ADDICT KA BA SA VIDEO GAMES?

Isa sa hindi ko makakalimutang regalo noong ako ay bata pa ay ang Game and Watch na ibinigay sa akin ng aking tita na nagtatrabaho dati sa Saudi Arabia. Iyon ang old version ng Gameboy. Kapag may Game and Watch ka noon, angat ka sa mga kalaro mo na walang alam laruin kundi tumbang preso at tagu-taguan. Pero nawala ang atensyon ko sa Game and Watch nang bigyan ang pinsan ko ng ATARI. Pa-morningan ang laro namin ng Pacman pati Enduro (ung race car game) hanggang sa ilang joystick ang masira namin sa sobrang energetic namin maglaro. Kapag ayaw magpalaro ng iba, siguradong away iyon. Nasundan ang ATARI ng Family Computer. Ang Family Compute ay sinundan naman ng Computer Games at Play Station. Ngayon mayroon nang PSP at Online Games tulad ng D.O.T.A. (Death of the Ancients) at Counter Strike. Nauso pa ang Nintendo Wii at Sony PS3.

Naimbento ang video games noong 1970s. Simple lang ang unang naimbentong laro, ang Pong na may dalawang rectangle bilang paddle at isang square ball na pagpapasa-pasahan ng mga manlalaro. Ang itinuturing na kauna-unahang marahas na laro ay ang PAC-MAN kung saan kumakain na ng mga pills at ghosts ang bida sa laro. Marami nang lumabas na mga laro magmula nang maimbento ang Pac-Man. Marami sa kanila ay hindi lang mas magaganda ang graphics, mas mararahas din. Halos lumuwa ang bituka at bumaha ng dugo ang ilan sa mga tauhan ng mga larong ito kapag nababaril o napapatay ng naglalaro. Ito ang mga larong kalimitang kinahuhumalingan ng maraming kabataan.

BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF VIDEO GAMES

May magandang naidudulot ang paglalaro ng video games sa mga kabataan. Video games can make one’s mind active and alert. Some even say that video games like Tetris can be a form of therapy and a form of relaxation. Napapaunlad din ng mga video games ang analytical skills ng mga kabataan lalo na sa mga larong ginagamitan ng strategy. These games can also develop eye-hand coordination. Sabay na nanood ang naglalaro at ginagamit ang mouse upang pagalawin ang mga karakter at mga gamit na gadgets sa laro. Simulated games can also promote education, learning, control and discipline. Isang halimbawa nito ay ang mga flight simulators kung saan parang isang piloto ang isang naglalaro. Isa ring magandang halimbawa ay ang SIMS, ang itinuturing na best-selling game of all time.

NGUNIT Sa kabila ng lahat ng kabutihang maaring idulot ng paglalaro ng mga computer games, maraming kabataan ang lalong napapasama dahil sa lubos na pagkagumon. Sa halip na maging educational ang mga simulation games, nagiging “murder simulators” sila dahil mismo ang mga kabataan ang nag-iisip ng paraan paano papatayin ang kanilang kaaway.

Hindi lang karahasan kung hindi maging kahalayan ang maaring bumulaga sa lahat ng video game fanatics. Isang classic example dito ang Duke Nukem 3D, ang kauna-unahang PC first-person shooter game na inilabas noong 1996. Kasama sa laro ang mga hubad na babae, strippers at prostitutes na puwede mong bayaran ng pera para ipakita ang kanilang hubad na katawan.

May tatlo nang naitalang namatay dahil sa sobrang paglalaro ng video games: Si Lee Seung Seop ng South Korea na namatay habang naglalaro ng Starcraft sa loob ng 50 oras, si Xu Yan ng Jinzhou, China na naglalaro ng online games sa loob ng 15 araw at isang hindi ipinakilalang 30-taon na lalaki na namatay sa Guangzhou, China matapos maglaro sa loob ng tatlong araw.

VIDEO GAME ADDICTION: ISANG BAGONG SAKIT

Pinag-uusapan na ngayon ng American Medical Association (AMA) kung ituturing na bang isang mental illness ang Video Gaming Addiction. Bagaman marami pang pag-aaral na kailangang gawin, nakakabahala na ito dahil nakaabot na ito sa atensyon ng mga sikolohista at eksperto sa medisina. Pinatunayan ng isang pag-aaral sa Iowa State University na hindi mapaghihiwalay ang violent video games sa pagiging marahas ng mga kabataan. Hindi makakaila na may epekto ang paglalaro ng video games sa emosyon ng maraming kabataan. Mas tumitindi ang masamang epekto ng mga mararahas na video games sa buhay ng isang kabataan kung nararanasan at nakikita niya rin ang mga bagay na ito sa kaniyang buhay at paligid.

Other negative effects include the following: antisocial behavior, poor academic performance, desensitization to violence and aggression, too much emotional involvement with the character in video games, can lead to other delinquency (i.e. stealing), and can reinforce the aggressive tendencies of players through constant stimulation. Dahil sa tindi ng problema, mayroon isang clinic sa Beijing, China na itinayo upang gamutin ang mga video game addicts. Kalimitan sa mga pasyente ay mga teenagers na may edad 12 hanggang 17. Dahil sa tindi ng problema sa mga mauunlad na bansa tulad ng Amerika, nirerekomenda na ng mga eksperto na magtatag ng Video Gamers Anonymous katulad ng Alcoholics Anonymous para sa mga lulong sa alak.

SIGNS OF ADDICTION

May mga palatandaan kung paano mo malalaman kung may sintomas ka na ng Video Game Addiction. Any addiction involves preoccupation, loss of control, withdrawal and continuance of act despite adverse consequences.

· Preoccupation

o Nauubos ang oras mo sa paglalaro

o Napapabayaan mo na ang iyong kalusugan. Lumiliban ka na sa pagkain.

o You forget your personal hygiene dahil busy ka sa paglalaro

· Loss of control

o Hindi mo mapigilang hindi maglaro

o Gumagawa ka ng paraan para makapaglaro

o Lumiliban sa klase, naghahanap ng paraan para hindi magambala sa paglalaro

o Laging nasa isip mo ang video games.

· Withdrawal

o Naiirita ka kapag hindi ka nakakapaglaro

o Nagagalit ka sa sinumang pinipigilan kang maglaro

PREVENTION IS STILL THE BEST SOLUTION

Gusto mo bang makaligtas sa panganib ng video game addiction? I give you these recommendations:

· Huwag mo nang simulan ang bisyo. Ilaan ang oras at salapi sa mas mahahalagang bagay.

· Humingi ng tulong sa Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng palaging pananalangin upang makontrol at madisiplina ang sarili. Limit your play time and be selective of the game you play. No gore, no violence, no sex, no evil contents.

· Sa halip na sa video games ilaan ang iyong panahon, get involved in activities that will develop your whole personality-get involved in extra-curricular activities in school and church ministries. Focus on your studies and academic work.

· Huwag sumama sa mga barkadang magtutulak sa iyo na maging gumon sa video games.

REPLICA OF NOAH'S ARK in Netherlands

This is the replica of Noah's Ark constructed by a Christian Dutch,Johan Huibers of Schangen, Netherlands. Ito ang patunay na naniniwala siya sa Bibliya at mga kuwento na ipinahayag sa Genesis 6. Mayroong mga life-size giraffees, elephants, zebras and other animals. Makikita rin sa arko ang isang 50-seat theatre kung saan puwedeng mapanood ng mga bisita ang pelikula tungkol kay Noe. Napakalaki na ng arko pero ang tunay na arko ni Noa ay LIMANG BESES mas malaki sa ginawa ni Huibers. Sinimulan niya ang paggawa sa arko noong May 2005. The major reason why Huibers constructed the ark: He wants the younger generation to know the story of God's goodness as revealed in Genesis.

The REAL DEAL on the REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL

The Reproductive Health Bill sponsored by the group of Rep. Edcel Lagman has been the talk of the town for the past few months. Apparently, the Roman Catholic Church (CBCP) takes the lead in opposing the bill. As an academic, I encourage critical and systematic study of issues. As a minister, I support laws that would protect the younger generation from the negative consequences of irresponsible sexual behavior.

Attached is the Reproductive Health Bill (HB 5043). Read the text yourself, then make your own judgment. I highlighted in yellow the sections which I would consider "interesting", "noteworthy", "contentious" and require thorough studies and discussions.

Overall, the bill promotes responsible parenthood through conscious, government-led information campaign. It even supports the promotion of ABSTINENCE before marriage--the message I have been preaching for years. A legal website summarizes the contents of the bill. You can visit: http://jlp-law.com/blog/reproductive-health-bill-fact-sheet-and-explanatory-note/

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(Note: This is the Fact Sheet from the Committee on Health on House Bill No. 5043 [full text], in substitution to HB Nos. 17, 812, 2753 & 3970. Introduced by Reps. Edcel C. Lagman, Janette L. Garin, Narciso D.Santiago III, Mark Llandro Mendoza, Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel, Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona. The full text of the explanatory note of Rep. Edcel Lagman’s House Bill No. 17, one of the substituted bills, is also reproduced below.

OBJECTIVE/S:

• To uphold and promote respect for life, informed choice, birth spacing and responsible parenthood in conformity with internationally recognized human rights standards.
• To guarantee universal access to medically-safe, legal and quality reproductive health care services and relevant information even as it prioritizes the needs of women and children.

KEY PROVISIONS:

• Mandates the Population Commission, to be an attached agency of the Department of Health, to be the central planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring body for effective implementation of this Act.
• Provides for the creation of an enabling environment for women and couples to make an informed choice regarding the family planning method that is best suited to their needs and personal convictions.
• Provides for a maternal death review in LGUs, national and local government hospitals and other public health units to decrease the incidence of maternal deaths.
• Ensures the availability of hospital-based family planning methods such as tubal ligation, vasectomy and intrauterine device insertion in all national and local government hospitals, except in specialty hospitals.
• Considers hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables and other allied reproductive health products and supplies under the category of essential medicines and supplies to form part of the National Drug Formulary and to be included in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national and local hospitals and other government health units.
• Provides for a Mobile Health Care Service in every Congressional District to deliver health care goods and services.
• Provides Mandatory Age-appropriate Reproductive Health Education starting from Grade 5 to Fourth Year High School to develop the youth into responsible adults.
• Mandates the inclusion of the topics on breastfeeding and infant nutrition as essential part of the information given by the City or Municipal Office of the Family Planning to all applicants for marriage license.
• Mandates no less than 10% increase in the honoraria of community-based volunteer workers, such as the barangay health workers, upon successful completion of training on the delivery of reproductive health care services.
• Penalizes the violator of this Act from one month to six months imprisonment or a fine ranging from ten thousand to fifty thousand pesos or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Court.

Free Seminar-Workshop on Youth Ministry Concerns

God has been using me in the teaching ministry. I conduct free seminars and workshops on the following topics:

1) Love, Courtship and Dating (including Homosexuality Concerns)
2) Adolescent Development
3) High School Ministry Essentials
4) Christian Leadership

IF I COULD BE OF HELP TO YOUR CHURCH/YOUTH GROUP/MINISTRY, Kindly contact me through my email addresses: rcmolmisa@gmail.com/rcmolmisa@yahoo.com or my celnum: 0919-6428217. You can also visit our under construction, provisional website: www.generation316.webs.com, for details about our ministry.

I am also an executive staff of the PCEC-National Youth Commission. You can also contact me through pcecnyc@gmail.com. As of now, we're preparing for our annual youth conference, YOUTH FACTOR 2, tentatively scheduled on April 17. Will post more details soon.

God bless YOUth!!

YOU'RE NOT TOO YOUNG TO SERVE GOD

Ang isang batang Hudyo na umabot na sa edad na 13 (sa lalake) o 12 (sa mga babae) ay kailangang dumaan sa isang seremonya na tinatawag na Bar Mitzvah (sa lalake) o Bat Mitzvah (sa babae). After the ceremony, the child is obligated to observe all the commandments. Simula edad 13, ang mga kabataan ay nagsisimulang makibahagi sa mga gawaing panrelihiyon. Kinakabitan sila ng mga phylacteries o maliliit na kahon na itinatali sa kanilang katawan. Nakalagay roon ang mga kasulatan na kailangan nilang basahin at kabisaduhin. Mayroon ding mga isinusuot sa kanilang kaliwang braso at noo upang mas madali niyang maalala ang mga kautusan ng Diyos. Nagbabasa rin siya ng mga libro ni Moises (ang Torah) sa mga pagtitipon.

Katulad ng mga batang Hudyo, kailangang isaisip ng lahat ng kabataan na maglingkod sa Panginoon kahit sa mura nilang edad. Ang panahon ng kabataan ay panahon ng pagseseryoso sa buhay. Hindi natin dapat tanggapin ang ideya na kapag kabataan, OK lang ang magpakasarap sa luho at layaw, dahil ito daw ang pinakamagandang paraan para matuto ng magagandang aral.One of the best ways of developing the character of the youth is through service in the church. Serving God can do wonders in their lives.

Para sa lahat ng kabataan...

Serving God is the main purpose of your life. We are created to serve God. Christ himself set us an example. Maraming kabataan ang mas gusto pang maglingkod sa mga non-Christian organizations kaysa magpagamit sa mga ministries sa church. Hindi ko sinasabing mali ang mag-involve sa mga secular organizations. Kung mayroong mang dapat magsimulang makita ang diwa ng paglilingkod ng mga kabataan, ito ay sa loob ng iglesya. Sa pamamagitan ng iglesya, naitatama ang puso ng mga kabataan. Many get involved in socio-civic projects for personal fulfillment adventure and experience. But when we serve in the church, we are also reminded of the truth that the center of our service should be Christ not us. We are servants and Christ is our Master.

Serving God can make the Word of God more powerful. Mas madaling mong mauunawaan ng mga kabataan ang kahulugan ng pagiging isang Cristiano kung sila mismo ang makakaranas nito. Mas matindi ang epekto ng direktang pagministeryo sa mga mahihirap nang aktuwal kaysa pagtuturo sa Bible studies ng pagmamahal ng Diyos sa mga mahihirap. They need to experience the things being taught to them. Kung kabataan ka na parang walang kabuhay-buhay ang iyong buhay-Cristiano, try to get involved in hands-on ministry. Ministry can make the Word of God more visible and powerful.

Serving God can positively transform your character. Babaguhin ng Diyos ang puso mo kapag lagi kang naglilingkod sa Kaniya. When you minister to people, you do not only change the lives of others, you are also making an impact to your life. Kung dati hate na hate mo ang mga pulubi dahil sila ay marurumi, try mong pakainin sila at mararamdaman mo na hindi sila dapat pandirihan at layuan. Service to God can teach you how to love and be humble. When you get involved in the ministry, He will impart His character to you because you partake in His work.

Ang Kuwento ni Mang Meliton (A Retired UP-Diliman Janitor) - A REPOST

I am reposting this essay about a former janitor of UP-Diliman, Mang Mel. Lagi ko siyang nakikita sa AS (Arts and Sciences) Building noong ako ay nag-aral at nagtrabaho bilang researcher sa College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. Ipinakita ni Mang Mel kung paano siyang naging mapagmahal sa mga estudyante na nangangailangan ng tulong. You may not have the interest to buy his CD but feel free to spread the goodness of his story. Minsan sinabi ng Panginoon na huwag na nating hayaang makita ng ating kanang kamay ang ginagawa ng ating kaliwang kamay. God will reward our good works, kahit hindi iyon alam ng marami. Ang mga tunay na bayani, hindi dapat kinakalimutan.

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Meet Meliton Zamora, a retired University of the Philippines janitor and my hero.

For forty-five years, he swept floors, cleaned up trash, watered plants and did odd jobs at the University.

I met him when I was active with the UP Repertory Company, a theater group based (then) at the third floor lobby of the Arts & Sciences (AS) building. He would sweep and mop the hallway floors in silence, venturing only a nod and a smile whenever I passed him.

Back then, for me he was just one of those characters whom you got acquainted with and left behind as soon as you earned your degree and left the university for some big job in the real world. Someone whose name would probably ring a bell but whose face you'd have a hard time picturing. But for many UP students like me who were hard up and had a difficult time paying their tuition fees, Mang Mel was a hero who gave them the opportunity to finish university and get a big job in the real world.

The year was 1993 and I was on my last semester as a Clothing Technology student. My parents had been down on their luck and were struggling to pay for my tuition fee. I had been categorized as Bracket 9 in the recently implemented Socialized Tuiton and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP). My father had lost his job and to supplement my allowance, I worked part time as a Guest Relations Officer at Sam's Diner (back when the term GRO didn't have shady undertones) and took some odd jobs as a Production Assistant, movie extra and wardrobe mistress.

To be eligible for graduation, I had to enroll in my last three courses and pay my tuition fee. Since my parents didn't have enough money for my matriculation, I applied for a student loan hoping that my one of my Home Economics (HE) professors would take pity on me and sign on as a guarantor for the student loan. But those whom I approached either refused or were not eligible as guarantors. After two unsuccessful weeks of looking for a guarantor, my prospects looked dim, my future dark. And so, there I was, a downtrodden twenty year old with a foggy future, crying in the AS lobby. I only had twenty four hours left to look for a guarantor.

Mang Mel, with a mop in hand, approached me and asked me why I was crying. I told him I had no guarantor for my student loan and will probably not be able to enroll this semester. I had no hopes that he would be able to help me. After all, he was just a janitor. He borrowed my loan application papers and said softly, "Puwede ako pumirma. Empleyado ako ng UP." He borrowed my pen and signed his name. With his simple act of faith, Mang Mel not only saved my day, he also saved my future.

I paid my student loan the summer after that fateful day with Mang Milton and it has been 15 years since then. I am not filthy rich but I do have a good job in the real world that allows me to support my family and eat three meals a day. A few weeks ago, a friend and UP Professor, Daki, told me that Mang Mel recently recorded an album which he sells to supplement his meager retirement pay, I asked another friend, Blaise, who's taking his Master's degree at UP to find out how we could contact Mang Mel. My gesture of gratitude for Mang Mel's altruism has been long overdue. As fate would have it, my friend saw Mang Mel coming out of the shrubbery from behind the UP library, carrying firewood. He got Mang Mel's address and promised him that we would come over to buy his album.

Together with Blaise and my husband Augie, I went to pay Mang Mel a visit last Sunday. Unfortunately, he was out doing a little sideline gardening for a UP professor in Tandang Sora. We were welcomed into their home by his daughter Kit. As she pointed out to a laminated photo of Mang Mel on the wall, she proudly told us that her father did retire with recognition from the University. However, she sadly related to us that many of the students whose loans Mang Mel guaranteed neglected to settle their student loans. After forty-five years of service to the University, Mang Mel was only attributed 171 days of work for his retirement pay because all the unpaid student loans were deducted from his full retirement pay of about 675 days. This seems to me a cruel repayment for his kindness.

This is a cybercall to anyone who did not get to pay their student loans that were guaranteed by Mang Mel. Anytime would be a good time to show Mang Mel your gratitude.

Mang Mel is not asking for a dole out, though I know he will be thankful for any assistance you can give. So I ask those of you who also benefited from Mang Meliton's goodness or for those who simply wish to share your blessings, please do visit Mang Mel and buy his CD (P350 only) at No. 16-A, Block 1, Pook Ricarte, U.P. Campus, Diliman, Quezon City (behind UP International House) or contact his daughter Kit V. Zamora at 0916-4058104.

http://mikersindahawz.multiply.com/journal/item/11/Paying_It_Back_for_Mang_Meliton_a.k.a_Mang_Milton

HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY ESSENTIALS (Issues and Responses)

I have been a youth ministry leader for more than a decade. Nagsimula kami sa pagmiministeryo sa Rizal High School, ang minsang itinuring ng Guiness Book of World Records na pinakamalaking high school sa buong mundo. Kung kaya, mahigit 4,000 kaming nagtapos noong batch ko. Kaya dalawang araw ang graduation ceremonies. After ten years, binalikan ko ang aking Alma Mater, upang maipahayag sa mga estudyante doon ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon. I could say that God has been faithful to our ministry in RHS.

May mga reyalidad na kailangan tayong tanggapin at harapin kung nais nating magsimula ng High School Ministry. Karamihan sa mg katotohanang ito ay may kinalaman sa kung paano tayo makakapasok sa loob mismo ng campus. Although suportado ng DepEd ang pagpo-promote ng Values Education sa mga HS students, hindi ganoon kasimple ang sitwasyon. May nakita akong apat na bagay na makakapigil sa isang iglesya upang mabilis na mapasok
ang isang high school upang magministeryo.

1. PRINCIPAL
2. ABSENCE OF CONTACTS (Teacher and Students)
3. SCARCITY OF MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS
4. LACK OF SYSTEMATIC PROGRAM

THE GATEKEEPER ISSUE
Naniniwala ako na ang pinaka-crucial sa HS ministry sa ating bansa ngayon ay ang mga PRINCIPALS mismo. Sila ang gatekeeper ng anumang paaralan. Kahit mayroon kang permit from the Division Office o basbas mismo sa DepEd ukol sa kagandahan ng iyong intensyon, ang PRINCIPAL pa rin ang masusunod. Unless bukas ang kanilang puso at isipan upang tayo
ay magministeryo, mahihirapan tayong pumasok.

Minsan kinausap ko ang isang principal upang makapagdaos kami kahit ng 30 minutos na youth gathering sa kaniyang eskwelahan. Dahil sa wala pa kaming permit from the Division office noon, pinayuhan kaming kumuha muna. Nakalipas ang isang buwan nang bigyan kami ng Division Office ng permiso. Umaasa kaming papayagan na kami sa eskwelahang aming gustong pasukin. Ngunit biglang nagbago ang ihip ng hangin. Sinabi ng principal na isang Marian Devotee na hindi daw kami maaring payagan dahil baka daw MALITO ang mga bata. Bakit? Kasi mayroon na daw silang lingguhang misa kung saan pinadadalo nila ang mga estudyante. Sa isip ng principal, baka daw MALITO ang mga estudyante kung sino daw ang
sasambahin. Hindi na kami nagtangkang magpaabot ng argumento at hinaing dahil sa talagang hindi niya pinapayagan ang anumang Christian ministry sa loob ng kaniyang eskwelahan. Sinabi na lamang namin na handa kaming makipag-ugnayan sa kaniyang opisina kung kailangan niya ang aming tulong.

PROPOSED SOLUTION/S: Simple subalit parang mahirap gawin. We must first build rapport and relationship with school authorities. This may take time. Lalo na sa mga principals na iba ang religious persuasion. As I see it, hindi natin maaring ipilit ang anumang permits from
higher authorities dahil ang mga principals ang mga presidente ng eskwelahan. Ang kanilang mga salita ang mas pinanghahawakan ng mga estudyante at mga guro. Kung ipipilit naman natin ang ating kagustuhan na wala silang basbas, humanda na tayo sa isang SECRET High School Missionary Strategies. Maari natin itong gawin sa labas o loob ng eskwelahan. Pero, outside class hours. If you can do this strategy, wala namang problema. But we can make HS ministry easier and hassle-free.

How can we establish relationship with school authorities? Isang epektibong paraan ay pagdadaos ng mga proyekto o seminar na makakatulong sa mga estudyante na walang masyadong religious bias (i.e. Career Orientation Program, Drug Abuse Awareness Program). As for our case, we coordinate with Values Education Department Heads of High Schools to have Love, Courtship and Dating Seminars which are presented in academic manner. I can say, effective siya lalo na sa mga third year and fourth year students.

THE ISSUE OF CONTACTS
Kung maayos naman ang ating relasyon sa principal ng eskwelahan at pinapayagan tayo na makapagministeryo, may isa pa tayong kailangan lampasan—kailangan mayroon tayong mga contacts. Ang hirap magsimula ng HS ministry na wala kang contacts sa loob. I am not saying that you cannot start a HS ministry without contacts. This scenario, however, can hamper the growth of the ministry. It would be better if we have students whom we can meet regularly every week. Train them to do the works of the ministry and send them to minister to other students.

Also, if you want instant student groups na mami-meet every week, you must have a contact teacher na inyong kilala. Nonetheless, hindi ninyo puwede i-meet nang buong class time ang mga estudyante dahil masisilip iyon ng School authorities at ng DepEd. DepEd has set specific learning competencies for the students. As for our ministry's case, we are only allowed to meet the students 30 minutes at most (for non-Values Education subject) para may time pa for academic instruction ang aming contact teachers. We can only teach for one
hour sa mga Values Education subjects. We meet the students once a week for a Christian values program we designed.

PROPOSED SOLUTION/S: Make your church youth as your school contacts. Disciple and train them to do campus work. Scout for Christian teachers in the high school. Pray for them and schedule a meeting.

LACK OF VOLUNTEERS
Kung maayos na ang relasyon natin sa principal, may mga contacts na tayo na estudyante at mga guro, subalit wala naman tayong REGULAR na HS Ministry Volunteers, maaring masayang din ang ating mga pagsisikap. High school ministry is a weekday ministry. Isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit kakaunti ang mga HS Campus ministers dahil karamihan sa mga
church workers ay may mga trabaho. To some extent, HS ministry often requires volunteers who can be available any day of the week. To establish relationship with the students, you need to visit them, talk to them, attend school events and relate to them. Ideally, a HS campus minister must stay inside the campus at least 6 HOURS a week for student visitation.

PROPOSED SOLUTION/S: Pag-usapan sa iglesya kung sino ang itatalagang campus ministry director o staff. Maaring ang pastor mismo ang magsimula at magsama ng mga volunteers na puwedeng i-train.

THE NEED FOR A SYSTEMATIC PROGRAM
Kailangan ng high school ministry ang isang maayos at sistematikong programa for certain reasons. Una, limitado ang oras ng mga estudyante sa loob ng campus. Dalawa ang maaring maging istratehiya: inside or outside the classroom. Kapag uwian na, inaasahan sila na umuwi na sa bahay. Kung titipunin natin sila after class hours, hindi puwedeng masyadong matagal ang anumang gathering (recommended is 1 hour). Kung sa loob naman ng classroom, kailangang may maayos na lesson plan o curriculum na ituturo sa kanila upang maging maayos at mapabilis ang paglagong espiritwal ng mga estudyante.

Pangalawa, batay na rin sa aming karanasan, nababagot ang maraming estudyanteng dumalo sa ministeryong hindi nila alam ang kanilang patutunguhan. Kailangan ipaalam sa mga estudyante kung ano ang mga benepisyo at kahalagahan ng pagsama sa isang Christian fellowship.Kailangan maging lugar ang ministeryo upang mapalago ng estudyante ang
kanilang relasyon sa Panginoon, makakita ng mga bagong kaibigan at malinang ang kanilang mga talento (i.e. music and dance).

Pangatlo, mahihirapang ma-sustain ang isang HS ministry na walang programa. Halimbawa, kailangang may maayos na sistema kung paano pipiliin ang mga HS Ministry staff na mga estudyante, paano ang kanilang training, ang mga ministry requirements at marami pang iba.
Isa sa mga dapat isaisip ng mga iglesya ay ang makapagtatag ng isang HS Christian organization upang mapanatili ang ministeryo sa loob ng campus.

PROPOSED SOLUTION/S:
• Kung wala pang karanasan ang iglesya sa HS ministry, maaring makipag-ugnayan sa mga church, parachurch o mga ministeryo na nagbibigay ng mga campus ministry training.
• Maari din namang magdisenyo ang iglesya ng mga programa at proyekto kung paano iri-reach-out ang mga HS students. Makakatulong ang pagsasaliksik sa Internet o pagsa-subscribe sa mga online campus ministry newsletters upang magkaroon ng mas malawak na kaalaman.

HEART FOR HS STUDENTS
Alam ninyo ba na maari kayong magtayo ng isang church mula sa mga high school students? Sinasabi ko ito dahil ang iglesyang aking pinangungunahan ay binuo ng Panginoon mula sa mga kabataan sa haiskul. Isa sa mga ipinanalangin ko bago ko suungin ang HS ministry ay ang mga pangungusap na ito: "PANGINOON, BIGYAN MO AKO NG PUSONG LABIS NA
MAGMAMAHAL SA MGA KABATAAN." Hindi madali ang HS ministry dahil magastos, nakakapaos sa boses at makukulit ang mga estudyante. BUT IT'S ALL WORTH IT. Ang mga patotoo ng mga kabataang nababago ang buhay dahil sa pagmahahal sa Panginoon ay sapat na para magpatuloy tayo sa pag-abot sa mga kabataan.

NGAYONG BAGONG TAON, HUWAG AGAD MANGANGAKO...MANATILING LUMA...

Hindi na mawawala sa bokabularyo ng maraming tao ang salitang New Year’s Resolution o mga pangako na nais nilang tuparin sa bagong taon---mga bagay at ugali na gustong tanggalin, gustong gawin dahil hindi nagawa, gustong ulitin dahil na-enjoy ang karanasan at marami pang iba.Honestly, hindi ko ugaling magsabi o magsulat ng New Year’s Resolutions. Rather I always pose New Year’s THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER REQUESTS.

Madaling mangako pero hindi lahat madaling tuparin. Kung marami kang pangakong kailangang panghawakan, mas tumitindi ang “pressure” para sila ay sundin. If you don’t deliver to your promises, you’re just fooling yourself. Sabi nga nila, less promises, less pressure.Bagaman ang mga New Year’s Resolutions ay kalimitang pangako para sa SARILI, sinasalamin rin nito ang puso ng tao patungkol sa kaniyang relasyon sa kaniyang kapwa. What does the Scripture tell us about making promises and entering into commitments and covenants?

GOD PROHIBITS US TO MAKE CARELESS VOWS. Moses said to the tribes of Israel: 'This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the Lord, or takes an oath to oblidge himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.' (Numbers 30:1-2). They are not also allowed to use the name of the Lord when they make promises (Leviticus 19:12). Ito rin ang sinabi ng Panginoong Hesus sa mga disipulo at ni Apostol Santiago (Matthew 5:33-37, Santiago 5:12). Maraming tao, kahit sa kasalukuyang panahon, ang ginagamit pa ang pangalan ng Diyos (“Saksi ko ang Diyos!”) para magmukhang credible ang kanilang pangako. At kapag hindi nila natupad ang kanilang binitiwang pangako, kinakaladkad nila ang pangalan ng Diyos sa kahihiyan.

KAPAG TAYO AY NANGAKO, TUPARIN NATIN AGAD. HANGAL ANG MGA TAONG HINDI TUMUTUPAD SA KANILANG PANGAKO. Minsang isinulat ni Haring Solomon, "When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, 'My vow was a mistake.' Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7).

Sa halip na mangako sa pagsisimula ng BAGONG TAON, nirerekomenda kong manatili tayong LUMA..

LUMA-layo sa kasalanan at mga bagay na makakasakit sa puso ng Diyos. We should get rid of all habits, behaviors, attitudes that are would destroy our relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23).

LUMA-lakas ang pananampalataya sa Diyos. We can never overcome sin, if we do not have a personal and strong relationship with God. Let us draw nearer to God so that we can live in His holiness (James 4:8).

LUMA-lago ang relasyon at pagkakilala sa Panginoon (3:18 Principle). This year, let us all grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). May He transform us according to His image and continue to grow from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).

LUMA-labas ang bunga ng Espiritu dahil sa patuloy na pagsunod sa Diyos (Galatians 5:22-23). Sinabi ng Panginoon sa kaniyang mga disipulo sa Juan 15:4-5, “Manatili kayo sa akin at mananatili ako sa inyo. Hindi makapamumunga ang sangang hindi nananatiling nakakabit sa puno. Gayon din naman, hindi kayo makapamumunga kung hindi kayo mananatili sa akin. Ako ang puno ng ubas, kayo ang mga sanga. Ang nananatili sa akin, at ako sa kanya, ang siyang namumunga nang sagana; sapagkat wala kayong magagawa kung kayo'y hiwalay sa akin.” It is only through ABIDING in Christ that we can bear the fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.Isang mapagpalang Bagong taon sa ating lahat. Pagpalain tayo ng Panginoon!

Samuel Huntington, Harvard Political Scientist, Dies at 81

By ESTHER I. YI

Crimson Staff Writer

Samuel P. Huntington was unafraid to launch his ideas onto the center of the intellectual stage, even when they sparked considerable controversy. But friends and family said they will remember the bespectacled political scientist for his gentle, reserved nature, and commitment to scholarship and education.

The preeminent scholar of national security, democratization, civil-military relations, and strategy—whose expertise touched legions of students and policymakers—died of congestive heart failure and complications related to diabetes at the age of 81 last week on Martha’s Vineyard, according to wife Nancy A. Huntington '55.

Professor Huntington, who taught at Harvard for 58 years before retiring in 2007, was a gentle, yet quietly serious, presence in the government department, where he left behind a legacy of academic integrity and commitment to undergraduate education during his tenure, colleagues said.

Though Huntington’s views sparked heated debate among international relations theorists, the strength of his ideas and methods of presentation won him popularity among students, according to long-time friend and former Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Henry Rosovsky.

“He was so brilliant that you wanted to learn as much as you could from him and try to be as honest and as serious about your work as he was,” said government Professor Stephen P. Rosen ’74, a former student of Huntington’s. “He was an inspiration…he was always there for his students.”

Huntington's most famous academic treatise espoused that cultural and religious differences between the world’s major civilizations—rather than ideological disparities between political states—would be the cause of violent conflicts in a post-Cold War world.

The world's major civilizations, Huntington said, were Western, Latin American, Islamic, African, Orthodox, Hindu, Japanese, and "Sinic" (which included other East Asian cultures).

The theory drew controversy for its focus on differences between civilizations when Huntington first published it in 1993 as an article in the journal Foreign Affairs. Some at the time criticized the work for reinforcing and oversimplifying cultural divisions, though it later gained support, particularly after the Sept. 11 attacks, which some pointed to as evidence of the cultural strife predicted by Huntington's theory.

In 1996, he expounded on his argument in the book “The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order,” which has been translated into 39 languages.

Huntington's most recent book, "Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity," published in 2004, provoked accusations of racism for warning that a tide of Mexican immigration to the U.S. would undermine "our Anglo-Protestant culture."

“He was a scholar, first and foremost,” Mrs. Huntington said. “He knew that…there would be controversy but felt obliged to do what he thought was right and what was true.”

“He had a wonderful capacity to deal with crucial topics,” Rosovsky said of Huntington, who wrote 17 books over the course of his academic career. “In many ways, I think academic achievement is very much related to choosing the right subject, and Sam was incredibly good at that.”

Kennedy School Professor Graham T. Allison Jr. called Huntington "an outstanding teacher, a great thinker, and a valued colleague" who had the “rare capacity” for larger insights into overarching themes like democratization and military politics.

“Not just big insights but grasp of truths that have legs,” Allison added in his e-mailed statement. “Among political scientists, or indeed, all social scientists today, he had no peer competitor. Personally as well as intellectually, we miss him deeply.”

Samuel Phillips Huntington was born on April 18, 1927, in New York City, to parents steeped in the trade of words—his father was an editor and publisher, and his mother a writer.

In 1946, the precocious 18-year-old graduated with distinction from Yale College. After serving briefly in the U.S. Army, Huntington continued his education at the University of Chicago and at Harvard, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1951.

The year before earning his doctorate, the 23-year-old Huntington began teaching at Harvard, where he was often mistaken for an undergraduate, according to Rosovsky. Excepting the period between 1959 and 1962, when he was an associate professor of government at Columbia, Huntington taught at Harvard for 58 years, eventually becoming the Albert J. Weatherhead III University Professor, one of 21 prestigious professorships created by Harvard to recognize groundbreaking, interdisciplinary scholarship.

"It is difficult for me to imagine a more rewarding or enjoyable career than teaching here, particularly teaching undergraduates," Huntington wrote in a retirement letter.

Before retiring in 2007, Huntington served twice as chair of the government department, directed Harvard's Center for International Affairs from 1978 to 1989, and chaired the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies from 1996 to 2004.

In 1989, Huntington founded the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies, an autonomous entity within the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs that focuses on national security and strategy issues. Though Huntington stepped down from his post as director of the Olin Institute in 2000, he continued to advise on Olin Fellowships and remained involved in the seminar program.

But Huntington’s work also took him beyond academia. In 1968, he advised then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey during his bid for the presidency. And in 1970, he co-founded Foreign Policy magazine.

In 1977 and 1978, Huntington was coordinator of security planning for the National Security Council under President Jimmy Carter. The following decade, Huntington served on the Presidential Commission on Long-Term Integrated Strategy.

After suffering from a stroke in 2006, Huntington entered a succession of nursing facilities in Boston. He relocated the following summer to a facility on Martha's Vineyard, where the Huntingtons had spent their summers for 40 years.

“He loved the Vineyard, loved his garden, and lived a fairly simple life,” Mrs. Huntington said, remembering her husband remark, "I can breathe again," after returning to his favored refuge after serving the Carter administration.

“I never knew him to lie; I never knew him to dissemble,” she added about her late husband, who first courted her in 1956 by inviting her to the Casablanca on Brattle Street for a beer. “He was a joy to live with.”

Samuel Huntington is survived by Mrs. Huntington; two sons, Nicholas P. Huntington ’87 and Timothy M. Huntington ’83; and four grandchildren. A private burial service will be held on Martha's Vineyard.

In the spring, a memorial service will be held at Harvard; details are pending.

USAPANG BAMPIRA (Why do Teenage Girls Sink their Teeth into Vampire Movies?)

Interview with the Vampire. Van Helsing. Queen of the Damned. The Forsaken. Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Jesus Christ the Vampire Hunter. Blade Series. Underworld (Evolution). Bram Stoker’s Dracula. From Dusk till Dawn. Twilight. True Blood. lan lamang ito sa mga sikat na pelikulang tumatalakay sa iba’t ibang katangian ng mga bampira o blood-suckers—nakakatakot, nakakaasar, nakakatawa, kahanga-hanga at nakaka-in-love.

Bakit ba ganoon na lamang ang hatak ng mga vampire stories sa mga kabataan ngayon? Kapansin-pansin na mga kabataang babae ang madaling maakit sa mga bagay na ito.

Many teenage girls love to listen to romantic lines and dialogues. Studies show that men are attracted to women because their physical attributes, while women are attracted to men because of their romantic styles and attitudes. Sa simula ng pelikulang Twilight, ito ang sinabi ni Bella: “I’d never given much thought to how I would die…. Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I loved.” Sagot naman ng guwapong bampira: “I don’t have the strength to stay away from you anymore.” Effective “kilig” lines ito sa marami.

Vampire movies often reveal the utmost need of women—acceptance and affection. Kung mapapansin ninyo, vampire always sneaks into the room of the lady every night. Ang ganitong scenario ang kinababaliwan ng maraming teenage girls—iyong feeling na mayroon kang stalker na nagmamahal sa iyo. Sa pelikulang Twilight, sinabi ni Edward na nilayuan niya noong una si Bella dahil sa kakaiba ang amoy ng dugo nito. It was so desirable. Nahirapan si Edward na pigilan ang kaniyang sarili na biktimahin ang dalaga. But instead of killing the lady, he fell in love with her. Doon nagsimula ang love story. Ang pag-ibig na hindi nakuha ni Bella mula sa kaniyang pamilya ay natagpuan niya sa binatilyo. Nais ni Edward na manatiling mortal si Bella—hindi siya dapat mamatay at hindi rin dapat maging bampira kahit gusto nito.

Gothic movies and novels reflect the repressed sexual feelings of women. Karamihan sa mga vampire stories na ating mapapanood at mababasa ay nagpapakita ng mga kababaihang tulad ni Bella na parang walang kamuwang-muwang sa sex. Ipinapakita naman ng bampirang lover ang pag-akit sa babae na ilabas at ipahayag ang kaniyang repressed sexual feelings. At kapag nakagat na ang babae ng bampira, nagiging blood at sex addict na rin siya.

Many teenagers simply want to have a challenging romantic life. Many teenage girls are attracted to men who are bad and social deviants because they can let people see them as bad without being bad themselves. In short, type nila ang mga lalaking “maginoo pero medyo bastos.” Ganundin, may challenge para sa iba ang magkaroon ng isang boyfriend na bad boy. Para sa kanila, kayang baguhin ng pag-ibig ang taong kanilang minamahal.

ADDICT KA BA SA TV/SINE? (Pleasing God with your Viewing Habits)

I like watching television shows and movies. May mga pagkakataon na kapag nababagot akong magbasa ng libro, hinahanap ko ang movie version nito at pinapanood ko na lang. Mas madali ko siyang maintindihan. It has become an educational tool. Watching TV programs and movies can also relax our minds and bodies. Kaya pagdating sa bahay mula sa matinding trabaho, binubuksan agad ang TV. Kapag kailangang makinig ng balita at weather reports, nandiyan ang TV. Ayon sa isang survey, halos 18 oras ang inilalalan ng isang normal na Filipino sa panonood lamang ng telebisyon.

Isang malaking paksa ang dapat na maging ugali ng mga kabataan pagdating sa panonood ng telebisyon. Marami kasing kabataan ang na-aadict sa panonood ng TV shows kung kaya’t napapabayaan na nila ang mas mahalagang gawain sa kanilang buhay tulad ng pag-aaral, panahon sa pamilya at paglilingkod sa Diyos. Marami rin mensaheng tayong nasasagap sa mga TV programs hindi umaayon sa kabutihang asal. To the extreme, many youth are desensitized to the evil messages of TV programs that they are now having a hard time distinguishing good messages from evil influences. Nonetheless, we can control our viewing habits. If we want to please God, we should be guided by the following:

* We sin when we watch TV shows/movies which encourage lustful thoughts. Do not watch shows that would corrupt your mind and soul.
* We should not conform to the standards of the evil world. Hindi na tayo dapat nagi-enjoy sa mga programang walang kabuluhan at panay kabastusan, green jokes, karahasan at masasamang mensahe ang ipinapakita.
* Manood lamang ng mga programang magbibigay sa atin ng mabubuti at positibong aral at mensahe. This is what Paul called as: "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy.” Huwag tambakan ang utak ng basurang ideya, programa at pelikula.
* Sa tuwing may pinanonood, test everything. Huwag agad paniwalaan ang sinasabi ng sinuman. Hindi dahil sa sikat ang isang taong nagsasalita sa telebisyon ay dapat na siyang paniwalaan. Laging umattend sa Bible studies upang masuri ang mga mensaheng napapanood sa telebisyon.

Makakabuti ding limitahan ang panonood ng telebisyon at ibuhos ang panahon sa mas makabuluhang bagay—magbasa, gumawa ng project/assignment at tumulong sa gawaing bahay. Kung may sarili kang kuwarto, huwag ka nang mag-request sa magulang mo na magpalagay ng telebisyon sa iyong kuwarto. One TV set in the living room is enough. Althoug it depends on how you discipline yourself, naniniwala pa rin ako na kapag lagi kang may kadikit na telebisyon, mas malaki ang posibilidad na lagi mo siyang bubuksan.

Minsang tinanong ako ng isang kabataan, “Kuya, bawal bang manood ng sine ang isang Kristiyano?” Tinanong ko siya kung bakit Niya tinanong niya iyon. Ang kaniyang sagot: “Tinuturo kasi sa church namin na kapag dumating daw si Lord, baka abutin daw kaming nanonood ng sine. E, ang sinehang ay lugar na maraming nangyayaring kasalanan (alam ninyo na siguro kung ano-ano ang mga iyon...).

Ano’ng masasabi natin sa ganoong mga pananaw? Mali ba talaga ang manood ng sine? Watching films in movie theatres is not sinful. Watching sinful movies is the problem. Hindi ang pagpunta sa sinehan ang masama kung hindi ang palagiang pagpunta sa sinehan para magsaya. Maraming kabataan ang hindi kumpleto ang buhay kapag hindi nakakapanood ng sine bawat linggo. Nauubos ang allowance sa panonood ng sine o kaya ay pagbili ng pirated DVDs.

Hindi minsan magandang basehan ang mga ratings na inilalabas ng Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) upang malaman kung talagang walang masamang nilalaman ang isang pelikula. May mga “PG-13” na pelikula na maari nang ibilang na “R” movies dahil sa mayroon ding mga sexual at violent contents. Be aware of the possible effects of the movie on your spiritual well-being. Maraming pelikula na sinasabi nilang mga obra-maestra ay punong-puno ng kahalayan at karahasan. Marami pa nga sa kanila ang nakakatanggap ng awards sa iba't ibang award-giving bodies. But we must remember that secular standards often do not conform with the standards of God.

Overall, if we want to please God in our lives, we must subject our desires to His will. Napakahirap noon. Maaaring sabihin ninyo sa akin: "killjoy ka naman kuya!" No, I am not killjoy. I just don't want the younger generation to be killed by earthly, secular joy.

YOUR CLOTHES ARE TALKING (Pleasing God with your Fashion)

Sa isang conference na inorganisa namin, isang kabataan ang napansin kong may EMO look. Napakaganda ng kaniyang buhok. Napakahaba ng bangs at ang tigas ng buhok malapit sa batok. Halos hindi ko na masilip ang kaniyang mga mata dahil natatabunan ng kaniyang mahabang bangs. Nakasuot siya ng itim na t-shirt at pantalon at malaking kwintas. Naisip ko: iba na talaga ang mga teenagers ngayon. Nabubuhay tayo ngayon sa isang henerasyon na binabandera ang konsepto ng “individualism”. Kung ano’ng gusto mo sa sarili mo, ipakita mo. Walang pakialaman. Iba-iba tayo ng trip sa buhay.

We must remember that Christians are temples of the Holy Spirit.Kung tunay tayong mga Cristiano, hindi na natin pagmamay-ari ang ating pisikal na katawan. Gamitin natin ito upang maparangalan ang Diyos. Kasama na dito ang paraan ng ating pananamit, mga bagay na ating kinakain, at mga bagay na inilalagay natin sa ating katawan.

Tandaan natin na ang anumang damit o fashion ay may nais sabihin. Ang mga style ng pananamit ay laging may dahilan. Ang “Punk” look (iyong may mga hair spikes at kadenang sinturon) ay nagpapakita ng ideolohiya ng anarkismo o rebelyon. Ang “Gothic” look (iyong lahat ng suot mo itim pati make-up itim) ay nagpapakita ng paglapit sa kultura ng kadiliman. The word Gothic itself literally means “barbarous or uncivilized.” Kaya huwag nating sabihin na ang damit natin ay damit lang. It can reflect our personality and values.

Christians reveal their identity through their clothes and appearance. Walang isang uri ng damit ang sinasabi ang Panginoon na dapat nating isuot. The Bible does not specifically mention what we should wear or not wear. Ganunpaman, may mga pamantayan ang Salita ng Diyos. Two passages in the New Testament deal with the issue of fashion. Bagaman sa mga kababaihan ipinapaabot ang mga ito, maari din itong iangkop sa sitwasyon ng mga kalalakihan.I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful (1 Peter 3:2-5)

First, Christians should dress in moderation. Ano ang ibig sabihin ng moderation? Well, sa Tagalog, “maghinay-hinay”. Hindi dahil may bagong usong style ng damit, makikisunod na sa uso. Our clothing must be consistent with righteousness and holiness. Do not draw attention to yourself. Kapag nagsusuot ng mga damit na sobrang ganda at ningning, ano ang gusto mong sabihin? Do not tell me that you do not want attention. You wear those clothes to get attention. This attitudes talks about self-centeredness. The Bible says, dress moderately.

Second, wear a decent clothing. There are dresses that can provoke sensous responses from men. Ito iyong mga damit na sobrang higpit sa bust-line, sobrang baba ang neck-line, sobrang higpit sa back-side ng babae, sobrang nipis na halos kita na ang undergarments at iyong mga skirt na may mga slits. Kapag nagsuot ka ng disenteng damit, sinasabi mo sa ibang tao na “Kagalang-galang ako”. Para sa mga girls, subukan ninyong pumunta sa kulungan at magsuot ng short shorts at damit na labas ang inyong pusod, siguradong hindi matitigil ang pagsipol sa inyo ng mga inmates na magnanasa sa inyong katawan.

Third, dress appropriately. Magsuot ng damit ayon sa tamang pagkakataon at tamang panahon. Our dress must conform to the standards of politeness, respect, decency and morally accepted behavior of society. Do not shock other by wearing dresses that only you think is appropriate. Sa madaling salita, makibagay ka sa kulturang iyong ginagalawan. Huwag pupunta sa church na para kang maliligo sa beach. Hindi ka dapat nagsusuot ng mga “revealing clothes” kung dadalo ka ng worship service. Siguradong maraming taong hindi magiging komportableng tingnan ka. May iba’t ibang pamantayan pagdating sa pananamit ang iba’t ibang kultura at iglesya. What we should avoid is the style of dress that is offensive or opposing the church community's values.

Fourth, our dress must show God’s holiness. Do not cause others to sin. Immodest dress can encourage sexual lust. Kahit gustong-gusto mong magsuot ng bathing suit, siguraduhin mong hindi ka magiging dahilan ng pagkakasala ng iba. Sa lahat ng damit na ating isusuot lagi nating tatanungin ang gating sarili, “Natutuwa ba ang Diyos sa aking damit o nagiging dahilan ako ng pagkakasala ng iba?” Apostle Peter said that our look must not depend on the things we wear but from “our inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.” Hindi natin maiiwasang huhusgahan tayo ng mga tao batay sa damit na ating isinusuot. Kailangang maging maayos ang puso mo pagdating sa bagay na ito.

Our clothes and appearance are a reflection not only of our socioeconomic status, but also of our moral values. Nakikilala ang ating personalidad at pagpapahalaga ayon sa ating isinusuot. Simply put, we are what we wear. Marami ang nagmumukhang may Hepatitis dahil sa dami ng naninilaw na ginto sa kanilang katawan. They adorn themselves with jewelries to please themselves. We should not be vain or conceited and not to draw attention to ourselves by the way we look . Mayroon namang nagsusuot ng mga damit upang makiayon sa barkadas at grupo. They dress to fit in or to be accepted by their peers. The Christian, however, must dress to glorify God. Kahit sabihin mo na hindi ka dapat pakialaman kung paano ka manamit, nakatingin pa rin ang iba sa kung paano nabago ang buhay mo ng Panginoon. Sasalaminin iyon ng uri ng iyong pananamit.

Bagaman may mga parehong damit na isinusuot ang mga babae at lalake (i.e. jeans, rubber shoes), mayroon pa ring mga damit na kailangang ang babae o ang lalake lamang ang gumamit. Ipinagbabawal ng Panginoon ang pagsusuot ng mga damit na sinusuot ng ibang kasarian. If you are male and you wear clothes identified with women in your culture, you are considered a cross-dresser. Cross-dressing is only an outside manifestation of the person’s values and convictions. Ang isang babae (i.e. lesbian) na nais maging lalake ay maaring magsusuot ng mga damit na panlalake. Ganundin ang mga lalake (i.e.gays and homosexuals) na nagsusuot ng mga damit pambabae na nais maging babae. God wants us to maintain our functional roles as individuals.

Sa Lumang Tipan, ipinagbawal ni Yahweh na magpa-tatoo at magpungos ng bahagi ng katawan (mutilation) ang mga Israelita upang hindi sila maapektuhan at mahaluan ng kulturang pagano. Bagaman hindi na ikinakapit sa paganong relihiyon ang pagpapa-tatoo sa katawan sa kasalukuyang panahon, kailangan pa ring pag-isipan ng bawat kabataan kung malulugod o hindi malulugod ang Diyos sa kanilang gagawing pagmamarka sa katawan.

Siguraduhing hindi pagsisisihan ang gagawing pagpapa-tatoo. Masakit ang pagpapatanggal ng marka sa katawan. Hindi lang iyon, mahal ang operasyon. May mga dating nagpamarka sa katawan na inisip na sana’y hindi na nila ginawa iyon. May isa akong kaibigan na dating nagtrabaho bilang tattoo designer na nagsisi sa kaniyang mga marka sa katawan. Marami kasi ang pinagkakamalan siyang masamang tao dahil sa ahas na nakamarka sa kaniyang braso. If a tattoo in any way hinders a your Christian witness you should really be concerned. It is true that God does not look primarily at the physical appearance because He looks at the heart. Siguraduhin mo lang sa iyong sarili na gagawin mo hindi dahil gusto mo lang sumunod sa uso, kung hindi para parangalan ang Diyos sa iyong buhay.

Merry Christmas in Different Languages

Nawa'y hindi natin malimutan ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko--ang kaligtasan ng ating kaluluwa sa pagdating ng Panginoong Hesus. Pagpalain ka ng Panginoon sa taong darating..

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Afrikaans: Gesëende Kersfees
Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
African / Eritrean/ Tigrinja: Rehus-Beal-Ledeats
Albanian: Gezur Krislinjden
Arabic: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri-Azerbaijan: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bahasa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Bengali: Shuvo Naba Barsha
Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce
Brazilian: Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo
Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Catalan: Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!
Chile: Feliz Navidad
Chinese (Cantonese): Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Chinese (Mandarin): Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Chinese (Catonese): Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Choctaw: Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Columbia: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast
Dutch (Netherlands): Prettig Kerstfeest
English: Merry Christmas
Eskimo: (Inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Ruumsaid juulup|hi
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
Flemish: Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French: Joyeux Noel
Galician: Bo Nada
Gaelic (Irish): Nolag mhaith Dhuit Agus Bliain Nua Fe Mhaise
Gaelic (Scots): Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!
German: Froehliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Shub Naya Baras
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
Iroquois: Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay.
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Jiberish: Mithag Crithagsigathmithags
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Latin: Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
Latvian: Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Low Saxon: Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar
Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik
Maltese: LL Milied Lt-tajjeb
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul
Papua New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Pennsylvania German: En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philipines: Maligayang Pasko!
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Portuguese: Feliz Natal
Romanian (in Moldova Republic): La Anul si La Multi Ani
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Sardinian: Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Serbian: Hristos se rodi
Slovakian: Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
Scots Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil huibh
Serb-Croatian: Sretam Bozic. Vesela Nova Godina
Serbian: Hristos se rodi.
Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slavey (a Dene Language from the Northwest Territories in Canada): Teyatie Gonezu
Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene: Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År
Tagalog: Maligayang Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym
Vietnamese: Chung Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Yugoslavian: Cestitamo Bozic

The Real Essence of Christmas

Many people, even some religious leaders, undermine the real meaning of Christmas. They say it is about giving, caring, sharing, loving, joy, peace, hope, among others. Pero ang hindi nababangit ng marami, ang Pasko ay tungkol sa plano ng Diyos para sa tao sa pamamagitan ni Cristo. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit kailangang mas nakatuon tayo sa KALIGTASAN na ibinibigay ng Diyos, hindi sa nagmamahalang regalo, Christmas parties, monito-monita at Christmas bonus.

CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT GOD’S FORGIVENESS AND SALVATION. The name Jesus Christ means “Savior-King.” It represents God's universal plan for all men. He sent His son to SAVE and RESCUE man from the curse of sin (John 3:16, Galatians 3:13). Hinubad ni Jesus ang kaniyang pagka-Diyos, upang mamuhay kasama ng makasalanang tao at iligtas ang sanlibutan mula sa sumpa ng kasalanan (Juan 1:1,14; Filipos 2:6-11). With Christmas, God provided an opportunity to reach out to man. It is Christ who served as a MEDIATOR between man and God (1 Timothy 2:5).

CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT GOD’S SECURITY AND JOY. Because of Christmas we should never fear of what will happen tomorrow for God will always be on our side (Psalm 27:1, Romans 8:31). Unless we internalize this message, we can never have true peace. Ang tunay na kapayapaan ay nagmumula sa Diyos. Kahit anumang problema at trahedya ang dumating sa ating buhay, hangga’t nariyan ang Panginoon, hindi tayo kailanman dapat mag-alala. The peace that He gives is different from the peace that the world gives (John 14:27)--fleeting and temporal.

Ang kasiyahan at saya na tinutukoy ng Bibliya ay ang kasiyahan bunga ng KAPATAWARAN na maaring ibigay ng Diyos sa sinumang gagawing Diyos at Tagapagligtas si Cristo, sa isang personal at malalim na paraan.

CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT CHRIST’S LOVE FOR MANKIND - Natagpuan ng mga pastol ang sanggol na si Jesus sa isang SABSABAN, kainan ng mga hayop. This is symbolic of Christ’s mission on earth—to offfer His life as a food for humanity. He is the bread of life (John 6:51) and the living water for the thirsty (John 4:13). We should be reminded of the truth that the real essence of Christmas is JESUS Himself. The major question is, “Have you already received God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation through Christ?” Ask for God’s forgiveness so that you can have PEACE with your Creator. This is the only way you celebrate Christmas in its REAL ESSENCE.

Pleasing God With your Music

Maraming pag-aaral na ang nagsasabi na kayang baguhin ng musika ang isipan at emosyon ng isang tao. Greek philosopher Plato once said, “Give me the music of a nation and I will change the mind of that nation.” Ang musika rin ang ginagamit ni satanas upang mailayo sa Panginoon ang maraming kabataan. Many teenagers already struggling with personal and family issues are attracted to heavy rock and metal music, because the lyrics express their own troubled feelings. Ang patuloy na pagbabad sa isipan at pandinig ng mga musika ay maaring magdala sa isang kabataan sa mga gawain na may kinalaman sa okultismo, satanismo, paggamit ng bawal na gamut, premarital sex, suicide at marami pang iba. Many researches even argue that when music lyrics are illustrated in music videos, the lyrics' potential impact is magnified by the accompanying video images. Ano ba ang ipinapakita ng maraming MTVs? Many of them glorify sex and violence. They depict women as sexual objects, show lewd scenes as normal and promote violent activities. Many of them do not really complement the lyrics of the song. They just want to arouse the interest of the teenage viewers.

SECULAR vs. WORLDLY MUSIC
Hindi lahat ng awitin ay lumalabag sa kalooban ng Diyos. Kailangan nating maintindihan ang pagkakaiba ng “secular songs” o mga kantang walang kinalaman sa anumang relihiyon o mga espiritwal na bagay, sa mga tinatawag na “worldly songs” o mga bagay na nagpapakita o sumusuporta sa paggawa ng kasalanan o mga bagay labag sa batas at kabanalan ng Diyos.

Secular songs may or may not be worldly. For example, the most famous “Happy Birthday” song is secular but it does not oppose the holiness of God. Nagiging makamundo ang isang love song kung hindi na ito umaayon sa Salita ng Diyos. Maraming kantang nagpapahayag ng tunay na commitment sa pagitan ng dalawang nag-iibigan. Sa kabilang banda, maraming love songs na naririnig natin sa FM stations ang nagpapahayag na hindi kasalanan ang premarital sex at homosexuality. The Bible declares that corrupt things should not proceed from our mouth. We must carefully choose the songs we sing. It is not sinful to sing secular songs. The Lord is displeased when we sing SINFUL secular songs. I can say that youth should listen to secular songs which promote a neutral and balanced message at their own risk.

SOME GUIDELINES
Ano’ng uri ng musika ang dapat pakinggan ng mga kabataan? There is no straightforward answer to this question mainly because we have different ways of valuing and interpreting music. No particular musical style is commanded in the Bible. For instance, I don’t believe that there is a definite CHRISTIAN MUSIC. There are only CHRISTIAN LYRICS. Naniniwala ako na sa Diyos nanggaling ang musika. Sinira lamang ni satanas ang paggamit sa musika para ipahamak ang maraming tao. Kailangan lang nating alaman kung kailan ginagamit ang musikang ipinagkaloob ng Diyos sa maling paraan. Before patronizing and singing a secular song, I recommend that you do the following:

Basahin ang lyrics ng kanta – Songs must be judged according to their lyrical content. Maraming kabataan na kanta lang ng kanta dahil maganda ang tono at tempo ng musika. Ang hindi nila alam, sinasabi na nilang “Magpakamatay na tayo!”, Mag-suicide na tayo!, at marami pang iba. Bago kumanta, please magbasa. What are the lyrics of the song? Does it contradict or support the Word of God?

Alamin ang pagpapahalagang ipinapakita sa kanta - What values does the song promote? Does it promote righteousness or sin? Huwag nang kantahin ang isang awit kung kinakalaban nito ang kabanalan at utos ng Diyos. We must test everythin, hold on to the good and avoid every kind of evil.

Alamin ang buhay ng singer/composer – Sinabi ng Panginoon na ang isang masamang puno ay hindi maaring magbunga ng mabuting bunga. Kung ano ang pagpapahalaga ng composer o lumikha ng kanta, iyon ang lalabas sa kaniyang musika. Who composed/performed the song? Is he/she a good example to you and to others? When you buy a record of an artist promoting wrong values, you are supporting him/her to continue his sinful work. Choose well your music even if they identify themselves as Christian bands. Does the band glorify God and not themselves? Does the band live what they sing?

Nilalapit ka ba o nilalayo ng kanta sa Panginoon? - Alamin Kung saan ka dinadala ng inaawit mo. Napapalayo ka ba sa Diyos o mas lalong napapalapit sa Kaniya? Bilang Cristianong kabataan, bakit natin sasayangin ang ating panahon sa pagkanta ng mga secular songs? Kahit balanse ang mensahe nito, hindi pa rin ito nakatuon sa pagbibigay papuri sa Panginoon. My main recommendation is surround yourself with Christian music and focus more on singing songs that will glorify God.

Si Marky Cielo (1988-2008) at ang Buhay-Kabataan

Kasabay ng pagdiriwang sa tagumpay ni Manny Pacquiao sa kaniyang laban kay De La Hoya, ginulantang rin ni Marky ang lahat sa kaniyang hindi inaasahang pagpanaw. Natagpuang siyang patay ng kaniyang ina sa kaniyang kuwarto sa kanilang tahanan sa Antipolo, alas-6 ng umaga ng December 7.

Pinahanga ni Marky ang buong sambayanan sa pagkapanalo niya bilang unang Igorot na sumali sa StarStruck na naging Ultimate Sole Survivor pa ng StarStruck Batch 3! Bagaman sinasabi ng iba na hindi siya kasing-guwapo ng mga tipikal na teenage heartthrobs, pinabilib niya ang sambayanan sa kaniyang talento sa pagsayaw. Lumutang rin ang kaniyang talento sa drama nang gumanap siya ng iba’t ibang papel sa mga telenovela at fantaserye ng GMA-7 katulad ng Encantadia, Fantastikids, Bakekang, Asian Treasures, Boys Next Door, Kaputol ng Isang Awit, and Codename: Asero. Ngunit mas nakilala siya sa kaniyang pagganap bilang si Green Zaido sa fantaserye na Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. Naiwan niya ang isang programa na La Lola at ang kaniyang trabaho bilang main-stay sa variety show na SOP.

Ang pagpanaw ni Marky ay nagpapaalala sa atin na ang ating buhay sa daigdig ay pansamantala lamang (James 4:14, Psalm 90:5). Young people should never boast of their energy and youthfulness. Death can come anytime. Ang tanong: Handa ba tayong harapin ang kamatayan?

The Bible declares that we must start to remember our Creator in the days of our youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Huwag na nating hintayin pa na tayo ay tubuan ng puting buhok bago natin ialay ang ating buhay sa Panginoon. It is appointed unto all men to die once, and then God’s judgment begins (Hebrew 9:27). Never leave this world without repenting of your sins and accepting Christ in your heart. Ito ang pinakadakilang mensahe na kailanganh seryosohin ng lahat ng kabataan.

PARA SA MGA HINDI MATALINO

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically...
Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”— MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., American civil rights leader (1929-1968)

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”- DEREK BOK, Harvard University Professor (1983-1991)

Hindi ko makakalimutan ang lahat ng first school days ko noong ako ay nasa elementarya pa lamang. Hindi dahil sa excited ako mag-aral kung hindi dahil sa mga bago kong bag, notebooks, lapis, pencil case at uniform. Sa tuwing inaamoy ko sila, parang ayaw ko na silang gamitin. Baka kasi maluma. Pero hindi puwedeng mangyari iyon. Mga isang buwan ko pa lamang sila nagagamit, madumi na ang bag ko sa alikabok at mantsa, pudpod na ang lapis ko at lukot-lukot na ang mga dating bago kong notebooks.

Minsan, iniisip natin na ang pag-aaral ay parang pagkakaroon lang ng mga bagong gamit. Madali tayong nawawalan ng interes sa pag-aaral kapag wala na ang bango ng ating mga school supplies. Ang iba, hindi na pumapasok dahil talagang wala nang interes makita ang mga teachers at classmates. Kung hindi pa pagagalitan at parurusahan ng magulang ay hindi papasok sa eskwela. Kailangan nating maintindihan na ang pag-aaral ay bahagi ng ating paghahanda para sa kinabukasan. May mga bagay na kailangang tayong maunawaan tungkol sa plano ng Diyos sa mga kabataan sa loob ng ekswelahan. Kailangan nating alamin ang Salita ng Diyos upang lubos na maunawaan kung paano Niya ginagamit ang edukasyon upang matupad ang Kaniyang dakilang plano para sa atin.

Education provides us knowledge. And we must understand that all knowledge ciomes from God. Sa kaniya nagsisimula ang lahat ng karunungan. Hindi natin mauunawaan ang lahat ng bagay sa daigdig kung hindi Niya tayo pagkakalooban ng kaalaman. Makukuha lamang natin ang kaalamang ito kung magsisikap tayong mag-aral. Sa kabilang banda, marami naman ang nanangan sa sarili nilang karunungan at wari’y sinasabing hindi nila kailangan ang Diyos. Dahil sa sobra nilang katalinuhan, they even deny the existence of God. Secular knowledge is good but if it contradicts the holiness of God, it should never be embraced and promoted.

God is never anti-intellectual. Ayaw niya na maging mangmang ang mga tao sa mundo lalo na ang kaniyang mga anak. Many people are destroyed due to lack of wisdom. May naghihintay na parangal ang mga matatalino. When wise people speak, knowledge becomes more attractive. Mas lalong nagiging interesante ang mag-aral. Nakaka-inspire ang mga taong puno ng karunungan. Isang dahilan kung bakit ginusto kong maging isa gurp ay dahil nais kong maging instrumento ng pagbabago ng maraming kabataan. Hindi lang basta karunungan ang nais kong ibahagi sa kanila, kung hindi karunungan na nagmumula sa Diyos. Kung mayroon kang karunungan, mas magiging mabunga at matagumpay ang iyong buhay. Sa kabilang banda, ang mga mangmang ay laging mahihirapan.

We must always ask God for knowledge. Mas mahalaga ang karunungan kaysa anumang yaman sa daigdig. Solomon once wrote: “being wise is better than being strong; yes, knowledge is more important than strength”. Lagi nating naririnig: Knowledge is power. Kung sino ang may hawak ng karunungan, nagtataglay din siya ng kapangyarihan at kalakasan. Suportado ito ng Salita ng Diyos. Proverbs 8:10-11 even declares that we should choose knowledge rather than gold.

TIPS on Reading Books on Love, Courtship, Dating, Marriage and Sex (LCDMS)

Taun-taon, nagsusulputang parang mga kabute ang mga libro tungkol sa PAG-IBIG. Iba't iba ang oryentasyon at rekomendasyon. Iba't iba ang background ng mga nagsusulat. Iba't iba ang pagtingin sa pakikipagrelasyon--ang iba agresibo, ang iba sobrang Jurassic ang pagiging konserbatibo. Wala akong inirerekomendang libro na basahin ninyo pagdating sa usapin ng love, courtship, dating, marriage, sex and marriage. Magbibigay lamang ako ng ilang pamantayan na maari ninyong gamitin upang malaman kung ano ang dapat ninyong tangkilikin. I have three major recommendations.

FOUNDED ON THE WORD OF GOD – Never patronize books that are humanistic—those who are man-centred and undermine Christian and Biblical principles. Practical principles often do not please God. For instance, many love books undermine the importance of faith. Among Christians, 2 Corinthians 6:14 should take precedence. The principle of marrying ONLY believers is the rule. It is non-negotiable. Maraming Cristiano ang nag-aasawa dahil sa napag-iiwanan na daw sila ng kalendaryo kaya kung sino na lang ang makita sa daan ang pakakasalan. Also, many love books recommend shortcuts in relationships. May isa pa nga akong narinig na HUWAG nang PATAGALIN ang relasyon kung pareho nang MARRIAGABLE ang magka-partner—kahit na dalawang buwan pa lamang nagkakakilala. There are many things in the relationship that we cannot short-circuit. Whirlwind romance can be disastrous.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, BEEN THAT AUTHOR – Isinulat ba ang libro ng isang taong may sapat na karanasan o iyong nagpapanggap lamang na eksperto? Inirerekomenda kong basahin ninyo ang mga librong isinulat ng mga taong NARANASAN na at NATUTO sa mga kamalian ng maling pakikipagrelasyon. They know what they are talking about. Higit pa rito, mas makabubuting basahin ang mga libro ng mga manunulat na IKINASAL na o may ASAWA na at PAMILYA. Bakit? Kasi, sila ang totoong eksperto. Parang ganito lang yan. Kung ako ay hihingi ng payo tungkol sa pagpapamilya, mas maniniwala ako sa isang matandang walang pinag-aralan ngunit nakapagtatag ng isang maayos na sambahayan, iginagalang ng kaniyang mga anak at asawa KAYSA sa isang Psychologist na walang asawa at hindi pa nararanasan ang magpatakbo ng isang sambahayan. Marami kasi akong nababasang mga “love guru” na nagsusulat ukol sa SEX MATTERS ngunit wala pang karanasan sa SEX. Yes, it is true that you do not need to engage in premarital sex to understand its consequences, but it is more CREDIBLE and AUTHORITATIVE to write on the matter if you already experienced being subjected to the dynamics of sex life. Go for books written by well-seasoned authors.

CULTURALLY-SENSITIVE ADVICE –Nirerekomenda ba ng libro ang mga pagpapahalagang hindi natin dapat niyayakap bilang mga Filipino? Many would say that love topics transcend culture. I beg to disagree. For instance, some books recommend that ladies COURT boys in a blatant, obvious manner kung torpe ang lalake. Well, walang problema iyon sa mga Western, industrialized, capitalist countries. But every Filipina who will embrace idea must also be ready to face the cultural consequences of the action. Sa ngayon, hindi tanggap ng lipunan na maging agresibo ang mga kababaihan sa panliligaw (palipad-hangin siguro puwede). Maaring sabihin ninyo sa akin, “Hindi ba dapat binabali na natin ang ganitong kaisipan? We now live in the period of globalization of ideas.” Mahirap pag-isahin ang kultura ng lahat ng bansa. Although globalization entails the homogenization of cultures, I am still with the view that basic cultural practices and values of different countries cannot be easily eroded by globalization factors. Isa lang ang puwede kong isagot: It is your prerogative to embrace contemporary, Western values. But I would still recommend that you respect the culture you are in, because you may be a stumbling block to others.

PHILIPPINE YOUTH WORKERS' SUMMIT 2009 (Survey Form Attached)

Dear Co-Youth Minister,

The PCEC-NYC with the cooperation of youth ministry leaders from different Christian denominations and organizations are currently organizing a Youth Worker's Summit, tentativley scheduled on 2009, the first of its kind in the Philippines. Since programs and details of the events are still in the stage of discussion and exploration, we seek your assistance.

Attached is a file for the survey on the learning needs of youth workers who are possible delegates to the conference. We hope you can find time to answer the form. Your responses are valuable and will be used to ascertain the details/topics of of the event.

We would appreciate if you could return the answered form through email not later than December 12, Friday, before the next meeting of the Steering Committee. Forward your responses to rcmolmisa@yahoo.com/gmail.com. We will inform you of the schedule of the next meeting so that you can also participate in the discussions as your schedule would allow.

Kindly spread the word about the Youth Workers' Summit 2009 to your network and friends. We created a yahoogroup to facilitate communication: http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/ywsummit09/. May God richly bless you and your ministry. We hope to see you next year!


God bless YOUth!

Youth Workers' Summit 2009
Organizing Committee

US Polls Declare that Obama would win the Election

Visit this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/7360265.stm

Ravi Zacharias-Where is the Glory?

Isa ito sa pinakamagandang teaching na narinig ko kay Ravi Zacharias--tungkol sa tunay na kahulugan ng "righteousness" o katuwiran sa harap ng Diyos. Feel free to download this and share. Ravi Zacharias is a world-renown Christian apologist who reveal and explain the authority of the Bible and the meaning of the Christian faith to THINKERS (i.e academics, atheists) of the world. You can visit his website at www.rzim.org