The Philippine Basketball Dream

The Philippines as a country filled with basketball fanatics is left wondering on what happened to their national basketball team. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, many expected that the Philippine flag will not show up on the basketball court due to the tough competition in the FIBA Asia tournament. Although many were proud that the Philippines had some competitors who really had a shot at a gold medal, some are still disappointed because the Philippine basketball men’s team did not qualify. In the Philippines, Filipinos had their attention set on the basketball events and it proved to be very exciting. Since Team Pilipinas is not a qualifier, everyone was looking forward to how the U.S.A. team would win the gold medal. With the likes of Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James on the line-up, everyone around the globe was expecting the “Redeem Team” to win.
The big shocker for the Filipino fans was the basketball team of Angola. To every Filipino’s surprise , the flag of Angola was raised on the basketball court. Hearing people talk, they had side comments like “Team Pilipinas always beat those guys and now they’re in the Olympics up against the power house team U.S.A…” or “Those guys can’t even beat Team Pilipinas”. As for some, they only kept silent and watched the game. After the whole tournament, the predictions turned out to be true. The Redeem Team, although battered and bruised , came out to win the gold medal. The reaction from the Philippine fans was simple, the guys from the U.S.A team were simply unstoppable.
The Filipino basketball fanatics would always support their national team. Now and forever they would not stop hoping that one day, in the Olympics, team U.S.A and Team Pilipinas would meet on the court and play ball like there’s no tomorrow.
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The Jeepney Experience

A visit to the Philippines absolutely isn’t complete without the jeepney experience. The jeepney is the most basic means of transportation found in this country. It is originally built from the US military vehicles which were left during the 2nd World War. Now after so many years since its so-called birth, the jeepney has still remained to be a national symbol of Philippine culture.
To say that it has become much bigger, innovative and colorful is an understatement. The jeepneys these days come in all shapes in sizes and a lot of are adorned with eye-catching car flags and other accessories displayed on the hood. Designs on the flags vary, some with abstract gothic patterns while others are decorated with Disney cartoon characters and action figures . Other jeepney ornaments also include a display of miniature world flags that make the ride more interesting and the vehicle itself good-looking.
Jeepneys can be classified into various sizes, with those large ones specifically designed for long distance routes and the smaller ones built to travel within main city thoroughfares only. While the first jeepneys were refurbished from used U.S. military jeeps, the ones running today are mostly produced by local manufactures or are refurbished Japanese and Korean vehicles.
Just the sight of the flags in vibrant colors, moving along with the rush of the wind is just one of the unforgettable things one could ever have while riding the jeepney. It may not be that grand or that extravagant, but it gives the passenger a unique feeling of riding in a public transport only found in the Philippines.
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Being A Woman Today

At this day and age, women have taken the world by storm doing almost all tasks and responsibilties usually handled by men aside from giving birth, taking care of the kids and doing the laundry. Women today have courageously braved beyond the so-called limits our ancestors have ever set for them.
Fast forward to the present and now. Most working mothers have learned the art of multi-tasking so much that they can accomplish errands for the day without batting their eyelashes. They may look fragile and unassuming but deep inside they hold enormous strength that could move mountains. Although they don’t wear message flags as they go about every little thing they do, you can sure see it in their faces that they want to carry on despite the odds and difficulties in keeping the home and making their husbands and children happy.
Career at Home and at Work . And because times are getting hard by the minute, women took it upon themselves to help out and find a living for the family. This is where her admirable skills of balancing her quality time between the home and work come in. Despite wearing a uniform with her company corporate logo stitched on it, you can see her carrying a bagful of groceries to fill her cupboard and almost always driving the kids to school.
At the end of the day, a mother somehow feels complete that she is able to fulfill what her existence is all about. With a smile on her face, she looks forward for what the next day has to offer.
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The Baby Shower

A baby is a blessing, a new addition to this colorful world, another citizen vowing to be responsible. And a baby is also a symbol of happiness to a set of parents. A baby shower celebrates this kind of delivery because life is supposed to be celebrated well.
Baby showers are actually hard to plan. First, you need to round up an expecting mom’s friends and you also need to gauge their feelings towards her, the expecting mom regarding the pregnancy. Usually, if it is unwanted, the baby is supposed to be just delivered in silence, no parties, whatsoever. However, if the child is much anticipated, then, by all means, that’s the green light for the party.
Next, you need to have a budget. Baby showers work like common parties: you spend for the invitations, the decorations and other communication expenses. Sometimes you even have to hire a professional planner, if you want the event to turn out to be just the way you wanted it.
Lastly, you need to conceptualize how the party will actually look. If the baby is planned to be christened Christian, it’s nice to see little Christian flags all around the place. If the child already has a given name, use custom mini flags with his or her name printed on it with a pastel hue and put it in the kits, all around the house, or you can even print the invitation at its back.
By now, perhaps you have a lot of things to make sure perfect. A baby shower is a delicate and endearing event. Good luck in planning yours and don’t forget to pray it doesn’t rain!
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The Baby Shower

A baby is a blessing, a new addition to this colorful world, another citizen vowing to be responsible. And a baby is also a symbol of happiness to a set of parents. A baby shower celebrates this kind of delivery because life is supposed to be celebrated well.
Baby showers are actually hard to plan. First, you need to round up an expecting mom’s friends and you also need to gauge their feelings towards her, the expecting mom regarding the pregnancy. Usually, if it is unwanted, the baby is supposed to be just delivered in silence, no parties, whatsoever. However, if the child is much anticipated, then, by all means, that’s the green light for the party.
Next, you need to have a budget. Baby showers work like common parties: you spend for the invitations, the decorations and other communication expenses. Sometimes you even have to hire a professional planner, if you want the event to turn out to be just the way you wanted it.
Lastly, you need to conceptualize how the party will actually look. If the baby is planned to be christened Christian, it’s nice to see little Christian flags all around the place. If the child already has a given name, use custom mini flags with his or her name printed on it with a pastel hue and put it in the kits, all around the house, or you can even print the invitation at its back.
By now, perhaps you have a lot of things to make sure perfect. A baby shower is a delicate and endearing event. Good luck in planning yours and don’t forget to pray it doesn’t rain!
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No To Euthanasia

Euthanasia is currently defined as the mercy killing of people of very old age, usually those with terminal illness. Sometimes, younger people can also be euthanized. The premise here is that they are diagnosed with terminal illness or that they are suffering too much. Euthanasia is being held as an evil by most pro-lifers simply because no matter what the intention is, it is the blatant killing of people who are still living.

In most countries, life holds absolute value. Notice that before, death threat was considered as a justifiable form of reparation for the victims of heinous crimes. But then again, as the death row began to thicken, more governments realized that they shouldn’t take it away because life is still an absolute gift. When you are alive, you are capable of logic, and thought, hence, the chance to create positive contributions to yourself and to your society. People who are bedridden are still capable of thought and feeling, and even if they cannot talk about it or we may not know if they can still recover or not, it is important that we continue to nurture the life left in them. Moreover, with the advances in technology nowadays, to save lives are easier. You don’t need hospital street banners to advertise that.

Euthanasia takes away whatever chance these people have to live their lives once again. Even if there is just very very little chance, it is important that we scoop that chance out. After all, most of the people whom we decide euthanasia for are people who are close to us, most probably part of our immediate family.

In poor nations, poverty will always challenge this mindset. However, what is important is that every family holds this mindset because it paints a picture of a strong family unit, a family that nurtures life at its fullest. And we all know that a strong family unit builds a strong community. Now we can salute to our world flags with pride for having to value life as much as this.

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No To Euthanasia

Euthanasia is currently defined as the mercy killing of people of very old age, usually those with terminal illness. Sometimes, younger people can also be euthanized. The premise here is that they are diagnosed with terminal illness or that they are suffering too much. Euthanasia is being held as an evil by most pro-lifers simply because no matter what the intention is, it is the blatant killing of people who are still living.

In most countries, life holds absolute value. Notice that before, death threat was considered as a justifiable form of reparation for the victims of heinous crimes. But then again, as the death row began to thicken, more governments realized that they shouldn’t take it away because life is still an absolute gift. When you are alive, you are capable of logic, and thought, hence, the chance to create positive contributions to yourself and to your society. People who are bedridden are still capable of thought and feeling, and even if they cannot talk about it or we may not know if they can still recover or not, it is important that we continue to nurture the life left in them. Moreover, with the advances in technology nowadays, to save lives are easier. You don’t need hospital street banners to advertise that.

Euthanasia takes away whatever chance these people have to live their lives once again. Even if there is just very very little chance, it is important that we scoop that chance out. After all, most of the people whom we decide euthanasia for are people who are close to us, most probably part of our immediate family.

In poor nations, poverty will always challenge this mindset. However, what is important is that every family holds this mindset because it paints a picture of a strong family unit, a family that nurtures life at its fullest. And we all know that a strong family unit builds a strong community. Now we can salute to our world flags with pride for having to value life as much as this.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

No To Euthanasia

Euthanasia is currently defined as the mercy killing of people of very old age, usually those with terminal illness. Sometimes, younger people can also be euthanized. The premise here is that they are diagnosed with terminal illness or that they are suffering too much. Euthanasia is being held as an evil by most pro-lifers simply because no matter what the intention is, it is the blatant killing of people who are still living.

In most countries, life holds absolute value. Notice that before, death threat was considered as a justifiable form of reparation for the victims of heinous crimes. But then again, as the death row began to thicken, more governments realized that they shouldn’t take it away because life is still an absolute gift. When you are alive, you are capable of logic, and thought, hence, the chance to create positive contributions to yourself and to your society. People who are bedridden are still capable of thought and feeling, and even if they cannot talk about it or we may not know if they can still recover or not, it is important that we continue to nurture the life left in them. Moreover, with the advances in technology nowadays, to save lives are easier. You don’t need hospital street banners to advertise that.

Euthanasia takes away whatever chance these people have to live their lives once again. Even if there is just very very little chance, it is important that we scoop that chance out. After all, most of the people whom we decide euthanasia for are people who are close to us, most probably part of our immediate family.

In poor nations, poverty will always challenge this mindset. However, what is important is that every family holds this mindset because it paints a picture of a strong family unit, a family that nurtures life at its fullest. And we all know that a strong family unit builds a strong community. Now we can salute to our world flags with pride for having to value life as much as this.

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It’s Always the Rush

Why do people want to be united in the Holy Matrimony? Sure, they want to have their love of a lifetime for keeps, anyone can understand that. It sure feels nice to have someone to care and love you and someone who would really like to grow old with you. After tying the knot, it’s always Valentines Day at the newlyweds’ abode. It seems love is in the air so much that they could always hang one of those St. Valentines Day flags on their walls or windows.
If one can notice during the first six months or the first year of marriage, a couple is usually so sweet. They are fond of always hugging and kissing each other whenever they had the chance. It’s as if they can’t get enough of one another, much less of themselves. Usually, the only time one can see couples being ‘unsweet’ is when they are not together which only happens for a limited time.
Yes, we all are suckers for romance and happy endings but seeing the same routine really sucks and for other people, sadly, it can be a source of envy. This holds true for old people who lost the flame of love and only stick with friendships and pension plans. Sure, all the cheesy stuff happen on the first year and keep it going for a couple more years but after all the brownies and chocolates, there comes the challenge. When couples quarrel for the first time, it is always like the fourth of July. Funny, but some neighbors would hang Fourth of July flags on their windows while routing for the husband or wife. Good things just don’t last very long. They do come back only in different packages. The sweetness can be revived by having a new baby at home but conflicts can do return and before you know it, it’s the end of a what seemed to be a blissful marriage. People can sometimes rush things and that’s one of the not-so good characteristics of humanity.
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Kadayawan Festival : Celebration of a Bountiful Harvest

Oh, how I love city fiestas. They always bring a great feeling of merriment and excitement going around town, seeing countless street banners, decorations and colorful pennant streamers livening up the entire place.

In the Philippines, there is one celebration dubbed as the “Festival of festivals” one couldn’t simply miss. It is during the third week of August that marks the festivities annually held in Davao city, famous for being the ‘Fruit Basket of the Philippines’. At this time of the year, most produce and fruits are in season with the local fruit Durian, fondly named as ‘King of the Fruits’ leading the pack. Also showcased are the fruits throughout the year such as the pomelo, banana, mangosteen, lanzones and rambutan. These are just few of the treats that make people come and visit Davao City, be it the locals or foreigners alike.

Davao City, being home to the Philippine’s highest peak, Mt. Apo and of the country’s National bird, the Philippine Eagle (also one of the world’s largest eagles) boasts of a grand week-long celebration during the Kadayawan festival. Various shows, tourism activities, contests joined by students and adults are sponsored by civic organizations. One of the exciting highlights is the much- awaited street dancing called, ‘Indak-indak sa Kadalanan’ where participating students and professionals happily march the city streets clad in the native costumes and music instruments. Not to be missed too is the extravagant Floral and Fruits parade showing the ingenuity and artistry of the DavaoeƱos as they uniquely decorate their respective floats using flowers, leaves and fruits that are distinctively available only in the city.

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