IBuild relaunched

We are relaunching IBuildPro as an international service. Two years ago, we launched it as a Philippine based low-cost web development alternative. While we received great reviews and established a client base, marketing locally has been a pain. Probably, due to the fact that the local web industry isn’t ready yet.

We’re hoping for the best this time. While there are competitions — in fact, a lot of them — I believe we’re at par. And the price is competitive, too! Check it out, if you will.

Don’t blame us!

President Arroyo’s decision to pull out Filipino troops from the war-torn Iraq is very unpopular within the international community. The latest annoying comment came from our neighboring power house, Australia. They are blaming us, together with Spain, for heeding to the terrorists’ demand of pulling out our troops out of Iraq. After receiving threat of their own from the terrorists, they now started finger-pointing like a child blaming a playmate for causing him to stumble.

Come on, now! Don’t blame us if these terrorists are threatening you, moreso if they succeed in the threat. You have to understand that our president needs to please our people first and foremost then the international community — in that order. The decision to pull out the troops is more than just saving one person’s life — it’s a way of uniting our politically divided nation. And that act was successful in accomplishing the purpose. If it has indeed strengthen the terrorists, then let’s deal with it and solve the problem from there.

So if some bombs explode in your Olympic village, don’t finger point at us! Check your military intelligence. You’re grown ups. Don’t blame the “kids”.

God and gay marriages

I learned that on July 15, 2004, the US Senate will vote on Federal Marriage Amendment prohibiting gay marriages.

Why am I posting this here when the Philippines isn’t affected by its result anyway? The reason is that the Philippines and the largely Americanized society look up to America as an idol of sorts when in comes to laws and way of life in general. Even our own Philippine Constitution is largely influenced by the US Constitution.

Filipinos are greatly influenced by the American life style too. Just look at how the three liberated, high fashioned best friends of Sex and the City became so popular here. I should know, Joy and I loved the show. ;)

I categorically oppose gay marriages. Sounds too religious for some, but the reality is, God is the inventor of marriage. If you want to know how to use a cell phone, get the manual or call Nokia. If you want to know what’s the best model for families, ask God about it or read his manual.

And God opposes it. When Jesus said, “… a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together. (Matthew 19:5,6 NLT)” he was referring the best model of marriage. One man, one woman.

If the US Senate allows gay marriages, how can we be sure that any other unnatural relationships cannot be legalized? Max Lucado says, “If they recognize gay marriage, what will keep them from the next step? Who’s to say that one man can’t marry five women? Or two men and two women? How about a commune marriage? Or a marriage between a daddy and a daughter or a woman and a giraffe? Don’t underestimate the evil bent of the human heart.”

Opposing gay marriages does not mean rejecting gays. God does not hate homosexuals, he hates homosexual activities.

My American friends, oppose gay marriages!

Read more about this on Max Lucado’s God & Gay Marriage page.

Quick round up

It’s Miriam Anqui’s birthday today. Happy birthday, Miriam!

I’m currently communicating with Ian of Omega Discipleship Ministries based in Australia. His materials, as I review some from his website, is really easy to implement. I like his “Come to me” material for seekers — basic gospel, that is. We are already implementing a gospel series we call “Grace Series” but we found it too technical and most fitted for a group of people who are already interested in the Bible. I am hoping this one is not and can reach out for those who don’t really care but will really care if only they knew.

Two weeks ago was my best friend’s wedding — no, not the movie, but my best friend from college, Ardison Bernardo. Congrats, bro!

The wedding was held in our alma mater’s church, Philippine International Church (of Seventh-day Adventists) in Silang, Cavite. And since we’re already near the beautiful Tagaytay City, Joy, Johann and I decided to pass by Picnic Grove. I’ll post some of our really cool pictures later.

Spiderman 2: “There’re some things more important than your dreams”

Two consecutive movie post, eh! :-) Maybe I just miss watching movies nowadays.

Joy and I found time to watch Spider-Man yesterday. My mom visited us and offered to take care of Johann. One of those rare times, huh!

Ok, a movie is just a movie. But I think this is one of those that deliver a message — directly or indirectly. The writers did a great job. Lines like “With great power comes great responsibility” applies not just for heros but with all of us who has “powers” one way or the other — in our work place, in our homes, and in our selves. How about, “There are some things more important than your dreams”.

Christianity Today writes, “Peter Parker faces some truly challenging choices in this film, as he ponders the burden of responsibility, and how his true calling may require him to sacrifice his own personal desires. In a society saturated with movies that tell us the most important ethic is to “follow your dreams,” the Spider-Man franchise offers an admirable alternative: There is something more important, something bigger, than you and I — and in order to overcome evil with good, we will have to turn away from our personal preferences and lay down our lives for others. Hard to believe such heavy stuff can come from the comic books. But isn’t that really why this particular character has remained so popular for so long?”

Heavy stuff for a super hero movie indeed! Looking forward to another sequel.