I AM FILIPINO

I am Filipino

I am Filipino
By Alexander L. Lacson
Philippine Daily Inquirer
01/02/2009

One of the most important things we need today as a people is a beautiful way of looking at ourselves as Filipinos, a positive and healthy image of ourselves, a wonderful definition of ourselves as a people. Our children especially need to believe that there is greatness and beauty in us as a people and as a race.

So much beauty and greatness can spring from a beautiful mind and a faithful heart.
But loving ourselves as Filipinos is not only patriotism or nationalism. There is a reason higher than that. It is primarily about stewardship. It is loving what God has given us. God gave to each one of us the Filipino and the Philippines, for us to love and care for. But how is the Filipino in our hands today? How is the Philippines, the land God gave to us as a people, in our hands today?

It is for this reason that I wrote the poem below. I give this poem as my humble gift to all of you, my fellow Filipinos. You are the brothers and sisters, the family of people, God gave to me.

It is my hope that this poem will help develop in us and in our children a healthy sense of faith and love in the Filipino, in ourselves as a people. For truly, our Creator wants us to have faith in and love for the Filipino.

Here it is:

I am Filipino. I am a child of the One God who is the Creator of all that is in our world and the universe. I am as perfect and as beautiful as my Creator planned me to be, for God created me in His image, out of His perfect love.

I am a beloved child of God, like everyone else in our world, no less than the stars above or anyone else below. As such, I have equal right and claim to all the beauty and bounty that God provided in my country and in the world.

I am an equal part of the family of humanity. I am therefore a sibling to all the men and women of our world, brethren to all Christians, to all Muslims, to all Jews, to all Buddhists, and all other peoples whose faiths lie somewhere else.

I am Filipino. My Creator planted me on a specific spot on earth, where the sun always shines, in an archipelago of 7,107 wonderful islands, which the whole world calls the "Pearl of the Orient." Pilipinas is the country God gave to me and my people. It is the birthplace of my race. It is the home of the Filipino.

The beauty and richness of my country lured many mighty powers of the world to invade our shores. So today, my blood is a mixture of the best and the finest of the West and the East. My mind is an heir to all the great thoughts of the West, and the great virtues of the East. My heart beats with the romanticism of the West and the passion of the East.

I am Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Juan Luna, Ninoy Aquino and all those who fought for our land to become a nation of free people. I am the grandeur of Banaue, the enchantment of Boracay, the serenity of Manila Bay, and the depth and breadth of Tubbataha Reef.

I am Filipino. My Creator's plan is for me to live my life as a Filipino and therefore, in my heart and in my mind, I shall always be a Filipino wherever I may be in the world. God wants me to belong to the Filipino family and as such, I am a "kapatid" [brother] to anyone and everyone who is Filipino, wherever he or she may be on earth.

You will know me by the word "po" in my sentences. You will know my children by their "mano po." You will know me by the smile on my face and the warmth of my hospitality. Most important of all, you will know me by my loving and caring heart when you are in need of help, even if you are a stranger.

As a child of God, my Creator has a beautiful story for me and my people. And the story we see today is but a fleeting portion of that beautiful story that has yet to fully unfold before the eyes of the world.

I am Filipino. I am who I am today because of the role God wants me to play.
I am born to succeed. God has equipped me, within me and around me, with all the essentials I need to succeed in this world. God truly wants the highest, the best, and the most beautiful for me, because I am His child.

I am destined to be great. God planted seeds of beauty and greatness in me. He truly wants me to be great and beautiful, for God truly wants me to add more beauty and greatest to our world.

I am Filipino. I am born of freedom, in a free country. As such, I dedicate my freedom to ensuring that my people and country shall always remain free. I shall use my freedom to help other peoples, in my country or in other parts of the world, gain their own freedom.
I am born of love, out of God's immeasurable love, in a country and in a world that can only be made beautiful by love. Love is the reason why God made me. It is what He wants me to bring into this world, so love shall be who I am.

I am born as part of the whole, as part of the answer to the question, as part of the solution to the problem, as part of the hope to our people. I am born to help the Filipino become great not only in the eyes of the world but, more so, in the eyes of our Lord.
I am Filipino. I am a faithful child of God. I shall live my life to do God's work on earth, to help build a beautiful country for my Filipino family, and a better world for all humanity. And soon the world shall see the full measure of the greatness of Filipino, for truly the world has yet to see what God can do to and through a child, like the Filipino, who is faithful to the Lord.

I am Filipino.

Alexander Lacson is author of the Book "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country.

Our Shopit Widget

"So you want to grow rice"

In the Philippines there is a serious lack of organic matter, good topsoil should contain 5% organic matter. Test results in Luzon, Negros, Mindanao on typical rice, sugar and coconut land shows an adverage of around 1%

To grow at all rice, sugar and other plants require six essential nutrients, these are

1.
NITROGEN-(N)
2.
PHOSPHEROS-(P)
3.
POTASSIUM-(K)
4.
CALCIUM
5.
SULPHUR
6.
MAGNESIUM

Of the other 52 micro-elements, 5 or 6 are necessary to have anything like a decent yield. For a good crop 20 of them should be available in the soil.

25 years of monoculture and chemicals has taken its toll on the soil of the Philippines, if everyone starts to work together, testing their soil, and adding the required nutrients (and not chemicals) in a few years the trend would start to reverse… the alternative would be eventual FAMINE, and possible death, something that is not worth contemplating

Start to work with your soil NOW!! we still have time

Seair Promotion OCTOBER-2008 to FEB 14TH 2009

SEAIR PROMOTION

Seair is one of the prime airlines for leisure travel with destinations from MANILA to BASCO, BORACAY, DAET,
BORONGAN, BUSUANGA/CORON and TABLAS
The promotion offers all passengers a 15% discount if you use the code:- pcsk17aa.. between the dates of:-October 20th 2008 till 14th Febuary 2009, online bookings only qualify
and you must remember to use the code:-pcsk17aa, this link will take you to the Seair website:-http://www.flyseair.com

Dubbed as the Las Frontier, Palawan is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, not just by foreign visitors, but by resident Filipinos as well. Be it Puerto Princessa, El Nido, Busuanga, Taytay, or Cuyo, travelers flock to the islands for its stunning natural beauty, unspoilt nature and crystal clear waters.

Though most of the tourists head to the beaches, it’s the beauty that lay on the seabed that lures the avid divers and snorkelers. Apart from the live corals and colorful fishes under the sea, there lie other majestic sights that draw the curious: wrecks of Japanese warships.

During World War 2, when the Philippines was under the Japanese, US forces were bombing the Japanese naval ships near Manila. To protect the other warships, a decision was made to deploy the ships to other safe places around the islands. One of the places the Japanese navy went to was the Calamian Group, in Northern Palawan. The vessels were safely camouflaged among the islands, until a US reconnaissance team noticed that some of the islands in the area were moving. On September 24, 1944, the United States attacked the Japanese’s Imperial Navy in the area, sinking 24 warships around Busuanga and Coron.

Once a symbol of defense and destruction, the wrecks of the Taiei Maru, Okikawa Maru, Kogyo Maru, Irako, Olympia Maru, Kyokuzan Maru and the Akitsushima, are now one of Coron’s biggest attractions.

Coron Town & Coron Island
Though it was once the site of war, chaos and destruction, Coron is now a very quiet and peaceful place. A small sleepy town in the island of Busuanga, Coron town is the jump off point for those who want to explore the sites around Coron Island. This is Coron’s center for everything – the municipal hall is here, the market, and most of the accommodation options. It’s a small town where everything is a comfortable walking distance away. Though sidewalks aren’t a major fixture in the streets, there’s no need to worry as Coron Town isn’t a high traffic area. Best of all, the air is clean.

Tricycles are the main form of transportation within Coron Town. Jeepneys and busses only ply routs that go out of the town. Boats are also prominent in the docks. While some are fishing boats, most cater to tourists who want to island hop.

The major and most popular destination for every visitor is Coron Island. The island is the ancestral domain the indigenous Tagbanwa tribe, and the sites in and around the island charge admission fees, ranging from Php 75 to Php 200 each. The fees are not for profit. Rather, they are used for the upkeep of each site.

Coron Island offers its visitors the stunning beauty that they came to Palawan for. From the blinding white beach and turquoise waters of Banol Beach, to the crystal clear waters of Kayangan Lake, a day of island hopping in Coron Island leaves tourists satisfied, but at the same time, leaves them wanting to go back for more.

Things to do in Coron Town
While Coron Town doesn’t have any beaches, there are still things to do when you’re stuck in the mainland. You can try testing your strength and endurance with a climb up the 700 or so steps up Mount Tapyas (190 meters above sea level). There are several shaded rest stops along the way if you get tired, even a picnic ground after the first rest stop. The view from the summit is simply breath taking: you can see the town from above, the surrounding mountains and the nearby islands. It’s quite interesting to see how small the town is, compared to the wide expanse of untouched nature around it. The climb is best done in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun isn’t too hot.

If the climb up Mount Tapyas or the diving, snorkeling and frolicking in the water drained you, a dip in the Maquinit Hot Spring is sure to ease aching muscle. The water temperature hits close to 40 degrees Celsius, but it’s not the heat that will surprise you in this natural hot spring – it’s the salt. The hot springs pool is filled with hot seawater. With such high temperatures, it’s recommended that you take a dip in the evening, as it can be unbearably hot during the day. (by Nina Fuentes)

Above is an account of one of the destinations provide by Seair, this airline uses modern very well maintained Dornier aircraft, a photo of one such plane is at the top of this article,with Christmas almost upon us, it is a great time to be considering going to see family and friends, with your 15% discount you can even buy them a little better pasalubong, or a little more San Miguel(if your like me), so if your going to travel anyway why not avail yourself. Happy Flying

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SEAIR FLY VOUCHER
1. SEAIR Fly Voucher may only be redeemed through online booking
2. Voucher value is redeemed by entering its Code at the appropriate box in the website, www.flyseair.com
3. Offer expires after the given period of the voucher validity
4. Travel period should be within the period identified in the voucher
5. Voucher value will be deducted from the basic airfare
6. An error prompt will be shown if voucher value exceeds the airfare amount made during the booking
7. Minimum number of passenger per booking may be required unless specified in the voucher
8. Voucher may not be used in conjunction with other offers such as special fares and any other promo
9. Discount is not valid for Leisure Escape Packages or any packages offered by partner resorts or travel agents.
10. Standard terms and conditions of the fare and ticket rules will be followed
11. If there will be any cancellation or changes in the booking made, refund of the discount or any reinstatement of the promotion is not allowed
12. Voucher may not be exchanged for cash value
13. SEAIR has the right to cancel the promo code voucher at any time without prior notice

World Travel Market

Philippines All Set for WTM 2008

The Philippines’ participation in this year’s World Travel Market is expected to draw huge crowds as it has done in the past. For one, it will have a bigger space, all of 145 square meters creatively laid out to feature many of the country’s diverse attractions in terms of natural wonders and recently developed world-class holiday accommodations. Double-page spreads on Philippine tourism will be featured in the ABTA magazine as well as the ABTA World Travel Market daily newspapers. A big delegation of leading agencies from the Philippines will attend this year’s WTM, headed by no less than Secretary of Tourism Joseph “Ace” Durano, with twenty of these entities participating as co-exhibitors. Part of the tourism investment campaign will also feature properties in Cebu, Negros Oriental and Zamboanga.

The Philippines’ tourism office in London is also launching “Birdwatching in the Philippines” as its latest promotional campaign to attract the growing numbers of eco-tourists to the islands.

The campaign will be launched on November 11 at the Marriot on Grosvenor Square, as an added activity hosted by the Department of Tourism during the World Travel Market which takes place from November 10 to 13 in London.

I will be attending this event and boy am i getting exited, i have my pass,and will be making a bee line for stand AS 2000:-
Exibitor is sharing with

Annset Holidays Inc

Asia AT- Philippines

Baron Travel Corporation

Bayan Ko Tours & Travel

Benthel Resorts and Hotels Corporation

Blue Horizons Travel & Tours, Inc

Dos Palmas Island Resort & Spa

El Nido Resorts

Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa

Expedition Fleet/Bahura Resort & Spa

Hermes Agencia de Viajes, Inc.

Hyatt Hotel & Casino

Intas Destination Management

LAS FLORES RESORT

Philippine Airlines

Rajah Tours Philippines, Inc

Shroff International Travel Care, Inc.

T.R.I.P.S Travel

The Ananyana Beach Resort & Spa

wow.. the Philippines.. a paradise on earth... for me next year i am off to Palawan..near Roxas

Iglesia Ni Cristo,s King Maker Role

Behind the Iglesia Ni Cristo's King Maker Role: A Chain of Crimes and Mythical Numbers

Phillip Garcia

Manila, Philippines – Unlike Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s long, heated rivalry in the 2008 US presidential campaign, there are politicians in other countries who choose to take the short cut to political power by wooing the kingmaker. Instead of patiently reaching out to the electorate, these politicians seek the person or group of people who has the capacity to influence the conclusion of a political run, a method that assures the former’s promise of the future in exchange for the latter’s favor.

On a different perspective, however, a kingmaker isn’t a kingmaker for nothing. Take for example Kakuei Tanaka, the most prominent political kingmaker in Japan. He served as Japan’s Prime Minister during 1972-74. But even after his term, he remained dominant and influential. Even though he got involved in political scandals, he was able to choke the Prime Minister at will without holding a position in the cabinet.

Monetary, arms, and politics are common players in a kingmaker scenario. More often than not, these factors entail negative effects to the government. In the Philippines, however, there is another player: religion. And the effect of this kingmaker, as far as records are concerned, is unexpectedly catastrophic. It is a chain of crimes and power - behind mythical numbers yet.

Detailed here by prominent newspapers, the Supreme Court and a television station are random reports of the criminal and related activities of one such religious group, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church of Christ, considered to be the kingmaker in the Philippine political arena. It spans contemporary times but leads back to 1954 where the founder, Felix Manalo, is featured as a rapist. Finally, it ends with Eraño Manalo’s own words about the nature of their mythical membership. Eraño, now in his early 80s, is the son of Felix Manalo.

read on please

Tarsiers comment:- The bible tells us that Gods true followers will be no part of this world.. have no part in the worlds politics.. why because they have already voted for Gods kingdom and are already part of this kingdom, the kingdom we pray for each day in the Lords prayer:-
Our father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name (think about his name do you even know it)
Thy kingdom come, they will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
We pray for gods kingdom to come on earth.. that if you like is a true christians politics.. Gods Kingdom.. The bible also tells us that tithing was also abolished, so we do not as Christians need to give a percentage of our wage to any so called church
God loves a cheerful giver, we give out of love and from our hearts because we WANT TO, not because we have too.

Mocha....go on go vote for them!!

Their website is at:-.."MOCHA"

E Waste, a very big problem

Hotel for sale

This is a link that will take you to our flicker stream, the hotel is for sale, due to ill health of the present owner, it is a wonderful opportunity to obtain a very nice hotel in one of the Philippines prime tourism locations
Sports Hotel and restaurant

More details are on our Bahay.com website.. this is just a photostream of the hotel.. just to give you a flavour, it is in a beautiful area, and a visit is recommended.

IRS Genie

The IRS Genie...

A modern day cowboy has spent many days crossing the desert without water.

His horse has already died of thirst. He's crawling through the sand, certain that he has breathed his last breath, when all of a sudden, he sees an object sticking out of the sand several yards ahead of him.

He crawls to the object, pulls it out of the sand, and discovers what looks to be an old brief case. He opens it and out pops a genie.

But this is no ordinary genie. She is wearing an Internal Revenue Service ID badge and a dull gray dress.. There's a calculator in her pocketbook.

She has a pencil tucked behind one ear. "Well, cowboy," says the genie... "You know how I work. You have three wishes."

"I'm not falling for this." Says the man. "I'm not going to trust an IRS auditor genie."

"What do you have to lose? You've got no transportation, and it looks like you're a goner anyway!"

The man thinks about this for a minute, and decides that the genie is right. "OK, I wish I were in a lush oasis with plenty of food and drink."

********POOF******

The cowboy finds himself in the most beautiful oasis he has ever seen and he is surrounded with jugs of wine and platters of delicacies.

"OK, cowpoke, what's your second wish." "My second wish is that I were rich beyond my wildest dreams.

*******POOF*******

The man finds himself surrounded by treasure chests filled with rare gold coins and precious gems. OK, cowpuncher, you have just one more wish. Better make it a good one!"

After thinking for a few minutes, the man says.. "I wish that no matter where I go, beautiful women will want and need me."

******POOF******

He is turned into a tampon.

The moral of the story: If the IRS offers you anything, there's going to be a string attached.

The IRS is the same as the BIR in the Philippines, the dreaded tax man!!!

Milk products safe to use, free from Melamine

Milk products deemed safe to drink in the Philippines as off 10/03/2008

* Anchor Lite Milk
* Anlene High Calcium Low Fat Milk U.H.T.
* Bear Brand Instant
* Chichok Milk Chocolate
* Farmland Skim Milk
* Jinwei Drink
* Jolly Cow Pure Fresh Milk
* Kiddie Soya Milk Egg Delight
* Lactogen 1 DHA Infant Formula
* M&M’s Milk Chocolate Candies
* M&M’s Peanut Chocolate Candies
* Milk Boy
* Nestogen 2 DHA Follow-up Formula
* Nestogen 3 DHA Follow-up Formula
* Nido 3+ Prebio with DHA
* Nido Full Cream Milk Powder
* Nido Junior
* No-Sugar Chocolate of Isomaltooligosaccharide (Cocoa Butter Substitute)
* Nutri-Express Milk Drink
* PURA UHT Fresh Milk
* Snickers Fresh Roasted in Caramel & Soft Nougat in Thick Milk Chocolate
* Vitasoy Soya Bean Milk
* Wahaha Orange
* Wahaha Yellow
* Want-Want Milk Drink (Red Can)
* Windmill Skim Milk Powder
* Yinlu Milk Peanut
* Yogee Yoghurt Flavor Milk Drink

These products are safe to drink and contained no Melamine. two products did contain Melamine and have been removed from shelfs in Philippines stores...