Take an extra leap today

February 29 only happens once every four years. So make this day extra special and be a better person.

The start of February 29 shifts me to a different mood. Why... a friend called me and asked if i still work in ___ (name of office withheld). I listened to the query, this friend said that a person is willing to pay me (and/or any person capable of doing) to alter a certain document. The answer I gave, "I am not able doing it and more so I am not willing to do it." The conversation ended there but locking me up on thinking.

All of us citizens are sick and tired of a corrupt government, I know that for sure. But why, to a certain extent, shall we need pushing ourselves to something illegal if we have all the options to do that something legally? Time and money are sure factors yet in exchange of dignity, shall we have the guts to bribe money for it?

If we truly want to have a better government, everything shall start from ourselves. Do all things the right way.

Happy leap day of the year everyone!

Immaculate Conception: what does it mean?

The Immaculate Conception is a Catholic dogma, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854, with a splash Ineffabilis Deus, which claims that the Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from original sin, from the first moment of conception: The Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved for special grace and privilege of almighty God, in anticipation of the merits of Jesus Christ the Savior of mankind, free from all stain of original sin. In fact, the Immaculate Conception is the doctrine that explains how Mary was protected from original sin, has not had a sin nature and is, in fact, sinless. So the dogma tells us that Mary was conceived by his mother Elizabeth, with the privilege not to carry the original sin that Adam and Eve, we all carry with us at the time of conception. This conception is celebrated on December 8 for the reason that this date precedes the nine months, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. If this feast falls during Advent is a sheer coincidence that has nothing to do with Christmas. However, we can see, clearly, the relationship with the birth of Jesus, God preserved Mary from original sin, to prepare a worthy dwelling place for Christ incarnate.

"In the sky there appeared a great sign, a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and cried out in labor ..." (Rev 12: 1-2). The "woman", which immediately suggests the idea of ​​wife and mother refers to the covenant of God with his people, often expressed in terms of nuptial love. And the woman clothed with the sun-the people, the light of God surrounds it. The "woman" has around her head a crown of twelve stars that evoke a whole together and all the people of God (12 tribes, 12 apostles). This "woman" is the assembly of the Church, is Christ who gives birth to son, which was founded by the Church as he had also told Paul to the Galatians. Son undermined by the Evil One, in fact: It appeared a second sign, a huge red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and ten crowns on the heads .. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, to devour her child when she was born (AP12, 3-4). The dragon is "the antico, serpent called the devil, who satana" (AP12, 9) which acts by entering human history, creeping into the structures of social life, in the centers of power, but not touching the Son { been brought to God } (AP12, 5).


In 1858, the same Mary appeared in Lourdes, Bernadette said to be the Immaculate Conception, and was to confirm the dogma promulgated by the Church in 1854.


The precursor of this long journey, for the promulgation of the dogma, was S. Anselm of Canterbury (1109), but he developed his thought in the sense strongly in favor of the Immaculate Conception, was his disciple Eadmer (1134). He was the first to write a treatise on the subject, which says that the popular faith is universal on this point, and that this wisdom is wiser than the learned. Eadmer lays the foundation for the Church in 1854, 720 years later, promulgated the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.


We can not and must not forget that the Holy Rosary is an eloquent prayer in which it is clear this dogma, as well as the litany that we always remember: "Queen conceived without sin, pray for us."

We can now dream again -PNoy

I was waiting this afternoon for the "shocking revelations" that the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the Philippine President will reveal as news were saying. Well, perhaps the so-called "shocking revelations" were not so shocking at all, at least for some.

President Noynoy Aquino's SONA was spiced up with accusations of misused funds and wasteful spending; accompanied by figures and names of some agencies under the previous administration. He exposed anomalies of the release of calamity funds to Pampanga, former President now Congresswoman Gloria Arroyo's town; the controversies of the National Food Authority regarding withered rice due to poor distribution; the extravagant bonuses of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems staff and trustees; among others.

Aquino also discussed peace efforts for the country; particularly ceasefire between rebels and the government; and also of conflicts in some areas in Mindanao. He also called on for peace talks and a forum for suggestions, not just rallying for protests.

I personally believe that the Filipino people are already aware of the anomalies, corrupt activities and other illegal negotiations of different government agencies. I know that Filipinos are knowledgeable of some strategic movements of how greedy many officials and politicians are. And somehow, the speech reflects the situation of the country, and also echoes a little "laglagan" mentality that is innate in our culture.

This is like a never-ending nightmare in a democracy that haunts down every single citizens of the country. But, with someone saying "puwede na muling mangarap," what assurance will it be that this dream will no longer be a nightmare in the succeeding years to come? High hopes, still, but it failed to envision me, what's next?

New hopes under P-Noy

 President-elect Benigno Aquino III will officially seat into office today. He is now the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines. P-Noy, as media people and masses now fondly call Aquino, won the presidential election by a landslide. He was before a congressman in 1998 until elected then as senator in 2007. The political journey of Aquino is somehow a bit inexperienced compared to his opponents for the position, yet the fragrance of the people power legacy seemingly lifted him to the highest post in the government with less effort to take.

The much awaited inaugural badges much of festivities with people from all walks of life attending the ceremony. Peaceful transitions of the government from outgoing President Gloria Arroyo to incoming President Noynoy Aquino happened smoothly. After that, Aquino will be called President and Arroyo will be called Congresswoman (after winning a congressional post in Pampanga). Almost 500,000 people witnessed the event at the Quirino Grandstand. As I watch the artists' performances in the inauguration, I came to be enchanted with the inaugural song entitled "Bagong Pilipinas" (New Philippines) composed by Noel Cabangon. I instantly felt the Filipino spirit inside of me. The ceremony is starred with Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Christian Bautista, Nina and Charice (who sang the National Anthem in the right beat and I appreciated it most).

In a real edge of the situation, the country is facing another chapter in history. Will there be answer to unclosed questions from the previous administration? Will there be lesser problems now and greater improvements? Will there really be a difference?

Somehow, in a culture that we live on by, it is really quite fascinating to pursue great hopes with a new head of a country. The anticipation and the pressure comes along to the head that we forget in anyway that we are also part of the system. I, myself, did not vote for President Noynoy yet the right thing now is to move on and face the choice of the majority. After all, this is not all about Noynoy. This is all about the country.

It is right that the head must face the nation's problems. But, we must remember that the actions shall not come from the head itself. We as the body of it must learn when to be voluntary (to scratch or poke when the head seem goes wrong) and when to be involuntary (to follow the head when there are good actions) and with this simple coordination we will have a harmonious movement for the betterment of the country.

Happy Independence Day Philippines

Today marks the 112th anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence which occurred on June 12, 1898 in Kawit Cavite. Filipino revolutionary forces then under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain for hundreds of years.

The monument of Emilio Aguinaldo, first President of the Republic of the Philippines, in front of Barasoain in Malolos.

This momentous event is observed yearly in different parts of the country especially in the very historic city of Malolos. The first Congress was held in 1898-1899 to draft the constitution for the first Philippine Republic. It was the first Republican constitution in Asia.

ABOVE: Barasoain convent photo taken June 12, 1898 (Source: wikipedia) and BELOW: Barasoain convent June 12, 2010.

I am very fortunate to be a resident of this historic place and somehow glad to share some photos of landmarks in Malolos that made history.

The Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan was the seat of first Congress of the new Republic of the Philippines in 1898.

This century old tree named 'Kalayaan' or Freedom Tree is located at the grounds of Malolos Basilica Minore. Many people believed that meetings during the early government were convened under the shade of this tree.
Malolos town proper. This is where the then Presidential Palace is situated. The government was lead by Emilio Aguinaldo.