Road Safety

Here are some of the many tips to avoid accident and getting safely to our destination.  I know most of us are aware of these... but sometimes there is still a need to be reminded.  So please go through and read, it’ll help a lot.

Take the Necessary Precautions.  Before driving, see to it that you are fit to drive and your vehicle is in good condition.  Check the brakes, oil, lights, etc., wear your glasses and protective gears (i.e. helmet), take your medicines and do the things you needed to do to have a hassle free ride.

The Highway Isn’t a Racetrack.  Unlike the racetrack, the road doesn’t have a controlled environment.  It does not have an emergency medic group, standing by in case an accident happens, it does not have pedestrians walking on the tracks, it does not have an opposite lane for vehicles going the opposite direction.  Unlike in a highway, in a racetrack all the vehicles know they are racing.... I can cite a lot more difference but these are just to set a few examples.  Don’t be “very brave”... there are no winners in racing on a highway.

When You’re Late, You’re Late.  Always keep in mind, that driving really fast is not the solution in getting on time... the only way is to wake up and go to work or school early to avoid the rush hour.  Come to think of it, if all people do that then there won’t be a rush hour... but the world isn’t perfect (LOL).

Keep Your Eyes on the Road.  Focus on your driving and on the road, eyes in front and look at your side and rear view mirrors when only needed.  It’s not the proper time and place to flirt on girls or brag about your ride or read text messages on your phone.  If you need to do something urgently while driving... better stop and bring your vehicle in a safe zone.

Don’t Drink and Drive.  Self discipline, if you know you’re driving, don’t drink alcohol.  If you can’t resist or have no choice, better leave your car or motorcycle and take a taxi or jeepney.  Or better leave your vehicle at home in the first place... believe me, you’ll have a good party and you can drink all you want.

Obey Traffic Rules.  These rules aren't made to make your driving life miserable, it is made to keep you safe while driving.  Violating these rules will only create problems with the traffic enforcers.  And God forbid, might result to an accident.

Be Obvious.  Better exaggerate than regret.  Use your signal lights, your head and tail lights.  Use hand signals, you’ll never know if your lights are working properly. And use your horn, make noise if needed, it’s what they are made for.

Practice Humility. Keep your head cool.  We make things we regret if we decide while we are irritated or annoyed.  There’s no harm in forgiving, more it can get you out of trouble.

Pray.  Nothing is more powerful than a prayer to God.  You have no control over all things especially on other drivers and nature itself.  So have a prayer for guidance and protection.

Just remember to be always safe in driving.  We have that responsibility to our family and the family of everyone we meet along the road.  God bless.

Without Discrimination

The week’s Gospel was taken from John 4:5-42.  It’s quite a long one and having two children with you made it much difficult to focus and listen to the gospel and the priest’s homily.  But so far, this is what I digested and my personal views, backed-up by some readings.

The Gospel shows us that Jesus does not look at a person’s status to bear witness to Him.  Here, He shows us that even the people whom we looked down and we thought least important are significant for Him.  He sees us all without discrimination... like the Samaritan woman.

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
picture taken from:  www.eons.com

Just to show the barrier between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, Jesus is a Jew while she is a Samaritan.  Due to their inter-marriage with non-Jewish people, Samaritans lost their ethnic identity.  Thus, they were regarded with less respect and importance.  This is still a reality nowadays, I heard of these countries that offer privileges to those who would marry their own nationality or pure breed.  And those who do not, more especially women, will be stripped off of all rights and privileges they are enjoying.

More is that, Jesus is a man with high stature, a rabbi, most respected by His followers and disciples, is conversing with a woman, which is not considered proper in that time and place.  Further, the woman is a cast off by her own kind, considered misfit for she had five husbands.  But none of this matters to Jesus.  He accepts the woman and treats her with respect by conversing with her and answering her doubts and queries.

The woman asks Jesus, who’s right in worship and where is its rightful place?  Many, if not all of us have not yet resolve this issue... until now, we often fight for the answer.  Maybe we are not just listening to His answer, or we’re just too shut to accept it... Jesus tells us that it does not matter where we worship God, what is important is that we worship God in Spirit and in truth.

Jesus shares with us His deepest secret, that He is the living water Whom whoever takes It would never thirst again for the truth.  He is the Messiah and He shares this with us without any reservations... without any discrimination on what we are or who we are.  If we truly say who we are as believers of Christ, then we must not only say what He does... but also do what He says and do.  God bless.

Keep It Up, Girl... We're Proud of You

We are blessed with smart children, our daughter just finished grade 2 with a silver medal and ribbons of recognition.  She wasn't that studious, I seldom see her reading her books... more of seeing her watching cartoons on TV or playing with her friends.  She just opens her books and asks for our help during her long exams.  So I'm quite amazed she managed to land top 2 of her class.  However, what I observed about her is that she's a fast learner and she catch up with her lessons easily.  Even back then, I would sometimes reprimand her thinking she wasn't listening (because she does a lot of things while studying and makes you think her focus was not in what you're teaching her).  But if you ask her, you'll be surprised that she knows the answer.

By popular demand (LOL)

With pride...

Her academic recognitions...

To our Rael, keep up on what you are doing with your studies... we are proud of what you have accomplished.  Congratulations, anak.  May God bless you with the wisdom you need and guide you with a kind heart.

Thank You Manny Pacquiao

If there is something I'm proud of being a Filipino... one of them will be Manny Pacquiao.  He had not only made a spectacular and unmatched boxing career and changed the world boxing history of becoming an eight division world champion, winning 10 world titles below him... he had also put the Philippines in the world map.  Because of him, I heard a lot of Filipinos around the world now speaking of their being a Filipino or having Filipino blood.  The world watched every match he wins which brought honor to our country.  And  every match he made united us, making every Filipino stop for a while (even the crime rates in all parts of the country falls down and there were no encounters between the military and the anti-government forces).  I may conclude I'm not the only one proud. Truly worthy of being the "Pambansang Kamao".

Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao

Because of him, people around the world are beginning to see us Filipinos... recognizing us in different fields... treating us with respect and high regards.  This is because Manny represented us all, very down to earth, God-fearing and shown true sportsmanship in his fights.  You seldom hear Manny bragging about himself nor throwing cruel or harsh words to his opponents.  That only shows a person with good breeding, he may not have good educational background during his childhood and adolescence but he's far better than those who might have master's or doctor's degree but have used it for their personal advantage and/or to favor/benefit a few corrupt, influential and power greedy persons. 

Before I again lose my focus on corruption, let me just thank the Pac-man.  It's a pride for us Filipinos having you and other great people who brings honor to our country.  You showed us, that if you just strive hard and put your focus in what you want, you can achieve anything... Pacquiao had made his way up to the boxing ladder... he earned his education... he reached what he dreamed of... he became an actor, a singer,  a true public servant (congressman)... most of all, the greatest boxer in history during his time... and he did these without stepping on anyone or at anyone's risk.  No matter what happens to your upcoming fights, we Filipinos will always be proud, what you did is already more than enough.  It just nice to think, that our country might have a hope after all.  May God bless our country with more people like Manny. 

Happy Araw ng Dabaw Everyone

Our very own Davao City is celebrating it's 74th founding anniversary... and you know what the best part is, it's a special non-working holiday...   I know there are a lot of festivities today.  I've seen them  on tv. But  unfortunately I can't  go out today... My wife is working late shift and I need to take care of my children.  So it's bonding moments with the kids instead... Atleast I get to spend the whole day with them...  and that would be more than enough for me to say, I had a good day... 

Aside from the festivities in our city today, let me just tell you some of the things we Dabaweños are proud about our city:

• We have the anti-smoking ordinance in Davao City that protects non-smokers in public places and enclosed establishments;
• The anti-firecracker ordinance that prohibits firecrackers and other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of the city.  It's been years since we had firecracker related accident or casualty especially during the celebration of Christmas and New Year;
• We are using the “911” system, which is only used in US and Canada;
• We don't usually have typhoons here;Thank God.
• We are rich with variety of fruits (to name some: durian,pomelo, rambutan, lanzones, marang, and mangosteen)  and flowering and ornamental plants (Waling-waling, known as the queen of orchids);
• Davao is also home to the majestic Philippine Eagle;
• And the bad elements are afraid of our mayor and her father, our vice-mayor (LOL).

 I'm proud to be a Dabaweño... Happy Araw ng Dabaw to all and God bless.