The Story of the Three Trees

As many as there are Christmas stories told year in and out so as the story of the three trees fits itself along. I heard this story from a church pastor during a children's Christmas program and I want it to share to you, my readers.

One fine day, there were three growing trees bragging to each one of what they would want to become when the time comes they would be harvested and carved into something of their dreams.

The first tree boasted that it wanted to be built as the finest mansion so it can house rich and respected people from anywhere around the world. It would serve guests cozy rooms and attractive surroundings.

The second tree said, it wanted to be built as a very big and elegant ship so it can travel to any place around the world. It would be a great ship because it would carry great passengers, kings and queens and other very important personalities around the world.

The third tree also said, it wanted to become a strong bridge so that anyone who passes through it will never get afraid. Anyone would just cross to the other end with confidence.

The time came when the lumberjacks came, fell the three trees and brought them to a sawmill where they would be built into their dreams. The three were of course very excited.

The first tree who wanted to be built as the finest mansion was instead made into a manger and was placed in a barn. The tree became so disappointed because its dream to house respected and great people from anywhere around the world would never come true. Unknowingly though, upon this manger, was to be born the child who was to become the Saviour of the world and who was to be named Immanuel, which means God with us.

The second tree on the other hand, who dreamt to be the most elegant ship was built instead of a small boat. It got disappointed also just like the first tree because its dream to carry great people would also never come true. But on this boat, the Lord Jesus Christ was to ride with His disciples into the sea to catch fish. It was on this boat that Jesus' disciples would wake Him up when strong winds and huge waves were rocking them onto the roaring sea. Jesus would then wake up and command the winds and waves to calm down and stop. His disciples would get so amazed and asked if who Jesus was. This boat was to be used during God's ministry here on earth.

Just like the first and second trees, the third tree was never built as a strong bridge the way it wanted to be. It got so frustrated also because never to its plan that it would just become a two-pieced post where a man is to be hanged.

The third tree though, never also realized that the man to be hanged and nailed onto it would be Jesus Christ, the King of all kings, God of all gods and the man who would once and for all, save humanity from sin. It was to become the bridge to fill the gap between God and man. Truth is, the third tree became the bridge, mightier than the strength it dreamt to be.

Physically, each of these three trees dreamt to become great and mighty throughout their lives as fine mansion, elegant ship and strong bridge, respectively. Never on their thoughts did they ever plan to be built in very humble ways opposite their dreams and be used as mightily as ever, mightier than how they wished to be used.

Jesus Christ is God, the Saviour of the world, born onto a manger, calmed the sea while on a boat and died on a cross.

Because of the third tree who at the end became the cross, many were able to reach God. It became the strongest bridge, the world has ever had.

These three trees were built in different and unique ways, but there is just one common thing among them --- the presence of God in each.

In our own lives, there are things that we ourselves direly want to happen that we tend to get so depressed once none of it will materialize. We only don't realize that what we wanted are not important at all in God's eyes. Why? He has greater things He wants us to become and greater things that we can be used of. Besides materials things are not at all enough!

Research 'toughening up' Thailand's jasmine rice

I got this article from the e-publications of SciDev.Net authored by Piya Wong.
19 November 2007, Source: SciDev.Net

[BANGKOK] Thai researchers are developing a breed of aromatic jasmine rice that is resistant to some pests and diseases, as well as to flash floods, drought and salinity.

The ongoing research, which uses laboratory techniques to back up traditional breeding methods, was presented at the international BioAsia 2007 conference in Bangkok this month (7–9 November).

Thailand is the world largest rice exporter, with jasmine rice the most popular. But the country's rice plants often have to struggle against severe flooding or drought, as well as damage by the brown plant hopper (BPH) and bacterial leaf blight (BLB).

The experimental rice withstands nearly three weeks of flooding and is resistant to BPH and BLB, says Apichart Vanavichit, director of the Rice Gene Discovery Unit in Thailand, who is leading the research. His team are now looking for genes that enable other rice plants to tolerate salt conditions and drought.

Vanavichit said they hope to release their "super rice" with the whole set of resistance genes by 2012.

The scientists use genetic marker techniques to locate the desired genes in different rice varieties, which helps them identify the best parent plants for breeding.

Work began in 1998 with the identification of flood-resistant genes in a local Indian rice variety.

In 2001 the researchers conducted a field trial, and last year gave the flood-resistant rice seeds to farmers in northern Thailand.

Meanwhile, researchers crossbred plants with BPH- and BLB-resistant genes from a wild Sri Lankan rice and samples from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), before combining those traits with the flood-resistant jasmine rice.

"What would happen if India hadn't allowed us to use its rice variety? The sharing of genetic resources is definitely beneficial," said Vanavichit.

Surawit Wannakrairoj, a member of the Thai National Plant Variety Committee, told SciDev.Net that the results showed that Thailand does not need to embrace genetic-modification biotechnology.

Duncan Macintosh, a spokesperson for IRRI, says the development of flood-resistant rice is progressing well in several countries, so the chances of success in Thailand are high. "But the main challenge will be to maintain the quality of jasmine rice," he told SciDev.Net.

Unusually Sane?

As new technologies are released to the amazed public and while babies are born and people get old, so are out of this world things take place. Other "out of this world things" are even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records which are usually made by man purposely for recording. And, of course the people who do it are not insane!

Just like one late February afternoon, I went for my rounds of jogging around the Freedom Park of our university. I saw a man probably in his late 60's having his afternoon walk but with what I thought at first glance, was a roan-colored small dog. The animal was dressed in a cream girl's spaghetti shirt. I was astonished at second glance that it was a baby goat! Instead of jogging past them, I walked in their pace and made sure that what I was seeing was really a goat. It was! A pet goat! Of course, I giggled to myself because it was really out of the ordinary to have a leisure walk with a goat! Goats are raised purposely as source of milk and meat. And in almost all of the provinces of northern Philippines, goat meat is a common delicacy. I began to wonder what the world is now doing with the minds of people!

The following weekend, I went for an early morning walk and saw the same old man with a stick in hand but this time walking with a rooster! 'This man is really amusing!' so I took time to watch them together. They went to an entrance of one of the buildings where there was a stair. He let the rooster get up, up and down the stairs with the help of the stick and was even talking to it in English. If the rooster reached the topmost stair, it's master would command it to crow. It would really flap its wings and do its morning crow boasting in triumph. Later, they approached a nearby iron pole around 3 meters long lying at breast level. The rooster was again commanded to walk on it and cross to the other end. Every time the rooster accomplished one task, it would crow and was given a reward of corn bits. What an amusement that morning!

I often saw the pair on their regular morning routine during the months that followed. The goat who has already grown up was taken for walks usually in the late afternoons.

Almost two years passed since I first saw this man with his pet goat and I was back to work when I watched them featured in one of the documentary segments on television. I learned that the rooster was named Robinhood and the goat, as Sandara.

What made this man treat a rooster and a goat the way pet dogs are taken cared of? This man wanted to teach something to everyone through his unusual efforts with Robinhood and Sandara. But for me, "Lolo" remains one of the "out of this world" animal lover.

oOo

During my semesters in the university I always had an early morning class which started from either 6:30 or 7:00. One morning I was walking to my class around 6:00 when I met a young gentleman. (One needs to keep his legs strong if in this university since students usually walk to and from distant buildings). He was fair-skinned and had clean-cut hairdo. He was wearing a neatly ironed pair of gray slacks and light-blue trousers. He was in necktie, in very-well polished pair of black shoes and was wearing a black shades (at an early morning). He was carrying a black portfolio in one hand and was pulling a string on the other hand. He was actually pulling a small marine toy car! UUuuuHHHH!!!! what a questionable look!!!! What's going on guy????!!!

Two days after, I came from the university's main library and was going for a noontime break. I saw this guy again walking around the vicinity of the library in the same looks!

I learned later from friends who happened to see him also that he was a neophyte of a certain fraternity undergoing a series of initiations!

The Irony of Parenting

Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." ( KJV 1611) This verse holds a very rich message that every parent must heed.

I am a mother of a little girl who just turned six three weeks ago. Through her years I felt guilty of my sudden reactions when she misbehaved. I admit that there were times when I was at the verge of my anger I would resort to my leather belt in my aim to stop her from misbehaving and instead obey my commands. To my surprise though, many times she never admitted lose. In retaliation, she would all the more wail, kick, roll on the floor and throw anything that her little hands could reach.

Several times I asked myself why tots today act the way they do. I have witnessed children dominating their moms in malls, buses, restaurants, churches and anywhere quarreling over something. This is opposite to who I was when I was young. If my father ordered me to do something in his favor, I hadn't hesitated but was always quick to finish the task. It was my duty or obligation to comply with orders at home even if it was against my will.

Partly, my attitude in having parented my daughter in her earlier years has been influenced by the way I was brought up so that I usually wanted her to instantly obey me. It was not always the case however. I had always ended up the commanded soldier and my daughter the commanding officer in the battlefield.

oOo

One bright and cool morning, I dropped by a fastfood for a late breakfast. While on queue for my food, my attention was directed to somewhat a commotion at the back corner. I saw a boy, probably between 4 to 5 years old, deeply sobbing in difficulty while his father already at the peak of spewing hot lava, was grasping his son's one arm while pointing at the boy's face commanding him to close his mouth, stop crying and sobbing. The other customers nearby and some of the crew of the fastfood were just watching. My blood boiled at the scene. I felt the boy's horrible pain of trying to stop sobbing and crying but cannot because of the continuous shouts, pushes and grasps of the father. To instantly stop sobbing at an instant command made the boy to cry even more.

I took my food then sat down at the other corner of the fastfood area. I still however, could hear the angry words of the father and the boy already in terrible, frightful cries.

My hunger was gone but I still took a few sips of my hot chocolate drink. Then I counted the number of minutes since the time I entered the fastfood, queued for my food until I sat down to eat and the number of minutes the incident started because it seemed getting worse.

Upset, I stood up and got near the scene again because I couldn't bear hearing the boy wailing in pain. The tables nearby were already vacated and the other man in red shirt (companion of the father and son sitting on the same table) just kept quiet but also looked troubled. I wondered why nobody tried to interfere neither the crew! I grumbled some stupid words in my anger and was really about to go near the father to talk to him. At the end however, I did nothing to help the boy.

When I went back to my seat I saw the father already shouting and pulling his wailing son out from the eating public. What a menace and a trauma this father did to his young boy!!!

While starting to nibble on my messed breakfast, my mind started to play back the events in my father's iron hands when I was young. I blotted them out immediately since if enumerated would just botch up my day. I didn't want to be a loser against the ghosts of my childhood.

I wondered how could such a fine-looking, professional-like, educated man do such wretchedness to his son in public!? And how many times did he do this both in public and at home? He would be raising an individual with a very low self-esteem! (forgive me for thinking such).

I recalled some do's and don'ts of parenting I heard in values education programs I attended years before ---- "never downgrade the little egos of toddlers in public places by scolding, slapping, pushing, kicking and/or shouting at them or even comparing them to other kids in the neighborhood." Was the father training his son? To what?

Going back to Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go..." To other parents, however, I wonder what the phrase mean to them. To train has several methods to anyone executing it. The subconscious mind immediately defines train-ing in a military way --- to undergo rough drills even if it is against the will of the trainee. This situation is however opposie to the method of training in loving communication. This way is what young children of this generation need - by spending quality time, talking and guiding them according to Biblical inspirations. It will train them to grow in love and not the opposite.

No matter what status a parent holds in life, he still remains a parent who is responsible with how he raises up his child to become a good citizen. This goes with the statement of Barack Obama, U.S. Senator, in an interview about coping with work and family in one of the segments of the Oprah Winfrey Show to "teach kids the values of becoming useful citizens and not just being cute."

oOo

One stupid truths in parenting is a situation like: The parent shields his child anywhere from anything or event he thinks unfavorable. One example is when the child is judged by his playmates because of some misbehaviours, the parent immediately comes in rescue and many times the parent does not even investigate the real incident. In school, when the same child is lightly punished like standing in class for 10 minutes while lessons go on, drives the parent into a mad lion against the teacher and the school. The parent feels his child is prejudiced! But once the parent himself gets irritated with his same child at home, he has the nerve to kick and slap until his kid gets blue and worse is even accompanied with shouts of filthy language! This situation impels me to think that some parents sometimes do become hypocrites of their own selves!

Usually, all the right methods of parenting are easily said than done!

As a parent, one of my deepest prayers today is to maintain self-control especially during times when I go home loaded with outside pressures so that I become an easy prey of an unstable behaviour. I do train my child as I train myself in more profound prayers by claiming verses in the Bible that could only pacify my spirit and stop me from misbehaving in the eyes of my daughter when she currently misbehaves.

12 Steps To Raise A Juvenile Delinquent

1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow to believe the world owes him a living.

2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he's cute.

3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is twenty-one and then let "him decide for himself."

4. Avoid the use of "wrong." He may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.

5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced throwing all responsibility on others.

6. Take his part against neighbors, teachers and policemen. They are prejudiced against your child.

7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way, they won't be so shocked when the home is broken up later.

8. Give the child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own.

9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink and comfort. See that his every desire is gratified.

10. Let him read any printed material and listen to any music he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized, but let his mind feast on garbage.

11. When he gets into real trouble, apologize to yourself by saying, "I could never do anything with him."

12. PREPARE FOR A LIFE OF GRIEF. YOU WILL LIKELY HAVE IT.


(Taken from a pamphlet entitled, "Twelve Rules for Raising Delinquent Children," distributed by the Houston Police Department)
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"Spare the rod and spoil the child"

Some Messages To Ponder Upon

THE POEM

Anonymous

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do.

I had to hurry and get to work for bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.

My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.

No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry.

No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes.

For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"

Easy vs. Hard

Why is it so hard to tell the truth but Yet so easy to tell a lie?
Why are we so sleepy in church but Right when the sermon is over we suddenly wake up?
Why is it so hard to talk about God but yet so easy to talk about nasty stuff?
Why is it so boring to look at a Christian magazine, but yet so easy to look at a nasty one?
Why is it so easy to delete a Godly e- mail, but yet we forward all of the nasty ones?
Why are the churches getting smaller but yet the bars and dance clubs are getting larger?

Do You Personally Know Him (Part II)

My daughter (turning 6 by the end of next month) and I were on a jeepney that same Sunday morning just after we attended church. We were on our way to the city around 18 kilometers from our town. We sat near a mother who cuddled her more than a year old (to my knowledge) boy. She was with other two mothers and two grade school-aged girls.

Upon sitting down I noticed the group not to be locals in our place or anywhere around Northern Luzon because of the way this mother carried her young boy --- with a sling cloth. The Igorot tribe, whom I am one, also carry their toddlers with a sheet cloth, but this group didn't look like one. They spoke in a dialect that seems I've heard before and I guessed them to be Badjao's, a small tribe in Southern Mindanao. Sometimes they are referred to as sea gypsies because they live along coastlines floating on sea. I softly asked them if where are they from. The woman beside me smiled and said, "Basilan."

Basilan is a province also in Southern Mindanao long known as a battleground between the government soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other groups of bandits. Currently, the mountains of the said province is a haven for the Abu Sayyaf group, an Islamic terrorist.

It was in the mid '80s, I was in highschool when I first read stories in newspapers about the peace and order situations in Basilan. The residents are generally of the Muslim tribes. Recently, however, 14 marine soldiers who were with the batallion to rescue Fr. Carlo Bossi, an Italian Catholic priest assigned in the area, kidnapped by members of the Abu Sayyaf, were killed in an encounter.

Knowing Basilan to be war and poverty-stricken usually drive away the residents to nearby regions just like what this group with us in the jeepney did and decided to come north probably to find peace. As our conversation went comfortably, I slowly asked again if they belong to Muslims. They softly answered, "Hindi po. Badjao kami." (No, we are Badjao's). I was right with my earlier guess. I've seen some of them before in my travels to other cities in Luzon roaming the streets. I asked them if they have relatives around whom they visited but said, nobody. "Mahirap ang buhay sa Basilan," (Life in Basilan is so difficult). According to them they just ride and walk, ride and walk to any direction their feet would find them and beg for food. They spend their nights along street corners. It was visible though on how they looked --- tired, rugged and hungry.

I asked my daughter to give to the thin young boy, one apple fruit from the four pieces she was carrying while I continued to tell the group to hang on to life's challenges. Knowing the conditions of Badjao people in the Philippines ever since, I cannot help but pray for material help to reach them. I cannot give more than anything to these souls beside me but told them that our physical bodies are just temporary here on earth, so that even though how difficult circumstances are to each one, there is still Someone who loves and truly cares for us. I wondered though if they believed what I told them when in fact, materially, they are not well taken cared of. Nevertheless, I can see traces of happiness on their faces no matter how tough life for them is.

Finally, I said to the woman beside me, "Do you believe in Jesus Christ the Saviour?" I was so delighted to hear her answer, "Yes, I believe in Him. I just don't know with others." Her second statement seemed askew with the first one but her answer made me more comfortable to share to them the goodness of God even though many times we don't understand why we have to suffer poverty, wars and many pains that our physical and temporal bodies have to bear. If we personally believe in Him and ask Him to become our Saviour, then we are assured that once the time comes for us to leave this world, our souls will surely go home to our God to His kingdom in Heaven.

Reaching the city, we all parted with smiles and blessings. My daughter and I left them with their chorous of, "Thank you."

Do You Personally Know Him (Part I)

"You may be a very rich and intelligent person, well-travelled, have earned several degrees in prestigious universities and have elite friends. You may be a well-updated person in current world events, have read shelves and shelves of books, know the biographies of famous mathematicians, scientists, politicians and world leaders like Aristotle, Einstein, Graham Bell, Queen Elizabeth and scores of others... and personally you may even know them. But did you ever know that there is a Person greater than your elite friends and greater than all the famous people the world has ever produced? Have you ever read His biography? Are you well-updated with His constant encouragements and promises to you?" These were some of the lines and in whole, the message one Sunday morning in church this month of August.

Well, it's not bad to be the individual in the message because God wants each one of His children to become rich, intelligent and comfortable in life.

It was not my first time to hear a similar message in a Gospel-based gathering urging each one to become aware that there is a person greater than anyone else and who loves each one so much. Because of His unconditional love for you and for me and to all human beings, He paid the penalty for out sins when He was nailed at the cross more than 2000 years ago. His name is Jesus, the Christ.

In my several acquaintances, I've met people of different colors, of different cultures from different lands or in short --- from different walks in life. There were many who were so intelligent that I always got a childish curiosity to ask myself how and why are these people so intelligent? Why am I not like them? Why is their comprehension so full while I don't have? They know so many things than me under the sun. How come and why like that?

Many intelligent people upon asking if they personally know who gave them their intelligence, would give a loud and defensive answer. I attacked a point in their ego!

Some I've met brag about their achievements in life and their good works, their successful children, successful career, etc... I feel happy for their achievements and I envy them. Only I feel pathetic when along their stories, they don't personally know who gave them all the intelligence, comforts and successes in their lives. They may answer that God gave them their assets when asked them but who is this God? There are many, many gods out there.

When it comes to spiritual beliefs, many still grip on superstitious beliefs/omens and ghosts! I pity these fine-brained people who don't know the very basic reason why they are alive. They don't know the most intelligent Person of all.

I am a born-again Christian because I humbled down before Jesus Christ, gave Him all my being, my problems, my achievements, my family and friends and everything of me and allowed Him to cleanse away all my sins and finally allowed Him to control the throne of my life. I prayed and received Him as my Personal Lord and Saviour 15 years ago. My feelings and views of worldly things became different from that moment because of the assurance of salvation that I received.

Along the years though after I got saved was not easy for me because of my inner enemy--- my own stubbornness. Trials and struggles popped along the way so that Satan became so occupied to bring me back to my old habits. It is his job to destroy each and every Christian as much as he can. At times I gave in, but Jesus my God would always hold my hands. I was so thankful because despite all the struggles I've gone through, my faith in my Christ never faded. Until now, He keeps on directing my feet to the path even if I get obstinate so often. He is truly a caring and loving God.

With lifestyles these days however, being too much occupied having no time even to sit down for a minute to say a short prayer of thanks, the more we lose updates on the goodness of God so that the preaching that Sunday morning became a bullet that pierced my heart. I claim to be a Christian for long, long years but do I regularly update myself with His words --- the Bible? My Christian friends out there -- this is a question I also leave to you. If we claim to be born-again Christians, do we really know Him? How deep?

To readers who want to know Him personally and become a Christian right now, here is a prayer of acceptance or sometimes called the sinner's prayer. It is short and simple. Pray it sincerely and allow the Lord Jesus Christ to work in your lives:

"Lord Jesus, I need You. I have sinned against You and against others. I confess that I am a sinner. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen."

If you prayed this simple prayer and want to know more about Jesus Christ, our God, you can go to any full-Gospel church near you and fellowship with other Christians.

God bless and praise the Lord!

Ways To Destruction

Before the GATT-WTO (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trades of the World Trade Organization) came into world scene, product exchange or transfer of goods (i.e. barters and trades, imports and exports) was not as easy because there were many restrictions on the standard operation procedures that must be followed. Export and import of fresh products between some countries were not even allowed. Supply of certain goods or products either for export or import were thus regulated.

When the world opened into an agreement on tariffs and trades in the mid '90's, Research and Development boomed to the extent that some research technologies went beyond the limits of morality and ultimately posing danger into the human race. As a Bible-believing Christian, I believe in hermeneutics that World War III is at hand. This war however is very much different from the past World Wars I and II. It is not of arms and nuclear bombs but rather of an economic war.

True, it is happening today of the unpredictable fluctuations in the world economy. This situation is prophesied in the Book of Revelation in the Holy Bible of the Christian faith.

Aside from famines, earthquakes, floods and wars, many events were and will still be fulfilled before the final hour of these worldly things will happen. One is the One World Government. There will only be one ruler of this world. The transfer of basic food items from one country to another will easily be controlled.

Basing some events in what Revelation tells, many countries will unite into one big nation. As we know, the European countries agreed to have one currency called Euro as against the present World currency, the $US. Is this a prelude to the one world government?

The division of food crop species with headquarters based in strategic parts of the world including the Philippines, is another way of preparing the world as prophesied. In just a snap of a finger, thousands of food crop species can be destroyed forever. You may ask, how? Through the introduction of virulent crop diseases and devastating pests! Food supplies can be easily controlled through this situation! Result? Hunger. Eventually, massive death of the human race.

I am an avid viewer of the CBN news via the Trinity Broadcasting Network and the British Broadcasting Cable (BBC World). I watch daily the short noontime world events aired through CBN and it is from this network where I learned that certain foods that China export to the open world were detected to contain amounts of formaldehyde. Later, this situation was aired through the local networks identifying particularly the white rabbit candy coming from China that has a water soluble and edible secondary wrapper to contain the same chemical. Later, other Chinese products were scrutinized by BFAD wherein certain Chinese food companies use formaldehyde as one of their preservatives. Cosmetics and perfumes from the same country were also found positive of the chemical.

Formaldehyde can be available either in gas or liquid and aside from being used as preservative can be used as disinfectant and in making resins and dyes. If accumulated in the body will cause cancer.

Recently, children's toys coming from China manufactured particularly by Fisher-Price company were found to contain lead element. This includes the toys that Mattel, a US-owned company, distribute to the world market to also contain the same element. Mattel's toys are made particularly in China.

A man's heart is plagued with sin thus by ruling his selfish desires he can manufacture anything under the sun without considering the offensive consequences gradually poisoning the human race. The ultimate goal is an early rendezvous with death!

Before these world issues, the Philippine media was plagued with news about the abrupt increase of several brands of infant formula prompting most mothers of this generation to have their babies depend solely on the said synthetic milk instead of breastmilk. Almost all milk manufacturing companies today continuously establish tie-ups with government health centers to promote their products. Because of very promising advertisements, these companies make mothers more fickle-minded. The milk products are advertised to make babies geniuses even at the ages of 2 to 3. Who could not be enticed however! All mothers of course want their children to be strong, healthy, good-looking and have high IQ level! But irony of all ironies, after all the perfectly structured lines of enticements however, the last and brief lines to be said is, "Breastmilk is still best for babies up to 2 years." Wow! It's not a guarantee that if a baby is fed with golden infant formula will make the child so bright. Synthetics are still synthetics and natural is still natural!

I salute the unsung heroes of the rural health units in the country who promote breastfeeding and continuously discourage the sole use of infant formula. May your tribes increase!

The reason why infant formula were made is for emergency alternative in extreme cases like, mother's death where no breast milk is at hand, serious/debilitating disease that the mother carries wherein the pathogen can be transferred to her baby through her milk and in such that the mother is physically unable to breastfeed. But these reasons were ignored however, and instead the use of infant formula became a trend or fashion thereby continually psychologically inverting the reasoning powers of most mothers today.

The many reasons I've heard from lactating mothers this generation why they resort to infant formula is the limited volume of milk that they can give their babies. Of course for a reason to defend are many other reasons! I then paused to raise a question on this case. The trend today is that every pregnant woman has to has a private doctor (OB gyne). All the drugs, be it milk for pregnant women, vitamins and all that the private doctor prescribe are religiously taken in. To my surprise, if all the drugs tell the truth including the stimulation of the production of breastmilk during the lactating period, why is it that young mothers of today complain of limited milk production? What are the secret contents of these drugs that delimit the natural production of breastmilk in lactating mothers? In my own opinion, maybe these vitamins, milk, other drugs and every synthetics that are prescribed to pregnant women has something to do with the limited production of breastmilk later on so that all these infant formula available in the market will be sold ---- selfish desires! These companies make senseless profit from should be lactating mothers!

Comes now the time to let the baby receive doses of vaccines. A parent of course is branded crazy if he/she doesn't allow his/her baby to receive vaccinations against harmful pathogens.

One time, I watched a world health news on television posing a question, "Are all vaccines safe?" Alleged victims of vaccinations were shown on screen as either autistic or with very low IQ level. One 18 year old boy was shown as thinking and acting like a three-year old. Another was a child who after receiving an anti-polio vaccine became a polio victim instead. These cases are not isolated I guess because there had been other previous cases around the globe.

I just don't know but my observation, question and conclusion is: Why is it that around 10 years ago to this date, cases of autism in the Philippines is very high in children? Is it because of these vaccines that babies receive? The symptoms of autism usually manifest when the child reaches pre-school years around 3 to 4.

Autism is considered a mental illness just like schizophrenia. It is an organic condition in children caused by neurological disorder. Autistics may excel in one or more skills and they barely remember their names.

Somehow, I am convinced that these said disorders can be acquired through medicine, vaccines and other instant food products because of either what some unscrupulous researchers mix and match to come up with results that are immediately released for consumption even without completing the required product screening in the units of research and development or because of accidental procedures that went unnoticed during the process. The toy on the playground is the food chain.

We live with all the advanced technologies, the products of advanced researches, thereby we become robots of advertisements. Our eyes are very wide open. Yes, we can see but we are blind on the way to destruction!

Reasons To Say 'I Don't'

I found this article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer by: Melinda P. Magsino in PDI - Youngblood SectionThursday, July 15, 1999. I found it somewhat satirical so am sharing it to you through this post.


After the month of June when brides and grooms said nothing but "I do," it is time to ponder upon the 25 reasons one should say "I don't":

1. Marriage is not a word. It is a sentence - a life sentence.
2. Marriage is very much like a violin: after the sweet music is over, the strings are attached.
3. Marriage is love, and love is blind. Therefore marriage is an institution for the blind.
4. Marriage is an institution where in a man loses his bachelor's degree and a woman gets her master's.
5. Marriage puts a ring on a man and a woman's finger and two under their eyes.
6. Marriage certificate is just another word for a working permit.
7. Marriage is not having a wife or a husband, but also worries inherited forever.
8. Marriage requires four types of rings: the engagement ring, the wedding ring, suffer-ring and endu-ring.
9. Married life is full of excitement and frustration: in the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens. And in the third, both of them speak and the neighbors listen.
10. If it is true that love is blind, marriage is definitely an eye-opener.
11. Getting married is very much like going to a restaurant with friends; you order what you want, and when you see that the other girls have, you wish you ordered that.
12. It is true that all men are born equal. But some pf them get married and then life becomes unfair.
13. There was this man who muttered a few words in church and found himself divorced.
14. A happy marriage is a matter of giving and taking: the wife gives her all and the husband takes.
15. Son: How much does it take to get married, Dad? Father: I don't know son, I'm still paying for it. Son: Is it true, Dad, that in ancient China, a man doesn't know his wife until he marries her? Father: That happens everywhere son, everywhere.
16. A man who once said, "I never knew what happiness was until I got married - and then it was too late!"
17. Love is one long, sweet dream and marriage is the alarm clock.
18. They say that when a man holds a woman's hand before marriage, it is love, after marriage, it's self-defense.
19. When a newly married man looks happy, we know why. But when a man who is married for more than 10 years, we wonder why he is there.
20. There was this lover who said he would go through hell for her. They got married and now he is there.
21. When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, it is either the car is new or the wife is.
22. If you want your wife to listen and pay attention to every word you say, talk in your sleep.
23. Marriage is like a cage: the birds outside are desperate to get in and those inside are desperate to get out.
24. Love is entirely a matter of Chemistry. You can be treated like toxic waste.
25. Wife: I am an excellent housekeeper. Every time I got divorced, I keep the house.

ISRAEL - The Country In My Dreams

Recalling my secondary years, my teacher in World History once asked us to pinpoint the map of Israel on the globe and describe how it looked like. For almost 20 years since then, that subject kept bringing me to the different maps of countries in the Middle East in search for the shape of the so-called Promised Land.

Since the time I learned how to read the Bible, the Holy Book of the Christian faith, Israel is the country mostly described. It is a country where numerous miracles were recorded both in the Old and New Testaments.

In the World map, Israel represents a tiny strip along the borders of Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Egypt. South is the Red Sea. In other World Map editions, the map of Israel cannot be found. Nevertheless, this tiny country that God promised to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob powerfully exists!

Ten years ago, I applied for a short training course in Horticulture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Rehovot, Israel. Unfortunately however, my qualification wasn't able to compete with that of my co-applicants. There were three of us from Luzon who applied for the course and one each from the Visayas and Mindanao respectively. As far as I knew, there were only two in the Philippines who got the posts for the training course.

I told myself, however, that it is not yet the time to visit the land where the World's Saviour was born in flesh. I glimpsed instead at how Israel looked inside.

I was oriented to many of Israel's historical sites especially the old cities of Jerusalem and Nazareth. I was also introduced to the sites of the Dead Sea, the Dome of the Rock, the possible sites where Jesus Christ prayed in isolation, the possible peak of Mt. Golgotha where the Saviour was crucified and Bethlehem where He was born.

In agriculture, I learned that Israel is one among the biggest exporters of temperate cutflowers, vegetables and fruits in the world. Many wonder how did this tiny desert country turned its arid lands into a flourishing soil? I learned that Israel is until now keeping abreast with technologies in many fields in science. And most, I learned that the people of the land are called Jews or Hebrews who belong to the ancient Semitic people. Towards the middle of 1900, Adolf Hitler of Germany rose into power and tried to eliminate this race from the face of the earth by subjecting them into forced labor and killing 2 million of them either through shootings or gas chambers. God however didn't allow this race to vanish rather He still preserved it. He has reasons to it.

Records show that Israel had been into several struggles and even wars against her neighbors. Israel is a tiny land but wars nor other struggles cannot strip off the country from where it belongs. America even can never equal the wits and power of this desert land. God has still a plan for His people.

Israel is full of miracles!

How Did Israel Become Israel?

The Book of Genesis of the Holy Bible narrates the creation of the earth and everything in it until the time God created man and woman and named them Adam and Eve. It is in this book that describes how sin crept within the first couple and into the human race. Adam and Eve bore two sons, Cain and Abel. Because of sin, jealousy moved Cain to kill his younger brother Abel. In time Adam and Eve bore another son and named him Seth. More sons and daughters however came to the family after the third son.

Seth became the father of Abraham with his other brothers. Abraham begot only one son from his wife Sarah. He named his son Isaac who became the father of Jacob. Aside from his daughters, Jacob bore 12 sons with Joseph the Dreamer as the 11th. It was from Jacob where a community and 12 tribes arose composing now the nation Israel! His 12 sons actually represent the 12 tribes of the Promised Land.

The book of Genesis further tells how God called Israel to nationhood and salvation with the promise of a posterity, a land and a Saviour.

When Joseph, the 11th Son of Jacob was sold to the Egyptians by his brothers, he grew up until he held a respected position in Egypt at the Pharaoh's house. His family back home never knew about it. It was only during the years of plenty and the years of famine that the true identity of Joseph was later revealed to his brothers who went to Egypt to buy food. Jacob then was assured that his 11th son was still alive. With the approval of the Pharaoh and blessings of God, Jacob with his clan and all his possessions moved to Egypt upon the request of Joseph. All those who went to Egypt with Jacob - those who were his direct descendants not counting his son's wives - numbered 66 persons. With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob's family that went to Egypt were 70 in all." (Genesis 46:26-27).

For 430 years, the said number increased into a nation estimated at two million people. During those years, the large number of Hebrews in Egypt became a threat to the leaders who were to become future Pharaohs. These Hebrews then were subjected into slavery. "So they appointed taskmakers over them to afflict them with hard labor." (Exodus 1:11). These were the years when God seemed to be silent to the Jews/Israelites until a liberator was born in the person of Moses. The accounts of Moses and how God used him to free the Israelites from bondage in Egypt is told in Exodus. Although for reasons that God only knows, Moses was never allowed to enter Canaan where God chose to settle down His people. Moses was only allowed to view the place from afar.

It was through Moses when the first direct miracle accounts were encountered by man. It was through him whom God spoke through a burning bush. It was through him whom God used to free the Israelites from slavery to bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey - a land whom He promised to give to the descendants of Araham, Isaac and Jacob.

For 40 years that Moses led the Israelites out from Egypt, they lived from one place to another in the desert. And it was Joshua's (Moses's brother) task to take them back to Canaan - the Promised Land! While in the Promised Land, three kings arose in turn, Saul, David and Solomon. (Note: read the whole book of Exodus to understand the dramatic freedom of the Israelites out from Egypt).

In his book, Leadership That Builds: Leadership Secrets of Nehemiah, Glenn Johnson narrates that when Kings, Saul, David and Solomon arose in the nation of Israel, "it was tragic that the kingdom was divided north from south because Solomon's many wives led him into idolatry. The ten tribes of the North were called Israel. The two in the South were Judah. The division was God's judgment on His people and more judgment followed. The North was carried away by the Assyrians in 722 B. C. Their national existence was over. The South's final activity occurred 587 BC at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, a Babylonian. This began the 75 year Babylonian captivity. In 2 Chronicles 36, it documants what next takes place. The Baylonians slew the young Jews, abused the virgins and stole the worship articles from the temple.

The survivors were chained together and began the long march to Babylon. But with God failure need not be final. He still had for them a purpose and a plan.

Three groups returned from exile often referred to as the "second exodus". In the Book of Ezra 1-6, it records the return of nearly 50,000 under the command of Zerubabbel, about 538 BC. Ezra spearheaded a second group - around 4, 000 who returned eighty years later - 458 BC (Ezra 7-10). Nehemiah's exile came about 444 BC."

God gave Canaan, that is Israel today, to the Jews or Hebrews!

I am not yet fully adept to the history and people of Israel but for some personal reasons, it is my long desire and dream to visit this country in the fututre, God willing!

(Note: the Babylon before is now the country, Iraq).

SAGADA HYMN

Posting here the hymn of my beloved hometown

Beyond those travelled hills of the North

Lies my home all laden with pines

Amidst the soft and silken touch

Of morning mist I lay my prayers before thy shrine
My thanks to Thee my love dressed in green
My paradise unforseen
My thanks to Thee who spawned my life
Sagada, Sagada you'll always be mine

With you I believe
In my life I can live
With you I will share
What I have without care

Isnan ad-adawi ay bilbilig
Isdi nan i-itaw tet-ewa
Kaneg isnan kankanaenda ay Shangrila
Menlowalowak ken sik-a
Madaydayaw ka'y Ili, natalna
Umeyak ay m'id egyat na
Salamat 'snan Diyos ay nanapo
'Snan Sagada, Sagada kokowak enggana

Ken sik-a mamatiyak
Isnan biag matagowak
Ken sik-a makibingayak
M'id balina isnan kowak
(Repeat first stanza)

My Shangrila

Everytime I go home to my hometown, I always feel sorry both for myself and for my very own dear Shangrila. Considering the other side of the coin though I am not against social and economic development because this is what every society direly seek for. I cannot only help but fear for the consequences of this rapid effect of keeping abreast with advanced technologies correlated to the social and economic status of the town.

I was born from a poor family so I never tasted how it was to sleep in a very cozy bedroom all by myself in a big, big house. I used used to sleep on the wooden floor with my siblings on a mat. The family also used to eat meals squatting on the floor sometimes with spoons and forks but most of the time only with bare hands.

During my school years, I went through several struggles just so I can meet both ends and earn a degree. I am not the only one who had a life like this especially in the region where I came from. What I want to emphasize is, this is how poor my hometown used to be 20-25 years ago.

My hometown had been a tourist spot for so long and only occasionally visited by foreign adventurers. I can still barely remember when I was in grade 1 back in 1978 when I used to meet on my way to school, although occasionally, foreign tourists. As kids we called these tourists, "puraw" or "pulaw" in the local dialect which means white. We always wondered where these kinds of people with unusual sizes of noses and with blonde hair come from and why do they come to Sagada, my birthplace. We were once told that they were Americans but we learned later that not all of those white people were such but people from everywhere around the globe.

Most of those foreign tourists who until now frequent the Shangrilaism of Sagada are the Kibbutz - Israelites, Canadians, Irish, Swiss, Germans, Australians, Italians and of course the Americans.

It was only around 10 years ago that local tourists (Filipinos) started filling the inns and cafes of the town particularly on Lenten seasons. To this date, whenever I visit home I see several new faces roam the town who are not from the locality. They are Filipinos of course - local tourists who frequent every scenic spot of the town. This situation alarms me most, because I know, Filipinos have no discipline when it comes to proper disposal of trash. Every place they visit, they leave sorts of trash!

Just a couple of weeks ago, I accompanied some acquaintances to Sumaguing Cave, the most frequented place in the town these days. I felt ashamed of myself when I saw how the cave looks these days.

I first entered the cave when I was in Grade four and I can still remember some spots that were so intact and so clear. The map of the cave itself found just after the entrance which is used to guide visitors inside was so clear; the pigpen was half-full of crystal clear water; the rice granary looked like one amidst the flowing clear water; the entrance was knee-full of guano, bats' dirt, and it smelled awful; the thick black bats that were once so noisy above the walls of the cave with their eyes glittering against searchlights; the king and queen's curtains that really looked like curtains while clear water flowed over them and the intact stalagmites and stalactites.

The second time I visited this cave again was after 10 years. It seemed it had no great difference since the time I first entered it except the bats that seemed to have been 50% gone so that their guano was just around ankle-deep. During the following years of visit around 2-3 years interval, when local tourists started pouring in into the town, I saw the effects of exploitation particularly on nature.

My fear before became worse when upon my recent visit, I saw cigarette butts and used match sticks all over the entrance of the cave including candy wrappers, tissue paper and some sorts were somehow irresponsibly scattered around. The bats and guano were gone. Only few bats greeted us when we entered their haven. Names and other signs were written on the walls, some with charcoal. The water inside became dull when it used to be crystal clear. The most shocking sight was when a shop intended for business was built just opposite the steps going down the entrance. It offered washrooms and other basic needs after getting tired. My heart broke when I realized how greedy and opportunistic human beings become given a chance. The cave that Mother Nature gave to enjoy became a means of livelihood. I don't want though to entertain arguments that it's only the owner's way of having a livelihood! ---- My! I know the status of the name in town who owns the lot.

For six years past I had no chances to roam the stretch of the town whenever I went home for short visits, not until this recent one. I was stunned to see several souvenir shops mostly selling woven materials all over the town. I knew only of one weaving center in Sagada that monopolized the business for long, long years before I was born. I myself guarantee that their woven materials are of high quality prompting the owner to stick to a price that is not easily availed.

Today, several woven designs are all throughout the town. I bought one small item from one shop. It's cheaper than the usual price of the original weaving center. I can compare the difference. Next I bought another small woven item from the original weaving center. The material they are using now is not as durable as what they used years before.

To name some that I saw in these shops were: home made wine from: mulberry, mountain blue berry, bignay and rice wine; artificially made-antique old man's cane, arrow and shield ("kalasag") that our forefathers used during tribal wars; war axes; woven rattan tribal caps; postcards with several sceneries including postcards of pinetrees; T-shirts with imprinted SAGADA or any figure depicting the cultures of the townspeople.

Sagada is now busy stripping herself and busy selling all her limbs.

I know of one foreign tourist who got attracted to the town and opted to stay in the place for the rest of his life. He stripped the town of it's clothing and sold it in dollars abroad. How did he do it? He made video CD's by capturing all corners of the town that he found attractive; he was a painter, so he made several beautiful paintings; he was a potter, so he made several items made of Sagada clay --- all of these fetched him a good man's gain! I doubt if all the Sagadians know about this and if it's proper in their culture --- where is Shangrilaism?

Development and keeping abreast with the current trends in life is not bad. Certain aspects though need not to be sacrificed!

As we walked through the town, I was awed by the big and newly built western-styled houses and commercial buildings! Everytime I see new one, I asked myself if how and where did the owner acquire sums of money to build a mansion-like house. I know that to build a fully furnished big 3 to 4 storey commercial building would cost about a million or more of Philippine currency.

Since almost all the tourists who visit Sagada are foreigners, they always demand for internet cafes and it is so! All the inns and resthouses have internet connections. The resthouse where I checked in my friends had two units fully operating a 24 hour internet connection! Wow! Nothing is hidden now a days...!

I am also a romanticist as compared to a classicist. How I wished that the rice terraces and the once dense pine trees along the road to my home would stay as is. It's just a wish however because, mansion-type houses rapidly pop-up along the way in exchange of what I dreamed of to be. My companions always reiterated that people in my hometown are not classified as poor as what I had introduced to them. Well, I can't argue anymore because I myself cannot personally also assess how did these fine buildings were built in just a span of around 5 years.

I would just wish and keep on wishing TO REALITY that the sacredness of my dear Shangrila will remain even if life goes high tech as they say....!!!!!!

To Say Goodbye

How many times in your life did you ever say 'goodbye' to special people and special places? How many times did you feel bad by the effect of this word? And have you ever wondered why do we have to say goodbye to our dear ones when time commands us to?

One Sunday morning in church, I pondered on the preaching regarding comfort zones in life. We need these zones of course in our daily well being. Besides it's always what we aim in life to be comfortable with people including our loved ones and the environment where we stay. The preacher said, "But we must always be on guard because these comfort zones where our lives revolve may either improve us or downgrade our images."

Leaving a comfort zone is depressing, yes, but one should not allow himself to wallow down into it. This is a lesson I've learned through the years. There are reasons why we should also say goodbye to such situations.

A day after my comprehensive examination ( a requirement before qualifying for a degree in a Graduate Study in most state universities in the Philippines), I slowly arranged my books and other things, packed some and cleaned my room. I suddenly realized that I was leaving the residence hall where I lived for two and a half years. Those five semesters in the University of the Philippines Los Baños that my agency allowed me to spend was finally over. And I spent it only in finishing my academics exclusive of the time I will soon spend for thesis! I had no other option but to write a letter requesting the chair of the Faculty and Staff Development Program of my University to grant me another one semester extension of my study leave and start my thesis. I was however elated after I learned that my request was approved after several board meetings and signatures although specified on Official Time. I was so thankful of this privilege.

The date that I set to leave the residence hall came. It was a Fiday evening. I took a deep breath, glanced over once more at that moment the unlighted reading room where I spent almost my last four semesters grueling with my subjects even until the wee hours. I sat on the benches in front of the hall and quietly watched some of my co-residents come in and out of the main door with some either leaving their smiles or bidding me goodbye.

I was somewhat happy and at the same time pathetic ---- a feeling I can't understand ----- a feeling of bidding goodbye!

Nevertheless, I found myself back in my agency five days after that evening. And the very first day, I visited my 'might-be' new supervisor and had a short chat. She offered me a room where I can use for the laboratory part of my thesis. Immediately, I started working my way because I needed to keep abreast with time. I found out that I am in the real world again of being a government employee collecting all whatever available resources so I can proceed with my work. My Institute is not a 'well-fed' agency thus requests for supplies are mostly nil!

As I began my work that day, my mind became so restless in between several minutes so that I was frequently fetched back infront of people/friends I talked, laughed and exchanged jokes with.

I was both physically and mentally so active during the past two weeks so that my mind have gotten used to it thereby affecting my transition pace including the fact that part of my being has not yet fully accepted to get back to my workplace affecting my behaviour.

I'm deeply longing to stay at UPLB where my comfort zones were again recently established. This is a pre-depression stage but I must face reality and not allow myself into such emotional instability. Instead I thank my God for caring for me and my family and for all His provisions all through those years I stayed in the said university. I thank Him also for giving me such wonderful people who had been my other source of encouragements and inspirations to hang on to life. I will treasure them in my heart forever. PTL forever......

The Power of Encouragement - Part II

Ate Lilia (5/29/2007: 05:26:23 AM): “The power of God within you, is greater than the pressures around u.” Good a.m., God bless your compre. Enjoy it with His presence.

Ate Lilia (5/29/2007: 05:31:06 AM): I will be praying for you. Itext mo c Mam Tess ng maaga kasi minsan nakakalimutan niya and sked, kwentuhan mo ako after ha?

Kathy (5/29/2007: 07:00:57 AM): Good luck and God bless on your compre

Kathy (5/29/2007: 07:02:27 AM): That’s normal. Pray ka lang. I know u can do it.

Ma'm Tess (5/29/2007: 08:10:11 AM): Good luck and God bless!

Kyin-kyin Win (5/29/2007: 07:28:27 AM): Good luck for your compre exam

Kyin-kyin Win (5/29/2007: 08:34:05 AM):Don’t worry u will pass. I pray 4 u.

Ate Mabel (5/29/2007: 09:48:57 AM): Good luck and God bless sa compre mo

Chari (5/29/2007:09:38:29 AM): Ate, I prayed for ur compre today! God bless po!

My comprehensive exam started at exactly 9:00 a.m. and ended at 11:15 a.m. I was really roasted as I expected it to be. I knew very well that many were praying for me during those hours.

Then I felt my legs strained and guessed if it was already 12 noon.

Finally, my adviser requested me, as the usual ritual of an oral exam, to leave the panel for awhile for the final decision. Immediately I went to the Reading room of the Agronomy Dept. in search of a wall clock. The clock told me it was 11:15 a.m. That was how long I stood in front of my panelists!!! I was called back in after around 3 minutes and was announced that I passed the exam. Handshakes and congratulations followed after for which I realized the exam was a reality and not just a dream. This feeling was the worst that I've gone through in all my academic examinations.

Carrying the empty paper bag to which I earlier brought with me the drinks of my panelists, I walked out of the Agronomy Building feeling happy but so exhausted. I wanted to scream because another heavy load in pursuing my degree was relieved. As soon as I reached my quarters, I composed a long thank you message and sent it to all who had been so caring to me. After which I again harvested many, many congratulation messages. At mid-afternoon I called some long distance friends to thank them for their concerns and thoughtfulness.

To God be all the glory and praises!

Until now, I am still receiving greetings of congratulations. I do treasure all these encouragements…. To all of you: Thank you very much!

The Power of Encouragement - Part I

It's now exactly 12 hours before my general comprehensive examination tomorrow, May 29th,will start. This exam will determine if I will qualify further for the degree in MS Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna.

Earlier this day, I received 'good luck and God bless' messages either as greetings or text messages from my dorm mates and friends then gave them the usual 'thank you' welcome answers. It was later this evening when I realized the sincerity of friends who really cared to send me messages of blessings. It was also the time when I realized that the power of encouragement was really pouring over me. When I received a missed call and a message early this evening from someone close to my life, I was expecting it to be a message of blessing. But it was a message of Discouragement, the tool that Satan uses to harvest victims into his fold. The message was just one word but it meant a lot. It immediately devastated my flow of thinking that very minute I received it. I was stunned and got so quiet for a moment but then the Lord calmly reminded me to stay cool and just meditate upon His promises which instantly brought back peace and understanding in my spirit. Then after a minute or two, I received again a text message but it was from an unexpected person who had been a source of encouragement since the time I entered UPLB. The messages gradually neutralized my feelings that moment afterwhich I gave back sincere thank you's after her pieces of advice that came one from another.

From my room I went in front of the residence hall where I lived and met the coolness of the evening after the late afternoon rain. It smelled of fresh earth and greens that was preparing the birth of this year's month of June. The evening surrounding helped me overcome the ruined mood that I earlier had because of that wrecking message.

It was also this time that I recalled how golden were the seconds, minutes and even hours that concerned dear friends had spent to tell me how they really cared for me through their words of encouragements that they either verbally told me along the way wherever I met them or through their yahoo messengers or through text messages. Some even were so thoughtful to call from long distances just to say 'keep going'; 'God bless you'; 'just relax' and 'you can do it!'

I slowed down for a moment and recalled since yesterday all those precious people who sent me encouragements particularly for my exam tomorrow. Ate Bing, my former dorm mate, treated me for a 'halo-halo' break at Chowking-Vega around 2:00 this afternoon as well as prayed for me and my exam. It was unusual for her to give me favors like this but I still thanked her for her sincerity and kindness.

I tried to recall all those whom I met during the last 36 hours who gave me handshakes, smiles and greetings of blessings. The following are some of the encouraging messages that I was able to archive from my YM and mobile inbox:

Vijay (5/27/2007 2:29:40 PM): good luck Yoli

Vijay (5/27/2007 2:32:04 PM): nothing will happen.... they will try to prove that u don't know anything but u must be firm with ur answers..

Vijay (5/27/2007 2:35:53 PM): what is the time of compre?

Vijay (5/27/2007 3:36:19 PM): .. and just relax on ur exam

Vijay (5/27/2007 3:36:24 PM): GOD BLESS U

Ate Bing (5/28/2007 10:00:00 AM): God bless sa compre mo tomorrow

Ate Angie (5/28/2007 19:10:29 PM): God bless and good luck sa compre

Ate Angie (5/28/2007 19:12:51 PM): Pag ninerbyos meaning prepared! Just give your best kick!

Ate Angie (5/28/2007 19:16:20 PM): That's true! Tulog ka na. Hwag ka na magreview para relaxed mind mo. Sleep and meditate ka tomorrow early morning.

Sisaphaithong Thongkoun (5/28/2007 20:07:11 PM): Hey..I know u can do it tomorrow. Good luck and don't be too serious.

The words of these caring people helped me brace myself and put on more confidence to face my panelists tomorrow.

I can't give back any other things to them only my sincere thanks and prayers for them.

I thank the Lord for giving me these caring people as well as those who constantly downgrade my image - they strengthen my faith in my Lord God and Creator!

I also give thanks to all those who are praying for me.... Praise the Lord!

The Philippines opts for biodiesel

by Imelda V. Abaño, 10 May 2007, Source: SciDev.Net

The Philippine government has implemented laws requiring the use of coconut-blended biodiesel this week (6 May).

The Philippine biofuels act mandates all oil firms to blend one per cent coco-methyl ester in their diesel products. The act also requires the addition of at least five per cent ethanol in other gasoline products by 2008, increasing to ten per cent by 2010.

Raphael Lotilla, the Philippine's Energy Secretary, said that the government hopes to decrease the amount of fossil fuels imported into the Philippines.

The biofuel law will offset 70 million litres of diesel — out of the seven billion litres used every year — and will save the country at least US$167 million annually in foreign exchange, he said.

The move by the Philippines came just days before the publication of a report by UN Energy (9 May), which states that adopting biofuels could impact negatively on people's livelihoods and the environment, especially on the biodiversity of plants and animals.

Professor Sandy Gauntlet, Asia program coordinator of the forest-protection organisation Global Forest Coalition (GFC), said that increased biofuel production will ultimately destroy the few remaining forests of the world by converting them into plantations.

She said biofuel farming was becoming the main cause of deforestation in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil.

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) plan to develop 740,000 acres of land to meet the demand for coco diesel.

PCA Administrator Oscar Garin said the Philippines would need at least 70 million litres of coco biodiesel to comply with the biofuels act.

Armando Galvez, one of the estimated 3.5 million coconut farmers in the Philippines, is worried about the massive destruction of forests that could occur when farmers rush to meet the biofuel demand.

"Farmers will now be competing with each other because of the government's demand on us to produce more coconut for biodiesel," Armando told SciDev.Net

Galvez also fears the local population will suffer from a scarcity of food in the future.

"There will be more coconut farmers now. Others might stop producing food crops for the local population and as a result, prices of basic commodities and food staples could soar. That would be devastating," he said.

Election 2007 Trailers and Thrillers

During the Campaign: Itanim si Pichay sa Senado!

After the Elections: Summer kasi eh kaya nalanta na siya; Hindi kasi nadiligan eh kaya ayun, nalanta tuloy!; Ang ginawa naman kasi ng mga taga-Baguio sa kanya ay ibinitin sa mga kahoy-kahoy hehehehe kaya siyempre malalanta 'yan!; Paano ba tutubo ang Pichay sa Senado eh puro semento kaya dyan!

During the Campaign: Pacquiao tayo!

After the Elections: Gusto kasing i-pakyaw lahat ng kagalingan eh, bumulagta tuloy! Mabuti nga at sa GenSan siya bumulagta hindi sa ring!
During the Campaign: Angara ng buhay!

After the Elections: Well, Edgardo Angara won.

After the Elections:

• 153 dead - Peaceful Elections?

• What does the Trillanes-Honasan vote mean?

• Alfredo Lim wins a landslide vote as Manila City mayor over his opponent son of the incumbent mayor Atienza!

• Maguindanao releases a 12-0 election result in the senatorial race with Chavit Singson leading - a big question mark! Did election in the province really happened?

• Jejomar Binay wins as Makati City mayor, son wins as congressman, daughter wins as city councilor!

• Two teachers died after an elementary school in Batangas was burned during the canvassing!

• 8-2-2 still leads in polls - What does this mean?

• Kulang pala sa arte sina Cesar Montano at Richard Gomez!

• Malamang magkakaroon ng coup de etat sa Malacañang! (Huwag naman sana!).

April Fool

As I was trying to compose myself once again for my comprehensive review after three days of idleness brought about by the 35th commencement exercise of UPLB, I couldn't avoid but reminisce the days exactly one year ago when I was at the same summer event. I recalled the mountain gimmicks with dear friends who graduated in the same year and some who graduated just yesterday.

The following is a story I composed last year just after our group went to fool Mt. Marami but only to find out that we were the ones fooled! It was earlier posted in Alkin's website to which I am sharing again in here as:

‘Twas again the end of the 2^nd semester SY 2005-2006 – gimmick! Days and weeks of exhausting reports, term papers and exams needed awhile away from it.

Target gimmick place? In Mt. Marami somewhere in the Magallanes-Maragondon boundary in Cavite.

It was April Fool’s Day and nobody in the group seemed to notice it. As usual, we left the IH in the afternoon of that day. We were seven (7) and to name: Veronica “Vero”, Jessie, Alquin, Vijay, Michelle and Jenny (from IH who joined the group for the first time) and me.

Just like our weekend gimmick to Majayjay 3 weeks ago, when we claimed to be all set but our dig cam was not fully charged so we only had few pictures of the place.

Now, for this particular climb, we were also prepared for the best. We were prepared of course because we were able to reach the peak safe and sound at around 10:30 in the night. It was a night trek to the top with a hired guide pa! So, talagang well prepared kami!

Upon reaching the top, of course all were so weary and so hungry and so thirsty so that we were also quick to spot a place to settle down and cook dinner. All of a sudden, a kilo maybe or more of rice grains were all shouting to be cooked! Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend me your ears… here at the peak of Mt. Marami, can you hear them? From where are those grains shouting? At either Alquin’s or Vijay’s room back in IH!!! So, what??? Riceless dinner???!!!! Of course!!! ‘Imagine all the people ….’ is all what I can only remember of the song!

Our dig cam kept on displaying, ‘batteries depleted’ and our cooking pots shouted, ‘rice forgotten!’

I just sat down and traced each move of Jessie and tried to figure out if he and these other guys were fooling the girls. I was still waiting for them to tell us that they were just kidding but it seems that Jessie was serious. I then asked for the loaf and peanut butter that one of the guys carried but it was also nowhere to be found. I don’t know where it went; maybe back also to the “land of loaves!” We found out the following day that it had also been shouting overnight because it was left from where we took our last stop of rest.

Let me name our meal that night: 4 packs of pancit canton with calamansi and 2 egg noodles (in the usual package size), 4 small - sized canned goods, 2 small sachets of mayonnaise and 150? gms 3 in 1 ovaltine powder that Vijay and I bought at the Walter Mart in Calamba and to which I was able to carry in my backpack. That was it and nabusog naman po kami!

While preparing the noodles and coffee mix, the atmosphere suddenly became a shooting for a movie. I can’t only discern though if it was to be categorized as drama or comedy. (It’s still for nomination either for Famas or Oscar Awards). Who was/were the main actor/s? Ask the rocks in Mt. Marami. Marami silang alam better than we do.

Anyway, we still found ourselves to have enjoyed the climb. After our late riceless dinner, we spent some moments watching city lights from afar and shooting stars from above. No wishes however, were counted. Bakit kaya?

I became somewhat stupid that moment so that when I saw the blinking lights of an airplane, I made it a shooting star! It’s not common for me to make wishes upon a star, especially upon a shooting star so I don’t say anything upon seeing one except a tailed waaahhhhh… Of course, Vijay and Jessie who were beside me laughed at my shooting star!!!! Heh, inggit lang kayo! “Vero, why are you quiet there?” “Alquin, be careful! One mistake and you will roll down the slope.” Jenny became deaf. She was so engrossed with her music of the night in her MP3!

Around 2:30 in the early morning, that was Sunday na, we went back to our tents and joined Michelle who was already in Disneyland. (She was left in the tent when we passed time at the peak).

The following day, we continued the “shooting” with many pairs of batteries from Michelle’s backpack pocket and kahit papaano e, we were able to produce good pictures enough to tell that we were once at the peak of Mt. Marami. Supported naman with Jenny’s still camera - soooo… prepared kami talaga! ‘di ba?

Enjoyed the morning then had to pack again and hike back. I led the way down until our last stop the night before and found the “lost loaf bread and peanut butter” of Mt. Marami, still on its place. 'Twas good there were no roaming horses or cows during the night, kung hindi e wala na kaming pangbreakfast with the left-over na 3 in 1 ovaltine.

At nearly 11:00 in the morning, we reached the jump-off point at baranggay Ramirez in Magallanes. (please check). Prepared our lunch with the assistance of the Punong Baranggay. At last kakain na kami uli ng ‘rice.’ Ulam? A kilo or more of fish and cubed Indian mangoes, eh, green mangoes pala, tomatoes, onions and savored with salt. Wow sarap!

The group reached back IH at 4:00 in the afternoon. Call it a break!

(Mt. Marami has a rocky peak and stands at 840 masl according to a data from the internet that the group downloaded. A few meters before the peak are vine-like bamboos somewhat thick along the way. Slash and burn farming is so evident in most faces of the lower peaks. Some grassy areas get burned and this has something to do with grazing when rain comes.

A deep hole is found somewhere at one of the edges of the peak and is so dangerous especially at nighttime.

A night trek or bleak day trek is better since it’s deadly hot to hike during the day).

Porch Monkeys!

The day I went for a hike with some of my dorm mates to NACP, Ryan and I went a bit ahead of our companions while digging up and forming if not recalling stories of any topic under the sun. Finally, our conversation crossed the monkey world but avoided the issues of a monkey as either a man's look alike or what science claims as where man evolved from. (What is the difference of a monkey and an ape?) Instead our stories revolved around a different corner of the monkey world.

This conversation brought me back to the days when I was about 4 or 5 years old when I can remember myself always nagging my mother to repeat a monkey story that I earlier heard from her. It may had always been a boring time for her to tell the whole story over and over while I enjoyed listening to it! It was about a turtle and a monkey who finally decided to divide a banana plant into two so each one can plant and take care of his own. By ruling his power, the monkey chose and grabbed the half of the banana with the leaves intact because he thought that it would grow faster for sure than the other half which was just a stalk without any leaves! It had no leaves but it had roots intact which was left for the turtle to plant.

Ryan and I reached a place further uphill where we spotted a horse and a couple with two kids sitting down for a rest beside the road. He said that we are approaching some "porch monkeys." "What? Porch monkeys?," I repeated quizically. I accept I am so poor in vocabulary and to add to this it was really my first time to hear the phrase. He explained that monkeys are also called as such because it is one of their characteristics to sit down (on their porch) and stare to passers-by. "Why is it that monkeys are accused of this manner? Don't human beings also do it?", I kinda asked him. "What if we also get tired an hour later and take a rest by sitting down beside this road and if someone passes by, will we not also look at him?" (As I was typing this blogstory I just don't know why I immediately used the word look and not stare. I immediately felt indifferent when I was about to type the word stare, of me as one of those being described. This means then that I don't accept that I'm like a monkey and that I didn't come from the monkey because I don't possess the characteristic... lol!) People I know all over the world whatever race they maybe have this typical activity tough. During an idle part of the day it is always refreshing to stay on the porch of the house with any of the family member, visitor or anyone from the neighborhood for a chat. And if the house happens to be beside a road then these people having a chat on the porch cannot avoid to look at those passers-by. This is why the phrase "porch monkey" had to grope its way to Ryan's vocabulary.

Then I recalled my first days at the residence hall where I now stay. Some of the older residents used to gather on the benches in front of it just to let time pass by especially during blackouts. "I may had been one of the topics when I happened to pass by these people before because I was a new face by then! I should have called them porch monkeys have I heard of it and you were one of them," I told Ryan.

Then I remembered my friend who always mused about the word busy, so that I always got careful in using it. He said that there's an opposite meaning of the word. "It is what monkeys do everyday!" he always laughingly told me before. Again the real monkeys are accused without their knowledge of it at all! Monkeys are compared to individuals who say that they are so busy even if they are just sitting down and chatting making noise and even hop from one workplace to another but at the end of the day nothing new is accomplished! If not, a work was done but an an illegal one! It is well known that this was how the famous "monkey business" was coined and had even harbored numerous stories.

Poor monkeys who are always the center of man's foolishness and stupid stories! But are they really the ones stupid? Obviously their "world" is not the human world! Monkeys cannot only think and talk rationally like humans so that they cannot write to tell their stories about their despiser's, cannot post on blogs, cannot send messages in YM's, e-mails and friendsters...! lol!