And because some people have nothing to do except to bring their own country down by posting negativity, I hope this helps flood that. Clouding, anyone?

New sports – It’s more fun in the Philippines. Football fans may be new at this, but we embrace it like we’ve been at it for a long time

Concerts – It’s more fun in the Philippines. Because we’re one heckuva concert crowd. Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman asked the crowd to light up the dome by taking photos all at the same time. Musicians and artists just love coming to Manila.

I know, this one is too serious. But it’s the truth, learning the history of this country is fun.

At The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Baclayon, Bohol), on of the oldest heritage churches in the Philippines and the oldest in Bohol. A great place to visit for religion, culture, and photo shoots

Do you feel dead to the world? With all its sorrows, tragedies, and heartaches, there is really nothing to look forward to these days. Teenagers (even young adults) fill their time with petty worries, like what to wear to a party and what makeup to buy, and if I should ask this cute boy out or plotting sweet revenge on my HS nemesis. Even ending their lives just because of a failed relationship.

Oh don’t get me wrong, before the words ‘self-righteous’ roll out of your tongue, let me tell you that I know what a broken heart feels like.

But as Christians, we are called for more than being sorrowful and then doing nothing: it’s about embodying life and renewal thru the Redeemer of our faith. It’s about preaching the story of second chances, about encouraging a turn-around, about advising against the wastefulness of life.

However, tears do not always indicate authenticity. Sometimes, my mourning, my melancholy spirituality, is a way of hiding. If I allow myself to believe that sadness and disappointment and weeping is all there is, then I am no longer compelled to hope. And if I do not hope, then I will never be disappointed. But here is the rub: Without hope, there is no faith (Hebrews 11:1). -Deeper Walk (read the rest of the devotional here)

Because without hope, there is no faith. And you are dead to the world.

You hope for nothing, you leave things as they are, you pray for nothing, and you comfort yourself in apathy.

That’s the life of our young generation now. They go wherever the tide pushes them, whatever the trend is. They have no God, just religion.

You would either agree or disagree with me, but nevertheless, let it not drive you to apathy yourself. Be sorrowful and then do something about it.

—

Photo: Photoshoot in Bkk, 2008. So no, it was not inspired by Ate Guy’s magazine cover =)

People were bringing children to Jesus so that he would bless them. But the disciples scolded them. When Jesus saw this, he grew angry and said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” Then he hugged the children and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16, CEV

—
Children of the streets, bruised and abused in some places, but sturdy, kicking and fighting in most.

Trying to be heard. Education is one thing we shouldn't be worrying about. -Graffiti in UP

—

I will be working like heck.

Unlike some people there are hardworking individuals trying to make a living, ignoring the inefficiency of the thousands of taxes he remits, and forced to suffer through his government’s inability to lead.

Forgive my rant, but after 8 years of slaving and going through government offices only to be shut off by the so-called system, it gets to you.

“All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order.” (Romans 16:1, The Message)

The Bible instructs us to obey the civil government because they were put there for a purpose (Romans 16) but there’s a caveat. There always is. And a good leader should always have this in mind.

“However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you.” (Deuteronomy 28:15, NIV)

So if a = b and b = c, then a government leader should be able to obey what is right, correct? What I don’t get is this. There are so many promises in the Bible about the ‘benefits’ of obeying the Word, and what with the Philippines being mostly a Christian nation who believes in it, but we are still at a loss on how to run this country.

Heck, even our supposedly brightest politicians can’t provide solutions to our problems. This is only because we’ve forgotten. Or we’ve ignored.

I AM INCITING TO REBEL. Rebel against the former ways of doing things. Let’s rebel against being ignorant of the true laws of good governance and of the real promises of abundance when things are finally done right.

“If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. ²All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:

³ You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.” (Deuteronomy 28, NIV)

No SONA can explain away the problems of this country. Nor can it be solved with a few promises. So while you do your speech, PNoy, I’ll go about my usual routine and pray for a change. Not in tactics, but in the heart.

Sender: (no name)

+639324670048

Received: 04:33:39

Jun.3.2011

“FINAL NOTIFICATION: Gud day! Ds s Ms.. SHIELA REYES,, from PHIL.PRUDENTIAL Claiming Area,Ur 3 REWARDS and PRIVILEGES For Free are still here n our ofs.U need to Claim and Activate TODAY because the management will finalize all the records of our recipients who don’t claim their rewards. For your claiming code w/u will need to present upon claiming;you may call exclusively in our makati ofs frm9am to 5pm for further information.Tel.(02)7551532 upon receipt of this msg.Many Thanks and GodBless! (DISREGARD IF CLAIMED)”

O. M. Geeee. I replied:

To: (no name)

+639324670048

Sent: 12:59:15

Jun.3.2011

“How do I know if this is a valid promo and where did you get my number?”

Hit sent.

*crickets*

No reply, so reply number 2:

To: (no name)

+639324670048

Sent: 17:26:59

Jun.3.2011

“Seriously you people are sc**bags. You think anyone will fall for your “free promos”? Eh mali mali nga grammar niyo eh! Stop taking advantage of other people! All these will go back to you. You sow what you reap. In case you don’t understand english, look it up on the internet.”

Hit sent.

*crickets*

*more crickets*

*and even more crickets*

Wala, nothing, nada. There are a gazillion things I can think of why I think that text message was reeking of scam. First, if it were a valid promotion they would have included my name in it. Second, they did not reply or acknowledge my first harmless-looking text. And if it were a valid promo, they would have called me instead of me having to call their office.

And did I mention the horrible grammar and the unnecessary use of commas?,,,

Gash, people. I was actually thinking of calling the number they gave. If you decide to do that, tell me what happens.