS is a threat to social health in particular and to the world in general.
Although the observance of World AIDS Day is to inform the people about the killer disease, it is ironic to say that the AIDS disease continues to increase simply because the message lacks the character and moral fortitude to counter the gunpoint social activism put together by various organizations from around the world.
Gunpoint social activism is making it hard for awareness campaigners to succeed obviously because the activists themselves are the progenitor of the disease by urging society to side with them in their immoral battle to promote same sex marriage and the horny culture of lust and perversion.
Ironically for these people, they are noisily seeking equal rights and full recognition from the society, but for all we know they are already enjoying their rights more than the ordinary people had. Men with homosexual orientation are often on the headlines accused of molesting children. Gay Bars are openly conducting their salacious operations right at the very noses of authorities. Men having sex men had been the norm anywhere else. Cases of rape against foreign male workers are prevalent in the Middle East.
Aside from this, other social activists are making headlines created by the WikiLeaks issue. A group of people wants Western governments to stoop to their level or even subjugate authorities to their own terms and conditions, and clearly this is a gunpoint social activism at its worst. The activists had morphed into different sub-groups; the freedom of information activist (gatecrasher of sensitive and classified documents), the anarchist (urban junkies without a cause), traitors (with cruel intention to get recognition & fame) and the hack-tivists (IT expert with abnormal neurotic disorder).
All told, social activists threaten the very existence of human being. They are shouting their slogan of PEACE, FREEDOM & EQUALITY and yet they are destabilizing world PEACE by exposing sensitive, classified or top secret documents. They are curtailing FREEDOM of people to live in a healthy society by spreading AIDS and they are more than guilty of disregarding EQUALITY by violating the rights of innocent children and men victims of sexual assault from activists cum sex offenders. Whether we like it or not gunpoint social activism is here to stay and will bring the world in anarchy rather than stability.

Sports Events

China stamped its class yet again in another spectacular show of power in the recently concluded Asian Games held in Guangzhou, one of China’s progressive western-style metropolises. Sports powerhouse China dominated the games with ease and hauled medals more than twice the medals won by second placer South Korea.
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Japan used to be great in sports but now trails South Korea and China in every sporting event. It seems that Japan is losing its luster and power of who’s who in Asia, economically, militarily and in sports.
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The Philippine Team placed 19th in the medal standing because sports officials do not have a clear sports program. Sports officials always fight for millions of funds. Athletes do not get much financial support. Sports development is limited to select discipline like basketball. The country spent millions for the team that placed 8th behind perennial Champion China.
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The Philippine basketball team is small in size by standard and yet basketball remain as the number one sport that get full support from the sporting,education and business sectors, private institutions and the government. Obviously, the stakeholders are concentrated on the game of basketball even though the team gets smother by the towering players from China, South Korea, Japan and other Middle Eastern teams like Iran
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Foreign hoopsters are regular fixture in the Philippine basketball especially African-Americans, half Filipino-half foreigners and some Africans that match the towering figure of the Chinese and other teams that parades 7 footers.
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Professional basketball in the Philippines is business and business is basketball. Teams are made up of big business entities that produce products with big market followers. Unlike in the NBA where States are represented as teams, the Philippines professional basketball dons jersey with the elaborate products’ name of respective teams.
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Boxing, soccer or football, baseball and other sports that do not needs height are often left with little support from the concerned sectors and the national government itself. Sports development in these disciplines does not get needed endorsement from the education sectors and industry leaders which has been in the forefront of enticing would be players in basketball.
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In the NBA, the Miami Heat All-Star trio of Lebron James, Chris Bosh and Dwane Wade is pathetically off to their worst collaboration in joining forces to win the NBA championship from Kobe and other would be championship caliber teams. James left Cleveland hoping to win big in Miami but it looks like James and co. are not prepared to hold the NBA trophy high above their All-Star status.
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Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar should be given a rematch against his conqueror Cain Velasquez. Lesnar was badly beaten by Velasquez in one of the exciting match in the UFC 121 battles of champions. The rematch would be exciting and hopefully Brock Lesnar will come up impressive and devastating like he used to be.

Lotto Fever

It started when the jackpot prize begins to pile-up high after every draw of which no bettors have won the pot money of 500 million pesos. The prize, which is a record in the Philippine Lotto, continue to bring excitement to the millions of bettors considering that the latest record-breaking jackpot prize is believed to reach 700 million pesos comes the next draw which will be held Monday night, 29th November 2010.

The big lotto jackpot has gained wide media coverage which eventually changed the people’s perception towards the game of chance. Bettors started to grow in numbers, creating greed among the least expected bettors from the rich politicians, movie stars, known media personalities, recognized sports personalities and affluent individuals who are not content with their overflowing wealth.

The new bettors from these sectors, however, did not escaped rebuke from no less than the man of the cloth, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz. Although, there is no law that prohibit the wealthy politicians and known personalities from betting in the lottery, still the old man of the cloth reminded them of how greed play into their minds. The mind boggling pot money made them so.
And no one could ever stop them from being greed, not even Archbishop Oscar Cruz could change their minds from drooling to hit the biggest lotto jackpot prize in the history of Philippine lotto, because for these people wealth is a clear statement of power, influence and of course greed. The desire to fully and continuously satisfy one self is what makes the greedy to crave for more.
The Holy Bible is clear on this, and here are some of the verses enough to tick away the hearts and minds of the greedy bunch.
Isaiah 56:11 - “Yeah, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they look on their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.”
Psalm 17:12 – “Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.”
Psalm 10:3 – “He boasts about the cravings of his heart, he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.”
And yes, I admit that these verses won’t suffice to nail a statement hard enough to moderate greed amongst us because nobody cares about whom. Lotto fever…let’s draw it on.

The Code of Omerta

According to Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia in the internet, Omertà implies “the categorical prohibition of cooperation with state authorities or reliance on its services, even when one has been victim of a crime.”[2] Even if somebody is convicted for a crime he has not committed, he is supposed to serve the sentence without giving the police any information about the real criminal, even if that criminal has nothing to do with the Mafia himself. Within Mafia culture, breaking omertà is punishable by death.
To insiders and outsiders, the code of omerta is also known as the code of silence. This mafia code, however, has evolved since it was adopted by crime syndicates in Europe particularly in Sicily and other parts of Italy during the 16th century. Because the code has benefited much of the mafia bosses and the criminal organizations they belong, it became the epitome for others to follow the code through which the authorities themselves adopted it as part of their strict implementations of certain rules.

The code of omerta, however, did not only made inroad in the inner structure but it influenced governments, military organizations, school fraternities and street gangs and the corporate or business community especially the shipping industry. Governments anywhere in the world had perfected the code of omerta, giving rise to the many anomalies and killings committed by despots and rogue states.

The military organizations, known for their strict discipline and code of honor, have easily adopted and honed the code of omerta. Soldiers are required to adhere and strictly follow the code. The one that “what you hear, what you see, leave it here,” kind of dictum, or the explicit “see no evil, hear no evil” explanation. Clearly, the principle and philosophical aspect of omerta is what bind the military to the code of silence.

Fraternities, gangs and the shipping industry were equally in good rankings among the followers of the Mafia code. They have the same thinking and inclination towards the code of omerta which protects their interests and standings in a place they called theirs. To glean on the background of fraternities and gangs make us understand that their version of the code of omerta is for stronger brotherhood but sometimes fatalistic in nature.

On the other hand, the shipping industry is more than a follower of the Mafia code. For those who may not know, the shipping industry is the Taliban version of the business sector. They do not only strictly adhere to the dictum of the code of omerta but they are enforcing the more severe form of gag order to all seafarers particularly on ratings and junior officers.

In other words, the shipping industry mostly in tanker, bulk, cargo and other vessels with the same operations usually do not conform to the United Nations Human Rights Convention of protecting the basic human rights of all citizens of the world. According to a local TV report which was aired months ago, most of the time, seafarers were experiencing gag orders from the higher ups.

Just like in any government, military and other sectors, shenanigans are prevalent in the shipping industry. Nobody is allowed to bring up issues that concern the operations of the vessel, more so on LPG Tanker vessel. Anyone found guilty of breaking the code of omerta is dealt with severely, either by suspension or revocation of contract. There’s no Ifs or Buts. The “see no evil, hear no evil” is the standard rule and applies to all ratings and some officers.

I, myself have suffered the fate of rudeness after I posted articles regarding my experience in my short stint as a crew of an LPG Tanker based in Singapore. I was ordered by the shipping agency to delete 4 of my articles to which I complied. I took it as a mere gesture of propriety. But most of seafarers actually fear of losing employment that is why they too had become the accidental followers of the code of omerta. Obviously, bigots and oppressive people are really hard to crack.

Showbiz Dominates Mass Media

The Philippine mass media has completely gobbled-up by showbiz from “gutter-talk shows” to the very lowest showbiz news/gossips, which is best describe as “bovine ordure” in the highest degree. From radio, TV and print media, showbiz mania has almost become the center of everything. Showbiz shares headlines along with political issues and police reports which are often the content of newspapers, radios and TVs.

Showbiz has turned mass media into a cumbersome part of society where the people are feed with the daily dose of insignificant and below standard news reporting. The consequence therefore is enormous because people of all walks of life just couldn’t resist patronizing showbiz, made possible by too many bastardized tabloids and broadsheets and the mass media as a whole.

Instead of quality, high standard, excellent and responsible reporting, the country’s mass media has gone haywire. They made issues out of everything, from the life of showbiz personalities down to the least nonsensical issues or gossips like taking a shower, of having a party, of showing extravagance, of asking what the actor/actress likes about their body, about sex scandal videos and other “bovine ordure” issues that do not merit attention from the public.

This trend of media bias towards showbiz is slowly turning moral and nation building a backseat. Rather than providing the public the necessary information about education, new discovery, featured stories of great importance, economy, environment, empowerment, success stories of individuals for inspirations and other issues that delves on progress and development, the mass media, however, continue to focus on the nauseating world of showbiz.

Decades ago only tabloids and some broadsheets has extensive coverage on showbiz news/gossips but over the years showbiz popularity has widen its scope in mass media including TV stations which are now hiring glib talkers among showbiz reporters & columnists to attract great number of credulous followers or viewers and to bring high ratings to their shows and stations.

Not to be outdone, big companies, corporation, politicians and identified groups or entities have joined the bandwagon of showbiz mania purposely for promotional activities. For these people, showbiz is money and money is wealth and power and so the showbiz delusion continues.

I have nothing against showbiz per se but the way it is being run by the industry and corporate leaders and the mass media is too much. Instead of educational shows, the big three TV stations in the country is competing against each other by having too many showbiz talk shows without any purpose whatsoever but to feed garbage news to the public.

Unlike in some ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, showbiz news/gossips do not given much attention as headlines. The mass media in Malaysia give much relevance to their progress and development as a nation. Their broadsheets are full of knowledge-based information. Their TV stations do not have showbiz talk shows that poison and twist the logical sense of the public.

Vietnam is more than conscientious towards progress and development that is why they have a mass media - although quite restricted for some political reason – that prioritize news and programs that have social significance. The country’s TV stations continuously airs their heroes exploits particularly Ho Chi Mihn, Vietnam’s revolutionary hero. Showbiz gossip is a non factor in the country’s fast developing economy.

Mass media has a significant role in nation building but only then it could happen if that role will be taken seriously with utmost diligence and responsibility to help the nation realized progress and development. The mass media shouldn’t let showbiz rule over them and to prevent the public of acquiring “delusional infection” instead feed the public the antidote of knowledge-based information relevant to total progress and development.

Elections Promises

After the May 10, 2010 Presidential elections the Filipino masses will again troop to the voting precincts this coming 25th of October 2010 to participate in Barangay or community elections. The voters will elect their community and youth leaders to continue of what the local government code of the Philippines’ coherent decree allowing local communities to conscientiously participate in nation building.

This political exercise, however, over the years has become the training ground for graft & corruption, malfeasance, fraud, abuse of authority and bad governance by select individuals with questionable characters. Candidates vying for community and youth leadership, both first timers and old timers, are often engage in killings and dirty politicking just to show who’s who in their community.

There are compelling reasons why select and known individuals run for Barangay/community positions because the perks or benefits are quite attractive and they say it is foolish to refuse a position in the community. Add to that is the support of personalities holding power and influence. That is why this election is very much important to certain individuals with sinister motives because it gives them clout in everything they do in the community as well as in the national level.

The purpose of this election as provided for by the local government code is totally good and well defined but only on papers. Because in reality the people involved in this political exercise are no different from the past and present leaders who shaped the rotten political system of the country.

And the fact that the Philippines has so many religious sects proclaiming the word of God, the people will still vote candidates confirmed as baddies because everybody else were eroded and eaten by the system of things that had been prevailing for a very long period of time. And the way I look at it, this October election is predictable because old faces and the relatives of known & crook personalities will emerge as winners and that as usual ELECTION PROMISES will surely end in the heap of “broken promises.”

P-Noy’s First 100 Days Burst the Opening Mark

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has quickly moved fast in his first 100 days in office last October 08, 2010, and yet the fact that he is still in the early months of his first starring role as president, he has already taken the nod of the vast majority who believe in his ability to lead the nation to progress and development.

But the action is not complete without the villains out to stymie and shame the leading character of P-Noy. The opposition (rabid supporters of the past administration of GMA) as villains, hit the 100 days of President Benigno Aquino for being weak in the face of the August 23, 2010 hostage drama and other nonsensical issues.

Others, like the poor peasants, marginalized since the time of P-Noy’s parents, grandparents and close relatives were calling for P-Noy to finally release to them their share of the Hacienda Luisita, the controversial land property of the family of the President. Another issue that grabbed attention in his first 100 days was the never ending issue of jueteng, the illegal numbers game which was raised by no less than the man of the cloth, retired Bishop Oscar Cruz, one of the leading advocates against illegal gambling.

Because P-Noy is the leading figure in this archipelagic country of the Philippines which was almost written-off for the past 9 years, he did not stopped believing in his resolve to eked-out a better performance as shown by the latest economic figures of the country, by leading its ASEAN neighbors in GDP statistics.

Although, P-Noy has met some flack in his decision making following the IIRC report that investigated the hostage drama and the illegal numbers game brouhaha which accuses his close and trusted officials and for defending them in public, the President fairly fended off criticisms. Add to that when P-Noy signed Amnesty Proclamation No. 50 granting amnesty to all soldiers who mutinied against the then President Gloria Arroyo.

The oppositions were dismayed over the amnesty program of the government but various sectors sided with the decision of the President claiming that the mutineers are principled soldiers who fought abuse of authority and massive corruption in the military and the civilian government of the previous administration.

This time, President Benigno Aquino III looked serious and steadfast in his first starring role as the leader of the Philippines. Only that he is still beholden to patronage politics that gives protection to controversial government officials. If this policy continues in his term, this could be a big setback and might hinder competence and long lasting good governance. But perhaps P-Noy wouldn’t let this to happen again because he knows that the country has been in the doldrums of complete worthlessness. The Filipino nation is keeping their hope alive for the next 6 years and President Noy must do it slowly but surely or bust.

Team Pacquiao Aims Boxing Record

Team Pacquiao is aiming for a boxing record this coming 13th of November 2010 in Dallas Texas where cowboys and cowgirls are in their usual get-up of 10 gallon Stetson hats, boots, cool jeans, corduroys and belt buckles which normally gives an added attraction to visitors especially those who loves the place for its colorful history and country music.

Team Pacquiao is now in intense training in Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines where fans and bystanders alike watched Pacquiao with glee and in star-struck mode. The boxer has big followers in the country and he is mobbed every time he’s exposed to the crowd, the one that admires and follow Pacquiao’s successful career as “people’s champ.”

Many, including Freddie Roach are hoping for Pacquiao to dispatch the bigger Margarito comes fight night. But could it be a walk-in-the-park for Pacquiao? Maybe the answer is on the hands of Pacquiao, known for having sledgehammer-like hands that knocks opponent in total submission.

Manny Pacquiao who is a midget by size according to lil’ Floyd Mayweather Jr., will be hard-pressed to defeat Antonio Margarito who stands at 5’11’’ compared to Pacquiao’s height of 5’6’’ with a body frame slightly smaller than the Mexican fighter. Nonetheless, Team Pacquiao is confident to knock-out Margarito who was once accused of using illegal hand-wraps in his previous fight against Mosley.

Hopefully Pacquiao will still deliver his mastery of the game to show to the world that he is still the boxer people loves to see inside the ring and not as a politician who rubs elbow with fellow lawmakers who have done nothing to improve the lot of the majority of poor Filipino people despite of the billions of pork barrel funds being given to all members of congress.

Congressman Pacquiao is aiming for the number “eight.” Eight championship belts in eight different weight divisions. Incidentally, congressman Pacquiao had just got his extra other 8 when he won a congressional seat last May 10, 2010 election. The number 8 is the official car plate of congressmen in the Philippines. Let’s see if Pacquiao get his record 8 via Antonio Margarito in Dallas, Texas.

Ban School Fraternities Now

The bloody incident that happened in Metro Manila last September 26, 2010 involving school fraternities gives warning to all concerned that these organized gangs and criminals fronting as legal fraternities and sororities of students will become more dangerous to the civilized world unless they are all banned forever.

A picture of grim and sorrow was indescribable when a pack of blood-thirsty wolves with the intention to kill hurled a grenade right in the middle of a crowd of law students during the last day of Bar examination which the suspects and the victims were there to support their fellow fraternities and the school they represent.

Many suffered injuries and one young law student were not lucky to see her legs again because she was at the wrong place and may be at the wrong side of the fence of fraternity affiliation. The mayhem was swift. Opposing fraternities and Law schools just couldn’t imagine what transpired the carnage or “fraternity rage.” But that’s a given; all the fraternities have one in common, the “Angels of Death” or in Latin “L’angelo della morte.”

In the first place fraternity membership promote cruelty & violence with that big paddle and other initiation equipments that inflict harm and blood to the delight of all the members. And of course it involves sex, alcohol and drugs. Hazing 101? Yes of course, the physical pain that satisfy cruelty and extreme desire for blood.

This is the kind of school fraternities in the Philippines that had been in existence as old as their fraternities’ name written in bold Latin or Greek words. And this is no longer a surprise to me why the Philippines could not take-off because there are too many lawyers running the show in the country. They shape the rotten judicial, legislative and executive branch of government.

The chaos that inflict pain and sufferings will be repeated again and again because the cycle of infamy and violence within the fraternities & sororities in schools is extensive and without end. The generation of today is the generation of tomorrow. They are law students of today, and they are lawyers and leaders of tomorrow. And if they are killers, marauders and corrupt today and that also what shape them tomorrow.

So, what is the essence of facing our fate tomorrow if we will be facing another batch of lawyers and leaders molded and hardened in the “brotherhood of infamy and violence?” Ban school fraternities and sororities now!!!

The Reckoning of an Evolving World: The Final Fantasy

If our history books, word-of-mouth accounts of our old folks and historians in the academe who shared to us about world history before us, we might conclude though that the world then is worth living for. Before, the world is environmentally, socially and morally sound and good.

Fast forward, humans are now living in more advanced world. It seemed that everything had completely changed. The world is all about high technology, hip-hop, junkies, terrorists, rich and poor, poverty and extravagance, extreme social activism, homosexuality, global warming, climate change etc.

The environmentalists have warned us about climate change. The Japanese, Koreans, Americans and Europeans keep on selling to the world their high end technologies. The Chinese are busy cloning substandard products that awash the world market. And last but not the least; the world is now under gunpoint social activism which is advocating flawed social change.

The world has seen it coming and that gunpoint social activism took center stage among others. The last thing we know was that gunpoint social activism, which promotes social equality, is actually a flawed social change. Thus, homosexuality, pedophilia, fornication, abortion, drug abuse and to name a few have evolved.

The world was made to accept that same-sex marriage, older people having sex with young boys and girls, multiple partners and killing the unborn is a damn RIGHT. Many raised a howl but eventually majority has taken side. Among those majority are the ultra liberals, the Godless and salacious individuals or groups, junkies, the modernists, socialists/Maoists (the one that enforced mandatory abortion) and other mortals that practice immorality, made popular by the doomed people of Sodom & Gomorrah.

It is frustrating indeed that the West, who propagated Christianity, moral values, good ethics and righteousness to the rest of the world are the one leading in trying to make irrelevant the good virtues and bible based teachings they imparted to our ancestors. There is no question about gays and lesbians, but same-sex partnership is another. There is no question about being old but pedophilia is abominable. There is no question of loving a person but fornication & adultery is a sinful lust. There is no question of having a baby but abortion is murder.

These flawed social changes have slowly eroded the moral foundations of society elsewhere in the world. It is sickening to see gays undergo wedding rites before mayors, officials and priests using God’s word. It is sickening to see unborn babies thrown into the garbage for the elements to consume. It is sickening to see pedophiles molesting helpless innocent children. And it is sickening to see fornicators & adulterers intensify their lust to perfection.

Thus, I am afraid that not only HIV-AIDS will come before us. More incurable and dread diseases and untold calamities and miseries would become the next big thing. And the world is now seeing it happen. No, I do not belong to any religious sect with fundamental belief on prophesying of what would happen next. One need not be a member of any religious sects to know the effect of human’s excessiveness. The result of it is already in our present time.

To date, certain countries are rejoicing because abortion, drug use, pedophilia, fornication & same-sex marriage is now open to anybody willing to practice the S&G (Sodom & Gomorrah) doctrine. Here gunpoint social activism has won. Welcome to the flawed society of change.

Our Old Folks Needs Tender Loving Care

When we were raised by our parents, love, care, support & protection was what we got from them. The knowledge that we’ve learned from our old folks is the same “genetic skill” that we use in facing the challenges of life. However, after years of growing up under the care of our loving parents, we are now ready to go on our own. We may be thankful to our parents, but later we decide to vacate and leave our parents on their own. Or worse senile they become, we put them into exile, in nursing homes or in the home for the aged.

By leaving our old folks, our conscience do not bothers us because we are busy in keeping abreast in everything we do as independent “future seekers.” In the process the tie that binds is slowly loosening up because we have no family to share with, no parents to care about.

This scenario or facts of life is traditionally the case in the industrialized countries. Senior citizens are being put into nursing homes. The concern of caring for the old folks usually passed onto the hard working caregivers or senior carers for them to give TLC instead. But other old folks don’t get help from the said institutions because they live alone in their country homes, tenements, apartments or flats as the Brits called and sometimes poor senior citizens live by the streets because the worst of times had caught with them & deprived to live in a place called “home.”

Although, the latter is not a familiar face in rich countries, the opposite is what can be seen in third world countries. Homeless senior citizens crowd the dirty and dangerous street environment compounded by the lack of facilities and support from the family, religious, government and the private sectors. Perhaps the absence of these things has contributed to the sad and distressful plight of old folks longing for TLC from their family.

Thus, for me, the love and care that I received from my parents is irreplaceable. Giving them TLC or tender loving care is an honest responsibility that we should share with our old folks till their last hurrah on earth. How about you, do you give back the love and care that your parents have shared with you? Just asking…it’s not too late for you to reciprocate the support, protection, love and care that you received from your old folks.

Reminiscing the Elegance of Camp John Hay

Baguio City, Philippines – Blooming with flowers, cool fresh air and the soothing effect of smell of pine trees complemented with the well maintained lawns of a picturesque golf course, one would be awed of the beauty of Camp John Hay. But that was then, when the Americans still occupies the sprawling base camp that served as their rest and recreation.

The complete facilities and services are not only exclusive to the GIs but likewise are open to the public to the appreciation of all the visitors, rich and poor. The American way of life could be seen inside the camp. Bulky and luxurious American cars are rolling the paved road of the base camp. Some of the vehicles were being used in transporting visitors from the guarded gates going to the inside of the camp – for free.

The usual PX goods were the big attraction because the visitors love to buy the “Made in the USA” products. The quality conscious locals patronized the commissary section because they feel they are being served well the same as their American counter part. American style houses dominate the base camp with complete amenities and luxuries that can only be found inside the beautifully designed structures. The serenity of the place makes the base camp the favorite place for social activities or gatherings.

But that was it; the old good days are gone. The memories keep on reminding me that there was a US R & R called “Camp John Hay” where people of all walks of life could promenade, eat their foods in the picnic table and experience the American way of life by going to the commissary, theatre and other stuff that is American. No, I am not a hostage to the American culture or way of life. Clearly, the base camp is no longer the same as it used to be.

The Camp John Hay of old was totally gone. Brought by the changing world of politics and vested interests, the prevailing system of things ultimately eliminated the once selfless image of Camp John Hay. At present, the base camp is exclusively used by the rich and famous. Ordinary folks are restricted and no longer permitted to do the things that they used to do when the base camp was under the US Military Command. Luxury hotels and European mansions now dominate Camp John Hay. Old pine trees – that was nurtured by the Americans and the local employees – were cut down to accommodate the new structures.

What a disservice to the ordinary people who used to frequent Camp John Hay and considered it as a place for everybody. The people were rubbed of their only place that they know is community friendly and accommodating to their needs, not only the solace it brings but the services that the former Camp John Hay offers. There will be no more base camp that will bring excitement to all the people like what Camp John Hay did years ago.

FIRST ASEAN INDIGENOUS TRIBAL GAMES TO BE HELD IN MALAYSIA

For the first time in the history of ASEAN, the different indigenous groups of member states will be representing their countries as sport ambassadors in the first ASEAN INDIGENOUS TRIBAL GAMES which will be held in Nunuk Ragang Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia. The two day meet is scheduled this coming 15th & 16th of September 2010.

The Tribal games highlight the merging in one event of the traditional skills, diverse culture and tradition and strong brotherhood of all participants. It is expected that the event will be colorful, unique and engagingly happy because the competition is more on the indigenous sport format.

The tribal athletes will show their wares in assault shooting competition while they’re up in the trees using their traditional hunting weapons like spear, blow dart and bow & arrow. Aside from this, medals are at stake in boat race, foot race and in traditional dance. The Mangyans of Mindoro province, the Dumagats of Sierra Madre/Quezon province and the Aetas of Pampanga province, all indigenous tribes will represent the Philippines.

Malaysia’s indigenous tribes are mostly come from Sarawak and Sabah and they speak different languages with different customs and traditions. I was able to meet some of the tribes when I was then a crew of a Singapore Flag Vessel. Tribesmen from Bidayu and Iban dominate Sarawak and they are friendly to foreigners like me who have had a good conversation with them. These two tribes are usually hired as terminal personnel or LPG depot workers. Sabah dominated by Kadazan tribe.

But just like in any other place there are indigenous tribes that don’t get much attention & care from their government and the Penan tribe of Malaysia is one of them. Majority of this tribe can only be seen in the mountain ranges of Sarawak and often suffers maltreatment & violence from loggers. Reports of rapes and murders against young women are prevalent. The Penan tribe received support, care & protection from Malaysia’s NGOs who always visit them in their mountain lair.

The Philippines is more than guilty of not improving the lot of its indigenous tribes and the millions of poor Filipinos because of the corrupt system of government and the anarchic social, political & judicial system that greatly affected the nation’s development.

And now that the Indigenous Tribal games is ready to start in its first meet, it is only proper for the ASEAN leaders to recognize the important contributions of the indigenous people in many aspect like in bio-diversity, environment and unique cultural identity.

LIL' FLOYD JR.’S INSINCERE APOLOGY CAST DOUBT TO MANY

Lil' Floyd Jr., after taking a respite from his spontaneous psychotic behavior, finally issued a statement denying that he is a racist and made an insincere apology to Pacquiao and his fans. Insincere because after he apologized, his motor-mouth immediately brags about his boxing career, his life, his money and how he gets it in hundreds of millions of dollars.

Well, enough of that childish attitude and arrogance from a man who despise sportsmanship, respect and dignified manner. lil' Flod should face his demons and reintegrate his self in the civilized world that he has had connections before he was eaten by his own arrogance, egotistic self, and love of money and racist leanings.

If he is true to himself lil' Floyd should shed his baggage of immaturity and decongest his mind of contorted views about himself, of being superior to others. Because I assume that he wasn’t influenced by the Aryan doctrine of Adolf Hitler who popularized superior race, racial discrimination and many other abominable acts that was recorded in the history of our complex world.

Although, lil' Floyd Jr.’s insincere apology cast doubt to many, the Filipino race is forgiving and easily put enmity and hurt feelings behind their backs as if nothing happened. This is the time for lil' Floyd Jr. to show who he really is, not a racist kind of a man but a man of respect clothed with the armor of magnanimity and maturity.

AMERICAN LI’L FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR THE NEO-RACIST OF BOXING

American boxer li’l Floyd Mayweather Jr. who considers himself as the best among the best in boxing is again in his psychotic behavioral stage after he released his new video taken inside of his house that contains racial rants against Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao. The trash-talking li’l Floyd, who is protected by America’s equal rights provision of its historic constitution, seemed not aware of the anti-racial context that the same constitution provided & made possible to free and protect his forefathers from slavery in White America of old.

Li’l Floyd Jr. was not born yesterday and he knew what exactly racism is all about. Well, I think African-Americans as neo-racists are no longer new to secular America. Black American Rap artists are part of that genre; their rap songs are full of hatred, discriminations towards whites and women. And I think li’l Floyd Jr. cast himself as the leader of that rouge of a band of neo-racists roaming around America protected by Uncle Sam’s constitution.

Did anyone in America raise an eyebrow every time li’l Floyd Jr. throws racial slurs against the Filipino nation? The secular US media is mum on the antics of li’l Floyd Jr. and his father. Could anyone educate and remind li’I Floyd Jr. and his father about racial hatred and below the belt tirades; terminologies that racists often use in their insecure and abusive way of life.

Could it be true that li’l Floyd Jr. is afraid to face Pacquiao in the boxing ring to avoid shameful defeat from a Filipino fighter who is more civil facing the racial rants of the father and son team of trash-talkers? Or is it psychotic disorder that keeps li’l Floyd Jr. & father noisy in the midst of negotiation of a mega fight between the fighter from the Philippines and the neo-racist boxer from the U.S. of A.

SCIENTISTS CONTINUE TO DENY THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

This is no longer a surprise to ordinary people like me that prominent scientists in the world continue to deny the existence of God. Since the world came into existence people of bright minds don’t bother to believe God, for God was based on their scientific observation and twisted logic of creation, is nonsense and do not blip well enough in their “radar of superior intelligence.

Are the scientists the alter ego of Satan the devil? Biblically speaking, this could be true since it was Satan the devil, being the serpent, who made lie and opposed God through Eve. Thus, Satan said: Genesis3: 4-5 – At this the serpent said to the woman (Eve):”’You positively will not die.’ For God knows that in the very day of your eating from it your eyes are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad.”

Satan the devil absolutely was a big LIAR and OPPOSER at the very first, for he contradicted God in Genesis 3:3 But as for (eating) the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God said “You must not eat from it, no, you must not touch it that you do not die.” In these Bible texts, the name Satan as defined means a LIAR and Devil means OPPOSER.

Satan purposely lied to Eve that she will not die if she eats the fruit of tree and opposed God when he said to Eve that she will be like God for she will know good and bad. Here, we will easily understand that Satan the devil is no different from the scientists of the world who keep on perpetuating LIES and OPPOSING views against GOD.

Two renowned physicists, British Stephen Hawking, stricken with neuro muscular dystrophy and American Leonard Mlodinow were again at the center stage of news headlines because of their new book entitled “The Grand Design.” Stephen Hawking argues that God did not create the Universe and the Big Bang theory made it happened for all things to exist.

Like other bright minds and intelligent people before them, the two seemed unperturbed in their belief that God do not exist at all. And that like Satan the devil, they use the gullible people, ultra secular minds and the super intelligent yet bedeviled by mental callousness, of peddling LIES and to OPPOSE belief in God the Creator of all things.

Matthew 14:31 – Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”You of little Faith,” he said, “Why did you doubt.”
Proverbs 14:14 – “The Faithless will be fully repaid for their ways & the good man rewarded for his.”
James 1:6 -"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,
because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
blown and tossed by the wind."

SEAFARERS TAKES R&R TO OVERCOME HOMESICKNESS AT SEA

Time is gold as they say. And for seafarers every tick of the hands of a clock is important. Time management dictates the tempo of all activities on board ship. But like in any other human activities, may it be in sports, work stations etc., R & R takes a front seat after intense activity for the human body to rest and relax for a certain period of time.

For seafarers onboard, Rest and Recreation or R&R rarely happen because of lack of time, location and disposition of the Master or Captain. Frankly, R&R depends on the Master’s attitude towards his men. If the Master is indifferent and offensive to the common sense of camaraderie, R&R is usually put under the rugs.

But this weren’t the case of Master Mariner Jessie Juanico and Chief Officer Alejandro Bersaluna, both Filipino Officers who commands respect from their subordinates. The two officers were born leaders that they came-up with an idea to have R&R during in one of the voyages in Vietnam so they can share ideas, motivate their subordinates and enhance camaraderie among them.

It was during a lull in ship-to-port cargo operation when the R&R activity excitedly shared by the seafarers along the shoreline of Vung Ru, a serene, laidback, rustic and underdeveloped place in Southern Vietnam. The harbor-less LPG depot offers a beach of its kind which the locals frequently spend their time swimming, walking or by just sitting on the color brown sand to view the peaceful ambiance of the place.

The fun-filled and full of memories R&R in Vung Ru started in the morning and lasted till dark. Foods and drinks flowed like the cool breeze that continuously covers the horizon. More so the homesickness was eased by the sounds of the ocean waves that go back and forth on the shore and the swinging trees which also serve as canopy for beach goers.

It was such a good chance for seafarers to experience the place because Vung Ru is one of Vietnam’s LPG depots that serves international vessels, especially LPG Tanker ships that calls port in a regular basis, thereby giving seafarers a unique opportunity to splurge on the beach and spend much needed R&R to overcome mental and work fatigue. Here, raison d’être makes sense though.