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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

“We Can Save Our Nation by Saving Our Homes”

THE 3RD PEBA INTERNATIONAL BLOG AWARDS is looking for nominees in the Visayas and Mindanao Region If you have something to say about FAMILIES, and OFWs, yours could be the winning piece!


Society's problems arise, almost without exception, out of the homes of the people. If there is to be a reformation, if there is to be a change, if there is to be a return to old and sacred values, it must begin in the home. – Excerpt from the book, “Standing for Something” By Gordon B. Hinckley

 
“There is no place, no environment more conducive to the development and enactment of virtue than the family. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity and their peace, all find their roots in the teaching of children by fathers and mothers, and in the strength and stability of the family. I know this not only because of what I have observed during my eighty nine years, but because of what I experienced in my childhood home.

When I was a boy, my parents followed a practice they called "family home evening." On a specified evening of the week, we would join as a family to learn together, play together, and enjoy one another's company. My father was a great storyteller, and he often told us stories from his memory. Mother would warm up the parlor where her grand piano stood, so that we could sing as a family. We were miserable performers as children. We could do all kinds of things together while playing, but when one of us tried to sing a solo before the others, it was like asking ice cream to stay hard on the kitchen stove. In the beginning, we would laugh and make cute remarks about one another's performance. But our parents persisted. And because they persisted, we sang together. We laughed together. We studied together. And we played and prayed together.

Out of those simple and informal but regular gatherings in the parlor of our old home came something indescribable and wonderful. Our love for our parents was strengthened. My love for my brother and sisters was enhanced. An appreciation for simple goodness grew in all our hearts. Admittedly, we didn't openly speak about love for one another very much in those days. But we didn't have to. We felt the security, peace, and quiet strength that come to families who pray together, work together, help one another, and feel connected one with another.

It is so plainly evident that both the great good and the terrible evil found in the world today are the sweet and the bitter fruits of the rearing, of yesterday's children. As we train a new generation, so will the world be in a few years. If we are worried about the future, then we must look today at the upbringing of children. The evils of the world will continue to escalate unless there is an underlying acknowledgment, even a strong and fervent conviction, that the family is an instrument of the Almighty. It is His creation. It is also the most fundamental and basic unit of society. And it deserves - no, it demands our combined focus and attention. We go to great lengths to preserve historical buildings and sites in our cities. We need to apply the same fervor to preserving the most ancient and sacred of institutions - the family!

Gordon B. Hinckley suggested 10 specific things to do to save marriages and families.
  • 1.    Accept responsibility for our role as parents and fulfill our obligations to our children.
  • 2.    Get married and stay married.
  • 3.    Put the father back at the head of the home.
  • 4.    Recognize and value the supreme importance of mothers.
  • 5.    Celebrate and treat children as our most priceless treasures.
  • 6.    Discipline and train children with love.
  • 7.    Teach values to children.
  • 8.    Teach children to work.
  • 9.    Read to and with children.
  • 10.  Pray together.



I believe that if OFWs will apply the 10 suggested things, will have a wonderful effect to us and our families. There will be few divorces and broken families. Fathers or mother can do these things even they're far from home. The wonders of technology makes all this possible.

THE 3RD PEBA INTERNATIONAL BLOG AWARDS is looking for nominees in the Visayas and Mindanao Region If you have something to say about FAMILIES, and OFWs, yours could be the winning piece!


©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO

Saturday, September 18, 2010

"When We Talk About Families, Is It Hard to Blog?"


I was asking this question for so many weeks that I finally let out and ask a fellow blogger and Kablogs - Pope of Palipasan. Below is his post from Palipasan, and asked for his permission for me to repost it here over Thoughtskoto. Thank you, The Pope. This one is inspiring. I like his reasons and his answer to the question. I added it her so someday, my daughter and posterity will have the chance to read it. 

________________________________________________________________

Pag Pamilya Ang Pinaguusapan, Mahirap Ba Mag-Blog?




 
Ating nakagisnan ang pamilya ay isang pangunahing balangkas ng isang lipunan. Ang pamilya ay aking unang guro at ang aming tahanan ay nagsilbing paaralan. Ang aking pamilya rin ang unang naging gabay upang makilala at mahalin ang Diyos na Lumikha at sa aking pamilya rin ang nabigyan ng halaga ang tinatawag na pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa kapwa.

At higit sa lahat, natagpuan ko ang himala ng Panginoon sa pagkakaloob Niya ng pinakamalaking biyaya, ang aking sariling pamilya sa pamamagitan ng aking asawa at supling na anak nagkaruon ng katuparan ang halaga ng buhay at ng aking pagkakalikha.

Subalit kung ganito kahalaga ang salitang pamilya sa bawa't Pilipino, tulad ko at ng halos 12 milyong Pilipino na nasa iba't ibang bahagi ng mundo, bakit ba kailangan pansamantalang iwanan ng isang ama, ina, o anak ang kanyang kaisa-isahang pamiya upang tahakin ang daan tungo pakikipagsalpalaran bilang isang banyaga.

Inaamin ko na hindi kayang tapatan ng salapi o materyal na bagay ang aking pagkakawalay sa aking pamilya sa maaring maging epekto nito sa kanila sa kasalukuyang lipunan na kanilang ginagalawan.

Subalit lubos akong naniniwala na sa tulong ng Maykapal, ng aking mga kamag-anak at kaibigan ay mapagtutulung tulungan namin ang mga hilahil ng buhay na kaugnay sa aking pagkakawalay sa aking pamilya at mapagtitibay namin ito sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya, pagmamahalan at pagtitiwala sa isa't isa.

May ilang maling pag-aakala na ang pangingibang bayan ng isang OFW ay isang dahilan ng pagkasira ng pamilyang Pilipino. Sinasabi ko na hindi ang pagiging OFW ang sumisira sa pamilyang Pilipino, ang kawalan ng pananampalataya, pagmamahalan at pagtitiwala ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nagkakasala at nagbibigay daan upang masira ang pamilyang ating minsa'y pinahalagahan. Walang pinipiling lahi, edad, kasarian at lugar ang tukso upang sirain ang isang masayang pamilya.

Ang pangingibang bayan bilang OFW ay isa lamang sa napakaraming solusyon upang labanan ang kawalan ng trabaho, kahirapan at gutom sa ating bansa. Bagama't ang landas tungo sa pangingibang bayan ay puno ng hilahil, pagtitiis at sakripisyo alang-alang sa kinabukasan ng iniwang pamilya sa Pilipinas, ito ay isang marangal na hanapbuhay na nagbibigay pag-asa sa pag-abot ng mga pangarap ng pamilya.

Mahaba na pala ang aking natalakay ukol sa usaping pamilya. Kasi sa aking malayang pakikipagusap sa pamamagitan ng chat kay Mr. Thoughtskoto nuong makalawang araw ay nabuksan ang isang katanungan:

"Pag pamilya ang pinaguusapan, mahirap ba magblog?"

Walamg kagatol gatol na aking ibinulalas ang personal kong kasagutan na "hindi"(hindi mahirap lumikha ng panulat ukol sa sariling pamilya), subalit depende iyan kung gaano kahalaga ang pamilya sa isang manunulat.

Kung hahayaan ng isang blogista ang dikta ng kaisipan kung saan ang pagpapahalaga sa pamilya na tila musika na malayang tumutugtog sa kanyang kamalayan ay di alintana ang bawa't titik na idinidikta nito kasabay bawa't kumpas at pilantik ng mga daliri ng manunulat sa bawa't tikatik na tunog ng "keyboard" upang lumikha ng isang makabuluhang panulat ukol sa Pamilya ay naibabahagi nya ang isang kwento ng kanyang buhay sa pamamagitan ng blog at taas noo nya itong mailalahok sa PEBA 2010 bilang tugon sa adbokasiya tungo sa matibay na Pamilyang OFW at Pamilyang Pilipino.

Ako, bilang bahagi ng PEBA 2010 at isang blogista ay umaasa na sa mga makabuluhang panulat ng aking mga kababayan na lalahok sa patimpalak ng PEBA ay makapagbigay daan ito sa bawa't makababasa na kababayang Pilipino na may pamilya o kapamilyang OFW upang magbigay inspirasyon  na mapagtibay pamilyang Pilipino tungo sa matuwid na landas.

Ako rin ay umaasa, na sa pagbabahagi ng kwento ng buhay ng bawa't nominado sa PEBA 2010 ay haplusin nawa nito ang puso ng mga mapagparayang naninilbihan sa Pamahaang P-Noy at sa Konseho ng Kongreso at Senado na ipagsantabi ang personal na interes at sa halip bigyan na halaga ang tinig ng bawa't OFW at mga myembro ng pamilyang OFW para pagtibayin ang ang pamilyang OFW sa isang matibay na tahanang Pilipino tungo sa matibay na bansang Pilipino.

Ikaw kaibigan, pag pamilya ang pinaguusapan, mahirap ba magblog? Sana sumali ka sa PEBA 2010.





©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Free Facebook Via Mobile Phone

Do you want to access your Facebook via mobile phone for free?
There are several carrier that offers this for free in coordination with Facebook.

Check out the link below




then click the VIEW INSTRUCTION



Some available countries and carrier that offers it for free are;

Philippines - Sun Cellular
Saudi Arabia - STC
United Arab Emirates - du
Singapore - Singtel
HongKong - 3 Hong Kong
Malaysia - DiGi
and 
many others

Check it here

After installing, you will access your mobile phone Facebook via this address


So for those of you who don't want to be left out, check it out, for free!

©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO

Friday, September 10, 2010

Pres. Aquino Do Not Heart OFWs?


I can forget that during his first SONA or State of the Nation Address, there were not a single sentence that mentioned about his plans or support for OFWs. Nevermind that he was supposed to be voted by around 55% of overseas voters. I don't feel betrayed, I didn't vote for him. 


Second, he cut the budget for education. This means, there will be not enough funds for public universities that means, they will raise their fees, that will eventually be the reason that most students can't pursue college or university education. I question his priorities here. I don't know why he didn't the point. Education unlocks the door of opportunities. Education is the most basic benefit he can give to the younger generations, because they are our countries future. 

And the latest, he cut the budget for DFA and OFW social services by a whopping 40%. From the law requirement of P100M fund, the Arroyo administration provided only 50M, and now, Aquino wants to make it 27M. Now you can see that the government really doesn't care for OFW's. Now it is beginning to be seen that for all these years, we are nothing but lame heroes kuno that are being milked with our money remittances.

If you can join this page by liking it, we will truly be happy. This will serve as a petition to the government not to cut the budget for OFWs because it means, legal assistance, lawyer fees, repatrition, and other aids for OFWs will greatly be jeopardize.





Below is an excerpt from Susan Ople's blog, an OFW advocate explaining the impact of this budget cut to the OFWs.










"So in cutting down (or chopping off!) more than half of the DFA’s budget including that to be used for legal and other forms of assistance to Filipinos overseas, the consequences may be the following:


1. The task of repatriating trafficked victims and other distressed OFWs shall now fall on: 1) individual politicians from senators to mayors; 2) OWWA which are made up of contributions of workers who left the country legally; 3) the very individuals and agencies that conspired to victimize these workers thus diminishing the crime and reducing the entire matter into a bargaining situation.
I would have added the NGOs except one can really count on one’s fingers the number of NGOs that could afford to repatriate workers even from neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore.
No. 1 weakens institutional governance because it would lead to the politicizing of welfare assistance to OFWs in distress; it will also cause enormous lag time in providing onsite assistance – time that could mean the death or survival of an OFW.
2. RA 10022 or the amendments to the Migrant Workers’ Act states that the DFA can now use its legal assistance fund to file cases against abusive and exploitative employers and agencies outside the country. The Ople Center and other NGOs were happy to know this because the filing of such cases would greatly boost our anti-trafficking efforts. But with only Php 27-M for an entire year, how can the DFA even hope to pursue such cases? And what about the 3,000 Filipinos in jail, some of who have been detained more than their penalty calls for? If the current legal assistance fund is insufficient in looking after the legal rights of our OFWs, what more just a quarter of that amount? For an entire year!
3. Our foreign posts serve as the refuge of trafficked and maltreated workers. In Dubai alone, the welfare center is overflowing with at least 200 stranded workers at a single given time. A video taken of appalling conditions in Saudi Arabia for workers awaiting repatriation stresses the need for more funds, not less particularly for posts with a high concentration of Filipino workers. If we cannot afford change, then how can we see it? In this case, the OFW sector is not asking even for more funds — though it has every right to do so. But at the very least – a status quo. For now. Especially for a sector that brings in billions in dollar remittances that makes for a positive credit rating from international credit rating agencies. Why cut social services for OFWs?
Unless — the unjustified cuts are but another symptom of internal conflicts driven by magnified, puffed-up bureaucratic and political hurts. Read:factionalism. This may be a valid observation because of how deep the cuts are. Too deep to be superficial; too ruthless to be developmental. The cuts were made to hurt, and hurt bad – except that the wounds are being inflicted several times over on the bodies of the innocents.
We do want to hope again. The yearning is there, it is unmistakable, and while we are watchful, it is a watchfulness for both the bad, and most especially for the good. Honestly, I would prefer the inconvenience of a noisy wang-wang to the heart-wrenching wail of an OFW unable to come home despite numerous beatings from her employer. NFA – no funds available. So what else is new?
This latest move of chopping off millions meant to protect the rights and welfare of our OFWs is simply unjustifiable. When a child leaves home, a parent does what is humanly possible, despite the distance, to make sure that he or she is alright. The Assistance to Nationals Fund and the Legal Assistance Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs is the budgetary equivalent of that.
With such drastic budgetary cuts, this administration might as well have cut lives short.
“Kayo ang boss ko!” Prove it to millions of OFWs and their families here at home, Mr. President. This is in your power to change. Do not cut the budget for the DFA’s assistance to nationals and legal assistance fund."




©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO