Monday, December 24, 2012

The Gift of Christmas

It's that time once again! Merry Christmas to us all!

Three years ago I had this conversation:
Friend: Steph, sa tingin mo san na tayo after 5 years?
Steph: Ako, malamang workaholic ako. That much I know.
Friend: Oo nga eh, siguro ako rin.

Fast forward to today, it's not even 5 years after, it's Dec 24 and I'm at the office. Working 'til tomorrow morning. I didn't get to go to the Christmas Eve service with my family. I didn't get to cook Noche Buena and feast over it with my family. I'm going to miss the wine toast and private gift giving at home. I will be working tonight.

I'm not a child anymore. Christmas doesn't hold that extra special feeling when you hear jingles anymore. Food doesn't magically appear on our plates. (Though I've always known that) I have to work hard to get what I want.


Though I may be spending Christmas in a cubicle in an almost deserted room I still am merry. For I'm not an innocent child anymore and Christmas for me is not just about the gifts I receive or the food I get to eat. It doesn't matter where or who I spend it with. What's important to me is how I celebrate it, that I know why I celebrate it. I GET TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AND THAT'S WHAT MATTERS TO ME TONIGHT. Thank you for the Gift, Lord.


Monday, December 10, 2012

The Measure of a Filipino Man

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
He fell. Came back up. Fell again, this time for 2 minutes and lost. The 8 divisions title holder, our nation's pride and probably the greatest boxer of his time, lost devastatingly to Juan Manuel Marquez yesterday morning. The nation is still mourning his defeat. But amidst all this, admist all the sympathy & care supporters show, are fingers pointing, mocking, judging and drawing conclusions to why the champ lost.

Several months ago Manny Pacquiao openly accepted God and became a Born Again Christian. Today, people claim this move of his cost him his fight. They blame his pastors and urge him to return to Catholicism since he fought better then, God was on his side then.

Luxurious gambling sprees, money thrown left and right, affairs with young actresses, and yes, 8 division titles. These were Manny's acts and accomplishments in the past. He was a gambler, a tycoon, a womanizer and a champion. Now, according to his family and close friends, he no longer gambles, gives more to charity instead of splurging, is a faithful husband and lost 1 fight (which was not even a title fight). And he is now scrutinized.

How do we measure a man? What defines his legacy? What matters more?

We are a catholic nation, meaning most Filipinos are catholic. But must we force a man to comply with your own beliefs? Must we be cruel and say "Your god is not a god at all. God has forsaken you." just because things don't go as well as planned? May I remind you of the Spanish Inquisition and the bloody crusades and of the numerous sodomy and abuse charges. "let he who is without sin, cast the first stone" - John 8:7.

If a man is transformed as a whole because of his faith why ask him to revert? Manny is not just a fighter, he has a family and he is a congressman. I don't care if he losses every fight from now on. I don't even care much if he losses all 8 division titles. As long as he is a Man - a good and loyal husband, father, son and congressman I will be proud to be a Filipino just like him. Because I do not measure a man by the titles he has won but by WHO HE IS.

So how do we, as a nation, as a people, define Manny Pacquiao? How to we accept defeat?