Top news for the day
Source: GMA News.tv
Makati to skip New Year countdown for fire, disaster victims
Makati City will cancel its traditional New Year's Eve countdown this year in the wake of the recent fire that displaced some 3,000 people there, according to Mayor Jejomar Binay.
Senate sets Tuesday probe into recent sea tragedies
The Senate is set to conduct Tuesday an inquiry into the two latest sea accidents that occurred during the holiday season, which claimed the lives of at least nine people with 40 others still missing.
Extended voter listup to end Tuesday
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday reminded voters to immediately go out and register, as the extended voter’s registration will end Tuesday, December 29.
Perlas, Jimenez defend presidential bids
At least two disqualified presidential hopefuls faced the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday to defend their rejected candidacies, with one of them claiming that he enjoys the support of...
Pimentel wants poll execs in past election anomalies neutralized
An opposition senator on Monday urged the Commission on Elections to neutralize election officers who had been involved in rigging results in past polls.
CA allows Ermita to skip Magdalo coup hearings
The Court of Appeals has barred a Makati court from compelling Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to testify in the coup d'etat case of the more than 30 soldiers implicated in the July 2003...
More agents to secure Andal Jr in 2nd hearing
The rough treatment given by journalists to massacre suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. will not happen again as more security agents would be on hand to secure him if he attends the second preliminary...
Showbiz Chika for the day
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
‘Panday’ continues to hammer lead in MMFF '09
Fantasy-adventure and horror flicks dominate the ongoing 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival box-office count.
Miguel Sarne: Youngest DJ on the Rise!
The Philippines’ youngest DJ ever, Miguel Sarne a.k.a Little Man Guile of Magic 89.9 has much to celebrate this holiday season.
Year-end offers from fired-up acts
Sinosikat? and Miguel Escueta release their latest offerings just days before 2009 ends.
CCP Alternative Film & Video tilt winners
The winners of the 21st Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video were announced recently at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde.
‘You Changed My Life’ is 2009’s top OPM song
The success of the movie redounded to its theme song: “You Changed My Life In A Moment” is MYX's overall number one OPM song in 2009.
Wonder Girls included in ‘100 things to watch in 2010’
K-pop all-girl group Wonder Girls has been chosen as one of the “100 things to watch in 2010” by JWT, the world’s leading advertising and marketing communications company based in the US.
Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson hailed persons of the year
Although the music scene continued on its downward spiral in 2009, three artists helped buoy it somehow: Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and the late Michael Jackson.
MMFF 2009: ‘Bossing’ continues winning streak
Actor and producer Vic "Bossing" Sotto continues his winning streak with “Ang Darling Kong Aswang,” his eighth blockbuster Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry in a row.
Isports laang
Source: ABS-CBN News Online
Deadline nears for Pacquiao-Mayweather blood feud
LAS VEGAS - Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, gave Floyd Mayweather's camp a take-it-or-leave-it final offer Sunday and set a Monday deadline to settle a blood test feud and salvage a boxing extravaganza.
Posadas, Taylo capture gold medals in bowling
MANILA, Philippines -- Lara Posadas and Renz Taylo hurdle their respective rivals in the opening Singles event to capture the first gold medals of the 17th Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC) National Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships Tuesday at the Bowling Inn in Taft Avenue, Manila.
Tiger ends month of misery as an Invisible Man
PALM BEACH, Florida – One month after his one-car crash touched off a sensational sex scandal that drew the world's attention, Tiger Woods has become an Invisible Man even as his world has collapsed around him.
GM Antonio rules invitational chess
MANILA, Philippines – Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr., dominated the Master division of the 3rd Gathering of Knights and Kings (Fianchetto Invitational Chess Tournament) in Quezon City on Sunday.
Tryouts set for Nokia RP U-18 team
MANILA, Philippines - Nokia RP head coach Eric Altamirano announced that the Nokia national team will be formed for the Fiba Asia U-18 Championship for Men in September of next year.
Evans eyes to KO Silva in UFC 108
MANILA, Philippines -- Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans will go for a knockout when he mixes it up with Brazilian mixed martial artist Thiago Silva in UFC 108.
Da who for today
Source: Wikipedia
Francis Burton Harrison (December 18, 1873 – November 21, 1957) was an American statesman who served in the Uni
ted States House of Representatives and appointed Governor-General of the Philippines by President of the United States Woodrow Wilson. Harrison was a prominent advisor to a commonwealth president and the first four Presidents of the Philippines.
Family
Harrison's first wife was California railroad and mining heiress Mary Crocker, married on June 7, 1900. She died five years later in an automoblie accident leaving Harrison to raise two small daughters. Harrison would marry and divorce five more times to: Mabel Judson Cox, Elizabeth Wrentmore, Margaret Wrentmore and Doria Lee. Maria Teresa, a young Filipino woman, outlived Harrison.
One of Harrison's daughters by his first marriage was Barbara Harrison Wescott (1904-1977). While living in France, she worked closely with other American expatriates in the literary world. She and Monroe Wheeler established Harrison of Paris, a press publishing limited-edition literary paperbacks. From 1930 to 1934, Harrison of Paris published thirteen titles, including two new works by Glenway Wescott, Wheeler's longtime companion. In 1934, shortly before Barbara Harrison married Glenway's brother Lloyd Wescott, the press relocated to New York, where it published a final title, Katherine Anne Porter’s Hacienda. She continued her patronage of the arts throughout her life and was a noted collector of artwork.
Governor-General
A member of the Woodrow Wilson Administration, Harrison became Governor-General of the Philippines from 1913 to 1921. Under his administration, the Governor-General's mansion called Malacañang Palace was expanded with the construction of an executive building. Departing from the position, Harrison lived in Scotland until being recalled to the Philippines in 1934. The Philippines would be transitioned from United States territory to commonwealth with an elected Filipino government.
Gravesite of F.B. Harrison at the Manila North Cemetery.
Manuel L. Quezon became the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and Harrison was asked to be Quezon's principal advisor in November 1935. He served in that capacity for ten months. Harrison would return to the position upon Quezon's request in May 1942, when Filipino and American troops surrendered the Philippines during World War II. Harrison would serve the government-in-exile.
From November 1946 to February 1947, Harrison served as Commissioner of Claims in the civil service of the United States Army in Manila. He later served as an advisor to the first four presidents of the newly proclaimed Philippine Republic after their independence was granted in 1946.
After his service to the Philippines at Malacañang Palace, Harrison retired to Spain for six years, then chose to move to Califon, New Jersey in August 1957.
Gospel for the day
Source: The Daily Gospel Online
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2:22-35.
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him.It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Word for the day
Source: Merriam Webster Online
ergogenic • \ur-guh-JEN-ik\ • adjective
: enhancing physical performance
Example Sentence:
"New to this edition are chapters for rowers and a review of ergogenic aids, such as protein supplements and other products…." (Anne Stein, Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2007)
Did you know?
No matter your profession -- be it office worker, athlete, physicist, or poet -- "ergon," the Greek word for "work," has generated a word for you to work into your vocabulary. There is "ergonomics," which concerns efficiently and safely designing things that people use -- for example, office equipment. Then there is our featured word, "ergogenic," which might crop up in a discussion about improving athletic performance. The physicist's mind is likely to think in "ergs," or centimeter-gram-second units of work. And for those of the literary, or even agricultural, bent, there is "georgic," which combines "ergon" with Greek "geō-," meaning "earth," and refers to a poem dealing with agriculture or to the activity of agriculture itself. The most common derivative, however, is "energy," which adds Greek "en," meaning "in," to "ergon."
Lesson for the day
Source: Art’s Library of life
BUSINESSWORLD
MANILA, PHILIPPINES Thursday, September 16, 2004
How brats are created
Who says only valuable jewelries can become heirlooms? My daughter showed me a copy of a letter written by her friend's Dad on her 13th birthday. A few months after he wrote it, he died of a heart attack. Today, this letter is regarded as a family heirloom, shared not just with the immediate members of the family, but shown proudly to relatives and friends alike.
I felt the message in this beautiful letter should be shared with as many people as possible. So I asked my daughter if her friend - the letter's addressee-would allow me to reprint it in BusinessWorld. She said there shouldn't be a problem, except that a note should probably precede the letter asking the readers to share this with their young married children. Hah! a not-so-subtle inference that BusinessWorld readers are not exactly "young parents" anymore.
So, dear readers, do share this letter with your young married children. They will certainly find this letter - as I did – a very insightful treatise on how brats are created.
"Daughter Dearest Happy 13th Birthday!
"When you came to this world 13 years ago, you brought your Mom and I a lot of joy! We've always wanted a daughter and God in His wisdom gifted us with you.
"This is not to cast any aspersions at your four older brothers; they are also a great blessing and we love them very much, but boys are boys, and I look forward to the day when I am old and gray to have you by my side. I can't see this happening with your brothers; you know what I mean, as we have talked about this at the dining-room table many a time.
"You have also heard me say that we are gifted with a lot of material wealth. That's something we should be very grateful to the Lord about, but we should be aware that this has been loaned to us, as you too are loaned to us by God and that we will be asked to give a full accounting when our day of reckoning comes.
"The reason for this letter is to warn you about one big, big danger you and your brothers may face in the next few years. I have seen it happen in other families. I don't want to see it happen here.
"I am referring to having you guys grow up as brats!" 'Brat-manship' is the process one has to go through to become a brat!
"Unfortunately, it is an ailment imposed by parents! They are the creators of the brats!
"In their desire to try to save their children from the difficulties they have been through, they do whatever possible to shield them from this. Little do they realize, that it is precisely these difficulties that have made them successful. Their love for their children may make them overprotective. They may even prevent them from taking public transportation. They come up with all sorts of rationalizations, going by public transportation is not safe, the buses are too crowded, the fumes on the road are bad for ones health, and so on!
"They mean well, but in the process, they deprive their children of what it really means to live in a city like Manila which is comprised of two strata of society - the 'haves' and the 'have-nots!' And sad to say some of 'the haves' live in their little world. Unaware of that sampaguita vendor, drenched in the rain, so that her siblings may get a least one meal that day.
"The other day, I was with an elderly wise gentleman, we are at the Polo Club waiting for his car. There was a girl, about your age. She, too, was waiting for her car. When her vehicle got there, she jumped into the front seat, and as she did, tossed her beautiful pair of riding boots into the back seat. She then asked the driver if her Mom was home. 'Wala po! Nagma-mah jong (She's not home. She's playing mah jong),' came the reply! The car drove off.
"My friend turned to me and said, 'There is an example of the under- privileged rich.' Then he followed with, 'They have everything and they have nothing.'
"This incident, short as it was, left me with a deep impression. I guess this is why I am writing this letter.
"Your Mom and I have tried to raise you kids to realize that our country is made up of the very rich and those who may not even have enough to have one decent meal a day. I hope you never lose sight of this. This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to adopt a squatter family during Christmas and share with them some of some things to make their Christmas more meaningful.
In the process, we hope that you and your brothers will appreciate the conditions we live in. In the process, I hope that you always have compassion or these lesser fortunate. So that next time you see that sampaguita vendor knocking at our car window drenched in rain you do not get annoyed, but instead pull out your wallet and share with her in a small way your allowance.
"You will notice your brothers take public transportation to go to UP. It's not that we can't afford another car; we can't afford for them to grow up thinking that its part of their 'birth right' to be in the ruling class.
"This is why we insisted that you do your bed in the morning, and to pick up your own toys and clothes, rather than have a yaya trailing you.
"And I could go on and on. As you are apt to say, 'You catch my drift!' "When you feel you are not getting enough money in your allowance, or get new shoes like your friends always had or the latest fad of Guess jeans, take this letter out and reread what I have written.
"We love you far too much to create a brat!
"Your Loving Father"
Joke for the day
Source: Art’s Funbox
Needs
Husband and wife are getting all snugly in bed. The passion is heating up. But then the wife stops and says, "I don' t feel like it. I just want you to hold me." The husband says " WHAT???" The wife explains that he must not be in tune with her emotional needs as a woman. The husband realizes that nothing is going to happen tonight and he might as well deal with it.
So the next day the husband takes her shopping at a big dept. store. He walks around and had her try on three very expensive outfits. And then tells his wife, We 'll take all three of them. Then goes over and gets matching shoes worth $200 each. And then goes to the jewelry Dept. and gets a set of diamond earrings. The wife is so excited (she thinks her husband has flipped out, but she does not care). She goes for the tennis bracelet. The husband says "but you don 't even play tennis, but OK if you like it then lets get it.' The wife is jumping up and down. So excited she cannot even believe what is going on. She says " I am ready to go, lets go to the cash register. " The husband says, " no no no, honey we're not going to buy all this stuff." The wife face goes blank. " No honey - I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while." Her face gets really red she is about to explode and then the husband says " You must not be in tune with my financial needs as a MAN!"
Source: GMA News.tv
Makati to skip New Year countdown for fire, disaster victims
Makati City will cancel its traditional New Year's Eve countdown this year in the wake of the recent fire that displaced some 3,000 people there, according to Mayor Jejomar Binay.
Senate sets Tuesday probe into recent sea tragedies
The Senate is set to conduct Tuesday an inquiry into the two latest sea accidents that occurred during the holiday season, which claimed the lives of at least nine people with 40 others still missing.
Extended voter listup to end Tuesday
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday reminded voters to immediately go out and register, as the extended voter’s registration will end Tuesday, December 29.
Perlas, Jimenez defend presidential bids
At least two disqualified presidential hopefuls faced the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday to defend their rejected candidacies, with one of them claiming that he enjoys the support of...
Pimentel wants poll execs in past election anomalies neutralized
An opposition senator on Monday urged the Commission on Elections to neutralize election officers who had been involved in rigging results in past polls.
CA allows Ermita to skip Magdalo coup hearings
The Court of Appeals has barred a Makati court from compelling Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to testify in the coup d'etat case of the more than 30 soldiers implicated in the July 2003...
More agents to secure Andal Jr in 2nd hearing
The rough treatment given by journalists to massacre suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. will not happen again as more security agents would be on hand to secure him if he attends the second preliminary...
Showbiz Chika for the day
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
‘Panday’ continues to hammer lead in MMFF '09
Fantasy-adventure and horror flicks dominate the ongoing 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival box-office count.
Miguel Sarne: Youngest DJ on the Rise!
The Philippines’ youngest DJ ever, Miguel Sarne a.k.a Little Man Guile of Magic 89.9 has much to celebrate this holiday season.
Year-end offers from fired-up acts
Sinosikat? and Miguel Escueta release their latest offerings just days before 2009 ends.
CCP Alternative Film & Video tilt winners
The winners of the 21st Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video were announced recently at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde.
‘You Changed My Life’ is 2009’s top OPM song
The success of the movie redounded to its theme song: “You Changed My Life In A Moment” is MYX's overall number one OPM song in 2009.
Wonder Girls included in ‘100 things to watch in 2010’
K-pop all-girl group Wonder Girls has been chosen as one of the “100 things to watch in 2010” by JWT, the world’s leading advertising and marketing communications company based in the US.
Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson hailed persons of the year
Although the music scene continued on its downward spiral in 2009, three artists helped buoy it somehow: Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and the late Michael Jackson.
MMFF 2009: ‘Bossing’ continues winning streak
Actor and producer Vic "Bossing" Sotto continues his winning streak with “Ang Darling Kong Aswang,” his eighth blockbuster Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry in a row.
Isports laang
Source: ABS-CBN News Online
Deadline nears for Pacquiao-Mayweather blood feud
LAS VEGAS - Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, gave Floyd Mayweather's camp a take-it-or-leave-it final offer Sunday and set a Monday deadline to settle a blood test feud and salvage a boxing extravaganza.
Posadas, Taylo capture gold medals in bowling
MANILA, Philippines -- Lara Posadas and Renz Taylo hurdle their respective rivals in the opening Singles event to capture the first gold medals of the 17th Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC) National Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships Tuesday at the Bowling Inn in Taft Avenue, Manila.
Tiger ends month of misery as an Invisible Man
PALM BEACH, Florida – One month after his one-car crash touched off a sensational sex scandal that drew the world's attention, Tiger Woods has become an Invisible Man even as his world has collapsed around him.
GM Antonio rules invitational chess
MANILA, Philippines – Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr., dominated the Master division of the 3rd Gathering of Knights and Kings (Fianchetto Invitational Chess Tournament) in Quezon City on Sunday.
Tryouts set for Nokia RP U-18 team
MANILA, Philippines - Nokia RP head coach Eric Altamirano announced that the Nokia national team will be formed for the Fiba Asia U-18 Championship for Men in September of next year.
Evans eyes to KO Silva in UFC 108
MANILA, Philippines -- Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans will go for a knockout when he mixes it up with Brazilian mixed martial artist Thiago Silva in UFC 108.
Da who for today
Source: Wikipedia
Francis Burton Harrison (December 18, 1873 – November 21, 1957) was an American statesman who served in the Uni
ted States House of Representatives and appointed Governor-General of the Philippines by President of the United States Woodrow Wilson. Harrison was a prominent advisor to a commonwealth president and the first four Presidents of the Philippines.Family
Harrison's first wife was California railroad and mining heiress Mary Crocker, married on June 7, 1900. She died five years later in an automoblie accident leaving Harrison to raise two small daughters. Harrison would marry and divorce five more times to: Mabel Judson Cox, Elizabeth Wrentmore, Margaret Wrentmore and Doria Lee. Maria Teresa, a young Filipino woman, outlived Harrison.
One of Harrison's daughters by his first marriage was Barbara Harrison Wescott (1904-1977). While living in France, she worked closely with other American expatriates in the literary world. She and Monroe Wheeler established Harrison of Paris, a press publishing limited-edition literary paperbacks. From 1930 to 1934, Harrison of Paris published thirteen titles, including two new works by Glenway Wescott, Wheeler's longtime companion. In 1934, shortly before Barbara Harrison married Glenway's brother Lloyd Wescott, the press relocated to New York, where it published a final title, Katherine Anne Porter’s Hacienda. She continued her patronage of the arts throughout her life and was a noted collector of artwork.
Governor-General
A member of the Woodrow Wilson Administration, Harrison became Governor-General of the Philippines from 1913 to 1921. Under his administration, the Governor-General's mansion called Malacañang Palace was expanded with the construction of an executive building. Departing from the position, Harrison lived in Scotland until being recalled to the Philippines in 1934. The Philippines would be transitioned from United States territory to commonwealth with an elected Filipino government.
Gravesite of F.B. Harrison at the Manila North Cemetery.
Manuel L. Quezon became the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and Harrison was asked to be Quezon's principal advisor in November 1935. He served in that capacity for ten months. Harrison would return to the position upon Quezon's request in May 1942, when Filipino and American troops surrendered the Philippines during World War II. Harrison would serve the government-in-exile.
From November 1946 to February 1947, Harrison served as Commissioner of Claims in the civil service of the United States Army in Manila. He later served as an advisor to the first four presidents of the newly proclaimed Philippine Republic after their independence was granted in 1946.
After his service to the Philippines at Malacañang Palace, Harrison retired to Spain for six years, then chose to move to Califon, New Jersey in August 1957.
Gospel for the day
Source: The Daily Gospel Online
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2:22-35.
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him.It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Word for the day
Source: Merriam Webster Online
ergogenic • \ur-guh-JEN-ik\ • adjective
: enhancing physical performance
Example Sentence:
"New to this edition are chapters for rowers and a review of ergogenic aids, such as protein supplements and other products…." (Anne Stein, Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2007)
Did you know?
No matter your profession -- be it office worker, athlete, physicist, or poet -- "ergon," the Greek word for "work," has generated a word for you to work into your vocabulary. There is "ergonomics," which concerns efficiently and safely designing things that people use -- for example, office equipment. Then there is our featured word, "ergogenic," which might crop up in a discussion about improving athletic performance. The physicist's mind is likely to think in "ergs," or centimeter-gram-second units of work. And for those of the literary, or even agricultural, bent, there is "georgic," which combines "ergon" with Greek "geō-," meaning "earth," and refers to a poem dealing with agriculture or to the activity of agriculture itself. The most common derivative, however, is "energy," which adds Greek "en," meaning "in," to "ergon."
Lesson for the day
Source: Art’s Library of life
BUSINESSWORLD
MANILA, PHILIPPINES Thursday, September 16, 2004
How brats are created
Who says only valuable jewelries can become heirlooms? My daughter showed me a copy of a letter written by her friend's Dad on her 13th birthday. A few months after he wrote it, he died of a heart attack. Today, this letter is regarded as a family heirloom, shared not just with the immediate members of the family, but shown proudly to relatives and friends alike.
I felt the message in this beautiful letter should be shared with as many people as possible. So I asked my daughter if her friend - the letter's addressee-would allow me to reprint it in BusinessWorld. She said there shouldn't be a problem, except that a note should probably precede the letter asking the readers to share this with their young married children. Hah! a not-so-subtle inference that BusinessWorld readers are not exactly "young parents" anymore.
So, dear readers, do share this letter with your young married children. They will certainly find this letter - as I did – a very insightful treatise on how brats are created.
"Daughter Dearest Happy 13th Birthday!
"When you came to this world 13 years ago, you brought your Mom and I a lot of joy! We've always wanted a daughter and God in His wisdom gifted us with you.
"This is not to cast any aspersions at your four older brothers; they are also a great blessing and we love them very much, but boys are boys, and I look forward to the day when I am old and gray to have you by my side. I can't see this happening with your brothers; you know what I mean, as we have talked about this at the dining-room table many a time.
"You have also heard me say that we are gifted with a lot of material wealth. That's something we should be very grateful to the Lord about, but we should be aware that this has been loaned to us, as you too are loaned to us by God and that we will be asked to give a full accounting when our day of reckoning comes.
"The reason for this letter is to warn you about one big, big danger you and your brothers may face in the next few years. I have seen it happen in other families. I don't want to see it happen here.
"I am referring to having you guys grow up as brats!" 'Brat-manship' is the process one has to go through to become a brat!
"Unfortunately, it is an ailment imposed by parents! They are the creators of the brats!
"In their desire to try to save their children from the difficulties they have been through, they do whatever possible to shield them from this. Little do they realize, that it is precisely these difficulties that have made them successful. Their love for their children may make them overprotective. They may even prevent them from taking public transportation. They come up with all sorts of rationalizations, going by public transportation is not safe, the buses are too crowded, the fumes on the road are bad for ones health, and so on!
"They mean well, but in the process, they deprive their children of what it really means to live in a city like Manila which is comprised of two strata of society - the 'haves' and the 'have-nots!' And sad to say some of 'the haves' live in their little world. Unaware of that sampaguita vendor, drenched in the rain, so that her siblings may get a least one meal that day.
"The other day, I was with an elderly wise gentleman, we are at the Polo Club waiting for his car. There was a girl, about your age. She, too, was waiting for her car. When her vehicle got there, she jumped into the front seat, and as she did, tossed her beautiful pair of riding boots into the back seat. She then asked the driver if her Mom was home. 'Wala po! Nagma-mah jong (She's not home. She's playing mah jong),' came the reply! The car drove off.
"My friend turned to me and said, 'There is an example of the under- privileged rich.' Then he followed with, 'They have everything and they have nothing.'
"This incident, short as it was, left me with a deep impression. I guess this is why I am writing this letter.
"Your Mom and I have tried to raise you kids to realize that our country is made up of the very rich and those who may not even have enough to have one decent meal a day. I hope you never lose sight of this. This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to adopt a squatter family during Christmas and share with them some of some things to make their Christmas more meaningful.
In the process, we hope that you and your brothers will appreciate the conditions we live in. In the process, I hope that you always have compassion or these lesser fortunate. So that next time you see that sampaguita vendor knocking at our car window drenched in rain you do not get annoyed, but instead pull out your wallet and share with her in a small way your allowance.
"You will notice your brothers take public transportation to go to UP. It's not that we can't afford another car; we can't afford for them to grow up thinking that its part of their 'birth right' to be in the ruling class.
"This is why we insisted that you do your bed in the morning, and to pick up your own toys and clothes, rather than have a yaya trailing you.
"And I could go on and on. As you are apt to say, 'You catch my drift!' "When you feel you are not getting enough money in your allowance, or get new shoes like your friends always had or the latest fad of Guess jeans, take this letter out and reread what I have written.
"We love you far too much to create a brat!
"Your Loving Father"
Joke for the day
Source: Art’s Funbox
Needs
Husband and wife are getting all snugly in bed. The passion is heating up. But then the wife stops and says, "I don' t feel like it. I just want you to hold me." The husband says " WHAT???" The wife explains that he must not be in tune with her emotional needs as a woman. The husband realizes that nothing is going to happen tonight and he might as well deal with it.
So the next day the husband takes her shopping at a big dept. store. He walks around and had her try on three very expensive outfits. And then tells his wife, We 'll take all three of them. Then goes over and gets matching shoes worth $200 each. And then goes to the jewelry Dept. and gets a set of diamond earrings. The wife is so excited (she thinks her husband has flipped out, but she does not care). She goes for the tennis bracelet. The husband says "but you don 't even play tennis, but OK if you like it then lets get it.' The wife is jumping up and down. So excited she cannot even believe what is going on. She says " I am ready to go, lets go to the cash register. " The husband says, " no no no, honey we're not going to buy all this stuff." The wife face goes blank. " No honey - I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while." Her face gets really red she is about to explode and then the husband says " You must not be in tune with my financial needs as a MAN!"
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