Every Day is a Gift

           While nearing the completion of this year, I reflected on what has happened on my life during its course. I was amazed on how blessed I am as I recalled back the events of this year. How precious the life is- that is one of the focuses of my reflections this year. Life just come and go so we must need to embrace every moment that comes each day. Consequently, some of those reflections which I would like to share with you are the following: A three-legged stool : - each leg relies on each other for strength; - on top of the stool is a space for a comfortable sitting; - equal footing for each leg to stand in balance and in harmony; - each leg's brace provides support and strength as the three of them       intertwined with each other imagecredit :   http://www.freeimageslive.com/galleries/nature/trees/pics/trees01830.jpg   Relating it to life: - we need support system such as each other, family, friends, rel...

          How do you define the meaning of Christmas? What is the importance of this season in your life and that of your family? Who do you spend your time with on Christmas time? At times, when you are obssessed with new things such as clothes and gadgets, what you look forward as a younger boy or girl at this season is the luxurious gift that you will receive from others.           These are but just some of the questions that come to your mind when you think about Christmas. You may think perhaps of the times when you were still young and the idea then of Christmas was mainly focused on the following: imagecredit: a. receiving gifts and giveaways from loved ones especially from parents; b. playing time with friends  c. opportunity to go around and mill with friends to make carolling to various houses and even to strangers thus allowing the spirit of Christmas to be shared with everyone       ...

          It's Christmas morning! And many people in this side of the world are still sleeping at 8:09 am. I woke up with the priest's words during the Christmas eve mass still ringing in my ears. His main message centered on the theme: "Can we see Jesus who was born in lowliness and in poverty?"            In our culture, the long Christmas celebration which starts in October until January, focuses on the material aspects -- food, parties, new clothes and gadgets. If not for Yolanda, people would still have those annual big and pompous celebration. I believe that calamities do happen before Christmas to give us a message -- TO SIMPLIFY.            I remember last year, when I introduced a gift-less Christmas to my family in respect to the Pablo victims and survivors. It was done but was not well received. Nakasanayan na kasi eh (It has been a tradition.) . And worse, I heard " Si Tito Nel kas...

          Previously, it was typical for any family that a father goes to work and provides the needs of the family. On the other hand, the mother stays at home to take charge of the children. Nowadays, it is but prevalent that both parents prefer to work so as to provide the financial benefits of the children. These two contrasting realities both have their positive and negative effects.           You may perhaps think that children with both working parents naturally receive the material benefits. As such, the parents can afford to buy anything luxurious like toys, modern gadgets, and can even send the children to exclusive schools. Moreover, proponents of this view argues that due to the family's extra wealth, it will enable them to go overseas for a holiday.           On the other hand, one of the possible negative results when both parents are working is the deprivation of guidance and moral support...

What would be food without salt? Salt, what an amazing ingredient. Can you imagine your favorite adobo without any salt? Salt is even added to caramel to give it a rounded rich flavour, don't believe me? Get a salted caramel ice cream or tart they're the craze nowadays, I've had an amazing, can't get enough of it popcorn that was sweet and salty. It was sold in this huge, plastic pillow case size bags and people where queueing up to buy not just one bag but two!  Salt, what an amazing ingredient indeed.  Ever wondered what it meant to be salt? In (Mt 5: 13) Jesus told us "You are salt of the earth but if salt loses its salty taste it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing. It must be thrown out for people to walk on."   One of the functions of salt is that it helps preserve food. I know, I'm thinking of tuyo (salted pilchard or anchovies), dried squid man this writing is making me hungry!   What salt does is it prevents t...