reducing our carbon footprint

Buhat pa nong March 1, naki-join ang Sta Rosa sa iba pang cities and municipalities na nag-ban na ng plastic bags at iba pang non-biodegradable materials.  Last thing I heard, a bigger part of Metro Manila has been doing this for some time now.  At target yata na buong Metro Manila at iba pang lugar ay totally i-ban ang plastics in the near future. Kaya yong unang weekly grocery ko for March sa aking suking Waltermart, sa brown paper bags na nilalagay nong bag boy ang mga pinamili ko.

Of course mahirap bitbitin ang supot na papel lalo na may binili akong fish and meat.  Lalo na yong coke litro na mamasa-masa dahil galing sa malamig na freezer.  So kung ilalagay mo sa paper bag yon, kailangan yakapin mo sya or else lulusot dahil siguradong mabubutas si supot! May eco-friendly bag naman daw sabi ng cashier.  Ok. Di bale nang magbayad ng 10 pesos per bag kesa naman mabutas ang supot at sumabog ang pinamili ko sa sahig!

I really have no problem doing away with plastic bags.  Kahit ibig sabihin non eh wala na akong libreng lagayan ng basura sa bahay.  No choice kungdi bumili na rin ng itim na waste bags na plastic pa rin at hindi pa naman totally pulled out of the stores.  Walang problema kahit bumili pa ako ng apat na eco-friendly bags na 10 pesos each kung nasa Waltermart grocery ka at 35 pesos kung nasa SM ka. If this is the way I can contribute to the betterment of our ecological situation, by all means, go!

But amidst this frenzy of being eco-friendly plastic-free society, nagtanong ba tayo kung bakit kailangang gawin?

I heard from one report na ang biggest reason daw why plastics have to be banned ay dahil ang plastics ang bumabara sa mga kanal kaya nagkakaroon ng malaking pagbaha sa Metro Manila at iba pang lugar. Hindi rin daw biodegradable kaya napupuno ang mga landfill.  Masama din daw kung susunugin dahil nagko-cause ng pollution.

Fine.  Don sa last two statements, isang word lang ang sasabihin ko: RECYCLE.  At don sa unang statement, dyan tayo hahaba ang usapan!  

Bakit babara sa kanal at magba-baha dahil sa plastic?  Hindi dahil sa plastic mga kabayan.  Dahil sa UGALI nating mga Pinoy.  Dahil sa KAWALAN ng DISIPLINA! Hindi dahil sa plastic.

Paano ba mapupunta sa kanal ang plastic kung hindi natin itinapon?  Hindi naman kusang lilipad yong plastic para humanap ng kanal or imburnal or manhole at sisiksik sya doon saka magtatatalon na ‘yehey naka-bara ako sa kanal’!

Bakit sa Singapore wala tayong nababalitaan na bumaha dahil nagbara ang mga kanal?  Dahil sa kanila bawal magtapon kahit balat ng kendi sa kalsada.  Eh sa Pinas, di ba parang isang malaking basurahan ang kalsada, kanal at mga ilog?  

Which leads me back to my early days na ang slogan ni former President Marcos eh Sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan, Disiplina ang Kailangan.  Totoo naman.  Bakit noon disiplinado tayo kaya ang Pinas ang tinawag na Tiger Economy of Asia.  Eh ngayon, oo nga at nasa demokrasya tayo, we enjoy such freedom a lot of oppressed nations are dying for, and yet we’ve been left behind.  Kulelat na yata tayo sa ASEAN region kung economy ang pag-uusapan.

Kahit ang kawawang Vietnam na nilugmok ng sangkatutak na giyera, naungusan na tayo.  Their economy is now far better than Pinas. In fact, marami na sa mga kababayan natin ang ginagawa itong destination for work.  Hindi ba nakakahiya na dati kulelat sila and yet here we are, sugod na sa kanilang bansa dahil mas maraming opportunity at magandang kumita ng pera?

I’m not saying we have to go back to the martial rule that President Marcos imposed.  Ang sinasabi ko lang, let’s enjoy our freedom and at the same time, be a responsible citizen.  Tulad na lang dito sa basura.  Wag magtapon kung saan-saan. Wag magkalat.  Because in the long run, it is our lives that suffer from the consequences.  

Sige, magtapon ka at magkalat.  Pagdating ng kaunting ulan, binaha ka.  Na-Ondoy ka (ouch, i hate to use it pero naging synonymous na ang pangalan ko sa delubyo!).  Ang bahay at kotseng pinundar mo, pinaghirapan mo, nalubog sa baha.  Oh, di aatungal ka.  Kayod ka na naman para magpundar ulit.

Hindi naman siguro nagkukulang ang gobyerno sa pagpapa-alala sa atin.  Matigas lang talaga ang ulo natin.  Natural tayong pasaway.  Kaya kahit ano pang sangkatutak na legislation ang gawin ng ating mga mambabatas, kung hindi tayo susunod, walang mangyayaring pag-unlad sa ating bansa. In fact, isa na yata tayo sa bansa sa buong mundo na napakaraming batas.  And yet walang nangyayari.  It only encourages corruption.  Dahil nga maraming pasaway. Kailangan pa ba na bumalik sa authoritarian rule para lang tayo sumunod?  

I laud the think tanks who initiated this plastic-free society.  Good thinking.  Pero sana lang, sinamahan din ng mas magandang intention.  At nilinaw na hindi ang plastic ang problema.  Kungdi tayo mismo. If the change comes from within ourselves, mas magiging natural at malinaw ang gagawin ng bawat isa para maka-contribute sa kalinisan at kaligtasan ng kapaligiran.

And you think brown paper bags are better?  Think again.  Kung 200 paper bags ang magamit ko sa aking paggo-grocery sa isang taon, isn’t it that it equates to one tree being cut down somewhere?  Hindi ba’t deforestation is another demon we’re trying to combat because of the flash floods and land slides?  So kung buong Pinas ay paper bag ang gagamitin, ilang libong puno ang kailangan nating itumba?  In the end, ilang bayan ang babahain at makakaranas ng land slides?

Yon ang reason ko kung bakit kahit gumastos ako ng 10 pesos for the eco-friendly bag daw, i’d rather do it.  Dahil alam kong hindi man bumara sa kanal ang paper bags, it still means devastation of our forests.  By not patronizing the brown paper bag, i know I'm going one step further.  I'm reducing my carbon footprint even greater.  So I’m a good citizen.  Yes  I am! 

the beauty of mother earth

it's saturday and as usual i'm feeling lousy. isang oras na ako sa aking workstation at wala pa akong ginagawa kungdi magkape at mag-check ng mails at blog ko. then i stumbled upon these marvelous pics on the net and it seemed to have done something magical to me. bigla akong nagising.

.

earth is truly amazing. nakaka-overwhelm na ang katulad kong isang tinatamad na trabahador is just one tiny, miniscule portion of this wonderful planet called earth. just look at these pics of beautiful islands as taken from outer space. God is so gracious to have given us something so beautiful and yet we're just taking it all for granted. so let's take more conscious effort to take care of our planet shall we?

atafu islands, new zealand

eleuthera islands, bahamas

galapagos islands, pacific ocean

hawaiian islands, pacific ocean

maldives, indian ocean

millenium islands, republic of kiribati

onekotan islands, russia

lesser sunda, indonesia

.

to view the whole article, visit http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/11/islands-space/?npu=1&mbid=yhp

real survivor

Just a day after Ketsana battered various parts of Metro Manila killing a few hundreds of my kabayans, dumiretso ito sa Vietnam at ilang Vietnamese din ang pinatay. Oras lang ang pagitan, isang tsunami naman ang tumama sa Samoan islands kung saan marami ding namatay. Almost simultaneously, a killer quake hit Sumatra which has the biggest casualty (estimated at around 1,000 last night). Kahapon naman, flooding and landslide hit a small town in Sicily. Ano na bang nangyayari sa ating mundo?

Habang pinapanood ko ang mga balita tungkol sa mga kalamidad na ito, hindi maiwasang tumakbo na naman ang utak ko. Let me share some of my random thoughts about these events.

.

Medyo mababaw:

- Marami siguro sa binahang kababayan natin ang nag-iisip na kung sa mataas na lugar tulad ng Sicily sila nakatira, hindi sila aabutin ng baha. Marami naman sa mga taga-Sicily, siguro nag-iisip na kung sa may beach lang sila nakatira tulad ng beaches sa Samoa, walang landslide. Pero ang mga taga-Samoa siguro, iniisip na mas mabuti pang sa city na lang sila nakatira, sa condo tulad ng sa Sumatra para hindi abutin ng tsunami. Samantalang ang mga taga-Sumatra nag-iisip na kung sa isang mababang bahay sila nakatira, something like yong mga bahay sa Marikina, ligtas naman sila sa lindol. Ironic di ba.

Medyo malalim:

- Ang daming nega sa mga tumutulong lalo na pag celebrity o pulitiko. Talaga naman kasing nakakainis pag masyadong obvious na umeepal lang. Pero kung ako naman ang nasa evacuation center, wala akong paki kung totoo sa puso mo ang pagtulong o nagpapapogi ka lang. Ikaw ang may alam sa totoong dahilan ng pagtulong na ginagawa mo. And you’re the one going to go to bed with it.

- May nakita akong report ng isang lalaki na after ng baha at bagyo, naghalungkat ng basura para kumita ng pera (24 Oras, Thursday, 01 Oct 09 report). Kumita sya ng halos 1,000 pesos na pinangbili nya ng pagkain ng kanyang pamilya. Bilib ako sa kanya. Tinulungan nya ang kanyang sarili instead na mag-ngangawa sa paghihintay ng tulong ng kung sinong pulitiko.

Eto talagang malalim:

- Some call these calamities ‘acts of God’. Parang sa akin hindi ko kayang sabihin yon. Coz I know the God that I believe in is not killing his people senselessly. Bakit hindi na lang natin tanggapin na parte ito ng balance of nature. At parte din ng circle of life. We should all understand that there is one grand scheme na hindi natin kayang unawain dahil ang utak at pang-unawa natin is too miniscule to fathom the wisdom of God.

- Pag may ganitong mga pangyayari, very common maririnig natin, pinaparusahan daw ng Diyos ang mga tao dahil sa mga kasalanan. Again, bakit ang Diyos ang ituturo? Aren’t we the bigger part of the problem? Na kung hindi inaabuso, pinakialaman at dinadapurak ng tao ang maraming bagay sa mundo, hindi masisira ang magandang balance nito? Example na lang ang missile testing. Most of these testing is done underground. Imagine the destruction it brings to the intricate layers of earth that, when disturbed, causes movements of plates. Tapos ituturo natin ang Diyos pag may lindol? Kung hindi ba naman tayo isang bulto ng mga ingrato.

Eniweys, nuf said. Let’s just be thankful that Pepeng didn’t hammer us as hard as it can. At sana wala nang susunod pang mas matindi. Let us pray that people will be given enough chance to restart their lives. Hindi biro ang kakaharapin nilang challenge. This is Survivor, real life edition.

the yellow president

CORAZON 'CORY' AQUINO

1933-2009

with the passing of corazon 'cory' aquino, philippines and the world as a whole, has just lost one of it's most iconic presidents.

.

her kind, bespectacled face was the face of democracy that offered hope for millions of filipinos. she was the moving force that overthrew an age-old authoritarian rule. she was the reason why people power became a worldwide phenomenon in the political arena. she became the first woman president in asia. she showed everyone that yellow doesn't mean weakness when she survived 7 coup attempts during her rule. and the list goes on and on and on....

quite an achievement for a mild-mannered housewife whose french literature diploma is just an undeniable stamp of her upper-crust pedigree. whose political exposure was only by being the wife of the prominent ninoy. and whose sole source of strenght is nothing but her rosary and the deepest of prayers.

the legacy of this extraordinary lady should forever be etched in the halls of philippines' politics. and the world.

rest in peace, madam. and may you have a joyful reunion with ninoy.

pleasure or pain

I was with a couple of friends (Jonas and James) last Friday. May daing fresh from Pinas kasi si James kaya ang sarap ng tanghalian namin. And since nabundat nga, naidlip ako after lunch pero ginising ako ng mga hysterics ni Lorna Tolentino sa Tv. Yon pala yong balik-acting nya sa MMK. Masyadong ma-drama yong mga iyakan nila kaya kahit nakatalikod ako, naririnig ko yong mga dialog thus figuring out the kwento.

Nothing new sa istorya, ewan ko lang sa acting ng mga lead kasi nga wala akong interes manood. Istorya ng isang mahirap na pamilya na ang tatay (played by Albert Martinez) eh inuna pa ang pagda-drugs kesa maghanap buhay. Hanggang maapektuhan ang pamilya and in the end, nasira pati ang pagmamahal at pang-unawa nong wife sa pasaway na husband.

And while LT is crying her guts out, naisip ko lang, ilang beses na kayang pinasadahan ng MMK ang ganitong plot. O ng ibang mga drama shows and soap series. Pati ng mga pelikula. Libong beses na siguro.

I have no idea kasi hindi ako masyadong mahilig sa mga soap and drama. But one thing I’m sure of, very common yong kwento. Tumingin ka lang sa paligid kahit nasaang sulok ka ng Metro Manila, you’ll see thousands of families suffering from this dilemma.

Kahit nga sa mga probinsya, talamak na rin ang problema ng droga. Marami nang buhay at pamilya ang sinira nito. Which makes you think... bakit nga ba nandyan pa rin ang droga kahit bawal at capital punishment pa ang parusa sa mga gumagawa at nagbebenta nito?

I know you’d say dahil isang malaking negosyo ito at kung idi-discuss natin ang buong scenario ng prohibited drugs eh pang-national tv na at hindi lang pang-Dantespeaks. But what we all know is the fact that it is one ugly truth in the current society na hindi na siguro mawawala pa. Unless by some stroke of miracle ay mangyari ang isang bagay.

And by miracle I didn’t mean better law enforcement. Malabong mangyari yon dahil malaking miracle ang kailangan natin para tumino ang kapulisan. We all know na kahit marami ang dedicated at marangal na policemen sa atin, marami rin ang involved sa mga illegal activities including drugs.

And by miracle hindi rin better legislation ang ibig kong sabihin. Dahil kung batas at batas rin lang ang pag-uusapan, siguro naman sobra na sa dami ng batas relating to dangerous drugs. Lalong hindi ko na sasabihing umaasa ako sa miracle for a better government. Wala na yatang matinong Presidenteng makikita ang Pilipinas. O kung meron man, madali ring kainin ng bulok na sistema at ng mga anay na nakapaligid.

And what’s the miracle na sinasabi ko? Yong isang araw ay ma-realize ng lahat ng mga drug users na isang malaking kalokohan ang ginagawa nila sa buhay nila. Yong magising sila isang araw, look at their reflections in the mirror at ma-realize nilang they could look better without drugs. That they can enjoy pure happiness sa buhay na hindi na kailangan ng pampa-high. That they can achieve better and more blissful existence na hindi fake. And with that, mare-realize nila that the superficial pleasure they are enjoying only leads to some painful ending.

Pag nangyari yon, they themselves would stop their drug abuse. Lahat sila titigil nang bumili ng kahit ano, ke shabu, coke, meth o kahit ecstasy. Pasok ngayon yong law of economics di ba. Walang demand, therefore walang supply. So tapos na ang negosyo ng mga ganid. And in the end, walang pamilyang masisira. Walang buhay na masasayang.

But wait, if I’d wish for that one thing, isasama ko na rin ang mga lasenggo. Dahil kung ang drugs ay masama ang epekto sa pamilyang pilipino, hindi rin nagpapahuli ang epekto ng alcohol abuse. The severity might be less but still, it’s another monster that threatens the stability of a family. Masama pa ang epekto sa katawan.

And if we talk about negative health effects, isama na rin natin ang yosi. Ay teka, sapol na pala ako don! Darn, itigil ko na nga ito at baka kung saan mapunta. Basta, masama ang droga so stop it. Yon lang and have a nice day!

golden lessons of regina brett

a dear friend from jeddah forwarded this mail to me and i just can't help but share it with you. these one-liners are from regina brett, a columnist in the plain dealer, a newspaper in ohio. her lines are somehow bob ong-ish but i liked a lot of them.

*

cesar, thanks a lot for sharing this nuggets of wisdom. we sure can use one or two of them in our own lives.

here are regina's 45 lessons in life:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone closes to you. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God sometimes. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others.You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34.God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

what's good in it?

It’s Good Friday once again. That day every year that reminds us of the greatest story of sacrifice ever told. Jesus dying a ruthless, humiliating death up on the cross. All for the love of mankind.

But just one quick thought: why is it called Good Friday? It’s the death of Jesus and yet we call it good? Isn’t this one big misnomer?

What’s good about having Jesus being tortured, bearing a heavy cross on a long walk towards his death? What’s good about the Roman centurions piercing his flesh with their spears, breaking his bones and drawing that holy blood? What’s good in those nails that kept him dangling until he gasped his last breath?

So you'll say that it's good coz it redeemed our souls? That if Jesus didn't give up his life then we all are condemned to eternal hell? Is that what you mean by good? Well, isn't that the a bit insensitive and selfish?

Why can't we call it something more appropriate. Like Mournful or Black Friday. Anything that shows our appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice. Call it anything else but not good. Coz to me, we're no less barbaric than the centurions who nailed Jesus to the cross if we call this day good. He died because of our sins. So be more appropriate. And calling this day Good is so inappropriate.

.

Ah well, it’s just a simple thought, a rather trivial question. But I think it only highlights the fact that we have swallowed all that’s been passed on to us as the truth. We believed everything our parents, grandparents, parish priests and catechism teachers taught us. We believed it because it’s what our tradition, religion and beliefs told us.
.
Pardon me but I just can’t help but ponder deeply when it comes to faith. Coz I believe that blind faith is just as bad as having no faith at all.

life... death.... and everything in between

So it’s Nov again. At sa ating mga Pinoy, Nov 1 is always observed as the day of the departed. Although sa totoong buhay, Nov 1 is All Saints Day at Nov 2 ang All Souls Day. Naging tradisyon na lang ng mga Pinoy na pagsamahin.

Nevertheless, eto yong mga panahon that always makes me think kung ano talaga ang nangyayari pag namatay na ang isang tao. Totoo ba ang sinasabi ng mga doktrina ng ating kinamulatang relihiyon na mayroong buhay beyond our mortal existence?

Or should I be more practical and believe that death ends it all and nothing lies beyond your last breath. And neither Heaven nor Hell is nothing like what we usually painted in our minds. Or, at the risk of sounding radical and irreverent, ask something like - does it even exist?

Kasi, sa totoo lang, sino ba talaga ang makakapag-patunay na merong life after death? May namatay na ba at nakabalik sa mundong ito at nagsabing he has been to the gates of heaven? Or has seen Satan welcoming him to the depths of hell? Wala pa di ba.

So how can we believe something like that kung wala talagang proof? And all we have is our faith, base sa kinalakihan natin at pinaniwalaan natin? Faith in what we believe is true dahil yon ang tinuro sa atin. Yon kasi ang sabi ng Bible. Yon kasi ang sabi ng Pari. Yon kasi ang sabi ng mga magulang natin.

Ok, sabihin nating walang life after death and we all end up as a ghostly spirit as soon as our heart stopped beating. Then, what happens? Saan pupunta yong spirit? Sa Heaven if you did good during your lifetime or Hell if you spent it otherwise? Again, why? Dahil yon ang sabi sa atin ng Bible, ng Pari, ng matatanda at ng mga magulang natin?

But isn’t it one big blackmail? I mean, hindi ba’t parehong-pareho lang yon ng mga pang-uuto ng Nanay natin sa atin nong maliit pa tayo? “Sige anak, pag nagpakabait ka, ibibili kita ng laruan. Pag naging salbahe ka, papaluin kita.” O kaya yong sabi ng Tatay natin na “Anak, pag first honor ka, ibibili kita ng bike. Pero pag bumagsak ka, humanda ka sa sinturon ko”.

We are told to do good and be good para ibigay sa atin yong gusto natin. Otherwise, we don’t get the prize and instead, punishment ang ibibigay sa atin. Yon ang sinasabi kong parehong-pareho. May kakabit na threat yong kundisyones. Pag mabait ka, sa langit ka pupunta. Pag masama, sa impyerno ang bagsak mo.

O sige, sabihin nating nagpaka-santo ka, malaking mag-abuloy sa simbahan and was doing lots of charity works. But at the back of your mind, you’re doing it all dahil meron kang hinihintay na kapalit. In fact, you look at everything you do as an investment. Na bawat ginagawa mong kabutihan, binibilang mo na para kang naghuhulog ng coins sa piggy bank. And in the end, ang gusto mong ROI ay ang mapunta sa langit.

Do you think it’s gonna get you to where you wanna be?

Why can’t we just do good things because we know in our heart and our mind that it is the right and good thing to do? Just do good things to our family and to the community as a whole na walang selfish motive. Yong gusto lang talaga nating maging mabait na tao, matinong member ng society without fixating on what happens to us in the after life. Coz again, naron yong paniniwala ko na if you do something good na may hinihintay na kapalit para sa sarili mo, it’s just as bad as doing something bad.

And what happens if it turned out na walang langit, walang impyerno. And after you gasped your last breath, naging spirit ka na, wala na palang kasunod. Wala yong inaasahan mong welcome party ni San Pedro sa yo with matching pearly white gates and singing angels? Natunaw yong inaasahan mong ROI. So you’ll turn out to be one sour spirit? Tatambay sa mga balete at mananakot ng mga inosenteng tao?

Tapos makikita mo yong mga taong buhay na nakakakilala sa yo, pinag-uusapan ka at ang sabi “Naku, kunwari lang naman mabait yan pero sa totoo lang, kurakot yan, manloloko, rapist at gangster pa. Mabuti nga namatay na.” Well, for me, yon ang impyerno. Patay ka na nga pero wala kang iniwang mabuti kaya walang masabing mabuti yong mga kakilala mo.

Di ba mas maganda yong maganda lang talaga ang ginawa mo nong buhay ka pa at walang ini-expect na kung ano pag namatay. You may float in the air as one happy spirit. Kung wala mang langit na naghihintay sa yo, heaven na rin ang feeling mo dahil magaganda ang naririnig mong comments sa mga taong tinulungan mo ng walang pagkukunwari. And every good word they utter about you are just like petals of flowers thrown your way. Di ba, yon ang paradise?

I know this thing has been the subject of countless debates. Marami na ang nagtalo, nag-away at siguro nagka-patayan sa argumento tungkol sa bagay na ito.

Unfortunately, kahit anong balitaktakan ang gawin natin, kahit itambak natin lahat ang documents from all the versions of the Bible, kahit gamitin natin lahat ng research papers for scientific evidence, we can not come up with anything definitive to support either sides. And in the end, it all boils down to what we believe. To what we have accepted in our hearts and in our minds as the truth.

So is there really life after death? Totoo ba ang Heaven and Hell? I’ve said my piece. And that's what I believe in. It’s up to you what you make out of it.

what i believe in... or don't

I have a previous posting somewhere in this blog that deals with the story of the crucifixion as presented by a BBC documentary program. It basically said that in all practicality, Jesus wouldn’t have been nailed to the cross the way it was depicted in images widely used by the Christian populace.

The argument is that if Jesus indeed took the form of a normal person, then his weight will not allow him to stay suspended in that position for an extended period of time in the cross as the Christians were led to believe.

I wouldn’t want to sound blasphemous nor sacrilegious, but let me say I have the slightest tendency to somehow agree with that documentary. Maybe because I have been analyzing and probing things about my belief since the time I’ve started relying on my own discernment.

You see, I’m a Roman Catholic by birth. But I’ve been exposed to several other faiths while growing up. And even if I chose to remain a Catholic, these exposures allowed me to question things, find reason, and in the end, come up with ideas that I would rather believe in instead of blindly swallowing what has been shoved down my throat since my grade school catechism classes.

I kept an open mind on teachings that offer better explanation of things that are unclear to me. Or ideas that offer answers to question that were rather left to mere faith and thus, unresolved.

That is why I’m not a great fan of the crucifix and religious figures. If these figures represent holiness to most Christians, to me, it represents an outright disregard of what the Holy Bible said. I’m not sure what book, verse or chapter it was but I know for a fact that somewhere in the Old Testament, God said He is a very jealous God and He is not happy to see people worship idols and figures. That is why he destroyed what the Israelites were worshipping while waiting for Moses who came back with the Ten Commandments.

That is why I don’t understand why the church came up with photographic renditions, paintings and sculptures of saints and hundreds of other figures that devotees kiss, touch and worship. I’ve read the scripture in just a few occasions. But I clearly remember not seeing in any page that we should be worshipping anything or anybody else but God.

Also, I’m not a firm believer of memorized prayers. I can recite only a couple of them because they were mandatory morning prayers while I was in my grade school. And I admit I just mumbled through most of them. Coz I never felt any sincerity in whatever I was muttering. It’s because it was something memorized. Nothing any different from The Daffodils or the Invictus or the patriotic pledge of allegiance during flag raising ceremonies.

Whenever I pray, I communicate with my own words. I don’t go through kilometric preludes. I just say it simple and straight. But with all the sincerity, honesty and faith coming from my heart. Afterall, in all His omnipotence, He will see what’s in your heart even if you don’t speak. So to me, reciting these prayers, not once, but over and over and over is not just a waste of your time. You’re also insulting God and His intelligence by mumbling words you don’t even feel in your heart.

I also don’t subscribe to the idea of the Holy Trinity. I don’t exactly know where it came from. Maybe it was from the Bible but I don’t recall having read this as well. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit? Again, there’s some great conflict here. Why would I bow my head to the Prince and the Magistrate if the King demands sole, undivided loyalty and devotion?

And these are just major beliefs I have trouble believing in. I wouldn’t go into details of stories we’ve been told like that of Jesus’ birth and death. Otherwise, you’ll end up calling me a radical. Or a bad seed.

Call me what you want. But as far as I am concerned, I am a thinking Christian. I believe in something that, to me, is right. Afterall, faith is one of the most subjective matters in this world. And I know you would agree with me when I say that every faith, religious sect or order claims they are the true and right religion. In short, everybody would believe what they want to believe in. And that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Having said that, I’m still a Christian and I believe Jesus came into this earth with a purpose. And if that is to remind us year after year that he suffered extreme pain and punishment just to save us from hell and condemnation, then let me wish you a blessed Lent. I just hope that we remember these days not only once a year. But in every day of our lives. Coz that’s what we should really be doing if we call ourselves Good Christians.

byaheng langit

During my last vacation, my best friend/pinsan and I got into a serious conversation. Something na hindi naman madalas mangyari dahil laging kalokohan at tawanan ang nangyayari pag magkasama kami. But if conversations turn serious, medyo malalim talaga ang pinupuntahan.

Tulad nong umagang yon. Past 9 na pero nagkakape pa lang kami. Pareho kasing kagigising lang. Nagising lang dahil may dumating na tao. More or less, ganito tumakbo ang usapan nang maka-alis yong tao:

Insan : Sigurado ako, hindi na babalik yong hiniram non (referring to the taong kaa-alis lang).

Ako : Eh ganon talaga. Tulong ko na lang sa kanya yon (dahil talagang gipit yong tao at alam kong wala namang pagkukunan para maibalik sa akin yong inutang na pera).

Insan : Alam mo, pag ganyan, naaalala ko si Bay (si Bay ang dati kong driver)

Ako : Bakit naman?

Insan : Kasi sabi nga ni Bay di ba, sa dami mo nang natulungan, diretso ka daw sa langit pag namatay ka.

Ako : Hahahahaa!!! Oo nga, lokong Bay yon.

Insan : Pero naniniwala ka ba don?

Ako : Saan, sa langit?

Insan : Oo. Yong pag tumulong ka, mapupunta ang kaluluwa mo sa langit?

Ako : Ewan ko… (inom muna ako ng kape, yosi, saka nag-isip bigla)…

Ako pa rin : Hindi siguro.

Insan : Bakit naman?

Ako : Kasi, hindi ko inisip kahit minsan na pag tumutulong ako, nag-i-expect ako ng reward na ganon. Tulad nong pupunta ako sa langit.

Insan : Eh di ba ganon nga ang kasabihan, pag daw mabait ka at lagi kang nakakatulong.

Ako : Sabi nga. Pero para sa akin, kalokohan yon. Tumutulong ako dahil gusto kong tulungan yong tao. Or naa-awa ako. Pero honest, hindi ko inisip na dapat may balik sa akin yon. Tsaka di ba mas malaking kasalanan yon. Kasi tumutulong ka nga pero meron ka namang ini-expect na kapalit.

Insan : Sabagay. (sabay yosi. pero alam ko hindi pa tapos ang usapan.)

Insan uli : Eh kung hindi ka nag-e-expect ng kapalit sa mga tulong mo, bakit nagalit ka sa mga pamangkin mo?

Ako : Huh? (sabi na nga ba may kasunod pa eh)…

Insan : Di ba, hindi sila makalapit sa yo ngayon. Kasi nagalit ka sa kanila nong pinag-aral mo sila tapos nag-asawa lang sila. Hindi nasunod yong gusto mo. In short, may expectation ka sa kanila kapalit nong tulong na binigay mo. Nang hindi mangyari yong expectation mo, nagalit ka.

Ako : Iba naman yon noh!

Insan : Eh ganon din yon, may ini-expect kang kapalit.

Ako : Hindi siguro. Yong ini-expect kong kapalit nong tulong ko, yong gumanda ang buhay nila. Eh hindi naman nila ginawa.

Insan : Nag-expect ka pa rin. (ang kulit talaga)

Ako : Oo. Pero para sa kanila din yon di ba. Hindi naman para sa akin yong expectation ko. Tsaka hindi ako nagalit don sa pagtulong ko sa kanila. Nabigay ko na yon eh.

Insan : O eh bakit ka nagalit?

In-explain ko.

(Mahaba tong part na to kaya isang separate posting ang gagawin ko)

Nang matapos ang litanya ko…

Insan : Ah, okey. Ganito na lang, sabihin nating nagalit ka kasi hindi ka nag-expect ng kapalit sa tulong mo. Pero nagalit ka dahil pakiramdam mo, bale-wala yong tulong mo. Ganon?

Ako : Alam mo minsan, hindi ka lang si Bayani Agbayani… may pagka-doctor Phil ka rin minsan.

Insan : Sino yon?

Ako : Wala. Palibhasa puro ka Kapamilya. Lika na nga. Punta na lang tayong mall.

questions with no answer

It was a bit of a shock hearing this morning that Heath Ledger is dead. First thing that hit my mind is “sayang”. Normal na reaksyon natin pag may namamatay na kakilala natin – personally or otherwise – na bata pa. At ito palang si Heath eh 28 lang. Sayang dahil magaganda ang mga films na nagawa nya. He’s got a steady career going for him. Tapos ganon lang. Just like that, he’s gone.

Siguro hindi lang ako ang nag-sabing ‘sayang’. Milyon siguro ng mga movie fans around the world said the same thing (of course in different languages naman!). Pero bakit nga ba yon ang unang reaction natin sa ganitong sitwasyon? Dahil ba talagang nanghihinayang tayo sa pagkawala nong tao? Or is it because yon lang ang naisip nating sabihin in the absence of other better things to say?

Ako, both. Nanghihinayang ako sa pagkawala ng isang taong alam mong gagawa pa ng maganda sa buhay nya. That is, of couse, base sa mga nakita mo nang ginawa nya in whatever length of time he lived his life. Syempre, hindi mo naman sasabihing sayang kung isang maton or pusakal na kriminal yong namatay. You’d probably say ‘buti nga’.

Pero more than sa panghihinayang, sa mga ganong pagkakataon, ang dami-daming tumatakbo sa utak ko. Thoughts that race like mad dogs inside my mind. Mostly mga tanong. Like ‘bakit kailangang mamatay sya at an early age?” or “ano bang kasalanan nong tao para bawian agad ng buhay”.

I even had worse questions in my heart and in my mind nong mamatay ang pamangkin/inaanak ko from drowning, barely a month before his 13th birthday. Mga tanong na puno ng hinanakit, may kasama pang galit. Hindi ko na lang babanggitin dito. Nagpaka-lalim na lang ako para mawala ang mga tanong na yon. Nagpaka-philosophical na lang ba.

But it only led to bigger, more complex questions. Hindi na lang question about life and death. Magtatanong ka na kung bakit nga ba nandito tayo, nabubuhay sa mundong ibabaw.

Ano nga ba ang ginagawa natin dito? Bakit parang pinadaan lang tayo sa face of earth tsaka mawawala rin. Para ba tayong mga inflatable dolls na nilagyan ng oxygen? Some full tank – yong mga umaabot ng katandaan, while others konti lang ang oxygen kaya namamatay ng maaga? Ako kaya, full tank din kaya ang oxygen ko or ¾?

O para ba tayong mga chess pieces – may pre-determined path, hindi pwedeng gumawa ng sariling hakbang, may isang nagdidikta kung paano tayo gagalaw, kung hanggang saan tayo aabot at kung kelan tayo mama-mate?

In short, what’s the point na may buhay na tulad natin sa Earth? At bakit sa Earth lang? Kung meron sa ibang planets, sa ibang galaxy siguro. Pero bakit sa galaxy natin, in all our nine planets, tayo lang ang tao? What’s the point?

At kung totoong tayo lang ang tao sa known planets according to scientists, totoo rin bang ang Diyos, according to religion, eh sa atin lang nakatutok? Kasi, sino’ng imo-monitor nya sa ibang planets – bacterias, planktons and other microbes? O baka naman too much to handle na tayong mga tao lang sa Earth kaya hindi na gumawa pa ang God ng ibang cluster of human kind in any other corner of this infinite universe?

At kung may ibang life form ba sa ibang galaxy, do they have the same God, o may ibang Diyos silang sinasamba? Do they also go through the same cycle starting from a healthy sperm hitting a fertile egg, incubating in a mother’s womb for 9 months, ipapanganak, lalaki, mabubuhay tapos mamamatay din in varied fashion and timings? Bakit nga ba kailangan pang mabuhay para patayin din?

Or is it because we will not learn what is life kung walang death? O baka naman limited ang slots ng nabubuhay kaya kailangang may mamatay para may mabuhay na iba. Pero mabagal ang rate ng death kesa birth, kita mo nga at bilyones na ang population sa mundo and over population has become a concern for most nations.

At saka totoo ba yong sinasabing life after death? If yes, saan yon? Figurative lang ba yon? If not, then ano na ang nangyayari sa atin? The body decomposes then what? Malalaman lang ba natin ang truth about life after death kung tayo na mismo ang mamamatay? Kaya ba walang makapag-prove na totoo yon kasi hindi na makabalik ang isang namatay to tell everybody na “hey – totoo, may life after death”.

Ay teka, lumayo na yata ako ng husto! Sabi ko nga sa inyo, my thoughts are racing like mad dogs pag mga ganitong sitwasyon. Wala rin namang inaabot. Puro tanong. Walang sagot. Kasi wala pa naman kahit sinong genius or biblical scholar ang makakasagot ng mga tanong na ito. Some attempt to answer. Some even pretend to be wise and try to explain. But the truth is, nobody really knows the mystery of life. Nobody really knows when we’re going. And where. Heck, nobody even knows why we’re here in the first place.

happy 2008

This is my first Christmas and New Year in Pinas matapos ang ilang taon na umiiwas akong magbakasyon sa ganitong season because of the gastos. Not only na marami akong inaanak sa binyag plus yong dalawang inaanak ko sa kasal (shucks, matanda na talaga ako!) but the many other gastos na hinaharap mo kung isa kang OFW na nagbabakasyon sa Pinas on Christmas season. Nandon kasi yong expectation na maghahanda ka, magpapainom at kung ano-ano pa kasi akala nila nag-uumapaw ang dollars sa bulsa mo.

Hindi ko masyado na-enjoy ang Christmas dahil nga naka-focus ako sa project ko. Though nitong New Year medyo hindi na ganon ka-hectic ang schedule ko kaya medyo pahinga na ako at nakalabas naman ako ng bahay before midnight para mag-light ng ilang pirasong luses na binili ko, plus yong fountain na hindi ako ang nag-sindi, takot akong maputukan! Hahahaha!!!

And as tradition dictates, halos mabingi ako sa dami ng mga firecrackers kaliwa’t kanan, plus the dazzling fireworks na pinkawalan ng mga obviously eh mayayaman kong kapitbahay. Tumingala na lang ako at nanood sa mga sumasabog na colors sa kadiliman ng midnight sky.

Ilang oras tumagal ang ingay. Makapal ang usok na akala mo eh nasusunog ang buong village namin, and probably the whole of Sta Rosa. And I’m sure ganon din sa lahat ng part ng Pilipinas and all the other New-Year celebrating nations of the world.

Amid the noise and the fireworks, gumana na naman ang utak kong wala nang pinatawad. Naisip ko, ilang libong piso kaya, o baka milyon pa, ang sinunog ng mga Pinoy sa paputok para lang i-welcome ang 2008. To think na mahirap ang buhay, ang baba ng palitan ng dollar na sumadsad na sa 40.80 kahapon.

Pero pag ganitong pagkakataon, kahit anong hirap ng economy natin, hindi pwedeng wala ka kahit isang sisindihan to welcome the New Year. Parang kawawang-kawawa ka pag wala ka man lang isang pirasong luses.

Nasa paniniwala na kasi yon. That we have to welcome the New Year with a bang para maging maganda ang pagpasok ng bagong taon. With that lies our hope and prayers na maging mas mabuti ang magiging buhay natin. That we will achieve success in our careers, o mas dadami pa ang pera natin.

Hindi yon basta pag-iingay. Hindi yon basta pagsusunog ng pera. It is a ritual na may kasamang pag-asa na kung ano man yong ginastos natin na pambili ng trompilyo, babalik yon in thousand folds sa panibagong taon na dumating sa atin.

Pero dapat ma-realize natin na hindi yon ang importante. Ang naisip ko kasi, pasalamat ako sa Diyos na inabot na naman ako ng pagpapalit ng taon na buhay na buhay at healthy. Pasalamat lang ako na umabot ako ng 2008 matapos ang 365 days ng 2007 na hindi nagkasakit or nagkaroon ng misfortune. Thankful ako na binigyan ako ng chance to be a part of the headcount ng National Census sa pagpasok ng 2008. Sana ganon pa rin sa pagpasok ng 2009 at ng mga susunod pang taon.

At yong pagpapa-putok, kung marami man ang hindi nakaka-intindi kung ano talaga ang ginagawa nila, sana marami rin ang katulad kong nakaka-alala kung ano ba talaga ang pinag-si-celebrate natin. Let’s close our eyes and say a prayer of thanks for the year that passed and thanks for the new year, na sa totoo lang eh parang renewal mo sa kontrata mong mabuhay sa mundong ito. It’s one big reason to thank God for.

So, sa lahat ng friends and guests ko dito sa Dantespeaks, I wish you all a blessed 2008.

At nag-light man ako ng luses kagabi, sorry po sa mga environmentalists. Alam kong dagdag problema yan sa global warming. But who am I to break the tradition? At sino naman ako para hindi rin mag-wish na sana maganda ang papasok na taon sa akin!

of hope and faith

I have a friend/officemate who is going through a hard time right now. Actually, mahigit two years na ngayon that his wife is battling the big C. At alam naman natin na ito ang isa sa pinaka-mahirap na situation one can possibly go through.

Kahit sino sa ating family member, be it wife, son, daughter, parents or siblings na magkaroon ng sakit, malaki ang epekto sa atin. Lalo na kung sobrang close tayo sa family member na ito and we love them dearly.

We share their pain. Dahil nakikita natin sila suffering from their disease, meron din tayong pain na nararamdaman sa ating puso. And that second-hand pain ang pinakamahirap gamutin dahil walang gamot para doon. The only thing that will take it away ay ang makita nating gumaling ang ating loved one.

When my father was sick, na-prove ko na totoo pala yong mga dramang napapanood ko. That you would rather trade places, you will pray na sa iyo na lang ipasa ang sakit, ikaw na lang ang mag-suffer, wag lang sila. Honestly, I was surprised na kaya kong gawin yon. Sa sobrang pagiging selfish ko noon, I never thought I could say it. Pero nasabi ko, na-pray ko with all honesty. Makakalimutan mo pala ang pagiging self-centered mo pag ganoon.

It doesn’t only take so much emotion on your part. It takes other things too. Like time. Dahil hindi mo sila pwedeng pabayaan, you would rather be with them, sa tabi ng sickbed nila and serve them and let them know that you are there for them. Kaya noon, nagbabakasyon ako pero hindi sa pagpapahinga at pagre-relax ko ginagamit ang oras ko. I’d always be with my dad, bring him to any hospital or clinic na may mabalitaan akong magaling na doctor.

And now that my mom is confined on a wheelchair after suffering from a bad fall, hindi na rin ako masyadong naglalakwatsa pag nagbabakasyon ako. Kung hindi rin lang importante, hindi na ako umaalis ng bahay, I’d rather stay with her para makabawi kami ng oras ng bonding.

It takes so much patience too. Dahil pag may sakit, nandiyan yong nagiging sensitive sila, maramdamin, matampuhin, mapaghanap. You have to be your best whenever you’re with them. Kung 100% ang patience mo, make it double. At kahit anong marinig mo o makita mo, you have to let them know na mahal mo sila. Kahit nagmamatigas at ayaw uminom ng gamot or tinatabig ang food tray. Wala kang magagawa kungdi unawain sila and be gentle with them para mai-paramdam mo that you love them, and you’ll be with them no matter what.

And of course it takes away so much resources. Pera. Mawawala lahat ang plano mo sa buhay pag may sakit na ang isa sa family member mo. Whatever savings na meron ka, ilalabas at ilalabas mo just to make sure na magagamot ang mahal mo sa buhay. Never mind that property that you wanted to buy. O yong kotseng matagal mo nang pangarap. All that takes second, third or even the last priority in your life pag nasa ganong sitwasyon ka na.

Afterall, kikitain mo pa ang pera. Marami pang darating na ganon sa yo. But you can never replace your family member, kahit saan ka mag-trabaho, kahit anong negosyo ang pagka-kitaan mo. Walang magpapa-sweldo sa iyo ng isang Nanay o Tatay. Hindi ka tutubo sa negosyo ng isang anak o asawa.

And of course, hindi maiiwasan that you will be consumed by frustration. Lalo na pag ang sakit ay nasa extended period na. May mga oras na gusto mo nang sumuko. May mga oras na ramdam mo, pagod na pagod ka na. Lalo na pag ang problema, dinagdagan pa ng kakulangan ng pera. Or may iba pang problema ang pamilya na ang pakiramdam mo, pinag-bagsakan ka na ng langit.

Kaya pala may mga taong nababaliw o kaya nakakagawa ng masama. Pag nasa ganon kang sitwasyon, you have nobody else but yourself to hang on to. Ilabas mo na yong pinakamatigas na parte ng puso mo. And do not let yourself be overpowered by the pain and frustration. Hang on to whatever support system other family members and friends can give you.

And most importantly, this is the time when you should dig deeper into your faith. Dahil sa mga ganitong sitwasyon, wala kang ibang magagawa kungdi magdasal with all your might and ask God to give you strength. Totoo yong sinasabi nilang lift it up to Him. Naniniwala ako doon. Coz when you’ve done it, kahit anong mangyari, the situation can turn better or worse but you’ll be able to take it. Dahil alam mong ginawa mo na lahat, including trusting your loved one to the Greater Power.

one for the lenten season

This is a bit long but I hope that in the spirit of the Lenten season, you will find time to read this.

For three weeks now I’ve been watching a series presented by BBC Prime every Friday at 9PM. A better alternative to the re-run of the Lord of the Ring trilogy (One) or the ever-present James Bond movies (MBC2). The series is called “Jesus Son of God”. And believe me, it was just as engaging as the Return of the Kings or Golden Eye. Probably more.

The series tried to probe the story of Jesus from his birth to the time of his death. A story so magical and, from a non-Christian point of view, has incredulously debatable merits just like any other stories of fantasy or fiction.

How true was his story, the program asks. Was he really born on a manger? Was he really crucified? Did he really rise from the dead? What did he look like? Questions that the program tried to answer objectively by using historical facts, archeological finds, analysis and testimonies from experts, forensic evidences and – CGI (computer graphic imaging – for those technically challenged!). At times, it tries too painfully as it rationalize, dehumanize and demystify the myths and miracles surrounding Jesus – something I’m sure that some devotees will find sacrilegious.

The program, in trying to present an unbiased view of the entire Jesus story, assumed a non-believing stand. Tried to be a devil’s advocate, posing questions, challenging what we have blindly accepted as “truth”, things that we believed in and used as the foundation of our faith.

Was Mary really a virgin when she conceived Jesus? Was it really divine grace who did the whole thing? The program almost resoundingly said yes. Cultural history supports what was written in the scriptures. Remember - adulterers, fornicators, prostitutes and anybody who falls prey into sins of the flesh are stoned to death. Mary was not. Something only a divine intervention can make possible.

Based on existing ruins and archaeological finds, and with the aid of computers, the program somehow succeeded in recreating buildings and communities of the early Nazareth, Bethlehem and other important sites. Which presented a logical explanation as to why Jesus was born on a manger, how his life was when he was growing up, where he lived, where he played and where he spent times as a young boy.

Based on written history and inputs from experts, it explained how the young Jesus got the motivation to heal the sick, got involved in the plight of the marginalized Jews and later on challenged the temple priests thus challenging the government of Israel and the Roman empire.

It offered a close approximation on how he entered the walled city during Passover. It offered conclusion as to why he was charged blasphemy. It explained the strategy Caiphas used to hand over the case to Pontius Pilate. And many other things that you would have probably asked why and how while reading the scriptures or contemplating on that wonderful story of his existence.

It offered explanations. It’s up for you to think, accept and believe.

One highlight for me was the question about the crucifixion. Was he really crucified? Yes the program confirmed. It was the Romans’ favorite way to torture and eventually kill their victims. But where did the nails go through? His hands or his wrist? The argument here is that if it is the palm of the hands, the weight of his body would rip his hands off and he will not be able stay up the cross for hours as the story claimed.

Actual tests by an American doctor and his assistant who gets “nailed” on a cross, footages of the “penitensiya” and crucifixion in San Pedro Laguna (yes, our Philippines) was shown, then a real cross from the 2nd century was presented.

In the end, an answer far from the common presentation of the crucifixion was offered. It was the hands alright, but the feet were not nailed as it was shown in most crosses we’ve seen. Why? Because, it defies the law of gravity. We should all remember that Jesus was, at this time, human. Therefore his body weight will pull him down at that position. The closest theory, which to me is credible, is that he had a piece of wood supporting his feet. Thus taking much of the weight off the hands. But can you see any of this in any crosses you’ve seen, kissed and worn all through your Christian life? Naahhh… that would be too much of a kill joy.

Another interesting part was how Jesus looked like. And again, as the program presented, it is miles and miles away from the common picture of Jesus we see today – a tantalizingly good-looking man of alabaster skin and flowing locks of soft, silky hair. It is, undoubtedly the work of people who wanted to present Jesus through their own perception of what is “beautiful”. Just like this generation’s perception of beauty – the cosmetically enhanced physical features far from the God-given features of an individual.

And Jesus’ image apparently fell victim to this too. Because if you think objectively, he was a sub-African/middle-eastern man whose skin cannot be as flawless as an Eastern European as it was portrayed. And the hair! Why was he given a hair so soft and beautiful? It couldn’t possibly be true. Because people who understand the middle-eastern region knows for a fact that human hair in this region is far from the straight, soft hair that was made to appear on Jesus’ head. And people who knew the Bible know that a man with long hair in that time is totally out of sync. Somewhere in the Gospel of St. Paul, it was mentioned that it is a disgrace for a man of that time to have locks of flowing (long) hair. As it is still now in the present middle-eastern culture. Logic? Yes. Supported by the scripture? Yes. I think it will make you think twice before you kiss another Jesus’ image.

Highly investigative as it is, the program faced a blank wall when it came to explaining the Resurrection. There was no evidence, whatsoever supporting the story behind the rising from the dead. It even posed more questions, theories and hypothesis as to what really happened. In the end, the presenter summarized the whole thing in one phrase so closely associated with Ripley’s – Jesus’ story – either you believe it… or not. Believe it or be an agnostic. Worse, an atheist.

But beyond religious branding, the program succeeded in poking into my own faith and reflected the same questions that have been bothering me since my early Christian days. It made me think and reflect on my own thoughts, my own beliefs. Beliefs that came from what we were taught and doctrinized by the church, the priests and nuns, the religious leaders, even the “manangs” of our local community. Beliefs based on scriptures of the Bible, translated billions of times over and over and ending up with billions of different interpretations. And who knows how far from the truth the current version we are using as the foundation of our present-day Christian faith.

Jesus’ life was quite a story. But incredibly wonderful and arguable as it is, it nevertheless changed the shape of human life. His was a story was so powerful that 2,000 years after his death, his crusade still commands faith among 2 billion followers around the world. That you can not deny.

He existed. That I believe. He performed miracles. His life has a purpose. He served that purpose. And he has given us something to hold on to – our faith. Whatever debate comes into play, no one can argue that his is one story that has ruled my life, your life and the lives of that 2 billion people around the world.

And, as I always say before – believe that there is air not because you can see it, but because you can breathe it.

Have a blessed Lenten season you guys.