6. What honest mistake have you committed that turned out  to be favorable to you?

There was this incident back when I was in Grade 6. One of my teachers asked me to give her payment (50 pesos) to our cafeteria. I do admit that I was really wrong for not giving the payment to the right person. And because of that, my teacher thought that I stole her money. I know that I was wrong for giving the money to the wrong person, but I think it is also wrong for my teacher to think that I stole her money. I am telling you that up to this moment, I will stand by with what I told her… that I did not steal her money. That is the truth. And I am happy that my my friends believe in me, that’s why I think that mistake had been favorable to me.

7. Comment on this: “It is better to give than to receive.”

Oh well, this is a very famous saying. But all I can say is it is good that we should be thankful for all the blessings we receive. And one way to show it is to give back… share…

8. What is your attitude toward adversity and temptation?

Hmmm.. Adversity means… a state of misfortune or affliction; “debt-ridden farmers struggling with adversity”; “a life of hardship”; a stroke of ill fortune; a calamitous event; “a period marked by adversities. Well, of course, I would feel really depressed.

Temptation… I actually give in easily to temptations. Haha. But of course, we have our conscience to tell us if what we are doing is right or wrong. That’s why I am thankful to my conscience because my conscience is really strong. Hehe.

9. What good traits do your father and mother have which you see in your personality?

Oh… Just like I said previously, I hate answering questions asking about your own good traits. Haha. But all I can say is, I am really lucky for having the parents I have.

10. What is your favorite room in the house?

Of course, my room. Haha.

Anyway, here is how it will go here in Rowjielogy. I’ll be picking five cards and try to answer the questions on it, and I hope you will also share your answers. And the card I picked up for today is…

1. What has been the greatest act of kindness you have shown to another?

Well, this is a hard question for me and I don’t want to answer questions like this. But whatever it is, I know that anybody will feel good whenever she or he shows acts of kindness to others.

2. Tell us about your crushes.

What!?! Haha. Well, I really had lot crushes back in high school. Some say that to have a crush on someone is just admiring him or her. So do you think, having a crush with the same gender is wrong? Haha.

3. Comment on this: “If you cannot find a way out, look up!”

Well, I am thinking of two possible answers here. First, if you have a problem and you cannot solve it with the solution in your mind, then try another one.

Second, don’t forget to pray! Trust the Lord!

4. What changes would you like to see in your life?

I really want to avoid being shy so I can mingle with people. (And I want to spend my money wisely!)

5. Ooops! The group may ask you now their questions,

What?!? Haha. I will just let you ask me anything you want and I’ll be answering it on the next Ice Breaker!

Anyway, I decided to put this department here so that I can share my points of view to others, as well as let others share theirs to me. I learned how to respect others’ opinions. And I hope others will also learn to do the same.

Ep.1: Freedom of Expression Through Blogs – May 9, 2007
Ep.2: Quality of Education in the Philippines – May 29, 2007
Ep.3: Implementing Dress Codes Inside The Church – June 28, 2007
Ep.4: How Was The Philippines In The Previous Year – July 23, 2007
Ep.5: Trust – August 11, 2007
Ep.6: Love At First Sight – September 3, 2007
Ep.7: Glorietta Blast – October 22, 2007
Ep.8: Press Freedom Censorship – November 9, 2007
Ep.9: Sexperience – November 22, 2007
Ep.10: Same Sex Love – December 3, 2007
Ep.11: The True Meaning of Christmas – December 14, 2007
Ep.12: A Chance To Change – January 11, 2008
Ep.13: People Power, Etc. – March 3, 2008
Ep.14: In The Observance of Holy Week – March 19, 2008

Well, I hope for more Points of Views blog entries in the near future. And to start the second year of Points of View, we will be answering questions from the Ice Breaker collection. This will start next week.

I can say that our generation witnessed how the observance of holy week changed as years passed by. Before, when it’s Holy Thursday to Black Saturday, there are really no programs being shown on TV. If ever there are programs being shown, those are religous films, most especially the life of Jesus Christ. There are also only one or two radio stations which will go on air, and expect that they will play slow and sad songs. People will just usually stay at home with their families. And during those times, people would usually rent movies (Betamax or VHS) from a video rental outlet. And most people would really participate in church activities back then.

Little by little, these practices are changing. So sad to say that it seems like Holy Week is already not being observed by most of us the way it should be. I don’t say that I am doing it the way it should be because I do admit that I also feel that it seems like I am forgetting the significance of these holy days. I’m just trying to point out that I just hope that we don’t forget why this holy week exists. It’s a time to reflect on how we are living our lives. It’s a time to reflect about God’s love for us.

I hope that the Lenten break will be peaceful and meaningful for all of us.

In 2001, the world witnessed another “people power” here in the Philippines. It succeeded to oust President Joseph Estrada. That was in January. In May of the same year, the supporters of Joseph Estrada attempted to grab the power from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, but they did not succeed. We don’t know if we can call it People Power 3.

After the two “so-called” people power, where is our country going? Whether we admit it or not, the spirit of People Power 1 doesn’t live in most of us anymore. Why? Because it seems like we still don’t learn our lessons. Many are disappointed with the second so-called people power. Most of us are already tired of resorting to another people power as a fast solution to the problems of our country.

Do we think that people from around the world will still admire us if ever we will have another people power? Will this always be the solution if we don’t want someone who is in power? Our country is really divided right now. There will always groups of people who will oppose who is in position. They will always try to put those people down.

I am not a pro-Gloria. I also want to know the truth behind all the controversies her government is facing right now. I join the Filipinos who are seeking for truth. But it seems like I am starting to be confused in a “people power” solution. If ever Gloria will be ousted, what will happen next? Noli De Castro as the next president? For sure, many people will still oppose. It is never ending. Eddie Villanueva wants a snap election. Will this be the best solution?

It is pretty obvious in the rally held in Makati last February 29, 2008 that there was an attempt to grab the power from the president. I heard someone saying, “Papayag ba kayo na uuwi tayong hindi natin nakukuha ang gusto natin? (Will you allow that we’ll go home without getting what we want?)”. Whether they admit it or not, it is pretty obvious that they want something more than knowing the truth behind all the controversies.

I am no in the position to say what is the best thing to do to solve the problems our country is facing right now. But I am still hoping to see a brighter and more peaceful Philippines. I know that there are still other solutions aside from another people power. The thought of having so many people power revolution in our history is tiring. Maybe once is enough. We should learn from our lessons. I hope that someone will come who can heal the wounds of our nation. I don’t think that there will come a time when there will be no more pro-administration and opposition. Actually, it is a good thing, just as long as both parties are doing their job honestly to serve the Filipino people who placed them on power.

It is very common for us to promise to ourselves that we will change our negative attitudes whenever a new year comes. There’s nothing wrong if we want to change, just as long it’s for the better.

But it’s really hard to erase others’ impressions on us, most especially, when it is a negative one, as a famous saying goes, “first impressions last”. But let’s do admit the fact that there are some people who are willing to change for the better. The negative impressions about a person might be really hard to erase, but why don’t we give others a chance to change?

We learn from our experiences. We come to a point in our lives where we realized where we have went wrong. That’s why we try to stand up again from our mistakes, and try to correct it. God will be very happy to give us a chance to change for the better, so why can’t we also?

We can trace the tradition of gift giving during Christmas on the first Christmas itself, where the three kings offered gifts to Jesus Christ. So if we try to look at it, somehow, it serves as a symbolism. I really see nothing wrong about it. Actually it’s a good thing because we learn how to share our blessings to others. But let’s not put in our mind that Christmas is just about gift giving. Happiness cannot always be obtained through material things. Most of the time, it would be the presence of our relatives, friends, etc.

But of course, for me the true meaning of Christmas is God’s love for us. Isn’t it according to a song, “For God so loved the world, He gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour, His most precious one!”.

When I was young, I already knew the terms “bakla (gay)” and “tomboy (boyish)”. You are different and an object of laughter when you are one of those two terms. It’s because of the actions of that person, and what they are physically.

When I was in elementary, I became aware that there are some girls who have “crush” on someone with their same gender. Then, I became aware also that some entertain a mutual relationship with someone with the same gender.

As I mature, I started to define “love” in my won ways. Actually for me, love is a feeling that you can’t force yourself to feel, but rather, it is a feeling that comes naturally. It’s really unexplainable. I also started to realize that this “same gender love” thing is not just for girls, but also for boys. I knew it because I see it in the real world, with a little help from the virtual world – the internet.

I know that some people would be against this but how can we say that it is wrong if someone feels love for someone of the same gender? Is it because loving someone with the same gender wrong or bad? We can compare this to someone who fell in love with someone who is married. How does this become wrong? Is it from the moment this person fell in love with the married person, or is it from the moment the person did something to break the relationship of this person?

Comparing it to this “same gender love”, where can it be wrong? Is it from the moment a person fell in love with someone of the same gender? Or is it when this person entered a relationship with someone of the same gender? How about a sexual relationship?

Oh well, it depends on us whether we can say that it is wrong or not. Definitely, there are some who will say that this is wrong, but there are also some who can defend that there is nothing wrong with this kind of feeling.

Let’s not neglect the fact that there are same sex relationships that lasts for a long time. Not all same sex relationships are just all about sex. Not all same sex relationships are not just because of material things. We’ll be surprised that some people who are open to these kind relationship is serious and loyal to their partners. These things are also applicable to a man and woman relationship.

This thing really happens around us. It is a fact. But I think we don’t need to fight or argue with people with different opinions with us. As I mentioned earlier, love is a feeling that we cannot force ourselves to feel, but rather, it comes naturally. Sometimes, we just can’t explain to ourselves why we fell in love with a person, even with someone with the same gender as ours.

Are you one of those who once believed that a baby in a woman’s womb is formed when that woman had “lips to lips” with a man?

I managed to watch a portion of Unang Hirit yesterday morning. They have a portion there called “Boses Ng Masa” where viewers can share their opinions by sending an SMS. Yesterday’s topic was about sex education.

It’s very alarming that there is an unwanted pregnancy of a 12 year old girl, according to the news. She’s not yet even in her teenage years. She has to face a big responsibility, instead of just worrying about her studies. What should we do to lessen, if not eliminate, this problem?

Should sex education already be a part of the curriculum in our schools? If yes, in what level should it be introduced to the students? Or should parents be the first one to enlightened their sons and daughters about sex?

For me, sex is sacred. It is an act being done by two individuals who are in-love with each other. I would say that it is a natural thing for human. That’s why I prefer calling it “to make love” rather than “to have sex”. But still, it would be a matter of choice for us… “Are you ready for the consequences of having sex with your partner?”, “Are you doing it because of love or just because you are really horny?”.

It might really be uneasy talking about sex, but just like I said, it’s natural. It’s like talking about the reproductive system in an elementary class. Some would shout, laugh, or feel uneasy with the topic, but it’s really a part of our human bodies. But I think it would be just fine if sex education be taught to the students. What teachers should really focus on is guiding students in making right decisions about sex – when is the right time to do it, and with whom.

Some countries are much more open about sex compared here in the Philippines. Some would say that Philippines is a conservative country, but why are there a lot of incidents of unwanted pregnancy?

Anyway, just like what others say, you only have sex with the one you love. Whether we admit it or not, there are people who have special feelings for someone with the same sex as them. Is this wrong? If love is a feeling which you naturally felt, how can it be wrong? And with this, is having sex with the same gender wrong? Oh well, this is another topic! Hehe.

The question now is, does NPC has the right to alter the said painting?

Well, like what most people say, it is NPC who is promoting press freedom. Any artist would practice freedom of expression. Journalists are artists in their own way, as well as bloggers can also be considered artists.

What would you feel if you did something then you’ll see that someone has altered it without permission? Wouldn’t you feel insulted?

I’m not sure if they have some copyright issues about that artwork. Did the Angono artists gave NPC the right to alter their work? Or they did not expect that NPC would try to alter their work? Why would someone who is promoting press freedom suddenly censored a piece of art made by artists who are like them, just practicing press freedom?