TOP TEN STORIES OF 2010 THAT AFFECTED ME

1. THE MANILA HOSTAGE DRAMA – This unfortunate incident showed to the whole world how inept Philippine government and its institutions are. The outrage of the Chinese people, for me, was valid and
understandable. Lives were lost all because of the careless and faulty handling of the situation.And while the whole hostage-taking was happening, President Aquino and his men were busy eating at a Chinese restaurant.

2. THE ACQUITTAL OF HUBERT WEBB – The decision of the Supreme Court to free Hubert Webb and his co-accused made my blood boil as it reminded me of the lack of justice in the Philippines. The Supreme Court overturned the decisions of the Regional Trial Court and Court of Appeals which just about defies logic. The Supreme Court decided in favor of Hubert Webb based on photocopied documents and a belief that Jessica Alfaro lacks credibility as a witness. As far as I am concerned, it is the Supreme Court that lacks credibility.

3. THE ELECTION OF NOYNOY AQUINO AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY – While I question P-Noy’s leadership skills, I have to admit that he the least corrupt among the presidential candidates. But the war he promised to wage against corruption seems to be a losing battle now. What can P-Noy do when even the Supreme Court is a symbol of corruption in the country ?

4. THE PACQUIAO – MARGARITO MATCH – The Philippines gained some respect as Manny Pacquiao  once again showed brilliance in the ring. More importantly, Pacquiao showed the true mark of an athlete when he wanted the referee to stop the bout to spare Margarito from serious injury.

5. CHARICE PEMPENGCO IN GLEE – The natural singing talent of Filipinos was seen worldwide in a highly popular American show through a pint-sized girl from Laguna. But I wonder if Charice will still appear in Glee.

6. VENUS RAJ ENDED 4TH RUNNER-UP IN MISS UNIVERSE – The respectable finish of Venus Raj in the prestigious beauty pageant is a reminder that good things happen to good people who are willing to chase their dreams despite the obstacles along the way. The victory of the poor farm girl from Bicol is a reminder as well that dreams can come true.

7. THE VICTORY OF BOXER REY SALUDAR IN FINLAND AND CHINA – I honestly believe that Rey Saludar will give the Philippines its first Olympic gold medal. And the good thing about Rey is that he remains humble despite the fame and fortune that he has managed to achieve so far.

8. THE 2nd RUNNER-UP FINISH OF BOWLER BIBOY RIVERA AT THE WORLD CUP AND ASIAN GAMES GOLD MEDAL FINISH IN CHINA – Being a bowler myself, I know how hard it is to compete at the World Cup. Before representing the country in what is considered as the Olympics of bowling, a bowler must play at least a hundred games and beat the best Filipino bowlers
around. The same goes with the Asian Games since Asian bowlers are highly ranked in the world.

9. THE UNEXPECTED SEMIFINAL STINT OF THE AZKALS AT THE SUZUKI CUP – Despite my not-so-nice experience with the Azkals, I must admit that the team satisfied the desire of Filipinos to be one with the world in its fascination with football.

10. THE KRIS AQUINO – JAMES YAP SEPARATION – Finally, the marriage that was doomed from the start ended. Too bad Kris lost over 90M pesos just to break free from James Yap.

VIZCONDE FILES FOR MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION

Lauro Vizconde has filed a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court. With the rule of double jeopardy greatly hampering his chances of a reversal of the Supreme Court's decision, Mr. Vizconde will surely be denied of the justice that he seeks. While the motion for reconsideration is a valid act, lawyers are one in saying that it will surely be dumped and will not prosper.
With the way things stand, what then are the options left for Mr. Vizconde as he seeks justice for his family ? It seems that Mr. Vizconde does not have much legal options. Perhaps, people can now come together to stand behind Mr. Vizconde in his fight. After all, Mr. Vizconde's case is not merely about a family being massacred. It has evolved into a statement of the state of justice in the Philippines. It has become a fight for every Filipino who wishes to see justice being served to everyone, whether rich or poor, high and mighty or commoner.

THINGS THAT MADE MY CHRISTMAS

I would not have noticed Christmas if it were not for a few things that made it memorable.

1. My favorite taho vendor invited me to his house for a few drinks. Despite his meager income from selling taho, he and his family took the time to treat me like a king. It was such a simple gathering yet it really touched my heart.

2. The smiles of people who I thanked for doing errands and other small things for me made me realize that Christmas is all about giving and receiving the priceless gift of being appreciated.

3. The food that people gave me really made me smile and full. Good thing I really want to put on more weight.

4. An email from a good friend telling me to see him really made me realize that despite the friends I lost during the year, I still have friends who are with me through thick and thin.

5. A text message from a friend inviting me to a bowling match. While it is inevitable that my friend and his teammate will lose against my team, it still made me smile that some people just don't learn.

6. A facial and a good pair of Spartan rubber sandals made my Christmas so complete. It is so nice to walk around knowing that you look good wearing a pair of original Spartan rubber sandals.

So what made your Christmas funny, complete and heartwarming ?

GINEBRA MAKES SEMIS IN GRAND STYLE

Despite falling behind as much as 20 points in the game, Ginebra gathered enough strength to beat Alaska and advance to the semis of the current All – Filipino conference. Mark Caguioa and Enrico Villanueva came off the bench to lead the Gin Kings to victory.

The victory is significant for two reasons. First, the victory shows the resiliency of Ginebra. The Gin Kings did not lose hope with a 20 point deficit staring at their faces. Each Gin King tried his best to contribute to the team’s cause. Despite the huge height advantage of Alaska, Ginebra worked as a team to offset its height disadvantage and eventually steal the victory from Alaska.

Second, Ginebra managed to secure the victory without relying so much on Willie Miller and Jayjay Helterbrand.  The two high scorers of Ginebra were off their usual game as the two managed to score merely a point between them. But with the non – performance of the two and a victory on hand, it just goes to show that Ginebra is truly functioning as a team. This will certainly serve Ginebra well as it battles San Miguel in a best of seven series during the semis. I am confident that Ginebra will troop to the finals, no matter how hard the journey may be. With the resiliency, teamwork and non – dependence on any particular player in its line – up, Ginebra will most likely give its fans something to be proud of.

WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME

Amidst the Christmas rush, I paused for a minute to reflect on what Christmas really means to me. The frenzy of the season sometimes makes me forget what is truly essential. I just believe that there’s got to be more to Christmas than parties or last–minute shopping.

1. Christmas to me is a reminder of God’s great plan for mankind. Jesus was born to show everyone how to love and ultimately live life to the fullest.

2. Christmas is a time to be selfless and be appreciative of others. It is the time that I thank the security guards and janitors of the building as well as the messenger in the office.

3. Christmas is a celebration of man’s ability to do good through Jesus Christ.

4. Christmas is not about the number of parties that I get invited to nor the amount of presents I get. A simple yet meaningful text message to remind me that I am loved is enough to make my Christmas complete.

5. Christmas is not about how lavish the food is on Christmas eve. It is more about sharing time with family members no matter how simple the midnight meal is. It is more about taking the time to foster better relationships with each other in front of a hot meal.

Merry Christmas everyone !

VIZCONDE MASSACRE : WHY I THINK HUBERT IS GUILTY

Despite the fact that Hubert Webb was acquitted by the Supreme Court, I still believe he is guilty beyond reasonable doubt because of the reasons I previously posted in my blogs. But here is a news item that I came across that only reinforces my belief that Hubert Webb is guilty of the crime he was acquitted of.

                                  
                        http://www.newsflash.org/1999/06/ht/ht000794.htm

The news that was written in 1999 clearly indicates that the family of Hubert is very much aware of his addiction and tolerates it shamelessly. According to the news, the Webb family, in fact acts to supply the drug needs of Hubert in jail. The news is a clear indication as well of how far Hubert Webb's family will go just to keep him happy. It is also a clear indication that the Webb family will use everything in their hands to get away with anything that Hubert does. I just find it so despicable that a family can cover up wrongdoings and to actually promote such wrongdoings through active participation.

THE AZKALS : THE MAGIC ENDS BUT THE MEMORY REMAINS

The Azkals absorbed yet another defeat at the hands of the Indonesians to lose a trip to the finals at the Suzuki Cup. Even at the start of the match, it was very evident that the Indonesians wanted the victory more badly than the Azkals. The Indonesians were more active and aggressive during the match while the Filipinos were quite tense. And with a spectacular goal by Gonzales, the Indonesians booked a seat to the finals.
I can't help but feel sorry for the Azkals. But the team and the people behind it just had it coming. The team was more preoccupied with social activities, photo shoots and courtesy calls than game plans and practices. It was as if the team was being sold as celebrities through high profile publicity than sports heroes with remarkable athletic abilities.
But I give credit to the Azkals for making the Filipinos experience the joy of watching a football match. Perhaps now, Filipinos will dare to watch a football match without getting bored and actually enjoying it. If only for this, I commend the Azkals. The desire of Filipinos to be one with the whole world in its fascination with football has been clearly addressed by the almost Cinderella finish of the Azkals.

JAMES YAP : NO HOLDS BARRED

Since there is hardly any news on James Yap these days, I have decided to interview the reigning MVP for my column on Christmas day. I know that a lot of his fans and supporters will just be surprised  to know that the person they perceive as enemy number one will graciously feature their idol in his column. But hey, it is Christmas . It is the best time to forgive and forget. Besides, if Kris Aquino has forgiven James Yap for all his transgressions, who am I not to let bygones be bygones ?
I just hope that James Yap is articulate enough to keep the interview interesting and worth the read. I guess I have to come up with the right questions to ask to make the interview one of a kind.  I wonder if James Yap will give me a present for Christmas when he gets to know that I will feature him in my column. For whatever it is worth, I hear that James Yap is the most generous PBA player around. Merry Christmas, James Yap !

THE AZKALS UNMASKED

I am not at all surprised that the Philippine football team lost to Indonesia during the semis of the Suzuki Cup. The Azkals were too busy attending social functions more than their practices the whole time that they were in the country. Instead of practicing their kicks on the field, the Azkals were too busy practicing their smiles in front of the camera. I am not really sure whether the Azkals are being promoted as sports heroes or matinee idols.
But what I find most strange with the Azkals is the need and presence of a PR officer among them. To me, that is a clear indication of the team's unnecessary preoccupation with public image and perception. It is a sign that football is not really what the Azkals are concerned with. Rather, how people perceive them seems to be their main concern.
But I have to give it to the Azkals' PR officer. He got media all hyped up to feature the Azkals extensively and constantly. Sadly, my experience with the PR officer and the team for that matter, revealed to me the character flaw of the entire team. And the experience has generated animosity as far as I am concerned.
The Azkals, to me, are nothing more than a media creation that lacks the skills and values of true sports heroes. Perhaps, the Azkals deserve to lose in order for them to determine and address their shortcomings.

REY SALUDAR OR THE AZKALS : SEARCHING FOR THE REAL DEAL

                                                     

While Azkals are currently basking in the limelight, Rey Saludar remains unknown. In fact, I would dare say that only a handful know who Rey Saludar is. To better appreciate the big discrepancy between the popularity of these two sports figures and to study whether their respective crowd draws are merited, this blogger has listed some interesting facts about them.

1. Rey Saludar won a gold medal in boxing at the Asian Games. Rey is a gold medal prospect at the next Olympics as well. Azkals, on the other hand, are yet to win a single FIFA - recognized tournament. Azkals claim to fame so far is a semifinal seat at the Suzuki Cup. Azkals are currently ranked 151 in the world.

2. Azkals are made up mostly of good - looking Fil - foreigners. Rey Saludar is an average - looking local boxer.

3. Azkals are English - speaking. Rey Saludar converses in Pilipino.

4. Azkals have been invited to Malacanang. Rey Saludar, despite the gold medal, has yet to set foot in Malacanang.

5. Rey Saludar has received 4M for his gold medal. Azkals have received more than 1M for their semifinal stint.

6. Rey Saludar does not have a PR man by his side. Azkals do.

7. Rey Saludar has hardly hit the front pages of major newspapers. Azkals have been in the front pages of just about every newspaper almost on a daily basis.

8. Azkals are featured in almost every local TV telecast. Rey Saludar remains camera - shy.

I hate to think that media can create sports heroes out of mediocre athletes, leaving the really talented and skillful ones behind. But I just have to open my eyes to see that such is the case.

VIZCONDE MASSACRE UPDATE : QUESTIONS THAT CROSS MY MIND

Questions, instead of answers, cross my mind with the acquittal of Hubert Webb and friends. Some of the questions are as follows :

1. If not Hubert Webb and friends, who then killed the Vizcondes ?

2. Why did the Supreme court take it against Jessica Alfaro that she was a drug addict ? Being a drug addict all the more gives her testimony a semblance of truth since Hubert and friends were addicts as well. She and the accused shared a common interest which made her a part of the inner circle. Being a part of the inner circle made her privy to the group's undertakings.

3. Why did the Supreme Court overlook the fact that Jessica Alfaro and one of the accused were in a relationship before ? Again, this made her truly a part of the inner circle of friends of Hubert.

4. What did Jessica, the maid who washed the bloodied shirt of Hubert, the security guard of BF and Biong's partner gain from telling lies if they indeed told lies ?

5. Why does Mr. Vizconde believe in his heart that Hubert and friends are the real perpetrators of the massacre ?

These questions may forever be left unanswered. But the saddest part of it all is the question whether justice exists in the country at all.

VIZCONDE MASSACRE UPDATE : THE DAY JUSTICE DIED

I am just shocked and disgusted that the Supreme Court has decided to free Hubert Webb and his co - accused. Despite the earlier decisions of the Regional Trial Court and Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court has rendered a decision of acquittal for Hubert Webb and friends.
More than anything else, I commiserate with Mr. Lauro Vizconde and his family who, to this day, are being denied of justice. I could just imagine the pain that Mr. Vizconde feels right now as Hubert and friends are scott  free. I also feel sad for the Filipino people as the decision, I feel, is a mockery of the justice system in the country. The decision is yet another proof that justice in the Philippines can be perverted with the use of money and influence.
With the decision of the Supreme Court, the question now arises as to who really committed the despicable crime. I know that in the hearts of Filipinos lie the true culprit. Justice may not exist in the Philippines but the hearts of Filipinos will never fail to acknowledge and validate justice in its true and pure form.

MAG - INGAT SA AZKALS

Ninais kong isulat ang Azkals sa Bandera sa pamamagitan ng isang panayam. Nagkataon na ang koponan ay nasa Araneta Coliseum nuong ako'y nanunuod nang PBA. Kaya pinuntahan ko ang kinauupuan ng mga Azkals at magalang na kinausap ang kanilang team manager. Masuyo namang ibinigay sa akin ang mobile number ng kanilang PR officer upang itakda ang araw at oras nang interview.
Ipinadala ko ang mga tanong na gagamitin ko sa interview sa email. Nagtaka lang ako kung bakit wala man lang acknowledgement na ipinadala ang PR officer na nagsasabing natanggap na niya ang mga tanong. Sa halip, isang paanyaya ang aking natanggap sa text. Nasa University of Makati daw ang Azkals at kung maaari ay duon na lamang isagawa ang interview. Di ko agad nagustuhan ang text dahil maayos naman akong humingi nang appointment. Ayoko kasi na magmukhang busabos na hahabul - habol sa Azkals para lang sa isang interview. Kung talagang walang oras ang koponan at kinatawan nito, madali namang ipagpaliban ang interview sa ibang araw at oras.
Yun pala, may news coverage ang GMA7 nang nasabing ensayo ng Azkals. Marahil, gusto ng mga Azkals na maipakita na maging sa kanilang ensayo, marami ang nanunuod at nag - aabang na sila ay makausap.
Subalit ang talagang nagpagalit sa akin ay ang balitang dumaan ang Azkals sa tanggapan ng Inquirer. Ang Bandera ay sister company ng Inquirer. Kung may panahon silang bumisita sa Inquirer, di ko maintindihan kung bakit wala silang panahon para sa bente minutong interview. At kung ipinaalam lang nila sa akin na sila ay nasa Inquirer, di sana ay naisagawa ko ang interview sa opisina mismo ng Inquirer.
Sa aking palagay, ayaw talaga ng Azkals na magpa - interview sa isang tulad kong di kilalang sports writer. Mas pinapaboran nila ang mas kilala at malalaking media personality o institution. Para sa akin, karapatan nila ang pumili nang kanilang bibigyan ng interview. Nakalulungkot lang isipin na nagtatangi ang Azkals.
Marahil, kung ako ay isang sikat na sports writer na, makukuha na ng mga Azkals na pagbigyan ang aking hiling na interview. Subalit ngayon pa lang, buo na ang aking loob na di na muli pang hihingi nang panayam sa mga Azkals. Kung wala silang panahon, mas lalo akong walang panahon para sa kanila. Marami pa naman atletang Pinoy ang maari kong kapanayamin.
Para sa akin, ang mga Azkals ay mga asong may rabies na dapat katakutan at iwasan.

MY COLUMN IN BANDERA

I sometimes wish that my column in Bandera is easy to do. That I don't have to set an appointment before I could write an article. That I don't have to go to a particular place to talk to an athlete or sports official to be able to beat a deadline and write a piece of work. That I could just write whatever comes to mind and show my brilliance as a writer.
But I remember discovering the caring soul of Sol Mercado behind his intensity and passion through an interview. I remember unveiling the Christian heart of tough-looking Doug Kramer. I remember the funny side of Rabeh Al-Hussaini behind his temper and devil-may-care attitude. I remember Coach Ryan's professionalism and winning attitude through a sit-down talk. And I remember Noelle Wenceslao's tearful story of her team's sad experience with some of the top sports officials of the land.
All these make me realize that I get to experience human interaction at its finest through my interviews. Through my column's format, I get to see athletes and sports officials in a different light which other sports writers don't get to see. While I am certain that I will not be taken seriously like other writers who inject their opinion in their columns, I will nonetheless stick it out with my present format. I choose to take on the hard work to give athletes and officials the space and recognition they truly deserve. So off I go once again to set another appointment for another interview.

IS HUBERT WEBB INNOCENT ?

I am just puzzled that a lot of people are entertaining thoughts that Hubert Webb may actually be innocent of the crime that he is accused of. Despite the decisions of the Regional Trial Court and Court of Appeals, a lot of people are still demanding that Hubert Webb be acquitted. People cite the voluminous documents that the Webbs have presented in court to prove that Hubert Webb was indeed in the U.S. the night the massacre took place. Some of the documents come from reputable institutions from the U.S which people take to mean as true and legitimate.
But these people refuse to acknowledge the fact there there were a hundred or so people who saw Hubert Webb in the country the night that the massacre took place. In fact, some of these people testified in court. But I wish to cite a public record that a lot of people seem to forget. The document can be found in the senate archive. The document is discussed in the following link www.gmanews.tv/story/183188/only-two-senators-were-censured-including-enrile
Is Hubert Webb innocent ?

SOL MERCADO : INTENSITY WITH A HEART

I just finished an interview with Rain or Shine's main man, Sol Mercado. Days before the interview, I was a bit apprehensive at how Sol would react and respond to the more controversial questions that I prepared. To make matters worse, I was coming in after Sol lost his temper with Rabeh Al-Hussaini, who I interviewed just a week ago.
But I got the biggest surprise of my life when Sol Mercado turned out to be such an excellent subject for an interview. He answered each question that I threw at him with so much intelligence and honesty. He dared to speak his mind out on certain topics which other players would not dare speak against. He presented his ideas well in an orderly and precise manner. Like Rabeh Al- Hussaini ( hehehe ), Sol Mercado spoke with great honesty and made no excuses for it.
But what really made me completely satisfied with the interview was that Sol Mercado showed a side of himself that the public does not often see. The interview showed me that despite the temper and intensity of Sol Mercado, the man has a caring heart for the people around him. It was such a delight indeed to see Sol Mercado in a completely different light. It was a joy to see and realize that behind the ferocious behavior on the court, Sol has a good heart that is truly remarkable.

LAURO VIZCONDE FIGHTS BACK AS WEBBS ENGAGE IN MEDIA BLITZ

Tit for tat. That is how I best describe Mr. Vizconde's response to the media blitz of the Webbs. The Webbs even went as far as creating a facebook page that seeks justice for Hubert Webb. It is just plain clever of Mr. Lauro Vizconde to know exactly how to counter the moves of the Webbs.
In a series of events, Mr. Vizconde was able to turn things in his favor despite his inarticulateness. First, Mr. Vizconde tells media of his fear that the Supreme Court might overturn the ruling of the RTC and Court of Appeals. Mr Vizconde reveals to media that Justice Carpio, according to his sources, is trying to get a favorable ruling for the Webbs. Then, Mr. Vizconde reveals the text message of Jessica Alfaro that reassures him that their case against Hubert Webb is strong. Then, Gen Mison, the former NBI director, appears on television to declare that Hubert Webb is guilty as hell. Gen. Mison even goes to the extent of saying that the Webbs are peddling lies to the public with impunity just to gain public sympathy. Then, about two days ago, Mr. Vizconde and Atty. Acosta of PAO appeared on TV5 to declare with certainty that Hubert was in the country when the massacre took place.
I congratulate Mr. Vizconde and the brave men and women who are standing up to remind the people of what really took place in the Vizconde residence 15 years ago. The Webbs were probably banking on the short memory of the Filipino people. Too bad for the Webbs that Filipinos, despite what others say, still value the truth and are aware of what is right from wrong.

JAMES YAP WITHOUT KRIS AQUINO

Nothing follows.

JESSICA ALFARO RESURFACES TO REMIND EVERYONE

Mr. Lauro Vizconde received a text message from Jessica Alfaro that assures the widow that the Supreme Court will be hard-pressed to reverse the previous ruling on Hubert Webb and his co-accused. Jessica perhaps wants to reassure Mr. Vizconde that the case against Hubert is so strong that it is virtually impossible for the Supreme Court to overturn the rulings of the Regional Trial Court and Court of Appeals.
It is so interesting to see the Webbs appearing in almost every public service program in the country. Obviously, the Webbs are after public sentiment and sympathy. But what makes the public unmoved is the atrocity of the crime that was committed. Innocent people were butchered in such an offensive manner. The public outrage makes it impossible for forgiveness just to be handed out on a silver platter. Much more so, if the public sees that the accused and his family continue to live out a lie at the expense of an extremely aggrieved party. In this particular occasion, I am truly proud to see that Filipinos have not lost their sense of justice. The courage and sense of justice of Filipinos as seen in this highly sensational case make me realize that despite the flaws in Filipinos as a race, we still have it in ourselves to arrive at the truth and stand up for what is right.

RABEH AL - HUSSAINI : IN HIS OWN TERMS

I just finished an interview with Rabeh Al - Hussaini for Bandera. The interview will tentatively appear on Sunday's issue. While the interview captures the personality of Rabeh, it does not totally reveal the side of the former Ateneo star player that the public is not fully aware of.
For one, Rabeh is the type who has the courage to speak his mind out and to tell things as they truly are. I laughed several times as he caught me unaware that he could and would say things as straightforward as can be. He even spoke of his hurt feelings when he was not drafted as the top pick right in front of Nonoy Baclao. He also revealed the true reason why he left Smart - Gilas in an honest and straight to the point manner. He minced no words in telling this blogger why he chooses to speak in a direct and truthful manner.
Rabeh is indeed a breath of fresh air in a sea of players who speak in a manner that is so unreal just to please their fans. I take my hats off to Rabeh for being brave enough to speak the truth and offering no excuses for it. He may not endear himself much to fans but at least, he has his principles well-placed. May the disappointments that Rabeh experienced in his young career provide him the strong stuff that he needs to become a force to reckon with in the PBA. And even if people take it against him, Rabeh's honesty  will surely serve him well in life. The best of luck indeed to the rookie of the year who dares to be honest and truthful.

AUBREY MILES : MY PICK FOR THE SURVIVOR PHIL. CELEBRITY EDITION

Among the four celebrities left in Survivor Philippines, I pick Aubrey Miles as the ultimate survivor. Clearly, Aubrey is the most cunning. Despite not winning a single challenge, she has managed to land in the top four through sheer guile. She knows how to play the game and play it well. She cleverly formed strong alliances to save herself from elimination week after week.
But I am truly rooting for Aubrey because of the four remaining contestants, she is the one who needs the money the most. As she said in her last appeal, she needs the money to enable her to keep her son. The prize money will ensure that her son will be well - provided for. It will ultimately give her custody of her son. I am one with Aubrey in hoping that she will win to keep her family whole once again.

VIZCONDE MASSACRE UPDATE : GERARDO BIONG BLAMES MAYOR LIM FOR WHITEWASH

A day after being released from jail, Gerardo Biong goes on national television to reveal that former NBI director and now Manila mayor, Alfredo Lim as the man behind the whitewash in the Vizconde massacre. Biong reveals that the real culprit in the sensational rape-slay case is the son of a friend of Mayor Lim. And Mayor Lim did everything within his power to protect his friend's son and pinpoint Hubert Webb as the culprit.
I know that the Philippines has a lot of stupid and crazy people. But the stupidity and insanity in this country must stop. For anyone to believe Biong's revelation is absolutely stupid and insane. Gerardo Biong along with the Webbs must find it in themselves to tell the truth. People saw Hubert Webb in Paranaque the day the massacre took place. The Regional Trial Court and Court Of Appeals have , under intense study, handed out a verdict of guilty for Hubert and his co-accused for the simple reason that those institutions have searched and found the truth. It is noteworthy to mention that Hubert Webb and Gerardo Biong had the best lawyers in the country to defend them. But even the best lawyers don't stand a chance against the truth.
I just hope that the Supreme Court upholds the truth as it renders its final decision. I honestly believe that the truth, no matter how hard people may hide it, will prevail.

BIG RETREAT OF CCF : BIG BUSINESS AS USUAL

The most recent retreat of CCF enticed a thousand participants. Each participant paid Php 3900.00 for the 3-day retreat. All in all, CCF collected Php 3.9 M from the participants alone.
While I consider organizing a retreat as a noble endeavor, there were several things that CCF did which seem so inappropriate. First, if I am not mistaken, the owner of the resort where the retreat was held is a CCF member. I can't help but think that the retreat was conducted to generate funds for CCF and the resort owner. Second, the substantial amount of money raked in by CCF from the registration of the participants is shocking to the point of shamelessness. Third, people who were tapped to help out with the retreat were charged, I think, with the same registration fee as the participants. I do know for a fact that the facilitators for the retreat spent late nights for training. I just think it is shameless of CCF to charge these facilitators of fees when they are in fact rendering their services to ensure that the retreat would be a success. Lastly, more than anything else, the retreat was a form of recruitment for CCF. More members mean bigger tithes and funds which CCF will have at its disposal. The propagation of the false belief that faith alone saves in the retreat is an indication that CCF does not truly study the bible to come up with biblically-sound doctrines and beliefs.
I pray that people will realize what CCF truly does. People must open their eyes to see what CCF is really up to.

MIXED EMOTIONS AS WILLING WILLIE GIVES AWAY ITS JACKPOT PRIZE

In what could be the last episode of Willing Willie, Willie Revillame " gave " a contestant a million bucks, a brand-new car and a house and lot. The contestant from Cebu cried buckets of tears as she unexpectedly became an instant millionaire, homeowner and car owner all rolled into one.
While I am happy for the contestant, I can't help but feel betrayed. I just cannot remain blind to the fact that the game was, from all indications, rigged from the start. What are the chances of the contestant spinning the wheel and hitting the jackpot in what could be the last episode of the show ? Interestingly, Willie Revillame was caught rigging the result of one of his segments in his old show at ABS-CBN. I guess old habits are hard to die. Besides, the story of a poor contestant becoming a millionaire will serve Willie Revillame well as he goes to court tomorrow to avert a possible TRO against his show.

COACH RYAN GREGORIO UNEDITED

Coach Ryan Gregorio and the Meralco Bolts are on a hot winning streak. With three straight victories, Coach Ryan and his boys are defying early predictions that it will take a long time before Meralco starts winning. In an exclusive interview, Coach Ryan reveals the secret to his winning ways.

1. How do you find your new team so far ? Are you satisfied with the way it is playing in the current conference ?
I am very, very hard to satisfy. But we're definitely making progress. We are on target in terms of where we want to be at this point. But I'm not satisfied. I am the type of person who once in a while gets happy. But satisfied, not yet. Not until we get the trophy.

2. Are you frustrated that you don't have the same talent in your present team as with the team you previously handled ?
Frustrated, definitely not. This is one of the reasons why I opted to take this new challenge. I want to develop new players. If you notice, early on in my career, I never had MVP's right away. But we were able to develop players. So we got an MVP, Rookies of the year, Most Improved players and 6th men. Those things don't happen overnight. So, I am happy with the kind of team that I have. Talent level, probably my team is not at par with my previous team. But I think with hard work, our players will reach the same level. We're seeing glimpses of good plays from Macmac, Chris Ross and even Gabby Espinas. But we're still pushing forward. Hopefully my players will reach their full potential in time.

3. What do you see as your team's strengths and weaknesses ?
At this point, I can see that we are getting our rhythm in the scoring department from defensive stops and converting on turnovers via fastbreak. If you look at the stats of the current conference, we are in the top 3 as far as fastbreak points are concerned and no.1 in forced turnovers. We are at no. 2 in points allowed, just behind Ginebra. So, those are great stats. But those are not enough. We have to lead in two or three other categories to secure more victories. But I am happy that our stats reveal that we are doing our best on the defensive end.

4. How far do you think Meralco Bolts will go in the current conference ?
As far as possible. I don't want to put a limit in our pursuit of excellence. Building a really good team, however, does not happen overnight. It's a daily thing. So, right now, we're improving everyday. We've won our last 3 games. We're on a winning streak. It's happening earlier than I expected. We're winning despite the expectations of jaded observers that it will take awhile before Meralco starts winning. But again, through our tremendous efforts, we're making non-believers into believers. And yes, we can if we set our mind to it.

5. You seem to have the winning touch as a coach. What is your secret ?
There is no secret. The secret probably is hard work. If you work hard, you'll be rewarded. If you don't give up, you'll be rewarded. So those are the things which keep our boat afloat. But the biggest factor I think is the newfound belief of our players in themselves. I have instilled a system wherein a player's strength is maximized. And right now, my players are starting to believe in themselves. It was hard at first because most of them came off losing seasons. And if you come from losing seasons, you're confidence level is at an all-time low. I think we've addressed that. Right now, we are just having so much fun playing. Our hard work is paying off. And we are not going to stop working hard.

6. How soon do you expect Meralco Bolts to become a major title contender ?
I hope sooner than expected. It is no secret that in order to have a high caliber team, you must have the right personnel. I think we need 2 or 3 more talented players to become a force to reckon with.

7. So do you plan to trade some of your players to make the team more competitive ?
That is something that is always on my mind. I am only as good as my players. I've identified what the team needs. We need a rebounder, a lock-down defender, a shooter to improve our 3 point shooting and a guard who will set the table for us. So we've identified the areas which we need improvement on. But even if we don't have the perfect personnel right now, we've been training and developing our players. But of course, trading players to improve our roster is at the top of my mind.

8. Why do you think fans have started to identify with your team ?
It's probably because of the way we play the game. Filipinos have the tendency to root for the David in the league. So we're the David of the league right now. That's why we're endearing ourselves to the Filipino fans.

9. Your team is not the typical rookie team in the PBA which loses a lot of its game in its initial appearance. In fact, your team is winning and on a roll. Do you think that fans are inspired by your performance that's why they tend to support you ?
Inspiring is a great term. That's what I told my players. If you're going to play the game, you're not there just to get the cash. That's a very, very low motivation for everyone. Every time you play, make sure that you can inspire people to be the best that they can be. And I think that's what we're doing right now. And that's what I think fans appreciate.

THE VIZCONDE MASSACRE : WILL HUBERT WEBB BE ACQUITTED ?

After 9 years in prison, Gerardo Biong will be released from jail anytime soon. Gerardo Biong is the bodygurad of Hubert Webb who burned all the physical evidences in the celebrated Vizconde massacre. Will Hubert Webb now be the recipient of a similar release from prison ?
From all indications, Hubert Webb will be released from prison as well. But strong public opinion will force no less than the president to exert pressure on DOJ to study the case before releasing Hubert Webb.
It will be a travesty of justice should Hubert be released. Several people have said under oath that Hubert was in Paranaque on the night of the massacre. Jessica Alfaro, the security guards of BF Homes and even the maids of the Webbs told the court that Hubert Webb was in the country. Claims of the Webb family that Hubert was in the States when the crime happened simply does not make sense. One just has to ask the residents of BF Homes to realize that the Webbs are lying.
But it is Gerardo Biong himself who strongly implicates Hubert Webb to the crime. If Hubert was indeed out of the country, why would Biong bother to burn all the physical evidences in the Vizconde residence ? Why must he eliminate all the evidences if his boss was indeed a thousand miles away from the crime scene ?
It just makes me sick how some people can lie and peddle such a lie to protect themselves at the expense of a severely aggrieved party. The atrocity of the Vizconde massacre will further be heightened with the travesty of justice that is about to take place should Hubert Webb be acquitted.

COL. JEFF TAMAYO AND HIS REPORT ON THE DRAGON BOAT TEAM

Col Jeff Tamayo is the president of the Philippine Soft Tennis Association and Executive Board Director of POC. He is the sports official who wrote the report on the dragon boat time trials which was used by all the POC and PSC officials as basis in denying the Philippine Dragon Boat team a slot in the Asian Games. While he was a witness to the dragon boat's time trial performance along with other POC and PSC officials, Col. Tamayo in his report accused the members of the team of using steroids. His report as well accused the coach and handlers of the Philippine Dragon Boat team of deceiving the POC and PSC officials by submitting inferior reference times.
Simply put, I find Col. Tamayo's report too insane to be taken seriously. Members of the Philippine Dragon Boat team are subjected to drug testing in every competition it participates in. If Col. Tamayo thought that the members of the team were on steriods, he could have easily asked each members to submit urine samples immediately after the time trials. Col. Tamayo could have taken the urine samples to a reliable testing center to check whether the team really was on steroids. It is the height of irresponsibilty to accuse the team of using steriods without solid proof. Secondly, why did Col. Tamayo accuse the team of submitting inferior time references when he could have easily gotten time standards himself ? Why did he rely solely on what the team gave him ? It is his responsibilty to know if the times that the team made were competitive or not. It is the height of insanity to have the nerve to judge a performance without knowing what constitutes a superior performance.
But the greatest insanity of all is that POC and PSC officials took Col. Tamayo's report as gospel truth. Despite the insanity of the report, POC and PSC officials believed it hook, line and sinker. It just goes to show how ridiculous our sports leaders are. Sadly, the Philippine Dragon Boat team had to suffer the consequences of the insanity of the country's sports officials. The country lost at least two gold medals in the Asian Games all because of a stupid report and the people who believed it.

A GOOD SIGN DESPITE THE LOSS

Ginebra lost to San Miguel by 1 point last night. It all came down to the last play. Willie Miller managed to escape from Arwind Santos on his way to the basket. But the long arms of the San Miguel star somehow managed to block Miller's lay-up.
While the loss is truly heartbreaking, I definitely see facets of Ginebra's game that make me think that the team will make it all the way to the finals. First, Ginebra passed the ball around to spot the open man. A lot of Ginebra players made a lot of shots underneath the basket because of superior passing. Second, Ginebra had enough character to come from 14 points down to nearly steal the game away. Last night's game was different from its past six games in the fact that Ginebra was not at any point in the game leading by a big margin. In fact, it was Ginebra that was often trailing. But it had enough character to rally from 14 points down and keep the game within reach. Lastly, every Ginebra player contributed to the cause. Despite its great height disadvantage, Ginebra played with great teamwork to offset its lack of ceiling.
With these, I truly think that Ginebra will reach the finals and stand a pretty good chance of winning the championship. I will be surprised if Ginebra does not end up with a trophy this current conference.

TALE OF TWO TEAMS : THE PHILIPPINE DRAGON BOAT TEAM AND SMART GILAS

It is just insane that POC and PSC officials agreed to send Smart Gilas to the Asian Games while leaving the Philippine Dragon Boat team at the sidelines. While Smart Gilas is not at a medal contender at all, the Philippine Dragon Boat team is a gold medal prospect. While the Smart Gilas team cost POC and PSC a considerable amount of money for its trip to China for the Asian Games, the Philippine Dragon Boat team was willing to shoulder its airfare down to its uniform.
One thing going for Smart Gilas despite its minimal chance of winning a medal in basketball is that it is handled by people who enjoy cordial ties with powers that be in sports. The dragon boat team, on the other hand, is being handled by people who are at odds with POC and PSC officials. Thus, despite being world record holders, members of the Philippine Dragon Boat team were denied of their rightful place in the Asian Games.
While I certainly pray that the basketball team makes it to the next round at the very least, I can't help but hold contempt for all the POC and PSC officials who were responsible for blocking the participation of the Philippine Dragon Boat team in the Asian Games. Those responsible must be punished for the great injustice that they have inflicted on athletes who merely want to bring honor and glory to their country.

SPORTS WRITING TAKES A NEW MEANING

I got into sports writing because I want to feature stories of athletes that inspire and give due recognition to hard work. I also want to feature athletes who are often overlooked for the more popular ones. Most of the athletes I write about are those who really work hard to excel in their sport.
But I now dare to make a bold step forward. Last night, I submitted an article to my editor that will most likely get us sued. The article dares to expose the injustice suffered by the dragon boat team at the hands of top sports officials who are suppose to protect the interests of the athletes.
While I welcome conflict, it just makes me sad to realize that the world can be cruel even to athletes who work hard to bring glory and honor to the country. The rich and powerful can get away with anything they want even in the sporting world. I have always held the belief that in sports, all is fair and that hard work and excellence pay off. But my recent discovery reveals that it is not so.
I just feel that I need to make a stand on this particular issue. Fortunately, my editor shares the same view. At least, my editor is a reminder that there is still hope. There is hope as long as there are people who are willing to take a risk in telling the truth.

RUSTICO TORRECAMPO UNEDITED

Rustico Torrecampo, the first boxer to knockout Manny Pacquioa, is set to stage a comeback. The boxer whose life turned for the worse after knocking out Pacquiao, hopes to reclaim his rightful place in Philippine boxing at the past prime age of 38. In an exclusive interview, Torrecampo and his manager, Lito Navarro, reveal their thoughts on issues confronting them.

1. Paano po nagkrus ang landas ninyo ni Torrecampo ?
Navarro : Ipinakilala siya sa akin ng isang boksingero rin. Nagpakilala siya bilang boksingero na nagpatumba kay Manny Pacquiao. Kinumbinsi ko siya na magbalik sa boksing. Pumayag naman siya. Pero nung pumunta kami sa GAB, sinabihan kami na di na puede ang boksingero ko. May limit daw sa edad. Hanggang 35 years old lang daw. Pero nakiusap ako sa GAB, na kung puede kaming pagbigyan. Pumayag naman. Nag-set sila ng sparring match. Matapos ang sparring match at isang buwan, sinabihan kami na maghanda na sa isang laban sa January 2011. Sa ngayon, kumpleto na rin ang medical requirements namin na hinihingi ng GAB. Binigay na namin pati CT Scan dahil nga past 35 years old na ang boksingero ko.

2. What's the most difficult part of being Torrecampo's manager ?
Navarro : Ang pinakamahirap ay yung halos walang maniwala sa amin. Ang akala nga nang karamihan, tanga ako para humawak pa ng isang boksingero na ang edad ay 38 na. Pero nakita ko ang sipag at tiyaga ng boksingero ko sa training. Talo pa niya yung mga batang boksingero. Wala siyang reklamo at palya sa ensayo. Nandun yung determinasyon niyang makabalik sa ring. Buo ang loob niya na pagbutihin ang second chance na binigay sa kanya sa boxing.

3. Ano po ang nais ninyong patunayan sa paghawak po ninyo kay Torrecampo ?
Navarro : Ang hangad ko eh yung mapakita na maraming Pilipinong boksingero ang magagaling na di lang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. Na kung bibigyan lang ng pagkakataon, makakaahon sila sa hirap.

4. Bilang boksingero, ano po nararamdaman ninyo na may isa pang taong naniniwala sa inyo sa katauhan po ng inyong manager na si Lito Navarro ?
Torrecampo : Natutuwa ako at nagpapasalamat. Sa kabila ng mga nangyari sa akin at sa edad kong 38, nagtitiwala pa rin si Kuya Lito sa akin bilang boksingero. Kaya ipinapakita ko rin sa kanya ang pagiging seryoso ko sa training. Lalo akong nagsisipag sa training.

5. Ano naman po masasabi ninyo sa mga tao na di naniniwala sa inyong kakayahang makabalik sa ring ?
Torrecampo : Nagpapasalamat pa rin ako sa kanila dahil lalong lumalakas ang loob ko na patunayan na may ibubuga pa ako.

6. Saang weight division po kayo lalaban ?
Torrecampo : Sa 127 pounds. Sa featherweight division.

7. Ano po ang pinaka-gusto po ninyong makuha sa pagbabalik ninyo sa boksing ?
Isa lang ang hangad ko - ang makilala sa buong bansa bilang isang magaling na boksingero. At kung papalarin, makilala na rin sa buong mundo. Angkan kami ng mga boksingero. Ang karangalan lang na hatid ng boksing ang talagang habol ko.

A FILIPINO - AMERICAN MAKES IT TO GLEE

THE PHILIPPINE DRAGON BOAT TEAM : THE TRUTH REVEALED

I just conducted an interview with a member and assistant coach of the Philippine dragon boat team. Hands down, it is the best interview I have done. I nearly cried as my subjects poured out their sentiments over the great injustice that the team experienced at the hands of sports officials who are tasked to protect the team's interest.
The Philippine dragon boat team was excluded from the Asian Games because the team members allegedly used steroids and submitted inferior data to base their performance on. As it turns out, the accusations came after the team clocked superior times in the trial runs that the PSC and POC conducted. In a report, a sports official found the times of the dragon boat team to be too good to be true. Hence, he concluded that the team members must have been on steroids. There were also allegations that the team submitted reference times that were inferior to assure their qualification. But the same sports official did not admit that the team submitted the times for the world championships for reference as well.
The truth of the matter is, politics has reared its ugly head in the dragon boat team case. The dragon boat team was denied of participation in the Asian Games because its coach and leaders are at odds with the officials of POC and PSC. No wonder Philippine sports is going nowhere. Sports officials are only after their selfish interests at the expense of  the athletes. Ultimately, the athletes are the ones who pay the price for the stupidity of the country's sports officials. It is sad but is the truth that every athlete must face.

SURVEY RESULT : JAMES YAP IS MORE POPULAR THAN MARK CAGUIAO ( CLAP, CLAP, CLAP )

So it's now official. James Yap is more popular than Mark Caguioa. In a survey that this blogger ran for a month, James Yap got 60% of the total votes cast while Mark Caguioa got 40%. Close to 8000 votes were cast during the survey.
I take my hat off to James Yap fanatics who were simply too eager to vote for their idol. They were so fired up  the whole duration of the survey. The comments from James Yap fanatics showed the passion that they possessed. In fact, these fanatics looked possessed indeed.
As for Mark Caguioa fans, take heart. At least our team is on top of the team standings. Best of all, our idol has never taken advantaged of anyone to enrich himself. Go ask Kris Aquino.

THE PHILIPPINE DRAGON BOAT TEAM AND ITS TEST OF CHARACTER

It's been more than a week since I submitted the questions that I intend to ask the Philippine Dragon Boat team. To this day, no one from the team has responded. Even the president of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation refuses to issue an official statement.
I got interested with the team's story since the team was denied of its place in the Asian Games. The team claims that its performance in international competitions more than qualifies it to the Asian Games. But the Philippine Olympic Committee has denied its participation in the Games because the team " cheated " in a pre-qualifying run.
I just find it odd that the dragon boat team takes such a long time to respond to the allegations. Worse, it has decided not to issue an official statement. The way that the team has not raised a protest over the incident, to me, is a sign of its guilt. If it's true that the team indeed faked its clocking, then it has no business whatsoever to represent the country in international competition. In fact, the team should be banned if it indeed cheated. I hate to say it but the dragon boat team deserves its exclusion from the Asian Games. It simply does not have the heart and character to properly represent the country abroad.

MANNY PACQUIAO'S VICTORY AND THE LOSSES AT THE ASIAN GAMES

The whole country is in high spirits once again as Manny Pacquiao stamped his class over Margarito. Pacquiao outclassed and outfought Margarito to win his 8th world title.
Sadly, lost in Pacquiao's victory and the frenzy among Filipinos are the losses of the Philippines in the opening day of the Asian Games. The Filipinos lost all their bouts in judo and billiards and failed miserably in cycling,shooting, dance sport and swimming. Only tennis players Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey saved the Philippine campaign with a pair of victories. The Philippine basketball team escaped with a victory over lowly - rated Kuwait. The team will go up against Asian Olympic qualifier Iran in its next assignment.
Sports officials of the country must be held responsible for the sad state of sports in general. They cannot hide behind the success of Manny Pacquiao. After all, they have little to do with what Manny Pacquiao has achieved and continues to achieve. It seems that sports officials of the land are not designing programs that will improve the performances of local athletes in international competitions. The defeats at the Asian Games are just too many to simply hide and overlook.

WILLING WILLIE KAY WILLIE MILLER

Naitala ng Ginebra ang ika - limang sunud na panalo kontra Alaka nitong Linggo. Ngunit di tulad ng mga iba nitong panalo, dumaan muna sa butas ng karayom ang Ginebra para makuha ang panalo. May mga pagkakataon pa nga na lumamang ang Alaska. Sa bandang huli na lang bumawi ang Ginebra sa maganda nitong depensa at pasahan upang maisalba ang panalo.
Tulad nang dati, umasa ang Ginebra sa kanyang mga gwardiya. Maganda ang ipinakita nina Willie Miller, Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand at maging si Jimbo Aquino. Nakatulong rin ng malaki sina Enrico Villanueva, Rudy Hatfield at Willie Wilson. Bakas ang teamwork na bahagi na ngayon ng koponan.
Subalit ang talagang nagpanalo sa team ay walang iba kundi si Willie Miller. Sa kabila ng malas na dinanas niya sa first half, bumawi si Willie sa second half upang pagharian ang pagbulusok ng Ginebra. Ang kagandahan sa laro ni Willie Miller ay ang kakayahan niyang maipanalo ang koponan kahit na di siya gaano kaswerte sa pagtala ng mga puntos. Nakakagawa siya ng paraan upang dalhin ang kanyang koponan sa panalo. Para sa akin, walang malas o swerte kay Willie Miller. Kaya naman, willing - wili ako kay Willie Miller.

18 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP LOST BECAUSE OF A CCF PASTOR

A few days ago, I got a confirmation that a friend has decided to throw away 18 years of friendship. The sad part of it all is that it is all the fault of a pastor of CCF.
The pastor instructed my friend to confront me about my blog. The pastor wanted me to apologize for and take back what I wrote. My friend blindly followed what the pastor wanted him to do. My friend said so many things to make it appear that I was the one at fault. Since I had no intentions of retracting my statements, I politely told my friend that I was standing by with my statements. I politely said my goodbye and wished him the best.
It has been 8 months since that confrontation. While I still blame the pastor for the incident, I can truly say that I still consider my friend a good friend. After all, I do understand that he wanted to protect his position in the church. Hence, he did not really have much of a choice but to obey the orders of the pastor.
But my friend recently turned down an invitation to a reunion with college friends. I went out of my way to invite him to such a rare get-together. Three of our friends have been based abroad for the past several years so a reunion was impossible until now. Sadly, my friend chose not to see his old friends. I just feel sad that my friend has decided to throw away 18 years of friendship for a pastor who I have shown to have lied so shamelessly. It was like throwing a good thing for something worthless.

MANNY PACQUIAO OVER MARGARITO IN ROUND 1

The Philippines will once again come to a full stop this Sunday as the country's pride, Manny Pacquiao, goes for another win. While it is certain that Manny Pacquiao will win the fight, no one is sure in which round Margarito will hit the canvass.
This blogger believes that the people's champ will go all out for the win the minute the bell rings. In what could be his last fight, Pacquiao will certainly want to retire in spectacular fashion. And what better way than to finish off his opponent in round 1 ?
But the more compelling reason for Pacquiao to finish off the fight in the quickest possible time is the offensive and uncalled for uploading of the video showing Margarito making fun of Freddie Roach's slurred speech and trembling hands. The video is not only an affront to the brilliant coach but an insult to all those with physical affliction. This blogger believes that Pacquiao will avenge the pride and dignity of his coach and all those who are physically challenged. Margarito should have been advised not to upset Pacquiao. He now has set himself up for a terrible beating at the hands of the people's champ.

CCF AND ITS MEMBERS EXPOSED

I first challenged CCF to go to CBN-Asia to watch the video that confirms that its pastors lobbied for war in Malacanang. No one dared among its 25,000 members to take me up on my challenge. Three days ago, I once again challenged CCF to answer a blog that enumerates CCF's doctrines with bible verses that contradict them. The challenge would have made me stop blogging about CCF if CCF members were able to prove that the cited verses do not render CCF's doctrine to be false at all. As expected, CCF and its members retreated and simply bade farewell.
I really thank God for giving me the opportunity to expose CCF and its doctrines in my blog. People get to read and see how CCF pastors and members think and reason out to defend their doctrines, however ridiculous and unbiblical they may be. God truly has a way of showing people the truth. And God has a way of making deceitful people stop from peddling lies for the greater good.

IT'S A CLOSE FIGHT BETWEEN SURVIVOR PHILIPPINES, WILLING WILLIE AND NOAH

People's Ratings :

November 8, 2010 :
                               Survivor Philippines - 12.9 %
                               Noah                      - 10.0 %
                               Willing Willie           - 11.6 %

November 9, 2010 :
                               Survivor Philippines - 10.6 %
                               Noah                       - 9.2 %
                               Willing Willie           - 11.3 %

What is interesting to note is that Willing Willie jacked up its ratings with the entry of its new co-host. Willing Willie's November 8 episode where Shalani Soledad was introduced, gave the show its highest ever rating. While Survivor Philippines still has a viewership of 10-12 % of the audience, it lost for the first time to Willing Willie on November 9 in the ratings game. ABS-CBN's Noah now has become a poor third.
No wonder ABS-CBN has decided to reformat its TV Patrol. It hopes that the captive audience of TV Patrol pour into Noah to save the Piolo Pascual teleserye from further declining in its viewership. I wonder too how long Willing Willie can sustain its strong showing. After all, its main opponent is a franchise of an  international reality series.

HEY CCF, YOUR MAN OF GOD CHANGED AND REPUDIATED 18 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE !

In the midst of my vehement objection to CCF's declaration that Martin Luther is a man of God, CCF remains in its assertion that Martin Luther is indeed a man of God. Well, it is about time that CCF gets to know that their man of God changed and repudiated 18 books of the bible. Some of the changes and objections he made with the bible are as follows :

1. Romans 3 : 8
 In Luther's German bible, he added the word "allien" ( alone in English ) to the verse to justify his doctrine that faith alone saves.

2. He questioned the inclusion of four books in the New Testament. These are the books of Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation of John.

the Book of James :
                            St. James' epistle is really an epistle of straw... for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it. ( Luther, M Preface to the New Testament, 1546 )

Luther relegated the book of James to the appendix because it runs against his doctrine of faith alone saves.

the Book of Jude :
                            Concerning the epistle of St. Jude, no one can deny that it is an extract or copy of St. Peter's second epistle.....Therefore, although I value this book, it is an epistle that need not be counted among the chief books which are to lay the foundation of faith. ( Luther, M. Preface to the Epistle of St. James, 1546 )

the Book of Revelation of John :
                            About this book of the Revelation of John.....I miss more than one thing in this book, and it makes me consider it to be neither apostolic nor prophetic. I can in no way detect the Holy Spirit produced it. ( Luther, M. Preface to the Revelation of St. John, 1522)

Luther abhorred the Book of Revelation because in verses 18-19, a curse is put on to anyone who adds or subtracts anything to the word of God.

Martin Luther, as I maintain, is far from being a man of God. Aside from laying down the foundations of the holocaust, he desecrated the bible by changing it and questioning its divine inspiration. So, CCF, do you still believe that Martin Luther is a man of God ?

SHALANI SOLEDAD : A CHANGE THAT I CAN GET USED TO

Shalani Soledad had her baptism of fire as she appeared for the first time in Willing Willie last night. She came in a white dress that made her look old and odd. She was obviously nervous as her voice cracked several times during her first spiel. She shed tears as she thanked everyone who gave her their support at the start of her debut.
As the program went on, Shalani performed her duties without fanfare and noise. All throughout the show, she maintained her soft voice, propriety and decency.
But what I found great about her was her sincerity that managed to get across to the viewers. Her statements were almost always coming from the heart. She did not generate laughter at the expense of the contestants. She easily understood the situation of their contestants and offered kind words each time. Shalani was a far cry from the loud and offensive co-hosts that Willie used to have in Wowowee. Best of all, she spoke with much sense to give the program intelligence and decency. At the end of the show, Shalani was gamely throwing witty remarks with Willie. Her funny side came through as she became more comfortable in front of the camera.
Given more time, I definitely think that Shalani would turn into an intelligent and effective co-host. She might just turn out to be what Willing Willie needs to topple its rivals.

THE REASON REVEALED : WHY CCF BUILT A 3B PESO BUILDING THAN HELP THE POOR

After weeks of discussion with a member of CCF, I now know why CCF chose to allocate 3B pesos to its church building rather than to help poor people. For the longest time, I could not understand why a Christian church could be so shameless in prioritizing an expensive structure than to help feed the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless or generate jobs for the poorest of the poor.
The reason behind such a decision by CCF is due to its doctrine. CCF believes that good works are not necessary for salvation. It believes that faith alone will spell salvation. As a result, doing good to others takes a backseat for CCF. It sees the construction of an expensive building as more important since it will propagate faith.
I have always maintained that faith and good works go hand in hand for salvation to be attained. I am reminded of the parable of the sheep and goats as I think of what Jesus wants me to have or do in order to get to heaven. In the parable, Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep are saved while the goats are damned. The  critical questions asked by Jesus to the sheep and goats to determine where they will end up are as follows :
1. Did you feed me when I was hungry ?
2. Did you give me something to drink when I was thirsty ?
3. Did you invite me in when I was a stranger ?
4. Did you clothe me ?
5. Did you look after me when I was sick ?
6. Did you visit me when I was in prison ?
The parable only shows that whatever good work is done by an individual to another is a good work done to Christ Himself and that good works save. Hence, the doers of good, the sheep, got saved while the goats were sent to hell.
It will be wise for CCF and its members to remember the parable of the sheep and the goats and not be distracted with majestic and expensive buildings. It is best that CCF examines its doctrine for the salvation of its members.

JAMES YAP WAS GREAT BUT GINEBRA WAS SPECTACULAR

James Yap played his best game for the conference in B-Meg's victory over highly-rated Talk and Text. James was able to get his points inside the paint and beyond the arc despite the tight defense on him. He made incredible shots that speak well of his tremendous athleticism.
But while James Yap was great, Ginebra was far more impressive. Creating several leads of over 30 points during the game, Ginebra was a well-oiled machine in its conquest of Air21. It helped greatly that the guards were hitting their 3pt. shots. Crisp passes were executed by the players to their open teammates. The run and gun brand of play of Ginebra worked effectively to catch its opponent flat-footed.
What makes the fourth straight victory of Ginebra truly impressive is the huge margin that the victory was fashioned out. Great teamwork is now more evident with Ginebra. All players on the court now get to touch the ball during each possession. There is now a conscious effort on the part of the players to look for their open teammate. Each player has embraced his role which has resulted to unselfish plays. Obviously, Coach Jong is reaping the benefits of his new strategy and philosophy for the team. Gone are the days of one-on-one plays and go-to-guys. Ginebra has found a new lease on life using teamwork as its main weapon. Certainly, with the way the team is playing, Ginebra fans can't help but entertain thoughts that their team will make it all the way to the finals. This blogger is definitely one with them in this regard.

CCF'S WRONG INTERPRETATION OF EPHESIANS 2 : 8-9

Ephesians 2 : 8-9

For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God, not of works so that no one can boast.

CCF cites the verse above to justify its doctrine that faith alone saves. It equates the word "saved" in the verse to mean saved from judgment and eternal damnation. It refers to "grace" as something undeserved yet given freely. Lastly, it cites the words " not of works" to mean that one does not need good works to be saved.
First of all, does the word "saved" truly mean saved from judgment or eternal damnation ? Does the word "saved" refer to believers exclusively ? If one will read the verses preceding verse 8, one will learn that the word "saved" means saved from sin. And as such, it pertains to everyone and not merely the believers. Jesus died FOR EVERYONE so that everyone is saved from sin and its power. Note that the word "saved" is not at this point referring to outright salvation of the individual. Jesus' death and resurrection gave everyone the free gift of being saved from sin and its influence is what the verse is saying. The words "not by works" refer to what Jesus did for us ON HIS OWN. Not a single individual can boast of doing something to gain salvation from sin. It was Jesus' death and resurrection alone that saved man from sin.
Lastly, does the verse reinforce the doctrine that faith alone saves ? If one just proceeds to verse 10, we will see that the words "good works" are written. Could Ephesians 2:8 actually mean that everyone is saved from sin and its influence through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that faith allows everyone to turn his back on sin and do good works which God created everyone for ? What do you think ?

SURVIVOR PHILIPPINES AND WILLING WILLIE FIGHT IT OUT

Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition has been consistently on top of the ratings chart. That is, until Willing Willie aired. While Survivor Philippines is still in the lead, Willing Willie is fast catching up with GMA7 show.
Interestingly, both shows jack up their ratings with the use of dramatic moments. Willing Willie employs the usual sob stories of ordinary Filipinos. Survivor Philippines, on the other hand, goes for the separation and reunion of the contestants with their loved ones.
While tears for Willing Willie come from stories of abject poverty, Survivor Philippines has the right blend of sadness and joy to move the viewers to tears. Willing Willie undoubtedly caters to the masses while Survivore Philippines caters to the middle and upper classes. The ratings game between the two shows is actually a match between social classes. Admittedly, Willing Willie pulled in big numbers as far as viewership is concerned in its first telecast. But in the long run, I think Survivor Philippines will maintain its lead. Survivor Philippines has its exciting challenges and unpredictability of outcome that make viewers addicted to the show. I love Survivor Philippines.

WANTED : BIBLE STUDY GROUP

I terribly miss bible studies. I miss going to a particular place and meeting a group of people to study the word of God. I miss sharing, giving and receiving hope and building friendships. And I truly miss the advice and support of people who share a Christian perspective.

Unfortunately, I cannot go back to my old bible study group. I truly disagree with the group's most basic doctrines. I cannot see myself towing the line of a particular church whose doctrines are incompatible with what Scriptures say.

So, hard as it may be, I hope to form my own bible study group in Makati. The park near Makati Stock Exchange will be a good and convenient venue to conduct bible studies. The green trees, fresh air and stone benches make the park an ideal place for discernment and reflection. The main problem is how to get people to attend the bible studies every Friday at 6:00 pm. Through this blog, I hope that word gets around that bible studies are being conducted in the heart of Makati. I will make sure that each session will be inspiring, encouraging, truthful, joyful and fun for everyone. With God's help, I know that the hard task will become light.

WHAT DO FANS OF MARK CAGUIOA AND JAMES YAP LOOK LIKE ?

I have come up with a brilliant plan to profile the fans of Mark Caguioa and James Yap. I will ask the fans of both players to submit pictures to this blog using the comment section. I will then randomly pick pictures of fans that I will post on another blog. The blog will ask the readers to identify the pictures of fans of Mark Caguioa and James Yap. It will be a fun way to see whether fans of the two players share a definite look.
So, start submitting your best photos. Let us see if fans of Mark Caguioa look proud or if the fans of James Yap look greedy indeed. All in the spirit of fun and entertainment.

IS GMA NOW A SACRED COW ?

In his campaign, President Noynoy Aquino promised to go after government officials who stole during their terms in office. Specifically, he vowed to go after the former president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, with her involvement in several graft and corruption cases. In fact, P-Noy created the Truth Commission to determine whether criminal charges can be filed against GMA.
But now, GMA appears to be a favored ally of the present administration. GMA will receive a pork barrel worth 2.2 B pesos. Hands down, she will be getting the lion's share of the pork barrel allotted to congressmen. This unexpected and unmerited manna from heaven prompts people to ask why. It also prompts people to ask what happened between the campaign period and now that radically changed P-Noy's stand with GMA ?
A lot of people voted for P-Noy because he articulated the fervent wish of just about every Filipino. That is, to go after government officials who think only of themselves. Sadly, P-Noy is acting like his predecessor. It is all about forging alliances to preserve his good standing with everyone to the point of sacrificing what is truly right and just.

MARK CAGUIOA IS STILL KING

I was all set to interview Mark Caguioa for my next assignment for Bandera. Cathy, Coach Jong's better half, helped me get to Mark by introducing me to his girlfriend. Despite being drop-dead gorgeous, Mark's special someone was so accommodating and down-to-earth. While waiting for Mark to come out of the digout, we talked about Mark's injury, the adjustments that Mark had to make with the team and Ginebra's resurgence in the current tournament.
As Mark made his way out of Araneta, a large crowd greeted him for picture-taking and autograph signing. The large crowd made it impossible for me to come near Mark, much less conduct an interview. Resigned to the fact that I was not going to get the interview that night, I just watched in awe as Mark accommodated all the people who patiently waited for him. He even gamely carried kids in his arms for souvenir photos. The whole picture-taking and autograph signing must have taken at least half an hour.
Mark was about to get into his car when he turned to me to tell me to have the interview rescheduled as we both were pressed for time. Despite the non-interview, I was happy to experience the kindness of Mark and his girlfriend. I was happy to see as well, how Mark Caguioa took the time to make his fans happy. No wonder, Mark Caguioa is still king.

DEBUNKING CCF'S DOCTRINE OF FAITH ALONE SAVES

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

 ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

   Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

 ²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless^[a]? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”^[b] and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

My recent discussion with a member of CCF reveals that the doctrine that faith alone saves is deeply ingrained among CCF members. I just can't understand how such a false doctrine can continue to flourish when James 2: 14-24 clearly and categorically say that faith without works will not save anyone. One just has to open his bible and read to determine that what CCF teaches is a false doctrine. I guess the long years of being bombarded with the false doctrine has brainwashed CCF members to believe such a blatant lie. The danger of the said doctrine, aside from being false, is that CCF members are not properly encouraged to do good works. CCF members are being fooled into believing that they merely have to have faith to be saved. 

Aside from adversely affecting the salvation of its members, CCF with its false doctrine, denies the performance of good works and in the process prevents people from experiencing completely the joy that helping others brings.

THE FEROCIOUS JAMES YAP

James Yap is blessed with basketball skills that are truly remarkable. He enjoys tremendous following because of his spectacular moves on the court. He possesses a formidable jump shot that can be relied upon during crucial moments. He has an uncanny ability to elude even two defenders to get a good shot at the basket. He can hold the ball with one hand that enables him to execute some of the most incredible shots in the league. But most important of all, James Yap has the ability to perform his basketball best despite his personal problems.
But his recent break-up with Kris Aquino revealed a side of James Yap that the public has never seen before. The break-up revealed the ferocious side of James Yap. So ferocious in fact that it cost Kris Aquino a huge amount of money. So ferocious that James even demanded for the condominium unit where his own son lives. So ferocious that he threatened not to sign the annulment papers if he does not get what he wants.
Whether his legions of fans admit it or not, James Yap's reputation has been severely damaged by his off court behavior. The shamelessness of James Yap to milk Kris Aquino of several millions of pesos is really shameful. And his greed and utter lack of delicadeza  are the things which I truly detest. James Yap's behavior off court shows the worse in just about every Filipino.  It reminds and calls attention to the trait of almost every Filipino that takes advantage of people and circumstances for financial gain.

DI NA BALENG PANGO, WAG LANG MUKHANG PERA

Natatawa lang ako sa mga fans ni James Yap na nanunukso na pango si Mark Caguioa. Naitanong ko tuloy sa sarili kung kasalanan ba na maging pango. Bilang mga Pilipino, natural sa atin ang maging pango. Kaya bakit masyadong inaalintana ng mga James Yap fans ang tangos ng ilong ? Higit sa lahat, kabawasan ba sa pagkatao ni Mark Caguioa na dapa ang kanyang ilong ?
Ang malaking kasalanan para sa akin ay iyung mangamkam ng mga bagay na di iyo. Ang kasalanan ay ang kunin ang mga bagay-bagay na di mo binili o pinagpaguran man lang. Itinuturing kong kawalan ng integridad para sa isang tao ang hingin ang mga ari-arian ng kanyang kapwa na alam niyang di naman kanya.
Kailangan talaga na palaganapin ang tamang asal at pananaw sa ating mga Pilipino. Kailangang matutunan nating tumingin hindi sa panlabas na anyo ng isang tao. Kundi, mas mainam na kilatisin ang ugali at karakter ng ating nakakasalamuha. Malay natin, maganda nga ang panlabas na anyo subalit bulok at puno ng pang-iisa pala ang kalooban ng ating hinahangaan. Matuto sana tayong tumingin sa nilalaman ng puso at di lamang sa tangos ng ilong.

WIILIE REVILLAME RETURNS WITH A BIG BANG

Wille Revillame's show at TV5 finally had its initial telecast last Saturday. A thousand and one dancers opened the show. Even the Bellestar Dancers of Kuya Germs were resurrected to lend glamor and glitz to the production number. The stage was impressive and the lights simply amazing.
Willie started his spiel by thanking the top officials of ABS-CBN. He also welcomed the VIP's of TV5 who were all present to give support to their new mainstay. Friends were also on hand like Dra. Vicky Belo and Sen. Manny Villar for added moral support.
Although the show had new games, I can't help but see glimpses of Wowowee in Willing Willie. Willie even resorted to singing his ballads just like in Wowowee. Willie too tapped, just like in Wowowee, into the sympathy vote by giving the old people in the audience their time in front of the cameras.
Over-all, Willing Willie had a great start. I could just see ABS-CBN wince in pain as it sees another formidable show that their own shows have to contend with.

THE WINNERS OF GOLDILOCK'S PAGBABAGO CONTEST

I attended last night the awarding ceremonies of Goldilock's blog-writing contest. Expecting to emerge the winner of the contest, I chose to miss out on Ginebra's game to attend the awarding ceremonies. Despite the fact that there were more than 100 contestants, I knew that I stood a good chance of winning and bringing home an Ipad. The great treatment I got from the people of Goldilocks and Nuffnang throughout the contest convinced me that they liked my work.
Goldilocks served dinner during the night for the invited contestants and their guests. Being the pig that I am, I heartily ate whatever was placed before me. When the awarding ceremonies started, my excitement grew. It was such a weird feeling to keeping smiling whenever someone else's name was called. Alas, when the ultimate winner was announced and it was not me, my heart sank. I came so close only to lose in the end.
But I am just so happy for the winners. Their stories reflected the triumph of the human spirit. In fact, I took the opportunity to have my picture taken with the grand winner. In her wheelchair and not being able to hear me, she gamely posed for a picture. I also talked to her parents to tell them how proud I am to know their daughter through Goldilocks.
Cliche as it may sound, I am truly happy just to be in the company of the winners. I thank Goldilocks for allowing me to experience and realize that despite the changes in people's lives, God is ever-present  to give hope and joy to everyone.