I was surfing for some materials on poverty when I chanced upon old articles I wrote in 2001. This was also one of my first websites. I’m re-posting them just for old times sake. You can read them here.
Salvation comes to Salvacion
Barangay Salvacion is picturesque- lush flora, fertile land, and a river teeming with life.
As you breathe in the freshness of the air and appreciate the beauty of the surroundings, you would not notice that the place used to be a war zone. Read…
1. I REJECT unconditionally all violence against women and children.
2. I REJECT the buying of sex with women and children.
3. I WILL intervene when I see a man beating a woman.
4. I WILL NOT beat my wife or partner.
5. I WILL INTERVENE when my male colleagues, friends, or family belittle or degrade women.
6. I RECOGNISE prostitution as harmful to women and will do everything I can to see the end of it.
7. I REJECT the buying of pornography, recognizing it as sexual exploitation.
8. I WILL NOT BUY products that advertise by exploiting women’s bodies when it has nothing at all to do with the product.
9. I WILL NOT visit clubs and bars that exploit women through ‘exotic’ dancing.
10. I WILL NOT BUY newspapers and magazines that advertise sexual services.
11. I REJECT all forms of sexual harassment, including wolf whistling, sexual insinuations, and unauthorized physical contact.
12. I WILL INTERVENE when my male colleagues, friends, or family engage in sexual harassment.
13. I WILL RESPECT my female colleagues and partners as equals.
14. I RECOGNISE decision-making at home is about equality and partnership.
15. I WILL ENCOURAGE other men to adopt and live by this code, including teaching it to my children
Authored by: Brian Iselin, 2009
Alabaster Jar e.V.
Note: I read this years ago and still find it funny.
Don’t ax me how this pinay study now pay letter inglish in Subic bee
I love my bolpren. We’ve been friends for a long history ago. We come from the same alma mother. Actually, our paths crossing one time on another. But it’s only now that I gave him a second look. I realized beautful is in the eyes. The pulpbits of my heart went fast, really fast. Cute pala siya. And then, he came over with me. He said, “I hope you don’t mine. Can I get your number?” Nag-worry ako. What if he doesn’t give it back? He esplain naman na it’s so we could keep intact daw. Sabi ko, “connect me if i’m wrong but are you asking me ouch?” Nabigla siya. Sagot niya, “The! Aba! Parang siya pa ang galit! Persona ingrata!!! Ang kapal niya!” So I cried buckles of tears.
Na-guilty yata siya. Sabi niya, isipin mo na lang na this is a blessing in the sky. Irregardless daw of his feelings, we’ll go ouch na rin. Now, we’re so in love. Mute and epidemic na ang past. Thanks God we swallowed our fried. Kasi, I’m 33 na and I’m running our time. After 2 weeks, he plopped the question. “Will you marriage me?” Na-shocked ako and I’m in a state of calamity. Kasi mantakin mo, when it rains, it’s four! This is true good to be true. So siyempre, I said yes. Love is a many splendor.
Pero nung inaayos ko na ang aming kasal, everything swell to pisces. Nag-di-dinner kami noon nang biglang sa harap ng aming table, may babaeng humirit ng, “Well, well, well. Look do we have here.” What the fuss! The nerd ng babaeng yon! She said they were still on. So I told her, whatever is that, cut me some slacks! I didn’t want this to get our hand kaya I had to sip it in the bud. She accused me of steel her bolfren. Opcors not! I don’t run her bolfren. Ats if! I don’t want to portrait the role of the other woman. Gosh, tell me to the marines! I told her, “please, mine you own business!” Who would believe her truth anyway?
Dahil it’s not my problem anymore but her problem anymore, tumigil na rin siya ng panggugulo. Everything is coming up daisies. I’m so happy. Even my bolfren said liketwice. He’s so supporter. Sabi niya, “Look at is this way. She’s our of our lives.”
Kaya advise ko sa inyo – take the risk. You can never can tell. Just burn the bridge when you get there. Life is shorts. If you make a mistake, we’ll just pray for the internal and external repose of your soul. I second emotion. That’s my fell in love biography.
I once thought that marriage took just two to make a go, But now I am convinced it takes the Lord also.
And not one marriage fails where Christ is asked to enter, as lovers come together with Jesus at the center.
But marriage seldom thrives, and homes are incomplete, till He is welcome there to help avoid defeat.
In homes where Christ is first, It’s obvious to see those unions really work. For marriage still takes three.
Boom! He’s down!
I remember leaving my phone with the embassy guard while we went about our business securing our visa for the USA. They gave us a small cut-out cardboard with a crudely written number in pentel pen. Yes, electronic devices of all sorts are not allowed in the US Embassy.
I guess the pinoy entrepreneurs saw that there is money in “baby-sitting” electronic devices.
I like this article from ELLEN TORDESILLAS.
For the safety and security of all applicants and employees, visa applicants are no longer permitted to bring cell phones or other electronic devices into the U.S. Embassy. Effective 01 March 2007, applicants who bring such devices will be denied entry. Please make arrangements to leave your electronic equipment in a safe location off Embassy grounds during your interview appointment. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation. (http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3023.html)
Awesome cover!
Side Note:
I had a very, very, very short stint with the bass guitar when I was in grad school. I got to play the bass guitar for a local (The Patch) band for a while but I was so pleasantly distracted by this beautiful woman named Teng (now my wife) that I dropped out of the band and relentlessly pursued her. That was the story of my short lived musical career but all turned out well – Teng and I now play beautiful music together. But that’s another story.
I’m on the couch fronting the dinner table full of Filipino food. It’s a party and we just finished eating and are waiting for our stomachs to settle for another round of cholesterol-laden food. While doing that I’m trying to blog on the BB Curve which has its software updated. The new upgrades include a video recorder- neat addition. Just trying it out if this one flies.
I’m sure you’ve heard about the connection between brain development and music. According to studies people who play musical instruments have better cognitive skills than those that don’t. Well, I don’t play any instrument, not any that I was proficient at. We did have guitars when we were kids – two if I’m not mistaken. I still have a book that teaches you the basics of guitar playing.
At home we have an organ and a recorder (I call it a flute – but my daughter says there is a difference and I don’t really care what that is). My daughter did some piano lessons and is now playing the recorder.
Where does ukulele come in? Boredom, basically. I wanted to learn a new skill. Something different yet fun. I wanted to do music but did not find the usual instruments appealing. The guitar is fine and I did that but still I wanted something different. The bass guitar sounded fun but the size was too much for me. Then I came across the UKULELE.
I didn’t know the ukulele was such a versatile instrument. I came across some youtube videos and was amazed at how incredible that little piece of wood sounded! Yeah, it’s like a guitar but with two less strings for me to fret about (pun intended).
The player is pinoy and plays the ukulele quite well. Check him out at http://ukuleleunderground.com/
Here’s another fun song. Looks like he’s having fun, too.
I’m looking at buying me an ukulele soon! And hope to play like this guy. How’s that for cerebral stimulation!
And to mellow down a bit like this guy!
Nope, I won’t be posting videos of me playing the ukulele. I wouldn’t want the world to end…lol.
