Read an interesting article in TIME magazine about the scientists who are into bio synthetics. These guys are able to produce components of living organisms and alter them to create new ones. The article cites that the proponents of this movement talk about their work as casually as if they were just producing machines.
If these "scientists" could have their way,they would be able to create the "perfect species" (e.g. a perfect boy or girl) free of any genetic defects because they can alter DNA structures according to any design they want.
Of course, there are opponents to this movement. Those who object to biogenetic reengineering have as their premise the belief that God has already created a perfect world that can produce all that there is needed to be produced.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
BIZARRE SEX:HAVING DINNER WHILE HAVING SEX!
Nat Geo's WILD SEX last Saturday showed a segment about the way Mantids have sex. The smaller male has to slowly and carefully approach the larger female because mantids are sensitive to movement. Any sudden movement and he may be mistaken for lunch!
Once he is close enough to make his intentions known he must find a way to mount her and escape being eaten alive. Usually, males try to find their way behind the female. But this segment showed a male trying the missionary position...with deadly results.
As soon as it was face to face with its potential mate,the female started eating him,starting with his eyes. The narrator tried to put some levity to this grotesque scene by calling it a literally "blind date."
The mantids nerve structure are so designed that even if one body part is severed the others continue to function. In this case, while the female was making a meal of the male's head (...hmmm...a new meaning to the term " giving head," :-) ) the male's drive for sexual satisfaction kept its genitals looking for the female's until it was able to consumate the sex act!
When this was over,the headless male walked away (to die later) while the female cleaned itself after heaving supped....while having sex!
(Hmmm...This can be a plot for one of these adult fantasy magazines!)
Once he is close enough to make his intentions known he must find a way to mount her and escape being eaten alive. Usually, males try to find their way behind the female. But this segment showed a male trying the missionary position...with deadly results.
As soon as it was face to face with its potential mate,the female started eating him,starting with his eyes. The narrator tried to put some levity to this grotesque scene by calling it a literally "blind date."
The mantids nerve structure are so designed that even if one body part is severed the others continue to function. In this case, while the female was making a meal of the male's head (...hmmm...a new meaning to the term " giving head," :-) ) the male's drive for sexual satisfaction kept its genitals looking for the female's until it was able to consumate the sex act!
When this was over,the headless male walked away (to die later) while the female cleaned itself after heaving supped....while having sex!
(Hmmm...This can be a plot for one of these adult fantasy magazines!)
Sunday, June 03, 2007
KOREA'S STATE OF "ONE MIND"
Saw an interesting feature on Nat Geo yesterday morning. It featured a young rhythmic gymnast from North Korea who had participated and performed in the country's Mass Games before the communist state's revered leader Kim Il Sung.
What really got me was how the Korean leaders were able to "brainwash" and convince North Koreans that the key to their success as a nation was for each one to lose their individuality in favor of the common good.
And in fact the North Koreans lived this belief. The Mass games is a good example of this communality in action. The show of talent which is really a performance of many thousands of athletes in a coordinated script is a marvel to see. Even the audience performs by flashing cards of different colors to form pictures of Korean figureheads and propaganda themes.
The gymnast,whose name I can't recall, said in her interview that being a performer in the Mass Games is tough but she "trains through the pain" because for her performing before the General is a great privelege and one which she considers a highlight of her life.
Part of North Korea's success in communicating propaganda is attributed to the fact that it has only one government controlled TV station that broadcasts only communist propaganda and stories of North Korea's many heroes, who are supposed to be idolized by the people.
Though one might criticize their methods of achieving their means one cannot doubt that North Korea's State of "One Mind" is nonetheless,effective!
What really got me was how the Korean leaders were able to "brainwash" and convince North Koreans that the key to their success as a nation was for each one to lose their individuality in favor of the common good.
And in fact the North Koreans lived this belief. The Mass games is a good example of this communality in action. The show of talent which is really a performance of many thousands of athletes in a coordinated script is a marvel to see. Even the audience performs by flashing cards of different colors to form pictures of Korean figureheads and propaganda themes.
The gymnast,whose name I can't recall, said in her interview that being a performer in the Mass Games is tough but she "trains through the pain" because for her performing before the General is a great privelege and one which she considers a highlight of her life.
Part of North Korea's success in communicating propaganda is attributed to the fact that it has only one government controlled TV station that broadcasts only communist propaganda and stories of North Korea's many heroes, who are supposed to be idolized by the people.
Though one might criticize their methods of achieving their means one cannot doubt that North Korea's State of "One Mind" is nonetheless,effective!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
TWO YEARS OF BLOGGING!
I just realized that I've been into blogging for two years now! My first entry was about my attempt at do-it -yourself plumbing,where I learned that plumbing is not so easy!
When I checked my archives,there was only 1 month (December,2005) that I didn't post anything. This in itself is an achievement!
Out of curiosity I checked the other blog sites I used to visit,in particular that of Christa's "Girl In Progress." I found out she had also stopped blogging for a while then resumed again because she hasn't had much progress in her lovelife!
I did however, get an idea from her on how to keep life interesting.
She made this resolution for 2007 to do something new every month,whether it is to go a new adventure,visit a new museum or try out a new restaurant! (This is similar to something I read in ETR about doing something new EVERYDAY!)
Maybe I ought to do that! I've made lists of things I have wanted to do but have not put a time line to them. So,just to start the ball rolling:
1. Eat in Sakae San
2. Have a regular dine out with my two dine-out buddies at a different resto every month.
3. Try a new bottle of wine every month.
4. Create a new comic/toon strip every month.
5. Start the vermiculture business in July
6. Learn the songs: "Satisfaction,""Black Magic Woman,""Stairway to Heaven,""Butterfly Kisses"
7. Cooked or baked a new recipe every month. (Sunday dinners)
8. Posted an original artwork in any of my blogs.
9. Done something wild within the next 6 months. (e.g. Throw out a lot of old things. Sport a new look)
10. Painted a mural
When I checked my archives,there was only 1 month (December,2005) that I didn't post anything. This in itself is an achievement!
Out of curiosity I checked the other blog sites I used to visit,in particular that of Christa's "Girl In Progress." I found out she had also stopped blogging for a while then resumed again because she hasn't had much progress in her lovelife!
I did however, get an idea from her on how to keep life interesting.
She made this resolution for 2007 to do something new every month,whether it is to go a new adventure,visit a new museum or try out a new restaurant! (This is similar to something I read in ETR about doing something new EVERYDAY!)
Maybe I ought to do that! I've made lists of things I have wanted to do but have not put a time line to them. So,just to start the ball rolling:
1. Eat in Sakae San
2. Have a regular dine out with my two dine-out buddies at a different resto every month.
3. Try a new bottle of wine every month.
4. Create a new comic/toon strip every month.
5. Start the vermiculture business in July
6. Learn the songs: "Satisfaction,""Black Magic Woman,""Stairway to Heaven,""Butterfly Kisses"
7. Cooked or baked a new recipe every month. (Sunday dinners)
8. Posted an original artwork in any of my blogs.
9. Done something wild within the next 6 months. (e.g. Throw out a lot of old things. Sport a new look)
10. Painted a mural
Thursday, May 17, 2007
THE WRITE STUFF...IT'S IN OUR GENES!
I stumbled across my son TJ's Blog,(The Ramblings of A Still Invisible Man) which is a journal of his struggles as a boy turning into a man...or should I say a "lost" boy trying to figure things out for himself...and I should say, I am impressed with his writing! Too bad he thinks he does not have any "special skill" he can be proud of..it's right there in front of him! He actually gets comments from his "fans," friends who actually read his stuff and commiserate with him. It's like they see their own struggles expressed in his blogs.
While reading through his "emo stuff," I saw a link to his cousin Bruce's blog and when I click on it I am blown by the look of his site and his postings. No wonder TJ keeps on ranting about wanting to draw original art...Bruce has some of it in his blog and they're "kewl!" His writing style is different. Short,frank and brutal at times but always interesting. He also has a following among his peers.
While navigating around Bruce's blog I see "frootjoos," my niece Orange's blog and so I pay a visit and get updated with what's happening to her back in LA.
Before I know it my whole afternoon's been absorbed with reading the kids' blogs, finding out more about them...( than I would get from asking them the usual parent question:"So how are things with you?" and getting the usual "OK lang!")...and telling myself "Man,we do come from a family of writers!"
Yep, we the Mendoza's have got the "Write Stuff."
While reading through his "emo stuff," I saw a link to his cousin Bruce's blog and when I click on it I am blown by the look of his site and his postings. No wonder TJ keeps on ranting about wanting to draw original art...Bruce has some of it in his blog and they're "kewl!" His writing style is different. Short,frank and brutal at times but always interesting. He also has a following among his peers.
While navigating around Bruce's blog I see "frootjoos," my niece Orange's blog and so I pay a visit and get updated with what's happening to her back in LA.
Before I know it my whole afternoon's been absorbed with reading the kids' blogs, finding out more about them...( than I would get from asking them the usual parent question:"So how are things with you?" and getting the usual "OK lang!")...and telling myself "Man,we do come from a family of writers!"
Yep, we the Mendoza's have got the "Write Stuff."
Sunday, April 29, 2007
WATCHING THE HURRICANE & WONDERING WHO'S TELLING THE TRUTH
I watched a movie last night about Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter, a very long but inspiring movie about the black welterweight boxer (portrayed by Denzel Washington,) who was allegedly wrongly convicted of murder and had to serve 22 years in prison before being set free by a federal court.
I say "alleged" because after watching the film I searched the internet for more details about Carter's case and lo and behold I come across at least two websites claiming that Rubin Carter was really guilty of the crime,and that the movie was full of inaccuracies.
This leads me to a concern I have about how media handles the truth. If the producers of the movie were aware of the inaccuracies but went ahead and showed it to the public (to make money) then, isn't this being irresponsible? Whom will the public believe?
I know that Hollywood exaggerates a lot of what it shows in movies to make a film sell more but at least it must base its premise on truth.
I shudder at the thought that my all time favorite stations, National Geographic & Discovery Channel, would go to the extent of bending the truth too much in order to get more advertising money!
I say "alleged" because after watching the film I searched the internet for more details about Carter's case and lo and behold I come across at least two websites claiming that Rubin Carter was really guilty of the crime,and that the movie was full of inaccuracies.
This leads me to a concern I have about how media handles the truth. If the producers of the movie were aware of the inaccuracies but went ahead and showed it to the public (to make money) then, isn't this being irresponsible? Whom will the public believe?
I know that Hollywood exaggerates a lot of what it shows in movies to make a film sell more but at least it must base its premise on truth.
I shudder at the thought that my all time favorite stations, National Geographic & Discovery Channel, would go to the extent of bending the truth too much in order to get more advertising money!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
FINALLY...I KNOW WHAT GOLF IS ALL ABOUT
I went to the Kagitingan driving range last night to practice in preparation for our golf get together on Friday. After not having touched my clubs for more than a year,I felt awkward and concerned that rather than help me, the practice might even make things worse.
But after I went through the basics and started hitting the ball well, I started gaining more confidence. Then I had an insight.
I often heard golf commentators talk of how well-balanced great golfers were after they hit the ball. So I worked on setting up properly and aiming for balance whenever I hit the ball.
Voila! I struck the balls more squarely.
Then I focused on slowing down my takeaway and finishing my backswing so I was in good balance from the backswing to the downswing. I started hitting the balls more consistently.
Good balance and a slow backswing allowed my head to keep still and also help me make a better turn.
Then, I told myself make things more effortless so that I wasn't putting a lot of muscle on the downswing. I started hitting the balls pure and didn't get any jarring feelings on my hands!
It was as if I had learned what golf was all about in that one practice session.
BALANCE. SLOW BUT SURE. EFFORTLESS
But after I went through the basics and started hitting the ball well, I started gaining more confidence. Then I had an insight.
I often heard golf commentators talk of how well-balanced great golfers were after they hit the ball. So I worked on setting up properly and aiming for balance whenever I hit the ball.
Voila! I struck the balls more squarely.
Then I focused on slowing down my takeaway and finishing my backswing so I was in good balance from the backswing to the downswing. I started hitting the balls more consistently.
Good balance and a slow backswing allowed my head to keep still and also help me make a better turn.
Then, I told myself make things more effortless so that I wasn't putting a lot of muscle on the downswing. I started hitting the balls pure and didn't get any jarring feelings on my hands!
It was as if I had learned what golf was all about in that one practice session.
BALANCE. SLOW BUT SURE. EFFORTLESS
Monday, March 19, 2007
WHAT MAKES A SUICIDE BOMBER TICK?
I caught a portion of a foreign film on the tube yesterday afternoon. It was about two Arabs (I guess),Said and Khaled, who were chosen by their terrorist mates to go on a suicide bombing mission in Tel Aviv. Although I wasn't able to watch the whole movie,it was enough to provide me with a glimpse of what these war torn countries must be going through.
For example,there was a scene where they were being videotaped making their final "suicide" messages to their families. Khaled,the supposedly more fanatical of the two, suddenly stops in the middle of the taping and tells his mom to buy a particular brand of water filters because it's cheaper and more reliable. Later in the film,I learn that water filters are important to them because the water in that country has been polluted with sediments and chemicals that make it unsafe to drink.
In another scene,a shop that repairs watches is shown selling these videotapes and I also learn that the tapes sell for a lot of money! Although I suspect the movie is poking some fun,there must be a hint of truth in this practice.
I have come to believe that suicide bombers must really be just plain bonkers to go on these senseless killing sprees. But the film made me realize that maybe after all,these suicide bombers were motivated by a something more noble than just having sex with 72 virgins in the afterlife.
In a dialogue between between the two friends, Said tells Khaled that something must be done to stop the injustice of being dictated to by their oppressors (the Israelis.) But since nobody seems to be doing something about it,then it is up to individuals (like them) to put a stop to it!
It's as if he was saying that without his freedom he couldn't live like a decent human being anyway. At least by killing Israelis and himself along the way,he will have asserted his freedom and perhaps achieved something,rather than just bearing the suffering of oppression.
For example,there was a scene where they were being videotaped making their final "suicide" messages to their families. Khaled,the supposedly more fanatical of the two, suddenly stops in the middle of the taping and tells his mom to buy a particular brand of water filters because it's cheaper and more reliable. Later in the film,I learn that water filters are important to them because the water in that country has been polluted with sediments and chemicals that make it unsafe to drink.
In another scene,a shop that repairs watches is shown selling these videotapes and I also learn that the tapes sell for a lot of money! Although I suspect the movie is poking some fun,there must be a hint of truth in this practice.
I have come to believe that suicide bombers must really be just plain bonkers to go on these senseless killing sprees. But the film made me realize that maybe after all,these suicide bombers were motivated by a something more noble than just having sex with 72 virgins in the afterlife.
In a dialogue between between the two friends, Said tells Khaled that something must be done to stop the injustice of being dictated to by their oppressors (the Israelis.) But since nobody seems to be doing something about it,then it is up to individuals (like them) to put a stop to it!
It's as if he was saying that without his freedom he couldn't live like a decent human being anyway. At least by killing Israelis and himself along the way,he will have asserted his freedom and perhaps achieved something,rather than just bearing the suffering of oppression.
Friday, March 16, 2007
THE SAVING POWER OF INSIGHT:OR HOW I SAW THE BRIGHT SIDE OF A BAD SITUATION
My Mazda Familia has been in and out of the shop lately for repairs. The latest,which cost me 47,000 involved a major overhaul of the engine, requiring a change of all valves etc. This was after it had undergone repair whcih cost me 23,000,when the timing belt broke while Jaja was on the way to Pampanga. Prior to that I shelled out 27,000 to replace the throttle body which was the cause of erratic idling.
Recently, the erratic idling showed up again and when I returned it to the shop they diagnosed the problem to be caused by the throttle body which they said was defective in the first place. Now, I'm in a dilemma because the supplier can always claim that he had put in a new unit last December and that any damage that may have occurred could not have been because of his spare part.
Bottomline is I face the prospect of spending more money just to get the car fixed!
Normally, I would be distressed,but surprisingly I found solace in an insight...what I will call my education in entrepreneurship. I've really been visualizing myself as a businessman and one of my "Aha's" was that if I was going to be one I better learn how to part with money (i.e.,lose it). I also ought to realize that each disappointment should be regarded as a learning experience.
Looking at my " car problem" experience under this light, I rationalized that,yes, I will be throwing away some money but at least I got to feel firsthand how it is to bounce back quickly from an upsetting situation.
Recently, the erratic idling showed up again and when I returned it to the shop they diagnosed the problem to be caused by the throttle body which they said was defective in the first place. Now, I'm in a dilemma because the supplier can always claim that he had put in a new unit last December and that any damage that may have occurred could not have been because of his spare part.
Bottomline is I face the prospect of spending more money just to get the car fixed!
Normally, I would be distressed,but surprisingly I found solace in an insight...what I will call my education in entrepreneurship. I've really been visualizing myself as a businessman and one of my "Aha's" was that if I was going to be one I better learn how to part with money (i.e.,lose it). I also ought to realize that each disappointment should be regarded as a learning experience.
Looking at my " car problem" experience under this light, I rationalized that,yes, I will be throwing away some money but at least I got to feel firsthand how it is to bounce back quickly from an upsetting situation.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
POSTSCRIPT TO REFLECTION ON "TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE"
A thought just struck me while mulling over what I read from "Tuesdays With Morrie"...
Morrie somehow appreciated what it meant to live fully when he knew he was going to die. I got the insight that I need not wait for this situation to start living fully.
One of Morrie's favorite mantras was "Love each other or perish." That is what I resolve to do each day now...to make sure that I get to love or express my love to someone each day...before it becomes too late.
Corollary to this,I will try my darndest best not to think ill of my fellowmen (e.g the #@!!! who drive on the fast lane or cut me in traffic :-)) or learn to forgive in my heart those who do me wrong!
I think that's it...living happily means you've expressed your love to the people who matter...and you don't go around carrying the burden of guilt of not having forgiven someone who has wronged you!
Morrie somehow appreciated what it meant to live fully when he knew he was going to die. I got the insight that I need not wait for this situation to start living fully.
One of Morrie's favorite mantras was "Love each other or perish." That is what I resolve to do each day now...to make sure that I get to love or express my love to someone each day...before it becomes too late.
Corollary to this,I will try my darndest best not to think ill of my fellowmen (e.g the #@!!! who drive on the fast lane or cut me in traffic :-)) or learn to forgive in my heart those who do me wrong!
I think that's it...living happily means you've expressed your love to the people who matter...and you don't go around carrying the burden of guilt of not having forgiven someone who has wronged you!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Reflection on TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
I've been reading Mitch Albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie" and I just finished the part where Morrie Schwartz tells Mitch that one has to learn how to forgive oneself just as he must learn how to forgive others. Then he went on to say that he regretted not having written more books or that he should've done more, but he must now let it go because he was dying and would no longer be able to do these things.
It made me think of my own list of things I would want to do in my lifetime. I've crossed out several in this list but there are still many more I haven't done,e.g the songs I haven't written, the businesses I should've put up, the murals I wanted to paint,the trips with the family I dreamed of taking,the friends and loved ones to whom I still haven't said;"I Love You".
I realized that if I don't follow the Nike motto of just "doing it" on my deathbed I will have a whole litany of "sins" for which I will have to forgive myself.
Somehow, Morrie's lessons have pushed me to just face life with more abandon and more enjoyment. I will not wait for the perfect time to do something...because that perfect moment is now!
It made me think of my own list of things I would want to do in my lifetime. I've crossed out several in this list but there are still many more I haven't done,e.g the songs I haven't written, the businesses I should've put up, the murals I wanted to paint,the trips with the family I dreamed of taking,the friends and loved ones to whom I still haven't said;"I Love You".
I realized that if I don't follow the Nike motto of just "doing it" on my deathbed I will have a whole litany of "sins" for which I will have to forgive myself.
Somehow, Morrie's lessons have pushed me to just face life with more abandon and more enjoyment. I will not wait for the perfect time to do something...because that perfect moment is now!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
ON SEEING OPPORTUNITIES & CHANGE: REFLECTION ON A QUOTE
I got this quote from Knowledge@Wharton.(I didn't get the name of the person who said it...)
"If you see something wrong or a little unusual,or something that makes you mad,GO CHANGE IT. Then change it for everybody else. You'll become wealthy and very successful." He went on to suggest the areas that business should look into:energy,security,healthcare,traffic,pollution,war,poverty,education,roads,prisons,airport development.
I thought about what I would change because I was mad about it or saw something wrong about & my list would be:
1.Plumbing- i have a leak at home and I can't find it!
2. Garbage-there's a problem with garbage collection in our area (maybe using worms to recycle will be an answer)
3. Unskilled car mechanics- I'm spending money again on my car because they didn't do a good job.
My other concerns are already listed above: education,health,traffic
Maybe if I think more about solutions to these I can come up with business ideas.
"If you see something wrong or a little unusual,or something that makes you mad,GO CHANGE IT. Then change it for everybody else. You'll become wealthy and very successful." He went on to suggest the areas that business should look into:energy,security,healthcare,traffic,pollution,war,poverty,education,roads,prisons,airport development.
I thought about what I would change because I was mad about it or saw something wrong about & my list would be:
1.Plumbing- i have a leak at home and I can't find it!
2. Garbage-there's a problem with garbage collection in our area (maybe using worms to recycle will be an answer)
3. Unskilled car mechanics- I'm spending money again on my car because they didn't do a good job.
My other concerns are already listed above: education,health,traffic
Maybe if I think more about solutions to these I can come up with business ideas.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Big I and small i innovation
Read an article at Knowledge@Wharton which presented a challenge both big and small businesses have to face:Innovation.
Basically,it said that to spur "organic" growth,companies must think about innovating both at the Big "I" and small "i" levels. Big I refers to radical innovation, a "breakthrough" or breaking away from what the organization is currently doing.(As in addressing a new market or unfamiliar territory.Example given,McDonald's foray into the pizza market,for which it had no expertise.) Small "i" refers to improvements in products and services by way of features,add-ons etc.,to respond to customer demands.
The article goes on to show that big businesses tend to be risk averse and shy away from Big I innovation because often the profitable returns on these initiatives are long term,while investors are looking for quick returns. It cites GE as an example of a company that has managed around this problem by requiring its SBU heads to come up with 3 Breakthrough Ideas which must be delivered.
Thinking about this I notice that at Chowking we have tended towards small i.We have yet to go to Big I innovation (e.g. i can think of: spinning off the catering business,coming up with an upscale brand to compete with Super Bowl and casual dine concepts)
But I also agree with one comment on the article.We should not really separate the two because for all we know the continuous samll i activities may be the ones that will trigger Big I.
Basically,it said that to spur "organic" growth,companies must think about innovating both at the Big "I" and small "i" levels. Big I refers to radical innovation, a "breakthrough" or breaking away from what the organization is currently doing.(As in addressing a new market or unfamiliar territory.Example given,McDonald's foray into the pizza market,for which it had no expertise.) Small "i" refers to improvements in products and services by way of features,add-ons etc.,to respond to customer demands.
The article goes on to show that big businesses tend to be risk averse and shy away from Big I innovation because often the profitable returns on these initiatives are long term,while investors are looking for quick returns. It cites GE as an example of a company that has managed around this problem by requiring its SBU heads to come up with 3 Breakthrough Ideas which must be delivered.
Thinking about this I notice that at Chowking we have tended towards small i.We have yet to go to Big I innovation (e.g. i can think of: spinning off the catering business,coming up with an upscale brand to compete with Super Bowl and casual dine concepts)
But I also agree with one comment on the article.We should not really separate the two because for all we know the continuous samll i activities may be the ones that will trigger Big I.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
52 and Counting
I turned 52 last week (Jan. 18)and though I didn't feel a year older that day,this morning a strange thing happened when I got up to pee. A flash of realization that my kids had grown older...suddenly made me aware that time had really flown and was ticking faster now. It happened so quickly...in just a few seconds I relived holding TJ in my arms...James as a baby..and Tash as a cute 2 year old. Now...TJ is a 21 year old,figuring out what he'd like to do with his life. James is in 1st year College,enjoying his new friends and college life. Tash is in 1st year high blossoming into a pretty and smart teener. Now, if there is one thing I ought to pay attention to and savor...is how they will turn out to be in the next 5 to 10 years. I hope what we have done to prepare them to be good persons,work! I can only sit and wait :-)
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
2006: THE YEAR THAT WAS
I will remember 2006 as the year for reunions and getting re-acquainted with old friends.
January- Jaja and I grew older by one year!
February- We had a successful convention for Managers (at the Philippine Plaza) & Franchisees (at Boracay Regency) in spite of the difficulties in preparations. The highlight of the month though was the much awaited R&R which we held on Feb 17-19 at the Redemptorist Novitiate in Lipa. We had 53 reunionists attending this once in a blue moon affair.Frs. Ahearn,Murray and Mr. Bautista joined the event.
I also had a reunion with "old friends" from Fatima parish in June.
Tasha and James graduated this year. Tash graduated from St.Paul,elementary and James from Lourdes High school. James passed entrance exams at College of St. Benilde (HRM) and seems to be enjoying his College life.
Auntie Bebeng finally passed away after a long bout with cancer. Angie Padilla's dad, Al, died of a heart attack several weeks after he joined our Fatima reunion. Mike Meily, a classmate from San Beda, lost his eldest son. Jerome broke up with Iris.
TJ was able to experience working with a company during his practicum with Accenture.
Evie, Lyra and Isah migrated to Canada and are starting new lives over at the land of the Canucks.
Jaja had trips to India and Australia. We were able to go to Dos Palmas, Palawan although not under ideal conditions because it was raining hard. We enjoyed the trip nevertheless. I was able to go to Pearl Farm and experience a helicopter ride courtesy of Mayor Duterte's private chopper.
I was able to visit Tacloban and Ormoc during the Grand Opening of our store there.
Auntie Luming and Uncle Tony vacationed once again here when they came over to check on how Auntie Bebeng was doing.
Typhoons Milenyo and Reming devastated the country. TJV went under water when Milenyo hit.
I got hooked on Friendster and YouTube. I also developed my skills in video editing, in a way I fulfilled a dream when I was akid of doing my own video productions.
January- Jaja and I grew older by one year!
February- We had a successful convention for Managers (at the Philippine Plaza) & Franchisees (at Boracay Regency) in spite of the difficulties in preparations. The highlight of the month though was the much awaited R&R which we held on Feb 17-19 at the Redemptorist Novitiate in Lipa. We had 53 reunionists attending this once in a blue moon affair.Frs. Ahearn,Murray and Mr. Bautista joined the event.
I also had a reunion with "old friends" from Fatima parish in June.
Tasha and James graduated this year. Tash graduated from St.Paul,elementary and James from Lourdes High school. James passed entrance exams at College of St. Benilde (HRM) and seems to be enjoying his College life.
Auntie Bebeng finally passed away after a long bout with cancer. Angie Padilla's dad, Al, died of a heart attack several weeks after he joined our Fatima reunion. Mike Meily, a classmate from San Beda, lost his eldest son. Jerome broke up with Iris.
TJ was able to experience working with a company during his practicum with Accenture.
Evie, Lyra and Isah migrated to Canada and are starting new lives over at the land of the Canucks.
Jaja had trips to India and Australia. We were able to go to Dos Palmas, Palawan although not under ideal conditions because it was raining hard. We enjoyed the trip nevertheless. I was able to go to Pearl Farm and experience a helicopter ride courtesy of Mayor Duterte's private chopper.
I was able to visit Tacloban and Ormoc during the Grand Opening of our store there.
Auntie Luming and Uncle Tony vacationed once again here when they came over to check on how Auntie Bebeng was doing.
Typhoons Milenyo and Reming devastated the country. TJV went under water when Milenyo hit.
I got hooked on Friendster and YouTube. I also developed my skills in video editing, in a way I fulfilled a dream when I was akid of doing my own video productions.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
CHRISTMAS PRACTICES & TRADITIONS: WHAT'S IN & WHAT'S OUT
Over the years I've noticed that little by little Christmas practices/traditions/rituals have been disappearing and newer "trends" have been emerging. Some have remained although not observed the same way we did when I was still a kid.
WHAT's OUT:
1) Christmas caroling the old fashioned way: used to be you could just go caroling anytime.Now,because of the ban on caroling, you have to send in advanced notice otherwise they won't let you into subdivisions.
2) Candy canes-when I was a kid Dad used to buy 2 large peppermint candy canes and hang these on one of our walls;I dont see these around anymore.
3) Christmas trees from real pine or agojo trees - Christmas trees are made of plastic or foil. There are even trees with built-in Christmas lights.
4) The traditional Belen under the Christmas tree - these were made of cardboard and you set these up like a diorama.
5) Sending Christmas cards-Used to be you would buy these and send them so many months in advance so they would reach the addressees in time for the Holidays.
6) Personalized Christmas cards- These were printed with the family photo at the front and customized greetings inside the card.
7) One Christmas Eve Mass only-it used to be held at 12 midnight and end after about an hour. Noche Buena followed. Nowadays,there can be as many as 3 evening masses.
8) The many corporate displays outside office buildings- Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Ysmael Steel,COD. These would have movable displays which would be watched by people during the Christmas holidays.
9) Christmas shopping only in December- that was the only time we shopped for gifts and Christmas music was played.
10) Christmas vacations and celebrations at home-it used to be that people just stayed home or went to the provinces but still stayed inside homes during Christmas vacation.
11) Giving gifts that come in boxes and painstakingly gift-wrapped with ribbons and all. The bigger the gift the more expensive it usually was.
12) Dressing up for the holidays.
13) Home made parols and lantern parades in schools-used to be part of the pre-Christmas vacation activities in schools to have lantern parades.
14) Home-cooked Noche Buena
15) The Nativity story would be televised frequently.
WHATs IN:
1) Christmas shopping as early as July
2) Non-traditional Christmas decor and more brightly lit,flashy,high-tech lanterns.
3) Christmas vacations in hotels and resorts
4) Christmas gifts in bags and preformed boxes
5) Noche Buena meals in quick service restaurants or food delivered to your homes.
6) More monetary gifts or donations to the poor made in your name.
7) As times get tougher,more cookies and baked goods are given as gifts.
8) Nowadays, the smaller the package the more expensive the gift (e.g cameras, mp3s or ipods)
9) Sending electronic greeting cards or actually face to face greetings via webcam.
10) Christmas movies shown in so many channels but less of the Christmas story as told by the Bible.
11) Christmas masses held as early as 9 PM.
WHAT's OUT:
1) Christmas caroling the old fashioned way: used to be you could just go caroling anytime.Now,because of the ban on caroling, you have to send in advanced notice otherwise they won't let you into subdivisions.
2) Candy canes-when I was a kid Dad used to buy 2 large peppermint candy canes and hang these on one of our walls;I dont see these around anymore.
3) Christmas trees from real pine or agojo trees - Christmas trees are made of plastic or foil. There are even trees with built-in Christmas lights.
4) The traditional Belen under the Christmas tree - these were made of cardboard and you set these up like a diorama.
5) Sending Christmas cards-Used to be you would buy these and send them so many months in advance so they would reach the addressees in time for the Holidays.
6) Personalized Christmas cards- These were printed with the family photo at the front and customized greetings inside the card.
7) One Christmas Eve Mass only-it used to be held at 12 midnight and end after about an hour. Noche Buena followed. Nowadays,there can be as many as 3 evening masses.
8) The many corporate displays outside office buildings- Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Ysmael Steel,COD. These would have movable displays which would be watched by people during the Christmas holidays.
9) Christmas shopping only in December- that was the only time we shopped for gifts and Christmas music was played.
10) Christmas vacations and celebrations at home-it used to be that people just stayed home or went to the provinces but still stayed inside homes during Christmas vacation.
11) Giving gifts that come in boxes and painstakingly gift-wrapped with ribbons and all. The bigger the gift the more expensive it usually was.
12) Dressing up for the holidays.
13) Home made parols and lantern parades in schools-used to be part of the pre-Christmas vacation activities in schools to have lantern parades.
14) Home-cooked Noche Buena
15) The Nativity story would be televised frequently.
WHATs IN:
1) Christmas shopping as early as July
2) Non-traditional Christmas decor and more brightly lit,flashy,high-tech lanterns.
3) Christmas vacations in hotels and resorts
4) Christmas gifts in bags and preformed boxes
5) Noche Buena meals in quick service restaurants or food delivered to your homes.
6) More monetary gifts or donations to the poor made in your name.
7) As times get tougher,more cookies and baked goods are given as gifts.
8) Nowadays, the smaller the package the more expensive the gift (e.g cameras, mp3s or ipods)
9) Sending electronic greeting cards or actually face to face greetings via webcam.
10) Christmas movies shown in so many channels but less of the Christmas story as told by the Bible.
11) Christmas masses held as early as 9 PM.
Monday, December 11, 2006
A REFLECTION ON SIN
It's Advent once again. Last Sunday's Gospel was about John the Baptist calling on sinners to repent for the Messiah was coming. The reading from the Old Testament used picturesque words to describe the repentance that was required for one to be prepared for the Messiah..."make way for the Lord...you shall flatten the hills and valleys"...as if to suggest that if you've got one hell of a sin,you've got to clear it out!
When I was in Grade 1, our Catechism book illustrated the difference between venial sin and mortal sin. I still recall drawings of three boys: one whose heart was pure white(sinless);the second had some spots on his heart (venial sin) and the really bad boy had a black heart (mortal sin.) Whoever drew that picture is to be commended because I really believed that was how sin affected people. When I saw a broadcast of a heart surgery done on TV I wanted to see if the patient had sins. I was looking for the black spots on his heart that would tell me if he had mortal or venial sins. So it came as quite a shock to me when I realized that sin wasn't something you could see marked on one's heart.
But now that I am older and wiser,I realize that the imagery of sin as something blackening one's heart is really closer to the truth than I realized.
My realization is that sin has a way of deadening one's capacity to love (as symbolized by the heart.) For example, if a man cheats on his wife,I'm pretty sure that the first thing to react is his heart.It starts to pump faster because it knows something wrong is happening. The man's guilt can't be hidden. Over time though,after the man has rationalized his sin,the heart no longer reacts...because it has already been blackened by sin...it no longer feels.
No wonder that men find true repentance difficult!It will require the effort of" levelling the hills and valleys" to clean one's heart, and bring it back to a state where it can love and feel again.
When I was in Grade 1, our Catechism book illustrated the difference between venial sin and mortal sin. I still recall drawings of three boys: one whose heart was pure white(sinless);the second had some spots on his heart (venial sin) and the really bad boy had a black heart (mortal sin.) Whoever drew that picture is to be commended because I really believed that was how sin affected people. When I saw a broadcast of a heart surgery done on TV I wanted to see if the patient had sins. I was looking for the black spots on his heart that would tell me if he had mortal or venial sins. So it came as quite a shock to me when I realized that sin wasn't something you could see marked on one's heart.
But now that I am older and wiser,I realize that the imagery of sin as something blackening one's heart is really closer to the truth than I realized.
My realization is that sin has a way of deadening one's capacity to love (as symbolized by the heart.) For example, if a man cheats on his wife,I'm pretty sure that the first thing to react is his heart.It starts to pump faster because it knows something wrong is happening. The man's guilt can't be hidden. Over time though,after the man has rationalized his sin,the heart no longer reacts...because it has already been blackened by sin...it no longer feels.
No wonder that men find true repentance difficult!It will require the effort of" levelling the hills and valleys" to clean one's heart, and bring it back to a state where it can love and feel again.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
I attended the 25th anniversary of Fr. Leonido "Nonie"Dolor as a priest last Monday(December 4) at the La Salle Lipa Sentrum. In attendance were his brother clergy from the Lipa archdiocese and from the neighboring religious orders,which included among others,the Redemptorists,to which he once belonged.
At one point during the ceremonies I could not help but notice the number of priests and religious,many of whom were probably my age and maybe younger. I thought to myself that had I not left I would probably have been one of them.
The next thought that struck me though was the realization that these men and women were really giving up a lot to be of service to God and their fellowmen. Now that I have experienced the joys of married life and having children, I couldn't help admire the sacrifice these people were making.
At one point during the ceremonies I could not help but notice the number of priests and religious,many of whom were probably my age and maybe younger. I thought to myself that had I not left I would probably have been one of them.
The next thought that struck me though was the realization that these men and women were really giving up a lot to be of service to God and their fellowmen. Now that I have experienced the joys of married life and having children, I couldn't help admire the sacrifice these people were making.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
WHEN NANNY KNOWS BEST!
The kids and I watched Nanny 911 last Sunday and it was an interesting example of how sometimes,Nanny really knows best.
The episode was about the Finks (Geesh what a name!) who had 3 sets of twins for kids! The first set, Amanda and Alex were both adopted.The next two sets were apparently theirs. The couple's problem was that the kids were always whining, crying and showing aggressive behavior--- as in hitting their siblings if they didn't get they want.
The couple called on Nanny 911 for help,and the Nanny who came to the rescue assessed what was going on then came up with a set of rules. The parents,upon hearing what the Nanny was prescribing as solutions and seeing the written rules were skeptical about calling in the Nanny. There was even a shot of the wife saying,in a rather sarcastic manner, that it won't work.
But was she proven wrong!
When one of the kids started whining about something,the Nanny coaxed her to use words and say what she wanted. The kid stopped crying and said what she wanted! The parents were flabbergasted.
When another kid started throwing a tantrum because he couldn't get what he wanted, Nanny picked him up and gave him a choice...say what you want or get locked up. The kid said his piece and the crying stopped.
Apparently, what had been happening was that the husband had been leaving the care of the kids to the wife,who,unable to cope with the kids dysfunctional behaviors didn't do anything to correct them and started harboring ill feelings toward the husband. In the process they started not communicating. Pretty soon everyone in the household was not communicating with each other. The only way they knew to get attention was to whine, cry or get aggressive.
The episode ended with the nanny finally saying goodbye after she saw that the Finks had alreazdy learned how to communicate with each other. Mrs. Fink confessed thsat the house was now so quiet and peaceful,she could even hear herself think!
The episode was about the Finks (Geesh what a name!) who had 3 sets of twins for kids! The first set, Amanda and Alex were both adopted.The next two sets were apparently theirs. The couple's problem was that the kids were always whining, crying and showing aggressive behavior--- as in hitting their siblings if they didn't get they want.
The couple called on Nanny 911 for help,and the Nanny who came to the rescue assessed what was going on then came up with a set of rules. The parents,upon hearing what the Nanny was prescribing as solutions and seeing the written rules were skeptical about calling in the Nanny. There was even a shot of the wife saying,in a rather sarcastic manner, that it won't work.
But was she proven wrong!
When one of the kids started whining about something,the Nanny coaxed her to use words and say what she wanted. The kid stopped crying and said what she wanted! The parents were flabbergasted.
When another kid started throwing a tantrum because he couldn't get what he wanted, Nanny picked him up and gave him a choice...say what you want or get locked up. The kid said his piece and the crying stopped.
Apparently, what had been happening was that the husband had been leaving the care of the kids to the wife,who,unable to cope with the kids dysfunctional behaviors didn't do anything to correct them and started harboring ill feelings toward the husband. In the process they started not communicating. Pretty soon everyone in the household was not communicating with each other. The only way they knew to get attention was to whine, cry or get aggressive.
The episode ended with the nanny finally saying goodbye after she saw that the Finks had alreazdy learned how to communicate with each other. Mrs. Fink confessed thsat the house was now so quiet and peaceful,she could even hear herself think!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
A BARBECUE IN THE DESERT!!!
I caught a feature on Animal Planet about the life of sand grains in the Namib Desert. It tracked the years-long journey of the desert sands travelling from the desert of South Africa to their end in the ocean.
The documentary showed some of the hidden dramas taking place in the desert and one of these was the way the spore spiders trapped and killed their favorite prey...the Namib ants.
The spore spider digs a hole in the sand and at the entrance of its lair it mixes its web with sand to camouflage the trap. The spider then hides in its tunnel which is also cooler than on the surface and lies in wait for its victim.
When an ant gets caught in the web it struggles to get free but in doing so, it sends vibrations throught the sand particles which the spider detects. But here's the interesting part!
The spore spider just traps the ant in its jaws then lets it roast under the sun until it cooks to its death...ready for the spider to eat!
A desert barbecue!
The documentary showed some of the hidden dramas taking place in the desert and one of these was the way the spore spiders trapped and killed their favorite prey...the Namib ants.
The spore spider digs a hole in the sand and at the entrance of its lair it mixes its web with sand to camouflage the trap. The spider then hides in its tunnel which is also cooler than on the surface and lies in wait for its victim.
When an ant gets caught in the web it struggles to get free but in doing so, it sends vibrations throught the sand particles which the spider detects. But here's the interesting part!
The spore spider just traps the ant in its jaws then lets it roast under the sun until it cooks to its death...ready for the spider to eat!
A desert barbecue!
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