Ice Breaker 1: Cards 6-10

Points of View Ep.17: I will now choose five cards from the Ice Breaker 1 collection (randomly). And here are the questions for this episode…

6. What honest mistake have you committed that turned out  to be favorable to you?

There was this incident back when I was in Grade 6. One of my teachers asked me to give her payment (50 pesos) to our cafeteria. I do admit that I was really wrong for not giving the payment to the right person. And because of that, my teacher thought that I stole her money. I know that I was wrong for giving the money to the wrong person, but I think it is also wrong for my teacher to think that I stole her money. I am telling you that up to this moment, I will stand by with what I told her… that I did not steal her money. That is the truth. And I am happy that my my friends believe in me, that’s why I think that mistake had been favorable to me.

7. Comment on this: “It is better to give than to receive.”

Oh well, this is a very famous saying. But all I can say is it is good that we should be thankful for all the blessings we receive. And one way to show it is to give back… share…

8. What is your attitude toward adversity and temptation?

Hmmm.. Adversity means… a state of misfortune or affliction; “debt-ridden farmers struggling with adversity”; “a life of hardship”; a stroke of ill fortune; a calamitous event; “a period marked by adversities. Well, of course, I would feel really depressed.

Temptation… I actually give in easily to temptations. Haha. But of course, we have our conscience to tell us if what we are doing is right or wrong. That’s why I am thankful to my conscience because my conscience is really strong. Hehe.

9. What good traits do your father and mother have which you see in your personality?

Oh… Just like I said previously, I hate answering questions asking about your own good traits. Haha. But all I can say is, I am really lucky for having the parents I have.

10. What is your favorite room in the house?

Of course, my room. Haha.

Ice Breaker 1: Cards 1-5

Points of View Ep.16: Welcome to Year 2 of Points of View here in Rowjielogy! And as promised, we will be featuring questions from the “Ice Breaker” collection. Ice Breaker is actually a game - it is composed of cards with a question on each card. This is nice to play with friends so that you’ll get to know each other more.

Anyway, here is how it will go here in Rowjielogy. I’ll be picking five cards and try to answer the questions on it, and I hope you will also share your answers. And the card I picked up for today is…

1. What has been the greatest act of kindness you have shown to another?

Well, this is a hard question for me and I don’t want to answer questions like this. But whatever it is, I know that anybody will feel good whenever she or he shows acts of kindness to others.

2. Tell us about your crushes.

What!?! Haha. Well, I really had lot crushes back in high school. Some say that to have a crush on someone is just admiring him or her. So do you think, having a crush with the same gender is wrong? Haha.

3. Comment on this: “If you cannot find a way out, look up!”

Well, I am thinking of two possible answers here. First, if you have a problem and you cannot solve it with the solution in your mind, then try another one.

Second, don’t forget to pray! Trust the Lord!

4. What changes would you like to see in your life?

I really want to avoid being shy so I can mingle with people. (And I want to spend my money wisely!)

5. Ooops! The group may ask you now their questions,

What?!? Haha. I will just let you ask me anything you want and I’ll be answering it on the next Ice Breaker!

A Year Of Points Of View

Points of View Ep.15: Today, another department here in Rowjielogy is celebrating its first year anniversary - Points of View which started exactly one year ago. And as usual, I will do a recap of all the blog entries in this department.

Anyway, I decided to put this department here so that I can share my points of view to others, as well as let others share theirs to me. I learned how to respect others’ opinions. And I hope others will also learn to do the same.

Ep.1: Freedom of Expression Through Blogs - May 9, 2007
Ep.2: Quality of Education in the Philippines - May 29, 2007
Ep.3: Implementing Dress Codes Inside The Church - June 28, 2007
Ep.4: How Was The Philippines In The Previous Year - July 23, 2007
Ep.5: Trust - August 11, 2007
Ep.6: Love At First Sight - September 3, 2007
Ep.7: Glorietta Blast - October 22, 2007
Ep.8: Press Freedom Censorship - November 9, 2007
Ep.9: Sexperience - November 22, 2007
Ep.10: Same Sex Love - December 3, 2007
Ep.11: The True Meaning of Christmas - December 14, 2007
Ep.12: A Chance To Change - January 11, 2008
Ep.13: People Power, Etc. - March 3, 2008
Ep.14: In The Observance of Holy Week - March 19, 2008

Well, I hope for more Points of Views blog entries in the near future. And to start the second year of Points of View, we will be answering questions from the Ice Breaker collection. This will start next week.

In The Observance Of Holy Week

Points Of View Ep.14: Today is Holy Wednesday, last day of work for the week for most offices, as well as last day of school for the week for the schools who still have classes. I know that many of us have already a lot of plans for the long weekend ahead. Some of us will go home to our provinces, some of us will be going out of town, while some of us will just stay at home. I am one of those who prefer to just stay home for the next dew days.

I can say that our generation witnessed how the observance of holy week changed as years passed by. Before, when it’s Holy Thursday to Black Saturday, there are really no programs being shown on TV. If ever there are programs being shown, those are religous films, most especially the life of Jesus Christ. There are also only one or two radio stations which will go on air, and expect that they will play slow and sad songs. People will just usually stay at home with their families. And during those times, people would usually rent movies (Betamax or VHS) from a video rental outlet. And most people would really participate in church activities back then.

Little by little, these practices are changing. So sad to say that it seems like Holy Week is already not being observed by most of us the way it should be. I don’t say that I am doing it the way it should be because I do admit that I also feel that it seems like I am forgetting the significance of these holy days. I’m just trying to point out that I just hope that we don’t forget why this holy week exists. It’s a time to reflect on how we are living our lives. It’s a time to reflect about God’s love for us.

I hope that the Lenten break will be peaceful and meaningful for all of us.

People Power, Etc.

Points Of View Ep.13: Last Monday was a holiday due to the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of People Power 1. I was only one year old during that time. I’ve just read and studied about it back when I was in elementary. I have also seen video footages of the said peaceful revolution. I know that it somehow made us proud to be able to have a peaceful revolution.

In 2001, the world witnessed another “people power” here in the Philippines. It succeeded to oust President Joseph Estrada. That was in January. In May of the same year, the supporters of Joseph Estrada attempted to grab the power from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, but they did not succeed. We don’t know if we can call it People Power 3.

After the two “so-called” people power, where is our country going? Whether we admit it or not, the spirit of People Power 1 doesn’t live in most of us anymore. Why? Because it seems like we still don’t learn our lessons. Many are disappointed with the second so-called people power. Most of us are already tired of resorting to another people power as a fast solution to the problems of our country.

Do we think that people from around the world will still admire us if ever we will have another people power? Will this always be the solution if we don’t want someone who is in power? Our country is really divided right now. There will always groups of people who will oppose who is in position. They will always try to put those people down.

I am not a pro-Gloria. I also want to know the truth behind all the controversies her government is facing right now. I join the Filipinos who are seeking for truth. But it seems like I am starting to be confused in a “people power” solution. If ever Gloria will be ousted, what will happen next? Noli De Castro as the next president? For sure, many people will still oppose. It is never ending. Eddie Villanueva wants a snap election. Will this be the best solution?

It is pretty obvious in the rally held in Makati last February 29, 2008 that there was an attempt to grab the power from the president. I heard someone saying, “Papayag ba kayo na uuwi tayong hindi natin nakukuha ang gusto natin? (Will you allow that we’ll go home without getting what we want?)”. Whether they admit it or not, it is pretty obvious that they want something more than knowing the truth behind all the controversies.

I am no in the position to say what is the best thing to do to solve the problems our country is facing right now. But I am still hoping to see a brighter and more peaceful Philippines. I know that there are still other solutions aside from another people power. The thought of having so many people power revolution in our history is tiring. Maybe once is enough. We should learn from our lessons. I hope that someone will come who can heal the wounds of our nation. I don’t think that there will come a time when there will be no more pro-administration and opposition. Actually, it is a good thing, just as long as both parties are doing their job honestly to serve the Filipino people who placed them on power.

A Chance To Change

Points of View Episode #12: Happy New Year once again! This is the first Point of View episode for the year 2008. And since the first “cycle of departments” here in Rowjielogy deals more on New Year, the topic for this episode of POV is somehow related to New Year… a chance to change.

It is very common for us to promise to ourselves that we will change our negative attitudes whenever a new year comes. There’s nothing wrong if we want to change, just as long it’s for the better.

But it’s really hard to erase others’ impressions on us, most especially, when it is a negative one, as a famous saying goes, “first impressions last”. But let’s do admit the fact that there are some people who are willing to change for the better. The negative impressions about a person might be really hard to erase, but why don’t we give others a chance to change?

We learn from our experiences. We come to a point in our lives where we realized where we have went wrong. That’s why we try to stand up again from our mistakes, and try to correct it. God will be very happy to give us a chance to change for the better, so why can’t we also?

The True Meaning Of Christmas

Points of View Ep.11: It’s only a few days left before Christmas! I went to the mall this morning and it seems like almost everybody is busy shopping their Christmas gifts for their loved ones.I know that in my recent posts, I’ve been reminding the readers of my blog about the true meaning of Christmas. It’s not just for the readers of this blog, but as well for me. I really want to keep in my mind and heart what Christmas is all about.

We can trace the tradition of gift giving during Christmas on the first Christmas itself, where the three kings offered gifts to Jesus Christ. So if we try to look at it, somehow, it serves as a symbolism. I really see nothing wrong about it. Actually it’s a good thing because we learn how to share our blessings to others. But let’s not put in our mind that Christmas is just about gift giving. Happiness cannot always be obtained through material things. Most of the time, it would be the presence of our relatives, friends, etc.

But of course, for me the true meaning of Christmas is God’s love for us. Isn’t it according to a song, “For God so loved the world, He gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour, His most precious one!”.