Nov 30th 09
Posted by Arnold in Politics
And here’s why:
- Convicted plunder former president Joseph Estrada, at age 70+ wants to be president again. For fun and ego, he wants to prove others wrong about his wrong doings.
- Current president and very UNpopular at that, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, will run as representative. So her plate number will now be 8 and not 1, eh! If she wins, how will her colleagues in Congress call her — Madame. President, er… Madame Speaker?
- Ah, Joey de Venecia. Aside from promising “free cellphones” when he win the senate, what else do he want to do? Is the senate now the ultimate target of “whistle blowers”?
These and a lot more.
So, what do you think makes Philippine politics fun?
Nov 24th 09
Posted by Arnold in Too Personal
Thank you for visiting, I know any blog with the word “scandal” wins.
And talking about how to be a hero, let me switch channels and talk about how to become a responsible “miron”.
“Miron”, in our street lingo means a by-stander, a watcher, somebody who are not actually part of the action although he may feel he is.
Much has been said about Manny Pacquiao, our boxing hero, and his rumored affair with a sexy star. I’m not going to join the fray.
What I’m alarmed of is our natural tendency to over analyze things at the expense of the people involved. We’re good commentators. We blog about anything. We tweet and facebook things as if we know the people involved. Who knows who were hurt by those comments?
FACT: things that we know are based on what the media feed us. The media feed us of what we want. The juicier, the merrier. None of us know the context behind the supposed pictures, or the supposed videos on YouTube. None of us know any personal knowledge about the lives of these public personalities. So unless you are Jinky or Krista or Aling Dionisia or Kris Aquino, stop over analyzing and stop the blogging, will you all? You’re not helping. You’re in fact destroying the lives of the people involved. Gossiping is a sin.
Watch their lives — their public personalities anyway. But be a responsible “miron”.
Nov 24th 09
Posted by Arnold in All in a days work
For the last 2 weeks, “Hero” is the buzz word. From Manny Pacquiao winning the 7th world boxing title and just recently, Efren Penaflorida winning the CNN Hero of The Year award for his passion for educating the out of school youth through his unique “school-on-cart”.
Both men possess the values of a modern day hero. Both have given a unique contribution to the world through their extraordinary passion in their respective fields. Both have given the country honor and glory in the midst of sad news on rampant government corruption, election violence and perceived hopelessness of the people. They both gave us someone to look up to.
For the ordinary person that we are, though, can we become heroes ourselves? Do we need to be extraordinary athletes, or super genius academe, or someone who possess a great idea no one else has thought of? Do you need to work abroad just so you can be call the “modern-day hero”?
Do you need to die for your country to be called a hero?
I know you know the answer. I’m going to state the obvious. As simple, ordinary as you are, you can and I can be heroes.
You are the only father who can raise your children well — be the best father you can be for them. You can be the best spouse to your better half — grow your relationship. Your business, small as it is, can make a difference — be honest to your employees and to your clients. Your company hired you because they believe in what you can do for its growth — be the best employee that you can be.
God has given us a special mission unique for each of us. Nobody can do it but you. (Sounds like a dance song to me!) You don’t need to be extraordinary to be a hero. You are a hero if you do your part in this society. Honor Manny and Efren — but most of all, look at the mirror and ask yourself how you can be like them, an everyday life hero for your family, your friends, your loved ones, your company, your country.
Nov 20th 09
Posted by Arnold in Family
I’m Arnold, your friendly neighborhood web guy. I love technology, I love the internet. And I love to sell — online.
Not off line. Not my thing. But hey, I love my wife and I support her passion and endeavors. ;-)
So, here it goes:
GAP jeans for kids and toddlers, straight from the factory. Up to 70% off the store price. Great way to give out inexpensive but branded gifts this season. If you’re at Makati/Mandaluyong/San Juan/Pasig area, give Joyce a private message (on Twitter of Facebook) for details on how to see the items.
Ayos?!
Nov 13th 09
Posted by Arnold in Day today, Theology
This month is Halloween month. So at Grace Place, we thought of having a series for that. It’s called, “So you’re dead… now what”. It talks about anything about the after life. It’s a very uncomfortable topic, but heck we know we’re all going to die. It’s better to know what’s next than not at all!
This week, we’re talking about Hell. As my wife said, it’s a good topic, no body wants to talk about it, so let’s bring it on. While preparing for my grace group tonight, these thoughts run through my mind.
- We’re all going to die. Oh, yeah, we are. Whatever life altering procedure you do, we’re all going to die.
- There are 2 major views of death. I came from a tradition that says when you die, you sleep (a.k.a the doctrine of “soul sleep”). I changed camp. Most evangelicals believe that when you die, you continue to exist and will either directly go to heaven or hell (a.k.a. the doctrine of “Immortality of the Soul”). I will have a few Adventists on my grace groups, and if this question will be raised, I’m just going to say, “You continue to believe what you know is true, I believe mine, and it’s alright. Because whether the soul sleeps or is awake when you die is not the real issue. The real issue is, what are you doing now that you’re alive so that you’ll know exactly where you’re going in the after life?
- Heaven is real.
- Hell is real. But we don’t want to talk about it. Because we want to live as if it doesn’t exist.
- You won’t see your buddies in hell. You won’t drink beers with them, won’t laugh with them, won’t party with them. In hell, you’re going to be all alone. All by yourself. Nobody to talk to. In utter darkness.
- God doesn’t want us to go to hell. In the first place, hell is created for Satan. But because of our sinfulness and God’s holiness, we’re going there. And if we do, that doesn’t mean God didn’t do anything to save you. He did EVERYTHING you can imagine when he sent Jesus on earth and die a criminal’s death. You just don’t want to do anything with Jesus today. You simply want to do what you want to do with your life. And God will let you. Go. To. Hell.
