Political neutrality is a real thing.

Twenty-three years ago, while having dinner, the trainee asked his mother whom is she going to vote for the presidency. He was six years old then. Instead of saying a name, his mother told him that she cannot divulge since she is an election officer and she has to exhibit political neutrality. At that age, the trainee learned one important lesson on political neutrality. In a sense, the lesson was so simple but it made him realize that political biases cannot be shown even to people who are close to a person’s heart if one has to exhibit genuine political neutrality.

The trainee grew up in a family with political affiliations but his parents were never labeled to be part of the political parties which his grandfather and uncle belong. His family never had a election related posters and banners of any of them posted at home. When campaign days come, the family remains fair to parties of his grandfather and his uncle.

While chatting with his friends who arrived in the town as lawyers of two local candidates, one of his friends told him that though they shook hands with the winning candidates they were actually sad and hurt because their candidates whom they are working lost the elections. The memories of the trainee’s mom on the dinner table flashed vividly and he simply uttered that they have to concede and accept the results without a heavy heart but with a forward looking attitude that the winning candidates will do their best to forward the interest of their constituents.

In a way, political neutrality can truly be exhibited if only people choose to. After all, fairness is like friendship. People make friends and keep them without degree of differentiation. The trainee is thankful to his mom who ingrained the lesson in his mind and etched it in his heart.

The trainee is the writer of this article.

Connecting to the Everlasting Father through my Mom

One of the earliest memories about my Mom that I have as a child was the moment she arrived from work one afternoon. I can vividly remember her glowing smile and excitement to see me after that day’s work. I remember I hollered ‘Mama’ right when I saw her coming with an overflowing amount of joy that I ran quickly towards her with open arms for a tight embrace. Upon approaching, however, she let a golden brown coconut roll come my way. She instructed me to stop it from rolling. I obeyed and did catch the coconut. Mama reached and held me afterwards. I received my reward: a warm embrace and a kiss. I was about five years old that time.

Mama is a remarkable Filipina woman who survived the pains and struggles of a mother and a wife. She is one daughter of God who shared and showed such unconditional love for Papa and the rest of us in the family. Apart from being a mother, she is an educator by profession, a classic home-made cake baker in the community, a store and direct selling manager, a farmer, a family nurse, a counselor, a budget officer, etc.

Mama allowed us to grow in a home where basic values and family members were given paramount importance. We were raised as God-fearing children. She learned God through her lessons and the altar on the receiving area on the second floor which served as our recharging station. She introduced us to God during our early years. I remember she would hold me up and allow me to stand on the arm rest of the pew during Sunday masses so I can have the feel on what’s going on inside the church when we communicate with God.

I say I’m thankful that God chose her to be the instrument for us to personally know God. I’m truly grateful.

Truth, Love, and Justice

How do we measure unconditional love? Is it letting that person experience real suffering in favor of social justice or keeping that person free from harm and humiliation at the expense of the public’s clamor for justice?

The authorities caught his son off guard after almost two months of search operations – two bullets hit this talented guy who is suspected to be suffering from personality disorder. Authorities around the world seriously implemented the alert to pursue this Fil-Am guy. One humble father, who left his family here in this pearl of the Orient in exchange of better salary to provide the needs of his family, suffered much after he was deported back here due to mistaken identity.

This controversial son had his music album but opted not to release it for public ears to enjoy. He reinvented himself and packaged himself as JSIN. His famous uncle, whose classic local composition hit the international orbit and was translated to many languages, claimed that his nephew is such a good man. To the public eye however, his nephew is the alleged slayer of some innocent souls. Legal experts cling on to the assumption that this guy is still innocent until proven guilty.

Love is truly a complicated thing when it interplays with truth and justice. For a mother whose love to his son is pressed down and overflowing, it seems that justice and truth both sink at the bottom and love surfaces. With so much love, the mother hid the truth and kept his son within his arms. Now, she is facing a case of obstruction of justice. Can we call it love if it places other people at the losing end?

How do you translate your love to your love ones? If you hold the truth, are you willing to reveal it to the world and face the consequence of losing your love ones?

Project Phoenix: 2010 Personal Investment Plan

Time is a limited resource but it is not the enemy of personal, spiritual, and intellectual growth. I want to look back at my 2009 plans and appreciate the altered landscape, the unexpected detours I had to take, and the accidental magic which changed the stroke of my brush when I painted the portrait of my life. This year, I want to map out my journey ahead of time with a 20/20 vision to keep me moving with urgency and passion.

2009 Accomplishments and Equivalent Ratings in asterisks. (Five asterisks for excellent performance and one asterisk signifies further improvement)

1. Pray even more. *** I found a local church when I transferred in the province. The church helped me to connect with God and refreshed my faith.

2. Save.*
Plateau savings from 2008 to 2009.

3. Publish everyday.*
Last blog entry happened in July. Good start but not so impressive ending.

4. Be on time.*
I was defeated. I wasted most of my time.

5. Put up a business.*

I registered a business name but didn’t push through due to certain requirements which I fail to accomplish.

6. Volunteer.*
My procrastination snatched me from voluntarism.

7. Read more and watch less TV.***
I finished all the books I have on my shelf except those which I left in Manila.

8. Stay fit and live healthy.**

I broke my diet.

9. Put up an organization.*
I left DLSU after two semesters. My classmate Mark didn’t push through our plans despite our agreement due to tight schedule.

10. Buy a laptop.*
I mismanaged my budget and ended up buying nothing.

2010 Investment Plans

1. Endeavor to be a Biblical Christian. Real prayer does not start during the prayer time but from the moment I lift myself from the kneel-bent position. Commit everything to God and allow God to just let His plan be done. Live Christlike life.

2. Live life in honest poverty and save at the same time. I have closed my credit cards and had just joined the company union. The union will allow me to save from the source. This self-imposed savings will help me live within my purchasing power.

3. Change my reading habits. Read at least one book per week.

4. Forget about procrastination. Come to work on time and make sure that plans are accomplished within the allotted schedule. Package my time.

5. Pick a fight and engage myself to a business. Pursue the plan to put up a business even with a bare-bone budget. Arm myself with the courage necessary to look for big time clients for whatever business comes to life.

6. Pursue further studies and put up an academic organization. Enroll in the MS IO program of DLSU this June and finish what I have started.

7. Give myself a little challenge. I want to do something which is unusual, that which violates accepted wisdom. I want to scratch; begin with the box; and do something outside the box. Use my skill to bring into the world something my mind conceives.

8. Give myself a second chance. My poor 2009 performance requires me to give myself another chance to do well and improve.

9. Reward myself. Laptop is still on the list but additional needs arise: digital camera and mountain bike. Generosity has to start from rewarding myself and extend such gratitude radiance to whoever I meet.

10. Begin and fnish whatever it is. With all these, I have to start now primarily because time is always right for me.