It is not difficult to understand why mothers love their children. Others say: but of course! The moment the mom becomes pregnant, the unique relationship between the mother and the child is uniquely theirs. This special bond blossoms more deeply as the baby is born and once again, the extent of mother-child relationship is all embracing.
No wonder then children are better when with mothers than without them. A mother's love is a love beyond compare. It is an epitome of unconditional love. Yet, can it ever be questioned as something "destructive" or love that "spoils" or "stifles" the growth of the child?
Mothers out there, this is the topic that has surfaced as we see and hear Marlene Aguilar Ivler, mother of Jason Ivler to the extent of going against the law and is now facing the charge: obstruction of justice. This happened when Marlene allowed her son to hide in their home while the law was looking for her son to face the charge of shooting a certain Ebarle,Jr. We also hear Marlene declare that however the world will call her son, monster or any other description, no one can diminish the fact that she loves Jason with all her being. Is the love of Marlene, the mother, towards her son, Jason, what we mean by a mother's love, an epitome of unconditional love?
Malaybalayan invites you, especially mothers, to comment. We are aware we cannot judge anybody but we can learn from each other's love stories.
No wonder then children are better when with mothers than without them. A mother's love is a love beyond compare. It is an epitome of unconditional love. Yet, can it ever be questioned as something "destructive" or love that "spoils" or "stifles" the growth of the child?
Mothers out there, this is the topic that has surfaced as we see and hear Marlene Aguilar Ivler, mother of Jason Ivler to the extent of going against the law and is now facing the charge: obstruction of justice. This happened when Marlene allowed her son to hide in their home while the law was looking for her son to face the charge of shooting a certain Ebarle,Jr. We also hear Marlene declare that however the world will call her son, monster or any other description, no one can diminish the fact that she loves Jason with all her being. Is the love of Marlene, the mother, towards her son, Jason, what we mean by a mother's love, an epitome of unconditional love?
Malaybalayan invites you, especially mothers, to comment. We are aware we cannot judge anybody but we can learn from each other's love stories.
"Much is expected from someone who receives much. . ."
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 4:07 AMIn times of great distress we utter things we really regret after giving it much thought. We forget most of the time that "much is expected from people who receive much". Who are these persons we label as having received much and from whom?
They are the achievers who go through every undertaking with ease. Sometimes they develop the talent to excel through the help of tutors or keen follow-up from supportive parents or sponsors.
Then there are the generic geniuses who just astound us with their inherent gifts of excellence that even the ones concerned cannot claim it to come just from their own genes. This is an instance of pure gift from the Almighty which we cannot question but just acknowledge.
Then, also included are the teachers and other servants of the law who are given the mission to "lift up" the minds of the young and hopefully someday, the young will take their rightful place in society and take care of the world in turn for the perpetuation of mankind.
Then there is in fact every man and woman of whatever race, status or culture from whom a unique gift has been bestowed by the Maker from whom each one of us ultimately will go home to. To each of us therefore, much is expected for each of us has received much.
They are the achievers who go through every undertaking with ease. Sometimes they develop the talent to excel through the help of tutors or keen follow-up from supportive parents or sponsors.
Then there are the generic geniuses who just astound us with their inherent gifts of excellence that even the ones concerned cannot claim it to come just from their own genes. This is an instance of pure gift from the Almighty which we cannot question but just acknowledge.
Then, also included are the teachers and other servants of the law who are given the mission to "lift up" the minds of the young and hopefully someday, the young will take their rightful place in society and take care of the world in turn for the perpetuation of mankind.
Then there is in fact every man and woman of whatever race, status or culture from whom a unique gift has been bestowed by the Maker from whom each one of us ultimately will go home to. To each of us therefore, much is expected for each of us has received much.
For a long time we have accepted this theory that "Experience is the best teacher". For the sake of discussion, let us analyze it. To a great extent, experience is the best teacher because many of us learn quickly from our achievements and failures. With achievements we learn how to go about maintaining excellence so that quality is obvious. With our failures we assess and decide what to improve and plan to do things better.
The other point that surfaces is the experience itself. Sometimes,we label one an experience when what just happened is an abstraction. It is a way out of it, the reality to avoid the experience.
This is where, after all, we pause and accept: "Experience indeed is the best teacher." What we have tried is an experience of difficulty in trying to negate the statement which after all, is.
The other point that surfaces is the experience itself. Sometimes,we label one an experience when what just happened is an abstraction. It is a way out of it, the reality to avoid the experience.
This is where, after all, we pause and accept: "Experience indeed is the best teacher." What we have tried is an experience of difficulty in trying to negate the statement which after all, is.
The world looks looks at Haiti and sees how its other half lives . . .
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 7:06 PMCatastrophes, announced and unannounced, have become man's reminders that we are still on earth. Through these disasters the best of man's generous trait is shown. Like the one in Haiti, where no less than the two previous US presidents, Bill Clinton and George Bush launch a Fund Raising for Haiti - this diplomatic endeavor made possible with the invitation coming from the incumbent United States President, Barack Obama! You cannot find it somewhere else except in USA.
The on-going rescue operations also manifest how all the other counties have come to help: Cuba, China, Spain, among others, became one in helping all for goodwill. It is another reminder that we are in one earth. To help Haiti is also to help the world for Haiti is the way the other half of the world is living.
One shocking commentary: dead bodies litter in the streets of Haiti, dogs are "eating" or "attacking" it. If your insides do not "revolt" when you hear this, nothing can. So for us who may not be able to help financially now try to do so, however minimal and together let us pray that Haiti will survive this calamity. Filipinos too should include their six (6) countrymen who are also trapped under damaged buildings. Already the Philippine government has sent a contingent to aid them.
In the end: We are all our brothers' keepers.
The on-going rescue operations also manifest how all the other counties have come to help: Cuba, China, Spain, among others, became one in helping all for goodwill. It is another reminder that we are in one earth. To help Haiti is also to help the world for Haiti is the way the other half of the world is living.
One shocking commentary: dead bodies litter in the streets of Haiti, dogs are "eating" or "attacking" it. If your insides do not "revolt" when you hear this, nothing can. So for us who may not be able to help financially now try to do so, however minimal and together let us pray that Haiti will survive this calamity. Filipinos too should include their six (6) countrymen who are also trapped under damaged buildings. Already the Philippine government has sent a contingent to aid them.
In the end: We are all our brothers' keepers.
So tragic, so emotional when the dead cannot be buried because they come by the millions . . .
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 10:35 PMThe earthquake that hit Port-Au-Prince, Haiti has come and gone but its after effects are just being felt and its destruction surfacing. CNN has heartbreaking images of victims who nearly died and are now with their loved ones; images of victims who are still being caught by the rubble that to look at them, tears your heart apart; flock of people who sits anywhere still recovering from the shock.
One poignantly related how she and her brother went about their task to teach literacy when the earthquake came upon them. Her brother ran and was able to escape but she slipped so she was trapped and for 50 hours remained stuck because there were no equipments to pull her. When finally she was pulled out, she saw her right leg already lifeless and had to be cut off. Still she thanked God for being alive and expressed fear for others who may not have received the same medical attention that had.
France, China,Cuba and United States are the first responders in giving aid. Would you believe there are those who exploit the situation? They ask for financial aid for the earthquake victims but in fact the money is channeled for personal purposes.
The Philippines can learn from the experience of Haiti. Being an archipelago, earthquakes can be tectonic in origin which refers to the "fault" which our country has and traverses from Mindanao to the Visayas up to some portions in Luzon.
In Haiti, 2 to 3 millions are declared dead or wounded. It is so tragic and emotional that the dead cannot be accomodated in the cemeteries because of number. CNN has mentioned that there are still dead bodies on the streets of Haiti! In the cemeteries too, there were not enough caskets or the family cannot afford to buy one so the dead bodies were just dumped.
Some foods for thought: "Death is truly like a thief in the night; it comes when it is least expected." Like earthquakes, it comes anytime and the victims are the last ones to know whether or not they can be spared or their time has come.
Our bodies are sacred because man is made in the image and likeness of God. The casket need not be expensive but at least there should be some semblance of respect given to the bodies, however poor they look like.
One poignantly related how she and her brother went about their task to teach literacy when the earthquake came upon them. Her brother ran and was able to escape but she slipped so she was trapped and for 50 hours remained stuck because there were no equipments to pull her. When finally she was pulled out, she saw her right leg already lifeless and had to be cut off. Still she thanked God for being alive and expressed fear for others who may not have received the same medical attention that had.
France, China,Cuba and United States are the first responders in giving aid. Would you believe there are those who exploit the situation? They ask for financial aid for the earthquake victims but in fact the money is channeled for personal purposes.
The Philippines can learn from the experience of Haiti. Being an archipelago, earthquakes can be tectonic in origin which refers to the "fault" which our country has and traverses from Mindanao to the Visayas up to some portions in Luzon.
In Haiti, 2 to 3 millions are declared dead or wounded. It is so tragic and emotional that the dead cannot be accomodated in the cemeteries because of number. CNN has mentioned that there are still dead bodies on the streets of Haiti! In the cemeteries too, there were not enough caskets or the family cannot afford to buy one so the dead bodies were just dumped.
Some foods for thought: "Death is truly like a thief in the night; it comes when it is least expected." Like earthquakes, it comes anytime and the victims are the last ones to know whether or not they can be spared or their time has come.
Our bodies are sacred because man is made in the image and likeness of God. The casket need not be expensive but at least there should be some semblance of respect given to the bodies, however poor they look like.
The most recent is the catastrophic earthquake, intensity 7.0 that hit Port-Au-Prince Haiti. This was followed by more than 20 aftershocks. According to CNN, a hospital collapsed followed by other buildings. United States, through its Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Hillary Clinton offered international aid. Haiti's European partners in Brussels are expected to help immediately.
What breaks our hearts are the faces of the wounded, the children, the mothers who are shown running and looking for their other loved ones. Since Haiti is considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, we, from the Philippines, know too well what happens when not much is expected from the government but from generous people who come to their aid.
The next news that tugs our heart is the slow recovery of the dead bodies that have been trapped in MV Catalena, the boat that sank last December. There were 5 bodies that were recovered.
What breaks our hearts are the hidden faces of the families who must still be painfully waiting for the bodies of their loved ones to be found. This is complicated by the fact that the bodies will have to undergo forensic investigation to find out the scientific data who the dead bodies are.
Then there is the second hearing of the Ampatuan murder case. While Mayor Unsay Ampatuan gives attention to the pain caused by the handcuffs; the families of the victims hold their breaths as the details are now said in court. Already, the narration of the prosecution's witness is denied by the defense as can be expected. At least, the case has taken off. In the meantime, demonstrators demand that the hearing be seen on tv because 57 families and the whole country hope to hear firsthand what is being said.
What breaks our hearts are the tensions and anxieties of many parties which want justice given sooner than later. When there is an attempt from the lawyers to disprove what has been said by the witness because he seemed sure that his clients are not guilty,our hearts bleed. When those who lost their wife, husband, children, friend, sit in court believing that when everything is done, justice will be theirs.
We pray less of news that breaks our hearts and have more of news that makes the world more the creation the Maker has envisioned it to be and become.
What breaks our hearts are the faces of the wounded, the children, the mothers who are shown running and looking for their other loved ones. Since Haiti is considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, we, from the Philippines, know too well what happens when not much is expected from the government but from generous people who come to their aid.
The next news that tugs our heart is the slow recovery of the dead bodies that have been trapped in MV Catalena, the boat that sank last December. There were 5 bodies that were recovered.
What breaks our hearts are the hidden faces of the families who must still be painfully waiting for the bodies of their loved ones to be found. This is complicated by the fact that the bodies will have to undergo forensic investigation to find out the scientific data who the dead bodies are.
Then there is the second hearing of the Ampatuan murder case. While Mayor Unsay Ampatuan gives attention to the pain caused by the handcuffs; the families of the victims hold their breaths as the details are now said in court. Already, the narration of the prosecution's witness is denied by the defense as can be expected. At least, the case has taken off. In the meantime, demonstrators demand that the hearing be seen on tv because 57 families and the whole country hope to hear firsthand what is being said.
What breaks our hearts are the tensions and anxieties of many parties which want justice given sooner than later. When there is an attempt from the lawyers to disprove what has been said by the witness because he seemed sure that his clients are not guilty,our hearts bleed. When those who lost their wife, husband, children, friend, sit in court believing that when everything is done, justice will be theirs.
We pray less of news that breaks our hearts and have more of news that makes the world more the creation the Maker has envisioned it to be and become.
Just asking . . . and wondering . . ."justice delayed is justice denied". . .
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 6:32 AMWhile we acknowledge that suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty, we still cannot fathom why Andal Ampatuan, exudes so much confidence that he is innocent with 57 families who truly believe he is not. You look hard as he speaks and he projects the face of someone who has no problem at all. This is the reality of due process of law: evidence, judges,lawyers, affidavits, counter affidavits, money, time . . .
We just have to continue praying that while the wheels of justice keep on turning, its pace should be a little faster before the deaths of 57 victims will be put to waste. Our hearts go to their families whose lives are forever changed.
We are left asking, wondering when the turn of events will be such that gradually those who must be made accountable will be known and named.
So, we just keep on following the case, at least on tv, and pray, from where we are situated that the God of Justice will work, through the witnesses, the miracle of Truth will come out that only God can evoke from the guilty because his conscience will not give him rest.
We just have to continue praying that while the wheels of justice keep on turning, its pace should be a little faster before the deaths of 57 victims will be put to waste. Our hearts go to their families whose lives are forever changed.
We are left asking, wondering when the turn of events will be such that gradually those who must be made accountable will be known and named.
So, we just keep on following the case, at least on tv, and pray, from where we are situated that the God of Justice will work, through the witnesses, the miracle of Truth will come out that only God can evoke from the guilty because his conscience will not give him rest.
Our visit to Hongkong-Zhenzen and Macau China made us see the world beyond Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines. In those four days our perceptions became broader and opened our eyes to what could be done to tell the world about Bukidnon which is also ladened with natural wonders.
The blue hat or cap Malaybalayan wore was left behind, probably in one of the restaurants where we ate. Could this mean we could go back to Hongkong someday? any possible sponsors out there?
Since our memorable and fantastic journey we became more excited and interested to visit other Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand. Any tips how to go about our future destinations?
Michael Jackson's physician, Conrad Murray to face charges of involuntary manslaughter. . .
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 1:40 AMMany things surfaced since Michael Jackson's death. Economists say Michael's worth is much more after his death than when he was alive. Teacher's teacher cannot help but comment: does it matter? Those who love Michael want him alive not dead. We saw the film: This is it and truly you would never ever have an inkling he needed Propofol to feel well. And now, the person who did his bidding, his doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray faces charges of involuntary manslaughter.
Speaking from the point of view of a fan, it is really painful to learn many years later that Michael suffered burns while taping a softdrink commercial. How we wish the tape was shown to the fans so that the "quirks" Michael showed were better understood. It is now "water under the bridge" so let us allow Michael to rest in peace.
As regards the doctor, he could take care of himself. His defense would rely mostly on the intention he had because in the court of law one's motive could make or unmake one's case.
What is left is for the family to move on. The children's welfare should be uppermost in their minds. For us fans, sometimes, the memory of excellence we saw in the stars we looked up to inspire us to do our best while time is all we have.
Speaking from the point of view of a fan, it is really painful to learn many years later that Michael suffered burns while taping a softdrink commercial. How we wish the tape was shown to the fans so that the "quirks" Michael showed were better understood. It is now "water under the bridge" so let us allow Michael to rest in peace.
As regards the doctor, he could take care of himself. His defense would rely mostly on the intention he had because in the court of law one's motive could make or unmake one's case.
What is left is for the family to move on. The children's welfare should be uppermost in their minds. For us fans, sometimes, the memory of excellence we saw in the stars we looked up to inspire us to do our best while time is all we have.
Devotees of the Black Nazarene join procession no matter what: a faith in action
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 2:55 AMCynicism has become a common trait of modern man. Am sure the cynics who are watching the on-going procession today, January 9, (Saturday) of 2.4 - 3 million Filipinos, from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo are wondering why there are so many who join it. This is not to say that even those who aren't cynics do not have the same reaction. So we ask: why are their devotees who go to such length whether for the Black Nazarene or another feast like Easter?
One explanation: Believers express their faith not only through word but through action as well especially when the feast is being celebrated. When Pope Paul VI came to the Philippines in the '70's, we, the catechists, began our vigil for the Pope's visit at dawn. When the Vicar of Christ was finally in front of us - of me - I cried and cried with joy. My feeling was that Jesus appeared before me. This leads us to the next point.
Second explanation: Filipinos, once they put their heart, are willing to die for the cause. They sometimes forget the danger that may arise. In this procession, a number got hurt, 400 plus have been hospitalized. So far, two died. Such fervor perhaps can be redirected for something more productive.
Third explanation: Today is only one day so I join some analysts who acknowledge the beautiful expression of one's faith but after the procession, what is next? Will the believers go back to their usual routine? Is their devotion part of their daily means of livelihood? If it is, then one's devotion to the Black Nazarene is indeed faith in action.
Let us not forget that God is not only felt during procession but in the most ordinary experience of life. The Statue of the Black Nazarene is a statue but the faith of the devotee goes beyond the statue and experiences the symbol who is Jesus, the Nazarene. We have only to look around to see the faces of the members of our family. Do you take care of their needs if you are a parent? If you do, it is as though you have your own procession too which lasts a lifetime.
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