The incident in Willie Revillame's show involving six-year old Jan-Jan Estrada is a grim reminder that people with money can and will exploit and manipulate those who are poor and uneducated. I am used to seeing people in Willing Willie act like fools just to generate a few laughs and get a few thousand bucks in return. But the incident with the young boy truly offends the sensibilities. No right thinking person will find a young boy in tears gyrating like a macho dancer funny at all.
What I truly find offensive and infuriating is the fact that the parents of Jan-Jan find nothing wrong with what happened. I even think that the parents of the young boy enjoy seeing their son being humiliated in front of millions of viewers. While other people and institutions are up in arms over the incident, the parents seem to enjoy their newly-acquired popularity and celebrity status. If only the parents of Jan-Jan are good providers, then I don't think there would have been a need for the boy to humiliate himself in front of the cameras.Truth of the matter is, it all boils down to money and how far people will go to get it.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
LOVE WINS : IT IS GOD'S LOVE THAT WINS
Rob Bell, the author of the controversial book Love Wins, believes that God simply cannot and will not allow billions of people to suffer in hell for eternity. He believes that God is just so full of love that it is impossible for Him to allow people to go and stay in hell for eternity.
But the thing that Bell seems to forget is the fact that people choose to go to hell. People, through their actions, choose to walk right into eternal damnation. What people do with their lives will determine whether they will end up in heaven or hell. Heaven or hell is a matter of choice and not of fate or destiny.
Bell likewise conveniently forgets the fact that God's love is so great that He gave up His own Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life ( John 3:16 ). God did not create hell without a savior. God gave man His Son Jesus to lead the way to heaven. What is sad is that Bell goes to the extent of diminishing the importance and significance of Jesus' death on the cross by entertaining the thought that people can pull themselves out of hell through repentance.
Ultimately, it is not just love of any kind that wins. It is God's great love for mankind that truly makes a winner out of everyone. It is through Jesus Christ that everyone becomes a winner.
But the thing that Bell seems to forget is the fact that people choose to go to hell. People, through their actions, choose to walk right into eternal damnation. What people do with their lives will determine whether they will end up in heaven or hell. Heaven or hell is a matter of choice and not of fate or destiny.
Bell likewise conveniently forgets the fact that God's love is so great that He gave up His own Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life ( John 3:16 ). God did not create hell without a savior. God gave man His Son Jesus to lead the way to heaven. What is sad is that Bell goes to the extent of diminishing the importance and significance of Jesus' death on the cross by entertaining the thought that people can pull themselves out of hell through repentance.
Ultimately, it is not just love of any kind that wins. It is God's great love for mankind that truly makes a winner out of everyone. It is through Jesus Christ that everyone becomes a winner.
Monday, March 28, 2011
ARE THE AZKALS FOR REAL ?
I just heard and saw the news where Neil Etheridge and Phil Younghusband were saying that the Azkals are set to play next in a World Cup qualifying tournament. With the Azkals barely qualifying for the final 8 of the AFC Challenge Cup, I am stunned to hear the two set goals that are way too high for the team.
In the first place, the Azkals will have an extremely hard time to even qualify for the Asian Cup. The only way that the Azkals will qualify for the Asian Cup is for it to top the AFC Challenge Cup, which in itself is hard for the team to achieve. In the Asian Cup, world-class football teams like Japan, Australia and South Korea remain the undisputed top contenders. In the last Asian Cup held in Qatar last month, Japan emerged champion. Australia and South Korea placed second and third respectively. By virtue of the great performances of these countries in the Asian Cup as well as the 2010 World Cup, Japan, South Korea and Australia occupy the top spots in the Asian qualifiers. The Azkals are dead last at no. 43.
While I sincerely hope for the best for the Azkals, I choose to pin my hopes on reality. Sadly, the Azkals are in no way at par with Japan, South Korea and Australia. It is foolish to entertain thoughts for the Philippines to qualify for the World Cup with a team like the Azkals. The truth must be acknowledged no matter how painful it may be to enable the team to work harder and yield better results.
In the first place, the Azkals will have an extremely hard time to even qualify for the Asian Cup. The only way that the Azkals will qualify for the Asian Cup is for it to top the AFC Challenge Cup, which in itself is hard for the team to achieve. In the Asian Cup, world-class football teams like Japan, Australia and South Korea remain the undisputed top contenders. In the last Asian Cup held in Qatar last month, Japan emerged champion. Australia and South Korea placed second and third respectively. By virtue of the great performances of these countries in the Asian Cup as well as the 2010 World Cup, Japan, South Korea and Australia occupy the top spots in the Asian qualifiers. The Azkals are dead last at no. 43.
While I sincerely hope for the best for the Azkals, I choose to pin my hopes on reality. Sadly, the Azkals are in no way at par with Japan, South Korea and Australia. It is foolish to entertain thoughts for the Philippines to qualify for the World Cup with a team like the Azkals. The truth must be acknowledged no matter how painful it may be to enable the team to work harder and yield better results.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
ARE YOU GOING TO BURN IN HELL ?
The book is generating much interest and controversy because it challenges the self-righteousness of most Christians, especially the pastors and evangelists. For one, it attacks the notion that faith alone in Jesus remains the only requirement to achieve a place in heaven. Truth of the matter is, nowhere in the bible can one find that one must only have faith in Jesus to be saved from hell. What is in the bible is that belief in Jesus will assure one of everlasting life ( John 3:16). And belief in Jesus means following His commandments. Belief entails action and good works ( James 2:24 ). And belief goes beyond lip service ( Matthew 7:21 ).
As a Christian, I do not mind going to hell if God thinks that I deserve to go there. I love Jesus because of what He did and continues to do for me as I live my life here on earth. I do not love Jesus because I fear going to hell. I love Jesus because I choose to do so with all my heart and with no strings attached.
Friday, March 25, 2011
THE PHILIPPINE AZKALS : TIME TO SHINE
The Philippine Azkals defeated Bangladesh, 3-0, to enter the next stage of the AFC Challenge Cup. While I am happy that the Azkals have qualified for the next stage, I am not a bit impressed with their performance. The Azkals had to face a do-or-die match in a group where they are the highest ranked team. Luckily, the Azkals were able to pull through with a win.
Perhaps, it is time that people, most especially their fans, set higher standards for the Azkals. With all the money and publicity that they are getting, it should be expected for the team to deliver great performances and results. Screaming fans must learn to expect great performances from the Azkals in every game. Media must resist the temptation of always writing praises to the Azkals to force them to give their best in every game. It is time for everyone to demand brilliance from the Azkals.
Perhaps, it is time that people, most especially their fans, set higher standards for the Azkals. With all the money and publicity that they are getting, it should be expected for the team to deliver great performances and results. Screaming fans must learn to expect great performances from the Azkals in every game. Media must resist the temptation of always writing praises to the Azkals to force them to give their best in every game. It is time for everyone to demand brilliance from the Azkals.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
WHY THE SUDDEN NON-LIVE COVERAGE OF THE AZKALS ?
First, ABS-CBN Sports claimed that Myanmar refused a live beam of the Myanmar-Philippine match. Then, ABS-CBN Sports now claims that Myanmar refuses to grant a live coverage of the matches in the AFC Challenge Cup without the necessary papers. Something just doesn't make sense here.
For one, why will FIFA Asia choose a host country which refuses to allow live coverage of the matches ? This is the first and only time that I have heard of a host country that refuses to allow other nations to cover the matches live. The president of FIFA Asia will surely come under fire should it be proven that he chose a country that imposes restrictions in covering FIFA events live. Surely, the FIFA Asia president has enough sense not to allow such a negative issue to haunt him as he is currently running for the presidency of the whole FIFA body.
Could it be that ABS-CBN Sports is lying as far as the live coverage of the AFC Challenge Cup is concerned ? Could it be that ABS-CBN Sports has decided not to air the matches of the Azkals to prevent conflict with the PBA ? Could it be that ABS-CBN Sports is afraid of getting into a legal battle with the PBA if it decides to air the FIFA matches instead of the PBA games ?
Your guess is as good as mine.
For one, why will FIFA Asia choose a host country which refuses to allow live coverage of the matches ? This is the first and only time that I have heard of a host country that refuses to allow other nations to cover the matches live. The president of FIFA Asia will surely come under fire should it be proven that he chose a country that imposes restrictions in covering FIFA events live. Surely, the FIFA Asia president has enough sense not to allow such a negative issue to haunt him as he is currently running for the presidency of the whole FIFA body.
Could it be that ABS-CBN Sports is lying as far as the live coverage of the AFC Challenge Cup is concerned ? Could it be that ABS-CBN Sports has decided not to air the matches of the Azkals to prevent conflict with the PBA ? Could it be that ABS-CBN Sports is afraid of getting into a legal battle with the PBA if it decides to air the FIFA matches instead of the PBA games ?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
AFC CHALLENGE CUP : AZKALS A STEP CLOSER TO ELIMINATION
The Philippine Azkals drew with Palestine, 0-0, and now face a must-win situation with Bangladesh. No less than a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh is required to give the Azkals a glimmer of hope in the AFC Challenge Cup.
I have always maintained that the Azkals are a mediocre team that enjoys undue media mileage. With not a single top 2 finish in any tournament, the Azkals are portrayed as World Cup hopefuls by a manipulative media. Media feeds on the ignorance and stupidity of fans to create sports heroes out of the Azkals. The current AFC Challenge Cup clearly shows how unskilled and inept the Azkals are. In a group where the teams are at the bottom of world rankings, the Azkals are still finding it hard to earn its first victory.
I just hope that media and fans see the Azkals for what they truly are. Only then will the Azkals realize their weakness as a team. It is time for the Azkals to face reality and not believe what their publicists say. It is time for the Azkals to act like true sports heroes and not like entertainment personalities.
I have always maintained that the Azkals are a mediocre team that enjoys undue media mileage. With not a single top 2 finish in any tournament, the Azkals are portrayed as World Cup hopefuls by a manipulative media. Media feeds on the ignorance and stupidity of fans to create sports heroes out of the Azkals. The current AFC Challenge Cup clearly shows how unskilled and inept the Azkals are. In a group where the teams are at the bottom of world rankings, the Azkals are still finding it hard to earn its first victory.
I just hope that media and fans see the Azkals for what they truly are. Only then will the Azkals realize their weakness as a team. It is time for the Azkals to face reality and not believe what their publicists say. It is time for the Azkals to act like true sports heroes and not like entertainment personalities.
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