sambayanihan

MESSAGE FOR FIL-MISSION SUNDAY 2008

2008-07-29T15:40:00.001+09:00

Mga kapatid sa pagdiriwang ng Linggo ng Misyong Pilipino, itaas natin sa Diyos and lahat ng Gawain ng Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP).

Ipanalangin natin ang lahat ng misyonerong Pilipino na buong pusong nag-aalay ng sarili para ipalaganap ang kaharian ng Diyos sa bawat sulok ng daigdig at akayin ang lahat sa piging ng Panginoon.

MALIGAYANG PAGDIRIWANG!

FIL-MISSION SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS 2008

2008-07-29T15:37:00.000+09:00

Today, we remember in our prayers and sacrifices the Filipino Diocesan Priest-Missionaries of the Mission Society of the Philippines. Collections are to be made in all Sunday Masses-including the Saturday evening Masses.

The Mission Society of the Philippines is a Society of Filipino Catholic missionary priests which is committed to share the gift of faith to Asia and to the rest of the world. Having been established by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the MSP serves as the chief, missionary arm of the Catholic Church of the Philippines.

The MSP is now 43 years old and at present, she works in the following countries: Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Australia, the Netherlands, England, Guyana and the United States of America.

The last Sunday of July has been celebrated by the Catholic Church of the Philippines as the Fil-Mission Sunday. In remembering the MSP missionaries, we offer prayers as well as material offerings for them. If you are a young man aged 18-26 years, college student or young professional, open to new ideas, culture and other religious beliefs and having a deep sense of mission, an ability to live in community and most of all...a deep longing to follow Christ, the greatest missionary.

We are happy to have received the Catholic faith. We are thankful to God for this received gift of faith. We will share this gift of faith to our Asian neighbors and to the rest of the world.

Your donations will help us continue doing the Mission of Christ!

S P E C I A L R E P O R T

2008-07-29T15:33:00.001+09:00

· Fr. Glenn Flies to the U.S.A. The second MSP missionary to the North America has left last July 7, 2008. Fr. Glenn Giovanni Jaron, MSP will join Fr. Alfie Africa in the new US mission in Sacramento, California. Fr. Glenn spends a few days in South Korea, his former mission assignment for a medical check up. He departed Korea to the US last July 11, 2008.

· Fr. Go Llubit, MSP leaves for Cook Islands.
The MISSION SEND-OFF rites for Fr. Gorgonio “Go” Llubit, Jr., MSP took place last June 10, 2008 at the MSP Central House Chapel. The ceremonies were witnessed by the Central House residents, some seminarians and lay friends. Fr. Go expressed his excitement to be sent to the Cook Islands, although he was also aware the challenges and difficulties he may encounter there.

------------------------------------------------------
To :All MSP Members
From: Rev. Fr. Socrates Mesiona
MSP Father Moderator

This coming July 27, 2008 we will celebrate Fil_Mission Sunday. As you all know this day is allotted for us in the Mission Society of the Philippines. Hence, it is our day!

In this regard, may I ask you to support the activities and programs organized by the National Promotion Office. Please do not hesitate to lend a helping hand to make the celebration a success.

Likewise, I also encourage those working overseas to make activities and programs in your respective areas to celebrate Fil-Mission Sunday.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ”Celebrating and Appropriating Paul’s Passion for Mission in Asia and Beyond.

Christy Maria Ajima Annyong!

2008-07-29T15:31:00.000+09:00

By Adjushi Kwentsanayo

Christy Maria Ajima tsongmal nomo oreganman eyeyo!
Tangshinul Pilipinuro kanungu na otokke?
Tsom pugosipunundae anneyeyo.
Saranghagu puepkkesumnida.

Chrsity Maria Ajima nomo tsoa. Singgak manne issumnida...
tangshinol Pilipin eso nomo moroyo.
Aygu! Nanun katsi kagu sipuyo.
Nanun yokwon opsumnida.

Christy Maria Ajima mannasu pangapsumnida.
Christy Maria Ajima Annyong haekaseyo tu puayo.
Kamsa hamnida.

The Night I Saw You Crying

2008-07-29T15:28:00.001+09:00

By: ed j. titular

Lying on the white sand all alone
thinking of you from nowhere
those laughs and those noise that you bring
makes me realized that now I am nothing.

It’s just only yesterday
when I know you someone
I dreamed to be with
someone who could make me smile
though I’m sad for your presence.
..create a rainbow in me.

Where are those touches that I used to be?
Those sweet caress that I’ve never been before with you,
all are incomparable and misleading maybe somehow,
someday time will annex our yesterday.

In a different sphere
I have you a moment of unforgiving...
maybe all has its own dimension
and that I was blind on that very momentum.

Maybe all that happened has its own reason
those times where uncontrolled emotion overflowin’
I’m very sorry for all those times……………
those time……especially the night
I saw you crying.

Mag-ingat sa Food Poisoning

2008-07-29T15:23:00.001+09:00

Habang tumataas ang temperature sa buwan ng Hulyo, dumadami rin ang peligro sa pagkakaroon ng food poisoning. Ayon sa pananaliksik na isinagawa ng Korea Food and Drug Administration, ang food poisoning na naranasan sa buwan ng Mayo at Hunyo ay pareho sa Hulyo at Agosto. Subalit dahil sa kawalan ng ingat, hinde nilalagay ng mga tao ang kanilang mga pagkain sa refrigerator tuwing tag-init na nagiging dahilan ng pagiging malapit nila sa pagkakaroon ng food poisoning.

Ang food poisoning ay karaniwang makikita sa pamamagitan ng pagsuka, sakit sa ulo at pagkahilo, Madaling gamutin kung agad malalapatan ng lunas. Mayroong mga kaso kung saan ang enteritis o diarrhea at sakit sa tiyan ay nagiging malubha. Huwag magugulat kung makakaranas ng diarrhea at pagsusuka dahil nilalabas nito ang mga toxins, na natural na reaksyon ng katawan, subalit kung ang dehydration o ang mataas na lagnat ay magpatuloy, mas makabubuting magtungo agad sa doctor.

Upang maiwasan ang food poisoning, napakahalagang hugasan ang mga kamay ng mabuti. Siguraduhing malinis ang mga kamay bago magluto at kumain. Una, hugasan ang mga gamit sa pagluluto at i-sterilize ang mga kutsilyo, sangkalan at dish towel, ang paggamit din ng chlorine bilang disinfectant ay possible.

Iwasan ang pagkain ng hilaw na isda at tinadtad na hilaw na karne ng baboy. Palagiang ilagay ang pagkain sa refrigerator at kapag nadefrost ito, kainin ito agad at huwag muling ibalik sa freezer. Kumpirmahin lagi ang expiration date ng mga pagkain at huwag kainin ito kung expired na.

(Reprinted from MigrantOK)

CFCC Community Summer Outing Held

2008-07-23T11:01:00.002+09:00

It was raining when 129 participants of the Changhyun Filipino CatholicCommunity (CFCC) departed Songsaeng, Kongdan in the afternoon of July 12, 2008 bound for Jumunjin, Kangwondu province. The three bus load of commuters fixed their navigational map on the way to the beach.. Everybody was overjoyed and excited to wash their tired bodies offshore. Travelling with high spirits divided into three teams (Blue, White and Red), the group was full of excitements with matching vedeoke singing renditions along the way. Merienda was serve “panawid gutom” while travelling. Travel time was estimated to last four hours. We had two stop over to relieve our tired bodies and do some adjustments inside a modern comfort rooms.

The first trial came into the heels when we failed to locate the camping site. We pass by Jumunjin church but the door locked and it was already midnight. Fr. John of the Guri Migrants center was our savior when he called up and instructed the drivers where to go. Upon arrival, the murmurs and complaints was overheard because what we expect was far beyond. The place was on top of the mountain, a camping site for parishioners. Hungry and angry of what had happened, we took our late dinner and celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 2:00am. Some where shouting “napeke tayo, ang sarap matulog sa bahay bakit ditto tayo ang daming lamok? It was already July 13, the second day of community outing.

After breakfast, everybody went to the beach and we enjoy the clear and beautiful Jumunjin beach. The frustrations and complains was changed into admiration-thanking God for a wonderful day. The one shouting “napeke tayo” changed his slogan into “wow ang ganda pala” It was an experience worth remembering.

A Pinoy Abroad Tribute

2008-07-23T10:59:00.000+09:00

. News
- CBCP urges gov’t to teach natural family planning.
- Bulacan cries foul on water misdeal.
· Sulu oil exploration only after “super profits.
· Rights group slams Saudi “slave” treatment of migrant women.
· Metro
- First cybercrime case for 2008 filed at DOJ.
- Smart tests RP waters for all-in-one messaging
- Filipino team winsJava award for medical solution
- 22 other sea vessels sunk by Typhoon “Frank”.
- Bajas got P250.00 in exchange for work in US- accuser.

· Regions
- Full ratification of ASEAN charter expected.
- Thailand spearheads Asian hopes in the Olympic ring
- Gov’t expects budget deficit of 0.5% of GDP in 2009
- Gov’t lowers growth forecasts for next 2 years.
- Willie told: Be fair in Wowowee.

· World
- Romanian doctor fined for cutting off man’s penis.
- Rights group slams Saudi “slave” treatment of migrant women.
- Bangko Sentral says policy bias will lean towards tighten ing.
- UN, EU experts to asses toxic cargo of sunken ship.
· Sports
- Pacquiao as RP’s Olympic flagbearer.
- USA set to defend Olympic medal supremacy in Beijing.
- Filipino, 5 other torchbearers bring love to China kids.
- China emerging power in tennis.
- Arroyo names Pacquiao envoy to Beijing Olympics.
......
· Editors’ Note: articles published in this page are uploaded from inq7.net and abscbn.com.

My Love, My Fate

2008-07-23T10:58:00.001+09:00

By: Shiony Maranan

S—Staring at you everytime I see you,
H—Half in shadow, half in light.
I—I’ve been trying to hide all my love for you.
O—oh well, I can’t...I can’t live without you
G—Giving my life to the only person my heart’s knew
I—Is the only thing I want to do…
L—Loving you for the rest of my life is my fate.

I know deep down in my heart
We’re destined to have each other
Having you by my side
I’ll forget everything in a single stride
No matter what it takes
Wether everything around us fades.

HIGHWAYS OF MY DREAM

2008-07-23T10:56:00.000+09:00

By: ed j. titular

Flashing lights along the railway
the silence of the night seems so scary
nobody wants to stand for all the calm
like running water all has the way
Scream. everyone wants to be free
the night is over and nobody got his share.

Innocent as nobody shows care
fair must be to make you happy
smile, for there’s always a sunny day
the door is ajar and you have your way
erase those tears and have that love
for only love...can drive you away.

Seems everyone is hanging and floating
to be there I sjust reach out and be true
unsure about tomorrow is what you feel
the crazy world is now fading
And lightning over joys one’s emptiness
But, why I’m still alone after all these years?
For the reason of my existence still hold bars.

Now I realized that one must move on
Life is full of enchantments as long as I’m here
And that stormy clouds have their smiles
And together hand in hand we’ll cross it over
For far across there is an eternal flame
And that dark shadows find its way no more.

Breaking that rule is sometimes worth for
And knowing there must be always so dear
The way is endless and full of sentiments
Break not your heart till the end
For flowers blooms in every second
But being young and smooth means all around.

How I wish I could told stories where I begin
For scattered leaves fills me even I’m done
Next in line I’ll be on my way
And hopeless moments become so shy
Lifeless… and you’re just goodbye
And that mob becomes a bum gradually
Until I realized that I’m just dreaming...

“Gandang Biyahira”

2008-07-23T10:47:00.001+09:00

Ni: Kabayang PITOY

Dear Kabayang Pitoy,

Ako po ay malugod na taga subaybay ng inyong Sambayanihan at ako’y nakikiliti sa mga kwentong migrante na ‘yung inilathala. Gusto ko rin pong ibahagi sa iyo ang aking karanasan bilang “biyahira”. Pasensya na po kayo kasi bisaya po ang tagalog ko as in… Tawagin niyo na lang po akong “gandang biyahera”. Ako po ay nabubuhay sa pamamagitan ng pagdala ng mga kagamitan at pera ng ating mga kababayan pauwi sa Pinas dahil sa awa ng Diyos ako po ay may tourist visa. Bale ang nanay ko po ay nakapag “tsinggo” ng Koreano at kaya ako po ay kukuha ng 15 days tourist Visa sa atin at pagdating dito ako ay nag aarubayt sa mga factory at tapus ng 15days ako ay magpa extend ng 59 days bago uuwi at mag aaply ulit ng Toursit Visa. Kadalasan po ako rin ay kumukuha ng mga order na damit sa Pinas at mga borloloy, pabango at mensan ako po ay nagdadala ng bata pauwi sa Pinas.

Kabayang Pitoy, ako po ay natutuwa dahil kahit papaano kumikita naman po ako at ang tawag sa akin ng mga kaibigan ko ay “gandang biyahera”. Pwede po ba akong sumali sa inyong patimpalak na gagawin sa KangWonDu beach na Search for Ginoo-Binibining Pilipinas sa Korea? Sa mga criteria mukhang may panlaban ako sa bunong braso dahil sanay po akong magbuhat ng mga mabibigat na bagahe. Salamat po.

Ang iyong Tagahanga,

Gandang Biyahera

2008-07-06T10:40:00.000+09:00

M a g a a n L a n g

2008-07-06T09:57:00.002+09:00

14 Sunday of Ordinary Time

My dear friends, from this Gospel, we have two points for reflection. The first point is this. Sabi po ng ating Panginoon, “I give praise to you, Father, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to little ones.” Well actually, in this point, ang ating Panginoon po ay nagsusumbong sa kanyang Ama, sa God the Father. At ang kanyang isinusumbong po ay ’yung kanyang experience sa mga tao noong panahon na iyon. At ano po ba ’yung kanyang experience? Ito po. Yun pong mga matatalino at ’yung mga matataas ang pinag aralan na tinutukoy ni Hesus ay walang panahon para sa kanya. At ’yun namang mga mabababa ang pinag aralan at ordinary people ay sila yung nakinig sa mga pangaral ng ating Panginoon.

My dear friends, take note. Dito po, Christ is not condemning intelligence nor intellectual power, No! far from that, here, what Christ is condemning is INTELLECTUAL PRIDE, dahil ’yon and nandoon sa mga wise and the learned. “To listen is not a sign of stupidity, but a sign of humility.” Especially to listen to the Word of God. “The home of the Bible is not in the mind, but in the heart”.

The second point of our reflection, my dear friends, is this “sabi ng Panginoon, come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light”. Christ present an alternative with two important commandments LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND and SOUL. And LOVE YOUR FELLOW PEOPLE AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF. These two commandments summarizes EVERYTHING that has been written in the law and EVERYTHING that has been taught by the prophets”. This second point of our Lord, actually, he was giving us the difference between RELIGIOUSITY and SPIRITUALITY. He is implying that here. What is the difference between religiosity and spirituality? Kung ikaw, brother or sister, you are obeying the laws of God and the laws of the Churh dahil sa pagmamahal mo sa Dios, higit sa lahat, higit sa anuman, at dahil sa pagmamahal mo sa iyong kapwa tao katulad ng pagmamahal mo sa iyong sarili, then that is spirituality. And spirituality is what Christ is promoting.

A Special Reports

2008-07-06T09:44:00.002+09:00

. Nation
- Not enough time to abandon dis tressed ship?
- Opposition lawyer Adaza freed on bail.
· Trillanes pre-trial reset anew.
· GSIS loans for typhoon-hit members.(via Inquirer.net)

· Metro
- 4 PUP students arrested, charged for raping 16- year old
- Gonzales worried about ’blunder’ in “wowowee” case .
- Pre-trial on hotel siege postponed for third time.
- Prosecution makes last try to present rebuttal evi dence.
- 2 robbers shot dead in shootout with cops- NCRPO.

· Regions
- Arroyo blows top over slow post-typhoon rehabilita tion.
- NBI stops viewing of bodies identifiable only by DNA tests.
- Red Cross team in Cadiz to assist “Frank”.
- P2.6Billion property, agri damage in Capiz from “Frank” typhoon.
- Frequent power outages worry Sulu execs as ARMM polls near.

· World
- Romanian doctor fined for cutting off man’s penis.
- Dutch police fine boy, 10, for driving a truck.
- Bells ring out for Quebec City’s 400th birthday.
- Bangladesh releases 25,000 protected turtles.

· Sports
- Changhyun Catholic Filipino Community held Bowling Tourna ment last June 29, 2008. Guri (Silver) Team top the Opening Games.

Tell it to Your Heart

2008-07-06T09:42:00.000+09:00

By ed j. titular, chasan-ri, sk

Tell it toyour heart that it’s time for you to start a new beginning that nobody could hurt that sunshine is always there even in your darkest moment and that your touch could ease someone’s loneliness and that you and I are really meant for others.

Tell it to your heart that life is true and that all things happened has its reason to believe that even fluctuating lights needs to be resuscitates and tomorrow is more promising and beautiful if you only believe that life is wonderful.

Tell it to your heart that someone is longing for your love that you are one of the reason of their existence and that the next morning when they wake up your face and your smile makes them complete and that you give them strength to face whatever life’s battle.

Tell it to your heart that you need to be humble and that everyone has his own role to share and you’re not alone as you travel to life’s strangeness and that with you, their lives will be full of happiness and that nobody could stand alone without you.

Tell it to your heart that you must protect all God’s creation and that everything could be a part of your system and you must live life on its basic components and that your presence could propagate love to someone’s heart.
Tell it to your heart that with you. OUR WORLD IS PROUD TO HAVE YOU.

Sports Bulletin

2008-07-06T09:30:00.001+09:00

Why Are you Overweight?

2008-07-06T09:29:00.000+09:00

The Inside Scoop on Dieting

You are overweight for the most simple of reasons — because you’re eating the wrong foods, the wrong types of calories per meal, and you’re also eating meals in the wrong patterns each day. Think closely about what we’re about to tell you, since it’s going to change the way you think about dieting…

Food is more powerful than any prescription weight loss pills, because the FOOD tha tyou eat can either make you THIN of FAT. You don’t get fat because of the lack of exercising, that’s a myth. You get fat because you don’t eat the right foods at the right intervals each day.

Also, the Pattern what you choose to eat your meals each day is more powerful than any prescription weight loss pills. This is true because your body is like an “engine” and it only needs certain foods at certain intervals each day, and if you don’t eat the right foods at the right times then it won’t burn those calories—and you’ll wind up storing those calories as fat tissue. (Hint: you need to eat more than 3 times per day to lose weight, but we’ll show you the details).

You have gotten overweight by eating the wrong foods, that much is a fact. And guess what? You can get SLIM by eating the RIGHT FOODS at the RIGHT INTERVAL each day.

It’s not really any more complicated than that, and the way to start losing weight has NOTHING to do with starving yourself or jogging.

· Low Calorie diets Do NOT Work—Now, you know the reason why you can eat 1,000 calories per day and not lose any weight while your friends can eat 2,500 calories per day and not gain any weight.
· Low FAT Diets Do NOT Work– also, virtually every person in today’s society is buying mostly “low fat” or “non fat” food at the grocery store, everybody is conscious of the “fat grams” inside the food they buy. However, people are getting fatter than ever by doing this and people are not losing weight by switching to the “low fat lifestyle”.
· Low CARB Diets make You MISERABLE.

Low CARB diets have certainly become popular in recent years, but such diets often leave you feeling miserable each day (since they drain most of your energy and carbohydrates leave you feeling quite awful each day).

Check out these facts below…
Did you know that several popular low carb diets are so strict that you cannot even eat a large apple during the first couple weeks? It’s True.

Also, many low carb diets won’t even let you enjoy a “normal” restaurant meal (order without any carb restrictions) for many months after you begin. Therefore, low carb diets can leave you feeling MISERABLE each day, which is not the answer.

Ang Pagtatapos ni Kabayang Arnold sa Korea Bow!

2008-07-06T09:24:00.002+09:00

KUWENTONG MIGRANTE, TINIG MIGRANTE
Ni Kabayang PITOY

(Arnold Bautro is leaving Korea for good and looking for a greener pasture in the country he was dreaming. He is one of our community lectors and silent volunteer during the time of Fr. Dong Marvcaida, MSP. Von Voyage Kabayang Arnold)

Panahon nang tag-lamig noong ako ay dumating ditto sa Korea at di pa nuon bumabagsak ang snow pero sobrang lamig na… Mensan isang umaga pag gising ko umuulan nang Yelo, di ko maipaliwanag ang saya ko at dali-dali ako lumabas para maglarosa makakapal na yelo, daig ko pa nuon and isang bata pero sa umpisa lang pala ’yun. Dahil nang sumunod na mga araw eh kasumpa-sumpa ang lamig. Salamat sa Dios at nakayanan ko yun lahat...marami pang pagbabago ang nangyari sa buhay ko at di lang sa klima ako naka adjust maging sa pagkain at sa mga taong nakaka usap ko lalao na sa mga singkit dahil karamihan sa kanila eh masama ang ugali, mabango ka lang sa kanila kapag napapakinabangan ka nila.

Ganoon pa man, marami akong natutunan sa loob nang pitong taon kong pakikipagsapalaran dito sa Korea at ipinagpasalamat ko lahat iyon sa “Poong lumikha” dahil sa lakas at tibay ng loob na binigay niya sa akin, sa kabila nang pagiging malayo ko sa mga mahal sa buhay. At nagpasalamat din ako dahil dito lalong lumalalim ang tiwala ko sa “Kanya” sa pamamagitan nang paglilingkod ko sa simbahan.

Ngayong lilisanin ko ang bansang Korea at mangingibang bansa, nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong naging kabahagi nang buhay ko ditto sa mga kaibigan. Magpapasalamat din ako sa mga taong nakasama ko, dumamay sa akin sa problema at sa yo Panginoon maraming salamat sa iyo.
Pagpalain pa nawa kayo at ingatan sa lahat nang oras at paalam. Hinding hinde ko kayo makakalimutan. Salamat sa karanasan.salamat mga kababayan…paalam Bansang Korea.

Habol na sa ONFINO.COM

2008-07-04T16:16:00.004+09:00

Please take note of the announcement of the results: it's AUGUST 01, 2008 NOT 02

2008-06-25T23:56:00.000+09:00

No Fear

2008-06-25T23:34:00.000+09:00

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sa maraming t-shirts ngayon, o kaya sa mga caps, o kaya sa mga stickers, madalas nababasa natin ang mga salitang, “No Fear”. Kung kaya’t siguro, ang inaakala natin, ito ay bagong motto. But then actually, hinde po ito bago. Kasi sa katunayan, kahit nung panahon ni Hesus, ay mayroon na ito. At ’yan ay malinaw na malinaw ditto sa Ebanghelyo. In fact, Christ starts his Gospel with a message to the apostles, at siempre po, kasama na tayo diyan, sabi niya, Fear no one”. In other words, sinabi ni Hesus, “No Fear”.

Dito po sa loob ng Ebanghelyo na ito, Christ gave three reasons kung bakit sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad at sa atin, “No Fear” Ang first reason ng ating Panginoon ay ito; “Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, no secret that will not be known.” Ang ibig po niyang sabihin ay ganito, that “Truth will eventually prevail, whether in this world or in the next world, hinde natin alam,, pero alam natin at tiyak, truth will eventually prevail. And that is why, my dear friends, ang sinasabi ni Hesus, “Huwag kayong matakot to be on the side of truth, dahil tiyak, panalo ka”.

The second reason given by Christ for telling his apostles “No Fear” is this; “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna”. Gehenna is another term for hell. Ang ibig sabihin ni Hesus ay ganito, dahil ikaw ay nasa side ng katotohanan, dahil ikaw ay nagsasabi ng katotohanan, may mga tao na magagalit sa iyo. At ’yang mga taong ‘yan na magagalit sa iyo maaring saktan ka nila dahil sa pagsasabi mo ng katotohanan. Pero all that they can do to you is inflict physical pain pero di nila pwedeng patayin ang iyong kaluluwa. Jesus offered his life for our salvation because, ang iniisip niya noon, walang kuwenta ito, doon naman sa reward na makukuha ko sa kabilang buhay”.

The Third and final reason na ibinigay ni Hesus for telling his apostles, “No Fear” is this. “Tingnan n’yo yung mga sparrows walang babagsak sa lupa “without your Father’s knowledge”, sabi niya ditto sa Ebanghelyo. And that is his point. Kung ’yun ngang sparrow na dalawA-singko ay inaalagaan ni Hesus, ikaw pa kaya? Tao! Ikaw tao, who is worth more than all the sparrows? Sa tingin n’yo ba, hinde ka aalagaan ng Diyos? Bawa’t isa sa atin ditto, is VERY PRECIOUS in the eyes of God. Therefore, DO NOT FEAR to stick it out with God. Ano ang sinabi ni Hesus ditto sa Ebanghelyo? Well, it’s this. Kung ditto sa ibabaw ng mundo, you will deny me in front of men, pagdating sa kabilang buhay, I will deny you in front of my Heavenly Father. Pero, kung ditto sa ibabaw ng mundo, you will testify on my behalf, sa kabilang buhay, I will testify on your behalf before my Heavenly Father. Be not AFRAID.

Rev. Fr. Rafael T. Cruz. Go and Preach (Year A)

A Pinoy Abroad Tribute

2008-06-25T23:31:00.001+09:00

S P E C I A L R E P O R T S

. Overseas migration of mothers takes tool on children left behind—The continuing exodus of mothers for jobs overseas affect the behavioral development of children they leave behind, psychiatrists say. Dr. Grace Macapagal, in-house psychiatrist of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for crisis intervention rehabilitation, said the trend is also causing a reversal of role where fathers are left to care for children and are normally not prepared to do so.

. RP 3rd highest source of immigrants to Canada—Based on the 2006 Census of Canada released recently, the Philippines is the third highest source of immigrants to Canada in the world, and has consistently been in the top 5 since 1981.

Filipino women leaving the Philippines to work in British Columbia, Canada end up with low paying jobs and little protection of their rights, according to a study released on Dec. 10 by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. The study entitled “Workplace Rights for Immigrants in BC, the Case of Filipino Workers showed that although many of the Filipino immigrants are highly educated, they had inadequate training for the jobs they take on in the Canadian province.

. RP’s best teachers are leaving in droves — For hundreds of Filipino teachers who have given up on their disproportionate salaries in the country, a future in the United States seems to be the best option. And then, three's also China. Because of the attractive salary rates and other incentives for their families, there has been an increasing number of Filipinos pursuing teaching jobs overseas. In the process, the Philippines is losing many of its better, if not the best, teachers like Science, Mathematics and English.

· Storms triggers evacuation of 23,086 families in Bicol—At least 23,086 families of 117,963 people were evacuated from lahar, flood and landslide-prone areas in Albay province even as storm “Frank” (Fengshen) plowed through Bicol Friday night. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) also reported that as of Friday evening, four fishermen were missing off Getafe in Bohol province.

· Special Philippine edition of “Deal or no Deal” airs Sunday—ABSCBN is airing the special episode of “deal or no deal- around the world” shot entirely in the Philippines on “Sunday’s Best (June 22), at 10 pm, signaling the return of the game show’s new season in the Kapamilya network soon.

Just Passing by

2008-06-25T23:28:00.000+09:00

By: ed j. titular, chasan-ri, sk

In the crowded world we live in
Some are screaming for too much pain
Some are dancing seems there’s no more tomorrow
Some wants to be perished for too much sorrow
Smile...for you’re just passing by.

From coast to coast I traveled around
Then I realized that some things happened
for a certain ground and even the nomads
have their reason to stay and that life’s facts
that you can’t resist nothing is permanent for you’re just passing by.

The rain comes and the sun shine
and that twinkling stars that captivates your heart
they are some of the wonders if you only believe and your role?
Just wait and let the rainbow erase your worries?
Move! For today, you’re just passing by.

Now, let’s help build the promise land
show love and concern for the time is at hand
come and take your share to make all things fair.

Adopting Filipino children

2008-06-25T23:23:00.001+09:00

IWAS PUSOY ! THE GUIDEBOOK
(Gabay sa OFW’S)

4. For adopted minors
A. Certified Copy of the Adoption Decree
B. Clearance form the Office of the Solicitor General if the adoption was promulgated less than 15 days when the application for clearance was made
5. For minors under guardianship
A. Certified Copy of the Letter of Guardianship/Court Order
B. Certification from the DSWD Regional/Field Office that the guardianship was processed according to law
6. For minors who are 13 years old and above who are traveling alone
A. Duly notarized Affidavit stating that the minor shall be fetched at the airport by the sponsor
B. Certification for unaccompanied minors from the airlines
7. For minors studying abroad—Accep0tance from the school where the child is to be enrolled
8. For minors attending conferences, study tours, etc. — Certification from sponsoring organization
9. For subsequent travels,
A. Certificate of travel previously issued
B. Notarized Affidavit of Consent from parents/guardians authorizing a particular person to accompany the minor in his travel abroad
C. Photocopy of Passport and Visa of the traveling companion

Q. What are other requirements to accompany the Application?
R. The Application must include the following documents:
1. Birth Certificate of the applicant/s;
2. Marriage contract or divorce decree, if applicable;
3. Written consent, in the form of a sworn statement, from the applicants biological or adopted children above ten years of age;
4. Physical, medical, and psychological evaluation by a duly licensed physician and psychologist;
5. Income tax return or any document indicating financial capability of the applicant;
6. Police clearance of the applicant;
7. Applicant’s character reference from the local church/minister, the applicant’s employer, and a member of the immediate community who personally knows the applicant for at least 5 years; and
… to be continued

Why Are you Overweight?

2008-06-25T23:21:00.000+09:00

Low CARB diets have certainly become popular in recent years, but such diets aften leave you feeling miserable each day (since they drain most of your energy and carbohydrates leave you feeling quite awful each day).

Check out these facts below…
Did you know that several popular low carb diets are so strict that you cannot even eat a large apple during the first couple weeks? It’s True.

Also, many low carb diets won’t even let you enjoy a “normal” restaurant meal (order without any carb restrictions) for many months after you begin. Therefore, low carb diets can leave you feeling MISERABLE each day, which is not the answer.

Paano na ako kung Lilipad ka na Puntang Canada?

2008-06-25T23:05:00.001+09:00

KUWENTONG MIGRANTE, TINIG MIGRANTE

Ni: Kabayang PITOY

Paano na ako kung lilipad ka na puntang Canada? Ito ang mga katanungan lalo na yung mga kababayan nating naghihintay na lamang ng araw para mangibang bansa. “Gusto ko sanang wag na siyang umalis kaya lang nakapanghinayang at baka mahuli siya ditto at mapauwi sa Pinas sayang naman ang pagkakataon” sabi ni Guitar boy na parang namamanglaw nakatingin sa malayo .

“Gusto ko sumunod siya sa akin doon para tuloy and ligaya” ang sabi naman ni “Mr One more chance”. Sa ngayon pag naiisip kung aalis na siya, “ako’y naiiyak na kasi siya lang ang aking karamay ditto sa Korea. Ang trabaho ay kaya pero papaano naman pagdating ng winter”? Di ko yata kayang mag-isa”. Okey lang po sa akin na iiwan niya ako para naman may maka asikaso sa aking pag aaply doon. Ako’y malulungkot pero kung iisipin ko rin and aming sitwasyon dito na para kaming mga daga na nagtatago sa mga pusa mas mainam pa na umalis na dito. At least doon maging legal na kami at maging maganda ang aming kinabukasan. Ang natutunan ko ditto sa Korea ay yung pagiging matiyaga para kumita kasi noon di ko iniisip na sa aking pagtanda baka wala akong naiipon.

Ang pagpunta sa Canada ay isang napakalaking hamon upang mabago ang aking buhay, sa ngayon di pa pwedeng sabay kaming umalis dahil di pa namin alam kung ano ang buhay doon kaya kailangang maghanda ng pamasahe at show money...

Marami sa atin ang gustong mangibang bansa kaya lang natatakot sa panibagong buhay na sasapitin doon. Sa makabagong ulat ang Pilipinas ang 3rd highest source of immigrants to Canada in the world, and has consistenctly been in the top 5 since 1981. Thus, in 2008, as the global preference for our highly skilled overseas Filipino workers, we are confident that total global OFW deployment would reach or surpass the one million mark, and total global OFW remittances would approach the $15 billion level, as the year successfully progresses.

Fr. Dong Promotes 110th Phil. Independence Day Celebration

2008-06-06T14:07:00.003+09:00

The most accomodating priest is highly appreciated in this photo session with the Guri Community, reps from Hyehwadong and Sulyapinoy in promoting the BIG DAY on Sunday. Everybody is invited, raffle tickets for sale with fabulous prizez as stake!!! For exact location, please click http://www.sulyapinoy.org/

2008-06-01T10:51:00.002+09:00

We are very glad to inform you of more and bigger prizes for our raffle, including free roundtrip ticket and 2 night vacation for two in Boracay, Cebu and Manila! ... and a lot lot more fabulous prizes at stake!!!

Everyone is encouraged to come in Filipiniana attire, or outfit that is appropriate to the occasion. A best in attire group will be chosen as well.

Food donations are very much welcome. Please coordinate with WelOf Pat. Attached is a list of organizations with donations.

You are encouraged to invite your employers, or Korean friends/network who have been helpful to Filipinos. Kindly send us ASAP their names, company/organization, fax, landline/CP nos. and email add.

For raffle tickets, please call WelOf Esperanza "Pat" Cobarrubias at 010 3184 9734

DELMER CRUZ
Labor Attache
Coordinator, June 8 event

Si Kristo: Ang Tunay na Sandiganbayan

2008-06-01T10:20:00.002+09:00

Ika-9 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon:

Suliranin ng Iglesya sa kasalukuyang panahon ang tinatawag na mga nominal Christians – mga kristiyano sa pangalan subalit ang uri ng pamumuhay ay malayo sa halimbawa ni Kristo. Totoong Kristiyano nga ba tayo sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa?

Sa ebanghelyo, sinasabi ni Hesus na hindi lahat na tumatawag ng “Panginoon! Panginoon!” ay makakapasok sa kaharian ng langit kundi silang mga tumutupad sa kalooban ng Diyos Ama (Mt 7:21). Ipinababatid sa atin dito ang kahalagahan ng “gawa” at hindi panay “salita lamang. Ang kaligtasan ay makakamit ng taong nagpaparangal sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mabubuting gawain. Walang mabuting maidudulot kung laging bukambibig nga ang pangalan ng Diyos subalit ang asal at pakikitungo naman sa kapwa ay hindi kalugod-lugod sa Diyos. Nasusulat nga na pagpapala ang hatid sa taong sumusunod o nagsasabuhay sa utos ng Diyos at kapahamakan naman sa mga sumusuway nito (Dt 11:27-28).

Ipinapaalala ng ebanghelyo na umiwas tayo sa mga maling akalang tulad nito: “ Maawain ang Panginoon kaya’t sapat na nag tawagin ang kanyang pangalan upang maligtas!” Hindi ito ang tunay na pagpapaubaya sa Diyos-sa halip, isa itong malaking pagpapaubaya sa Diyos-sa halip, isa itong malaking pagpapabaya. Kahit pa ikatwiran ng tao ng nangaral siya sa ngalan ni Hesus o nagpalayas ng mga demonyo at gumawa ng mga himala, sasabihin sa kanya ng Panginoon: “Hindi kita kilala. Lumayo ka sa akin.” Kagilagilalas man ang ating mga pangaral at gawa ngunit kung wala naman tayong personal at matalik na kaugnayan sa Diyos, hindi natin siya kinikilalang tunay. Paano tayo kikilalalanin ng Diyos kung hindi natin siya kinikilala. Kaya’t mahalaga na ang ating salita at gawa bilang bilang mga Kristiyano ay nakabatay sa isang matibay na pakikipag-ugnayan sa Diyos. Sa pang-araw-araw na buhay nangangahulugan ito ng pagmamahal at paglilingkod sa kapwa sa paraan at halimbawa ni Hesus noong siya’y nabubuhay pa sa mundong ito.

Binigyang-linaw ito ni Hesus sa paglalarawan sa dalawang bahay. Ang bahay na nakatayo sa batuhan ay ang taong nakikinig at nagsasabuhay sa utos ni Hesus, samantalang ang bahay na nakatayo sa buhanginan ang taong nakikinig subalit hindi naman nagsasabuhay sa utos ng Diyos. Amg unang bahay ay matibay sapagkat ang pundasyon nito ay si Kristo na siyang Panulukang Bato. Matalino ang tao na ang pundasyon o sandigan ng buhay ay ang Diyos sapagkat dumating man ang mga pagsubok o panganib, hindi siya mapapahamak: “Maging bato ka ng aking kanlugan, matibay na muog na aking kaligtasan” (Slm 31:3). Hangal naman ang taong nagtayo ng kanyang bahay sa buhanginan sapagkat hindi niya kakayanin ang mga hagupit ng buhay. Ang pananampalatayang yari sa buhangin ay marupok at madaling gumuho sapagkat nakasalalay ito sa sariling kakayahan o ng kakayahan ng ibang taong may kahinaan at kakulangan din naman.
May isang awiting itinuro sa amin ng mga katekista noong kami’y mga bata pa” “Si Kristo’ang sandigan, di magigiba. Si Kristo ang sandigan, di magigiba. Kasing tatag ng kabundukan, di magigiba!” Napakasimpleng awitin subalit malalim ang kahulugan. Binubuod nito ang aral ng ebanghelyo: Si Kristo ang tunay na SANDIGANBAYAN– Sandigan ng Bayan ng Diyos. Sinumang lubos na umaasa sa kanya ay makakatagpo ng tunay na kaligayahan, kapayapaan, katarungan, kaligtasan. Sa maikling salita, buhay na walang hanggan.

~ Khris Emmanuel Llacer, SSP

Is Jesus Sacrificed Again at Every Mass? Series (XCI)

2008-06-01T10:13:00.002+09:00

The dazzling vision of St. John in the Book of Revelation is perhaps best known for its depictions of horrific worldwide catastrophe. Yet at the heart of this text stands a poignant figure full of mercy, hope, and glory: the “Lamb” who was slain for our sins, Jesus Christ (see 5:6). Biblical scholars have pointed out that at one level, in presenting us a vision of heaven, Revelation also provides us a glimpse of the Mass, our foretaste on earth of heaven’s “wedding feast of the Lamb” (19:9).

Catholics agree with other Christians that the divine sacrifice made “once for all” described in Hebrews 7:27 is a unique historical event: the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. But Jesus’ sacrifice, though occurring in the past to us, is nevertheless always present to God, because God himself does not exist in time as we do. John’s vision depicts this eternal reality; the presentation of Jesus as “Lamb” to the Father appears to be an ongoing occurrence (from God’s perspective, timeless), long after the death of Jesus (see Rv 5:6; 13:8). Our Savior, Scripture says, “has a priesthood that does not pass away: (Heb 7:24).

In this light, then, we can understand how the Mass is a re-presentation of Jesus’ historical, one-time sacrificial death on the cross. In every Mass, the priest re-enacts Jesus’ priestly actions at the Last Supper, offering once more his Body and Blood. But Jesus is not sacrificed again in the Eucharist. Rather, his unique sacrifice is made real and present to us here and now, because it is a divine reality that transcends space and time.

For this reason, the Mass is not merely a service of praise, preaching, and fellowship, presided over by a pastor around a meal table. The Mass is truly a sacrifice offered by a priest upon an altar. Though some Christians insist that priests and altars belong only to the Jewish temple sacrifice of the Old Covenant, these elements also play a role in the New Covenant in Christ’s blood (see Lk 22:20). The Book of Revelation in particular tells us of the “altar” with a “gold censer” in the “temple” where the sacrificed Lamb, Jesus, reigns (see 5:6; 6:9; 8:3; 9:13).

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: Lk 22:20; Heb 7:24; 7:27; Rv 5:6; 6:9; 8:3; 9:13; 13:8; 19:9. General: Gn 14:18; Lv 23:13; Ps 110:4; Is 66:18, 21; Mal 1:11; Heb 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-16; 5:1-10; 6:20; 7:1-28; 8:1-6; 9:11-15, 24-28; 10:19-22; 13:10; Rv 8:3-5; 11:1; 14:18; 16:7. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 1330; 1359-1372; 1378; 1410; 1414; 1418; 2643.

LEAVES OF SPRINGTIME

2008-06-01T10:10:00.000+09:00

By: Ed J. Titular-05.30.08
Chasan-ri, SK

That soft touch of the wind in an early
morning'
And those dancing leaves in the mountain
T’was the time when we get closer
And that love we found to each other
....all are just leaves of springtime.

Just like leaves and flowers in the valleys
Season changes their image and sweetness
And that bird singing at the tree top
Whisper some hope that would never last
And that you and I....are only leaves of
springtime.

As raindrops falls everywhere
Water finds its way to the streams
As the sun shine, your sweetness blooms
And here inside my heart
You’re just like a leaves of springtime.

Now that you're gone leaving me those fragments

Here I am inside my room all alone retrieving those pieces of yours
...and to whatever season that may come
You are leaves that bloom not only on springtime.

ANNOUNCING THE THIRD FIAT OF GOD

2008-06-01T10:03:00.002+09:00

Creation then Redemption now Sanctification
God is now calling souls back to the Original Order, Place and Purpose
for which He created mankind—as it was in the Garden of Eden— in order to fulfillthe Lord’s Prayer to the Father, “Thy Will be done on earth as in Heaven.”

“The Holy Spirit wants to give Christians a ‘new and divine holiness’
at the Dawn of the Third Millennium” - Pope John Paul II

About Those Who Live in the Divine Will on Earth as It is Lived in Heaven
Those souls who live in the Divine Will can claim as their own all that God does, because such souls, having abandoned their wills to Jesus, becomes so identified with Him, that all that His Will does, they also do.

When souls who live in the Divine Will pass into Eternity they carry within themselves the Masses celebrated and their prayers and good works, and even more—the action of the Divine Will Itself, one instant of which surpasses the actions of all other creatures combined, who have not lived in the Divine Will. Upon entering Heaven, these souls are met by all the Blessed, who bow their heads and give great honor to the action of the Divine Will in these souls.

These souls, having identified themselves with the Divine Will, upon dying in that Will, acquire such beauty, sanctity, wisdom, love and divine riches that nothing else can be compared with them, for during their lives on earth their every thought, word and deed became so many suns, each differing from the other in light and beauty.

The Divine Will is the prodigy of prodigies and the secret way for souls to find celestial light, divine holiness and all goods.

The Angels that guarded the most holy Humanity of Jesus will guard those who live in His Will. As these souls reflect on the Life, passion and prayers of Jesus, these Angels gather around these souls and gather their words, prayers, compassion and tears, unite them to those of Jesus and present them to the Throne of God. Therefore, these souls who live in the Divine Will should remember that, when they are reading the “Hours of the Passion,” or reflecting upon them, the Angels are very attentive to every word and thought and repeat after these souls what they say!
Jesus told Luisa that there are two stairways to Heaven. He said that those who take the path of the virtues, but not with their wills in continual connection with His Life, ascend by way of wooden stairs, but those who live their lives in His Life (the Life of the Divine Will) ascend to Heaven on golden stairs and can say that they are another Jesus and that their acts are Divine and of incalculable value, in spite of the fact that these souls are hidden in Him and are almost unknown. But in Heaven they will be well known.

Jesus told Luisa that his Kingdom is formed by those who live in his Will and that He appoints them to different offices in that Kingdom, placing everything under their dominion. Those who live in the Divine Will are the depositories of the Divine Will and Its defenders, for they understand the greatness and sanctity of the Divine Will .

These souls are eager to defend God’s rights and love Him with true and disinterested Love, similar to His. Those who live in the Divine Will imitate Jesus in His zeal to recompense His Father by uniting their adoration of the Father with that of Jesus in the twinkling of the stars, in each drop of light of the Sun, the flowing of the waters of the rivers and seas, the winds of the atmosphere, in each plant and flower. These souls, by living in the Divine Will, become the echo of the voice of Jesus. They repeat his Life and are the perfect glory of Creation.

The souls who live in the Divine Will are the most faithful to Jesus, and He unburdens Himself with them, placing his trust in them. Their cross and sanctity resemble that of Jesus. For those who live in His Will, Jesus forms his Real Life, as He does in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.

The acts of the souls who live in the Divine Will are animated by that same Will and acquire the eternal and divine attributes of the Eternal Will. Jesus spoke to Luisa of the immense happiness awaiting them in Heaven for those who have lived in the Divine Will on earth. Such souls will participate in all the joys and goods that the Divine Will contains in such a way that all the joys of the Divine Will are held in common with these souls. Those who live in the Divine Will should not consider themselves as earthly citizens but as citizens of Heaven. Living in the Divine Will is very different from only doing the Divine Will, and those who have had the incredible grace to live in It are bound to an eternal point, operate together with the Divine Will and are enveloped by an invincible strength.

IWAS PUSOY !

2008-06-01T09:59:00.002+09:00

Adopting Filipino children

3. Attach to the Petition the Official Receipt indicating that the applicant has paid the one-time fee of P2,500.00 or US$50.00 or its equivalent in foreign currency;

4. Submit together with the Petition the National Statistics Office (NSO)-authenticated copy of his or her birth certificate. In cases of a former natural-born citizen, who were born abroad, the original copy of the Report of Birth issued by the Philippine Foreign Post and in applicable cases, the birth certificate issued by competent foreign authorities must be submitted; and

5. Attach to the Petition a signed Oath of Allegiance.

If after evaluation the Petition is found to be sufficient in form and substance, the evaluating officer shall submit the findings. If filed in the Philippines—to the Commissioner of Immigration or if filed overseas, to the Consul General.

In case the Petitioner is in the Philippines, the Oath of Allegiance shall be administered by the Commissioner of Immigration or any authorized officer assigned by the Commissioner. In case the Petitioner is abroad, the Oath shall be administered by the Consul General or a duly commissioned foreign service officer of the Philippine Foreign Post concerned.

Q. How long does the process of citizenship reacquisition take?
A. Our experience indicates that a Petition filed by overseas Filipinos in the Philippine Embassy or Consulate nearest to their [place of residence is processed faster than the same being filed with the Bureau of Immigration.

Q. What if the minor is accompanied with either of his/her parents, is a travel clearance required?
A. In this situation, a Parental Travel Permit must be executed by the parent left behind. A Parental Travel Permit is a duly notarized written permission given by the biological or adoptive parent left behind or who is not in the company of the minor, allowing the said minor to travel with accompanying parent.

Q. Who may file an Application for a Travel Clearance?
A. The Application may be submitted/filed by any of the following:
1. A minor who is at least thirteen (13) years of age;
2. The minor’s parent/s or legal guardian;
3. The minor’s traveling companion; or
4. The authorized representative of the parent/legal guardian.

...To be continued

Schizophrenia (11)

2008-06-01T09:57:00.001+09:00

(Continuation)

Screening and prevention: The most widely used form of preventative health care for schizophrenia takes the form of public … education campaigns that provide information on risk factors, early detection and treatment options.[154]
Popular views and misconceptions

Stigma has been identified as a major obstacle in the recovery of patients with schizophrenia.[155] 12.8% of a large, representative sample of Americans in a 1999 study believed that individuals with schizophrenia were "very likely" to do something violent against others, and 48.1% said that they were "somewhat likely" to. Over 74% said that people with schizophrenia were either "not very able" or "not able at all" to make decisions concerning their treatment, and 70.2% said the same of money management decisions.[156] The perception of individuals with psychosis as violent has more than doubled in prevalence since the 1950s, according to one meta-analysis.[157]

As public understanding of mental illness as a neurobiological disorder is yet developing, patients may be discouraged by friends or family members from taking prescribed medication.[158] Consumers' views on treatment and recovery may differ from those of mental health professionals.[88]

Alternative approaches
An approach broadly known as the anti-psychiatry movement, most active in the 1960s, opposes the orthodox medical view of schizophrenia as an illness.[159] Psychiatrist Thomas Szasz argued that psychiatric patients are not ill, but rather individuals with unconventional thoughts and behavior that make society uncomfortable.[160] He argues that society unjustly seeks to control them by classifying their behavior as an illness and forcibly treating them as a method of social control. According to this view, "schizophrenia" does not actually exist but is merely a form of social construction, created by society's concept of what constitutes normality and abnormality. Szasz has never considered himself to be "anti-psychiatry" in the sense of being against psychiatric treatment, but simply believes that treatment should be conducted between consenting adults, rather than imposed upon anyone against his or her will. Similarly, psychiatrists R. D. Laing, Silvano Arieti, Theodore Lidz and Colin Ross [161] have argued that the symptoms of what is called mental illness are comprehensible reactions to impossible demands that society and particularly family life places on some sensitive individuals. Laing, Arieti, Lidz and Ross were notable in valuing the content of psychotic experience as worthy of interpretation, rather than considering it simply as a secondary but essentially meaningless marker of underlying psychological or neurological distress. Laing described eleven case studies of people diagnosed with schizophrenia and argued that the content of their actions and statements was meaningful and logical in the context of their family and life situations.[162] In 1956, Palo Alto, Gregory Bateson and his colleagues Paul Watzlawick, Donald Jackson, and Jay Haley [163] articulated a theory of schizophrenia, related to Laing's work, as stemming from double bind situations where a person receives different or contradictory messages. Madness was therefore an expression of this distress and should be valued as a cathartic and trans-formative experience. In the books Schizophrenia and the Family and The Origin and Treatment of Schizophrenic Disorders Lidz and his colleagues explain their belief that ..

...To be continued

Salawikain (6)

2008-06-01T09:52:00.000+09:00

Ambassador Cruz Awards Fr. Dong

2008-05-27T23:22:00.003+09:00

Fr. Dong is all smiles when he received the Plaque of Appreciation from no other than Ambassador Luis Cruz. The accompanying present is from Labor Attache Delmer Cruz, OWWA Pat Cobarrubias and POLO Staff. Although they were not around to personally witness the joyful affair, their message was sincerely delivered.

This pic was taken infront of the Changhyun Filipino Catholic Community Center.

My Priest Confidante- a Friend Indeed (A Tribute)

2008-05-24T23:24:00.005+09:00

"I was down and out and feeling so low", it may be just a tiny part of a song but it summarized the enormous problems I had when I first came back to Korea last August. And who was there to extend a helping hand? It's Fr. Dong Marcaida whom I consider a friend, so outspoken and outright in his most sincere way. Thank you Padre! -- this post is from cordilove blogspot.

(Pic was taken at Lotte World one Saturday afternoon.)

---------------------------------

I remember a poem I made a few years ago about POS, Pain Of Separation, which was dedicated to Fr. Dong. And now again reliving the message is not that too painful anymore because I came to accept that nothing is really permament in this world except change. A change that must transpire for a better life ahead. Everything happens with a purpose as God has planned for each and everyone.

You had your share of the Korean Dream

and surely have left marks in the hearts of fellow migrants

as well as Koreans through your unselfish love and offerings.

Carry with you our deepest appreciation

and gratitude for a job well done

in the Land of the Morning Calm.

So Padre Dong, with all my heart, my mind and my soul, goodluck and take care always as you traverse a new destination across the globe!

Thanks God for the power of the internet, we can still communicate easily...

Ang Corpus Christi sa Eukaristiya at sa Ating Kapwa

2008-05-24T22:54:00.002+09:00

Kapistahan ng Katawan at Dugo ni Kristo:

Isang araw, sa pagsunud-sunod ng isang reporter kay Mother Teresa ng Calcutta, nakita niya kung gaano buong giliw at pagmamahal na pinagmamasdan ng banal na madre ang Katawan ni Kristong itinataas ng pari sa isang misa sa simbahan. Kitang-kita ng reporter na iyon sa mga mata ni mother Teresa ang masidhing pag-ibig nito sa Banal na Katawan at Dugo ni Kristo.

Pagkatapos ng Misa, patuloy na sinundan ng reporter si Mother Teresa sa pagbisita naman nito sa mga maysakit. Habang kinakausap at inaaaliw ng madre ang mga maysakit, muling nakita ng reporter ang tagpong nakita ng reporter ang tagpong nakita niya sa loob ng Misa. Isang maysakit, muling nakita ng reporter ang tagpong nakita niya sa loob ng Misa. Isang maysakit na lalaki ang buong pagsuyong minamasdan ni Mother Teresa. Larawan siya ng isang nagmamahal na para bang walang nakikitang ibang bagay o ibang tao kundi ang kanyang minamahal lamang na nasa kanyang harapan. Madaling naunawaan ng reporter kung paano minamahal ni Mother Teresa, ang mga maysakit sa parehong paraan ng pagmamahal niya sa Panginoong Hesu-Kristo sa Banal na Eukaristiya.

Ang Kapistahan ng Banal na Katawan at Dugo ni Kristo na ipinagdiriwang ng buong Iglesya Katolika ngayon ay napakahitik sa kahulugan. Mula sa pagkabata, natutuhan na natin sa katesismo kung paanong ang ordinaryong tinapay at alak ay nagiging Banal na Katawan at Dugo ni Kristo, na siyang ating tinatanggap sa Banal na Komunyon. Hindi isang simbolo ang ating tinatanggap, kundi si Hesus mismo sa kanyang pagka-Diyos at pagka-tao. At sa ating pagtanggap sa kanya, totoong-totoo ring tinatanggap natin ang buhay na walang hanggan. Sa Ebanghelyo, ipinakilala ni Kristo ang kanyang sarili bilang Tinapay na nagbibigay-buhay. Ang kumakain ng kanyang laman at umiinom ng kanyang dugo ay mabubuhay magpakailanman (Jn 6:56-58).

Hindi nakapagtatakang ganoon na lamang karubdob ang pagmamahal ni Mother Teresa sa Banal na Eukaristiya. Para sa kanya, totoong-totoong naroroon si Hesus sa Banal na Eukaristiya. Totoong tinatanggap niya at nakakapiling ang kanyang Minamahal, na si Hesus, sa pagdiriwang ng Banal na Misa. Subalit para kay Mother Teresa, ang totoong-totoong presensiya ni Hesus ay hindi lamang matatagpuan at natatapos sa Banal na Eukaristiya. Totoong-totoong naroroon si Hesus sa mga taong nangangailangan ng pagmamahal at pagkalinga kaya naman ganun din katindi ang pagmamalasakit ng Madre sa mga dukha at mga maysakit.

Ang Katawan at Dugo ni Kristo ay tunay na kinakatawan ng mga mananampalataya, ng pamayanang Kristiyano. Sabi nga ni San Pablo sa mga taga-Corinto: “Kaya nga, yamang isa lamang ang tinapay, tayo’y iisang katawan bagama’t marami, sapagkat nakikibahagi tayo sa iisang tinapay” (10:17).

Hindi tayo maaaring makibahagi sa iisang Tinapay, ang Katawan ni Kristo(sa Eukaristiya), kung hindi tayo makikibahagi at magmamalasakit sa mga pagal na katawan ng mga nangangailangan. Tulad ni Mother Teresa, kung marubdob ang pagmamahal natin sa Banal na Eukaristiya, kinakailangang ganoon din karubdob ang pagmamahal natin sa ating kapwa-lalo na ang dukha at higit na nangangailangan. Subalit hindi rin naman magiging mabunga ang hangarin nating tugunan ang paghihirap ng ating kapwa kung hindi natin huhugutin ang ating lakas mula sa Banal na Eukaristiya. Ang pagmamahal sa Diyos, kay Hesus ay tunay na hindi maaaring ihiwalay sa pagmamahal sa kapwa.

Sa isang panayam ni Edward W. Desmond noong 1989 para sa Time Magazine, tinanong niya si Mother Teresa kung paanong naging matagumpay ang mga ginagawa nito para sa mga dukha. Sumagot si Mother Teresa: “Nagpasya si Hesus na siya’y maging tinapay ng buhay upang bigyan tayo ng buhay. Doon namin sinisimulan ang aming araw sa pagsamba sa Banal na Sakramento. Sa palagay ko, hindi ko kakayaning gawin ang tungkuling ito kahit sa loob lang ng isang linggo kung hindi ako mananalanagin ng apat na oras araw-araw.” Tunay ngang naroroon si Hesus sa Eukaristiya at doon lang maaaring bumukal ang ating pagmamahal sa ating kapwa.

~Atty.Arnold Rimon Martinez~

Aren’t All Christians ‘Saints’? (Series LXXXIX)

2008-05-24T22:50:00.001+09:00

The Biblical Greek and Hebrew words sometimes translated as “saints” mean literally “holy ones” (Acts 9:13) or “faithful ones” (1 Sm 2:9). Typically, these are general terms for God’s people, who have a share in his holiness and are striving to become more holy (see Heb 12:10; 2 Cor 7:1). The apostle Paul was especially fond of addressing his letters to “all the holy ones” in the churches (2 Cor 1:1).

All faithful Christians, then, are indeed “saints” in this sense. In fact, the Catholic Church teaches that the vocation to holiness is universal; God speaks to all believers when he says. “Be holy because I [am] holy” (see 1 Pt 1:14-16).

Nevertheless, the Greek term for “saints” or “holy ones” appears in some scriptural passages to have a narrower sense. Mark’s gospel refers to the “saints” who rose from the dead after Christ’s resurrection (see Mt 27:52), faithful departed being taken by Christ to heaven. St. Paul speaks of the “holy ones” who accompany Christ from heaven when he returns to earth (see 1 Thes 3:13). St. John uses the same term to refer to the “holy ones” who are now in heaven praying to God (see Rv 5:8, 8:3).

It is in this latter, narrower, sense that the Catholic Church honors certain departed Christians with the formal title “saint.” This title indicates the Church’s confidence that the individual died in friendship with God and is now in heaven with him (see “What Does the Church Teach About Heaven?”).

Why is it important for the Church to designate certain Christians this way? “Saint” is actually much more than a title of honor. Because the Church is confident that these “holy ones” are now in haven, Catholics are urged not only to venerate them, but also to imitate their holiness and ask for their intercession (see “Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints and Angels?”).

How does the Church gain the confidence that a particular person is in heaven? Various kinds of evidence are sought in the process of “canonization” (formal recognition of sainthood): reliable testimony to the person’s extraordinary holiness, evidence that the person’s life has drawn others closer to God, and documented miracles occurring after the person’s intercession has been invoked (see also “Hasn’t Science Disproved Miracles?”).

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: 1 Sm 2:9; Mt 27:52; Acts 9:13; 2 Cor 1:1; 7:1; 1 Thes 3:13; Heb 12:`10; 1 Pt 1:14-16; Rv 5:8; 8:3. General: Lv 11:44; 19:2; Dt 33:3; Ps 89:6; Lk 1:75; Rom 1:7; Eph 1:1; Phil 1:1; Col 1:2. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 61; 823-829; 867; 946-962; 1161; 1474-1479; 2030; 2683; 2692.

DESTINASYON

2008-05-24T22:44:00.002+09:00

Ni: L.V.L.

Umiikot ang mundo….Tumatakbo ang panahon.
At tila parang nag papa - iwan ka nang kusa.
Naglalakbay na ang lahat nang iyong kabalalay…
Patuloy sa kani - kaniyang destinasyon…

Tinatahak ang landasing walang nakakabatid kung saan tutungo.
Pero nagpapatuloy na sila….
Kahit na di nila batid ang patutunguhan…
Naglalakbay sila…. Kahit walang kasiguraduhan.

Pero ikaw….Di ko inakalang andyan ka pa rin….
Nananatili sa iyong kinatatayuan….
Masaya ka ba sa iyong mundong ginagalawan?
Patuloy mo bang itatanggi sa akin na may malalim kang iniisip…

Na may mga bagay na patuloy na bumabagabag sa iyo…
Na laging may kakulangan kang nararamdaman…
Na laging may mga bagay na akala mo ay alam mo, ngunit…
Takot ka lang na tanggapin…

Oo sige na... Tatanggapin ko na ang mga sinabi mo sa akin…
Na ayos ka lang…
Na alam mo ang ginagawa mo…
Na nasa plano na ang lahat…

Pero naisip mo rin ba di ka laging tama….
Na kabaliwan ang pakikipag usap mo sa iyong sariling gunita.
Tanggapin mo na ang realidad..
Magpatuloy ka na sa paglalakbay mo…

Tapusin mo na ang paglingon at pagsasaayos nang mga bagay….
Na napag lipasan na nang panahon…
Dahil alam mong walang patutunguhan ang ganon…
Pero patuloy mo pa ring ginagawa…

Dahil sa takot ka.Sa pagsisimula ulit...
At sa pagpapatuloy...Kaibigan, andito lang ako sa tuwina…
Nakaupo sa tabi mo….Tahimik….
Naghihintay na ngitian mo.
At sabihing, kailangan mo nang kausap…

Huwag kang matuwa sa iyong mumunting sulok
Itigil mo na ang mga bagay na ginagawa mo…
Na alam mong makakasira sa iyo…

Tapos na ang mga panahong iyon…
Nang mga luha…Nang mga huling halik….
Nang mga huling akap…
Nang pamamaalam…
Gunitain mo kung kailangan…
Ngunit wag kang malugmok

Kumilos ka…Magpatuloy sa iyong paglalakbay...
Patungo sa destinasyon…
Na di mo man alam ang kalalabasan...
Ang mahalaga'y nagpatuloy ka...

IWAS PUSOY !

2008-05-24T22:30:00.001+09:00

Adopting Filipino children
Q. How does the Philippine Immigration deal with minors or persons under 18, who are brought to the Philippines by their parents in order to study or reside, or what kind of status are they given?
R. Even before Republic Act No. 9225 was enacted, Philippine Immigration authorities allow such minors of dual nationality, to file what is known as a Petition for Recognition. It is in reality, an administrative recognition of the dual nationality of the minor. The effect is that while in the Philippines, the minor is allowed the privileges of a Filipino citizen such as residence and enrollment in Philippine schools and is even allowed to travel using the foreign passport. This procedure allows the dual citizen-minor to reside and study in the Philippines without having to apply for resident or student visas, thus sparing them from the high costs and bureaucratic procedures associated with such visas. (More information about this and related matters would be in the section of immigration.)

Q. What are the ways under Philippine law of losing Philippine citizenship?
R. Philippine citizenship may be lost through any of the following acts:
1. By naturalization in a foreign country through express renunciation of Philippine citizenship.
2. By taking an oath of allegiance to support the constitution of a foreign country.
3. By enlisting and serving in the armed forces of a foreign country.
For the moment, the Supreme Court has not yet decided on a case that puts into test the implications of the above acts specially after the enactment of RA 9225 and whose benefits have been availed of by former natural born citizens of the Philippines. But previous Supreme Court decisions indicate the general rule, that an express renunciation of Philippine citizenship and allegiance to its Constitution and laws will mean loss of Philippine citizenship.

Q. How does a former natural born Filipino reacquire or retain Philippine citizenship under RA No. 9225?
R. Memorandum Circular No. AFF-04-01 of the Bureau of Immigration (the implementing agency of RA 9225) requires the following:
1. Applicant must file a Petition to under oath with the Commissioner of Immigration (if the applicant is in the Philippines) or with the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate (if outside of the country);
2. Attach to the Petition three (3) recent 2” x 2” photographs (front, left side, and right side views over a white background);

...To be continued

Santacruzan Ave Maria at Sagalas

2008-05-24T16:35:00.000+09:00

Schizophrenia

2008-05-24T16:33:00.001+09:00

(Continuation)
Mortality: In a study of over 168,000 Swedish citizens undergoing psychiatric treatment, schizophrenia was associated with an average life expectancy of approximately 80–85% of that of the general population. Women with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were found to have a slightly better life expectancy than that of men, and as a whole, a diagnosis of schizophrenia was associated with a better life expectancy than substance abuse, personality disorder, heart attack and stroke.[132] There is a high suicide rate associated with schizophrenia; a recent study showed that 30% of patients diagnosed with this condition had attempted suicide at least once during their lifetime.[133] [134]Another study suggested that 10% of persons with schizophrenia die by suicide.[135] Other identified factors include smoking, poor diet, little exercise and the negative health effects of psychiatric drugs.[6]

Violence: The relationship between violent acts and schizophrenia is a contentious topic. Current research indicates that the percentage of people with schizophrenia who commit violent acts is higher than the percentage of people without any disorder, but lower than is found for disorders such as alcoholism, and the difference is reduced or not found in same-neighbourhood comparisons when related factors are taken into account, notably sociodemographic variables and substance misuse.[136][137][138][139][140] Studies have indicated that 5% to 10% of those charged with murder in Western countries have a schizophrenia spectrum disorder.[141][142][143]

The occurrence of psychosis in schizophrenia has sometimes been linked to a higher risk of violent acts. Findings on the specific role of delusions or hallucinations have been inconsistent, but have focused on delusional jealousy, perception of threat and command hallucinations. It has been proposed that a certain type of individual with schizophrenia may be most likely to offend, characterized by a history of educational difficulties, low IQ, conduct disorder, early-onset substance misuse and offending prior to diagnosis.[141]

A consistent finding is that individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia are often the victims of violent crime—at least 14 times more often than they are perpetrators.[144][145] Another consistent finding is a link to substance misuse, particularly alcohol,[146] among the minority who commit violent acts. Violence by or against individuals with schizophrenia typically occurs in the context of complex social interactions within a family setting,[147] and is also an issue in clinical services[148] and in the wider community.[149]

Screening and prevention: There are no reliable markers for the later development of schizophrenia although research is being conducted into how well a combination of genetic risk plus non-disabling psychosis-like experience predicts later diagnosis.[150] People who fulfil the 'ultra high-risk mental state' criteria, that include a family history of schizophrenia plus the presence of transient or self-limiting psychotic experiences, have a 20–40% chance of being diagnosed with the condition after one year.[151] The use of psychological treatments and medication has been found effective in reducing the chances of people who fulfill the 'high-risk' criteria from developing full-blown schizophrenia.[152] However, the treatment of people who may never develop schizophrenia is controversial, in light of the side-effects of antipsychotic medication; particularly with respect to the potentially disfiguring tardive dyskinesia and the rare but potentially lethal neuroleptic malignant syndrome.[153] The most widely used form of preventative health care for schizophrenia takes the form of public …

...To be continued

Salawikain (5)

2008-05-24T16:18:00.001+09:00

FILIPINA

2008-05-24T16:06:00.003+09:00

By: Ed J. Titular, 05.22.08; Chasan-ri, SK

Like flowers that bloom everywhere
She's a fighter of truth without fear
A soft spoken woman with integrity
And someone who upholds the value of morality.

Filipina, someone who is graceful and witty
A family oriented and an advocator of Christianity
Someone who adhere to the holy sacrament of matrimony
Filipina... a hero to her family and community.

Filipina, are you still there?
Do you still bear the fruits of true love and care?
Why you easily change?
Where is that Holy Rosary that you ought to bring everyday?
Filipina, you are known by your purity and virtue
A woman of honor and valor
A woman that most men of the world wants to be with forever
Filipina, don't lose the perfume of your essence...as Filipina.

Daan ng Pagkakaisa tungo sa Isang-Tatlo

2008-05-18T02:10:00.001+09:00

Dakilang Kapistahan ng Banal ng Isantatlo:

Ang tanyag na Italyanong si Dante Alighieri, ang Divina Commedia, ay nagwawakas sa isang madamdaming pangitain ng Diyos. Sa katapusan ng kanyang matulaing paglalakabay sa daigdig ng Inferno, Purgatorio, at Paraiso, nasaksihan ni Dante ang pakikiisa ng sangnilikha sa pagkakaisa ng Banal ng Isantatlo. Ang pagkakaisang ito ng pag-ibig na namamalagi sa Diyos ay nagpapahayag sa atin ng isang katotohanan na hindi natin maitatanggi: na sa kaibuturan ng ating puso, ninanais din natin na makiisa o maging kabahagi ng pagkakaisang ito ng Banal na Isantatlo.

Sa pagbasang hango sa Aklat ng exodo, matatagpuan natin ang panalangin ni Moises sa Diyos na nagpakilala sa kanya at nagpalaya sa bayang Israel mula sa pagkaalipin: ‘Patawarin na ninyo kami at tanggapin bilang inyong bayan!” (34:9). Isang pagluhog ito sa Diyos na pagkaisahin ang Israel bilang isang bayan. Inilalatag ng Diyos ang kanyang kundisyon: Siya lamang ang kikilanin at sasambahin nilang Diyos.

Ang Diyos na nagpakilala din sa atin sa katauhan ng kanyang bugtong na Anak (monogenes) na si Hesukristo. Ibinigay sa atin ng Ama ang kanyang bugtong na Anak (bas. Jn 3:16) hindi lamang sa pagkakatawang-tao nito, kundi lalo’t-higit sa pagpapakasakit at pagkamatay ni Hesus sa krus. Ang Diyos na nanatiling tapat sa kanyang bayang Israel ay nananatiling tapat din sa atin. Sa pamamagitan ni Hesu-Kristo, itinuturo niya sa atin ang tunay na daan ng pagkakaisa gaya ng pagiging isa nila ni Hesus na kanyang Anak. Ayon sa Ebanghelyo ni Juan, inihayag ng Panginoon ang katotohanang ito nang sabihin niya: “Ang nakakita sa akin ay nanakita na sa Ama” (14:9).

Kung kaya’t sinasabi sa atin ni San Agustin na “ang Iglesya ay dapat pag-isahin sa Isangtatlo tulad ng isang bahay sa may-ari nito, ng templo sa Diyos nito, ng lungsod sa tagapagtatag nito” (Enchiridion, c. 57). Ito ay isang pagninilay at pagpapahayag ng kalooban ng Diyos para sa lahat ng tao mula pa nang lalangin niya ang unang tao: ang makiisa tayo sa Kanyang buhay ng pag-ibig at kabanalan gaya ng pagkakaisa sa pag-ibig at kabanalan na namamagitan sa Ama, sa Anak at sa Espiritu Santo.

Ang pag-ibig na dumadaloy sa kaibuturan ng Diyos ay nahahayag sa biyayang ibinibigay sa atin ni Kristo sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo na siyang nananatili sa ating piling, sa Iglesya Katolika. Ito ang dahilan kung kaya itinatagubilin ni Apostol San Pablo sa pagwawakas niya sa kanyang ikalawang Sulat sa mga Taga-Corinto: “Sikapin ninyong maging ganap at sundin niyo ang mga payo ko; magkaisa kayo, at mamuhay nang payapa. Sa gayon sasainyo ang Diyos ng pag-ibig at kapayapaan” (13:11).

Ang pagkakaisa ng sangkatauhan, ang pagkakaisa ng sambayanan, ang pagkakaisa ng mga Kristiyano… ang pagkakaisa natin sa pag-ibig at kapayapaan.. Iisang napakadakilang pagpapala, isang mabigat na tungkulin at siya ring tiyak na daan natin tungo sa Diyos, Ama, Anak at Espiritu Santo.

~ Rdo. David O. Reyes, Jr. ~

Does the Church Teach That Only Catholics Can Be Saved? (Series LXXXIX)

2008-05-18T02:07:00.001+09:00

In Revelation, the inhabitants of heaven sing to Christ: “With your blood you purchased for God / those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation” (5:9). The Catholic Church affirms this wideness of God’s mercy in Christ, embracing the whole world, desiring with him that “everyone… be saved and… come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tm 2:4). Nevertheless, the Church also recognizes that the gift of salvation must be accepted to be effective, and human beings, having free will, may choose to reject or “ignore so great a salvation” (Heb 2:3).

The Church accepts Christ’s declaration about himself: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). She also recalls his words to her that warn those who would turn away from her: “Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me” (Lk 10:16).

If Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, and the Church is his Body on earth, we can understand why the Church fathers often declared: “Outside the Church there is no salvation.” Or to put it another way: “All salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body” (Catechism 846). Does this mean that only Catholics can be saved?
The Second Vatican Council made the following affirmations about the possibility of salvation for those outside the Catholic Church:

* Those who know that God founded the Catholic Church through Christ as the necessary means to salvation, yet still refuse to enter it or remain in it, cannot be saved (see Lumen Gentium 14).
* “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience — those too may achieve eternal salvation” (Lumen Gentium 16, emphasis added).

* “Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men” (Ad Gentes 7).

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: Lk 10:16; Jn 14:6; 1 Tm 2:4; Heb 2:3; Rv 5:9. General: Mt 8:11-12; 10:40; 28:18-20; Lk 13:28-30; 1 Cor 9:16; 2 Cor 5:14-15; Heb 11:6; Jas 2:21-23. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 816-822; 846-856.

MI INSPIRACION, RECUERDO, AMOR ET. AL.

2008-05-18T02:00:00.002+09:00

(Dedicated to Rev. Fr. Salvador "Dong" V. Marcaida, MSP)

The valleys has no worries as I stare up high,
And that soft touch of the wind whisper some sigh,
Great I am.... for that very momentum,
For the clouds so blue, and that was autumn.

Along the railway of a very traffic mind,
I sense that most of all are left behind,
Then you came to rescue the unguarded soul,
For I sense everyone is not that cool.

Gradually, I realized that no one is forsaken,
And that all must take his share to be forgiven,
Those tickling words that you have been thrown,
All must be remembered and must live in one's heart forever.

Always love GOD above all things,
Love your neighbor as you love your self,
Peace be with you and increase more your faith with HIM
These are some of the magnifying words you injected in everyone's vein.

The night is far spent and the day is at hand,
Believe in HIM and your faith must not be bending,
Let your heart be filled with joy and share your blessings,
This must be the conscience of every human being.

Now, you will be leaving with that traces so bold,
All your teachings, I hope all of us must uphold,
In your journey with GOD in some sphere of this world,
I know more souls will be touched and gathered.

'Till we meet again in some times and places someday
With that dreams of mine became a reality
Up above the sun shines so bright
Like your teachings that serves as my undying light.

By: Ed J. Titular
05.15.08, Chasan-ri, SK

ANG MGA OBISPO AT ANG REYNA

2008-05-18T01:57:00.001+09:00

Ni: Ederic Peñaflor Eder

Bago ganapin ang pulong ng Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) nitong Pebrero 26, 2008, naisip kong sa halip na ipagdasal na ang mga obispo ay manawagan ng pagbibitiw ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, dapat ay ipanalangin nating ipakita ng Banal na Espiritu sa kanila ang tamang kalalagyan sa kasalukuyang usapin.

Masyado na kasing malalim ang kumunoy ng kalintikang kinasadlakan ng ating bayan. Tila kulang ang pagkilos ng mga tao para makaahon tayo. Sa tingin ko, ang anumang gagawin natin ay dapat na may gabay at basbas ng Nasa Itaas.

Nang lumabas na ang pahayag ng mga obispo, hindi nga sila nanawagan ng pagbaba sa puwesto ng reynang akusado ng pandaraya, paulit-ulit na pagsisinungaling, at katiwalian. Sa halip, ganito ang kanilang posisyon:

1. Condemn the continuing culture of corruption from the top to the bottom of our social and political ladder;
2. Urge the President and all the branches of government to take the lead in combating corruption wherever it is found;
3. Recommend the abolition of [Executive Order] 464 so that those who might have knowledge of any corruption in branches of government may be free to testify before the appropriate investigating bodies;
4. Ask the President to allow her subordinates to reveal any corrupt acts, particularly about the ZTE-NBN deal, without being obstructed in their testimony no matter who is involved;
5. Appeal to our senators and the ombudsman to use their distinct and different powers of inquiry into alleged corruption cases not for their own interests but for the common good;
6. Call on media to be a positive resource of seeking the truth and combating corruption by objective reporting without bias and partiality, selective and tendentious reporting of facts;

Bagama’t hindi ako nagulat, medyo na-disappoint ako. Sabi nga ni Prof. Luis Teodoro, kahit ang pinakatiwali ay laging naglalabas ng mga pahayag na kumukondena sa corruption. Ang panawagan din sa media, ayon sa propesor, ay tila umuulit sa laging sinasabi ng mga taga-Malacanang. At idaragdag ko na ring ang panawagan sa mga senador ay tila ganoon din. Laging parinig ng mga maka-administrasyon na ang mga pagdinig sa Senado ay hindi in aid of legislation o para sa paghahanap sa katotohanan, kundi “in aid of grandstanding”. At gaya ng isinulat ko sa blog ko, paano mo makukumbinsi si Arroyo na manguna sa paglaban sa graft and corruption at payagan ang kanyang mga tauhan na isiwalat ang lahat kung ang kanyang asawa mismo ang pangunahing pinagbibintangan sa mga isyu ng katiwalian? Sa panawagan ng mga obispo na ibasura ang EO 464, lumikha na raw si Arroyo ng grupo para pag-aralan ito. Ngunit dapat tayong mag-ingat sa mga pahayag ng isang pamunuang may rekord ng pandaraya at laging nahuhuling nagsisinungaling.

Sa kabilang banda, naisip kong marahil, ang pahayag ng mga obispo ay pagpapakitang nais nilang sa pagkakataong ito’y talagang magmula sa mga tao ang pagbabago. Inulit nila ang panawagan para sa mga communal action gaya ng diskusyon at pag-aaral sa pagitan ng maliliit na grupo. Kumbaga, ang ‘People Power’, kung magkakaroon nito, ay iluluwal hindi ng biglaang emosyon, kundi ng mga indibidwal na ‘realization’ ng tunay nating kalagayan.

Mas gusto ko ring isiping ang kanilang desisyon ay sagot sa kanilang masinsin at paulit-ulit na panalangin bago at pagkatapos ng kanilang mga pag-uusap at debate sa proseso ng pagbubuo ng kanilang pahayag. Sana ganoon nga.

Sapagkat nakalulungkot kung ang pahayag nila’y bunga ng kanilang kahinaan bilang mga tao — mga taong tumatanaw ng utang na loob sa isang reynang napapabalitang mapagbigay sa materyal na mga pangangailangan ng mga obispo at ng Simbahan. O ng mga taong bagamat gusto rin ng pagbabago, ay takot na magambala ang kanilang maalwang pamumuhay.

(Pinoy Gazette, Sunday MARCH 9, 2008)

IWAS PUSOY !

2008-05-18T01:52:00.001+09:00

Adopting Filipino children

A Child Study and a Psychological Evaluation to be prepared by a social worker of the DSWD or the accredited placement non-government organization (NGO);
2. Birth Certificate/Foundling Certificate;
3. Deed of Voluntary Commitment or Decree of Abandonment or Death Certificate of the child’s parents;
4. Medical evaluation/History; and
5. Recent photo of the child.

Q. Where should the Application for Adoption be filed?
R. The Application may be filed in the country of the prospective parent/s by coordinating with Philippine accredited foreign adoption agencies. This information may be available at the nearest Philippine Foreign Post or Consular Office.

The Application shall be in the form prescribed by the Board and shall contain an undertaking under oath signed by the applicant upholding the rights of the child under Philippine laws, the national laws of the country where the applicant permanently resides or is a citizen of, those enumerated under the UN Convention, and to abide by the provisions of RA 8043, including its rules and regulations. Further, it shall also include an undertaking that if the adoption is not approved or does not take placed, the applicant shall pay for the cost of travel back to the Philippines of the child and his/her companion.

Q. What are countries that allow dual nationality?
A. The Commission of Filipinos Overseas provided the following list of countries that allow dual citizenship totally or in some limited form: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Yugoslavia, France, Hungary, Macedonia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tonga, Turkey, UK, US, Western Samoa, Albania, Antigua, and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina, Faso, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Iran, Jamaica, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macao, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Pitcairn, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Serbia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Tibet, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vietnam.

...To be continued

Schizophrenia (10)

2008-05-18T01:50:00.000+09:00

(Continuation)

Other: Electroconvulsive therapy is not considered a first line treatment but may be prescribed in cases where other treatments have failed. It is more effective where symptoms of catatonia are present,[120] and is recommended for use under NICE guidelines in the UK for catatonia if previously effective, though there is no recommendation for use for schizophrenia otherwise.[121] Psychosurgery has now become a rare procedure and is not a recommended treatment for schizophrenia.[122]

Service-user led movements have become integral to the recovery process in Europe and America; groups such as the Hearing Voices Network and the Paranoia Network have developed a self-help approach that aims to provide support and assistance outside the traditional medical model adopted by mainstream psychiatry. By avoiding framing personal experience in terms of criteria for mental illness or mental health, they aim to destigmatize the experience and encourage individual responsibility and a positive self-image. Partnerships between hospitals and consumer-run groups are becoming more common, with services working toward remediating social withdrawal, building social skills and reducing rehospitalization.[123]
Prognosis: Numerous international studies have demonstrated favorable long-term outcomes for around half of those diagnosed with schizophrenia, with substantial variation between individuals and regions.[124] One retrospective study found that about a third of people made a full recovery, about a third showed improvement but not a full recovery, and a third remained ill.[125] A clinical study using strict recovery criteria (concurrent remission of positive and negative symptoms and adequate social and vocational functioning continuously for two years) found a recovery rate of 14% within the first five years.[126] A 5-year community study found that 62% showed overall improvement on a composite measure of symptomatic, clinical and functional outcomes.[127] Rates are not always comparable across studies because an exact definition of what constitutes recovery has not been widely accepted, although standardized criteria have been suggested.[85]

The World Health Organization conducted two long-term follow-up studies involving more than 2,000 people suffering from schizophrenia in different countries. These studies found patients have much better long-term outcomes in developing countries (India, Colombia and Nigeria) than in developed countries (USA, UK, Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Japan, and Russia),[128] despite the fact antipsychotic drugs are typically not widely available in poorer countries, raising questions about the effectiveness of such drug-based treatments.

Several factors are associated with a better prognosis: Being female, acute (vs. insidious) onset of symptoms, older age of first episode, predominantly positive (rather than negative) symptoms, presence of mood symptoms and good premorbid functioning.[129][130] Most studies done on this subject, however, are correlational in nature, and a clear cause-and-effect relationship is difficult to establish. Evidence is also consistent that negative attitudes towards individuals with schizophrenia can have a significant adverse impact. In particular, critical comments, hostility, authoritarian and intrusive or controlling attitudes (termed high 'Expressed emotion' or 'EE' by researchers) from family members have been found to correlate with a higher risk of relapse in schizophrenia across cultures.[131]
Mortality:

...To be continued

2008-05-18T01:49:00.000+09:00

2008-05-12T21:48:00.004+09:00

Congratulations to the new sets of officers! Continue to be blessed to become a blessing to others!!

2008-05-10T22:10:00.001+09:00

Happy Mother's Day !

Kapistahan ng Sambayanang Nananalangin

2008-05-10T22:06:00.002+09:00

Linggo ng Penetekostes

Ang karanasan ng mga apostol; noong araw ng Pentekostes (Unang Pagbasa) ay naglalarawan kung paano pumanaog ang Espiritu Santo sa kanila at nagkaroon ng natatanging karunungan at kaligayahan: “Biglang dumating ang isang ugong na tulad ng ihip ng isang malakas na hangin...lumitaw ang mga hiwa-hiwalay na parang dilang apoy na tumigil sa ulo ng bawat isa...at sila’y nagsalita ng iba’t ibang wika”(M. Gawa 2:1-4) Ipinahihiwatig sa mga talata na nananalangin ang mga apostol kung saan nasasaad na matapos umakyat sa langit si Hesus, ang mga apostol ay nagtungo sa Jerusalem, umakyat sa lagi nilang tinutuluyan, kasama si Mariang ina ni Hesus, at doon nagsama-sama sa pagbibigay saksi at pananalangin (M. Gawa 1:12-140. Batay dito, malamang na nananalangin ng ang mga apostol nang dumating ang araw ng pentekostes sapagkat naroon sila sa lugar “na lagi nilang tinutuluyan”.

Nakatulong ang panalangin sa mga apostol upang maging handa sa pagdating ng Espiritu at sa kanilang hinaharap na misyon. Tiyak na nakatulong ang panalangin kay Maria na maging bukas-loob sa ibinalita ng anghel Gabriel na siya’y maglilihi ng isang sanggol na lalaki sa kapangyarihan ng Espiritu Santo (Lc 1:26-38). Maalaala rin na noong pagalingin ni Hesus ang isang sinasaniban ng masamang espiritu ay ipinahayag niya” ‘mapapalayas lamang ito sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at pag-aayuno” (Mc 9:29). Pananalangin din ang naging gabay sa kaloob niyang misyon sa mga apostol sa ating Ebanghelyo ngayong Linggo na maituturing na pangunahing Pentekostes: “Kung paaanong isinugo ko kayo. Tanggapin ninyo ang Espiritu Santo. Ang mga kasalanang inyong patatawarin ay pinatatawad, at ang mga kasalanang inyong panatilihin, ay pananantilihin” (Jn 19:21,23).

Sa orihinal na salitang Griyego, ang Pentekostes ay nangangahulugang “ikalimampung araw”, Shabuoth naman ito sa salitang Hebreo na tumutukoy naman sa Kapistahan ng mga ani. Sa kapistahang ito ginugunita ng mga Judio ang pasasalamat sa mga ani na ginaganap pitong linggo matapos ang Kapistahan ng Paghahanda ng Trigo. Sa pagdaan ng mga taon kasama na ring tinutukoy sa Pentekostes ang kapistahan ng pagbibigay ng Sampung Utos sa bundok ng Sinai at ang pakikipagtipan ng Diyos kay Abraham at Noe. Anu’t ano man, lagi nang kalakip ng pentekostes ang pasasalamat pagdiriwang at pagbubukas-loob pagtitipan.

Sa ating panahon, ginugunita natin sa araw ng Pentekostes hindi lamang ang kababalaghan kundi ang kahalahagan din ng pananalanging nagbukas sa mga Apostol sa pagdating ng Espiritu na siya namang nagbigay ng mga katangi-tanging kaloob mula sa iisang Diyos (1 Cor 12:6). Ito rin ang paniwala ng ating Santo Papa Benito XVI sa kanyang mensahe noong Miyerkules NG abo (6 Peberero 2008): “Bukod sa pagiging sandata laban sa mga pagsubok na nagsasara sa ating puso at damdamin, ang panalangin ang siyang susi na nagbubukas sa atin sa ating mga sarili at sa kapwa-bukas sa ating pagkakawanggawa, bukas sa ating pagpapatawad, bukas sa paggawa at bukas sa pagmamahal...Ang tunay na panalangin ay di kailanman pansarili bagkus ito ay tumutugon sa iba. Kapag walang panalangin, mawawala rin ang pag-asa.”

Sa araw ng Pentekostes, nagsisimulang tunay ang pagiging bukas ng mga apostol sa kapwa. Nauunawaan sila ng bawat isa-maging ng taga-Mesopotamia, Judea, Capadocia, at iba pa. Napawi ang kanilang takot, napuspos sila ng pananampalataya at malalim na
pagkakaisa na taliwas sa karanasan ng mga taong gumawa ng tore ng Babel (bas. Gn 11). Ang araw ng Pentekostes ay pagtitipon ng sambayanan sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at pinagbubukas-palad ng Diyos. Ito ay kapistahan ng sambayanang nananalangin sa Ama sa tulong at gabay ng Espiritu. Habang nanalangin, hinahamon din tayong magpatawad, umunawa, at maging huwaran at saksi ng kapayapaan at pag-ibig na dulot ng Panginoon.

~ P. Norman Melchor Peña, SSP ~

Are Catholics ‘Born Again’? Series (LXXXVIII)

2008-05-10T22:03:00.002+09:00

The First Letter of Peter addresses Christians as those who “have been born anew” (1:23). This language echoes the words of Jesus, who tells Nicodemus: “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above” (or “born again”; the Greek in this passage — Jn 3:3 — allows for either translation).

Nicodemus is puzzled. “How,” he asks, “can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” (Jn 3:4).

Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus is critical for understanding what it means to be “born again”: “I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (Jn 3:5; emphasis added). The event described here is not, as some Christians insist, an initial profession of faith in Christ, Rather, it refers to the sacrament of Baptism, when the person is washed with water and receives the Spirit. Later, preaching on Pentecost, St. Peter confirms that those who are baptized receive the Spirit (see Acts 2:38).

The new birth, which is the beginning of the new life in Christ, must come about after the death of the “old self” (Rom 6:6) — that is, the unredeemed nature burdened by original sin (see “What Is Original Sin?” and “Why Does the Church Baptize Infants?”). The person who thus “dies,” says St. Paul, is “absolved from sin” (Rom 6:7).

How does this death, leading to new life, come about? Through the absolution (remission) of sins in Baptism. “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life” (Rom 6:3-4).

To be “born again” or “born anew,” then, is to be baptized. In this sacrament, through “water and Spirit,” the soul is washed clean, the “old self” is buried, and the new life in Christ begins. Since every Catholic has been baptized, every Catholic has indeed been “born again” — and is called to grow in grace with the help of the Holy Spirit.

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: Lk 3:21-22; Jn 3:3-5; Rom 6:3-4, 6-7; Acts 2:38; 1 Pt 1:23. General: Mt 3:13-17; Mk 1:9-11; Lk 3:21-22; Jn 1:29-34; 1 Cor 12:13; Col 2:12-13.
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 1213-1284; 1425-1429; 2813.

POETRY FOR MOTHERS

2008-05-10T21:54:00.003+09:00

My Mother

My Mother, my friend so dear

throughout my life you're always near.

A tender smile to guide my way

You're the sunshine to light my day.

(Author Unknown)

A Precious Mother

Mom You've given me so much,

Love from your heart

and the warmth of your touch.

The gift of life and you're a friend to me.

We have a very Special Bond

which only comes from God...

I'm sure you agree.

As a child I would say Mommy I Love You,

Now you're my Mother so dear I love you even more

with each and every new year.

If I could had chosen,

I would have picked no other.

Than for you...to be my lifelong friend

and Precious Mother.

(Author Unknown)

I Wish I Could Tell You, Mom

I wish I could tell you, Mom

how much you mean to me....

But there are no words to say

how much I admire you...

how much I appreciate you...

how much I thank you

for everything you've done.

(Author Unknown)

RIO-DIAZ COJUANGCO (A living Testimony)

2008-05-10T21:51:00.001+09:00

After spending Christmas with my family here in Manila, I left for San Francisco in January of 2003 for my check-up. I knew there was something terribly wrong with my body. I had sleepless nights; I was steadily losing weight; I couldn't eat anything. By the time I had completed all my tests, I was only 96 pounds. My doctor said, the cancer has spread. You need to be confined in the hospital. Your food passage is completely blocked by the cancer. I don't know how much time you have. Not much. Maybe a month. But I promise you will not feel the pain. I hugged Dr. Fisher and thanked him. I told him, don't be sad. I know God is in full control of my life. I went home that night to make some arrangements and my daughter was fast asleep. I knelt down by her bedside and I cried, Mama loves you so much that it hurts. Lord, you know how much I love my Ali, my Claudia and my Jaime. You gave them to Charlie and me and I thank you. I know in my heart that Charlie will love them and watch over them. Lord, take care of my husband because I love him very much. But much more than this, it comforts me to know that I could never love them as much as you love them. I thank you, Father God. Charlie remained by my bedside day and night, caressing me, talking to me. It pains me to think how much our husbands or wives suffer the fear of losing us. How blessed I am to know how much my family and friends love me.

The Lord allowed me to experience deep, deep, sleep. I have never ever felt that kind of peace, peace that surpasses all understanding. Dr. Fisher explained to Charlie that my nourishment would come from a bag of liquid attached to me, which has to be administered on a daily basis for life. I would never be able to eat or drink again. Surgery was ruled out, so was radiation. As a last recourse, it was suggested that I do the mildest chemo but if I so much as cough, he would remove it and just keep me comfortable. I was in awe when I was told how many people were praying for me. By God's sovereign mercy, I never coughed.. One month later, my cancer level went down by half. I am now only a few points away from being on remission. And as if this weren't enough, God's incredible bonus is that I am back to my full diet. I can eat and drink anything now! Once again, the doctors were amazed. Yes, isn't our God amazing? God spared my life when Stanford doctors had given up on me. In my heart, I knew why. God allowed this miracle in my life to show us how gracious He is and what a powerful weapon prayer can be. And that God can perform miracles in our lives, if you let Him. I will never fully understand God's ways but I do know that God has a purpose for each of us.

When God calls you to live for Him, He will invite you to be a part of something much bigger than yourself, something that requires the very best of you, something that may outlive you. When God calls us to a powerful vision, it may transcend safety and it may transcend common sense because it is all about Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, we will not make it! Do we know, do you know, what God wants you to do with your life? If you are uncertain of God's will for your life, surrender all your plans to Jesus because God's plans for us are perfect. The cancer in my body, I did not choose. But in God's sovereignty, He allowed this affliction in my life. But I ask you, what is the cancer in your life? Is it the cancer of unforgiveness, jealousy, lust, anger or bitterness that you are holding on to? What are the wrong choices you continue to make because they give you temporary pleasure but can permanently destroy you -your husband or your wife or your children or your circle of influence? If you are going through a time of terrifying darkness and despair, or are plagued by doubts that are slowly eroding your hope that things can get better, I urge you to surrender it all to God; give Him full control of your life. It is the only way to live. Lord, forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, come into my heart; be my Lord and my Savior. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

~ End ~

IWAS PUSOY !

2008-05-10T21:46:00.002+09:00

THE GUIDEBOOK (Gabay sa OFW’S)

Adopting Filipino children

Q. What are the requirements for the prospective adopting parent/s under the Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995?
R. We limit our discussion on the rules of adoption under this law as this Manual is intended for the information of overseas Filipinos and to citizens of foreign countries.

To be eligible, the Filipino citizen permanently residing abroad or the alien must possess the following:
1. The adopting parent must, at the time of application, be at least 27 years of age and at least 16 years older than the child to be adopted;
2. If married, the spouse must jointly file for the adoption;
3. Must be capable of acting and assuming all rights and responsibilities of parental authority under their national law and has undergone the appropriate counseling from an accredited counselor in their country;
4. Has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;
5. Is eligible to adopt under their national law;
6. Must be able to provide for the proper care and support and to inculcate the necessary moral values and example to his/her children, including the child to be adopted;
7. Must agree to uphold the basic rights of the child as embodied under Philippine laws, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to abide by the rules and regulations issued to implement the provisions of RA 8043;
8. Must come from a country with whom the Philippines has diplomatic relations and whose government maintains a similarly authorized and accredited agency and adoption is allowed under their national laws; and
9. Must possess all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications provided by applicable Philippine laws.

Q. Who may be adopted under this law?
R. To be qualified for adoption, the prospective Filipino child must be below 15 years of age and is committed (voluntarily or involuntarily) with the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD).

The prospective Filipino child can only be adopted under this law if the said child cannot be adopted by qualified Filipino citizens (this means that priority in adoption is given to qualified Filipino citizens, particularly immediate relatives of the child). Further, the following documents concerning the child must be submitted to the Inter-Country Adoption Board:

...To be continued

Schizophrenia (9)

2008-05-10T21:42:00.002+09:00

(Continuation)

[99] For other patients who are unwilling or unable to take medication regularly, long-acting depot preparations of antipsychotics may be given every two weeks to achieve control. The United States of America and Australia are two countries with laws allowing the forced administration of this type of medication on those who refuse but are otherwise stable and living in the community. Some findings have found that in the longer-term some individuals may do better not taking antipsychotics.[100] Despite the promising results of early pilot trials,[101] omega-3 fatty acids failed to improve schizophrenic symptoms, according to the most recent meta-analysis.[102]

Psychological and social interventions Psychotherapy is also widely recommended and used in the treatment of schizophrenia, although services may often be confined to pharmacotherapy because of reimbursement problems or lack of training.[103]

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to reduce symptoms and improve related issues such as self-esteem, social functioning, and insight. Although the results of early trials were inconclusive,[104] more recent reviews suggest that CBT can be an effective treatment for the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.[105] Another approach is cognitive remediation therapy, a technique aimed at remediating the neurocognitive deficits sometimes present in schizophrenia. Based on techniques of neuropsychological rehabilitation, early evidence has shown it to be cognitively effective, with some improvements related to measurable changes in brain activation as measured by fMRI.[106] A similar approach known as cognitive enhancement therapy, which focuses on social cognition as well as neurocognition, has shown efficacy.[107]

Family Therapy or Education, which addresses the whole family system of an individual with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, has been consistently found to be beneficial, at least if the duration of intervention is longer-term.[108][109][110] Aside from therapy, the impact of schizophrenia on families and the burden on carers has been recognized, with the increasing availability of self-help books on the subject.[111][112] There is also some evidence for benefits from social skills training, although there have also been significant negative findings.[113][114] Some studies have explored the possible benefits of music therapy and other creative therapies.[115][116][117]

The Soteria model is alternative to inpatient hospital treatment using a minimal medication approach. It is described as a milieu-therapeutic recovery method, characterized by its founder as "the 24 hour a day application of interpersonal phenomenologic interventions by a nonprofessional staff, usually without neuroleptic drug treatment, in the context of a small, homelike, quiet, supportive, protective, and tolerant social environment."[118] Although research evidence is limited, a 2008 systematic review found the programme equally as efffective as treatment with medication in people diagnosed with first and second episode schizophrenia.[119]

Other: Electroconvulsive therapy is not considered a first line treatment but may be prescribed in cases where other treatments have failed.

...To be continued

Mga Bugtong, Salawikain, at iba pa (3)

2008-05-10T21:40:00.000+09:00

Ang Pag-Akyat at Pagluklok kay Kristo

2008-05-03T20:33:00.002+09:00

Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pag-akyat ni Hesus sa Langit:

Bilang mga Katoliko ipinahahayag natin: ‘Sumasampalataya ako kay Hesu-Kristo, iisang Anak ng Diyos...umakyat sa langit, naluluklok sa kanan ng Diyos Amang makapangyarihan sa lahat.’ Ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng “pag-akyat” at “pagluklok”?

Pag-akyat: Ang pag-akyat sa langit ay ang pag-akyat ni Kristo sa kanyang kaluwalhatian. Ang kaluwalhatiang ito ay walang iba kundi ang pananahan sa piling ng Diyos Ama. Hindi matutumbasan ng anumang kagalakan o karangalan sa buong sanlibutan at sa panahon ito ang kaluwalhatiang ito. Umaasa tayo na sa wakas ng panahon makakamit din natin ang kaluwalhatiang ito na inilalaan ng Diyos sa ating sa ating pagdating; handa rin ba tayong humarap sa Kanya? Mauunawaan ang pag-akyat ni Kristo sa langit kung pagninilayan din natin ang kanyag naunang pagbaba sa lupa– ang kanyang pagkakatawang-tao. Tulad ito ng isang hagdan na hindi maaaring akyatin kundi muna papanaog. Nasusulat: “Bakit sinabing umakyat siya? Dahil bumaba muna siya sa dakong nasa ilalim ng lupa. Siya mismong bumaba ang siya ring umakyat sa ibabaw ng kalangitan upang punuin ang lahat” (Efe 4:9-10). Ayon kay San Bernardo, may tatlong baitang ng pagpanaog si Kristo: pagkakatawang-tao, pagpapako sa krus, at pagkamatay. May tatlong baitang din ng pagpanhik: muling pagkabuhay, pag-akyat sa langit, at pagluluklok sa kanan ng Ama. Lubos na nagpakababa si Kristo sa lupa kaya’t lubos din siyang itinaas sa kalangitan. Sadyang nakakagulat ang pagpapakumbaba ng Diyos kung ihahambing sa pagmamataas ng tao.

Subalit ang pag-akyat sa langit ni Hesus ay hindi tulad ng pangingibang bayan ng isang OFW o ng isang dayuhan o panauhin lang sa langit si Hesus. Ang langit ang tahanang kanyang pinagmulan. Samakatuwid, ang pag-akyat sa langit ay ang pagbalik o pag-uwi sa Ama na kanyang tunay na tahanan mula pa sa walang hanggan. Anong sarap umuwi sa tahanan ding iyon kung saan ang mga mahal natin sa buhay at ang Diyos mismo ang naghihintay.

Pagluklok: Ang Diyos Ama ang “muling bumuhay kay Kristo at nagluklok sa kanyang kanan sa langit” (Efe 1:20). Ang pagluluklok kay Kristo ay hindi tungkol sa pag-upo sa anumang silya kundi ang kanyang matagumpay na paghahari sa sanlibutan: Naghahari ang Diyos sa mga bansa, nakaluklok ang Diyos sa trono ng kanyang kabanalan” (Slm 47:9). Si Kristo ang “nakaupo” sa trono: makapangyarihan sa buong kalangitan at sangkalupaan.

Ngunit kahit na si Hesus ay nasa piling ng Ama, siya ay totoong nananatiling kapiling din natin sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. Siya ang Emmanuel: Diyos na sumasaatin hanggang sa wakas ng panahon. Patuloy siyang namamagitan sa ating mga panalangin doon sa kanan ng Ama. Siya nga ang pinakadakilang Tagapamagitan natin sa Diyos at wala ng iba pa at walang makahihigit sa kanya sapagkat siya lang ang nag-iisang DIYOS-TAO.

Ang pag-akyat at pagluklok kay Hesus ay hamon upang tayo’y manalig, umasa at kumilos. Hindi sapat ang tumingala sa langit at maghintay. May utos ang Panginoon na dapat nating sundin: “Humayo kayo at gawing mga alagad ang lahat ng bansa…”(Mt 28:19). Tungkulin ito ng bawat Kristiyano hanggang sumapit ang araw ng ating sariling “pag-akyat” at “pagluklok” sa piling ng Diyos Ama, Anak at Espiritu Santo. Amen.

~ Khris Emmanuel L. Llacer, SSP ~

Is Apostolic Succession in the Bible? (Series LXXXVII)

2008-05-03T20:27:00.002+09:00

St. Paul writes to St. Timothy: “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands” (2 Tm 1:6). Through this ancient rite, St. Paul ordained St. Timothy as a priest, and eventually consecrated him as a “bishop” (the Greek root word literally means “overseer”) — that is, one who would oversee God’s flock and share in the ministry divinely given to Paul and the other apostles (see “Why Does the Church Have Bishops?”).

The Church is built, St. Paul tells us, on “the foundation of the apostles” (Eph 2:20), whom Christ himself chose (see Jn 6:70-71; Acts 1:2, 13; for St. Peter’s special function in that foundation, see Mt 16:18). Who were these first apostles? In Mark 6:30, the twelve original disciples of Jesus are called by that name. (Note: The Latin word discipulus means literally “student” or “follower”; Jesus had many more disciples than just the Twelve appointed as apostles — including, for example, Mary Magdalene.) Matthew 10:2 and Revelation 21:14 also speak of the “twelve apostles.” (For a list of the Twelve, see Mt 10:2-4).

After Judas defected, the remaining eleven apostles appointed the disciple Matthias as his successor (see Acts 1:20-26). The term translated in this passage as “office” (1:20), and applied to Judas, is in Greek episkopen — literally, “episcopacy” or “bishopric.” If Judas, as an apostle, occupied the office of bishop, then by logical extension all the apostles can be considered to have occupied that office.

Given that the apostles were bishops, and one of them was replaced by another bishop after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, then we have here an explicit example of apostolic succession in the Bible. Clearly, apostolic succession is not a later invention of the Church, but a reality that existed and was recognized by the apostles within days after Christ returned to heaven.

The Catholic Church traces itself back historically, in an unbroken succession, to the apostles. Apostolic succession was in fact a strong theme in the writings of the early Church fathers, who themselves had received the faith directly from the apostles or their immediate successors. They insisted that such a succession was a sign of authenticity, necessary to identify which groups claiming to be Christian could legitimately be recognized as part of the Church Jesus had established.

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: Mt 10:2-4; 16:18; Mk 6:30; Jn 6:70-71; Acts 1:2, 13, 20-26; Eph 2:20; 2 Tm 1:6; Rv 21:14. General: Jer 1 Tm 4:14; Heb 6:2. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 3; 77; 642; 815; 830; 833; 857-863; 935; 981; 1087; 1120; 1576.

TWILIGHT

2008-05-03T20:24:00.001+09:00

By: Ed J. Titular
052508, Chasan-ri, SK

It’s a time where lizards go down
To kiss the ground and give thanks
A time for a chick to hide
On the wings of their mother for comfort
A time for petals to close
To bloom again for the next day
And a time for us to praise God
For the blessings we got at the end of day.

Twilight reminds me of my younger days
A time where I’m still walking
On my way back home
Passing on a stony road
Without even slipper to wear
And thinking my work is still waiting
In a place where cricket noise
Is the only music I hear?

Twilight a time where I still cut banana leaves
And bring it to market in exchange of fish
'Though I’m shy, but I need to do it
Or else my meal with be toppings of water and salt
Those were my twilight days, always full of tears
But, still I said that life is great
And GOD never sleeps until the next twilight comes.

Twilight always reminds me of my life
Almost at twilight time where I received all my rewards
At this time where I always said that GOD is amazing
Time where I must past all life's difficulties and hardships
A moment that push me to win all life's battle
A time where I think how could I share my blessings to others?
Twilight the moment of my life for another dimension
As twilight ends, I was carried by irresistible strength
....to face another dawn and sunshine that life could bring.

RIO-DIAZ COJUANGCO (A LIVING TESTIMONY)

2008-05-03T20:14:00.000+09:00

Six months ago, my family was preparing for my funeral, but I stand here before you today by God's grace because He still has a purpose for my life. Let me share with you my story.. In April, l99l, I began to host Eat Bulaga!, a noontime show that brought me fame beyond my wildest dreams. I earned good money while I made people laugh. What a blessing! October of l993, I met Charlie. Single and good-looking, this guy has a terrific sense of humor, a man with a big heart. "Kung sa beauty contestant, beauty and brains." At a certain point in our relationship, we both knew God brought us to be together...for life. In August, l994, we were married. After four wonderful years of marriage, God blessed us with two children, Claudia and Jaime. Thirteen years earlier, I was blessed with a son, Ali, from a previous relationship. May of l998, Charlie became Congressman and I became Vice Mayor of Pontevedra ( Negros Occidental). November of the same year, during a routine check-up, they discovered some abnormalities in my stomach area which, the doctors said, could be solved by a minor procedure. A few days later, my supposedly one-hour surgery turned out to be a six-hour-and- a-half surgery. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Cancer?

No one had cancer in the family. My life flashed before me. My world suddenly caved in. The doctors were quite frank. They told us that I had only a couple of months to live. Stage 4 cancer is like a death sentence. As my doctor was speaking, I didn't understand a word he said because all I could think of was Charlie, my children, my family, my in-laws, would whisper, Lord, help me...help them, Lord! They're all suffering. I don't know how to comfort them. The day before my first chemotherapy, I said, Lord, just tell me you're in control. Tell me that no one made a mistake and I'll be fine no matter what, Lord. Somebody gave me a devotional book entitled Streams in the Desert which I read at 3 o'clock in the morning. It said, this is my doing. Your weakness needs my strength and your safety lies in letting me fight for you. You did not come to this place by accident. You are exactly where I meant you to be. You were so busy that I could not get your attention and I wanted to teach you some of my greatest truths. The pain will leave you as soon as you learn to see me; in all things. These words became the pillow on which I rested my weary head. I surrendered to God all my fears, all my burdens and my family as I began my journey of trials. I focused on His promises as Jesus said, Surely I am with you always.

By God's gracious mercy and beyond all medical explanation, after six months of chemotherapy went on remission. Eight months later, the cancer was back. More surgery, more chemo. And then again, God allowed healing for me. The best lesson I am learning from this is how God allows us to enjoy life with His moment by moment of grace. My third bout with cancer entailed three different chemotherapies infused at the same time. The Lord allowed me to learn to NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER GIVE UP...PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD. Three times, I was at the threshold of death. Medicines and state-of-the- art treatments were not working anymore. Not all the money in the world nor the best doctors on earth can make us live if God doesn't want us to. During those times, God comforted my heart with these verses: Why are you downcast o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him my Savior and my Lord. But let me tell you about my latest brush with death. ...To be continued

IWAS PUSOY !

2008-05-03T19:57:00.002+09:00

THE GUIDEBOOK (Gabay sa OFW’S)

Philippine Citizenship
2. Natural born citizens of the Philippines who after the effectivity of this Act, become citizens of a foreign country shall retain their Philippine citizenship upon taking the aforesaid oath; and
3. The unmarried child, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, below eighteen (18) years of age, of those who re-acquired Philippine citizenship upon effectivity of this law shall be deemed citizens of the Philippines.

Consequently, those who re-acquire or retain Philippine citizenship under this law shall enjoy all civil and political rights and shall be subject to all liabilities and responsibilities of existing laws of the country.

Q. If a former Filipino who acquires the citizenship of another country reacquires Philippine citizenship under the Philippine dual nationality Act, how does this affect his/her foreign citizenship?
R. It depends on the law of the other country., which may or may not recognize dual nationality. Other countries that do not recognize dual nationality may impose strict citizenship laws for its citizens, such that there is a danger that those who acquire the citizenship of another country, such as a Filipino reacquiring Philippine citizenship, may lose his or her foreign citizenship. It is therefore important to seek legal assistance and information and information before making a decision to reacquire Philippine citizenship under the dual nationality Act.

Adopting Filipino children

Q. Who may adopt Filipino children?
R. There are two basic Philippine laws that govern the adoption of Filipino children.
1. The first law is Republic Act 8552 or more popularly known as the “Domestic Adoption Act of 1998”. It defines the rules for the adoption of Filipino children by a resident Filipino or by a non-Filipino national who has been continuously living in the Philippines for at least three (3) years prior to the filing of the application for adoption.
2. The other law is Republic Act 8043 or the “Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995” which lay-down the rules for adoption of Filipino children by a Filipino citizen permanently residing abroad or an by an alien.

...To be continued

Schizophrenia (8)

2008-05-03T19:52:00.001+09:00

(Continuation)

The effectiveness of schizophrenia treatment is often assessed using standardized methods, one of the most common being the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Management of symptoms and improving function is thought to be more achievable than a cure. Treatment was revolutionized in the mid 1950s with the development and introduction of chlorpromazine.[87] A recovery model is increasingly adopted, emphasizing hope, empowerment and social inclusion.[88]

Hospitalization may occur with severe episodes of schizophrenia. This can be voluntary or (if mental health legislation allows it) involuntary (called civil or involuntary commitment). Long-term inpatient stays are now less common due to deinstitutionalization, although can still occur.[5] Following (or in lieu of) a hospital admission, support services available can include drop-in centers, visits from members of a community mental health team or Assertive Community Treatment team, supported employment[89] and patient-led support groups.
In many non-Western societies, schizophrenia may only be treated with more informal, community-led methods. The outcome for people diagnosed with schizophrenia in non-Western countries may actually be better than for people in the West.[90] The reasons for this effect are not clear, although cross-cultural studies are being conducted.

Medication: The mainstay of psychiatric treatment for schizophrenia is an antipsychotic medication.[91] These can reduce the "positive" symptoms of psychosis. Most antipsychotics take around 7–14 days to have their main effect. Risperidone (trade name Risperdal) is a common atypical antipsychotic medication. Though expensive, the newer atypical antipsychotic drugs are usually preferred for initial treatment over the older typical antipsychotics; they are often better tolerated and associated with lower rates of tardive dyskinesia, although they are more likely to induce weight gain and obesity-related diseases.[92] Prolactin elevations have been reported in women with schizophrenia taking atypical antipsychotics.[93]It remains unclear whether the newer antipsychotics reduce the chances of developing neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare but serious and potentially fatal neurological disorder most often caused by an adverse reaction to neuroleptic or antipsychotic drugs.[94]

The two classes of antipsychotics are generally thought equally effective for the treatment of the positive symptoms. Some researchers have suggested that the atypicals offer additional benefit for the negative symptoms and cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia, although the clinical significance of these effects has yet to be established. Recent reviews have refuted the claim that atypical antipsychotics have fewer extrapyramidal side effects than typical antipsychotics, especially when the latter are used in low doses or when low potency antipsychotics are chosen.[95]

Response of symptoms to medication is variable; "Treatment-resistant schizophrenia" is a term used for the failure of symptoms to respond satisfactorily to at least two different antipsychotics.[96] Patients in this category may be prescribed clozapine,[97] a medication of superior effectiveness but several potentially lethal side effects including agranulocytosis and myocarditis.[98] Clozapine may have the additional benefit of reducing propensity for substance abuse in schizophrenic patients. [99] For other patients who are ... ...To be continued

Salawikain (2)

2008-05-03T19:49:00.002+09:00

2008-04-27T11:15:00.000+09:00

Ang Ikalawang Tagapagtanggol

2008-04-27T10:53:00.002+09:00

Ika-6 Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay:

Sa mga salita ni Hesus sa Ebanghelyo (Jn 14:15-21). Ipinahahayag niya na pagkatapos niyang mabuhay namagmuli, ipadadala niya ang Espiritu Santo sa mga Alagad. Sa ganitong paraan naipakilala na ni Hesus ditto ang hiwaga ng tatlong Persons sa Banal na Santatlo.

Kung wagas ang pag-ibig natin kay Hesus, tutuparin natin ang kanyang utos. Wika ni san Juan Crisostomo: “Ito ang wagas na pag-ibig na pag-ibig: ang tumalima at manampalataya sa iniibig” (Komentaryo tungkol kay Juan,74). Una tayong inibig ng Diyos, kaya dapat natin siyang mahalin at ang ating kapwa (1 Jn 4:19, 21).

Ang ipadadala ni Jesus ay ang Espiritu Santo, ang “Paraklito” na nangangahulugang “tinawag sa tabi ng isang tao” upang magbigay-payo at dangal at magtanggol. Siya ang isa pang Paraklito, sapagka’t si Kristo mismo ang ating Tagapamagitan (Heb 9:15).

Maaari nating ituring ang Anak at ang Espiritu Santo bilang dalawang Tagapagtanggol natin ditto sa lupang ibabaw. Marapat lamang na kilalanin natin ang Espiritu Santo, sapagka’t siya ang karamay natin habang tayo’y nasa “bayang kahapis-hapis” (Aba Po, Santa Maria).

Ang Espiritu Santo ang bukal na kabanalan ng lahat ng mga tao. Higit sa lahat, siya ang bukal ng kabanalan ng taong ipinaglihi at isinilang ni Maria, at lalong siya rin ang bukal ng kabanalan ni maria. Mula sa simula ng paglilihi sa kanya, ang Taong ito, na anak ng Diyos, ay nakatanggap mula sa Espiritu Santo ng ibayong kaganapan ng kabanalan, na katumbas ng karangalan ng kanyang Persona bilang Diyos (halaw kay Santo Tomas, S. Th., III, Q. 7, AA. 1,9-11)” (Juan Pablo II, Katekesis tungkol sa Sumasampalataya, Mayo 23, 1990).

Ayon kay San Basilio Magno: Santo, naibabalik sa atin ang paraiso. Sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo, naibabalik sa atin ang paraiso. Sa pamamagitan niya maaari tayong umahon sa kaharian ng langit. Sa pamamagitan niya nakakamit natin ang pagiging ampong anak ng Diyos. Sa pamamagitan niya naibibigay sa atin ang tiwala na tawagin ang Diyos na ‘Ama’ gayungdin ang pakikibahagi sa biyaya ni Kristo, ang karapatan na tawaging mg anak ng liwanag, ang maging kaisa ng walang hanggang kaluwalhatian, at sa madaling salita, ang kaganapan ng tanang pagpapala, sa buhay na ito at sa kabila. Sa pamamagitan niya, maaari nating pagmasdan na parang salamin, na wari bang naririto na ang mga mabubuting bagay na ipinangako at inihanda para sa atin at ating inaasahan, sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya, na makakamit” (Tungkol sa Espiritu Santo, 15).

Tunghayan naman natin ang pangaral ng patron ng mga kura paroko, si San Juan Maria Vianney: “Walang nang ibang bukal ng kanilang kaligayahan ang mga banal kundi ang kanilang katapatan sa pagsunod sa mga galaw na ipinadadala ng Espiritu Santo sa kanila” (Sermon tungkol sa pananatiling tapat hanggang wakas). Sabi naman ni Beato Juan XXIII: “Ang bawa’t isa sa mga Banal ay obra maestro ng Espiritu Santo” (Allocution, Hunyo 5,1960).

Magsilbi nawang mitsa ang mga banal na karunungang ito upang maglagablab sa pag-ibig ang ating pananalangin, at magpaigting sa hangarin nating sumunod sa pagkilos ng Espiritu Santo na laging nagtuturo sa atin kung paano iibigin ang Ama at ang Anak na pinakamainam at nararapat na paraan.

~ P. Emmanuel C. Marfori ~

Why Does the Church Have Bishops? (Series LXXXVI(

2008-04-27T10:46:00.003+09:00

St. Timothy is Ephesus and St. Titus in Crete each received instructions from the apostle Paul about the qualifications for a bishop (see 1 Tm 3:1-7; Ti 1:7-9). This “noble” officer was to “teach” and to “manage” the affairs of the Church in each locate. (The Greek word for bishop, episkopos, literally means “overseer.”) How did the office of bishop come about?

Our Lord appointed the apostles to teach and govern the Church (see Mt 28:16-20). Since the place of Judas had been vacated by the traitor’s suicide, a successor was appointed by the other apostle to fill his “office” (see Acts 1:20) — literally, his “episcopacy” or bishopric” (Greek, episkopen). The first apostles, then, were bishops, as were their appointed successors (*see “Is Apostolic Succession in the Bible?” next series).

In referring to ordained Church leaders, biblical writers do not always distinguish clearly between bishops/overseers and presbyters/elders/priests. St. Luke, for example, refers to the leaders of the Church at Ephesus first as “presbyters” and then as “overseers” (see Acts 20:17, 28). But those distinctions were clarified within a generation after the apostles, as evidenced by the writings of their immediate successors, such as St. Ignatius, bishop of Antioch.

Since the beginning, then, the Catholic Church has been governed by bishops, maintaining an episcopal form of government. Protestant denominations have experimented with a variety of alternative structures, such as congregational (governed by vote of the entire congregation) and Presbyterian (governed by a system of courts composed of elders). But having received her Episcopal structure form Christ, through his apostles, the Catholic Church has preserved it for two thousand years as a divine mandate — though with some historical variations in the method of appointment and the exercise of the office.

The bishops serve as shepherds of God’s flock (see 1 Pt 5:1-4). In governing the Church, they are to imitate the pastoral care of Jesus himself for his people. He is the chief “shepherd and guardian [episkopos] of ...souls” (1 Pt 2:25).

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: Mt 28:16:20; Acts 1:20; 20:17018; 1 Tm 3:1-7; Ti 1:7-9; 1 Pt 2:25; 5:1-4. General: Jer 23:4; Mt 9:36; Mk 6:34; Phil 1:1; Heb 13:20. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 3; 77; 815-816; 830; 833; 873; 857-864; 869; 873-896; 919; 935-839; 981; 1087; 1120-1121; 1142; 1369; 1483; 1549; 1560-1561; 1575-1577; 1593-1596; 1600; 1673.

REPLICA

2008-04-27T10:37:00.002+09:00

By: Ed J. Titular
041708, Chasan-ri

Starvation, scarcity and street marching,
Sighs and agonies and hopelessness are what they are
On the other side, brainstorming and psy-war,
Having those expensive stones and said, "they are for the poor",
Pause. This is the replica of our society.

Having that "looks" for a Sunday mass,
And talking with someone else is your fashion and fads
Some are kneeling to ask for healing
Some are standing for they are looking
And some just come for their problem and merry making.

Saturday nights you are very alive,
Stirring yourself with your favorite game inside
And back home your family is in the state of congestion
And can't buy foods with proper nutrition
And all is gone by your pride and mind's condition.

Everyone project his own replica
Some are angelic but venomous
Some are deceitful and unpredictable
Some are just simple but lovable
And you, what is your own replica?

(That's your Titular, the poet on his own unique way! Photo with Grace during the KLEI Seminar)

Return From the Gates of Hell (The End))

2008-04-27T10:34:00.001+09:00

...Concluding part

Colombia, South America Interview of Dr. Gloria Polo by Radio Maria

And the Lord told me: That is love for your fellowman. And then He told me: You will go back, but you won’t repeat this 1000 times. You will repeat it 1000 times 1000. And woe of those who don’t change their ways despite having heard you, because they will be judged much more severely, just like you will when you come back here again, even their anointed or their priests, or any of them, because the worst deafness is that of a man who refuses to hear. And this, my brothers and sisters, is not a threat. The Lord doesn’t need to threaten us. This is the second chance you have and that, thanks be to God, I lived through what I did. When each one of you gets his Book of Life opened in front of you, when each one of you dies, you will see that moment just as I saw it. And we will see each other just as we are? the only difference being we will see our thoughts in the presence of God, and the most beautiful part, with the Lord in front of each one of us, once again, begging us to convert and to become a new creation with Him, since we cannot do it without Him. May the Lord bless each one of you abundantly. All glory be to our God! All glory be to our Lord Jesus Christ!

2008-04-27T10:30:00.002+09:00

Philippine Citizenship
Q. Is the rule the same in the case of a non Filipino (male) marrying a Filipina?
R. No, Philippine citizenship may not be acquired by the non Filipino husband through the same process, but through regular naturalization proceedings filed in Philippine courts. However, he is eligible to apply for permanent residence in the Philippines upon the petition of the Filipina wife.

Q. Are there any potential problem areas for Filipinos in the possession of dual nationality?
R. It would appear that because of Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003, the former inconveniences experienced because of immigration regulations, ownership of real estate, taxation and other privileges of Philippine are now things of the past. However, the implications of dual nationality on various aspects such as on property ownership, hereditary succession, taxation, and other matters that also affect citizenship laws of two countries, needs a fuller and more detailed discussion.

Q. Is dual nationality allowed under Philippine law?
R. Again, because of the above law (RA No. 9225) dual nationality is recognized and allowed under Philippine law. What the Philippine Constitution disallows is dual allegiance.

Q. Has there been any law passed in the Philippine Congress to deal with dual citizens?
R. Yes. The Philippine Congress passed Republic Act No. 9225, more popularly known as the “Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003”. Thus, it is now a State policy that all Philippine citizens who acquire or have acquired the citizenship of another country shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the conditions spelled out in the law.

Q. In concrete terms, what does this mean?
R. It means that:
1. Natural born citizens of the Philippines who have already lost their Philippine citizenship ( by the time this law became effective) by reason of their naturalization as citizens of a foreign country are deemed to have re-acquired their Philippine citizenship after following the procedures laid down in the law and after taking the oath of allegiance to the Republic;
...To be continued

Schizophrenia (7)

2008-04-27T10:28:00.001+09:00

... continuation
Neural: Functional magnetic resonance imaging and other brain imaging technologies allow for the study of differences in brain activity among people diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Studies using neuropsychological tests and brain imaging technologies such as fMRI and PET to examine functional differences in brain activity have shown that differences seem to most commonly occur in the frontal lobes, hippocampus, and temporal lobes.[75] These differences have been linked to the neurocognitive deficits often associated with schizophrenia.[76] The role of antipsychotic medication, which nearly all those studied had taken, in causing such abnormalities is also unclear.[77]

Particular focus has been placed upon the function of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway of the brain. This focus largely resulted from the accidental finding that a drug group which blocks dopamine function, known as the phenothiazines, could reduce psychotic symptoms. An influential theory, known as the Dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia, proposed that a malfunction involving dopamine pathways was the cause of (the positive symptoms of) schizophrenia. This theory is now thought to be overly simplistic as a complete explanation, partly because newer antipsychotic medication (called atypical antipsychotic medication) can be equally effective as older medication (called typical antipsychotic medication), but also affects serotonin function and may have slightly less of a dopamine blocking effect.[78]

Interest has also focused on the neurotransmitter glutamate and the reduced function of the NMDA glutamate receptor in schizophrenia. This has largely been suggested by abnormally low levels of glutamate receptors found in postmortem brains of people previously diagnosed with schizophrenia[79] and the discovery that the glutamate blocking drugs such as phencyclidine and ketamine can mimic the symptoms and cognitive problems associated with the condition.[80] The fact that reduced glutamate function is linked to poor performance on tests requiring frontal lobe and hippocampal function and that glutamate can affect dopamine function, all of which have been implicated in schizophrenia, have suggested an important mediating (and possibly causal) role of glutamate pathways in schizophrenia.[81] Further support of this theory has come from preliminary trials suggesting the efficacy of co-agonists at the NMDA receptor complex in reducing some of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.[82]

There have also been findings of differences in the size and structure of certain brain areas in schizophrenia, starting with the discovery of ventricular enlargement in those for whom negative symptoms were most prominent.[83] However, this has not proven particularly reliable on the level of the individual person, with considerable variation between patients. More recent studies have shown various differences in brain structure between people with and without diagnoses of schizophrenia.[84] However, as with earlier studies, many of these differences are only reliably detected when comparing groups of people, and are unlikely to predict any differences in brain structure of an individual person with schizophrenia.

Treatment and services
Molecule of chlorpromazine, which revolutionized treatment of schizophrenia in the 1950s. The concept of a cure as such remains controversial, as there is no consensus on the definition, although some criteria for the remission of symptoms have recently been suggested.[85] The effectiveness of schizophrenia treatment is often assessed ...To be continued

Mga Bugtong, Salawikain, at iba pa

2008-04-27T10:25:00.000+09:00

Manalig Kayo sa Diyos

2008-04-19T13:59:00.001+09:00

Ika-5 Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay:

May mauunawaan ang Ebanghelyo ngayong Linggo kung babasahin ang mga naganap bago ang sanaysay na ito. Makikita sa kapitulo 13 ng Ebanghelyo ni Juan na si Hesus ay kumakain ng Huling hapunan na kasama ng kanyang mga disipulo. Sa hapunang ito, siya ay namamaalam na ang sabi: “...sandali na lamang ninyo akong kasama , Hahanapin ninyo ako …”(13:33). Sa hapunan ding ito naganap ang pagbubunyag ng nalalapit na pagkakanulo ni Judas kay Hesus at ang magaganap na pagtatakwil sa kanya ni Pedro.

Kung ilalagay natin ang ating mga sarili sa katayuan ng mga alagad, siguradong tayo ay mababagabag at maaaring itanong natin kay Hesus: “Paano kung wala ka na?” Siya na kinikilala nilang pinunong magtatanggol at gagabay sa kanila, ngayon ay namamaalam at nagsasabing “hindi makapupunta kung saan ito paroroon” (13:33). Palagay ko ay mauunawaan ng kahit sinuman ang damdamin ng mga alagad na pagkabagabag.

Hindi manhid si Hesus. Nakita at nadama niya ang pagkabagabag na ito ng mga disipulo. Kaya nga’t sinabi niya sa kanila: “Huwag mabagabag ang inyong mga puso. Manalig kayo sa Diyos, at manalig din kayo sa akin” (14:1). Kung gayon, pananalig ang maaaring pagmulan ng pagkawala ng pagkabagabag. Inaanyayahan sila ni Hesus na manampalataya, dahil balang-araw ay makakasama rin nila siya kung saan man ito patutungo (14:3).

Hindi madali ang manalig. Maaaring maging kalakip nito ang pag-iwan sa mga bagay o tao na higit nating pinahahalagahan. Halimbawa, si Abraham na isa sa mga ama ng ating pananampalataya ay kinakailangang iwan ang kanyang lupang tinubuan at magtungo sa lugar na ipinangako sa kanya ng Diyos. Si Hesus mismo ay nanalig sa Ama sa kabila ng lahat na alam niya kung ano ang maaaring maging gantimpala ng pagpapahayag niya ng Mabuting Balita. Siya ay nagpahayag ng tunay na pananampalataya: “Abba (Tatay), lahat ay posible para sa iyo. Alisin mo sa akin ang ang kalis na ito. Ngunit hindi ayon sa aking kalooban kundi sa iyo” (Mc 14:36). Kaya’t ito rin ang paanyaya niya sa mga alagad: “Manalig kayo sa Diyos, at manalig din kayo sa akin” (14:1)

Bakit dapat manalig kay Hesus? Siya mismo ang nagsabi: “Ako ang Daan, ang Katotohanan, at ang Buhay” (14:6). Idinagdag pa niya: ‘Maniniwala kayo sa akin na nasa Ama ako at nasa akin ang Ama. Kung hindi dahil sa akin, maniniwala kayo dahil man lamang sa mga gawa” (14:11). Kung tutuusin, nararapat lamang na manalig dahil hindi naman iniwan ni Hesus na nangungulila ang mga alagad. Ipinangako niya ang pagdating ng Banal na Espiritu”… ibibigay ng Ama sa inyo ang bagong Tagapagtanggol upang makasama ninyo magpakailanman: ang Espiritu…”(14:16). Sabi pa niya: “Hindi ko kayo iiwang ulila; pabalik ako sa inyo”(14:18.

Kung gayon, tama ang sinasabi ng makararami. Ang patunay ng muling pagkabuhay ni Kristo ay hindi lamang ang walang libingan. Higit na patunay ni Kristo ang pagkawala ng takot ng mga disipulo dahil sa kanilang pinagtataguan at ipinahayag nila ang Muling Pagkabuhay ni Kristo dahil nadama nila mismo na ito ay “buhay”ang tunay na Daan patungo sa Ama, ang Katotohanan dahil siya ang buhay na Salita, at ang Buhay na nagbibigay buhay sa lahat ng nananalig sa kanya.

Pagninilay:
· Paano ko nakikita at nadaram sa buhay ko ngayon na “buhay” si Kristo?
· Nananalig ba ako na siya ang tunay na Daan, Katotohanan at Buhay?

~ Sr. Maria Cecilia M. Payawal, PDDM ~

Why Does the Church Follow So Many Traditions? (Series LXXXV)

2008-04-19T13:55:00.002+09:00

When the Pharisees challenge Jesus for failing to practice some of their religious traditions, he rebukes them sharply: “You nullify the word of Go9d in favor of your tradition that you have handed on” (Mk 7:13). Some Christians quo9te this passage to condemn Catholic tradition as a whole as something contrary to the “word of God.” But is Jesus actually condemning all tradition

The word “tradition” means literally “that which is handed down.” Anything received from others and passed on to others is thus a tradition: language, culture, scientific knowledge, and even faith itself. Jesus is certainly not condemning all of these things.

Is the Lord rejecting specifically religious tradition, then? If we examine other biblical passages, we must conclude that he is not. In speaking of the Eucharist, for example, St. Paul notes that he received it from Christ himself, to be handed down to others: “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you…” (1 Cor 11:23). He explicitly commends the Corinthians for adhering to such traditions: “I praise you because you… hold fast to the tradition, just as I handed them on to you” (1 Cor 11:2).

Some Christians insist that only Scripture is authoritative for Christian faith and life. They deny the Catholic teaching (and the historical reality) that Scripture is actually a written portion of a much wider sacred and authoritative Tradition, which includes other elements passed down orally and by patterns of behavior. They fail to realize that if Scripture were the only legitimate source of Christian belief and practice, the early Christians who lived before the New Testament was written and circulated could not have lived the faith.

St. Paul alludes to this reality. He tells the Thessalonians how to discern the truth from error: “Brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement [oral tradition] or by a letter of ours [Scripture]” (2 Thes 2:15). In addition, religious tradition can be enacted, a way of life handed down as an example: “Consider the outcome of [your leaders’] way of life and imitate their faith” (Heb 13:7).

The only traditions Jesus condemns, then, are those that contradict what we know, from divine revelation, to be God’s will (see Mt 15:3).

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: Mt 15:3; Mk 7:13; 1 Cor 11:2, 23; 2 Thes 2:15; Heb 13:7. General: Mt 15:1-9; Mk 7:1-13; 1 Cor 4:15-17; Col 2:8; 2 Thes 3:6; 2 Tm 1:13. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 75-84; 95-98; 113; 120; 126; 172-175; 182; 1124; 2650-2651; 2661.

SA MULING PAGPATAK NG IYONG LUHA!!!

2008-04-19T13:54:00.000+09:00

Ni: L.V.L.

Mahigit kumulang na isang dekada na rin ang unti unting lumipas.
Di ko na namalayan... Parang ang bilis nang panahon. Tumatanda na pala ako...
At sa paglipas ng panahon, sa bawat pagpapalit ng kulay ng mga dahon...
Sa kanilang pag patak.... at sa muli nilang pagsibol, parang ang dami kong nakaligtaan...
napabayaan.... nakalimutan at tuluyan nang di napaglaanan ng pansin....

Pero sa lahat nang ito.... ikaw at tanging ikaw lang ang di nawala sa aking gunita...
Laging may mga bagay na nagbibigay ng mga alaala ukol sa’yo...lagi kang anduon.... kasama ko...
Nakakalungkot mang isipin na sa haba nang panahon na di na tayo nagkasama...
Sa isa't isa pa rin tayo tumatakbo kung me problema tayo.... kumukuha nang suporta...

Halos isang dekada na rin.....Bumuo tayo nang pangarap at unti unti din itong tinibag nang panahon at di pag kakaunawaan.....Tinibag nang kawalang pag-aala-ala sa mararamdaman nang isa...
Ilang beses ko na bang pinapatak ang mga luha sa iyong mata.... Di ko na mabilang...
At di ka man maniwala sa aking mga sasabihin ngayon...

Sana ay mapatawad mo ako nang lubusan, sa lahat nang aking mga pagkukulang....
Wala akong intensiyon na paluhain ka.... na saktan ka... na balewalain....
Nabulag lang ako nang aking mga pangarap... at nakaligtaan ko na paglaanan ka
nang oras at nang aking sarili...
Ngayon, dahil sa aking pagkamakasarili at kawalan nang pakiramdam...

Alam ko na patuloy ka nang lalayo dahil sa mga nagawa at nasabi ko...
Sa paglimot ko sa mga pangakong tinuran ko sa iyo nuon...
Na sa tagal nang panahon at naging mga pangako na lamang...
Mapatawad mo pa sana ako...

Patawad sa mga idinulot kong luha....
Sana sa muling pagpatak nang luha sa iyong mga mata, di na ako ang laman nang iyong gunita....
Na sana sa pagpatak muli nang iyong mga luha... sana’y di na pasakit ang dahilan kundi saya...
Sana sa pagpatak muli nang iyong mga luha.......... di na ako ang dahilan....

Return From the Gates of Hell (16th of a Series)

2008-04-19T13:51:00.001+09:00

Colombia, South America Interview of Dr. Gloria Polo by Radio Maria

With intense pain I cried out to her... mommy, how ashamed I am! I was condemned, mommy! Where I’m going I’ll never get to see you again! At that moment, they granted her a beautiful grace. She was still but her fingers moved and pointed upward. A couple of very painful scales fell from my eyes, that spiritual blindness. I saw a beautiful moment, when one of my patients told me: Doctor, you are very materialistic and some day you’ll need this. When you find yourself in imminent danger, ask Jesus Christ to cover you with His Blood, because He will never abandon you. He paid the price of blood for you. With that immense shame and pain I started to cry: Jesus Christ, Lord, have compassion on me! Forgive me, Lord, give me a second chance! And that was the most beautiful moment. I have no words to describe that moment. He came and pulled me out of that pit. When He picked me up, all those creatures threw themselves on the ground. He picked me up and he pulled me onto that flat part and told me with all His love: You will go back, you will have a second chance, but He told me it wasn’t because of my family’s prayer. It’s normal for them to pray and cry out for you. It’s because of the intercession of all those foreign to your body and blood who have cried, have prayed, and have raised their heart with immense love for you. I began to see many little lights lighting up, as little flames of love. I saw the people who were praying for me. But there was a big flame, it was the one that gave out the most light. It was the one that gave out the most love. I tried to see who that person was. The Lord told me: That person you see right there loves you so much, but he doesn’t even know you. He showed me how this man had seen an old newspaper clipping from the previous day. He was a poor peasant who lived in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (translator’s note: in northeastern Colombia). That poor man went into town and bought some processed sugar cane. They wrapped it for him in an old newspaper from the previous day. My picture was there, all burned. When that man saw the news, without even reading it in full, he fell to the ground and started crying with the deepest love. And he said, Father, Lord, have compassion on my little sister. Lord, save her. Look, Lord, if you save my little sister, I promise you I will go on pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lord in Buga (translator’s note: in southwestern Colombia), but please save her. Imagine a very poor man, he wasn’t complaining or cursing because he was hungry, but instead he had this capacity to love that he could offer to cross an entire country for someone he didn’t even know. And the Lord told me: That is love for your fellowman. And then He told me: You will go back, but you won’t repeat this 1000 times.

...To be continued

IWAS PUSOY !

2008-04-19T13:47:00.002+09:00

Philippine Citizenship

Q. What are the common instances of dual citizenship that may frequently apply to Filipino citizens?
A. The most common example of dual citizenship is when a child whose parents are citizens of a country which uses the Jus Sanguinis Principle (blood principle) is born in another country which uses the Jus Soli Principle. (soil) Under the Jus Sanguinis Principle (which is observed in the Philippines), the child’s citizenship follows that of its parents, while under the Jus Soli Principle (which is followed in the United States of America), the child is conferred citizenship of the country where it was born regardless of the nationality of its parents. Thus, a child of Filipino parents born in the United States of America is both a Filipino citizen and an American citizen.

Q. Does a Filipino woman who marries a non Filipino lose her Philippine citizenship upon the marriage?
A. It depends. The loss or retention of Philippine citizenship by a Filipina marrying a non Filipino depends on the laws of the Philippines and that of the husband’s country.
Before the 1973 Constitution, the Filipino woman lost her Philippine citizenship if by virtue of the laws of the husband’s country, she acquires his nationality.

Under the 1973 Constitution, the Filipina retains her citizenship, unless there is an act or omission on her part which may be considered as one of the ways of losing Philippine citizenship under Philippine law (renunciation, naturalization, taking an oath of allegiance and joining the armed forces of the other country). This rule, which has also been retained in the 1987 Constitution, is now the prevailing rule.

Q. Does this rule apply to a Filipino male who marries a non Filipino?
A. Under the 1935 and 1973 constitutions, it only applied to the Filipino woman. Under the 1987 Constitution, it made the rule applicable to male or female Filipinos marrying non-Filipinos.

Q. Does a non Filipino woman who marries a Filipino man acquire Philippine citizenship?
A. Yes, but it is not automatic, in the sense that the non Filipino wife still has to prove in proceedings that she has none of the disqualifications in becoming a Philippine citizen. The non-Filipino wife in this case who wishes to acquire Philippine citizenship has to file a petition with the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines.

...To be continued

Schizophrenia (6)

2008-04-19T12:51:00.002+09:00

Social: Living in an urban environment has been consistently found to be a risk factor for schizophrenia.[51][39] Social disadvantage has been found to be a risk factor, including poverty[52] and migration related to social adversity, racial discrimination, family dysfunction, unemployment or poor housing conditions.[53] Childhood experiences of abuse or trauma have also been implicated as risk factors for a diagnosis of schizophrenia later in life.[54][55] Parenting is not held responsible for schizophrenia but unsupportive dysfunctional relationships may contribute to an increased risk.[56][57]

Substance use: The relationship between schizophrenia and drug use is complex, meaning that a clear causal connection between drug use and schizophrenia has been difficult to tease apart. There is strong evidence that using certain drugs can trigger either the onset or relapse of schizophrenia in some people. It may also be the case, however, that people with schizophrenia use drugs to overcome negative feelings associated with both the commonly prescribed antipsychotic medication and the condition itself, where negative emotion, paranoia and anhedonia are all considered to be core features.[58] Amphetamines trigger the release of dopamine and excessive dopamine function is believed to be responsible for many symptoms of schizophrenia (known as the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia), amphetamines may worsen schizophrenia symptoms.[59] Schizophrenia can be triggered by heavy use of hallucinogenic or stimulant drugs.[60] One study suggests that cannabis use can contribute to psychosis, though the researchers suspected cannabis use was only a small component in a broad range of factors that can cause psychosis.[61]

Psychological: A number of psychological mechanisms have been implicated in the development and maintenance of schizophrenia. Cognitive biases that have been identified in those with a diagnosis or those at risk, especially when under stress or in confusing situations, include excessive attention to potential threats, jumping to conclusions, making external attributions, impaired reasoning about social situations and mental states, difficulty distinguishing inner speech from speech from an external source, and difficulties with early visual processing and maintaining concentration.[62][63][64][65] Some cognitive features may reflect global neurocognitive deficits in memory, attention, problem-solving, executive function or social cognition, while others may be related to particular issues and experiences.[66][56] Despite a common appearance of "blunted affect", recent findings indicate that many individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are highly emotionally responsive, particularly to stressful or negative stimuli, and that such sensitivity may cause vulnerability to symptoms or to the disorder.[67][68][69] Some evidence suggests that the content of delusional beliefs and psychotic experiences can reflect emotional causes of the disorder, and that how a person interprets such experiences can influence symptomology.[70][71][72][73] Further evidence for the role of psychological mechanisms comes from the effects of therapies on symptoms of schizophrenia.[74]

Neural: ...

...To be continued

MGA BUGTONG, SALAWIKAIN, SAWIKAIN at mga PILING TULA

2008-04-19T12:45:00.003+09:00

Ni C.S. Canonigo
(Book I) © 1996 Cebu City, Philippines

buto't balat = payat na payat = malnourished (literal=skin-and-bone)
BIBIG (MOUTH) tulak ng bibig = salita lamang, di tunay sa loob = insincere word (literal=pushed- by-the-mouth)
dalawa ang bibig = mabunganga, madaldal = nagger, talkative person = (literal=two-mouthed)

BITUKA (INTESTINE)
halang ang bituka = salbahe, desperado, hindi nangingiming pumatay ng tao
= a person with no morals compunction (literal=with a horizontal intestine)
mahapdi ang bituka = nagugutom = a hungry person (literal=sore intestine)

BULSA (POUCH/POCKET)
makapal ang bulsa = maraming pera = rich, wealthy (literal= with a thick pocket)
butas ang bulsa = walang pera = poor (literal=with a hole in the pocket)
sukat ang bulsa = marunong gumamit ng pera, marunong magbayad at mamahala ng kyamanan= someone who knows his ability to pay ng kayamanan

BUTO (BONE)
nagbabatak ng buto = nagtatrabaho ng higit sa kinakailangan = one who works hard
matigas ang buto = malakas = a strong person

...To be continued

Ang Puso at Tinig ng Mabuting Pastol

2008-04-12T22:32:00.002+09:00

Ika-4 Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay:

Ang Mabuting Pastol. Ito na marahil pinakakaaya-ayang larawang ginamit ni Hesus sa natatanging talinghaga sa ebanghelyo ayon kay San Juan upang ilarawan ang tunay na kahulugan sa kanya. Isang malalim na kaugnayan na nagdudulot ng kapayapaan at kaginhawahan gaya ng nasasaad sa Salmo 23: “Ang Panginoon ang aking Pastol pinagiginhawa akong lubos…” Alam ng mga tupa ang tinig ng tunay na pastol, at ang makarinig at makakilala sa tinig na ito ay nabibihag at napasusunod sa kanya.

Ano nga ba ang nasasapuso ng Mabuting Pastol? Paano ba natin siya makikilala? Paano natin malalaman ang kanyang tinig? Si Hesus ang Mabuting Pastol. Ang Mabuting Pastol ay may pusong mahabagin at handang mag-alay ng sariling buhay. Siya’y Pastol na nagbabantay at nagtatanggol sa kanyang mga tupa. Siya’y Pastol na gumagabay patungo sa isang “payapang batisan”. Kahit ano pa man ang mangyari, ang tunay na pastol ay hindi kailan man mang-iiwan o magpapabaya ng kanyang mga tupa. Di nga ba’t noong si Hesus ay nagpakain ng limanlibong katao, siya ay naawa sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang walang pastol (Mc 6:34).

Si Hesus, ang Mabuting Pastol, ay kapiling natin sa Banal na Sakramento. Kinakalinga niya tayo at binubusog ng kanyang mga Salita na mapagpalaya at nagbibigay buhay. Inaakay niya tayo patungo sa maginhawang pastulan ng Ama sa langit. Sino nga ba ang hindi mabibihag sa kanyang tinig at pag-ibig? Ayon sa ating Santo Papa Benito XVI: Ang tao ay naililigtas ng pag-ibig. Kapag siya ay nakaranas ng dakila at tunay na pagmamamahal sa kanyang buhay, ito ay isang karanasan ng kaligtasan na nagbibigay ng bagong kahulugan sa buhay…(Spe Salvi #26). Si Hesus ang Mabuting Pastol na naglalarawan sa atin ng tunay na pagmamahal at kagandahang loob ng Diyos. Ang taong nakaranas ng kagandahang-loob at nakarinig sa matamis niyang tinig, ay magnanasang hanapin, yakapin at sundan ang tinig na ito. Nanaisin niyang magkaroon ng mas malapit at malalim na ugnayan sa Pastol na nagbibigay ng kaligtasan at buhay na walang hanggan. Ngunit iilan lamang ang nakaririnig ng tinig na ito at sumusunod sa kanya upang ipahayag ang kagandahang-loob ng Diyos. Maraming tupa ngunit kakaunti ang mga pastol… Maraming ani, ngunit kaunti nag manggagawa. Dahil dito, si Hesus ay nakiusap na manalangin tayo: “ Nang makita ni Hesus ang makapal na tao, naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat hirap sila at lupaypay na parang mga tupang walang pastol. At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad: ‘Marami nga ang aanihin at kakaunti naman ang mga manggagawa. Idalangin ninyo sa Panginoon ng ani na magpadala siya ng mg a manggagawa sa kanyang ani’ (Mt 9:36-38).

Sa linggong ito na tinatawag nating “Linggo ng Mabuting Pastol” ay ipinagdiriwang din natin ang Pandaigdigang Araw ng Pananalangin para sa Bokasyon. Ginagabayan tayo ng Mabuting Pastol sa pamamagitan na rin ng mga parin na tinuturing nating mga pastol ng Sambayanang Kristiyano, kasama ang mga taong nag-alay ng kanilang buhay bilang relihiyosa at relihiyoso. Binibigyang kaganapan at makatotohanan ni Hesus ang kanyang larawan bilang isang Mabuting Pastol sa huwarang buhay ng bawat pari. Tunay nga, tulad ng pagpapaalala sa atin ng “Vatican II’, na ang pari ay kumakatawan kay Kristo, ang pinunong pastol ng Simbahan. Tayo ay kanyang tinitipon bilang isang kawan at katawan kung saan siya ang ulo. Ang hamong tuwina ay kung paano natin pinatutuloy ang pag-aalay ng puso ng Mabuting Pastol. Sa ating pananalangin para sa bokasyon upang ang kagandahang loob at pag-ibig ng Ama ay maihasik, suriin din natin ang ating mga sarili. Nakikilala ba natin ang tunay na tinig ng Mabuting Pastol, at hinahayaang mabihag tayo nito? Nakikinig ba tayo sa kanya at pinagninilayan ang mga kataga ng pagmamahal na ibinubulong niya sa ating mga puso, upang ito ay maibahagi rin natin sa iba? Nakikita ba sa ating pagkatao ang larawan ng isang Mabuting Pastol?

~ Sr. Ma. Anthony E. Basa, PDDM ~

Did Paul Challenge Peter’s Authority? (Series LXXXIV)

2008-04-12T22:26:00.002+09:00

“When [Peter] came to Antioch,” St. Paul told the Galatians, “I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong” (Gal 2:11). He explained that he had rebuked St. Peter in person when the latter lapsed into practices contrary to the truth of the gospel (see 2:12-14).

Some non-Catholic Christians cite this event as evidence that Paul challenged Peter’s position as chief of the apostles. The implication, they insist, is that Christ’s choice of Peter as the “rock” of the Church did not bestow on the apostle any special authority in matters of doctrine or discipline, and that Peter’s successors (the popes) also lack such authority.

We must note, however, that Peter’s doctrinal and disciplinary authority was not challenged by Paul. Rather, Peter was rebuked for his hypocrisy. So Paul’s criticism had no bearing on Peter’s office, or on Paul’s position relative to it.

Consider this biblical parallel. In ancient Israel, the prophet Nathan rebuked King David for serious sin (see 2 Sm 12:1-14). But that rebuke was not a rejection of David’s office as king. In a similar way, Paul’s rebuke was not a rejection of Peter’s office as leader of the Church.

The truth is that Catholics have a long history of rebuking decadent clerics — popes included — while not denying their authority in the Church. (St. Bernard, St. Thomas Becket, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Dominic come to mind immediately.) In fact, St. Paul’s rebuke, far from implying a denial of St. Peter’s supremacy, implies just the opposite.

Paul stated that Peter’s bad example would “compel the Gentiles to live like Jews” (Gal 2:14, emphasis added). Peter’s behavior was imprudent and could do much harm precisely because of his authority as the leader of the Church.

The authority of St. Peter as the first pope was exercised on several occasions, as recorded in the Bible. He presided over and opened the first council of Christianity, in Jerusalem (see Acts 15:7-11). He was the first to recognize and refute heresy, in Simon Magus (see Acts 8:14-24). His proclamation at Pentecost concerning the “hose of Israel” (Acts 2:36) contains a fully authoritative interpretation of Scripture, a doctrinal decision, and a disciplinary decree (see Acts 2:14-41) - an example of “binding and loosing” (see Mt 16:17-19). He had the authority to judge the first recorded case of Church discipline (see Acts 5:1-11).

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: 2 Sm 12:1-14; Mt 16:17-19; Acts 2:14-41; 5:1-11; 8:14-24; 15:7-11; Gal 2:11-14. General: Is 22:22; Lk 22:31-32; Jn 21:15-17; Acts 3:6-12. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 552-553, 641-642; 765; 881-882.

EL DORADO

2008-04-12T22:22:00.001+09:00

By: Ed J. Titular
04.10.08

Flickering lights no more,
All are happy for no fear,
Peace reflects in their eyes,
Even angels come and sing,
In the dreamland called El Dorado.

Famine and war overruled,
Love and care are over flown'
Forest and mountain are all blooming,
All are dancing even fishes in the ocean,
This is the land of El Dorado.

The sky is blue and true,
All is smooth and calm,
The air is fresh and pure,
And no one is a bum,
All are equal at El Dorado.

El Dorado is a city of gold,
Life there is bold and can't be fold,
All are free and nothing to worry,
This is a place for you and me... and the weary,
Let’s build and dream this place of El Dorado.

Return From the Gates of Hell (15th of a Series)

2008-04-12T22:19:00.000+09:00

Colombia, South America Interview of Dr. Gloria Polo by Radio Maria

What spiritual treasures do you bring? And my hands were empty! That’s when he told me: What was the point in your owning two condos, houses, and office buildings? You thought yourself a successful professional. You couldn’t even bring the dust off of one of those bricks here. What did you do with the talents I gave you? Talents, I thought. You had a mission. The mission to defend the kingdom of love, the Kingdom of God. I had forgotten I had a soul so I could hardly remember I had talents, that I was the merciful hands of God. Much less that all the good I didn’t make, hurt the Lord. Do you want to know what the Lord kept on asking me? About lack of love and charity. That’s when He told me about my spiritual death. I was alive, but dead. If you could have seen what spiritual death is, it’s like a soul that hates. Like a terribly sour and fastidious soul that injures everyone, full of sin. I could see my soul on the outside, smelling well, with good clothes on, but my stench on the inside, living deep in the abyss. No wonder I was so depressed and sour! And he told me: Your spiritual death began when you stopped hurting for your brothers!? I was warning you by showing you their plight everywhere. When you saw media coverage on murders, abductions, refugee situations, and with your tongue you said, on the outside, poor people, how sad?, but you didn’t really hurt for them. You felt nothing in your heart. Sin made your heart into a heart of stone. You can imagine my deep sorrow when my book closed. I had deep sorrow with God my Father for having behaved like that because, despite all my sins, despite all my filth, and all my indifference and all my horrible feelings, the Lord always, up until the last instant, searched for me. He would always send me instruments, people, He would talk to me, He would yell at me, He would take things away from me to seek me. He looked for me up until the very end. God is always begging? at each one of us to convert. I couldn't accuse Him of condemning me! Of course not. Out of my free will, I chose my father, and my father was not God. I chose Satan, he was my father. When that book closed, I noticed I was heading down into a pit with a door at its bottom. And as I’m heading there, I started calling out to all the saints so they would save me. You have no idea how many saints I remembered, being such a bad Catholic. I thought I could ask for help from Saint Isidore or Saint Francis of Assisi. When I ran out of saints, the same silence remained. I felt great emptiness and hurt. I thought everyone back on earth was probably thinking I had died a saint, perhaps even waiting eagerly to ask for my intercession. And look! Where was I headed? I lifted my eyes and they met the eyes of my mom. With intense pain I cried out to her...

...To be continued

IWAS PUSOY !

2008-04-12T22:13:00.002+09:00

Why this guide?
c. Appearance Fee — the amount paid to the counsel for expenses he has incurred in appearing in a court scheduled hearing, conference or meeting.

In these cases, Ercof is ready to act as liaison between the Overseas Filipino client and the lawyer he or she may eventually select, as well as to monitor the conduct of the case, to help ensure that services are being rendered to the satisfaction of the client.

In any case, it is always prudent to seek legal advice if one is in doubt or simply desires to ascertain the legal consequences for certain transactions about to be entered into. Because of their absence from the Philippines, Overseas Filipinos are unable to look after the welfare and rights of their family members or their properties, and are prevented from easy access to legal information or representation. Consulting this legal manual or accessing the Ercof legal referral system presents a solution to this problem.

Philippine Citizenship

Q. What is Citizenship?
R. Citizenship refers to the full possession of civil and political rights by a person who is considered a citizen of a particular country, and who because of this status owes permanent allegiance to the said country and its Constitution, laws and government institutions and is turn entitled to demand protection from its government.

Q. What is the difference between Citizenship and Nationality, or between a citizen and a national?
A. Citizenship is a term used in Municipal Law (the laws of a particular country) to denote that a certain person is in the full possession of civil and political rights, while nationality is a more comprehensive term used ion International law which signifies the status of being the subject of a state, regardless of whether or not that person is in possession of civil and political rights.

Q. What is dual or multiple citizenship?
A. Dual or multiple citizenship is a situation where a person is simultaneously considered a citizen of two or more countries because he/she possesses the qualifications of citizenship under the laws of these countries.

...To be continued

Schizophrenia (5)

2008-04-12T22:03:00.003+09:00

...the proportion of individuals expected to experience the disease at any time in their lives, , is commonly given at 1%.

A 2002 systematic review of many studies, however, found a lifetime prevalence of 0.55%.[3] Despite the received wisdom that schizophrenia occurs at similar rates throughout the world, its prevalence varies across the world,[36] within countries,[37] and at the local and neighbourhood level.[38] One particularly stable and replicable finding has been the association between living in an urban environment and schizophrenia diagnosis, even after factors such as drug use, ethnic group and size of social group have been controlled for.[39] Schizophrenia is known to be a major cause of disability. In a 1999 study of 14 countries, active psychosis was ranked the third-most-disabling condition, after quadriplegia and dementia and before paraplegia and blindness.[40]

Data from a PET study[41] suggests that the less the frontal lobes are activated (red) during a working memory task, the greater the increase in abnormal dopamine activity in the striatum (green), thought to be related to the neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia.

While the reliability of the diagnosis introduces difficulties in measuring the relative effect of genes and environment (for example, symptoms overlap to some extent with severe bipolar disorder or major depression), evidence suggests that genetic and environmental factors can act in combination to result in schizophrenia.[42] Evidence suggests that the diagnosis of schizophrenia has a significant heritable component but that onset is significantly influenced by environmental factors or stressors.[43] The idea of an inherent vulnerability (or diathesis) in some people, which can be unmasked by biological, psychological or environmental stressors, is known as the stress-diathesis model.[44] The idea that biological, psychological and social factors are all important is known as the "biopsychosocial" model.

Genetic — Estimates of the heritability of schizophrenia tend to vary owing to the difficulty of separating the effects of genetics and the environment although twin studies have suggested a high level of heritability.[45] It is likely that schizophrenia is a condition of complex inheritance, with several genes possibly interacting to generate risk for schizophrenia or the separate components that can co-occur leading to a diagnosis.[46] Recent work has suggested that genes that raise the risk for developing schizophrenia are non-specific, and may also raise the risk of developing other psychotic disorders such as bipolar disorder.[47][48]. Prenatal — It is thought that causal factors can initially come together in early neurodevelopment, including during pregnancy, to increase the risk of later developing schizophrenia. One curious finding is that people diagnosed with schizophrenia are more likely to have been born in winter or spring, (at least in the northern hemisphere).[49] There is now evidence that prenatal exposure to infections increases the risk for developing schizophrenia later in life, providing additional evidence for a link between in utero developmental pathology and risk of developing the condition.[50]

...To be continued

Salawikain (1)

2008-04-12T21:51:00.002+09:00

Ang Tagalog ay mayaman sa mga sawikain. Ang sawikain ay mga salita o pagpapahayag na karaniwang ginagamit sa araw-araw. Ang mga pagpapahayag na mga ito ay nagbibigay, hindi ng tiyakangkahulugan ng bawat salita, kundi ng ibang kahulugan.

A
~ agaw-buhay = naghihingalo = between life and death
(literal=life about to be snatched away)
~ anak-pawis = magsasaka; manggagawa = farmer; laborer; blue-collar worker
~ anak-dalita = mahirap = poor
~ alilang-kanin = utusang walang sweldo, pagkain lang = house-help with no income, provided with food and shelter

B
~ balitang kutsero = hindi totoong balita = rumor, gossip, false story
~ balik-harap = mabuti sa harapan, taksil sa likuran = double-faced person, one
who betrays trust
~ bantay-salakay = taong nagbabait-baitan = a person who pretends to be good,
opportunist
~ bungang-araw = sakit sa balat = prickly heat (literal=fruit of the sun)
~ bungang-tulog = panaginip = dream (literal=fruit of sleep)

BALAT (SKIN)
~ balat-sibuyas = manipis, maramdamin = a sensitive person (literal=onion- skinned)
~ balat-kalabaw = mahina ang pakiramdam, = one who is insensitive;
di agad tinatablan ng hiya with dense-face, (literal=buffalo-skinned)
...To be continued

Kapiling natin si Hesus

2008-04-06T12:29:00.001+09:00

Lahat tayo ay nakararanas maglakad papuntang Emaus. Ang dalawang disipulo na binabanggit ngayon sa ebanghelyo, kapwa patungong Emaus, ay kumakatawan sa ating lahat na tagasunod ni Hesus.

Malungkot na naglalakad ang dalawa mula sa Jerusalem kung saan si Hesus ay ipinako at namatay sa krus tatlong araw na nakalilipas. Ito ang dahilan kaya’t kapwa sila namamanglaw sapagkat ang Hesus na kinilala nilang guro, kaibigan, at tagapagligtas ay wala na. Umaasa pa naman kaming siya ang tutubos sa Israel, wika nila. Hindi ba’t ganito rin madalas ang ating buntonghininga kapag tinatakasan tayo ng pag-asa at lakas ng loob? Akala ko pa naman … Umaasa pa ako… Nakahihinayang… Nasaan ba kasi ang Diyos? Mga himutok ito ng bigo at nagtatampo kapag ang mga pangyayari sa buhay ay naging taliwas sa kanyang inaasam.
Bigo ang dalawang disipulo sapagkat hindi nila nakamit ang kanilang inaasahan. Umaasa sila sa isang mesiyas o tagapagligtas pero alinsunod sa kanilang pag-uunawa: isang mesiyas na magiting, malakas, at hindi nagpapalupig sa kaaway. Hindi tuloy nila lubos maunawaan o matanggap ang pagliligtas ni Hesus: isang Mesiyas na mapagpakumbaba, mapagtiis at namatay sa krus.

Samakatuwid, ang labis nilang pagkabigo ay dulot ng mahinang pananampalataya sa Diyos at sa kanyang paraan ng pagliligtas. Hindi tuloy sila makapaniwala sa balitang nabuhay na muli si Hesus, ni hindi nila siya nakilala agad na nakisabay sa kanila papuntang Emaus. Ngunit hindi pababayaan ni Hesus na mabulid tayo sa dilim ng lumbay at pagkabigo. Unti-unti niyang ibubunyag ang sarili niya sa dalawang disipulo. Ang daan papuntang Emaus ay mistulang isang proceso ng pagmumulat ng mata ng pananampalataya kay Kristong muling nabuhay.

Sa pagpapaliwanag ng Kasulatan, mula kay Moises hanggang sa lahat ng propeta, ibinunyag ni Hesus sa dalawang disipulo na ang lahat ng naganap sa Mesiyas pati na ang pagdurusa nito ay ay nasasaloob sa plano ng Diyos. Oo, ang kasulatan ay tungkol sa pag-ibig at pagliligtas ng Diyos na nasa katauhan ni Hesu-Kristo. Sa paghahati at pagsasalo ng tinapay, iminulat ni Hesus ang mata ng dalawang disipulo na siya ay tunay na sumasaatin tuwing dumudulog tayo sa kanyang banal na hapag o Eukaristiya. Niloob ni Kristo na ating ipagdiwang ang Eukaristiya sapagkat ang tinapay at alak ay tunay niyang katawan at dugo para sa ating kaligtasan.

Ito ang katotohanang nabunyag sa dalawang disipulo” Buhay si Hesu-Kristo! Buhay siyang tunay sa kanyang Salita (Kasulatan) at buhay siyang tunay sa kanyang Katawan. (Eukaristiya). Sumasaatin siya tuwing ating pinagsasaluhan ang kanyang Salita at Katawan bilang magkakapatid na may bukas na puso at dalisay sa pananampalataya.

Ito ang Emaus: masalimuot na pagbabalik-loob at pananalig sa Diyos, sa kabila ng ating mga pag-aalinlangan at pagdududa. Kailangan lamang nating buksan ang mga mata sapagkat si Hesus ay buhay at kapiling natin tuwina.

~ Kris Emmmanuel L. Llacer, SSP ~

Why Does the Church Require Celibacy for Priests? (Series LXXXIII)

2008-04-06T12:25:00.002+09:00

An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord,” St. Paul tells the Corinthians. “But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided” (1 Cor 7:32-34). In light of that observation, the example of our Lord Jesus, and long historical experience, the Church has concluded that the celibate priest may be better able to devote himself single-heartedly both to God and his flock.

We should note that the Church holds celibacy as the disciplinary norm of practice for priests; she allows for some exceptions. Many ancient priests and even bishops had a wife at some point (see 1 Tm 3:2), including the first pope, St. Peter. (Matthew 8:14 speaks of his “mother-in-law.”) Today many Catholic priests of the Eastern rite are married. And even in the Roman rite, a handful of married men (usually clergy converts from a non-Catholic Christian tradition) have been given a special dispensation by Rome to be ordained as priests.

The Church doesn’t teach as a part of the Catholic faith, then, that celibacy is an inherent quality of priesthood - part of its essence. But as St. Paul observes, celibacy has distinct advantages for the man who must give himself wholly to God in ministry to his Church.

Opponents of celibacy often simply assume that such a life is utterly impossible. But St. Paul undeniably teaches the contrary (see 1 Cor 7:7-38), and our Lord speaks without criticism of those who “have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:12).

Celibacy is both a matter of personal choice and, on a deeper level, an acceptance of God’s calling. St. Paul acknowledges the divine impetus (see 1 Cor 7:7, 20) as well as the free-will initiative of human beings in the matter (see 1 Cor 7:35, 38). If a man is called to celibacy, he will be given both the desire and the ability to carry out this way of life successfully (see Phil 2:13).

Finally, we should note that the Catholic Church does not in any sense reject marriage or sexually (see 1 Cor 7:38), as long as these remain within the proper biblical and moral guidelines. According to the Catholic faith, marriage and ordination are both sacraments, both positive and wonderful means of God’s grace.

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: Mt 8:14; 19:12; 1 Cor 7:7-38; Phil 2:13; 1 Tm 3:2. General: Sg 1-8; Mt 19:1-12; Lk 2:36-37; Rv 14:1-5. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 922-924; 1579-1580; 1599; 1619; 1694; 1832; 2338-2350.

IF YOU ONLY HAVE THE HEART

2008-04-06T12:22:00.001+09:00

By Ed J. Titular

If you only have the heart
That is willing to give unconditional love,
A heart that is willing to sacrifice
A heart that knows what is good, fair and unjust,
A heart that is genuine and true.

If you only have the heart,
A heart that could feel the pain of others,
A heart that could sympathize and empathize,
A heart that could give in if it is untrue,
A heart that is humble and not conceited,
A heart that is full of joy and willing to share.

If you only have the heart,
This young boy has his room to sleep,
There is no abandonment and broken family,
If you only have the heart,
There’s no old woman begging for food even on rainy days.

If you only have the heart,
There is no rich or poor on this earth
There is no war and injustices,
There are no babies thrown on a garbage can,
There’s love, peace and happiness to everyone.
if only you have the heart...

Return From the Gates of Hell (14th of a Series)

2008-04-06T12:10:00.001+09:00

Colombia, South America Interview of Dr. Gloria Polo by Radio Maria

...and a soul was formed, my soul, grabbed by the hand by God my Father, such a beautiful God. So marvelous! Looking for me 24 hours a day. What I saw as punishment was nothing but His love because He didn’t look at my flesh but rather at my soul and He would see how I was straying away from salvation. Before I finish I have to give you an example of how beautiful the Book of Life is. I was very hypocritical. I would tell someone? You look beautiful in that dress, it looks great on you? But inside of me I would think ?what a disgusting outfit and she thinks herself the queen!? On the Book of Life, it would show up exactly as I had thought about it, even though my words also appeared, as well as the inside of my soul. All my lies were uncovered for everyone to see. I would often play hooky on my mom because she wouldn’t let me go anywhere. I would lie to her about going to the library with some friends to work on a school project and my mom would believe me. And I would head off to watch a pornographic movie or to a bar to drink beer with my friends. But my mom saw my life, nothing escaped her. The Book of Life is very beautiful. My mom would pack bananas, guava paste, and milk for my lunch because my parents were very poor when I was little. I would eat the banana and would throw the peel anywhere. . I was never aware that someone could get hurt if I did that. And the Lord showed me who it was who fell because of that banana peel and how I could have killed that person due to my lack of mercy. The only time I did a good confession, with sorrow and repentance, was when a woman gave me back too much change. She gave me back 4,500 pesos more than she was supposed to at a grocery store in Bogota. My dad had taught us to be honest and never to take anyone’s money. I noticed her mistake in the car, heading to my office. That stupid woman gave me back 4,500 pesos more than she was supposed to and now I have to go back! There was a huge traffic jam so I decided not to turn back. After all, why was she so stupid! But the hurt remained because my dad had planted well the seed of honesty. I went to Confession on Sunday and I accused myself of stealing 4,500 pesos because I didn’t give them back. I didn’t even pay attention to the priest’s words. The devil couldn’t accuse me of having stolen. But do you want to know what the Lord told me? You didn’t repay that lack of charity. That money was pocket change for you, but to her, making the minimum wage, it was three day’s worth of food. The saddest part was that he showed me how she suffered and went hungry for a couple days. Because of me, her two little ones hungered. That’s how the Lord shows these things. It shows how someone suffered with something I did. The Lord asked me: What spiritual treasures do you bring?

...To be continued

IWAS PUSOY !

2008-04-06T12:07:00.001+09:00

THE GUIDEBOOK (Gabay sa OFW’S)

Why this guide?
Q. “In reading the legal manual, I could not understand many or some of the legal terminologies or expressions used in the manual. Or, I have a problem or inquiry that is not covered by your manual. What should I do?”
R. While ERCOF had tried its best to use the simplest language and expressions in this manual, certain legal terminologies could not be avoided or simplified. This first edition was not also meant to cover all legal situations, and a second and more comprehensive edition is already being planned. The best thing to do would be to contact us or any of our focal persons or organizations listed in the appendix, through email, telephone or fax. You may also ask a relative or friend in the Philippines to contact us personally. We would be happy to assist you in answering your questions, or direct you to others who may help.

Q. What are the costs for the legal service?
R. Ordinarily, Ercof will not charge anything if the inquiry involves a simple request for legal guidance or information that may be acted upon by email or telephone, and would not entail any financial outlays from Ercof. Ercof is setting up a legal fund to sustain this service, and voluntary donations of any amount would be welcome.
It is when the legal matter involves an extended period of consultation or would need the services of a specific lawyer, where it is difficult to give an estimation of the costs for legal services as its computation depends on several factors such as:
:: Nature of legal action to be initiated or defended
:: Intricacies of the legal issues involved and amount of investigation and research necessary to prosecute, defend, or appeal
:: Standing and reputation of the law office or lawyer engaged to handle the case
:: Other factors such as distance of the court from the counsel’s office; legal fees required by the Supreme Court in prosecuting a case; reproduction of pleadings; transcription of proceedings by the clerk of court; and other incidental expenses.
Nevertheless, costs for legal services will generally include the following:
a. Acceptance Fee — the fee paid to the lawyer/law office for accepting the responsibility of representing the client. This fee does not include the costs for actual representation or intervention.
b. Attorney’s Fees — the cost for legal services rendered by the counsel to the client in a specific case or legal action. This may be computed on a time basis (hourly rate); stage billing (predetermined amount to be paid at each stage of the case); or some other arrangment agreed upon between the client and counsel.
...To be continued

Schizophrenia (4th)

2008-04-06T12:03:00.001+09:00

Signs and symptoms (Continuation)

Another criticism is that the definitions used for criteria lack consistency;[24] this is particularly relevant to the evaluation of delusions and thought disorder. More recently, it has been argued that psychotic symptoms are not a good basis for making a diagnosis of schizophrenia as "psychosis is the 'fever' of mental illness — a serious but nonspecific indicator".[25]

Perhaps because of these factors, studies examining the diagnosis of schizophrenia have typically shown relatively low or inconsistent levels of diagnostic reliability. Most famously, David Rosenhan's 1972 study, published as On being sane in insane places, demonstrated that the diagnosis of schizophrenia was (at least at the time) often subjective and unreliable.[26] More recent studies have found agreement between any two psychiatrists when diagnosing schizophrenia tends to reach about 65% at best.[27] This, and the results of earlier studies of diagnostic reliability (which typically reported even lower levels of agreement) have led some critics to argue that the diagnosis of schizophrenia should be abandoned.[28]
In 2004 in Japan, the Japanese term for schizophrenia was changed from Seishin-Bunretsu-Byo (mind-split-disease) to Tōgō-shitchō-shō (integration disorder).[29] In 2006, campaigners in the UK, under the banner of Campaign for Abolition of the Schizophrenia Label, argued for a similar rejection of the diagnosis of schizophrenia and a different approach to the treatment and understanding of the symptoms currently associated with it.[30]

Alternatively, other proponents have put forward using the presence of specific neurocognitive deficits to make a diagnosis. These take the form of a reduction or impairment in basic psychological functions such as memory, attention, executive function and problem solving. It is these sorts of difficulties, rather than the psychotic symptoms (which can in many cases be controlled by antipsychotic medication), which seem to be the cause of most disability in schizophrenia. However, this argument is relatively new and it is unlikely that the method of diagnosing schizophrenia will change radically in the near future.[31]

The diagnosis of schizophrenia has been used for political rather than therapeutic purposes; in the Soviet Union an additional sub-classification of sluggishly progressing schizophrenia was created. Particularly in the RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic), this diagnosis was used for the purpose of silencing political dissidents or forcing them to recant their ideas by the use of forcible confinement and treatment.[32] In 2000 there were similar concerns regarding detention and 'treatment' of practitioners of the Falun Gong movement by the Chinese government. This led the American Psychiatric Association's Committee on the Abuse of Psychiatry and Psychiatrists to pass a resolution to urge the World Psychiatric Association to investigate the situation in China.[33]

Epidemiology
Schizophrenia occurs equally in males and females although typically appears earlier in men with the peak ages of onset being 20–28 years for males and 26–32 years for females.[1] Much rarer are instances of childhood-onset[34] and late- (middle age) or very-late-onset (old age) schizophrenia. The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia, that is, the proportion of individuals expected to experience the disease at any time in their lives,

...To be continued

The Community

2008-04-06T11:47:00.000+09:00

Kapayapaan bunga ng ating pagbabalik-loob

2008-03-30T00:02:00.002+09:00

Ika-2 Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay:

Matingkad na ang winika ni Hesus noon sa mga alagad niya at ngayon ay sinasabi rin niya ito sa iyo at sa akin: Sumaatin ang kapayapaan!

Ayon kay San Agustin, Obispo ng Hipona (354-430), ang kapayapaan ay katiwasayan ng kaayusan. Ngunit hindi ito nangangahulugan na ang kapayapaan ay mistulang kawalan ng kibo. Hindi ito ang katahimikan ng isang libingan sa tanghaling tapat. Hindi rin ito ang pagkahimlay ng taong natutulog. Sa halip, ang kapayapaan ay bunga ng tuluyang pagsisikap na maging kaisa ng iisang Diyos sa tatlong Persona, at ng ating kapwa, at ng atin mismong sarili. Si Kristo ang siyang ating kapayapaan! (Ef 2:11-22).

At sa puntong ito, alam nating may mga pagkakataong hindi tayo nakiisa o nagmahal sa Panginoon, sa ating kapwa at sa ating sarili (Rom 8:20,22). May mga iba’t ibang tindi ito: maaaring ito’y isang pagkukulang lamang, o maaaring ito’y talagang maituturing na kasalanan: kasalanang mabigat o nakamamatay ( o mortal sin) o kasalanang magaan o napapatawad (o venial sin). Kapwa sila mapapatawad ng Diyos kung tayo ay magkakaroon ng kapayakang aminin ang ating pagkukulang at pagkakasala. Minsan nga lamang, ang ating akala sa “kasalanan’ ay ang hal., pagpatay, pagnanakaw. At dahil ito lamang ang saklaw ng ating konsepto ng kasalanan, maaari tayong mapaniwala na waring wala tayong kasalanan (Ex 20; Mt 5; 1 Cor 13).

Ang paksa ng pagbabalik-loob sa Diyos ay maaaring pagnilayan sa anumang panahon at lugar (hal., sa tulong ng Salmo 51). Sa ating pagninilay—sa piling ng Panginoong laging nakakakita sa atin at nakikinig bilang ating pinakatotoo at pinakamatalik na Kaibigan, hindi kailanman bilang walang-pusong pulis!- tungkol sa kanyang muling pagkabuhay at pagdalaw sa mga alagad, ating hilingin nang may kapayakan at kapakumbabaan na buksan niya ang ating diwa at puso, upang ating mamalas na talagang sukdulan ang pagmamahal niya sa atin (Salmo 64). Hindi biro ang mamatay na nakapako sa krus. Ngunit “nang dahil sa pag-ibig” ayon sa isang awit, isinakatuparan ng Diyos ang misteryo ng pagliligtas. Ginawa niya ito upang iligtas tayo. Ngunit bukod doon, mula sa ibang anggulo, batid ng Diyos at batid natin na habang hindi tayo nagbabalik-loob sa Diyos, laging may kulang sa atin. At laging magiging kapos ang anumang pagsisikap nating abutin at mahalin ang Diyos kung hindi siya ang naunang nagmahal sa atin (1 Jn 4:10). Paano tayo magkakaroon ng tunay na kapayapaan, bilang lunas sa sugat na dulot ng ating pagkakasala? Si Hesus mismo ang nagbigay-daan dito, sa kanyang pagtatatag ng sakramento ng pagkukumpisal, o pagbabalik-loob sa Diyos (Jn 20:230; Santiago 5:16). Hindi ba tayo maaaring “dumeretso” sa Diyos? Kung si Hesus nga ang nagpasya na “patatawarin ang mga kasalanan ninuman na inyong patawarin”, may pag-aalinlangan pa ba kaya? Alam ni Hesus na may dulot na kagalingang espirituwal at sikolohikal ang marinig mismo natin sa pari, na nagpapatawad sa ating mga kasalanan sa persona o katauhan ni Kristo, ang ganito:“Ikaw ay pinatatawad ko sa iyong mga kasalanan sa ngalan ng Ama at ng Anak at ng Espiritu Santo.”

Mabalik tayo sa “kapayapaan”, na bunga ng pagbabalik-loob na dulot ng sakramento ng pagkukumpisal o pagbabalik-loob. Bukambibig ngayon kahit saan ang kapayapaan. Pati nga sa mga sulat ni San Pablo, laging nangunguna ang pagbati ng kapayapaan. Ngunit ito ba’y mistulang kawalan ng digmaan? Opo, hiling natin sa Panginoon na sana’y wala nang digmaan ng tao laban sa tao. Ngunit sa usaping pananampalataya, ang kapayapaa’y matatamo lamang, sa tulong ng grasya– na siyang ating relasyon sa Diyos na buhay–sa ating palagiang pakikipagdigma laban sa kasalanan at sa ating pagkamakasarili.

~ Fr. Emmanuel C. Marfori ~

Why Can’t Non-Catholics Partake (Series LXXXII)

2008-03-29T23:59:00.001+09:00

St. Paul’s warning about receiving the Eucharist improperly should give all Christians cause for reflection: “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Cor 11:27-29).

In light of this and other scriptural passages, the Church obliges Catholics to make sure they are properly disposed to receive the Eucharist before approaching the altar. For example, they must not receive Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin (see “Does the Bible Distinguish Between Mortal and Venial Sins?”). But there are other dispositions necessary as well. Those who deny that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ, believing it to be just a symbol, should also refrain from receiving Communion. To use the apostle’s words, they would be eating and drinking “without discerning the body” properly, placing themselves in danger of judgment.

This is the reason why non-Catholics, Protestants in particular, should not partake in the Eucharist in a Catholic church: They typically deny that it is truly Christ’s Body and Blood. But the Church insists that even Protestants who believe what the Catholic Church teaches about the Eucharist should not normally approach the Catholic altar for Communion. The reason for this restriction is suggested by other words from St. Paul:

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation [or fellowship] in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation [fellowship] in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. [1 Cor 10:16-17].

The Eucharist thus signifies a oneness in faith, life, and worship among those who partake of it. So reception of the Eucharist by those separated from the Catholic Church is in a sense dishonest. It implies a unity that does not yet exist. (A few exceptions are allowed for pastoral reasons in extraordinary situations; see the Catechism 1401.)

In the meantime, the Church urges us to pray fervently that all Christians might finally “attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph 4:13).

RELATED SCRIPTURE — Texts cited: 1 Cor 10:16-17; 11:27-29; Eph 4:13. General: Ps 133:1-3; Jn 18:20-23; 1 Cor 1:10; Eph 4:1-6; Phil 2:1-2. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH — 805; 838; 1396; 1398-1401

IF I GO AWAY

2008-03-29T23:54:00.002+09:00

(Para mi amigo Arvin T. Ramos)

If I go away will you still care for me?
Will you be still my best friend till the end?
For all the happy and bad times we shared,
And to the "big heart" you've shown to me,
..........you are incomparable!

Arvin is Arvin in many ways,
Those times when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat,
Those times when I needed money, you gave me more than I need,
Those times where I longed for my family, you comforted me,
Those times where I was had no shelter; you gave me your room,
How lucky am I to have you as a friend.

Arvin, is a friend who picked me up in times I'm down,
Someone who is happy if I'm happy too,
Someone who is always there if you need a helping hand,
Someone whose values and morality never ends in a word,
Someone who could stir you up if you're frozen,
Someone who is always there for me no matter

How I wish someday you will still be the same,
Someone who is willing to share what he has,
Someone who gives but never expects in return,
Today is your birthday and I've nothing more to wish,
For I know GOD is always on your side,
Happy birthday......... I love you brother.

By: Ed J. Titular
10:50pm; 03.28.07; Chasan-ri, South Korea