Pope Francis I

Pope Francis I

I label myself as a returning Catholic.  There was a point in my life that I just don’t want anything to do with the faith where I was brought up.  However, I’ve realized that you can’t get away with who you are and you just have to accept that, I guess.  My near death experience from the past changed everything including my perspective on faith and life.  I however believe that there’s only one God, and to some, that’s a cafeteria Catholicism where you just choose whatever you like on your faith.

The 2013 conclave to elect a new Pope was not as emotional as it was during the 2005 conclave.  I think it’s partly because the Pope Emeritus did not die, he just retired.  I was so looking forward to see the ceremony, the smoke on the chimney and all.  I was not disappointed because despite how wired our current world is, the Vatican did not fail us in staging the biggest pageantry of the year, the proclamation of its new pope.

I wasn’t disappointed when Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio was selected by the College of Cardinals.  He’s the first Jesuits and the first Pope from the Americas.  It would have been nice if they selected an African or an Asian Pope but I was happy nevertheless that he didn’t come from the powerful Roman Curia (or Italian).  The new pope is a humble man who has compassion to serve his people. 

I pray to God that He will help Pope Francis in dispensing his duties to his religious flock.

Christmas Carolers in Al Khobar

No matter how good your intentions are, please remember that we’re in Saudi Arabia.  There are rules here that we should obey.  If you don’t want to obey their customs and traditions, better pack your bags, do the country a favor and leave. 

We were waiting for our orders last Friday night at Gusto Restaurant in Al Khobar (besides As Salama Hospital) when suddenly a group of Filipinos entered the restaurant and started singing Christmas songs.  One of their companions, a lady started distributing an envelope asking for donation, allegedly for the medical mission.   I was so shocked at first. It took me awhile to regain my composure.  When I realized what was happening, I went to the cashier attendant and told him that what the kabayans are doing are not good and even he will be in trouble.  I felt the need to go out of the restaurant so I drag D and waited outside.

Outside, I saw their look out, a bardagones (big, fat, tall man) and I shouted at him.  I told him that what they’re doing is not good.  They’re endangering themselves and also other innocent Filipinos.  He was explaining that theirs was a noble cause and that the proceeds of their caroling go to medical mission.  I told him that we’re in Saudi Arabia and caroling is a big no-no.  It’s against the law for goodness sake!  The police will never listen to your reasons no matter how noble it is.

I’m not exaggerating that if they’re caught caroling, they could end up in jail.  What if the Mutaw (Religious Police) were following them?  Everyone will be in trouble including all the Kabayans who happens to be in the Restaurant when they were singing Christmas carols. 

D. remembered that last year, the same people knocked at our door to do the caroling.  I think they’re doing it for the sake of their pockets and not really for medical missions.  It’s just so obvious that they just want money from unsuspecting people.  If we’re in the Philippines, they can do all the caroling they want.  But we’re in Saudi Arabia for goodness sake!  If they can’t live with it, they better pack their bags and leave before the Mutawa could actually catch them.

I just couldn’t get these people!  I called up the POLO – Eastern Province and reported the incident. They said that the Ambassador has already issued a guideline on that. POLO – Eastern Province has also received several reports regarding carolers but says that they just couldn’t do anything about it if people would not follow the guideline.  The worst thing that could happen to them is being jailed.  

Thank you list

Christmas nowadays (and in the Philippines) is too commercialized.  In a way, it is better that I live here in an Islamic country where Christmas is not openly celebrated.  It’s the only way I think to really celebrate the season in reflection and thanksgiving. 

My relatives would often ask how we celebrate Christmas in Saudi Arabia.  I tell them that we do away with extravagance and just enjoy the season.  It’s ironic since while we’re in a restricted environment, it is here where we truly understand the significance of the event.  If you are not anymore focused on receiving gifts and spending money to buy them, you’ll come into realization that they’re not really necessary in the celebration.

I’ve learned that doing away with extravagant spending and too much fanfare is good for one’s soul.  Christmas after all is about celebrating the birth of Christ.  It’s time for soul searching and counting your blessings.  This year, I will not have a Christmas list.  Instead, I have a thank you list.

1.       Good Health.  I thank God for giving me good health this year.  Last year was the worst year but He healed me.

2.       Family.  I thank God for giving me a caring and loving family.  I know that no matter what will happen they’ll always be there for me.  I love them for that.

3.       Good Boss.  I thank God for giving me an opportunity to work with the best boss in the world, HSS.  I look forward to working full time with EMF next year.

4.       Promotion.  I thank God for another blessing that I never expected. 

5.       Good Friends.  I thank God for giving me friends who never fails to support me.  I will not mention their names because they already know who they are.  I love you guys.

6.       Good Colleagues.  I thank God for giving me good work environment and colleagues.  Please bless too.

7.       Blessings.  I thank God for all the blessings. 

I’m very thankful for all the blessings that I receive this year.  I am forever grateful. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Kalag Kalag

Today, 2 November is the All Souls Day. It’s the day to honor our dear departed ones as well as friends who have already rested in peace. Although I made it a point in visiting the graveyard of my family when I go home on vacation, it’s the nth years that I haven’t been in the country to celebrate the event. All Souls Day is a low key event in my family. We celebrate their memories and pray for their souls.

Working for almost a decade in the Kingdom of Sands has its ups and downs. Family celebration like the All Souls Day is missed. Worst, you can’t even practice it openly. But I don’t think you need to be open in honoring your dead. A simple prayer and lighting a candle will do, I guess. The most important thing is your prays for them.

The Chinese people believe that when you take good care of your ancestors, they’ll take good care of you in return. I think that’s the reason why most of our Tsinoy friends are rich. They’re blessed by their ancestors. That’s also the reason why China, the once sleeping giant in the east is now the riches country in the world.

There’s nothing wrong in following our culture. Most of the time, the teachings of the olds have wisdom. We don’t even have to follow our culture for us to honor our dead. If we really love our family members who have rested in peace, we’ll honor them and pray for the eternal repose of their souls.

Prayer and Thanksgiving

Redemptorist Church Baclaran

I consider this year’s annual vacation as very special. It’s the only time of the year where I get to rest and give thanks to our Almighty for all the blessings he has given me. I went through a very horrible experience but thanks to God, friends and my family, I was able to get through it.

My doctor said that it’ll take 2-3 months before my will get rid of all the medications that I took for at 9 months. It wasn’t easy, believe me, aside from being hospitalized, taking medication every day is a lot tougher. I was thankful that it was all over. I just hope that with God’s help, I will be healthier. I also promise that I’ll lead a healthy lifestyle.

I know, I’ve been a critic to the CBCP and the priests who wanted to meddle with politics. However, as a born catholic, I have no intentions of breaking away from my faith. I can express my belief in my own terms without necessarily agreeing to what the people of the church are dictating. So, when I arrived in Manila on 11 August, I made it a point of visiting Quiapo and Baclaran Churches. I went to Quiapo on a Friday so it was a jam-packed crowd. I murmured a prayer and then went out to visit the Black Nazarene to give thanks to all the blessings he has bestowed upon me. The following day I went to Baclaran Church to visit Our Mother of Perpetual Help. I also thanked her for the blessings. I never had an opportunity to attend a holy Eucharistic celebration at that time. I promised though that I will attend one before flying back to the Kingdom of the Sands.

I am very grateful and I owe it all to our Father. I thank him for all the blessings and I promised to be a good son. I know that being human is never an excused but nevertheless, I asked for his understanding and forgiveness. Lord, maraming maraming salamat po sa blessings.

Ramadan Kareem!!!

Ramadan Kareem!!! My greeting is three days too late but what the heck, it’s still Ramadan and according to the hijri calendar it’ll last for 29 days. I love Ramadan because it’s the only time of the year where you’ll not be stressed. During Ramadan there are no phone calls, no work and no nothing. The office is at a standstill. Everyone is so kind, and they’ll share everything.

It’s like Christmas for Christians but the positive side with Ramadan is that it’s not so commercialized. People fast, pray and sacrifice. It’s still maintained the spirituality of the occasion.

I love Ramadan because I can go home early, as early as 3:30 P.M. I have nothing to do at home but I just love it when I arrive home early. It’s also the only time where I can concentrate on stuff and activities that makes me healthy. I can jog earlier too and I get to meet a lot of new people. Most of the shops give discounts so it’s the best time of the year to do the shopping.

On a serious note, Ramadan should be our time to reflect and meditate. I’m saying this not only for Muslims but also for non-Muslims. It’s an opportunity for us to think of the good and not so good things we did last year and do penance for them. It is never too late to ask God for forgiveness. Coming from a near death experience last year made me think through a lot of things. Material things do not matter anymore in death. You’ll think of your family and friends and the people who touch your life. You shouldn’t miss out on that.

So before I become too preachy, let me once again greet you all Ramadan Mubarak!

Flores de Mayo memories

When I was a child, my Aunt whose husband works for the then PC-INP at the Camp Delgado in Iloilo City would often bring us to the Flores de Mayo organized by the spouses of the PC-INP personnel. As a child, you don’t attend a Flores de Mayo because you feel like going but because you don’t have a choice. Adults often impose their beliefs on their children or extended family members. I could not forget the agonizing wait for the novena to be over. I could not also forget the torture of kneeling until the novena is over.

The only fond memory that I can think of during the Flores de Mayo is the food that the PC-INP Spouses prepares and that’s it. I however, regretted being unable to go with my family to SM Delgado. My family don’t dictate us whether we want to participate in Flores de Mayo or not. For my parents, there’s no issue if you go or not. They also have the same opinion on going to the Church on Sundays. Don’t get me wrong but my mother’s active in the church.

The point in writing this entry is that sometimes, adults imposing their beliefs to their children or extended family could be an abuse issue. I would never force my child, nephews or nieces on the things or activities that they don’t like. The abuse would be from the context that you force the child to kneel which is by the way, very painful if you do it on an extended period. You could also be abusing the child because of the boredom that you subjected him / her into. Leaving the child without the choice is also a form of abuse.

I’ve watched the movie Matilda and the old man would often say:

“I’m big, you’re small”.

“I’m smart, you’re dumb”.

“And there’s nothing you can do about it”.

Forcing children to do the stuff that they don’t like is bullying and therefore a child abuse.

John Paul II’s Beatification

I have always been a vocal critic of the Roman Catholic Church. There are things that I don’t like and agree with the faith. Their institutionalized veneration of Saints and their ostentatious display in everything they do, Priests committing sexual abuses, Bishops with holier than thou arrogance, to name the few.

Yesterday, the Vatican, the seat of the Roman Catholicism beatified the late Pope John Paul II. I’ve watched TV Patrol and their exaggerated news reporting. Filipino people who were blinded by their Priests (faith) were also celebrating the late Pope’s beatification. In Roman Catholicism, beatification is a step closer to being a Saint.

Saint John Paul II
My view on this is that John Paul II is just a human being. He may have been elected to the Papacy by his fellow Cardinals but he was a human being. The fact of the matter is, he died of old age and the Parkinson’s disease. I was born a Catholic but I really don’t agree in venerating a person and elevate him into sainthood. He’s just like one of us so there’s no reason why we should worship him. I believe in God, one God and no other. There are prophets that foretell God’s coming but they’re not gods and they themselves say it in the scriptures.

Sexual abuses of the Priest during the term of John Paul II were prevalent and he never did anything about it. In fact, the present pontiff did more because he acknowledges the sins of his Church. I may not agree with the Church’s policies and some of its belief but I still consider myself as a part of it. It’s like being a Filipino. I may not agree with President AbNoy’s government and policies but I am still a Filipino. Not by choice but by birth, unfortunately.

Anak ng Jueteng nga naman!

Ayaw naman paawat ng isa pang ipokritong Obispo na si Oscar Cruz at gumagawa na naman ng pasabog. Alam na naman ninyo siguro why I love calling them hypocrites. They condemn the Jueteng payola to the politicians and police force yet they themselves are recipients to the said payolas. For them, they’re exempted to the accusations because they’re the accusers. Kapal ng mga mukha eh yong binigay siguro na payola sa kanila ay iyon ang tinutustus nila sa kanilang mga kereda. Asides from keredas, it’s known throughout the world that they abuse children. They act as if they’re kalinisan at kadangalan but look who’s talking. It’s really high time that Filipinos should wake up from the realities in life. Ang simbahang katoliko at ang baluktot na pag iisip ng mga pari ang dahilan kung bakit tayo ay third world country pa rin!

Ito na nga …This time Oscar Cruz is accusing President AbNoynoy’s closest friend Rico Puno from the DILG as one of the recipient of the monthly Php. 2M payola. He also implicated several men in uniform and politicians particularly those from Pangasinan. Our Senate seems to be very willing to accommodate the pasabog para naman sabihin ng taong bayan that they’re working. Sa nasabi ko na, walang mangyayari sa bagong administrasyon na ito. Politicians will always find ways to use their legislative immunity to get back at their enemies. President AbNoynoy will experience the pain and embarrassments that they caused the previous administration. Sabi nga nila weather weather lang iyan. Eh now, naka double whammy na si Rico Puno kasi he’s one of the lucky 13 recommended by the IRRC na liable sa Quirino Grandstand Hostage Taking.

Malabo itong Jueteng issue na ito. During Erap’s tenure he wanted to legalize Jueteng. He realized that the government is powerless in curtailing the illegal numbers game. At least kung legalize ito may pera pang makukuha ang gobyerno. The bad thing is that, Erap himself was implicated by the Jueteng scandal. Jueteng was the cause of Erap’s downfall.

Gloria wasn’t able to solve the Jueteng in her 9 years of presidency. President AbNoynoy as being a lameduck president wouldn’t be able to solve this either. In fact, Jueteng may hunt President AbNoynoy till the end of his term of office. May pera sa Jueteng kaya hindi talaga ito mawawala. Maaring itong mag lay low pero babalik at babalik din ito kung hindi na mainit ang issue. If you’ve watched the indie film Kubrador, starring Gina Pareño, ito talaga ang mangyayari. That movie is what they call art imitating life or should I say life imitating art.

Sasakit lang ang puwak ni Oscar Cruz ng litany against Jueteng but he can’t solve it. Our politicians can neither solve it. The only option the government has right now is to legalize it.

Who’s to blame?

We Filipinos are really fond of blaming people. I think we can’t get rid of it since it’s in our blood. Nowadays, people are throwing babies everywhere and anywhere. The most recent is the baby thrown at a rubbish bin of GF Flight bound for Manila. It’s not an accident then that they named the baby GF. There are people who said that we should not be too hard on the mother who could have been sexually abused by her employer and is suffering from post partum disorder. So, if we don’t blame the mother who are we going to blame then?

I think in any case, not just the case of baby GF we should put the blame to the hypocritical priests and bishops. Why them? Well, they refuse the usage of condoms and they refuse sex education. They said that it’s immoral to use condom and that teachers would only pollute the minds of the children should sex education be included in our basic education curriculum. Yon na nga, the hypocrites priests don’t want people to use condom but they wouldn’t take the blame of ballooning population, poverty, malnourished children and of course, babies like baby GF na tinapon na ng mga magulang. Pag may batang tinapon at natagpuan, hindi naman ito napupunta sa mga pari at madre but to the DSWD. Why won’t the priest put those children in their convents and monasteries? Total, kung hindi dahil sa kanilang pagiging epokrito at pag tutol sa programa ng gobyerno, walang mga batang tinatapon sa basurahan ng eroplano. That way, they’ll be beneficial and helpful to the ballooning population of the country of which they are the primary people to be blamed.

The priests tried having unprotected sex before and by now they would have realized that unprotected sex leads to pregnancy. Sa dami ng kanilang mga bastardo, for sure, alam na nila ang consequences.

The mothers should have an option whether they’d continue their pregnancy or not. Our law makers should file a bill to give that option to the mothers so that they’ll not be criminally liable. What’s the point in bearing a child when you can’t feed them? They’ll suffer a cycle of poverty from birth to death. Their children will also be poor since their parents can’t feed them and give them better education.

The bad thing with priests and bishops is that they condition the minds of their blinded followers that sex education is bad and immoral. They think that sex education is teaching children kung paano mabubuntis. They would never admit that sex education is a means to educate people to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Ito yong mga arguments ng mga pari at mga ipokritong pari, Obispo at mga cardinal na basura!

Sex Education in Public Schools System

The outgoing administration of PGMA finally has the balls to impose initially, to 59 Public Schools the Sex Education Curriculum. Unfortunately, they’re running out of time since this program could still be vetoed by the incoming AbNoynoy Administration. We’ll keep our finger’s cross that AbNoynoy will not bow down to the pressures of the hypocrites from the CBCP.

According to the spokesperson of CBCB, another hypocrite Pedro Quitorio, they’ll do everything they can to stop the implementation of the government program because it will just poison the minds and morals of our youth. I don’t really agree with the arguments of the Catholic Church since it’s as archaic as their church. It’s as if they’re still living in the times of kupong kupong. We’re already in the 21st century and our culture has been influenced by the western countries. The minds of our children have already been corrupted and it’s about time that our government should step in. Previous administrations, except during the time of President Ramos, have vowed down to the pressures of the CBCP. The result of that is the ballooning population of 96 Million Filipinos.

It’s easy for the CBCP to say they’re against the Sex Education Curriculum because in reality they don’t feed the children who were born out of wedlock due to pre marital sex (PMS). In fact, they’re the beneficiary of the ballooning population since it’s an additional income for them. Imagine expecting 10 million newly born children per year means more baptismal ceremonies. CBCP, the Universal Church and even the lowly priests are preaching that sex education is endangering the minds of our youth and they’re also against the reproductive health bill. The reason why our priests have illegitimate children because they head to the teachings of the Church not to use condoms!

It is better that the sexual education is taught in our schools, from the responsible teachers and not from irresponsible and more graphic sources such as the internet. We’ve been kids once in our lives and believe me, it’s difficult to fight with our libido and raging hormones!

Assaulted and Abused by Filipino Priests / Bishops

It’s really difficult for me to understand why Filipino Priests / Bishops would always dive into politics. I’ve finally put two and two together to come up with this conclusion. Their involvement in politics is just a diversionary tactic so that they will not be put into spotlight. They’ve been accused of several child molestation and rape and abuse in any form and diverting the media focus is the best thing that they can think of. What I’m saying is not a product of my imagination but a fact. According to Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, over one half of the country’s 7,000 priests in one way or another has committed sexual misconduct. I think misconduct is a very subtle word to describe the abuses of our holier than thou priests. Quevedo says the misconduct includes child abuse, rape, molestation, homosexuality and affairs. These priests can be homosexuals or have affairs but they should spare the children from their abuses. Abused children are prone to psychological disorders in their formative years. Some of them would not be able to recover.

Nakakasuka ang kakapalan ng mukha ng mga pari na ito. When they talk about the corruption and the evil deeds of the politicians, akala mo kung sinong kalinis linisan. Yong pala, isa ding makasalanan. They should practice what they preach. Hindi kaya sila masusunog niyan tuwing hahawak sila ng bibliya at tuwing mag spray ng holy water? How I wish mamatay ang mga pari na nang biktima ng mga walang kamuwang muwang na mga kabataan. Kasuklam suklam ang kanilang ginagawa.

What set these holier than thou priest from our Filipino politicians is that at least, the politicians do not pretend to be other than what they are. They have no qualms on who they are. They’re in the office to squander the public money. Unlike our holier than thou priests who preach against greed and violence yet they themselves are the number one perpetrator of crimes.

We should support the victims so that they can get a secular justice that they deserved. Dapat makulong iyang mga abusadong mga pari at Obispo na iyan. Dapat nilang pagbabayaran sa kulungan ang kanilang mga kasalanan sa lipunan.

Lenten Observance

I never really expected that it’s already the Lenten season. You tend to be out of touch with the realities when you’re here in the Kingdom of the Sands. Here they don’t celebrate the lent so you won’t know that it’s already celebrated in most of the western and Christian countries. I’m a non practicing Catholic by choice and by circumstances. It’s a choice because of my frustrations with the people running the Universal Church and by circumstances since it’s already given that I’m in an Islamic country.


Yesterday, my friend and I went for a lunch out in Chili’s at the Mall of Dhahran. I even ate tenderloin steak with shrimp. I know that for others, it’s not just unacceptable but it’s a selfish cultivation of a human want in the season of lent. I know that most people don’t like excuses but I want to make excuses too … I’m just human … LOL. Besides, I just received a hefty bonus and want to splurge, just once to my human desire. Egotistical isn’t it?

It didn’t end there though. I also have a dinner appointment with another friend and eat our hearts out with pastas at the Pasta Italia Fresco. We leave very full when we left Rashid Mall. Today, a Maundy Thursday, I have another invitation from a friend who just turned one year with our company. I don’t want to disappoint and refuse an invitation.

My mother, a very religious woman and the rest of Filipino people may not agree on how we live our lives here outside the country but the reality is, this is how an OFW live.

Sexual Abuses of the Priests and Bishops

Pope Benedict XV was pressured to issue a pastoral letter addressing sexual abuses of the Irish priests and bishops. The Holy See also apologized but it’s short of saying that he (the Pope) would agree to the secular justice that the victims and their families are pressing.


It took the Irish people several years before their cases could be filed to the Irish Courts. The government and the Universal Church in Ireland are involved in conspiracy theories and cover ups. Priests and Bishops in Ireland, like in the Philippines are very powerful that they could get away with any crimes. That’s why I won’t be surprised when one day, the crimes and abuses of the Filipino clergies will also surface. Sabi nga nila, you can’t keep your skeletons in your closet forever. There’s also a saying that says ‘when there’s smoke, there’s fire.’ I’m just counting the days when our hollier than thou priests and bishops will be embarrassed by their misdeeds. Oh, I think I underestimated them. Halang na pala ang kanilang mga bituka at ang kakapal na pala ng kanilang mga mukha! They’re not anymore capable of expressing remorse and shame.

Kung magbatikos ang mga ‘Hijo de puta’ akala mo kung sino ang mga ‘animal’. Okay lang sana kung walang kasalanan pero number one palang mga kampon ni Satanas. You can’t blame Filipinos when they are drawn to other religions like Baptist, Born Again, INC or Islam. It’s not because of the Universal Church’s teachings but because of its priest and bishops. The Universal Church’s right hand doesn’t know what its left hand is doing. I personally do not contemplate of changing my religion but I just chose to be none practicing Catholic. Ayaw ko nang magsimba kasi masyadong mapulitika ang mga pari. Baka masigawan ko pa siya while he’s doing a homily at mapagalitan pa ako ng Nanay ko. So it’s better na hindi na lang magsimba. Total when I’m home, nakakarinig naman sila ng maanghang na salita sa akin pero not in the presence of my mother kasi baka pagalitan ulit ako. LOL. I’m sure most Filipinos feel the same way that I do.

It’s Official - Panlilio stole the Gubernatorial Seat of Pampanga

The irresponsible Philippine media sensationalized the victory of Among Ed as Provincial Governor of Pampanga last 2007 midterm elections. They say that Among Ed’s victory over Lilia Pineda, the kumare of PGMA is a triumph over evil. Years, months and tedious recounts after, Lilia Pineda was vindicated because according to the Second Division of COMELEC, she won over Panlilio by 2,011 votes!


Penida was reluctant to take over the reins of Pampanga’s gubernatorial seat since she can’t do anything for her constituency anymore. There would be little time to implement projects because of the proximity to the 2010 elections. The election laws as you know prohibit governors to release funds except for salaries of the government employees.

I’ll emphasize vindication on the part of Lilia Pineda who was always subjected to criticism and harsh words by Ed Panlilio. Panlilio thinks that he’s hollier than thou when in fact he stole the election from the rightful winner. It’s alright if he really won but he didn’t. The gubernatorial post is not his to start with. If he has delecadeza, he should quit the post now. Lilia is not anymore interested to serve the remaining 4 months of office so Panlilio should give the post at least to the Vice Governor.

The COMELEC should also force Panlilio out of the Capitol since allowing him to serve to the office that does not anymore belong to him is an insult to our justice, elections and political system. He’ll also be wasting the taxpayer’s money.

So, now may mukha pa ba siyang ihaharap sa madla after that? That’s why I’m always critical when priests and bishops would say things as if they’re hollier than the rest of us. Kung magsalita akala mo diyos! I admit that I haven’t read the full texts of the bible but I believe that God is merciful and not sarcastic. Akala ng mga pari, Obispo at mga madre na ito kung sino sila when in fact, they’re the number one sinners. Why won’t we start a debate about the child molestation, rape and abuses that our hollier than thou priests and bishops commit against our people? Sige nga? Baka matamimi sila.

I wish and hope that one day our voters will be matured enough to know the fine divide between politics and religion. I dream that one day, the Philippines will be free from the influence of the Roman Catholic Church.

My Lord and my God

The Highest Court of Malaysia, truly Asia released a ruling that allows non Muslims to call their God Allah. It sparks a violent protest as Muslim extremist burned down churches and religious. Religious leaders in Malaysia are saying that allowing non Muslims to call their God ‘Allah’ will diminish and erode people’s faith.

I really don’t agree that allowing Christians and Non-Muslims to call their God ‘Allah’ will erode the faith of our Muslims brothers. Our faith is within us regardless of our religion. If we’re really true to our religion, nobody could really influence us to change our hearts.

Malaysia is one of the most diversely populated countries in the World. I think that extremist individuals are just using the issue to divide this beautiful nation that withstood a number of sectarian violence in the past. It’s really up to their people on what road they want to take in the future.

In passing, a friend of mine asked me if I would want to call my God ‘Allah’. I told him that I’ll just call him my Lord and my God. I believe that there is only one God. No matter what our Catholic faith has thought us, I believe that there’s only one GOD. It is obviously contrary to the teachings of Catholics that believes in 3-in-1 (trinity) God.

---- oo0 ----

When I was still in High School, my English teacher Mrs. Sonia Galila stressed that the G in God should always be capitalized. It’s a general rule in English she said.

Pope Benedict XVI attacked

The Catholic faithful are still shocked by the security breach at the Vatican on Christmas day. I don’t know what’s in that woman’s mind when she attacked the Pope. You’ll hear how the crowd reacted when the Pope was attacked by that woman. While watching the EWTV service, the Pope was visibly shocked. I don’t blame him, he’s well in his 80s. Buti na lang wala namang masamang nangyari sa kanya. That woman could have killed the Pope.

The Pope is the head of the State of Vatican as well as the head of the billions of Catholics worldwide. He’s in a very special position. His power transcends politics and national borders. I surmised that the American President is in fact envious Pope’s power. I’m not just referring to a good talking (but without result and can’t deliver) current president but all his predecessors.

Although I’ve always been impartial to the hollier than thou Priest, Bishops and Nuns in the Philippines, I’ve always loved and admire the Pope. We all know kung anong kahayupan ang ginawa ng mga pari sa ating bayan. Galit talaga ako sa kanila! Lalo na sa mga Obispong pamumulitika lang ang ginagawa. But I don’t hate the Pope.

The Pope will always be a target of wrath of the extremist. His predecessor, John Paul II was even shot by a Turkish assassin. By this time, the Vatican Police and the Swiss Guards should have learned their lessons. They should seriously consider revising their security strategy if they don’t want the Pope to be attacked again.

Switzerland Banned Minarets

Switzerland overwhelmingly voted (57%) to ban minarets. Minarets are slender towers with balconies used for calling prayer. I’ve watched several news programs and Islamic leaders are easy to condemn the decision of the whole Swiss people. I say, let’s respect the decision of the Swiss people. It’s their country and nobody should interfere to their internal affairs. It’s too bad that they banned the construction of minarets but we just have to respect their decision. I know how the Muslim people feel about it. For them, their religious freedom is being curtailed. Others even accused the Swiss people of Islamophobia.


As I’ve said, Switzerland is a free and independent country. People from outside should respect their decisions. In the same way that people around the world respected the decisions of any Islamic countries not to build churches in their countries. Switzerland is one of the most tolerant countries in the world. I don’t think that banning minarets in their country is a religious suppression. You’ll see mosques sprouting in any European City. Believe it or not, there’s a mosque in Rome, the center of Catholism. The least that any Arab country could actually do is to reciprocate. Muslims cry foul when they feel they’re suppressed in Europe but doesn’t care when a Christian, in the Kingdom of the Sands for instance calls for religious freedom. Here in the Kingdom of the Sands, you’ll never see a single Catholic Church. They have an Irish priest in Aramco but they only have a make shift church (using the Dhahran Hills School Auditorium). You can’t also openly practice your religion for fear of prosecution.

Sana fair is fair lang! Para patas naman ang laban.