Table of Contents

“I can write... but I’m not a writer” 5

A Brotherhood of Men and Women 8

A Brotherhood of Men and Women 12

Sometimes....GOD... 16

The Aquino Magic 18

ELECTION FEVER 23

The Presidential Wannabes 26

Not-to-be-rich online money making 31

“I can write... but I’m not a writer”

“I can write.” This is what I was telling myself recently. Honestly, I’m envious to those who can write easily, those who can write just anything without exerting more efforts and without the need to squeeze their minds. To be able to write, some said you have to be in the right mood. You have to be focused and you should not be distracted. For me, these seemed to be very difficult to achieve since I am not gifted with such talent. But why not try? How will I know if I have the talent or that I’m capable and I was just unaware? And as the saying goes: “There’s no harm in trying.”

Early this month, I decided that I am going to make a blog. This will be my starting point. But I was having second thoughts. First of all, I’m not good in English (Though I can use Tagalog, I wanted it in English so that I can also share my thoughts to my friends who are not Filipino). I’m not good in choosing the right

words to use. Second, I didn’t know what will be my subject. I was asking myself: What if my grammar is wrong and somebody would comment about it? How would I feel? But then I realized there’s nothing I should be ashamed of. I should not be scared. Even though I stop studying in college because I was already work-ing then, I never stop learning, even until now. The internet has helped me a lot also. There are many sites in the internet that are offering free English lessons and you can even practice thru chat-ting online. To name a few: speaking24.com, englishbaby.com and livemocha.com .

I made up my mind then. I said to myself, I will write and make a blog regard-less of how will it look. It doesn’t matter if the grammar is incorrect. I will make it simple. If I will commit mis-takes and somebody would comment about it, so be it. As I have said, until now I’m still learning. I would be glad if somebody will call my attention and inform me of my mistakes. I will be opened to corrections or suggestions (even violent reactions, hehehe). I’m certain that I will learn from my mistakes. Somehow, it will help me develop my skills more.

Well, as of this writing, I had posted already two topics and hopefully I will be able to post more.

Now, I have proven to myself (just myself) that, indeed --- I can write… but I’m not a writer!

A Brotherhood of Men and Women(Part I)

It all started with a breakfast on a Saturday sometime in 2006. Without any second thoughts and hesitation I gladly accept the invitation to attend as I was told a “breakfast meeting”. As early as 5:00 in the morning, I was already up and preparing for the occasion. As my usual routine every morning, I had a cup of coffee and a stick of cigarette. I took a bath, got dressed and by 7:00 o’clock I was on my way to a hotel where the venue was.

Upon entering the ballroom where the “breakfast meeting” was held, I was greeted with all smiles and handshakes from the people at the registration table. I was overwhelmed by the warm welcome of the people I only meet for the first time in this par-

ticular event. After signing up for the registration I was ushered to a seat as the program has already started. There were about 50 persons inside the ballroom whom I assumed mostly were mem-bers of the brotherhood. I was so amazed on what I saw as they were all smiling, greeting each other as they fondly called each other kuyas (elder brothers ) and ates (elder sisters). I, together with the other new comers were then called in front and made to introduce ourselves. After introducing ourselves, they happily wel-comed us, not just by words but lining in front of us and shaking our hands and some of them gave us a welcome present.

Then, the most important part of the program followed. A couple who were also members of the brotherhood shared their life story based on the Gospel. They shared their childhood memo-ries up to the latest happenings of their lives, especially how their lives changed spiritually thru the brotherhood. They shared their happiest and saddest moments and how God intervene in times of sorrow and how grateful they were when they‘re blessed and were able to overcome the trials. They shared how God worked mysteriously in their lives. Their life story has touched everyone’s heart. It made me realized that I’m not the only one who is in a situation where I sometimes thought of giving up and others have bigger problems than mine.

It was a “breakfast meeting” or simply called “breakfast”, of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). The “breakfast” is an entry point in becoming a member of the brotherhood. The BCBP is basically composed of business-men and professionals together with their spouses. After that first “breakfast” that I attended, I had made it part of my Saturday rou-tine to always attend. A Saturday without attending a “breakfast” was for me incomplete, then.

After almost a month, I and my wife were invited to join a Christian Life Program (CLP), a series of talks or a seminar prior to becoming a member of the brotherhood. If my memory serves me right, we were supposed to attend 13 sessions every Satur-day evening. Unfortunately, I missed two Saturdays and my wife missed three or four sessions due to unavoidable circumstances. In the CLP we were taught the values of being a Christian, of being a follower of Christ and becoming an instrument in spreading the Gospel to others. It has enlightened me and had answered more questions that I had. I had learned so many things during the talks that it made me very excited as the next Saturday is approaching. But the best of all, along the way it changed my life dramatically and spiritually, as an individual, as a husband to my wife, a father to my children, a son to my parents and a brother to all. It was at this time that I really felt the presence of God in my life. Although I was once very active in church activities in my younger years as I was a member of the parish choir and have also served as a facili-tator of a group conducting a seminar for the lay ministers in our archdiocese, it was really different. In February of 2007, we were officially accepted as member of the brotherhood where we also signed our commitment card; our commitment to the brother-hood’s mission and vision, and most of all our commitment to the Lord to be His messenger, His instrument in spreading the Gospel, and to live our lives according to His will.

A Brotherhood of Men and Women(Part II)

After completing the required number of attendance in the “breakfast” (four breakfasts) and completing the CLP we were offi-cially accepted as members of the brotherhood. It was at this time that my faith became stronger and I have learned to entrust eve-rything to God. I became more prayerful and learned the impor-tance of prayer not just in times of needs but as part of our daily lives as well. I started each day with a prayer and end it with the same. Not just an ordinary prayer, not the kind that was taught when I was still in grade school, but spontaneous prayers. A prayer that is coming from my heart and it is as if I was personally talking to the Lord. I corrected my wrong doings and as much as possible avoided committing them again. Though sometimes temptations were very persistent, I have learned to counter them with prayers.

Everything seemed to just fell into their right places then. It was not as perfect as I wanted it to be but I felt safe and secured because I knew that with Him, nothing is impossible and when God put you to it, He will bring you through it. I was then very active with the brotherhood, attending as much as possible every activity we had no matter how busy I was with my work. I served with the brotherhood in any possible way I can, the latest of which was being a member of the breakfast team from January to December of 2008.

Unfortunately, before the end of 2008, my faith was put to a test. Human as I am, I still do have some weaknesses and at times would give in to temptations. Back when we were still attending the CLP, I was also searching and applying for a job. Through the help of a brother in the community who was at that time about to open a business, I was lucky, or shall I say was blessed to be hired to work for his company. In the course of the business operations then, I was a witness of unfair business practices which contradict to the principles of the brotherhood. By nature, I am a very hopeful per-son. I acted then as if I have seen nothing and heard nothing, hop-ing that eventually he will realize it by himself. Days and months and years passed by, and for almost two years that I had been working in the company, I tolerated it and did nothing, and even sometimes help manipulate things. Well, I was just an employee and he was my boss. But as a brother in the community, I knew that I have the moral obligation to remind him of our commitments to the brother-hood and most of all to the Lord, but I just closed my ears and my eyes as well as my mouth. And worst, as the year 2008 was about to end, the same goes with my job. As I was a witness, or perhaps an “accomplice”, to the unfair practices, I was accused of the misdeeds, as if I was doing it all by myself and was not given due process. The least that I expected was that I could have explained my side to both of my employers (my kuya and his better half, my ate). I decided to leave the company, but before I could present my resignation I was informed that my services were no longer needed after the last day

of the first month of 2009. I was paid though with my two years of service to the company as a separation fee.

The months that followed were terrible. I was jobless, de-pressed and disappointed. I became short tempered and irritable. I often had a quarrel with my wife. There wasn’t a day that I and my wife don’t have a fight, to the point that I challenged her with a split up. I stopped attending any activity of the brotherhood and totally distanced myself with the brothers and sisters of the community. I asked God if I really did deserve it, if then, His will be done. I did not want to justify my actions, but nonetheless, expecting to have been treated as a brother that needed guidance when astray.

But I did not lose hope. I never stop praying. I asked for guid-ance and enlightenment and it did not take long for all my prayers to be answered. God enlightened me and showered us with His love and blessings that we needed most. I realized my mistakes and accepted it with all humility as I also realized that my brothers and sisters in this brotherhood of men and women are also just human, bound to com-mit mistakes. And with all my heart and humility, I would like to ask for forgiveness to my kuya and ate. We are just humans, so they say!

Now, I’m back on my feet. Struggling to forget the past, en-joying the present and preparing for the future. I know deep in my heart, time will heal all wounds. Everything will be back to normal in due time, in God’s time.

As for the brotherhood, continue “Winning the Marketplace for Christ”!

God bless us all, KUYAs and ATEs!

Sometimes....GOD...

(Some thoughts to ponder, from a thoughtful brother!)

“Sometimes, GOD breaks our spirit to save our soul.”

“Sometimes, HE breaks our heart to make us whole.”

“Sometimes, HE sends us pain so we can be stronger.”

“Sometimes, HE sends us failure so we can be humble.”

“Sometimes, HE sends us illness so we can take better care of ourselves.”

“Sometimes, HE takes ‘everything’ away from us so we can learn the value of ‘everything’ we have.”

The Aquino Magic

In 1983, the death of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. who was assassinated at the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport (now Ninoy Aquino International Airport) be-came the turning point of the Filipinos to unite and stand against the dictator, President Ferdinand Marcos. Millions of Filipinos, who showed their support to the family of Ninoy, marched from Sto. Domingo church in Quezon City all the way to the Manila Me-morial Park in Parañaque City.

In 1986, a snap election was held. The wife of the late sena-tor, Mrs. Corazon “Cory” Aquino, ran against the incumbent Pres. Marcos. The official result of election as declared by the COME-LEC showed that Mrs. Aquino was defeated by Pres. Marcos, but the unofficial tally of results by the NAMFREL showed otherwise.

The people were outraged with the turn of events and eventually this led to the famous “People Power” Revolution that put Cory Aquino into power. And the rest is history.

23 years later after democracy has been restored to our be-loved country, the icon of democracy, or as they say, the “Mother of Democracy” in the Philippines died. Tita Cory, as she was fondly called by Filipinos, died after battling for a year of colon cancer. In March of 2008, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. But despite of her illness she continued to serve the people, in one way or another. She continued to fight for the freedom that we currently enjoy. Armed with a rosary that was a gift to her from Sister Lucia dos Santos, the last seer of Fatima, she continued to pray for the Filipino people to unite. Even on her final days, while the Filipinos were united in praying for her recovery, Tita Cory was praying for the Filipino people instead. Even to her last breath, she unselfishly served the Filipino people.

Again, the Filipinos showed their support to the Aquino family. The nation mourn over her death, that even the young ones who were not yet born during the “People Power” Revolu-tion, who barely knew Tita Cory, joined together to show their love and support to the “Mother of Democracy”. Thousands of Filipinos lined up the streets to view the funeral entourage aside from those who also marched up to the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City where Tita Cory was laid to rest beside Ninoy’s tomb in the Aquino mausoleum.

On the 40th day after Tita Cory’s death, the only son of Ninoy and Tita Cory, Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III announced his intention to run as President in the 2010 national election. He finally accepted the call by different civil society

groups, for him to run as President, after the death of Tita Cory. Senator Noy was initially reluctant to accept the challenge. Even after the announcement of another Presidential aspirant, Sen. Mar Roxas that he is withdrawing his planned candidacy to run as President and instead will support the candidacy of Sen. Noy as President in the 2010 election. But after a few days of discern-ing through a spiritual retreat at a Carmelite convent in Mind-anao, and perhaps after consultations with family members (with siblings), relatives and friends prior to his retreat, on 09/09/09 (September 9, 2009) he finally and formally announced that he is running as President in the 2010 election under the Liberal Party which he is a member. He is accepting the challenge to continue the legacy and advocacies of his parents, Ninoy and Tita Cory---to serve the people with dignity and integrity and to continue pro-tecting the democracy that his parents restored in our country.

Will Aquino Magic also work for Noynoy?

Hopefully, Sen. Noy will be in tandem with Sen. Mar Roxas. AQUINO for President – ROXAS for Vice-President. Before Sen. Noy accepted the challenge, pledges of support had already been pouring. Another presidential aspirant also withdrew his intention to run as president and pledged to support Sen. Noy. Civic organi-zations, a business club, and the FPJFPM among others also vowed to support Noynoy.

Is Noynoy really capable of running the government as President?

Well, we will never know until he is in power. And as usual, somebody will find something that would prevent Noynoy from winning the presidency! The critics had already thrown something

against him before he could even announce his intention to join the presidential race.

What can he do to serve the country?

In my own opinion, no politician (national and local) will ever announce to thousands (millions in the case of national) of their constituents that they are just going to sit in their office doing nothing but just to make themselves fat physically and financially! And, as I said, until he is put to power we will never know then! As a matter of principle, I do believe in a saying that “What you sow is what you reap!” and also the Filipino saying “Kung ano ang puno ay siya rin ang bunga!” (in simple English, “A mango tree will never bear an orange fruit!” ---hehehe).

Until then, let’s just wait and see if Senator Noy also have the “Aquino Magic”.

ELECTION FEVER

COME February 10, the official campaign period for the na-tional positions will start. In local levels, the official campaign pe-riod will start in mid March. But as usual, politicians and would be politicians (first timers) had long started to make their intentions to run this coming elections felt by their respective constituents, be it in national or local level even before the scheduled filing of Certificate of Candidacy. As early as 2008, we have seen already some infomercials of prominent politicians, most especially in the national arena, those who will be running for President of the Republic, as well as for Vice President and Senators. In the local levels, some were posting tarpaulins that vary in sizes with their names and slogan in different areas of their respective localities.

As usual, they don’t call it “campaigning” as there were no words in it that says “VOTE”. Some said it’s just a normal or usual political activity of sort. But in a simple man’s view, it is campaign-ing without saying “VOTE for ME”. It’s very obvious that what they were doing were intended for the upcoming election. Anyways, in one way or another, it somehow helps the constituents in knowing who will be the aspirants. Considering that the official campaign period is only three months for the national level and about two months for the local level, there is really not enough time to cover the whole country for the national level and the whole city or mu-nicipality for the local level in such a short period.

I could just imagine how much money do these politicians spent for this political activity alone. In the printing press where I work, we have printed already some flyers or leaflets, pocket calendars, posters, tarpaulins and other election materials as early as November. In previous elections it was even earlier than November. I don’t think a candidate for a local post will only spent P50,000.00 just for these materials and much more for the national candidate. Perhaps some will admit to that, but with my experience as a staff member of a city councilor sometime ago, they will just declare to have spent a little amount and the rest will be declared as donated by friends! Well, that’s typical PINOY!

So, do you really think that all these aspirants can eradicate graft and corruption in our government? Well, I will admit, we (printing press) benefited more or less during election period. Let’s just say a considerable amount as there is this stiff competi-tion among printers and during this period there many fly-by-night (illegitimate or no business permits) printing presses that will sprout like mushrooms.

The Presidential Wannabes

In a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) which was commissioned by private individuals and businessmen, Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III topped the poll in Luzon area among 1,200 respondents who apparently belonged to A, B, C, D and E classes (10% belonged to A, B, and C classes while 90% belonged to D and E classes). The survey was conducted last Sept. 5 and 6, days before Sen. Noynoy formally announce his intention to join the race for the Presidency.

Sen. Aquino got 50%, followed by Sen. Manny Villar who got 14%, while former President Joseph Estrada got 13%. Sen. Chiz Escu-dero - 12% and Vice President Noli De Castro - 7%. The media release of the survey did not mention the other presidential aspirants, De-fense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Jr. and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando.

Honestly, I don’t really believe on surveys. It may be reliable but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will convert to actual votes and besides it is still eight months before the actual election on May 2010. I don’t believe that the 1,200 respondents represent the actual sentiments or preference of the total voting populace. I may be wrong, but in my opinion, the respondents are merely a fraction of the total registered voters.

What could have been the basis of the respondents in choos-ing their bet in the presidential derby. Was it their performance or reputation? Or was it based on their popularity?

Most of the aspirants are currently in government service, namely: Senators Aquino, Villar and Escudero; Vice President De Castro, Sec. Teodoro and Chairman Fernando . In so far as their performances or track records are concern, they all have served the people in various capacities.

Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III • Senator (14th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines).• Congressman, Tarlac 2nd District for three consecutive

terms (1998-2001, 2001-2004 & 2004-2007).• Deputy Speaker ( House of Representatives, 13th Congress

of the Philippines (November 8, 2004-February 21, 2006)• Vice Chairman of Liberal Party of the Philippines (from

March 2006 to present).• Chairman of the Board, Central Luzon Congressional Caucus.• Graduated AB Economics at Ateneo de Manila University in

1981.

Manny Villar• Senate President (14th Congress, 2007-2008) (13th Con-

gress, 2006-2007).• Senate President Pro Tempore (12th Congress, 2001-2002).• Congressman (Las Piñas, 1992-1995, 1995-1998, 1998-

2001).• Speaker of the House (1998-2001).• President, Nacionalista Party.• Earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree at the Univer-

sity of the Philippines.

Joseph Ejercito Estrada• President of the Republic of the Philippines (1998-2002).• Vice-President of the Republic of the Philippines (1992-

1998).• Senator (1987-1992).• Mayor, Municipality of San Juan (now San Juan City) for 16

continuous years.• Movie actor (popularly known as Erap).

Chiz Escudero

• Senator (14th Congress, 2007 to present).• Chairman, Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights

and the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws.

• Vice Chair of the Committee on Local Government.• Senate Representative to the Judicial and Bar Council.• Congressman, 1st District of Sorsogon (1998-2001, 2001-

2004 & 2004-2007).• Assistant Majority Floor Leader (11th Congress).• House Minority Floor Leader (13th Congress).

Noli De Castro• Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines (2004 to

present).• Presidential Adviser on Housing and HUDCC Chairman.As HUDCC Chairman:• Chairman of the Board of Directors (Ex-officio), National

Housing Authority (NHA)• Chairman of the Board of Trustees (Ex-officio), Home Devel-

opment and Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund)• Chairman of the Board of Directors (Ex-officio), National

Home Mortgage and Finance Corporation (NHMFC)• Chairman of the Board of Commissioners (Ex-officio), Hous-

ing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)• Vice–Chairman of the Board of Directors (Ex-officio), Home

Guaranty Corporation (HGC)• Vice Chairman-National Anti Poverty Commission.• Presidential Assistant for OFW• Senator (2001-2004)• Chairman, Senate Committees on Social Justice, Welfare

and Rural Development; Committee on Tourism; and, Committee on Cultural Communities.

• Mediaman (1982-2001) • A gradute of Bachelor’s of Science in Commerce – major in

Banking and Finance at the University of the East-Manila in 1971.

Not-to-be-rich online money making

I was invited recently to register in a Paid-to-Click web site by a cousin and was told that all I have to do is to register, log in and click all the advertisements in that website and I’ll get to earned something just by clicking and viewing that ads.

What is Paid-to-Click or PTC as it is commonly known? In my understanding after I had registered in one of the hundreds of PTC websites, I will be paid just by clicking the ads. For every click, I will earn at least $ .01 and there some PTC which offers a little lower. It also has a referral program where you can refer a friend, a family member or anyone else and you will also earn a certain percentage from their earnings as a commission. The more refer-rals you have, the more earnings you will get. But this is not really a to-be-rich online money making program.

I have registered not just one account of PTC as there are many existing PTC sites. Though I was a bit apprehensive whether this is for real or not, I signed up for more than ten accounts. Well, let’s just wait and see if indeed, I’m going to make some money (hehehe). Anyways, I didn’t have to spend any centavo at all. All I needed was time, about an hour each day to click all the ads in all the accounts that I registered with. Hopefully, in a month or when my credits reach $2 which is the usual minimum cash out balance, I’ll be able to collect my first payment from PTC then.

I have provided below some of the PTC sites that I’ve joined with. If you’re interested, just click the banner to register. You will also need an account with Paypal or Alertpay or any other online payment processor where they will send the payment or your

earnings.

HAPPY CLICKING, EVERYONE!

jayemway’s point of vieweBook Edition

2012Created by

Jaime “jayemway” G. Malaluan