Resurgence 2.0

God is unfair, and here’s why…

Arnold — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:13:39 +0000

While meditating on Craig Groeschel’s message at LifeChurch Makati last Easter Sunday, I posted a simple yet profound question on Facebook. I said, “God is not fair, don’t you think so?” And sure, I did receive some very personal, very interesting and others, heartbreaking responses. Check out the link to see what I’m talking about.

I promised to share my thoughts on this subject, so here it goes.

When we see good people suffering and the bad living their full life, when we see a child rapped, when a town is devastated by natural calamities, when innocent people are killed by some lunatic, when your brother or a parent die of cancer even if you prayed your heart out, when you lost your job, when you don’t feel like you deserve what’s going on in your life — we question God, “Are you fair?” Why are these bad things happen to good people?

Craig admitted with honesty and sincerity, that he doesn’t hold all the answers and wouldn’t want to try to give absolute answers. True enough, who can? Can we really explain?

However, he offer possible answers based on God’s Word itself. Some, “maybe’s” that we can think of.

When bad things happen to good people…

1. Maybe you’re just a victim of a fallen world. The reality is, the world we live in is sick. It’s dying. In this world, the Bible says, you will face troubles. It guarantees that we do, because we live in a sin-sick world. Why do our love ones get sick, and eventually die? Why would somebody hurt us even if we do good things to them? It’s not your fault. It’s just that we live in a sin filled world and we become victims of it.

2. Maybe it’s a direct result of your sin. We would ask God why he allowed us to be financially messed up? Because probably, you loaned a car, a house and purchased the newest iPad even if your income cannot support it. Why wouldn’t your children love you? Maybe because you were out most of the time. Sometimes, we suffer because it is a direct result of our own sin.

3. Maybe God has something bigger in mind. I was watching this not-so-good Gerald Butler movie (and yes, we kinda saw that just because it’s a Gerald Butler movie) called “Machine Gun Preacher”. In that part of the movie when he gave his life to God, you would probably rejoice already. But then, right after that, he got laid off as a carpenter and his house got destroyed by a storm. You would think, why would that happen to him considering that those events happen right after he committed his life to God? Isn’t that unfair? But then, because of those two events in his life, a door opened up for him to start his own construction business. When something seems unfair, maybe God is doing something else for your benefit.

But here’s the bottom line. Asking the question “Why bad things happen to good people” is a flawed question in the first place. The right question is “Why good things happen to bad people”.

The reality is, in the eyes to a holy God, all of us are bad. We are all sinners. And if God is fair, he would have given what our sins deserve. Because he is UNFAIR, he gave us what we do not deserve — love, care, blessings. And for those who accepted Christ as their savior, he gave salvation — we don’t deserve it, we didn’t earn it, we CAN’T earn it, and yet he gave it anyway.

Mercy is God NOT giving us what we deserve.

Grace is God giving us what we DO NOT serve.

God is UNFAIR.

Here’s a clip of Craig’s message last Sunday…

Communication lessons from the ultra viral KONY 2012 video

Arnold — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:50:21 +0000

Yep, I’m late, but I finally saw the super viral KONY 2012 — I’m probably the 85th million to see this.

I’m not going to deal with the details, but I took notice of some related information about effective communication.

1. To get people into action, you need to effectively communicate the problem. They did that.

2. Effective communication starts with the heart first, then the facts.

3. People loves to be empowered. Give them the tools and with effective vision communication, they will use it.

4. Starting a movement requires passionate leaders. People listen when there is passion.

Now, I’m not saying KONY 2012 is something that I support. That’s not my point in this blog. In fact, I think this thing is massively wrong. It is, however, a very effective communication and marketing strategy.

Sen. Saguisag: Have the senators prejudged Atty. Vit Aguirre?

Arnold — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 06:52:02 +0000

HAVE the senators prejudged Atty. Vit Aguirre? If they punish him, they will have approved of Sen. Miriam’s arguable misconduct and show it as a model for all to follow. A fair inquiry may show that she might have been guilty of disorderly conduct herself. Were I well, and with the prosecution, I might have taken exception so my apos won’t think: “Si Lolo pala, gago, sabi ni ang galing Senadora Miriam.” Aray.

Sentenced to jail for calling Macoy a super-subversive in early 1983, and told to apologize, I said, “Your Honor, I have been advised to say sorry. I won’t. A weekend in jail? A low price to pay for the high privilege of sharing the suffering of our unhappy Motherland.” Earlier fined fifty pesos for saying the court was getting militarized, I pulled out a hundred-peso bill and said, “I’ll gladly pay it, can I say something more for another fifty pesos?” Good manners, right conduct, urbanidad and breeding come to mind as part of our training in Mendiola.

-Rene Saquisag

(Lifted from MLQ3's Tumblr post)

Social networking: Good or bad?

Arnold — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:42:59 +0000

Social networking: Good or bad?

Ever since the birth of the internet there have been social networks. Forums, blogs, instant messaging and online profiles have made the world that little bit smaller. Distance is an easier burden to bear.

The trouble is, there are positives and negatives to consider. While you love playing on www.foxybingo.com, chatting on Facebook or blogging on Tumblr, everything has a downside. The question is: are social networks worth it?

Pros

Socializing – Networks have revolutionised socializing. You no longer have to be in the same room as the person you are speaking to, or even the same country to communicate via the web. You can share photo’s, communicate via instant messages and comment on one another’s online profile.

Cost – Keeping in touch with your friends, when they are across the other side of the country, or around the world from you can get costly. Phone bills are extortionate. However, when you contact someone via a social network, there isn’t an extra cost, besides what you already paid for your connection.

Interests – Sometimes your friends are not interested in the same TV shows, hobbies or books. There is bound to be someone out there who shares your interest though. All you need to do is look online and befriend them.

Cons

Safety – Knowing whether someone is genuine can be difficult. When you have never seen a person before, they could easily pose as someone else entirely. You have to be careful who you trust.

Security – Identity theft and people performing malicious acts on a site will always be a risk. You could get a virus from a seemingly innocent link, or perhaps hack into your online profile, change the password and edit the content.

Censors – It is harder to keep tags on the material children and teenagers gain access too. They could easily stumble onto content that isn’t age appropriate, despite parental censors.

On viewing pictures: Facebook loves Google+

Arnold — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:22:16 +0000

Ever since Google+ launched, we all have noticed that Facebook made it a habit to pick up bits and pieces of what Google has done right. Nothing's really wrong with that, I think. We do that all the time. It just shows the maturity Google has over Facebook, in a lot of ways, I guess.

I noticed that Facebook just 'shipped' a new way to view your pictures today. And, I thought I was on Google+ :D Take a look at the screenshots below. Judge for yourself.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Beware. Your online photos from your cellphone can be a security threat

Arnold — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:18:07 +0000

First, watch this. Very informative and at the same time alarming.

For tech geeks, this information is basic. But I'm thinking about just anybody else who has a smartphone and posting their pictures online. You should know that your phone is producing geographical locations embedded on your pictures' metadata. This enables practically anyone who knows about this to track you down through the picture you posted.

Here's a guide on how to turn off your phone's location settings from ICanStalkU.com.

What are we, a bunch of radio commentators?

Arnold — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:38:25 +0000

We’re all devastated by the sight of people who died and was affected by the recent typhoon that hit Northern Mindanao. While I’ve seen really kind hearted people using the internet for good, most just use it as venue to criticize.

All the finger pointing won’t help at this point. Let’s stop criticizing the President or PAGASA for what happened in Mindanao. Let’s just stop talking and grab our wallets and help Sendong’s victims.

Choose your agency: Redcross, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, GMA Kapuso, TV5 Kapatid Foundation, Operation Blessing (our family’s choice NGO http://www.obphil.com/v2/page/p/mindanao-needs-you — it has a credit card facility, if you have the capability, you don’t have any reason not to help). Whatever it is, let’s just act.

What’s saddens me more is that tragedies like this reflect our character as a nation. Last night was the worst: we even knit picked on an actress’ innocent tweet to have a chance to criticize the President? What are we now, a bunch of radio commentators? I don’t know what to say.

Act. Now. Stop. Talking.

Project: KapatidTV

Arnold — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:39:52 +0000

This year is probably one of our best, not only because of the new web applications and partnerships we've established, but most notably, we were given a chance to work with TV5 on several web projects they launched this year — one of which is launched just recently – KapatidTV (http://kapatidtv.com).

We only have TV5 and Carlo Ople, their New Media Head to thank for for trusting us and giving us a chance to prove that even a small web development house can provide quality products and services. And working with their bunch of really cool new media stuff is definitely an advantage.

The story behind GroupHug.ph

Arnold — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:05:42 +0000

(Warning: might be long and filled with gramatical errors :D — I decided to just write this once and not bother with copy editing. Quick summary: I recently joined the Start-up Weekend Manila and the idea I pitched placed 5th over-all. Not bad!)

The story behind the idea

Last month, we had this message series at church entitled "Change Your World in 52 Days". Craig Groeschel asked "What breaks your heart?" and then challenged us — "Somebody has got to do something. It might as well be me".

And so I asked myself, what breaks my heart? My answer: aside from seeing people far from God (my first on the list), it breaks my heart whenever I see kids who needs healthcare and are not getting any because of poverty.

TV stations like GMA and ABS-CBN have been so far successful in bringing these concerns to TV viewers. They will create program segments that features these kids and would ask you to donate and support their hospitalization.

If you really care, your heart is pounded. I would normally have that feeling — I want to donate, I want it now! And so the TV programs will tell you where to deposit the money, the name of the child and assures you that your money will be able help the kid survive the predicament. And sure it will. So the next morning, you'll wake up, eat your breakfast and go back to work. You forgot about the heart-breaking segment you saw on TV last night. I don't blame myself, or anyone for that matter, who will have this routine. We're human beings. We forget. That's our nature. Our nature is the problem.

Somebody has got to do something. It might as well be me. There's a solution to this problem. And as a web entrepreneur, I can see a solution.

Imagine if you'll see this same program, same images, same story of a kid who needs healthcare — the same intensity, the same emotion, the same willingness to help — this time on a website while you're browsing, or checking your emails, or lurking at Facebook. You are presented with the opportunity to help the child right there and then — not tomorrow in the bank — right now, with your Paypal accounts and your credit cards. Assuming that you have the real desire to help, the possibility of you making that step has increased by a hundred fold. Multiply that with hundreds of possible donors, pitching in to help the child. I'm sure raising funds will be faster than just featuring his story on TV.

The idea: a web app that non-government organizations can use to facilitate online donations for kids that need healthcare.

When I was sharing this to my LifeGroup, my original plan is just to partner with a huge organization that works with children healthcare (like ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation), offer my services in building this platform for free. I wasn't planning to earn anything out of it. Just the thought of having my skills gone to good use is a huge blessing and an accomplishment for me. I have in fact contacted a friend at a TV station to try to pitch this idea to him to see if his organization can support this partnership. But Start-up Weekend Manila happened sooner.

Start-up Weekend Manila's pitch

Start-up Weekend was finally coming to the Manila. (To know more about Start-Up Weekend Manila, click here). I know I'll join — not for anything else but to just be immersed into the Pinoy geek community. The energy of multiple geeks and entrepreneurs in one room would definitely blow my mind. That's what I looked forward to. On the side, I was thinking about pitching an idea. A "cool" start up.

Unfortunately, I can't think of anything original. My other ideas have been implemented already either by my team or with others around. The only other idea that I have in mind is this one — the non-profit web app for children's health care. So I thought, why not pitch this idea and see if this is viable.

However, if this will be pitched it needs to be profitable. So, I kinda modified the idea. Instead of just doing it for free to partner with one huge organization, I would be presenting it as a Software-As-A-Service, Social Entrepreneurship start-up that will provide free tools to multiple organizations that takes care of children's healthcare donations. The revenue stream will come from processing fees. Not bad, isn't it?

Friday night pitch fire

I pitched the idea. I was among the less than 70 ideas that stood and pitched for 1 minute. My goal is simple: no competition, just wanting to know how people will react to the idea. Is that something worth pursuing? Will people actually find it interesting?

I named this start up GroupHug.ph. As in, "come on, let's group together, hug this kid by pitching in our money for his hospitalization" group hug.

Wasn't expecting anything actually. When informal votation came, my piece of paper was average. Compare to that Voodoo App's popularity, mine was … well.. :D

Team formation

But then, it made it to top 20! We were asked to form a team to work on a prototype over the weekend for presentation Sunday night. Some really passionate individuals approached me and interested to work on the project with me.

Meet Chris, Sam, John and Dayle. With the exception of John, everyone else I just met that night. We started rough and extreme. That's natural for people who do not know each other, with different goals and directions. My goal was simple — I just want the idea to come out. Not to win or anything like that. But these dudes, they're on to something. They want to win. They so believe in the idea that they actually believe this will win the Singapore incubator gig! They're so passionate about winning that they got me to believe about the project's winnability, too! And I'm saying this on a positive note. Sometimes, you need people to believe in you to so you can believe in yourself.

They're not just about winning, they coupled the passion with hard work. I saw them worked their ass off over the weekend to be able to come up with a prototype.

Sunday night presentation

I've marveled as I listened to the presenters. Filipinos do have wonderful ideas. We have skills to match the ideas. Just being in the midst of that room with those really talented individuals makes me want to go home :D But, I still need to present what we have.

My presentation focused not just on the web app. It focused primarily on the benefit. And since this web app is primarily for a cause, my goal is to trigger the emotions of those that will be watching it. That's how GroupHug.ph differed from the rest — it's not just about technology, it's technology with a heart.

People's reaction

Seeing how great the other apps were technologically, I already knew we're not going to be #1. But still, we'd be winners if my goal of confirming whether people can relate with the project or not, if the project is viable or not, will happen. And somehow, it happened.

After my presentation, several people came to me telling me how they loved the idea. It's the cause for children's healthcare that grabbed their attention and touched their hearts. An incubator gave me a card, interested to talk about GroupHug.ph further.

Some people Twitted:

@iamLadyVera: I used to think that I don't have a heart but GroupHug.ph just touched it.

@renzmarv : Hope to see GroupHug & Startup Mavericks to get live soon! Aside from ours, those two are my personal favorites! #swmanila @jasontorres

@dazedndconfused: #swmanila GROUPHUG very socially conscious app- " technology with heart"

jfdiasia: #swmanila GroupHug: web application facilitating donations for children's healthcare services

5th place finish

Hearing the people's reaction makes us winners already, seriously. That's the primary reason why I came here, to validate this idea. The icing on the cake being part of the top winners — 5th to be exact.

So, what's next?

What's next for GroupHug.ph? Are we going to continue on with this? Quick answer: of course. Why not? The idea has been validated. People loved it. It will make a difference in the lives of children who needs healthcare. And quite honestly, it will also make a difference in the lives of people who will be given the chance to donate. Giving is always a blessing, it changes you more than it changes the recipient of your gift.

HOWEVER, the reality is, to launch this project requires a lot of time and energy. It's not a simple iPhone app that you upload on iTunes store. GroupHug.ph requires vision casting to non-profit organizations. The webapp itself, as I envision it, needs dedicated time to make it work. And I can't make my company, TeamSparrow be involved in this. We're really full at this point and a man-hour investment is something my team cannot provide. On top of that, I just launched a start up (in partnership with Abe of YugaTech and James, a long time client) called YugaDeals. And, together with my buddy Jerameel and Abe, we've started working on another cool, kick ass web app which we hope to launch by early 2012. Plus, I have another start up: LifeChurch Makati (which technically is a start up too). I can't have too many start ups all at the same time. I need to do outsourced work to feed my family. LOL! :D

BUT, this thing is real. And it needs to happen. Maybe, if I'm going to run this from the leadership capacity without involving my current company and with an incubator or VC supporting it, maybe things will be much easier and it'll fly as it should. So, GroupHug.ph is on the fridge right now as I try to follow up on those incubators and possible VCs and partners.

Start-up Weekend is both a fun and a challenge

I have learned a lot from this experience. I honestly have some reservations, but overall, the Start-up Weekend is what the Philippines need to promote entrepreneurship and technology in the country. We have really great minds locally. These people don't need to go abroad to work. Work is here.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Farewell, Steve Jobs. You’re an inspiration.

Arnold — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:55:15 +0000

We will "always be hungry. Always be foolish."