Saturday, October 31, 2015
Friday, October 30, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Forgiveness is achingly difficult, and long after you've forgiven, the wound lives on in memory. Forgiveness is an unnatural act. I never find forgiveness easy. Nagging injustices remain, and the wounds still cause pain. I have to approach God again and again, yielding to him the residue of what I thought I have committed to him long ago...God forgives my debts as I forgive my debtor...only by living in the stream of God's grace will I find the strength to respond with grace towards others. (Philip Yancey, What's so Amazing About Grace)
Friday, October 09, 2015
I love surprises!
My teenager asked, "Mama, did Papa ever surprise you?"
I paused. I could have blurted out, YES! But I didn't, because I have to look back at the many instances my husband did.
Before we got married, he surprised me with his presence on my birthday. That was totally unexpected because he has given up spending Christmas with his family and chose to spend it with me.
The little surprises he gave - flowers under his sleeve or on top of our closet, chocolates waiting for me elsewhere in the house, a letter (which he seldom gives). It's the little things really that I enjoy the most.
And of course, the Valentine's date we've had before he left to work abroad.
I guess, my children took after him. My boys are the sweetest. They too are full of surprises. It is always a delight coming home to them. Sometimes, I get a candlelight dinner prepared by my teen, my clothes prepared by my toddler. A letter tucked in my bag. Sometimes toys secretly placed inside my bag which eventually gives me a smile when I discover them later on.
It's the little things that makes a memory. And it's the little surprises that creates so much memories.
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Guilty mother syndrome
My 6-year old this morning was insisting for me to be on time to get him at exactly 3:00pm. I told him I am sorry I can't make it on time, because of a meeting. He then blurted out - "When my papa calls, can I tell him to let you stop working already?"
What drives me?
I am fueled by my passion to reach out to the next generation. To be an example, and to influence them to honor Christ, and walk in obedience to His will. To pursue excellence and not mediocrity.
I get excited with the fact that they will be the new breed of leaders. They will not only be sitting in the sidelines, and watch with apathy. My prayer is that they will pursue excellence and actively take part and fulfill their roles in society, for them to do what they are called to do.
Yes, I have a choice not to exert extra effort and just quietly relax in the sidelines. But that is not what I am called to do. When God widened my sphere of influence, I know that there is more to do rather than just deliver my lectures day after day.
I may not be able to reach out to everyone, but one youth at a time, can make a lot of difference.
I get excited with the fact that they will be the new breed of leaders. They will not only be sitting in the sidelines, and watch with apathy. My prayer is that they will pursue excellence and actively take part and fulfill their roles in society, for them to do what they are called to do.
Yes, I have a choice not to exert extra effort and just quietly relax in the sidelines. But that is not what I am called to do. When God widened my sphere of influence, I know that there is more to do rather than just deliver my lectures day after day.
I may not be able to reach out to everyone, but one youth at a time, can make a lot of difference.
Monday, September 21, 2015
God is a God of Recompense
Joel 2:21-27
"Be glad, O children of Zion,
and rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given the early rain for your vindication;
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the latter rain, as before.
"The threshing floors shall be full of grain;
the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
I will restore to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,
my great army, which I sent among you.
"You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.
And My people shall never again be put to shame.
"Be glad, O children of Zion,
and rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given the early rain for your vindication;
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the latter rain, as before.
"The threshing floors shall be full of grain;
the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
I will restore to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,
my great army, which I sent among you.
"You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.
And My people shall never again be put to shame.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Tuesday, June 02, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
Education: Shaped by culture?
There is a culture that permeates in our society. And I am not pleased. Having observed the educational system, it is the least bit inclusive.
The slow learners gets left behind. If they are not lucky enough, they are scorned. If they are charming, they are favored. The system rank them from top to bottom. The parents, more stressed, rather than the child. I have seen a parent prepare a 20-page reviewer for her son, and it gave me the feeling that I am not doing so much for my children! I wouldn't want to rationalize, but looking at my children, I believe they can go beyond their ABC's and Basic Algebra, and can survive even when I am not around. Yes, life skills. I guess, for most parents, they force their children to do well, compete to the point that they do their children's assignments, simply because our society tells us that being on top is the way to go. I am not against excellence. In fact, I always encourage my children to be excellent because God is an excellent God. But every child is unique. They learn differently. Although there is now so much written about multiple intelligence, inclusive education and the like, it is also very hard to change our system. I always believe that my children can learn responsibility and accountability more when they do things on their own. Yet, I can nag them to do their projects and assignments, I can help them, but I will not do it for them just for them to get a grade. If they do not have it, they get zero. It is painful, yes. But the learning they get from that experience is priceless. They gain wisdom rather than the grade.
Society also dictates that a course with a board examination is "more" or "greater than" a course without one. A board examination will not always be a good signal for high ability. No, I am not saying this because an Economics degree does not require a board examination. I encountered a lot of very brilliant students all flocking to a degree with board examination but ends up frustrated right after graduation. "I finished this very difficult and expensive degree, took up the board examination, then I am only paid this much, and it is even lower than what my non-degree high school classmate is getting." In some cases, "I passed the board examination, and here is a college classmate in Tax getting a higher position and a higher pay."
Discussions on asymmetric information would explain that after graduation, pooling equilibrium occurs. Which means that since employers do not really know the ability of the applicants, they are all treated alike. Thus, they are also paid alike (or what we generally call the average price). The average price results from asymmetric information. Ergo, whether you graduated Cum Laude or you graduated with a GWA of 75, you still get the same pay. The competition starts when you are able to signal that you are the best fit for the job. Which means to say there is already separating equilibrium.
Board passers are also treated alike. Whether you got 95 or the lowest you can get from the examination, they passed the Board exam, period. Thus, they get similar positions and get similar pay. Pooling equilibrium. Once they go through that, they can take measures to signal they are better than the others, and paid higher. Separating equilibrium.
Most of the time, board examinations are given especially to courses where there are so many wanting to be part of that specific industry. Market forces dictates that, if there is no regulation, the more suppliers we have in the market, the lower is the labor price. It pushes the prices down. Thus, a board examination will generally limit the market and raise the average price in the labor market.
Society then thinks, they are paid higher. Thus, they can do better and be more successful.
Why not take Economics or Math instead, like what other countries do? Why not Philosophy? They are very unpopular in our country, but not for most countries that actually knows the value of these three courses. Why are we not aware of them? It is because our society never taught us to like them. Our culture is so focused on the extension that we can have before or after our names that we lost sight of the relevance of pursuing pure sciences which is supposed to be the foundation of policy making.
And why not Agriculture? They see no hope in Agriculture. They see no future in it. Why? Because their very decision of selling their carabaos and lands for their children to go to school so they get employed in a big company. A mindset saying there is no future in agriculture is the very thing that puts down the Agricultural industry.
Oh, and may I just share, my eldest, wants a career in Agriculture. I hope he still has that choice when he will eventually finish senior high school.
The slow learners gets left behind. If they are not lucky enough, they are scorned. If they are charming, they are favored. The system rank them from top to bottom. The parents, more stressed, rather than the child. I have seen a parent prepare a 20-page reviewer for her son, and it gave me the feeling that I am not doing so much for my children! I wouldn't want to rationalize, but looking at my children, I believe they can go beyond their ABC's and Basic Algebra, and can survive even when I am not around. Yes, life skills. I guess, for most parents, they force their children to do well, compete to the point that they do their children's assignments, simply because our society tells us that being on top is the way to go. I am not against excellence. In fact, I always encourage my children to be excellent because God is an excellent God. But every child is unique. They learn differently. Although there is now so much written about multiple intelligence, inclusive education and the like, it is also very hard to change our system. I always believe that my children can learn responsibility and accountability more when they do things on their own. Yet, I can nag them to do their projects and assignments, I can help them, but I will not do it for them just for them to get a grade. If they do not have it, they get zero. It is painful, yes. But the learning they get from that experience is priceless. They gain wisdom rather than the grade.
Society also dictates that a course with a board examination is "more" or "greater than" a course without one. A board examination will not always be a good signal for high ability. No, I am not saying this because an Economics degree does not require a board examination. I encountered a lot of very brilliant students all flocking to a degree with board examination but ends up frustrated right after graduation. "I finished this very difficult and expensive degree, took up the board examination, then I am only paid this much, and it is even lower than what my non-degree high school classmate is getting." In some cases, "I passed the board examination, and here is a college classmate in Tax getting a higher position and a higher pay."
Discussions on asymmetric information would explain that after graduation, pooling equilibrium occurs. Which means that since employers do not really know the ability of the applicants, they are all treated alike. Thus, they are also paid alike (or what we generally call the average price). The average price results from asymmetric information. Ergo, whether you graduated Cum Laude or you graduated with a GWA of 75, you still get the same pay. The competition starts when you are able to signal that you are the best fit for the job. Which means to say there is already separating equilibrium.
Board passers are also treated alike. Whether you got 95 or the lowest you can get from the examination, they passed the Board exam, period. Thus, they get similar positions and get similar pay. Pooling equilibrium. Once they go through that, they can take measures to signal they are better than the others, and paid higher. Separating equilibrium.
Most of the time, board examinations are given especially to courses where there are so many wanting to be part of that specific industry. Market forces dictates that, if there is no regulation, the more suppliers we have in the market, the lower is the labor price. It pushes the prices down. Thus, a board examination will generally limit the market and raise the average price in the labor market.
Society then thinks, they are paid higher. Thus, they can do better and be more successful.
Why not take Economics or Math instead, like what other countries do? Why not Philosophy? They are very unpopular in our country, but not for most countries that actually knows the value of these three courses. Why are we not aware of them? It is because our society never taught us to like them. Our culture is so focused on the extension that we can have before or after our names that we lost sight of the relevance of pursuing pure sciences which is supposed to be the foundation of policy making.
And why not Agriculture? They see no hope in Agriculture. They see no future in it. Why? Because their very decision of selling their carabaos and lands for their children to go to school so they get employed in a big company. A mindset saying there is no future in agriculture is the very thing that puts down the Agricultural industry.
Oh, and may I just share, my eldest, wants a career in Agriculture. I hope he still has that choice when he will eventually finish senior high school.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
I want to climb mountains with you
Hold on to you when the road is steep
Allow you to lead me when it gets difficult,
and walking alone becomes hard.
I want to discover places with you
Ride the tides with you
Then, will I hold on to your arms,
when the waves become unbearable for me.
I want to laugh with you
Be crazy around you
Just be myself
without fear of rejection
I want to experience once again
the calmness of the sunset
the hope of sunrise
I never cease fascinated by both
I want to experience all the changing seasons
The smell of rain, the sun, the snow
I want to see the colors of spring
The leaves in autumn
Yes, I want to be fascinated again
Be amazed,
be surprised
be awed
I know I can be
Because I know
I am complete in you
and that alone is enough reason for me to be.
Hold on to you when the road is steep
Allow you to lead me when it gets difficult,
and walking alone becomes hard.
I want to discover places with you
Ride the tides with you
Then, will I hold on to your arms,
when the waves become unbearable for me.
I want to laugh with you
Be crazy around you
Just be myself
without fear of rejection
I want to experience once again
the calmness of the sunset
the hope of sunrise
I never cease fascinated by both
I want to experience all the changing seasons
The smell of rain, the sun, the snow
I want to see the colors of spring
The leaves in autumn
Yes, I want to be fascinated again
Be amazed,
be surprised
be awed
I know I can be
Because I know
I am complete in you
and that alone is enough reason for me to be.
Sunday, February 08, 2015
How ethical is freedom of speech?
It is the right of the Filipino people to be informed. Up to what extent though?
I have been following the SAF 44 case. Bottom line is, what is the truth?
Can truth be generated with all the stories (with different versions) from all the news we are all receiving? Since we do not have first hand information, we do not really know which one is. And we are all dependent on what we watch, hear, and read.
I am saddened with how the case was (and is being) covered.
In delivering the news, shouldn't they consider both the dignity of the ones who were killed and the families who are grieving? Will it invoke empathy, if they show the dead bodies, the coffins, crying widows, innocent infants and toddlers? If it does, until when (warm glow effect)? Will it later on bring about justice to the fallen 44?
How many massacres, murders, cases, were sensationalized succeeded to achieve justice for the grieving families? Who benefited from these cases?
I should know, because I myself experienced pain and grief and I saw the media and the human rights commission as the greatest evil next to the person who orchestrated the death of my Mom. When my mother was murdered in 2007, apart from accepting the fact that my Mom was the same person lying down in the cold, ugly morgue of the hospital, there were other things to think of - autopsy, burial, a future without Mama, among others.
Some media outfits wanted to do an interview that I did not want to grant. Media outfits who wanted us to cry out loud, to be so mad at the killer...and I guess, my sister and I did not give them that satisfaction. Why would they want that? Will my Mom live again if we become hysterical and threaten the gunman?
The day my Mom was laid to rest, my sister told a journalist, no long shots please. He said yes. But he did it anyway. My "I just thank God it's over" answer to an interview when the decision for the gunman was given, became longer in the papers. For what reason? It was not sensational enough. Will the mastermind come out if I discussed in full detail what I really feel?
Are they really out to seek the truth and inform people? Or more because they want people to watch them...to read them...to listen to them.
Where is empathy? Where is their sympathy?
They ask the question, "ano ang nararamdaman mo?" "paano na kayo ngayon? ano ang gagawin mo?" What do they think a grieving person would feel, especially when their loved one is subjected for autopsy? Are they even aware that the face of the person, oftentimes is not anymore recognizable after the procedure?
The coverage of the SAF 44 is not much invoking justice and truth, but are succeeding in people hating the very institution that can help bring out the truth and justice for the death of the young heroes.
My heart bleeds whenever we point an accusing finger to whoever we can conveniently point to. How many of us are actually doing something about it? All talk. No action.
Up to what extent should freedom of speech be practiced? Oh, the thin line between ethical reporting and freedom of speech.
I have been following the SAF 44 case. Bottom line is, what is the truth?
Can truth be generated with all the stories (with different versions) from all the news we are all receiving? Since we do not have first hand information, we do not really know which one is. And we are all dependent on what we watch, hear, and read.
I am saddened with how the case was (and is being) covered.
In delivering the news, shouldn't they consider both the dignity of the ones who were killed and the families who are grieving? Will it invoke empathy, if they show the dead bodies, the coffins, crying widows, innocent infants and toddlers? If it does, until when (warm glow effect)? Will it later on bring about justice to the fallen 44?
How many massacres, murders, cases, were sensationalized succeeded to achieve justice for the grieving families? Who benefited from these cases?
I should know, because I myself experienced pain and grief and I saw the media and the human rights commission as the greatest evil next to the person who orchestrated the death of my Mom. When my mother was murdered in 2007, apart from accepting the fact that my Mom was the same person lying down in the cold, ugly morgue of the hospital, there were other things to think of - autopsy, burial, a future without Mama, among others.
Some media outfits wanted to do an interview that I did not want to grant. Media outfits who wanted us to cry out loud, to be so mad at the killer...and I guess, my sister and I did not give them that satisfaction. Why would they want that? Will my Mom live again if we become hysterical and threaten the gunman?
The day my Mom was laid to rest, my sister told a journalist, no long shots please. He said yes. But he did it anyway. My "I just thank God it's over" answer to an interview when the decision for the gunman was given, became longer in the papers. For what reason? It was not sensational enough. Will the mastermind come out if I discussed in full detail what I really feel?
Are they really out to seek the truth and inform people? Or more because they want people to watch them...to read them...to listen to them.
Where is empathy? Where is their sympathy?
They ask the question, "ano ang nararamdaman mo?" "paano na kayo ngayon? ano ang gagawin mo?" What do they think a grieving person would feel, especially when their loved one is subjected for autopsy? Are they even aware that the face of the person, oftentimes is not anymore recognizable after the procedure?
The coverage of the SAF 44 is not much invoking justice and truth, but are succeeding in people hating the very institution that can help bring out the truth and justice for the death of the young heroes.
My heart bleeds whenever we point an accusing finger to whoever we can conveniently point to. How many of us are actually doing something about it? All talk. No action.
Up to what extent should freedom of speech be practiced? Oh, the thin line between ethical reporting and freedom of speech.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
Friday, October 31, 2014
There are things/places that works like magic to me:
My boys' laughter...never failed to make me feel blessed
Aaron's hugs and Rhyss' "how are you ma?" after a tiring day
Bookstore...always makes me feel happy every after visit
My winter outfit...makes me feel pretty. Haha.
Kitkat...
Sammie's "I love you auntie Christine"...
Stormie Omartian and Joel Osteen books...
Pens, different kinds and different colors...
Massage...
Zumba...
Perhaps every girls dream is to be treated like a princess. Secured and assured that they are loved. Constantly reminded how precious and fab they are. The importance of knowing that they are special and needed.
In the end, the only one who can fulfill all those is the lover of our soul. There is only one God who can do those things, accepting us even in our filth, and no matter how much we mess up.
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