It's coming - and it's BIG....

Holiday Hazards

Re-posted Editorial from MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR with friendly permission of the publisher Marietta Siongco:

This the season to be careful. As the Christian season approaches and homes and establishments get festooned with various lighting fixtures, it would be well for all of us to be mindful of the actual materials we use for such decorations. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has given out a list of approved Christmas lights brands, and of the scores that are being sold in he market, only 20 have actually passed muster. Most of us do not think twice about our purchases and rarely even look at what brand of lights we buy, but our choices can literally be a matter of life and death, We look back to 2004 and remember that even then-house speaker Jose de Venecia lost a daughter to a fire in their home that originated from faulty Christmas lights. Dozens of other such fires have occurred over the years, adding a bitter note to virtually every holiday celebration.

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However, it is goverment's failure to prevent such brands from being sold in the first place. The DTI has approved only 20 branches - but what does government intend to do with the rest? How do the faulty brands get into the country in the first place? There is an obvious failure here on the part of the government agencies tasked to guard against such faulty and dangerous merchandise.

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A Railway Network for Davao Region?

This topic is not new. I learned about it already during the early 1980s when I visited Mindanao and especially Davao Region for the first time.

The railway network system is proving to be a necessity for the Davao Region and has been included by the region's development planners for consideration in the region's area development.

Allow me to quote Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, who said: "It may yet become possible during my term!" Del Rosario voiced this out during a press conference held at the Provincial Government Center in Tagum City.

Of course, the Governor is right in saying that Mindanao is lacking road networks. In the Davao Region, there is only one national road which is used to transport both people and products. The fastest way to tyransport people and products is through a railway system and its regime is soon to come. Let's wait and see... .

Davao City Library lands in International Programs List

Here is more:

Davao City Library lands in international programs list | Sun.Star

Music and Religion

Music and religion belong together like fish and the ocean, light and life, the voice and the ear. In the entire universe, we humans are probably the only beings capable of creating and hearing music. The ability to hear is one of the specific gifts that our Creator gave us. Our fragile planet is surrounded by a thin layer of gases only a few kilometers high. Only this atmosphere is the reason why sound waves can spread through the air. Everything behind this atmosphere is ruled by the sheer endless vacuum of outer space, where galaxies and stars explode and implode in impenetrable silence.

According to the biblical narrative, the world began when God broke through his deadly quiet: "And God said: Let there be light!" (Genesis 1:1). God spoke - and light and life resulted from His audible voice. Because life was created by the word. That is why it is in the nature of every person to listen. Like a parabolic mirror, our souls are created to listen to the eternal space of the hereafter, to try and sense whether a word, a sound  or a voice is trying to reach us from there, in order to fill us with meaning.

I love music. I can't live without it. From time to time I have to express myself regarding to this topic. And, I know, Filipinos love big tunes with great words and beautiful melodies, especially when it comes to classical music.

I am hosting radio shows with classical music in the Philippines since many years. Presently, I am blessed and honoured having such show on "The Edge Radio Davao - 104.3 FM. If your time allows it, please tune in: Sundays from 2 to 4 pm... .

 

To Err is Human - To Forgive is Divine (Part II)

Yes, forgiveness is godhead and theological together. I looked into my dictionaries and found innumerable explanations: "If we are able to forgive, we are belonging to, or, we are having the nature of God. We might be holy, sacred, heavenly or a superhuman-being a priest, a pastor, a clergy, a theologian!"

I guess, it's already a wonderful situation, after being insulted or huty by someone to hear the simple expression "SORRY"... Yes, it's coming from the bottom of the heart. SORRY!

Regarding "seeking forgiveness we can find plenty of passages in our Bible. The most touching part for me is being found in Proverbs 28:13: "You will never succeed in life, if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up, then God will show mercy to you!"

"Erring" taxi drivers never die out. When I returned to Davao from my last Manila trip, I met one of them, asking me an extra charge of 50 Pesos because of incalculable waiting period at the airport. The taxi number and company are noted. Just in case... . Of course, I didn't pay the extra charge and boarded another taxi... .

 

Zamboanga Authorities Confiscate Pellet Toy Guns

Another important and interesting article, I wish to share with you:

Zamboanga authorities confiscate pellet toy guns | Gold Star Daily News

To Err is Human - To Forgive is Divine

The British poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744) created this saying. And, in my opinion, he is so very right.

In our daily life struggles we also pass innumerable periods of splendid isolation and act, as William Shakespeare said  "Thoughts are Free" by hurting and insulting relatives, friends, and colleagues. Many times we err, and, even we know it, we don't care. BAHAL SILA...

We pray and ask for forgiveness. And, we are so sure of having our complementary ticket in our pockets and pouches. Nobody is perfect - sure! Me too! Yes, I confess! But that's no excuse for broken promises.]

How many times do we commit a mistake? How many times are we mistaken, or get astray? How many times to we sin?

How often do we catch ourselves being roving, wandering and acting eccentric, changeable capricious and not dependable? Or, how many people in our surroundings do we meet daily, who err terrible on their decisions? 

To err is human, sure - but not if we err wilfully, intentionally or if legal premeditation is done. But, the second part of this column is much more important: forgiveness...

(To be continued!)

(Re-post of my column IN MY OPINION in MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR from November 16, 2012.)

Philippine Banks Face Future from Position of Strength

A very interesting article you shouldn't miss - especially, if you are living in the Philippines:

Philippine banks face future from position of strength

CCTVs in Churches

Repost from the Editorial of MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR from November 16, 2012.

Times are a-changing. Even churches are asked to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in their premises.

Not only business establishments are required to have their premises fitted with those gadgets that are supposed to monitor illegal activities within the area of a guarded enclosure or area.

How many unsuspecting people have been victimized by unscrupulous individuals preying on the pious inside churches. It's a given that ladies especially those going to churches should keep their wits about them and their bags closer to heir bodies.

Even if the bag doesn't contain any valuables, to lose one's identification cards is a hassle and takes quite a while to reconstruct. A churchgoer  has encountered many such ladies who don't care, anyway the bag doesn't contain any valuable possessions.

We wonder if the Archdioceses of Davao has required its churches to install CCTVs in their premises.

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Times are hard. It's a struggle to survive. Don't leave valuables in full view of anyone with less than pious intentions inside the church.

Forewarned is forewarned.