Philippine Issues: Extrajudicial killings, Drug trade, Human Rights. #ThinkAboutIt #DonTayoMagusap #WhatDoYouThink

We have come to a time that everything matters. 

So here it goes:"Which current #PhilippineIssue makes you think, cringe and makes you speak your mind?

Share it with us in our Facebook Group: 

Unsa man jud? #PhilippineIssues #WhatWeAreDoingRight #WhatWeAreDoingWrong

Thanks!

Unsa man jud?

-Donitoh

What I'd tell my younger self. #DonitohShares

Looking at my life right now, I have come to notice that there are some things that I should have done when I was younger. I could have done this; could have done that. The what ifs and what nots are falling in line and I have a lot of thoughts about what I could have done about them.

#DonitohShares 

So here are the things I would like to tell my younger self. 

Education: You are a gifted kid. You have a good grasp at information and have the enthusiasm of a child in nursery. You have great listening skills and also have a good share at good story telling. You are creative and will always be aiming for the best. You may not have all the recognition you deserve but remember that people will always have confidence in you. Do not lose the enthusiasm to learn and discover. Be confident that you have the brain because you are filled with ideas. 

Social Life: You are a friendly person and even as a kid, you always had friends. You have been to homes of your friends and have showed people of how behaved you are. You gained their trust effortlessly and you have showed that you are worthy of that trust. You have done great as a kid. I am impressed with your social skills even if you preferred to stay in the back seat. As you grow, never lose contact with them. Always reach out and never let a day pass without sending them a little "Hi" from time to time. 

Performing: You dance like crazy and would feel sickly if a day passed by without even thinking about it. The stage is your heaven; it keeps you beating. It makes you smile and glow from the inside. Never stop performing because you love it. You love performing and should never say no to the calling stage. You are special and you deserve the spotlight. Share the gift that God has given you because you are talented. 

Ambition: You always wanted to be a Doctor. You have your way of healing and helping people. You may not up end up as a doctor but remember that your gift of listening helps the people around you. Share your optimism and be a light to someone's life. Make everyone smile and you can heal the world by this simple and special way. Never change that sunny disposition in life and continue to be the breath of fresh air that you are. 

Family: You are the family's only son yet you were never demanding of attention and a problem. As a kid you are responsible and is evident of how you have been a leader in school. You may not agree with your sisters entirely but you always give in to what they want. You always find a way to make them smile and have always been considerate. Never change on how you prioritize your family. Keep them as your priceless treasures and would always be first. 

Faith: You never failed to reflect on the things that you have been doing. Whether it be by morals or by faith, you always have a time to give your self a check. You take a break and see the whole picture. Do not let that flame of faith go out. Never let down your guard on the your faith and on the things that have made you morally aligned. Stand by your God and always be faithful.  

SUMMER NA! Handa ka na ba? - Dubai Summer 2014

I really hate to admit it but the cold season has ended.

AYAN NA! Tag-init na talaga! :p

Yung pinaka-favorite kong season sa Middle East ay nag-exit na at may ibang season na kumekembot na papasok sa Dubai. So mga kabayan, you know the drill: itago na ang mga jackets, coats, fur boots at kung anu pang panang-galang sa lamig kasi panikip lang yan sa sampayan. 

At kung bet mo pa rin gamitin ang mga yan, PUSH MO LANG YAN! Di ko babasagin ang trip mo. Sana lang di ka mangamoy chenelyn at baka masabi naming “YOU are one of THEM!”. CHOZ!

So ayun, tag-init na talaga at wala nang makakapigil pa nito sa pagpasok sa Dubai. Buti nalang at aircon ang mga kabahayan natin pati ang mga waiting shed sa labas. Pero dapat din nating ihanda ang ating mga sarili sa mainit na panahong ito. With this, ginawa ko itong blog na ito para mag-share ng mga tips tungkol sa pag-prepare for the SUMMER!

BOTTOMS UP! Try mo kaya mag-selfie tapus ganitong shot! Bonnga dibah?

Number 1: REHYDRATE - INCREASE WATER INTAKE.

Since the temperature will be peaking at most 50 degrees Celsius, we need to be well hydrated and replenish the lost fluids ng ating katawan. Ang tubig ay buhay at kung di ka iinom ng saktong tubig, nako… GOOD LUCK NALANG! 

Of course maraming soda at juices na available sa market pero I would highly suggest for us to rehydrate with WATER. Iba naman kasi ang contents ng juices at soda . Di ka nga dehydrated pero baka winner naman yung blood sugar levels mo. Aside sa healthy ang water, di mo na kailangang iprepare. Room temperature, chilled, on the rocks or frozen; ganun kadaling inumin ang water.

 

AYAN! Pwede ding ganitong shot sa pangalawang SELFIE for Summer 2014!

Number 2: LOVE YOUR SKIN - BE PROTECTED FROM UV RAYS.

Maraming ayaw maglagay ng lotion kasi daw madulas or parang malagkit ang feeling. Pero di nila alam na mas maganda itong gawin lalo na if tayo ay nakatira sa mga lugar na extremes ang temperature. It will be more beneficial if ang gagamitin nating lotion ay may maganda or mataas na SPF or Sun Protection Factor. It will protect our skin from the damaging Ultra Violet rays na galling sa Haring Araw. 

But keep in mind that these lotions don’t keep your skin from turning tan or darkening. Since summer naman talaga and if laging may exposure sa araw, normal na iitim talaga ang ating balat. I also think that Summer is not the best time to be thinking of making oneself fair. Malaki ang role ng melanin sa panahong ito and I guess you will see how it will benefit you in the future.

Magsout ng na-aayon! Huwag maging hubadero o hebadera!

Number 3: DRESS ACCORDINGLY - BE HYGIENIC.  

Yes, maraming fahionista sa Dubai. Pero sana naman huwag nating ipilit ang di naman bagay; lalo na yung di naman talaga pwede. Dubai is still a Muslim country and the season is not an excuse for people to wear skimpy and inappropriate clothing. Of course, di ko naman sinabi na dapat laging naka-jeans at long sleeves. Since Dubai is considered to be one of the mixing bowls of international fashion brands, one can go around and find appropriate clothing na bagay sa mainit na panahon at di nakakabastos sa Muslim culture.

Also, I want to emphasize na kung gaanu pa ka-presko ang damit mo, kung di ka naligo ay talagang magiging mainit ang boung araw mo. Nako naman sa ayaw maligo ah! Tumbling ako sa mga taong ganyan. Ok-Fine, mainit ang tubig. Pero pwede itong hanapan ng paraan. Gumawa ka ng sariling yelo gamit ang mga plastic bottles o di kaya mag-store ka na ng tubig sa gabi. Pinoy po tayo so marunong kang mag-isip at alam mo kung anu ang dapat gawin. Importante na malinis tayo sa katawan lalo na sa Summer.

Magplano ka at huwag yung agad-agad. Baka ma-highblood ka sa labas!

Number 4: PLAN YOUR TRIPS – SAVE YOUR STEPS.

Sobrang init talaga sa Dubai kapag Summer. Sa sobrang init, di ka makakakita ng mga taong naglalakad sa labas lalo na kung tirik na tirik yung araw. With this, I would suggest that you plan your trips and have them scheduled in the proper time. The best way to avoid being under the sun is to steer clear from it. Of course, di naman natin maiiwasan kasi lahat tayo at naghahanap buhay. Kung ganito, gamitin natin ang internet para malaman ang temperature sa labas ng bahay. May Application din sa mga smart phones ngayun na magsasabi ng temperature sa labas. Also, be considerate sa mga delivery boys ng grocery. Oo trabaho nila ito pero di ibig sabihin di din sila naiinitan. Kung may ipapadeliver, make sure na kumpleto ito at sakto lahat ng ipapabili mo. 

Planning your daily activites sa Summer will help you beat the heat. It would not hurt if you would bring with you an umbrella, a good pair of sunnies or a cap.

MIDDLE EAST po ito! So expected na MAINIT TALAGA.

Number 5: UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE MIDDLE EAST.

Tayo po ay nasa Gitnang Silangan at wala sa lugar na may snow at malamig ang hangin. Pinoys have this habit of saying the damn obvious kasi nga mainit; malagkit ang feeling; ang bilis pagpawisan at mabaho ang mga kasabayan sa Public Transport dito sa Dubai. Hmmm… Natural lang po ang lahat ng ito kasi SUMMER NA PO. 

At hindi lang po kayo ang naiinitan; LAHAT PO TAYO. No exemptions with the heat, body odors and discomfort during the Summer here in Dubai. We should have a deeper understanding of this para po malaman natin ang mga tamang gawin at mahanda natin ang ating mga sarili para sa Summer. I can’t emphasize further na ang pagrereklamo, pagtatalak, pagkukumpara at paninira sa ibang tao ay walang magagawa sa init na mararamdaman mo sa mga buwan na ito. It would help po na you would just do your part and SMILE lang! 

Wala nang mas hihigit pa sa matamis at totoong SMILE na galling mismo sa ating mga labi. PAK - BOOM!

Ayan! Yan ang naisip kong tips para mahanda natin an gating mga sarili sa SUMMER 2014 dito sa Dubai. Sana po ito ay makakatulong o di kaya ay makapaghatid sa inyo ng idea kung ano ang mga tamang gawin para makapaghanda sa mainit na panahong ito. If you have something to add, please don’t hesitate to comment below!

Oh, anu nah? SUMMER NAH! GORA NA SA BEACH!

-Donitoh

The Cebuano Faith: Refocused (Sinulog 2014)

"Nothing can shake the faith of the Cebuanos" - Donitoh.

Every year, the Filipinos celebrate different feasts where ever they are. And they are not just feast or any gathering, Filipinos celebrate their faith through the Patron Saints that they give petitions to. As far as I can remember growing up from a religious family, fiestas will always be celebrated whatever the calamity, tragedy or circumstance be. It can be celebrated from the most humble gathering to the grandest of all feasts. 

In Cebu, January marks the start these celebrations. The Sinulog festival is not just about the fashion, glamour, parties, drinking and merry making - it is a proof that  the Cebuano faith is as strong as the cross on the Basilica's roof and belfry. 

One of the many images of the child Jesus in every Mass at the Basilica in Cebu.
(Photo taken from Google.com)

Since a little boy, the Sinulog has always been a tradition for us to reunite and celebrate the novenas, masses and the fluvial parade together. I was always at awe with how faithful the people are to the child Jesus. The prayers were so strong that I can feel them even if I was not even sure what was actually happening. All I would hear were people praying, crying and shouting of how glorious the Sto. Nino is.  

The memory I have about the fluvial parade was making up early and hurrying up to the Port of Cebu. As we were living in the town next to Cebu City, we (together with my relatives from Bohol who were devotees of the child Jesus) would travel to the Plaza Cebu, walk to the Pier and see great amounts of faithfuls waiting for the child Jesus to pass aboard a boat through the Mactan channel. Then, a shower of flowers from a helicopter hovering above. I don't have pictures of these events but I am sure that the child Jesus has touched me with His miracles through the events I was exposed to. 

The Faithful during a celebration at the Pilgrim Center of Basilica del Sto. Nino de Cebu.
(Photo from Google.com)

Now at 25, I have come to realize the strong powers and the generosity the Sto. Nino has. I am proud to say that I am a living witness to how miraculous the child Jesus is; not just to me, but to everyone that pleads to Him. The image of Him being a child makes it easy to ask for anything. All we have to do is hold on to our faith and believe that He will give it to us. 

The world is not blind of what has happen to Cebu. From earthquakes, typhoons, financial crisis to major transport accidents; the Cebuanos remained strong and has continued to survive through the guidance and presence of the child Jesus. This is a living proof of how strong the faith of the Cebuanos is. That in whatever situation, the Sto. Nino will always be there with us. 

When the belfry collapsed, I literally cried. Seeing such a beautiful monument of Christianity and Cebuano faith tumble down into pieces just like that. It made me think about the times when I would look at it as the bells would sound at every mass celebrated. All the sun rise and sunsets, all the tears and undying devotion of the faithful, and all those smiles as each prayer that were answered were witnessed by the belfry of our beloved Basilica. 

But Sto. Nino loved us all that He spared anyone from being hurt. Amidst the damage the basilica has, no major injury was recorded from the incident. This is a miracle that Cebuanos are very thankful of. 

From the damage that we suffered after Haiyan, Cebuanos stood up and looked at the new life given to them by the child Jesus with immense hope and faith. We are now slowly recovering from what was left of us. We are now living as one. 

Given these situations, nothing can shake the faith of the Cebuanos. 

The masses during the Novena at the Basilica. You can see what is left of the collapsed belfry.
(Photo from Google.com)

When you search photos of how Cebuanos celebrate the Sinulog, you can see the color and joy it emits. But aside from the festivities and street merry-making, one can feel the strong faith that the people has. I have no idea on how words would exactly describe it but inside of me is a strong feeling of faith as I am making this blog. 

Beyond words, 

Beyond pictures. 

VIVA! STO. NINO! VIVA SENYOR!

-Donitoh