13,000 babies affected by the tainted milk!
September 22, 2008
Watching CNN at 3 am today, I was startled to see that the number of babies affected by the tainted milk produced in China had ballooned to 13,000!
The figure could still rise in the coming days.
There are no words enough to describe my outrage. I could feel for the parents who are struggling to make sense of this right now.
I pray that the Chinese government, after that impressive display of the OLYMPICS would also show an OLYMPIC-SIZED efforts in treating these babies for free.
God, take care of the precious little ones. Rescue them. Those babies who may be very far from medical facilities and whose parents do not have any means to have them treated. Lord God, perform your miracle in China. Hear the cries of the parents and the little ones.
Forgive the people whose greed significantly affected the innocent ones.
Dear God, you know each one by name. Reach out to them as a FATHER, that only YOU, our Divine Father ever could. Embrace each one and whisper your healing words to them.
In Jesus’ name
AMEN
“It was an insignificant amount….” (what the Philippines lost at the Lehman Brothers’ collapse)
September 19, 2008
Last night, the second news report that really got my attention was the P15B that 6 RP banks have lost due to the financial collapse of the Lehman Brothers.
I read from the Philippine Star yesterday the headline indicating the amount. 6 RP banks ( three were named and the other 3 were not mentioned) who lost a total of P15B.
What really got me mad when a Malacanang Palace (our version of the WHITE HOUSE) was quoted as saying “yes, we lost… but it was just an insignificant amount…)
I could not believe what I heard!
An insignificant amount?
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Memo: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Almost $321M!!! you call that insignificant amount???
The last time I checked here are the facts in this country:
1. Majority of the people in the Philippines are not eating 3 full meals a day.
2. Majority of the people are under-employed.
3. Working overseas seems to be the only hope for the majority of the families here because the opportunities are no longer here.
4. The wars in Mindanao have demolished whatever anti-poverty gains the government has achieved the past several years.
P15B …. that is beyond what anyone could save up for in honest and truthful employment in the country.
For a government that still had to really explain all the scandals and anomalous transactions regarding the proposed broadband internet, access roads that were excessively charged by the hundreds of millions, by the amount of money that we are losing that should be benefitting the whole country, yes, by their reckoning P15B would be insignificant.
Tell that to the families who eke out a living. Students who worry if they can still pay their fees so they can take the exams. Mothers with nursing children who are wondering where and how to buy milk. Parents who are wondering how to feed their children. Employees in both private and public sectors who are wondering how they will pay their bills. Of thousands of people who are lining up at DSWD centers for any form of assistance. Tell that to the thousands of families displaced by the wars in Mindanao and the families affected by the ship that sunk off the island of Romblon. ( the ship is still there with its toxic cargo).
P15B is more almost 4x the DSWD budget for 2008!
Oh no, please call it anything – but please do not call it insignificant.
To call it an insignificant amount is an insult to the millions of Filipinos who could have benefited if the money was theirs.
To call it insignificant was not only insulting.
It was revolting.
Concerns over the swollen private parts of your dogs : Additional info
September 18, 2008
The other day, I told my wife how this blog generated a lot of hits. I wondered if the phenomenon is quite common to all dogs. This article would somehow end up as one of the TOP POSTS almost every week.
The article though was not about the medical help – but the processing of thoughts after the whole experience.
I thought I would share some more helpful things now for the dog owners.
So if your dog (in my case, Sgt Beans, my black lab) is having swelling on its private parts – maybe you can consider what I have learned from my research and from what the vet had told me.
1. I did not take action right away because I thought it was just one of those things that will go away anyway. SO WHEN YOU notice something that is not right, INSPECT. LOOK and ASK questions.
2. I did my research when the swelling was a lot greater. I could have saved Sgt Beans from more pain had I acted right away.
3. I researched through the internet – and GOT SCARED BECAUSE diagnosis is more important. I was inundated with WHAT IF questions. One vet student mentioned a virus that could infect humans. I researched that and got afraid because it said, it is dangerous when it comes in contact with human skin.
4. Yes it is going to be costly. But PETS like children are costly anyway. I tell myself that is ok because “Sgt Beans won’t have to go to college anyways..”
5. If your vet is like a good friend, maybe you can work out a reasonable payment plan.
6. Sgt Beans was injected twice on that visit. Then I was told to give him antibiotics (the same antibiotics we take as people).
7. The antibiotic cream helped a lot too.
8. CARE FOR THE DOG: Sgt Beans likes water a lot. I just have a tub that we fill up for his needs esp when the temperature outside is really high. MAKE SURE THAT THE WATER IS CLEAN. THROW the water after one using. I thought I could save more by reusing it for BEANS. BUT NO. The bacteria may have already infested that water – and do not allow your dog to lie down on the tub using the old and already dirtied water.
9. SGT Beans would always mark certain areas (pee certain areas)… and sometimes these areas are places he considers his haven as well esp when the sun is OUT. Under the bushes, next to a tree etc. When the vet said that he may have been lying down on his urine, I vehemently said NO because Beans has a house and the house is somewhat elevated. A couple of days later, I realized that there are at least 2 areas where Beans would mark most of the time. He would also lie down on those areas. It had been raining and the mud, mixed with what used to have been dried urine, have stuck on his soft testicle skin covering. In time, the bacteria had eaten away the soft covering.
10. Maybe you could pour hot water on those areas where your dog marks the most. Lessen the bacteria from cultivating.
11. Every time Beans has his bath, or his play in the tub – I always make sure that his balls are wiped dry with a clean towel. CLEAN TOWEL. When it rains and he plays outside, I make sure I dry that part of his body before sending him back to his house.
12. Carefully apply the antibiotics that the vet will prescribe. Make it as pleasant as possible.
13. Give positive reinforcements before, during and after placing the medications.
14. It was easier to apply the medications when Beans are slightly pressed against the wall (on all fours)…
I hope these things are helpful. It took less than a week for me to see major improvement on his privates. Up to now, I still reinforce the command “raise leg…” and he would give me access to check, to wipe , inspect and to just make sure that he is okay down there.
From one hurricane to the next
September 18, 2008
We are just beginning to see the aftermath of “Ike” – and even before we could fully assess the damage and the dramatic stories of the people who survived, financial hurricanes were blowing Wall Street. Reverberations of these financial meltdowns will have its effect in markets overseas.
Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and then the AIG (my Philippine insurance company is a subsidiary of AIG!) that needed BAILOUT.
What was touted to be the MOST STABLE among them needed an $85B infusion. I could not at the top of my head count how many zeroes you write after $85 much less comprehend what it all meant.
While everything may seem to be going back to normal, ( if we could still ever go back to that one, yeah) I am beginning to wonder about all the other banks (CITIGROUP and others). It was not just the reliability of the levees that were tested. It was not just the financial powerhouses that are being tested. It seems like ANYTHING that would claim to be STRONG, RELIABLE, FORMIDABLE are being tested to its very core.
In the global economy, climate change, OFW migration, corruption that are undetected to the highest levels, dirty political campaigns, showdown of powerful countries, continued bombings in Iraq and the unchecked wars in Afghanistan… NOTHING in this world is ever sure. The very core of our belief and foundations are being shaken.
How about you? How is your life? How are you doing?
If your life is like a small raft sailing a raging ocean, you are not alone.
It does not need an IKE in our lives to render our foundations, morale and sure-footing in crumbles. Sometimes it takes an unexpected call. Or you were waiting for the call that never happened. Maybe you just touched the wall of your job that said DEAD END, or you see the value of your hard-earned money dwindling before your eyes as you stare at the prices at the gas pumps, or you sigh at the end of another day and wonder “when will it be over?”. Or the relationship you cherished are now being thrown back at you like a used rag. Or the nights are getting shorter and the days are getting longer as you wait for a son to come home.
You are not alone.
I wish I have some magnificent words that will act like a balm over your searing pain.
I wish I could tell you when all these will end.
One thing I do know, is that all of these will also end for you.
Just like Hurricane Ike, the stormy weather will also pass.
The sun will shine again as you mend the broken panes of your windows to the world.
Hang in there.
It will be over soon.
The little Church that would….
September 15, 2008
More than 2 Fridays ago, I was able to visit our small Church in Infanta, Quezon. I did not expect what I was going to see because it had been months since my last visit there. The Church planter who took care of this small church or mostly women, is not in the country anymore, but still tending the flock somewhere in the Middle East.
It was more than 4 hours away so we took off early.
When we finally got to visit them, I was blown away by what I saw. They already have their small church hall from a converted small shack that used to house the rice drying equipment.
They showed me behind the curtain another rundown building which they said “is very nice for our church building extension…”
It was very encouraging. The drive to Infanta was very refreshing with the view of the forest, the mountain and once in Quezon, the calm blue waters. Several years back, Infanta and its nearby towns saw the most tragic flashfloods that ever happened in recent history when in just 2 hours, rain that was equivalent to about 27 days of usual rain was dumped one afternoon. The water rose and came flashing down the mountains bringing the mud with cut lumber (illegal loggers were very much involved) raged through their towns.
We gathered in a small circle and I asked them to share their stories. 
They started sharing one by one how God sustained them in recent months. How the small chapel was a reminder to them of the goodness and graciousness of our Father.
One of the sisters suffered a stroke and it was quite a challenge to understand when she spoke. But one can clearly hear her say “Praise the Lord…”
The women were changing. After their services on sundays, they would visit other members who were not able to attend. They have started praying for each other as well. I noticed how they care for one another now. The husbands (3 of them) were starting to attend. One sister who used to be so shy, immediately led in the singing of praise songs a cappella while directing them to a white cheesecloth were the words of the songs were plaintively written.
Smiles after the sharing time.
The snacks served were my favorite. “Bilo-bilo” with langka served to perfection. They also gave me a buko juice ( young fresh coconut) and when I reached for it, it was quite cold.
We drove away after about 4 hours feeling very refreshed. I did not expect a vibrant community of believers. I was ready to meet a group of women who were discouraged, downtrodden and were just about ready to quit on their faith. But I encountered exactly the opposite.
Posing with the Infanta members before our 4-hour drive back
I thanked God for the many men and women He had used to raise up this small faith community.
Thank you God. Your faithfulness is truly amazing.
Families are “OFF-LIMITS”
September 3, 2008
Since Gov. Sarah Palin was introduced, the media hype caused by her nomination will not stop until all these events have concluded after the November 4th election.
It is amazing how a young woman and a mother of five could really agree to be put on such an unrelentless spotlight. Her whole world has now been opened for the whole curious and biting world to see.
I would like to note here that while the Republicans would ferociously defend Sarah Palin’s executive experience, no one from the Republican party could state what the OBAMA campaign issued about what is going on with the media circus on Palin’s life.
“Families are OFF-LIMITS.” The tone from the Obama campaign when this was issued sounded noble, compassionate – and yes, let me add… very PRESIDENTIABLE. I was hoping the Republican Party would powerfully issue a statement like this. But they lost the chance.
Sarah Palin while a governor and a well-liked political figure in Alaska, is still a wife and a mother of a 17-year old pregnant daughter.
Families are off-limits. How I wished this came from John McCain.
And like millions of americans, I am looking forward to hearing her speech tomorrow, or tonight (wherever you may be in the planet)…. we need to hear from this woman whose meteoric rise to the VP pick seemed almost like a fairy tale, a HEROES-like episode of an active woman who suddenly discovered her powers to make it to the White House….
Gov. Sarah Palin looks like a good and credible leader for Alaska. But she still needs to the general voting population that she can actually do the VP job.
A lot of things have been said about EXECUTIVE experiences regarding these candidates, and that Sarah Palin has more executive experiences than Obama and Biden combined.
Well the Republicans could argue all of these things until the cows come home – but they really delivered a brilliant stroke when Senator Fred Thompson got up and gave the convention the RED MEAT they have been waiting to hear.
He said something about experiences – but he highlighted the great idea that what the US needs is a PRESIDENT with a character stemming from a good heart.
I could not agree more.
In leadership circles today, a lot of things have been said about experiences, training, personalities, networking, cross-cultural or foreign policy experiences. But what needs to be addressed as well is the fact that no country, no organization, no entity could go any significant distance without the bedrock foundation of the person’s character.
Who the person is and what is inside his /her heart seem to be a critically ignored question as we focus on the Presidential elections.
Leadership is crucial. Executive experience is crucial. Knowledge on Foreign policy is important and a clear grasp of what the people need and how to sustain the economic growth will really matter.
But in the end, what is in the heart will still determine the small and almost invisible steps that these leaders would make as they dispense their executive powers.
We serve, we minister out of our BEING. Focus on the BEING part first. Focus on the nature of one’s personhood first. Without that, the DOING part could become hollow, superficial and worse, dangerous to oneself, family, community and yes, to the whole nation.
A prayer as GUSTAV approaches New Orleans…
September 1, 2008
Dear God,
We are just beginning to see what hurricane Gustav did in the Carribean. How it pounded Jamaica and Cuba in recent days.
Gustav is right now over the Gulf of Mexico threatening to become stronger as a Hurricane 4 or even 5 in the next 24 hours.
Lord God, I pray for the cities of Lousiana, Miss, Florida , Alabama and other would-be affected areas. It has been 3 years since that devastating Katrina. Now Lord, another hurricane is on its way.
We call on you Lord to intervene. Extend your powerful hands and speak to the winds as you break the hurricane. Let it vanish before our eyes. Reduce it Lord to a strong rain – reduce its might, speed and destruction capacity. Be merciful Lord to the people who have not yet recovered from Katrina. Be merciful Lord to the little ones, the elderly and the very infirmed who are not able to evacuate because of their conditions. Lord, the images at the wake of Katrina are still fresh in our souls and our memories. Unless you intervene Lord, unless you powerfully stop this hurricane, we will see a repeat of the tragedy 3 years ago.
Lord God, thank you for the preparation that is being done now. Thank you that the people are responding and are getting out of the city. Lord provide provisions for those who have very little in terms of finances and other supplies. Be particularly tender to single Moms, to the orphans and to the elderly as they gather the things that are important to them, and as they brace themselves what is going to happen.
Dear God, I lift them all in your powerful hands. You are in control. “Though the oceans rise and thunders roar…” cause us to be still and know you are God…”
In Jesus’ name,
AMEN
I am turning into a RE-MOCRAT!
September 1, 2008
I was one of those who watched till the wee hours in the morning (here in the Philippines) when John McCain presented his VP pick on his 72th birthday.
Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska stepped out into the podium looking really radiant along with her husband and beautiful daughters. How the one year old baby was still asleep despite all the noise and cheering in that Republican venue was a great wonder to me.
I was one of those asking “what in the world????!” and got really interested in how these presidential candidates choose their VP pick. I could only imagine all the underground work that went into the selection.
So far, I already like Palin despite the light resume. I liked what I heard about what she did in Alaska. The highest ranking or most liked governor in the United States right now. And with five kids, wow, that is almost superhuman.
But despite how the Republicans would hardsell Palin and even go as far as saying that “Palin has more executive experience than Obama-Biden combined…” And somehow, it seems that the Republican virtually handed the electoral college and all those battleground states with the events that just unfolded. Contrast that to the pomp, electifying visual images, sounds and grandeur of the recent DNC. The Republicans I feel, made it easier for the Democrats to win this election.
Palin was obviously a good “maverick” and a go getter. She sounded like a person who gets things done. Her speech did not sound like any traditional politicians. Just basically a person who communicated that she is ready to be part of this team ready to get things done.
I like her. But I must admit, I am not too sure about the McCain-Palin ticket right now. I was hoping it would be Huckabee, Romney and then Arnold! ( hey why not! )
Too bad the RNC may have to be rescheduled because Gustav is coming.
But like everyone, I am looking forward to the debates. Funny, there will be 3 presidential debates and 1 VP debate. I will be more interested in the gladiatorial showdown between Biden and Palin.
But for now, I am a RE-MOCRAT.
compassionate considerations... 