What a brilliant time to be alive...
Category: Society
Pride Rice
I’m not gay. But I’m pro-Pride. More importantly, I am pro-person.
YOLO revisited
We can go beyond seeking the experiences that grant us self-fulfillment, and seek the visions including others in them, beyond our loved ones. Now that's YOLO.
[The Who Goat] True service above positions
Anyone who truly wants to serve would do so regardless of their standing. True service and purpose transcend any kind of position, role, or responsibility: what truly matters is that you are responsible
Can purpose be taken too far?
Living a purposeful life can have negative aspects or results - which is the result of taking things to the extreme. Everything should be kept in moderation, and there are times when we should "give it a rest": we ourselves should take the time to rest ourselves and the things we do.
The value of inter-faith dialogue and cooperation in higher purpose
I firmly believe that all religions are simply different cultures' ways to commune with the One God. But more importantly, I also believe that these different systems should not serve as barriers, but rather as opportunities for dialogue, mutual support, cooperation, and moving forward together in the name of higher purpose.
Personal social responsibility: A commitment
The Personal Social Responsibility Commitment (PSRC) by the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation, which promotes making CSR a lifestyle, echoes TDA's own values. Click to read the Commitment in its entirety.
Coming home yet journeying again: Personal CSR at its finest
The 5th Philippine Conference on Research in CSR held last 28 September 2015 was the culmination of a five-part program by the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation that formally launched the concept of CSR 3.0, or Personal Social Responsibility. In practicing CSR 3.0, we are called to undergo personal transformation and always do more than expected, down to and especially the smallest actions.
Why sharing fosters growth
In living your higher purpose, it's always about community and sharing - everyone exchanges their ideas, resources, and talents to help others and be helped in the name of mutual achievement of the one big goal of authentic development.
The truth about beauty
How did there come to be a standard of beauty - and who said it has to be thin and white? I believe in true beauty: when you are living out your purpose, when you are living a life of love and of service.
Dream on, and dream!
Your dreams may be one way God - or your Higher Being - is speaking to you, and thus one way you can realize and live out your higher purpose or your Reason. Take time to look at them, and more importantly, follow them.
A visionary’s flaw, or the relationship between principles and kindness
Living a conscious life of purpose involves high principles or standards, and adhering to them. However, we run the risk of alienating others - and even ourselves! - by too strict an adherence or enforcement of said standards. We have to remember to be kind and understanding in accommodating others - and even towards ourselves!
The year that defined me – and how it can define us all
2014 was the year that defined me, for it shaped my beliefs, and it did so for good. Much of it is rooted in my experiences in the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF), and here I present my reflections from them as an excerpt from the forthcoming book 'Conversations with the Chairman'.
West Valley Fault Preparations Part 3: Kits and Plans
This third of three posts about preparing for the predicted Valley Fault earthquake that will devastate the Greater Metro Manila area discusses in more detail having your own emergency supply kit and detailed disaster plans for the family and workplace/school. I recommend assembling your own supply kit instead of a pre-made one that may lack some essentials or contain unimportant things relative to your own circumstances. Disaster plans must be mastered and practiced by all members.
Gratuitous wits, or the futility of letter debate
What is the use of arguing over something like sola fides when so many people out there need the help of humble and loving Christians who have the capabilities to grant said help whichever way they can? None. There is no point in debating about the letter of the law when the spirit of the law is clearly being taken for granted.
West Valley Fault Preparations Part 2: Pre-, During, and Post-Earthquake
This second of three posts about preparing for the predicted Valley Fault earthquake that will devastate the Greater Metro Manila area discusses the things that can be done in preparing for an earthquake - before, during, and after it strikes.
West Valley Fault Preparations Part 1: Maps and Home Safety Check
This first of three posts about preparing for the predicted Valley Fault earthquake that will devastate the Greater Metro Manila area discusses the fault system atlas launched by government agencies in May 2015 as well as affected settlements, and a 12-point checklist evaluating your home's integrity and safety launched in February 2014. If you live in Metro Manila, I recommend you download these documents and study them.
The race or the call
Would you choose to race, or to accept a call? And would the race be worth it, or not? I do know the call is worth it. I invite you to reflect on answering your vocation as opposed to being engaged in careerism.
When the academe and non-profit collide: Part 2
In the second part of my take on the ugly but avoidable battle between Gawad Kalinga and the University of Hawaii, I discuss things that both sides did that I question for being overreactive.
When the academe and the non-profit collide: Part 1
The social media battle between the University of Hawaii and Gawad Kalinga should never have happened. In this first part, I talk about the incident itself and some of my own thoughts regarding the matter.
Book Feature: The Purpose Driven Life
The Purpose Driven Life is a master in showing us the eternal truths God has laid out for us. Through a 40-day spiritual journey, it teaches us five Purposes that we are to always keep in mind while holding on to our God-given individuality. I invite you to embark on the same journey!
Better Over Good
I invite you to contemplate on choosing the better option over the good option in everything you do. Knowing that one can live better should be reason enough to reflect on this. Furthermore, God left no stone unturned in sending His only Son to die for our sins so that we may be saved; in return, we, too, owe it to Him to consider Better Over Good.
The Order to Love
Even with no S.O., you can spend Valentine's Day as a day of love for anyone and everyone, be it family, friends, less fortunate brothers and sisters, or even strangers. After all, since when has love been all romantic? Happy Valentine's Day!
Use social media responsibly!
In a world where social media has brought us closer and enabled our communications to reach wider audiences, it isn't difficult to be careless and be irresponsible or reckless in it. However, so is responding to said posts. Let this serve as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to use social media wisely.
Obey traffic rules!
They were put there for a reason, and that reason is connected to being a good citizen, following the law. And being a good citizen means to follow the law, even if it seems to be unreasonable or a burden.
7.2 earthquake can hit Metro Manila in the near future
The most important and populated areas in the Philippines are at risk of getting shut down by a huge earthquake. Read more about it here.
11 things to prepare in the face of a typhoon
So there's now talk again of bracing for a new "supertyphoon" to hit our beloved country (PAGASA will not officially use the super-typhoon classification until next year, according to its administrator Vicente Malano, as they will raise awareness on such first - although the US Navy already classifies it as such), comparable to 2012's Typhoon Bopha… Continue reading 11 things to prepare in the face of a typhoon
Why a dentist is a perfect example of community
Before I begin writing, I'd like to take a moment to share this video of a story I've frequently encountered over the years. It's about the blind men and an elephant, which is commonly used as a fable for the relativism and subjectivity of truth - how our subjectivity is true but may not be total. But this… Continue reading Why a dentist is a perfect example of community
The Heroes in Us
This is a cross-publication of my editorial on CSR Bookshelf for yesterday, Monday, 25 August 2014, Philippine National Heroes Day for 2014.
Today, we celebrate a national public holiday whose significance is very, very special to us as a nation, as a people. Although they are not the de jure subjects of the holiday, thanks to the efforts of some of the people we honor this day, the events that led up to 12 June 1898 began. As such, we commemorate them as our national heroes. Today is National Heroes Day.
National Heroes Day was first signed into law through the national legislature’s Act No. 3827 on 28 October 1931, to be celebrated as an official, national holiday on the last Sunday of August. During President Corazon C. Aquino’s term, her 1987 Administrative Code adopted this in the list of regular holidays and nationwide “special days”. In 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9492, which made our Heroes’ Day fall on the last Monday of August.
To us, the millennial youth of the…
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3 Taon, 3 Hakbang
Bakit ko ginagawa ang ginagawa ko? Naitatanong lagi sa akin iyan (ngunit hindi sa ganiyang paraan lagi), at nakakabigo tuwing nahihirapan akong sagutin ito. Ngunit alam ko rin na tama ang aking ginagawa, tama dahil iyon ang daan ng pag-ibig ng Maykapal. Kaya, kahit papano, ako'y namamayapa. Naniniwala ang aking tagapayo na mangyari nating gamitin ang ating mga… Continue reading 3 Taon, 3 Hakbang
3 Years, 3 Steps
Why do I do what I do? I get that question (not in that form always, though) a lot, and I find it slightly frustrating that I find it difficult or even impossible to answer. But, at the same time, I know that what I'm doing is right, right in the sense that it's the… Continue reading 3 Years, 3 Steps
2012: Not the end, but the beginning.
Wow, I haven't updated this in almost a year. How time flies... Indeed, this supposed last year of the world has been figuratively (good thing not literally) a blast, and especially in this time of my life, I am now more than game to face 2013. Although the seeds were sown during the last quarter… Continue reading 2012: Not the end, but the beginning.