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ERIC C. MALIWAT SEMINARS

		For Young Professionals and Parents Maging Ubas, Huwag Pasas is an effective book that challenges its readers to live productively today!!! Hold an UBAS O PASAS SEMINAR & BOOK LAUNCH in your city today and help share the Hope that will help people to move on and move up!
		For Parents, Churches and School Owners Media, Movies and Music. These three influence people beyond how we can imagine. How do we benefit from their good contents and how do we reject their harmful effects? How can we use them to influence people to build a better society? Hold a MEDIA ASSESSMENT SEMINAR in your city. Click here to write your invitation - info@thegrapecity.com

GLIMPSES OF THE HOLY LAND

	The Old City of JERUSALEM           from the Mount of Olives
	Jordan River, Baptismal Site
A Photo Exhibit and Public Lecture can be held in your city. If you have a venue and is willing to sponsor one, click here to write your invitation -  info@thegrapecity.com (top)

WHY IS THE PHILIPPINES POOR?

	THE DIFFERENCE The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country: This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor. On the other hand, Canada , Australia & New Zealand that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich. The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources. Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole orld and exporting manufactured products.
Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order & labor, which made it the world's strongest, safest place. Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference. Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE THEN ? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition. On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives: 1. Ethics, as a basic principle.   2. Integrity.   3. Responsibility.   4. Respect to the laws & rules. 5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.   6. Work loving.   7. Strive for savings & investment. 8. Will of super action.   9. Punctuality.   10. Discipline. In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life. The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources. We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies. (top)

12 LITTLE THINGS EVERY FILIPINO CAN DO TO HELP OUR COUNTRY

	1. Follow traffic laws. Follow the law. 2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt. 3. Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino. 4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country. 5. Respect your traffic officers, policemen and soldiers. 6. Do not litter, dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve. 7. Support your church. 8. During elections, do your solemn duty. 9. Pay your employees well. 10. Pay your taxes. 11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child. 12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and to love our country.
If little things can change a city, they can also change a country. “Life is made of little things. Greatness follows if we learn to be great in little things,” says Charles Simmons. Actually, education has a lot to do with the problems we have these days. I am a product of public school education during my elementary school days. And I recall that we had subjects pounded on our heads like “Good Manners and Right Conduct,” which taught us respect for elders and people of authority, and “Civics,” which molded us to be good citizens. Sadly, these subjects are no longer taught in schools. Instead, we have generations without respect for elders and authority, and without civic spirit. Lacson’s book is a compilation of what my generation were taught in schools — respect for people with authority, obedience to law and people representing the law, love of country and your countrymen, and performance of your solemn duty as a good citizen. They are little things that can change our country and assure our children of a progressive Philippines. I may sound like somebody crying out in the wilderness, but it’s these little things that can mold our country’s future.  – Emil Jurado (columnist) (top)

10 LITTLE THINGS OFW's, BALIKBAYAN AND PINOY EXPATS COULD DO TO HELP

	(Atty. Alexander L. Lacson is the author of the Book "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country." He wrote the article "10 Little Things OFWs, Balikbayans & Pinoy Expats Could Do To Help Develop Our Philippines" as a reply to the request of PinoyExpats Magazine (May 2006), an online magazine based in Europe. A number of websites and e-groups have since picked up and passed around that article, but according to Atty. Lacson, the version being passed around is the cut-and-pasted one. Here's the clearer version, reproduced in full with his permission.) a) Spend your vacation, your dollars, in our Philippines It is understandable for our OFWs, balikbayans and Pinoy expats to spend vacation in other countries. The world is truly beautiful and majestic. But please do spend some of your vacation, and some of your dollars, in our Philippines. Every dollar that you bring into our country will help build our Philippines. It will help our tourism industry. It will mean more sales and more jobs for our local industries. It will mean an increase in our country's international dollar reserves. It will help stabilize the Peso. And ultimately, it will help stabilize our economy.
b) Teach your relatives back home to be good citizens & good Filipinos Whether or not you are sending money to your relatives in the Philippines, you are one of their heroes. They look up to you as models. They listen to every word you say, to whatever you tell them. Please teach them to become good Filipinos, to become good citizens. They can start with my book – 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country. Please ask them to help me spread the message of the book. In particular, please ask them to "Buy local. Buy Pilipino." In an article in one of the recent issues of TIME Magazine, it was said that the most crucial factor for economic progress is not foreign investments, but economic nationalism, i.e., when people learn to support their own country's products. c) All OFWs, Balikbayans and Pinoy Expats should do more during elections in RP In the next and all future elections, the OFWs and Balikbayans and Pinoy expats should do more by helping your relatives back home in choosing the right leaders – the national ones especially – for our country. Your relatives at home will surely listen to you. This means that as OFWs and expats, you need to surf the internet and read the news so you'll know the candidates who should be elected to office. There are organizations and websites which can help you on this. If is true that there are at least 8 million OFWs all over the world now, and if it is also true that every Filipino has at least 4 family members or relatives, then the 8 million OFWs have at least 32 million relatives back home in the Philippines. This means that the OFWs and their families, by their own numbers, can already change and transform the political leadership in the Philippines, our government, and eventually our nation as a whole. d) Buy Pilipino, wherever you are in the world If you look at the Japanese and the (South) Koreans, wherever they are in the world, they buy and patrionize their own products. They are like that too in the Philippines. That's why there are so many Korean stores sprouting all over the country now. The Chinese, Thais and Malaysians are almost like them too, but in a less passionate manner. We Filipinos have a trait of preference for imported products – the so-called "colonial mentality" – because we were ruled and controlled by the Spaniards for 333 years up to 1898, and by the Americans thereafter up to 1946. Truly, while they ruled us, they made us believe that only the Spanish and American products, ideas and ways were better and superior. And that ours were inferior. But that's history. Our Philippines today is different. There are many good Filipinos now, with equally good Filipino products or bands. Look at Bayo, Kamiseta, Bench, Penshoppe, Jollibee, among others. In fact, some of the best branded products you see in New York, London and Italy are made in our Philippines. Please be an ambassador of the Filipino, by wearing Pilipino. Show to your foreign spouses and officemates and to the world, the elegance of our culture and beauty of our people. All these things begin with us, with each one of us. e) Adopt a poor child as a scholar back home According to government sources, around 40% of our people are poor. But according to our bishops from CBCP, the figure is much higher than that, possibly at 63%. Since we have a population of almost 86 million now, please imagine how many is 63% of that. And most of the poor are children, young children a great many of whom are out there in the streets, because their parents cannot afford to send them to school. Is there something that we, in the private sector, can do to help the many poor around us, particularly the children? My proposal is this – let's adopt as scholars our poor children in the streets. There is this group called World Vision. It is an international foundation which does scholarship for poor children in different areas of the Philippines. It is also operating in more than 100 countries around the world today. Under World Vision, you can adopt a poor child as scholar for only P450 per month. Yes, for only P450 a month. If P450 is expensive for you, convince your best friend to pay half of the P450 monthly. You and your best friend will be partners in adopting 1 scholar. If you wish, World Vision can give you the name, address and personal profile of your scholar so you can talk or write to your scholar. Can you imagine if we are able to convince 5 million Filipinos (including OFWs, Balikbayans and Pinoy expats) today, each one wiling to sponsor 1 scholar each under World Vision? It means that 5 million poor children will be taken out of the streets – where they are exposed to all kinds of criminality – and sent to school as scholars. This means that 5 million poor children are given the chance to have a better future. This could be one of the fastest paths to progress and social transformation in our country. And this is a very Christian way. Even Jesus Christ, who was born very poor in a manger, had to be adopted by Joseph. f) Support a charitable organization There are many good charitable organizations that truly help build our Philippines to become a better place for all of us. Gawad Kalinga, Pondo ng Pinoy, Caritas Manila, World Vision, among others. These groups are beyond the dirt and mirth of politics. Like most of us, you too are busy. Often, you will have not the time and skills to help others. Charitable organizations are there to allow us to help others while we are busy. So please seriously consider this. Every little help that you send will help one poor Filipino, often one poor child, in our country. g) Teach your children about the Philippines, and to love it and its people Teach your children and your foreign spouses, wherever you are in the world, about our Philippines – the home of the Filipino, and the birthplace of our race. Let your children and foreign spouses hear it from you – that you appreciate and love our Philippines. Because if they hear and see it from you, their beloved, they too will appreciate and love our Philippines. Or they will find a way, sooner or later, to appreciate and love it, because, as I said, you are their beloved. I see that all the time, everywhere, in practically all the fathers and mothers in this world. Their sons and daughters often carry and continue their parents' loves, causes and advocacies. If you make your children see and hear that you love our Philippines, believe me, someday your children would grow up with love and admiration for the Philippines in their hearts and minds. h) Speak positively about our Philippines and our people Surely, there are things that will disappoint and dishearten you in the Philippines, especially if you look at our government and the politicians who run it and those businessmen whose companies earn so much but pay very little to their employees. But there are also many good things in our Philippines. We are a race capable of greatness and excellence, and you see this in the likes of Lea Salonga, Dr Josette Biyo, Diosdado Banatao, Efren Reyes, Ninoy Aquino, Jose Rizal, among many others. Except for our leaders, we are essentially a breed of honest people, and you see this in the likes of Nestor Sulpico, the Filipino driver in New York who, on 17 July 2004, drove 43 miles from New York to Connecticut, USA to return the US$80,000 worth of rare black pearls to his passenger who forgot it at the rear back seat of his taxi. We are a people of truly good hospitality even to strangers, and a people who are very forgiving, and very caring of our olds. There is so much humanity and Christianity in us as a people. I really believe that, someday, we can be the most, if not one of the most, beautiful peoples on earth. We just really have to learn to elect our leaders properly. If we learn to do that, we can be a great people and a great nation. What I am saying is this. Let us focus on our beauty and strengths, and build from there. If we have beauty and strengths as our foundations, we can only get beautiful and strong from there. You and all the Pinoy expats and OFWs should be, and could be, the best ambassadors for our home country and people. Rafael Salas, the founder of the United Nations' Population Fund, said that every Filipino is an ambassador of our country. i) If you are remitting funds to your relatives in the Philippines, teach them to save 15% or 20% of the funds If you are remitting funds to your relatives in the Philippines, please teach them to save at least 15% or 20% of the funds. Please teach your relatives the importance of savings. These savings seem small at the start, but even only after 2 years of savings, they would already see the growth of their savings and how fast these are growing. Teach them also to take their savings away from their reach, and invest them in high-yielding investments like mutual funds or treasury bonds. There are many good financial advisers in this area. Teach your relatives to consult one on a regular basis. The book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" of Robert Kiyosaki is very good on this matter. The book "Pera Mo, Palaguin Mo" of Filipino author Francisco Colayco is also a very good here. These savings, if handled and invested wisely, could mean the financial independence of your relatives from you in the future, or even from themselves. Teach your relatives too to live simply, and not to spend so much on consumer items that are unnecessary. There is so much beauty in simplicity. There is so much elegance in modesty. j) Invest in the Philippines Finally, if you have extra funds and are looking where to invest them, please invest in our Philippines. There are good investment advisers who can help you in this regard. Philippines is a growing market – an emerging market in the language of international banks and financial institutions. Almost 86 million in population. If you have investment ideas that can cater to the basic needs and desires of these 86 million Filipinos, you will make it big in our Philippines. But more than that, every cent or dime that you invest in the Philippines will certainly help our people and our country. And when you do it, you become our partner in building our nation. You become a good Filipino. You become a hero of our country. (top)

EMBRACING AND BRACING OUR COLLECTIVE CORE
By Eric C. Maliwat
 
A portrait of our beloved country is  captured  in Lupang Hinirang. “Lupa ng araw, ng l’walhati’t pagsinta…” (Beautiful land of love, Oh land of light).    This line in the Filipino version of the Philippine National Anthem fittingly expresses the richness of the Pinoy culture and heritage. The wealth, beauty and glory of our country exude from within our people who are enriched with intrinsic kagandahang loob and faith in the Almighty.
 
The Philippines has continued to document its history in an archive of legacy, which you will find embodied in its literature, songs, dances, theater, films, pictures and paintings, sculptures, languages, culinary, fashion, edifices, practices and beliefs.  Music and arts express the soul of a nation. And if there is a distinct testimony to this extraordinary depth of the human soul of the Filipino, it is his innate engagement with music and arts. As I always mention in my seminars and sermons, three P’s placed the Philippines today in the world map once again – Pacquiao, Pempengco and Pineda! (Manny Pacquiao though known for Boxing also sings. He has already released a couple of albums and endorses a popular karaoke microphone! Charice Pempengco and Arnel Pineda now sings with some of America's best in music performances). These three, along with a host of other talented Pinoys, make us feel so proud! They symbolize triumph against the odds and the Filipinos aspiration to rise among the ranks.
 
The Filipino is resilient. Resilience sometimes work for us and at times otherwise.  And this has been attributed to so many contributing factor like our history, when our forefathers went through difficult times, when the freedom they enjoyed in the Perlas ng Silangan in the not so distant past, had to be fought for against the invaders. Other factors include our social evolution, our faith in God or plainly our need to survive. And like all cultures, we are influenced (or inflicted) with the worldviews of our neighbor.
 
In all these factors, you will find the Pinoy in a cheerful disposition with his music and arts- singing, having fun, smiling, telling stories AND helping others make their lives a little better -  tulong dito, bigay doon, padala sa pamilya, pasalubong sa barkada, abot dito, abot doon, kupkop dito, pakiusap doon. Nagrereklamo yan, o namimintas patalikod, pero hindi maramot!
 
I hear many tourists visiting our tourist destinations saying “This is paradise!” At first, I thought such a remark is crazy and pambobola. But after much thought…and comparisons among the countries I have been and I have seen…I’d say I agree. Our Bayang Magiliw is paradise. Definitely not The Paradise that we imagine borne out of our Christian beliefs, but yet, paradise in the way the Creator impresses it in the hearts of these visitors. It’s a paradise for those looking for warmth, for serenity, for simplicity. It’s a paradise for those looking for simple ways to make them smile and feel happy. It’s a paradise for those seeking companionship, friendship and bond. It’s a paradise for souls wanting healing. It’s a paradise for people longing for a song in their heart. It’s a paradise for those wanting to brighten their day with a musical people. It’s a paradise for those who see the beauty of humanity in its arts and culture.
 
Just like any other country, the Philippines is not perfect. And yes, while others, you say, are almost halfway to perfection and our country is left behind, I believe there is still much that remain that we can improve on and start managing well. In the Book of Revelation, the Lord instills hope to a trodden community when He said, “Strengthen what remains”. Washington SyCip, the Chinese Filipino founder of the Asian Institute of  Management and the founder of Sycip Gorres Velayo and Company once said that “the Philippines is rich but Filipinos are poor managers.” In response to my similar observation about Brazil in a visit of mine to this South American country, a Brasileiro friend told me, “When the country is rich, the people are poor”
 
I think it’s about time for the poignant and artistic Filipino to move up to a higher level. Taking with us our beautiful culture and its heritage to the world, let us desire  to acquire and to develop the skills for scientific management. Though they say Art is without form, it doesn’t mean it cannot co-exist with a good companion called Discipline & Order. The two is a winning match! Mahusay ang Pinoy sa sining at kultura. Dagdagan naman natin ngayon ang lipunan ng DISIPLINA AT KAAYUSAN. (It’s just good to say that in Filipino J). Sa Pilipinas, ang tingin ng mga Pinoy sa mga batas – mga suggestion lang! While singing and enjoying life, let us enforce and value discipline. Let’s us learn from the countries which have valued discipline and order that resulted to their progress today. Mahirap siguro ito pero KUNG MAY SAKRIPISYO, MAY BENEPISYO. Without losing our collective soul and our very own individual souls, we can work hard, work well and work together to make our Lupang Hinirang the best Home here on earth we all deserve.
 
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I’m taking you back to Roxas Boulevard! Forty years ago, Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos founded one of Asia’s largest core for a country’s collective soul – the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

	The Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Building, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
	Eric C. Maliwat and CCP founder former Philippine First Lady Imelda R. Marcos

As they say, “Life begins at 40”, but for the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) , life does not simply begin…it ‘begins anew’.
 
In 2009, the CCP will mark its 40th anniversary with a year-round celebration that will feature special performances and events clustered around the themes of Excellence of Filipino Artists; Brave New Works:  Original Filipino Creations; and Cultural Empowerment:  Flourishing of the Arts in the Regions.
 
CCP President and Artistic Director Nestor O. Jardin said the CCP 40th Anniversary celebration will focus on the following major achievements of the CCP:
 
·           The CCP has helped discover, support, trained, and encourage Filipino artists.
 
·           The CCP has spurred the creation of, through its various programs, a body of original Filipino works that help us define ourselves as a people and a nation.
 
·           The CCP has sought to democratize the arts in terms of access to the arts--- among all sectors in Philippine society and geographically through the outreach programs and Arts for the People Program.  Throughout the past 40 years, the CCP has covered all the provinces.
 
·           The CCP has been the leading artistic institution in the country in utilizing the power of arts for social transformation. 
 
·           The CCP has been the catalyst for the creation of cutting edge works by young artists.
 
Last February 1, the 40th Anniversary Celebration was launched during the annual CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival also in time for  National Arts Month in February.  Excellence of Filipino Artists will be the theme of the first round of events from February through March.
 
A special lights and show draped the CCP façade in various skins focusing on the different themes of the celebration.  RUBIES: Gems of Philippine Music on February 27-28 will present timeless Filipino music compositions from kundiman to OPM to be performed by the very best artists whom the CCP has nurtured and supported in the last 40 years.

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, one of Asia's finest

Other shows slated for February will be Tanghalang Pilipino’s Zsa Zsa Zaturnah (Ze MuZikal) on February 3-8, 10-15; a dance spectacle billed as  Turning…turning 40 on February 6-8; Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s Gabi ng Musikang Pilipino:  A Rendezvous with National Artists on February 13; a restaging of notable productions by the country’s performing groups in the CCP Presents…on February 19 up to March 31; and the best of CCP’s formidable visual arts collection that was built over the past 40 years in an exhibition entitled Suddenly Turning Visible opens on February 17 and will be on view up to February 28.
 
Cultural Empowerment: Flourishing of the Arts in the Regions will be the theme of the CCP Anniversary celebration for the months of April and May.  The events to be held during period will include a fund-raising event entitled Beautiful Friends Concert featuring physically challenged artists presented by the CCP, Beautiful Mind Charity, UNICEF and the South Korean Business Council on April 3; Regeneration: CCP Summer Arts Workshops from April to May; CCP Earth Day Celebration on April 22; A Street Dance Forum surrounding the street dance phenomena on April 26; CCP Arts Forum on May 8-10; and the outreach tour of Pragres and Dong-ao, two works by National Artist F. Sionil Jose on governance and anti- corruption.
 
For the months of June and July, the theme will be Brave New Works:  Original Filipino Creations.  New works in literature will be presented in a literary performance series entitled WORD JAM: Spoken Word Festival on June 10/24 & July 1/8. A concert of classical artists in tandem with artists from Philippine cultural communities will be featured in Cultures in Harmony on June 21. Playwrights collaborate with directors, actors and designers in staging their untried, untested, and unpublished works in Virgin Labfest 5 on June 24-July 5.  Back to back with WI-FI Body: Independent Dance Festival with cutting edge works by the country’s most exciting choreographers today.  New symphonic works will be premiered in Music Underkunstruktion on July 15 in a co-production with the Metro Manila Community Orchestra.  Also in July are the Thirteen Artists Awards and Exhibit and the much awaited Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition. 
 
September, which is the CCP’s founding month, will culminate the 9-month long events and activities centered on the theme of remembrance (of the past 40 years), celebration and eager anticipation of the future. The CCP resident companies, together with a stellar billing of performing arts talents will present a dazzling musical extravaganza in the CCP 40th Anniversary Gala show on September 8. The history and development of the CCP will be traced in Daloy, a timeline and exhibit on September 17 to October 31.  Employees and officers of
 
CCP, past and present, will gather together in Pasasalamat: Tangkilik at Pagkilala on September 16. 
 
The 40th Anniversary Celebration marks the beginning of a new decade for the CCP, during which it will pursue sustainability and self-sufficiency as its main objectives.  This, according to CCP President Jardin, is the reason why the CCP is embarking on a massive complex development plan and program that will create new artistic facilities and utilize the land for eco-tourism and commercial development.  The other thrusts that CCP will be focusing on will be Creative Industry and Transforming Lives, Communities and Places through arts and culture.  The CCP, through its Arts as Creative Industry program, seeks to promote the artistic sector as a vibrant and vital contributor to the national economy.  “We want the arts to focus not only on excellence and ‘art for art’s sake’ but to be a medium for advocacy to help change the lives of Filipinos.” Jardin said.
  
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I’d appreciate your thoughts. Bounce them at thegrapecity@gmail.com.  Tune in to 702 DZAS as you visit www.febc.ph My radio shows include Oras na, Pilipinas! Mondays to Fridays, 6:30-8:30am, Life is Beautiful, Sundays 6:30-7:30am and Life Myx, Saturdays, 2:30-6:00pm. Our friend Kuya Manny Calpito joins us every 11:00pm Mondays to Fridays in DZAS Public Service. Schedules are all in Manila time. (ericcmaliwat)


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JUST FOR FUN

YOU CREATE YOUR OWN DESTINY                                                

Three construction workers were on top of their half-finished
skyscraper.

"Rrrrring!" the lunch bell sounded, and the three men sat on a steel
beam jutting out of the 56th floor with their lunch boxes in hand.

The first guy opens his and groans in exasperation, "Tuyo!" There is
not a day that I don't get tuyo for lunch!" He turns to his buddies and
announces, "Mark my words. If I still get tuyo tomorrow, I'm going
to throw myself from this building."

The second guy opens his lunch box and moans, "Tinapa". Everyday, I
get tinapa!" He looks at his friends and declares, "Believe me when I say
this. If I get tinapa tomorrow, I'm going to jump and kill myself."

The third guy opens his lunch box and it was his turn to despair.
"Galunggong". All I get is galunggong!" I'm telling you, if I still
get galunggong tomorrow, I'm going to jump from this building and die."

The next day, the lunch bell rings and all three men are again seated
on the 56th floor.

The first guy opens his lunch box and starts crying, "Tuyoooooo!" And
so he jumps and crashes on the ground.

The second guy opens his lunch box and wails loudly, "Tinapaaaa!" And
he also hurls himself off the building and dies.

The third guy opens his lunch box and screams, "Galunggonggggg!" And
so he too jumps off the building and splatters on the ground.

Days later, during the funeral of the three men, their three wives
embrace and weep together.

The first wife cries out, "I didn't know my husband didn't like tuyo
anymore! Why didn't he tell me? If only he told me, I would have
prepared something else."

The second wife echoes her statement, "Yes! If only I knew, I would
Have cooked something else, not tinapa!"

The third wife, between sobs, speaks up, "I don't know why my husband
killed himself." The two wives look at her curiously. "Why?"

She went on, "Because ... my husband prepares his own lunch
everyday..."

All of us prepare our own lunch. If we don't like our jobs, if we don't
like the state of our relationships, if we don't like what's happening to our
spiritual lives - we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Because God has given us free will.

He has given us the power to prepare our own lunch.

If you want to earn more and be free from debt, if you're sick and
tired of your bad habits, if we want to put more joy in our marriages, if we
want to grow in our relationship with God - then go back to your kitchen and
prepare yourself another dish.

Because you design your own future.

You create your own destiny.

Ask yourself what kind of future do you want to have?

What kind of millenium?

What kind of eternity?

You decide.

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MUSIC FOR REST AND RESTORATION

It’s been said that listening to certain classical music pieces make people more relaxed. Children who are exposed to this musical genre are said
to become more intelligent.

Well, try to expose yourself to this type of music and see for yourself. A good number of popular classical music is available in CD’s from your local CD shop or through iTunes for your iPods!

In Metro Manila, you may also listen to dzFE, 98.7 FM – The Master’s Touch!

Every Saturday night at 10:30, get a good dose of music that brings rest and restoration to cap your week.
Tune in to

The Philippine Madrigal Singers are heard regularly on Inspirations, every Saturday, 10:30 PM on 98.7 dzFE

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HOW TO HANDLE STRESS DURING TOUGH TIMES

With news headlines all around us announcing economic changes for the worse, a lot of us are beginning to feel the twist of anxiety. When this stress response comes, the neurochemicals in our brain are thrown off balance.

Sustained periods of stress will affect your brain, leading to chemical imbalance. It will interfere with your memory, focus and concentration, making you feel agitated and unable to calm down. It is crucial for brain health and overall peace of mind that you learn to control your anxiety effectively. Read on to learn the ways to quell your anxiety and relax. As always, if you are undergoing serious anxiety, consult a healthcare professional.

1. Health in Mind = Health in Body

The average person has 60,000 thoughts a day, and nearly 80 percent of them are negative. Imagine what this is doing to your body! This negativity affects your thought patterns and behaviors subconsciously, and this has an unhealthy impact on your body.

Reframe the way you say things to yourself. You can actually change the response to anxiety with repeated affirmations, which will introduce a new positive pattern behavior in your thinking. Instead of being anxious, give empowering messages to yourself: I am strong, I am grateful, I can get through this. Repeat these positive affirmations throughout your day to transform the stress and change your attitude.

2. Cut Back on Stimulants

Stress, anxiety, insomnia, and a racing mind are byproducts of taking in too much caffeine, the central nervous system stimulator that works against your attempts to relax the body and calm the mind. To start, try cutting back for just week to see how fewer stimulants affect your overall stress level. Switch to decaf coffee, or better yet, drink herbal tea. Also, cut out sodas and other drinks that are packed with stimulants.  

3. Deep Breathing Calms Anxiety

If you are in a stressful situation, you may have noticed that you breath very shallowly, up in your throat area. Unfortunately, many adults breathe this way all the time; somewhere along the way, we stopped breathing abdominally, as we did when we were babies. This habitual shallow breathing mimics the bodily actions of stress, which can actually induce your body to feel anxiety.  

When you learn to breathe deeply all day - by breathing from your diaphragm - you will reduce general anxiety and gain other proven benefits, such as lowered blood pressure and heart rate. Also, it is estimated that 70 percent of the toxins and wastes in our bodies are eliminated through respiratory breathing. So start deep breathing!  

Here's how: Make it part of your every day schedule to practice 20-30 minutes of deep breathing every day, and your body will respond by being relaxed all the time. To learn a method for proper breathing, click here. Also, look into stress-reducing mind-body disciplines such as tai chi, yoga, qigong, and meditation, which all incorporate breathing work into their routines.

4. Get Out of Your Head By Helping Others

I hope you find the ways to check your anxiety! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

 (excerpted)
-Dr. Mao

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HAPPY TUNES



Joseph Hayden ranks among the best classical music composers. Though
he produced 15 Masses, 24 Operas and 104 other works, his music was
constantly condemned for being to worldly.

Hayden took all this criticism very calmly and with disarming modesty,
said to his critics: "I am very much aware that the music I compose does
not please everybody. But I can't help it. I cannot do any different
from what I am doing. I only give what I have. Whenever I think about
God, my heart overflows with joy, and that joy expresses itself in the
musical notes I write.

And since God has given me a joyful heart. I'm sure he's going to
forgive me for being joyful more often than I am sad. I firmly believe
that my God is ---and always will be -----a happy, joyful God,"

MULA SA KAMATAYAN                                                  (Lunes)
	“Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo, ang nakikinig ng aking salita at sumasampalataya sa kanya na nagsugo sa akin ay may buhay na walang hanggan, at hindi darating sa kahatulan kundi lumipat na sa buhay mula sa kamatayan.” Juan 5:24, MBB

Pakikinig at pananampalataya – ang mga ito ay magkalakip na hakbang tungo sa pagkakaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Ito ay isang buhay na ganap at kasiya-siya na nagsisimula sa buhay ng isang taong nagbalik loob sa Dios at pinananahanan ng Kanyang Anak na si Jesus (I Juan 5:13). Pagkatapos ng buhay na pangkasalukuyan, ang buhay ng isang tunay na Anak ng Dios ay magpapatuloy sa presensya ng Maylikha upang maging maligaya magpakailanman. Dahil sa kasalanan tayo ay dapat hatulan at parusahan subalit mabuti ang Panginoon na sa atin ay nagligtas ng dahil sa kanyang biyaya na ating tinanggap sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya. Purihin ang Dios na mahabagin. Tayo’y Kanyang iniligtas mula sa kamatayan tungo sa buhay.

Paano mo ginugugol ang iyong buhay sa lupa bilang isang anak ng Dios?

“Ako’y ipinakong kasama ni Cristo at hindi na ako ang nabubuhay, kundi si Cristo ang nabubuhay sa akin…” (Galacia 2:20a)

TEMA NG AWIT
(Mierkules)

“Umawit kayo sa PANGINOON, purihin ninyo ang pangalan niya; ipahayag ninyo ang kanyang pagliligtas araw-araw.” (Awit 96:2)

“Huwag kang magkakaroon ng ibang Dios sa harap ko.”  (Exodo 20:3)

Ang pagsamba sa ibang dios maliban sa tunay na Dios ay kasalanan. Ito ay isang kalapastanganan sa Panginoong Dios na lumikha sa ating lahat. Dapat na sambahin ang Lumikha at hindi ang nilikha.

Katumbas ng mga dios-diosan sa buhay natin ang katanyagan, kapangyarihan, karunungan, kahusayan o salapi kung ang mga ito ay ating pinapanginoon. Ipinagbawal ng Dios ang pagsamba sa ibang dios dahil siya ang sa atin ay lumikha. Nais din niya ng kaayusan sa mga anak Niya kaya ito ay iminudelo Niya sa atin kay Jesus. Hatid ng pagsamba sa dios-diosan ang iba’t ibang pamumuhay na tiwali o di-kaaya aya sa Panginoon. Gayon din ang mga pagkaing inihahandog sa mga dios-diosan ay maituturing na marumi at hindi nakatutulong sa kalusugan. Nais ng Dios na ang Kanyang mga anak ay mamuhay sang-ayon sa Kanyang wangis at hindi sa wangis ng iba’t-ibang dini-dios. May mayamang pagpapalang resulta sa sinumang mamumuhay ng ayon sa panuntunan ng ating iisang tunay na Dios.

Anu-ano o sino ang mga nagsisilbing dios-diosan sa buhay mo ngayon? Isuko ito sa tunay na Panginoon ng iyong buhay at magsimulang paglingkuran Siya lamang.

PAG-ASA
(Biernes)

“Ang Dios na nagbibigay sa atin ng pag-asa ang magkaloob nawa sa inyo ng kagalakan at kapayapaan sa pananalig, upang sumagana kayo sa pag-asa sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng Espiritu Santo.” (Roma 15:13, TPV)

Sinasabi sa psychology na kapag inalis ang elemento ng pag-asa sa tao, siya ay mamamatay. Kinakailangan ng tao ang mapanghahawakan sa buhay. Salamat sa Dios dahil sa Kanya, tayo ay hindi mawawalan ng pag-asa. Sa buhay na ito, hindi lubos na maaasahan ang ating kapwa tao, kahit ang gobyerno, antas ng edukasyon o lakas ng katawan. Mahalaga ang mga bagay na ito subalit hindi sila ang pinagmumulan ng tunay na kaganapan sa buhay. Ang Dios ang Siyang bukal ng pag-asa. Ang sinumang nananalig sa Kanyang mga pangako ay patuloy na magiging matatag.

Nawawalan ka na ba ng pag-asa? Naiinip ka na ba sa katugunan sa iyong mga panalangin? Alalahaning nagmamalasakit ang Panginoon sa iyo ng higit pa sa inaasahan mo. Patuloy na ipagkatiwala sa Kanya ang iyong kalagayan. Hindi ka Niya pababayaan magpakailanman.

“Ipagpasalamat ninyo sa pangalan ni Cristo-Jesus ang lahat ng pangyayari sapagkat yaon ang ibig ng Dios.” (I Tesalonica 5:18)

Kailan ka huling nagsabi ng “Thank You, Lord?” Kahapon? Kamakalawa? Kanina? May hiwagang hatid ang pagpapasalamat sa pananalangin. Nakatutulong ito sa pagtutuon natin ng pansin sa mga magagandang bagay na nangyayari sa buhay. Dahil dito, nakikita rin natin na ang Dios ay kumikilos sang-ayon sa Kanyang alam na pinakamainam at hindi sang-ayon sa idinidikta ng ating mga makasariling hangarin

Ang buhay na iyong taglay, ang iyong lakas, karunungan, hanap-buhay, mga mahal sa buhay. Ilan lamang ang mga ito sa mga biyayang dapat ipagpasalamat. Sa araw na ito, huwag kaliligtaang taos pusong magpasalamat sa Panginoon para sa lahat ng Kanyang pagpapala.

“HIGIT NA MAPALAD…”
(Linggo)

“Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, ipinakita ko sa inyo na sa pamamagitan ng ganitong pagpapagal ay dapat ninyong tulungan ang mahihirap, at alalahanin ang mga salita ng  Panginoong Jesus: “Higit na mapalad ang magbigay kaysa tumanggap.” (Gawa 20:35, TPV)

Ang pagkakaloob sa Panginoon ay isang pribilehyo. Tayo ay binibigyan Niya ng pagkakataon na makagawa ng kabutihan sa ating kapanahunan sa pamamagitan ng ating mga kaloob sa Kanya. Dahil dito, tayo ay nagiging mga kamay ng pagmamalasakit ng Dios upang abutin ang ating kapwa tao. Dahil sa ating mga taos-pusong kaloob sa Diyos, ang gawain ng ebanghelisasyon ay maitataguyod ng iglesia. Ang bawat taong mailalapit sa Dios sa pamamagitan ng misyon at mga gawain ng iglesia ay hindi lamang ikagagalak ng Panginoon kundi dagdag din sa bilang ng mga taong tunay na magiging kawal ng kabutihan.

Nawa ay lalo mong maranasan ang pagpapasagana ng Dios sa iyong buhay ngayon. Nawa ay pagpalain kang higit ng Panginoon. Tugunin mo ito ng pagsamba sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaloob sa Kanya. Ngayon “…alalahanin ang mga salita ng Panginoong Jesus: “Higit na mapalad ang magbigay kaysa tumanggap.”

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