Punto de Vista

As I arrived home, the news on the proposal of the Kabataan (youth) Party List  greeted me... and so here's my two cents worth...

The news on Kabataan Partylist’s proposal to ban celebration of religious activities at public offices made me squint, drop my jaw, and grimace... Rep, please revisit articles 131, 132, and 133 of the Revised Penal Code—I think they’re clear enough to be understood by a law maker, and no need to spend the public’s money for amendment or passing of another bill prohibiting it.

As per news (on Bandila), your objective is to give equal opportunities to all religious affiliations to express their rights... but it think the bill you’re attempting to propose is doing the opposite—it would limit the rights of the people to express their religious rights and/or to peacefully assemble or conduct public meetings, if not religious worship.

This practice of holding religious activities have been long customarily done in the public offices… and these activities have not been proven to be injurious to the rights of the members of other religious affiliations… no need to exercise Police Power to regulate it then.

To provide equal opportunity and enjoyment among these religious groups, why not provide them prayer rooms like what our Muslim brothers and sisters in the public office are requesting for or rooms for other religious groups’ religious/spiritual/social activities.

Why abolish something helpful to the moral development and values formation of the citizens, especially the public officers, who are supposed to be the role models of the citizens and the youth?

These peaceful activities of the religious are helpful and healthful… Don’t deprive the people of their rights and privileges; nor regulate something beneficial to the general welfare of the people without even a sound legal ground.

I strongly believe the Kabataan Partylist can do better than this proposal. I strongly believe the youth can bring about a really wise revolution beneficial to the mental, emotional, and spiritual growth of our fellow youths…not to mention, our values formation, which has significant transcendence in shaping the next wave of responsible citizenry.

Education. Health. Sports development. Environmental awareness. Financial literacy. Volunteerism and service. These are the core areas that we, the youths, need to be involved in more and have an active participation and growth.

Let the fundamental law of the state be interpreted and applied in the light of the wisdom of the framers… so far, this set of laws is adaptive and it still keeps up with our times. Pass bills which our youths, your constituents, NEED more—not those you incumbent Rep think is appropriate now. Don’t be pressured by the nearing elections. There are more important matters concerning youth that need your attention and energy.  :-)

Sincerely and respectfully,

Your fellow youth

Daily Unspoken Universal Language of Love IV

My last installment for my series of love thoughts for the month of February.

All these were drawn from real life experiences :-)

I thank all my friends for showing me the different faces and degrees of love.

I thank the person whom I loved the most and who, eventually, hurt me the most... without that person I wouldn’t be able to experience how it is to love unconditionally and I wouldn’t know myself this much.

I thank my late father who taught me a lot of valuable and important things about life and love during my formation stage... I can still vividly remember our conversations in our memorable folding bed when I was 4 years old. I love you papa! Our roughly 11 years together was filled with love and fun.

I thank my ever loving and supportive bestfriend-bestenemy, my favorite person, my wonder mother! I love you ma! None of your acts of love and kindness is ever discounted... I am so grateful you are our mother! You taught me the value of giving and loving without expecting anything in return--I realized, they are essential elements in living a joyful and peaceful life.

To my ever loving and faithful Lord God! Thank you for giving me all these people as your vessels of love and blessings! Thank you for calling me and letting me come before You no matter how sinful I am... and for continuously teaching and blessing me as each day unfolds. All the honor and glory be given to You, loving and faithful Lord God! :-)

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Love is one of the ancient concepts that scholars, philosophers, doctors, and psychologists cannot agree on nor describe with some degree of exactitude. But for the layman, love is simply that feeling that inspires one to take a bath daily, act like a superhero, think like google, share like a philanthropist, and steal one's ID picture like a thief in the night.

55/366 of 2012 Infatuation momentarily urges you showoff; while love inspires you to become better and better each day…not to flaunt, but to give the other person the best things you think she/he deserves—yourself being the first in the list.

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Happy 26th EDSA/People Power Revolution

Loving the country and fellowmen is best expressed by being a responsible individual and by possessing common honesty in dealing with others. Patriotism is not an occasional, flurried emotional outburst only manifested in times of crises or national celebrations; but a steady lifetime dedication of serving the country by contributing to our country’s development in our own daily simple ways—picking up your candy wrapper, giving back excess change, helping a kid or an elderly cross the street, driving responsibly, falling in line in taxi bays.

56/366 of 2012 Just like any other goodness we advocate, genuine love for one’s country and race starts with oneself, by being productive and doing good for the welfare of the public, even when no one is looking at you. Just like any other kind of love, be proud of your love for the country and make your patriotism be witnessed and felt by others.

Be informed. Be involved. Light one candle...pass on the light and keep the fire burning.

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Sincere strong friendship shared by lovers serves as their safety buckle when their affinity soars to the heavens, dives into oceanbed, hangs over the edge, and when their hair turns gray and they comfortably sit in their rockingchairs.

57/366 of 2012 There’s a point in every relationship where each party stops loving each other as partners... then they start, loving each other as oneself.

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Inasmuch as love is good, love is also willing to steal, cheat, hide, brag, and lie... Steal your pains; cheat temptations; hide your heart; brag about you to the entire world; lie beside you every single day.

58/366 of 2012 Love makes the pessimist realize countless reasons to thank God for; the stoic give up pride to give way to partner’s happiness; the idealist appreciate flaws as opportunities to make love stronger and sweeter.

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Love is about respecting each other’s individuality. You don’t dictate nor impose, instead, you guide and remain as the balancer. When you’re together, you do your best to help improve each other and to make the person feel loved and extraspecial without ceasing. When it’s time to let go, you respect the decision with an open mind and open heart no matter how painful you feel, and you keep the worthkeeping and love silently without burdening the other person until you’ve totally moved on.

59/366 of 2012 You can live well on your own, but you choose to be with the other person; not because she/he is indispensable, but simply because you love her/him more than you need her/him. Chosing to be with the other person other a little less than love twists story. ;-)

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There’s no greater and truly unconditional love on earth than prental love. Everyday our parents love us in various ways—both in small and great ways. We just don’t notice their love enough because we have it since birth, and we subconsciously know that their parental love lasts for a lifetime. Let us start to nurture our filial love and be expressively grateful to our mamas and papas. We don’t notice it... their getting older, we become occupied by our busy lives, yet their love remain untarnished and kindling so bright that we feel the warmth no matter how physically far we are from them.

60/366 of 2012 Our life is God’s gift to us through our parents. How we live our lives is our expression of our love to God and our gift to our parents.