Maguindanao Massacre : an act of atrocious cruelty

With the recent events that transpired in Maguindanao, one cannot help but feel sad and angered. How can the people behind this appalling brutality sleep at night? I guess they do not have a conscience to bother them.

Although its miles away from where we are now, I cannot help but feel for the families who have lost their loved ones. No one deserves to be brutally murdered like that. It is a rather sad reflection of our country’s present political state. We have yet to start the campaign period, what more?

As I hear and read updates from the news, I am even more enraged to know that some of the victims were sexually abused before they were killed. Such an atrocious cruelty! I pray for the souls of these victims that they may find peace and that justice may be served.

The presence of private armies makes me shudder and I fear for my family, my kids and the future generation. I do hope that this coming elections we will be able to elect people who will have the political will to not only look into this matter but do something about it. And I truly pray that this unpleasant incident will not just disappear from the news, just like any other issues concerning the government.

I am sharing with you the statement issued by Senator Trillanes regarding this incident.

THE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE
by: Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV
It was a very sad day for our country yesterday. Forty people were reportedly abducted and killed in broad daylight allegedly by the security men of political warlords in Maguindanao with the possible involvement of some local law enforcement units.

The news may come as a shock for some but the truth is the brutal massacre merely highlighted what has been going on in many parts of our country all these years. This is ‘political warlordism’ at its worst! To further aggravate matters, the AFP/PNP are either accomplices, silents partners or helpless onlookers in these occurrences either by choice or through pressure from superiors. Often, the AFP/PNP area commanders are pressured or bribed by local politicians into issuing firearms for the latter ostensibly for security purposes but actually ends up being used for kidnapping, robbery, harassment/coercion, tribal wars and, in this case, a massacre of political foes. In an incident in 2001, then Col. Narcise, a newly assigned brigade commander in Basilan, recalled the government issued firearms of then Gov. Wahab Akbar but after a few days Col. Narcise was directed by then DND Sec. Reyes to return the said firearms to Akbar. The late Governor was a political ally of GMA and a personal friend of Reyes. Afterwards, Col. Narcise was unceremoniously relieved from his post by Reyes at the request of Akbar. Similar situations are happening in Maguindanao and other strife torn areas throughout the country.

That said, I will be filing a resolution on Monday calling for a Senate investigation on the Maguindanao massacre to find out the circumstances that led to this gruesome crime with a particular focus on the possible involvement/negligence of the AFP/PNP. Also, it intends to determine how many firearms have actually been issued by the AFP/PNP to all local officials not only in Maguindanao but all over the country with the end in view of recalling such firearms. Earlier, I have also filed a Gun Control Bill that intends to curb the proliferation of loose firearms. The bottom line is: WE HAVE TO GET THESE GUNS! Now, this is just the first step. Ultimately, only an aggressive political/governance reform and development agenda can restore peace, progress and democracy in these areas. Let’s just hope Noynoy (or whoever will be the next president) has one.

Abot Tanaw’s Blogger Event

Abot Tanaw is a social welfare media company geared towards servicing Filipino’s separated from their families by choice. They cater to local and international Filipino migrants: students, workers, policemen, armed forces and the OFW’s.

They are inviting bloggers to understand what Abot Tanaw is all about and how they can bring people together with free video calls. This service is offered free to all Abot Tanaw members. Come and experience the state of the art telephony service that Abot Tanaw has to offer. They currently have 5 hubs located all over the Philippines and in HK – - SM City Davao, SM Cebu, SM North Edsa, SM Pampanga, SMX and at the United Center building in Hong Kong, near the consulate.

Join us on Saturday, November 7, 5-6pm at SMX Hub (Shop G-8, SM Convention Center, Pasay City) and have a first hand experience of an “abot” call. You are encouraged to set a meeting with your distant relatives and friends during this activity, just make your appointments with any of the Abot Tanaw Hubs or you can drop an email to Doris Jimenez at doris.jimenez@abottanaw.com for your free video call.

Abot Tanaw is grounded on the need for us to actually see each other and not just speak to each other. The same reason why Manny Pacquiao who is often separated from his family because of his profession has decided to endorse our cause. He will be wearing the Abot Tanaw shirt before his fight on November 15.

Please register here with your name, email and blog url to join this blogger event. Slots are open for the first 30 bloggers, so please register early.

For any inquiries, please feel free to send an email to salen.sjt2007@gmail.com or contact 09178523843.

See you there!

Enlightening my daughter on True Beauty

Tonight this was the question my teenage daughter asked me, “Mom, when did you start having curves?” Honestly, I was astounded by the question. I told her not to think so much about her physical beauty, because she is beautiful as it is. I added that is not good to be conscious about her figure and weight.

I was forced to show her this video from Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. This was shared to me by my sister a couple of days ago through Facebook.

It is indeed a challenge to raise a young lady nowadays, most especially when their perception of beauty is what they see from fashion magazines and billboards. From the society and the fashion world that we live in now, they seem to define beauty as size O and perfect facial features. Thus putting so much pressure on young girls to look that way and it can be perilous.

Me and my hubby have had serious discussion as to how critical his role is being the first male authority in our young girl’s life. According to research as told by the book “Father Effects: How Your Father Influenced Who You Are and Who You Love,” it points out that young girls feel abandoned and rejected without their father’s presence in their growing up years. Growing up without a dad, I know that for a fact buy hey! I don’t blame anyone — Life is what you make it. However, as a parent, I learn from those mistakes and try to be better parents to my children. Hubby is not the touchy and showy type of person but he understands the importance of being a more active parent, it’s a work in progress.

Nevertheless, as a father, hubby is good at explaining things, like a teacher. He helps our daughter understand beauty in a godly way. That looking beautiful is not a bad thing but vanity is not good either. It is our role to enlighten her on the true meaning of beauty. Such as wearing modest clothes so as not to attract lust on the opposite gender and most importantly living a happy, healthy life that will radiate her beauty inside and out even without adornments and cosmetics. We try to influence her on being positive each and every day.

More than once, I have told my daughter that she is beautiful not only because I am her mother but she truly is. Love and assurance is essential in building up her self esteem in order for her to radiate beauty without having to compare herself with the standards of today’s society.

Blog Action Day : Climate Changes is Happening, let’s do our share now

Typhoon Ondoy

The recent devastation to property and life brought about by Typhoon Ondoy (international name Typhoon Ketsana) and Typhoon Pepeng (international name Typhoon Parma) is just among the many evidences to substantiate that climate change is a phenomenon that is taking place… now.

The photos and videos of those affected by these recent typhoons were tremendously shocking. One cannot help but think that this is truly the wrath of Mother Nature. But why? We can only blame ourselves for not taking care of the beautiful planet that was given to us. Human activities contribute a lot to climate change; it’s a price we are paying for modernization and industrialization.

Typhoon Pepeng

To point out some, we can see that more and more forested areas are converted to agricultural lands to produce food for the growing population, if not, they are transformed to the development of residential properties to give land to the homeless. As a result, there are damming of rivers and ground water is siphoned to counterpart the need of the agricultural fields and the growing population. With that, fossil fuel is used in order to draw water and electricity. .. And the cycle continues.
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Another year to grow in wisdom…

As I turn another year older, becoming old is simply not what I feel but I rather consider myself growing in wisdom. The past year has made me realize a lot of things in life, events that really changed my perspective – as I see things more differently now, more than ever.

To begin with, I would like to reflect on my present blessings, which so many people tend to neglect, myself included. Whatever challenges or difficulty life has posed on me, I have literally paused for a while, count every bit of blessing that I have received and picked myself up form where I left off. Here I am now, allowing myself to realize how blessed I am, experience the wonderful gifts that surround me and becoming a medium of blessing to other people.

This has truly been a very good emotional and spiritual exercise for me. Like a glass full of water, I had to empty myself out in order to allow more graces to come in.

Blessings come in different shapes and sizes, it does not only mean material wealth – because I honestly do not have that. It’s how you maximize (to the fullest) the resources around you. For you may have a piece of good fortune in your hand, but if you do not use this to open up opportunities for you to grow and progress, it will wear out in time.

Opportunities should be something that promotes or contributes to people’s happiness and well-being and not only centered on your self.

I remember this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus said to his disciples “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” And from the priest’s homily which I am quoting, “It is not thinking less of your self, but thinking of your self less.”

I know I will not be the same person I am many years from now, but one thing I know, is that I shall willfully give thanks for the things and events of my daily life, however little it may be. For it is in my belief, that the more you are thankful, the further you are blessed.

To my family, who continues to be my source of strength and inspiration, I am so grateful that the Lord has chosen me to be part of your lives.

To my relatives, friends, and my readers, who have in one way or the other have touched my life and enriched me to be the person I am now… my sincerest gratitude.

To my creator, thank you dear God, for everything I have now comes from You and I offer them back to you in praise. And I pray that I shall be the person you want me to be.

Photo courtesy of my brother

World Vision : Sponsor a child today!

What better way to celebrate one’s birthday than by giving something back to society? It is a way of thanksgiving for the countless blessings me and my family has received. This year rather than having any celebration, I chose to sponsor a child through World Vision.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Motivated by our Christian faith, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

World Vision partners with children and the communities among the poorest areas to help improve lives and combat poverty by sending them to school.

For only P600 a month or P7,200 a year, you can send a child to school. You may opt to choose among the qualified school children if you drop by at their booths located at select malls or World Vision will assign at random the child that you will sponsor in cases of internet application.

Upon signing up, you will receive a welcome kit with the child’s profile and an opportunity to write and exchange letters with your sponsored child. What’s good about this program is that it does not have a binding agreement. Although World Vision hopes that you will continue to sponsor the child  however, in the event that you cannot pursue, all you need to do is inform them.

With a little amount, it can really go along away. I am taking this opportunity to invite you, my readers, to sponsor a child today. You may visit World Vision website here or you can drop by at their booth inside the malls. They currently has booths in SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria or directly get in touch with their office at:

World Vision Development Foundation
389 Quezon Avenue corner West 6th St.
1104 Quezon City, Philippines
Email: wv_phil@wvi.org
Office Numbers: (632)374-7618 up to 28 or fax to (632)374-7660

Excitement awaits you at Active Fun

It was a rainy Friday afternoon but the heavy downpour did not dampen the enthusiasm of our kids as they engage themselves in active play at ActiveFun. Mommy Bloggers and our kids were invited to experience their newly opened branch at the Annex of SM City North EDSA. This activity center features the longest indoor slides in the country plus the other facilities where the kids can exercise and develop their motor and coordination skills. Nowadays I feel that this is important since most kids do not get the opportunity to play actively because of the hi-tech gadgets available. They would rather be in front of the television, play online and other console games.
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