You can choose to believe in all the negativities in the world or you can choose to believe in beauty.. When you choose to believe in the former, be sure to do something about it, fix it... when you choose to believe in the latter, be sure to preserve it, let it show and let it shine..

by the way..
"Former" means first and "latter" means last, but are these words too confusing to use?
from Quick and Dirty Tips

The World is Not Flat and we can do something about it!

It is nature's design for man to seek survival. The word survival, as you have noticed, has its meaning evolved eversince. Now, it doesn't just mean not getting killed, it also means having enough savings in your trustworthy bank for future expenses, having life and health insurances, keeping up with the latest technologies (phones, computers, other gadgets), and of course, having a shelter where you could not only rest your head but also enjoy the comfort offered by electricity. With all honesty, we are already more than surviving. As a matter of fact, the standard of living has kept rising, and the average person of today is actually far better off than the rich man centuries ago, by terms of lifestyle quality. Even before, for instance, men from higher classes had no choice but to settle for snail mails, in contrast to today's less-than-a-minute exchange of messages. Well, you get the picture, things are so different. Earth has put on a new style of clothing. There are some things, however, which never really change.. there are always weather issues - thunderstorms, hurricanes, typhoons (they're getting stronger, though), incurable diseases (they're more complicated, though), and then there's this gap between the rich and the poor (and it's getting wider, though).. You may not have noticed about the last one, but when you do, you ask "why" and then you just have to sigh.. :(

Well, i can't help but notice these gasoline boys. They are the most visible, tangible image of the oil company they are in. And everyone knows that when you are in an oil business (petroleum industry for this matter), you're in for large money. But then you look at these gasoline boys' dirty, old uniforms, shabby shoes (sometimes i see slippers), skinny bones.. and you just realize that they are not treated fairly. In fact, i don't see any protective material for them! All i know is that they're inhaling as much gasoline that's concentrated in the air around them, and that isn't very much good for their health. More than that, i bet they've got one of the most boring jobs in the entire world! Everyday, they fill in jeepneys' fuel tanks, count their money, chat with other co-workers, fill in gasoline, count money, and the cycle goes on for another month or year. i even doubt if they're ever empowered to make productive use of their time, like reading books while waiting for vehicles, learning knitting, or whatever. All i see is that their bosses are taking advantage of their employees' willingness to accept a low-paying job with very little benefits. They are among the vulnerable people in the society who have no choice, i think, but to accept not-so-useful job opportunities just to survive. 

About this concept of "making productive use of one's time"... i had this conversation with a cemetery security guard.. we talked about who i was visiting at the cemetery, his life at work, my life as a student, politics... and i kind of realized that his job is quite mundane, and in a way i suggested to him to continue learning and studying by reading books.. and he kind of pushed the idea away.. and if i remember it correctly, he said that he's got his radio on and so he's good to go.. Well, of course, at least his job is more "thrilling" and "hair-raising" than those gasoline boys..  Anyhow, point is, these are just among the thousands of jobs in the Philippines which gives just enough or barely enough pay for living.. and these jobs are not only boring but also unproductive, and forever benefits only those on top.. 

Filipinos never really, exactly have developed a culture of productivity... (and i don't think the government even encourages that, by the way).. There's this Filipino night time preciously set aside for watching television novellas or telenovelas. this basically eats up the 8-10pm time of Filipinos, spent sticking up those eyes on TV screens.. It has become our lifestyle..

Another one... sadly, i know of a woman who spends half a day almost everyday doing household chores (of course, she's still one of those who watches those telenovelas in the evenings).. she doesn't seem to want to get out of this cycle.. she scolds her children, sometimes, for not helping her do the chores. She turns up angry... it's like house keeping is her number one priority, not learning, and not even family-building.. and this goes on for another year.. it is kind of predictable.. imagine that kind of life for the rest of her life.. where would that lead her to?

i am not imposing that people in these low-paying jobs have a negligible contribution to the society...What i'm saying is that people deserve to be given opportunities for self growth, development and  actualization.. the government has to do its duty, and so must its citizens... there has to be a foundation in order for us to build a culture of productivity.. and perhaps in this culture of productivity, we may be led to a more united Filipino people who are able to realize that there is so much potential in humanity

This has to start somewhere...

For  instance, one can start by reading Precious Hearts Romances Pocketbooks... these books are so thin.. one can actually finish one book in an afternoon or less than an hour.. But let's not stop there.. let's proceed to reading books which involve deeper thoughts, more interesting subjects.. those that stimulate our minds and teaches us to envision.. those that teaches us to think.

One can start by vandalizing the house walls and carelessly coloring those story books... But let's not stop there.. let's continue to mold our way of drawing to fit the taste of a king, explore new mediums, find interesting landscapes.. be actually an artist..

One can start by singing in bathrooms and then in Karaoke machines.. but let's not stop there.. let's explore deeper and higher notes... let's hear our voices do the twists and turns of a musical piece which inevitably moves listeners' souls... and let's not settle auditioning for ABS CBN, GMA or TV5 network singing shows - those are too mainstream.. may also we find wonder and beauty and joy in those that are theatrical in nature... 

One can start by studying... learning.. not only for himself or herself, but for the benefit of the entire community...

listen to nature, to the animals, to the wind and the stars... after all, they're older than us.. and one way or another.. we are all part of the bigger picture.. we are all connected..

from The Horrible History of Jones

**inspired by the children and Mr. Ryan Maboloc's article: The World is Not Flat

i love You, Lord, thanks for moving me to do this.. :)

Because there's so much beauty about life...

in the backgarden ...

One Rainy Afternoon

This is one of the most welcoming place in my city..

And i always feel at home here...

.......

i just listened..
i prayed..
i saw someone come with a child..
the child just played around..
i waved at him..
he was adorable..
he was so easy to like..
he was so easy to love..

.......

the rain continued to pour down...
outside is a family...
they were sitting by the cold stone stairs...
they were nursing a baby...
they weren't dressed for the weather..
i bet they're shivering outside and in...
They do not look adorable..
They are usually looked on with pity...
Are they easy to love too?

< to the left is a family with a very small, young baby

What does it mean to be truly concerned for others' welfare?

Reasons politicians steal (from Yahoo! by Dr. Randy Dellosa)

1. Measure of success. For some politicians, the fatness of their bank accounts determines how high they’ve made it up the socio-eco-political ladder. These people acquire excessive wealth because for them, wealth equals success, power and prestige. 

2. Poverty mentality. Some politicians who come from humble backgrounds have risen up the ranks yet continue to harbor a self-perception of being poor. They become compulsive hoarders of material wealth as if they were in a constant and insatiable state of deprivation. 

3. Sharing the loot. Some politicians believe that it is acceptable to steal as long as some of the loot is used for charitable or religious projects. For them, sharing a little portion of the loot has the effect of lessening their guilt. 

4. Copycat thievery. Many politicians pick up the shady habits of their corrupt predecessors and colleagues. In this sense, corruption is like an inheritable illness or contagious disease.
 
5. Self-reward for stress. Some politicians feel unfairly compensated for all the effort they pour into their work. Since they believe that the government is not paying them enough, they exaggeratedly augment their own salary by hook or by crook.  

6. Banking on Pinoy compassion. Corrupt politicians may not be too fearful of being caught for their crimes because Pinoys have shown a track record of easily forgiving past political leaders who have committed plunder. 

7. Supporting their networks of patronage. Some politicians engage in massive thievery in order to pay off, reward or give incentive to the people and institutions that back them up. 

8. Preparation for comfortable retirement. Some politicians amass wealth because they want to sustain an affluent lifestyle after their retirement.

9. Potential of power to corrupt. A person in high office is always vulnerable to temptation. The historian John Acton put it well in stating that “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

10. Narcissistic personality. Some politicians are narcissists who have an inflated view of themselves. Considering themselves to be superior and special beings, they feel that they are above the law and feel entitled to the use public funds as if it was theirs. 

11. Criminal-mindedness. People with criminal tendencies are sociopaths who often con people for personal profit. Sociopaths have a calloused conscience and do not display any remorse for their offenses. 

11 factors that turn Pinoy politicians into thieves