Generosity Bits: On Buying or Acquiring Something

"For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice." James 3:16   

When we’re always after what we want and not to what we “really” need, we fail to allow ourselves to be simple, focus, and considerate of others. In other words, it leads us to become selfish. To combat this, it’s always good to ask ourselves these questions when buying or acquiring something: Is this really what I need? Can I share this thing with others? Will this really benefit me and other people? If your answer to these questions is a big “YES” then go and get it. If not, suspend your buying and pray for it a little more. God bless your generous heart!

88 Jeepney Etiquettes

Isang mapagpalang araw ka-pasahero!

Maraming salamat sa pag ‘para’ mo sa blog na ito. Tayo na’t tuklasin ang isang masaya at ligtas na byahe!  Paano?  Ito’y sa pamamagitan ng mga sumusunod na  “Jeepney Etiquttes”. Ito’y magagamit hindi lang sa pagsakay sa jeep o sa kahit anong uri ng transportasyon, kundi pati na rin sa buo mong byahe. Sa madaling sabi, tinatawag rin natin itong “Travel Etiquette”. Bahagi ito ng “Commuters and Travel Literacy” na sinisimulan kong buoin sa kasalukuyan. (Inaanyayahan rin kitang maging kabahagi nito). Nais nitong turuan ang  bawat isa na maging mabuting pasahero sa paniniwala na “Kung ang isang tao ay matututong magpahalaga sa kanyang kapwa pasahero, matututo rin s’yang magmahal kahit kanino.”

Upang higit na mapakinabangan,  makakatulong kung tatanungin mo ang iyong sarili kung ano sa mga “Jeepney Etiquettes” na ito ang ginagawa mo at kung ano ang hindi pa. Tinitiyak ko na bago pa matapos ang listahan, matutuklasan mo na ikaw ay isang “Mabuting Pasahero.” At bakit hindi. Ang pagbisita mo pa lang sa blog na ito ay isa nang tanda na taglay mo ang katangiang ito. Marahil, tulad ko rin, kailangan lang patuloy na tuklasin at pagyamanin. Sa bandang huli, mamamangha ka sa kagandahang-loob na mula pa sa iyong pagsilang ay nasa sa’yo na. O paano, simulan na natin!

Bago ang Araw ng Byahe

1. Sikaping makapagpahinga ng maayos.
2. Ihanda na ang lahat ng mga dadalhin at gagamitin kinabukasan.
3. Alaming mabuti ang pupuntahan. Kung hindi alam, magtanong na nang maaga. (Makakatulong rin ang paggamit ng google map)
4. Kung nahihirapang gumising, gumamit ng alarm-clock. Ilagay ito ng malayo sa iyo. (‘Yung mapipilitan kang bumangon bago mo ito mapatay.)

Sa Araw ng Byahe

5. Gumising ng maaga.
6. Magdasal pagkagising. (Highly recommended ko ito!)
7. Kumain o lagyan ng laman ang tiyan bago bumiyahe. (Iwas gastos, iwas init ng ulo).
8. Maligo at magsipilyo.
9. Umalis ng mas-maaga kaysa sa nakasanayan. (Crucial ito!)
10. Umalis pa ng mas-maaga kung makikisakay lang. (Di bale nang ikaw ang maghintay kaysa ikaw ang hintayin)  
11. Magsuot ng komportableng damit. Iwasan and masyadong maiiksi. (Para ito sa babae, pero higit sa lalaki.)
12. Maghanda palagi ng barya.
13. Dalhin ang Student o Senior Citizen ID. (Upang maiwasan ang pagtatalo at makakuha ng diskwento)
14. Magdala ng candy o biscuit. (Para handa pagnagutom sa byahe at pwede ring ibigay sa mga nanghihingi ng limos)
15. Magdala ng libro. (Upang mabasa kung sakaling matagal ang traffic. Pang-takip din sa ulo pag mainit)
16. Magdala ng eco-bag. (Lalo na kung pupunta sa mga mall.)
17. Magdala ng panyo, payong at pamaypay. Magdala na rin ng plastic. (Para sa mga nahihilo sa byahe)
18. Mag-paalam bago umalis. (Magmano o halikan ang mga mahal sa buhay.)

Bago Sumakay

19. Umalis ng bahay ng nakangiti. (At baunin ito sa buong byahe)
20. Maglakad o magbisekleta na lang kung malapit naman ang pupuntahan.
21. Hanggat maari, iwasang maglakad ng matulin. (maliban na lang kung nais mong mag-exercise)
22. Iwasang mag-text habang naglalakad.
23. Kung may nakitang delikado sa dinaraanan tulad ng pako, thumb tacks o bubog, alisin at ilagay sa tamang lagayan kung may pagkakataon.
24. Huwag mahiyang pulutin ang sinko, dyes at bente sinko*. (Kung malaking halaga naman ang nakita mo, ipagtanong o gamitin ang ‘common sense’ bago ibulsa) 
25. Sumakay sa tamang sakayan.
26. Gawing obvious ang pag ‘para’ upang tigilan.
27. Matutong pumila kapag may pila. Kung wala, gumawa.
28. Iwasang makipagsik-sikan sa pagsakay. (Para hindi rin delikado sa mga pickpocket
29. Hanggat maaari, iwasang sumabit.

Habang Nasa Loob ng Sasakyan at Nasa Byahe

31. Ibigay ang upuan na nakalaan para sa matatanda, may kapansanan at buntis.
32. Alalayan ang mga nakakatanda at mga bata sa pagsakay o pagbaba.
33. Matuto ring magbigay ng upuan para sa mga babae at bata.
34. Kung matangkad, iwasang umupo sa may malapit sa pintuan. (Maaring makasagabal ang tuhod mo)
35. Umupo ng dahan-dahan lalong higit ‘pag halos puno na.
36. Umupo ng maayos.
37. Matutong umusod-usod. (Ika nga, gumalaw-galaw para hindi mai-stroke)
38. Matutong umusod-usod papunta sa unahan upang madaling makaalis ang sasakyan.
39. Huwag iharang ang paa sa daanan.
40. Magbayad ng maaga ng hindi maabala.
41. I-timing ang pagbabayad, wag sabay-sabay. (Mahina ang kalaban)
42. Magbayad ng barya lalong higit pag maaga pa.
43. Magbayad ng tapat pati sobrang sukli ay ibalik dapat.
44. Masayang mag-abot ng bayad o sukli.
45. Magsabi ng “paki” o makisuyo kung hihingi ng pabor sa kapwa-pasahero.
46. Lakasan ang boses. (Sa pagbabayad at pag-para lalong higit kung maingay at ‘bingi’ raw ang driver)
47. Ipagdasal ang driver (pati na rin konduktor) ng sinasakyan mo.
48. I-bless rin ang pera mo bago ibayad. (Sabihin mo na nawa’y gamitin ito ng susunod na makakatanggap sa kapakipakinabang na paraan)
49. Ingatan at ilagay ng maayos ang mga bagahe upang hindi ito makaabala.
50. Bayaran na lang ang mga bagahe kung ito ay masyadong makaka-abala.
51. Matutong maging “konduktor” o “maki-para” kapag hindi masyadong madinig ng driver ang kapasahero mo. (Pati na kung hindi rin madinig kung ‘san nanggaling o bababa)
52. Hingin ang sukli ng maayos kung nalilimutan ng driver.
53. Matutong ngumiti sa mga pasahero.
54. Huwag manigarilyo sa sasakya nat maging sa mga terminal. (Batas ito!)
55. Maging alerto sa byahe at iwasang makatulog lalo na sa jeep.
56. Huwag maging suplado o suplada. (Matutong makipag-usap sa ka-pasahero kung kinakailangan.
57. Makipag-usap lang ng katamtaman. (May natutulog kasi. Joke)
58. Iwasang bumanggit ng pangalan sa kwentuhan. (Lalo na kung negatibo at tsismis ang pinag-uusapan)
59. Huwag magbasa ng text nang may text, (pati na rin ng dyaryo o pocket book) lalo na't hindi kakilala.
60. Huwag ikalampag ang sapatos kapag nagpapa-gas ang driver (baka mag-spark, Joke! Lalo kasing nakakadagdag stress sa mga nagmamadali).
61. Huwag magkalat sa loob o labas ng sasakyan.(Mortal sin na ito ngayon, fyi)
62. Kung maari, iwasang ilabas at hawakan ang mga gadget sa byahe.
63. Kung makikinig ng music o manonood ng movie, gumamit ng headset.
64. Kung naka-headset, tiyakin na naririnig mo pa rin ang mga nakapaligid sa iyo.
65. Kumapit sa sasakyan lalong higit kung mabilis ang takbo nito.
66. Huwag ilabas ang kamay o kahit anong bahagi ng katawan sa sasakyan.
67. Tumulong at magbigay ng direksyon. (Kung kaya at alam mo)
68. Huwag pag-isipan na mandurukot o holdaper ang lahat ng kasakay mo. (Bad yon!)
69. Palaging maging posibo kapag kinakausap ang sarili mo. (‘Yung self-talk at pag-iisip na madalas nating gawin kapag nabyahe)
70. Relax lang kapag sobrang init at traffic.
71. Magmasid-masid at i–enjoy ang byahe. (Feeling turista)
72. Huwag mag-PDA (Public Display of Affection) sa loob ng sasakyan.
73. Ipagdasal lahat ng makikita mong naka-motor. (Keep them safe Lord.)
74. Ipagdasal rin ang mga kaluluwa ng mga namatay, kapag napadaan sa mga sementeryo.
75. Ipagdasal ang mga kapasahero mo. (Magandang option kapag walang magawa sa gitna ng mahabang traffic.)
76. Maglibre paminsan-minsan.
77. Sumunod sa batas trapiko.
78. Huwag dumura lalo na’t mabilis ang takbo ng sasakyan
79. Kung mahaba ang buhok, magtali o hawakan ito.
80. Huwag mahiyang magtanong kung hindi sigurado sa sasakyan o bababaan.
    
    
    
    Sa Pagbaba at Paguwi
81. Magsabi ng ‘para’ ng  mas-maaga o bago ang lugar na bababaan.   
82.  Mag-ingat at magsabi ng “excuse” kung kinakailangan kapag bumababa. 
83.  Magsabi rin ng "sorry" kapag may natapakan o nasagi. 
84.            Iwasang bumaba sa mismong kanto.
    85. Tumabi muna pagkababa, pagkatapos lumingon sa kaliwa at kanan bago tumawid. 
    86. Kung may pagkakataon, magpasalamat sa driver at konduktor bago bumaba.
    87.    Alalayan ang mga napapansin mong nahihirapan sa dalang bagahe.
    88.  Mag-uwi ng pasalubong kahit paminsan-minsan.

            Sa sandaling ito, inaanyayahan kitang mag-iwan ng  kumento, suhestion at  lalong higit ng mga karagdagang pang “Jeepney Etiquette” na alam mo na hindi ko pa nabanggit rito. Inaanyayahan rin kitang ibahagi ito sa iba at bisitahin ang mga nauna ko nang ‘post’ na makikita mo sa bandang kanan na magbibigay sa iyo ng ideya kung bakit nabuo ang blog na ito.       

Muli, maraming salamat ka-pasahero. Dalangin ko palagi sa iyo at sa iyong mga mahal sa buhay ang isang ligtas at masayang byahe.  

Be One of the 94

"Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another.” Jn. 1:16

I’m inspired after hearing from a local report last night that generally,
94% of Filipinos are welcoming 2014 with much hope. And it’s also good to note here that even in Visayas, badly affected by 7.2 earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda,
93% of our kababayan there are facing the New Year with the same spirit.

“Why not?” I told to myself.
I cannot deny that we encountered a lot of negative issues and catastrophes as a nation and even as an individual this year. But I cannot also deny, (and I don’t want to) that I also saw enormous blessings and providence this year in each and every corner. Here are some of them.

I’m alive. (And living)
I share bed with my lovely wife Karen and son AJ.
I still dine with very supportive relatives and friends.
I have the chance to laugh, dream and pray with my students.

I meet a loving father who drives taxi day in and out to honestly support his family.
I rode with a pregnant mother who can’t wait to give birth to her second daughter. 
I heard a friend who after years, still prays and longs for the love of her own parents. 
I encountered a student who came to me and honestly admits that he cheated in my exam.

I worked with a government official who puts God at the center of his barangay.
I segregated garbage with friends who travel around the country to combat global warming.
I worked with generous colleagues who put-up scholarship fund for the most-in-need students. 
I served with inspiring ‘pasahero’ friends who promote generosity in their respective work places.

‘Know what? If I will continue, the list will hardly end.
Praise to God and my Father who is very much alive and generous
YESTERDAY, TODAY, and FOREVER.
Indeed, He bestowed me with needed blessing one after the other.

Now, don’t miss this.
My generous Father is YOUR generous Father too!
And this Father of yours has nothing in mind but to bless you every single second of your life. In doubt? Try to count every single blessing you received (no matter how small and insignificant they are to you) before this year end and I’m telling you, before 2014 ends, you’re not yet done. That’s how generous your Father is to you.

So today, claim God’s blessings in your life.
And be one of the 94.

Enjoy inspiring decades ahead of you my friend. God loves you!

The Overwhelming Generosity of Christmas

“But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he generously poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior.” Titus 3:4-6

I am guilty, but God pardoned me.
I am unkind, but God is kind to me.
I am selfish, but God is generous to me.

I have my doubts, but to me; God have His conviction.
I have my addictions; but to me, God have His affection.
I have my limitations; but to me, God have His permission.

I feel I’m nothing, but God becomes everything.
I feel I’m sinning, but God keeps on blessing.
I feel I’m wandering, but God remains on directing.

Indeed, Christmas is all about Him, but He makes it all about me.
Not because I am worthy, but because of His generosity!

Today in a special way, I thank you Lord for you are my heavenly Father.
And for making us special and making your Son our earthly Brother.

Have a Christ-filled Christmas to all of you mga kapasahero!

From Poverty to Generosity

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Mt. 5:3

Observing poverty as a way of life is not an end in itself, meaning, we don’t choose poverty for poverty’s sake. Rather, we choose poverty to KEEP LESS so that we can GIVE MORE. 

When someone’s poverty makes somebody poor, it’s not poverty; it’s misery. But when someone’s poverty makes somebody rich, it’s not just poverty; it’s generosity. 

Indeed, the purpose of poverty is generosity!

Mark’s Mark

“For whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them.” Lk. 8:18

Today, allow me to tell a story about Mark and Anthony.

Mark and Anthony are good singers. I know it because when we were still in high school, they are the one being invited (and forced) to sing when there are school programs. Not only that, when there are competitions in and out campus, they usually win. But though both of them are good singers, only one of them became great and a well-known singer in one TV Company abroad.

Looking back, Anthony is the best among the two. In fact, Mark always placed second after Anthony in most competitions. However, Anthony doesn’t really like to sing for he believes that he’s not for it. He also usually joins contest for grades and after much request from our teachers. After high school, although he got a scholarship in Music, he did not pursue it. I also heard that Anthony seldom sings since then. Sometimes, he sings for wedding and corporate events but for hire. The last news I heard about Anthony is that he’s having hard time to find a permanent job and he’s getting through by mere guesting in a local bar in his place.

However, Mark was different. He’s not a born singer like Anthony but he loves to sing- and He dreamt to become a great singer. I remember one time skipping classes just to join him singing Videoke. Every time there are also programs in school, he volunteers. He also usually say “yes” for invitations when there are occasions in his barangay (local town) like birthday or wedding parties for free.  After high school, I heard him singing as a volunteer choir member in his parish and in his work. Few days back, a friend informed me that he’s already a singer and a regular host in one TV network in Australia.

What makes the difference? Talent? I think not.

It is this.

Mark believes in his talent, Anthony didn’t.

Mark works on his talent, Anthony didn’t.

Mark share generously his talent, Anthony didn’t.

Bottom line, Mark produces more with his talent and Anthony didn’t.

Remember, “For whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them.”

Today, share your talent and produce.