Crack in the Pillar

Stop what you’re doing.

I was supposed to blog about a moral dilemma that I was quite certain that I will be able to answer.

Then someone sent me this e-mail…

A son asked his father, ‘Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?’ The father who, despite having a heart condition, says ‘Yes’. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying ‘Yes’ to his son’s request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, ‘Dad, let’s join the Ironman together.’To which, his father said ‘Yes.’ For those who didn’t know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island .

Father and son went on to complete the race together.

No words can bring justice. Watch the clip.

(more…)

What I Do NOT Want To Hear During a Homily

I was raised a Catholic, and has kept the custom of hearing mass every Sunday. Though it doesn’t seem like it, I find satisfaction listening to the gospel regardless of the fact that this was the same gospel about a year ago (and even a hundred years before that) because even if the priest delivers the Gospel as if it was a homework, it’s cool to realize that the principles are still applicable even at present–after 2000 years from the time those were established.

It’s quite amazing how some priests are able to make the Church appreciate that. They will tell stories more or less related to the Gospel to prove a point, and make you realize what all these are for. Some people tell me that I have a knack of knowing the right things to say. When listening to a priest’s homily I can sometimes imagine me under the vestments and speaking in front of the people. I was trying to discern if this is a calling, but then I realized that they’re celibate, so no, thanks. Haha!

Unfortunately, not all priests have the same charm (or the same public speaking skills) and though I can tolerate those, there are things that some priests would utter remarks that I sometimes want to grab the mic and lambast him for being such a hypocrite.

(more…)

Lesson on Lozada: You Don’t Have To Be Jesus Christ to save the Philippines

After 8 mentally draining hours of SAP training, I got to have a small talk with my trainer, E. Alandy, who also happens to be my boss. I enjoy talking to him about things because he’s one of the more sensible few who I get to converse with while at work.

 I showed him an 8-paged comic book designed as a smear campaign against Lozada. There you will find almost all sorts of mudslinging that can be thought of.

Argumentum ad hominem is when one appeals to the opponent’s character or physique when one should be answering his argument. This is the lowest form of attack for me.  And this comic book does exactly just that. The desperate moves and lowly things people do to get what they want. Nothing can be more pathetic.

My boss checked it out briefly and returned it to me, saying that he deserves far worse than this. He wants that !@#$%^  Lozada dead, along with GMA, ERAP and all the other underlings because what’s going on is just a fight of thieves, among thieves. The Filipino people are just trying to see which thief they are going to side with. I can’t agree more: this will boil down to who will be the lesser evil. Well, if GMA is ousted, we do have a third choice since Noli de Castro will then become president.  

On second thought, let’s go back to the other thieves again…
(more…)

Answer Me This

I observed the little beggars frolicking around the exterior of the church walls, asking the faithful for alms. Some would say that they don’t have any spare change. some would turn away, I would even move around so that they don’t get near enough to beg me for alms. I have some coins, yes, but I’m not giving them. Well, I’ve already given them some before, and I don’t want them to bug me every Sunday because they thought I’d be that generous. I give what I can to the church, however, since I can see with my two eyes that they are spending the collected funds for the less fortunate in our area. I know that my spare change would do better in their hands, rather than seeing the kids buying solvents (rugby) or gambling with the exact coins that I gave. The Church teaches to give alms to the poor. This morning, I turned away from them. Did I commit the sin of omission?

  (more…)