BLOGGERS PRAYER

Just right after I posted my gratitude for winning the Filipino Blog Awards,I had found this Bloggers Prayer from a blog of a Priest..
As I browse down and read the whole content,I felt something force internally ...it's like a transformation within.Without any second thought, I asked authorization to repost the Prayer using my blog account...but he wasn't permitted me yet,praying that he won't kill me..so blog hoppers read and please try to internalize this heartwarming supplications for us bloggers.


So compassionate, so faithful, so loving You are Our Father.

We ask You to increase our faith and our love for You that we may use blogging as an instrument to fulfill Your purposes. May we become bloggers of truth and promoters of peace.

Help us to be steadfast in our Christian commitment that visitors may find in our blogs a source of encouragement and inspiration. Give us strength to proclaim Your word, that we may play our part in breaking down the walls of hostility in the world and use our blogs to strengthen the bonds of friendship, solidarity and love.

Make our hearts meek and humble
that we may treat our readers as friends, not as unique hits,
that we may strive to change ourselves for the better more often than we pimp our site templates,
that we may find more time to ease the pain of someone in our own home than to reply to comments left by strangers,
that we may interact with our next door neighbors as often as we chat with our blogrolled friends,
that we may be more concerned about helping the less privileged than about the number of subscribers to our RSS feeds.

Deliver us, Father, from spams and viruses, from pride and selfishness, and from the temptation to replicate images without permission and copy ideas without crediting the original authors.

May we always be united as a network of bloggers and friends working together in Your name. May our blogs lead us closer to You.

We ask all these through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

I WON THE FILIPINO BLOG OF THE WEEK

This very especial design was made by Kuya Rolly...a person behind my winning.


As a humble blogger...I never expect nor thinking of receiving any Blog Awards since I don't have the gift in writing and all my ideas here were merely poor comparing to those who are what we so called Professional Bloggers.
I would like to extend my most profound gratitude to Talksmart for the nomination he made .For several weeks the competition was very tough and the competitors we're also great bloggers.
My humble attention was ecstatically surprised,when Talksmart informed me that I was nominated...At first, I was landed to 4th place and the following week 2nd place and at last A Winner and A Hall of Fame.
Glory to God in the Highest is the only thing I can say for now....of course, I would like to acknowledge the Bisdakplanet for their kind supports thru out the voting and to those people who visited my blog and cast their votes...most specially to Kuya Rolly for the 24 hours votes and with his convincing power,persuading the Bisdak community to give their support for the remaining week.

...MY AWARDS...

ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Just found this lines from another blog...and I feel like posting them here because of it's possible reality happens only in the Philippines.
I would like to give acknowledge to the person who originally posted this..Mr. Xavier


50. Where the most happening places are not where the party is. Instead it is where gang wars happen or where the people overthrow a president.

49. Where even doctors, lawyers and engineers are unemployed.

48. Where everyone has his personal ghost story and superstition

47. Where mountains like Makiling and Banahaw are considered holy places.

46. Where everything can be forged.

45. Where school is considered the second home and the mall considered the third.

44. Where Starbucks coffee is more expensive than gas.

43. Where every street has a basketball court and every town only has one public school.

42. Where all kinds of animals are edible.

41. Where people speak all kinds of languages, and still call it Tagalog and where it is fast becoming unfashionable to speak English.

40. Where students pay more money than they will earn after graduation.

39. Where telemarketer and call-center employees earn more money than teachers and nurses.

38. Where driving 4 kms in the capital city can take as much as four hours.

37. Where flyovers bring you from the freeway to the side streets.

36. Where the tourist spots are where Filipinos can not or do not go to.

35. Where the personal computer is mainly used for games, chatting and friendster.

34. Where 13-year-olds are alcoholic.

33. Where colonial mentality is dishonestly denied.

32. Where the squatters have more to complain (even if they do not pay their tax) ---- than those employed and have their tax automatically deducted from their salaries.

31. Where people can pay to defy the law.

30. Where everything and everyone is spoofed.

29. Where even the poorest of the poor have television sets and air conditioning but do not have food on the table and can not send their kids to school.

28. Where the honking of car horns is a way of life.

27. Where being called a bum is acceptable and never offensive.

26. Where floodwaters take up more than 90 percent of the streets during the rainy season.

25. Where everyone has a relative abroad who keeps them alive.

24. Where crossing the street involves running for your dear life.

23. Where you can get killed if your singing sucks at a karaoke bar.

22. Where billiards is a sport, darts is a bar game and where boxing is almost becoming the national sport.

21. Where even the poverty-stricken have the latest cell phones (that are stolen from those who can afford.)

20. Where insurance does not work.

19. Where water can only be classified as tap and dirty - clean water is for sale (35 pesos per gallon).

18. Where the church governs the people and where the government makes the people pray for miracles.

17. Where University of the Philippines is where all the weird people go. Ateneo is where all the nerds go. La Salle is where all the Chinese go. College of Saint Benilde is where all the dumb La Sallians go.

16. Where fast food is a diet meal.

15. Where traffic signs are merely suggestions, not regulations.

14. Where mostly people with influence and power can make it big in showbiz. No talent required.

13. Where being held up is normal. It happens to everyone.

12. Where kids dream of becoming pilots, doctors and basketball players but never get to live it.

11. Where rodents and cockroaches are normal house pets.

10. Where the definition of traffic is the "non-movement" of vehicles.

9. Where the fighter planes of the 1940s are used for military engagements, and the new fighter planes are displayed in museums.

8. Where Nora Aunor is an acclaimed actress, Boy Abunda is the best talk show host and Manny Pacquiao is a hero... Where the population knows more their showbiz stars better than their national heroes and past presidents, knows more of showbiz gossips than their national history and current events. And where candidates for senator and president use celebrities to win the national elections.

7. Where cigarettes and alcohol are a necessity, and where the lottery is a commodity.

6. Where soap operas tell the realities of life and where the news provides the drama.

5. Where actors make the rules and where politicians provide the entertainment.

4. Where finding a deer on the road will be a phenomenon. A dog? It's normal.

3. Where people can get away with stealing trillions of pesos, but not for a thousand.

2. Where being an hour late is still considered punctual.

1. And finally... where everybody wants to leave the country!!!






These following pictures courtesy of Tahanan Books

RENT-A-FAMILY

One of the topics in my Man to Man class with the Koreans...was Rent-A-Family.I could not hardly believe that there is such a thing like this.
There are a number of rent-a-family companies in Japan.One in Chiba, for instance, is called Japan Efficiency Headquarters.Elderly parents often do not live with their oldest son's family, as was almost the case before the war.Further weakening the tie between parents and their grown children are the long hours the children put in at work.
Rent-A-Family companies say business is booming.Japan Efficiency Headquarters, for example, has 80 people on its waiting list.
The company's president says,"Our purpose is to fill a hole in the heart".
Not all Japanese are enthusiastic about rent-a-family companies. A Japanese professor who specializes in aging says,"Personality, it is beyond my understanding," and a Japanese sociologist says simply,"it is very sad."
And it is seriously true...good thing that we don't have that here in the Philippines...Mabuhay for the Filipinos...

MY ALTER EGO

It's so funny to think, yet ecstatic, when somebody persistently persuade you that you are facially resemblance to somebody, may it be famous or not.
My Korean students seriously trying to compare me to this Korean actor with an English name of Eric, as well.
They were just basing my old picture way back my glorious hairy days....
This picture that you'll see below was my school photo during my high school....just try to judge and compare me to this Eric Moon a Korean actor, if we really are alike to each other facially.
In the lowest part,is my recent picture taken at Taal at the edge of the crater itself...and was and is still compared to famous International actor Yul Brynner
Well,it's up to you guys whether you'll curse me to high heavens....that's how my Korean students see me...it may be a wrong perspective and intuitions but allow me to indulge this simple things that at least foreign students appreciated the way I look now and the Eric (Me) before.
I really thank God for that...............

THE YOUNG ME................



ERIC MOON OR MOON JUNG HYUK in Korean name..


THIS IS ME...NOW.


MY KOREAN STUDENTS COMPARED ME TO THIS GREAT HOLLYWOOD ACTOR YUL BRYNNER

PUPPIES FOR SALE (A STORY TO LIVE BY)

Last Saturday,was a good and bright seventh day of the week.Amidst of the disturbing weather,we managed to hold a very holistic and solemn worship....please don't get me wrong..I am a Seventh Day Adventist Christian.
An invited speaker from the Caribbean area, jokingly shared some stories for us to be entertained specially the students.
But one story that deeply sounds so serious and paused you for awhile, was a story made by his own version.
Eventually, I had heard this story a million times and even read them in the internet...but it's really good and made you think that not everyone goes with easy flaws of life.
The story goes like this:

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about Nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he Felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the Eyes of a little boy.
Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."
"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"
"Sure," said the farmer.
And with that he let out a whistle,"Here,Dolly!" he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this One noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up....
"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself To a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need Someone who understands."

The world is full of people who need someone who understands.

TAAL TREKKING

Tagaytay is the summer capital of Southern Tagalog because of its cold weather especially in the evening. Panting scenic views and cool breeze of Tagaytay gives you massage of relaxation and indeed it is an exquisite place. For nature communing, Tagaytay is one of the best place to be, for family outing, stressing out your problems and the best hideaway of the hustle bustle in the city.
If you think Baguio is far from your whereabouts, just think of going to Tagaytay, it's even more cheaper than Baguio.
It is overlooking to Taal volcano....which can be easily reached if you are coming from Cavite,Laguna, and Batangas.

Last Sunday,we had a trip with our students down to Taal volcano. I was ecstatic to see the volcano closely with my very own eyes.
Honestly,we left the Institute early 7 in the morning with the hope we could go back at the Institute earlier.
As we drove down to a zigzag road of Tagaytay headed to Taal, picturesque views surprised us with an awe.
We could not hold our breathe to utter the never ending words of WOW's.....
Cold breeze from Taal lake touches our faces as we tried to peep out the window with gay.
Our Korean students could not help but appreciate the beauty of what Tagaytay has to brag.It was also their first time to see such uniquely pride of the Philippines.
As we arrived, we never waste any moment but hopped in immediately to our respective pump boat according to our groupings.
Down to Taal lake wasn't impressive....seas aren't good as we expected to be a pristine clear water but seaweeds and other sea plants covered the shallow parts which showed it wasn't disturb.
We reached at the island exactly 30 minutes....horse guides were awaiting for us and give us the best horses in Taal.
It was my first time to ride a horse and the riding was quite frightening...it took us minutes to reach the peak of the volcano.The horse that was assigned for me was the slowest mover of all.The horse guide gave me the mother horse with a colt tagging along with us that caused our trekking delayed.
The weather was so excruciating and the road leads to Taal was so dusty and damp.Picture taking was flooded all over as we reached the acme of the volcano..which is the biggest volcano in the island.
The more I appreciate Taal when I saw overlooking the vulcan itself..it was very an unforgettable experienced for me,though we were toasted with the painful heat of the sun.It was a very hot as if you were in an oven being heated.


NEXLETH SEATED ON A CLIFF..ACTUALLY ITS THE MOUTH OF THE TAAL VOLCANO.


YOURS TRULY WITH THE LAKE AS THE BACKGROUND...


MIXED OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS


OUR KOREAN STUDENTS AT THE PEAK OF TAAL..


HORSEBACK RIDING ON THE WAY UP TO TAAL VOLCANO...


A 30 MINUTES HORSEBACK RIDING HEADED UP TO THE VOLCANO..


THE TAAL LAKE ITSELF....


LORRAINE POINTING THE TAAL LAKE....