Thursday, November 11, 2010
Padre Damaso versus Jesus Christ - Notes from the North
This is good! Nicely written! Padre Damaso versus Jesus Christ - Notes from the North
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A failed experiment: the CBCP as sex ed consultants | Filipino Freethinkers
Just a refresher here! I can see Galileo's flight here!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
What is secularism? by Lisandro Claudio
For this entry, allow me to use the debate on reproductive health legislation as a springboard to engage the larger issue of secularism. What does it mean to live in a secular state?
The separation of church and state seems simple enough to many: religious groups should stay out of government affairs. For some, however, the inseparability of faith and public morality demands that the believer view governance through a religious lens, complicating the state/church binary religiously upheld by the nonreligious.
As an agnostic, I don’t hold this position, but I don’t condemn it. Many private beliefs manifest publicly, and this is not only the case with religious belief. I privately believe that consensual sex is beautiful and pleasurable, regardless of whether or not it is sanctioned by the institution of marriage. I will thus publicly defend those who have consensual sex, lobbying the state to protect them through contraceptives while accepting the attacks of zealots who think I will go to hell.
There is, in this sense, a striking similarity between pro-RH feminists like myself and the CBCP’s most ardent followers: we both believe that the personal/private is the political. The issue of secularism, therefore, is not a question of whether religious institutions can participate in public policy debates, but the manner of that participation.
The Church is an interest group, which has the right to organize and the right to free speech. On this matter, let me be categorical: it is not within anyone’s rights to prevent bishops from intervening in public policy. The problem, however, does not lie in the Church’s assertion of its right to speak, but the manner of that speech. The CBCP thinks the Church is special and expects everyone to follow suit.
In itself, the belief that one’s group is special is not automatically bad. Neither is it atypical. Marxists think they are special because only they have a labor theory of value; feminists think they are special because they are distinctly aware of gender dynamics; fraternities think they are special because they are more macho than cheerleading clubs (except in Ateneo and La Salle where, oddly, cheerleaders are hypermasculine); heck, Wiccans think they are special for reasons I have not yet investigated.
But do we accept these groups’ positions on public matters if they are based solely on their own documents or codes of internal procedure? Because this is what the CBCP does when it justifies axing the RH bill through Gaudium et Spes, Humanae Vitae or its purported sacred magisterium (I’ll get to their “science” later).
Naturally, groups can use their beliefs in public debate, but they have to show that these same beliefs address the public good. Imagine if Marxists forwarded publicly policy positions by quoting Das Kapital. All hell would break loose, with red-baiters emerging from the wood-work exclaiming, “The NPA is taking over!” and human rights violators salivating over the opportunity to develop new “counterinsurgency” tactics. I don’t know what would happen if Wiccans started quoting from the Book of Shadows. Probably nothing. Unless certain ex-Gloria advisors and their cohort are really that paranoid about subversion.
As I argued in my previous entry, if the Church wants to participate in policy discussions, it should play by the rules. It is not enough for them to insist that their positions reflect Catholic morals and that the
There are many Filipinos like me who do not believe that Church teaching is divinely inspired. Is it fair for the Church to determine our future based on their teachings? Nonbelievers and non-Catholics are citizens too. Konting respeto naman please.
The Church could, of course, legitimately intervene if its arguments were supported by a realistic assessment of the public good, informed by common sense and scientific evidence – criteria acceptable even to those outside the faith.
Unfortunately, the CBCP and its supporters lie about the science. For example, bishops and politicians like Kapatiran’s JC delos Reyes claim that condoms are dangerous because they have many potential side effects. But all drugs have many potential side effects; that doesn’t mean they are dangerous. Read the label for paracetamol and you will realize that it has many side effects as well – some of which sound pretty shocking. Does that mean paracetamol is dangerous and that the government should prevent poor citizens from accessing it?
Scientific validity emerges from the general consensus of the scientific community. In the case of condoms, the opinion of scientists from the World Health Organization and various drug regulatory agencies from across the globe is clear: condoms are safe. When bishops and their supporters simply ignore this, they are engaging in widespread deception, which violates the rules of democratic public discussion.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Just look at the debate on conception. The CBCP claims IUDs are abortifacient because they may prevent fertilized eggs from implanting into a woman’s uterus. The fertilized egg, apparently, is a living being who must be saved from the evil contraceptive.
But here’s the catch: at least 50% of fertilized eggs fail to develop successfully even without contraception (see this article). If it is true that the non-implantation of a fertilized egg constituted abortion, abortions occur even when no form of artificial contraceptive is used. If unfertilized eggs were really lives, we’d be in a middle of a humanitarian crisis!
The Church should be consistent. If the bishops really believe these cells are lives, it should invest money in finding ways to save the billions, maybe trillions, of fertilized egg cells that “die” everyday. We save people from natural disasters, why not save egg cells from the natural disaster that is the woman’s reproductive system?
See how absurd the CBCP’s position is?
The bishops obviously lose the scientific debate. So how do they engage? They bully people. This is why they threaten politicians like PNoy through conjuring a bogus “Catholic vote” (as if all Catholics blindly followed the CBCP) or claiming that excommunication is an option for reproductive health advocates. They also label supporters of RH legislation immoral.
They are being unfair. Divergent as our opinions may be, we should acknowledge that morality is not the exclusive domain of one group. As an agnostic, I can accept that bishops draw their beliefs from a well-intentioned moral framework even if I vehemently disagree with it. Can the bishops do the same with their adversaries?
All this blackmailing and bullying on their part makes me doubt they can.
Lisandro Claudio (“Leloy”) is a PhD Candidate in the
Posted by Lisandro at 19:13 | Comments (0) | Track
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
virgin of guadalupe
i just remembered some few years back, when i with some friends were fixing this image of the virgin of guadalupe, suddenly got bumped in the head out of nothing & nobody knew what hit me! yesterday when we were again removing it from its pedestal to be retouched & have its frame repaired,suddenly my ever reliable camera got broken! what a big coincidence?maybe she doesn't want me touching her!hehehehe!!!!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
What a day?
It's been two days of not feeling well & bored! Well I hope to set this right & started early at 3:00am. Hoping to set things right, I first attended to my garden especially the bonsai. Then went to the kitchen to cook some rice & then cleaned the house. Afterwards I had my usual breakfast of oatmeal & bread with butter. Hoping that this will be an enjoyable day!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thomas Paine
Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind. -- Thomas Paine....
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Lewis Pugh's mind-shifting Everest swim | Video on TED.com
Lewis Pugh's mind-shifting Everest swim | Video on TED.comCourageous & highly inspirational!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Flores de Mayo 2010 Binakayan
Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Binakayan,Cavite,Philippines held its Flores de Mayo on May 29,2010.There were at least fifty zagalas and they were all very beautiful in their own rights.The whole activity has been very well organized and went on very smoothly from the mass officiated by Rev. Father Ed Bawalan to the procession,up to dinner right at the church gazeboo and beautiful garden.My congratulations to the hermanas for a job well done.
Friday, May 28, 2010
PV-5 Homeowners Summer Fun 2010 Photo Slideshow
These are the photos taken during the summer outing of PV5 homeowners at Rio Villa Nuevo in Indang,Cavite,Philippines on May 26,2010.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
PV-5 Homeowners Summer Fun 2010
The home owners of PV-5 spent their summer outing in Rio Villa Nuevo Resort Indang,Cavite,Philippines on May 26,2010. The place is very beautiful and the water is fresh and cold spring waters. It is just right to lessen the effect of the summer heat. They stayed there the whole day and had a lot of fun. Foods are shared by each and everyone and transport and entrance is sharing system also. Every one had a very enjoyable and fun experience .
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Kosa Janets' Birthday
Just came home from a very sumptuous dinner at Kartinis' Kawit,Cavite,Philippines. It's my Kosa Janets' Birthday. Thanks for a very wonderful night. Wishing you all the best & happy birthday!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Hero of Election 2010
I hope that the heroism shown by a BEI chairperson be recognized by the proper authority and by the public.
This happened on the night of the election day in a polling place in Poona Piagapo, Lanao del norte,Philippines, when armed men entered the precinct and opened fire to seize the picos machine there,but the bei chairperson in the name of a certain ALIAH MACABANGON grabbed the machine and was able to hide it at the back of the precinct. The army soon enough came to the rescue and found the chairperson at the back of the precinct hiding and still holding on to the machine.And so the sanctity of the ballots were protected and was properly transmitted to the comelec central office there.
Thanks to you ALIAH MACABANGON!!!!! LONG LIVE!!!!
Asus eeepc 1201n
http://www.netbookreviews.net/asus/eee-pc-1201n/
How I wish I could have this as my netbook! Lots of blogs to post!!!hehehehe!!!!!
GOT BITTEN BY A KITTEN
I caught a wild kitten in our kitchen this morning and it bit my right thumb. It gets bloodied a lot and I immediately washed it with soap and water. I put a lot of medicine but until now it still hurts.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A VISIT TO MARAGONDON
Last May 7,2010, my wife Lolit & I were invited by Kosa Janet to accompany her together with Ate Glo and Dado to pay a visit to Fr. Vir Mendoza in Naic. It's about lunch time when we arrived there so we proceeded to Maragondon to have our lunch at Lolo Claro's Restaurant. After eating we went to Our Lady of Assumption Church in Maragondon and were amazed by its beauty. The church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines which was built by the Jesuit priests in the year 1618 and was made a parish church in 1627. It was declared a heritage site by the National Museum in July 31, 2001.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Our Lady of the Assumption Church Maragondon,Cavite,Philippines.AVI
One of the oldest churches in the Philippines.This is very beautiful and needs a full restoration.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Fr. Orlie Jimenez in Concert
Fr. Orlie Jimenez parish priest of San Isidro Labrador located in barrio Sn.Roque,Naic,Cavite,Philippines saw the need of his parishioners upon becoming it's parish priest last June of 2009, which is the continuation of the construction of the church that has been barely started by the previous priest. When he arrived there, all that was erected was a roof with the necessary posts needed for the church to stand. He was a little bit hesitant to accept the position but true to his vows & promises he gallantly accepted the challenge. He then created a fund raising committee to oversee the project & they came out with a consensus to do a concert starring Fr. Orlie & Bishop Chito with other priests & invited talents & performers.
And on April 16, 2010, they embarked on a very big production number entitled "Musika ng Buhay Ko",Fr. Orlie Jimenez in Concert and to be held in Gov. Ayong Maliksi Gymnasium in Trece Martirez city, Cavite,Philippines.
This has been a very successful event under the direction of Joemel "Mamu" Ramos. Every performer gave their very best of course with Bishop Chito doing his special numbers who had just freshly arrived from Thailand in that evening. Yes, from the airport to the concert, a character worthy of emulation. The concert has been a variety of lively songs and dances. Everything was properly organized down to the smallest details including sounds & lightings.
I could see the happiness & satisfaction in everybody's face as they are leaving the concert hall. Congratulations for a job well done!
To the parishioners of San Isidro Labrador Parish, you're lucky to have Fr. Orlie as your parish priest.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
MEA SUMMER FUN 2010
Marriage Enrichment Apostolate group of Binakayan held its summer outing on April 12,2010 at Villa Excellance Resort in Tanza,Cavite,Philippines.Many members attended the affair together with their families.This is headed by the Chair-couple, Bro.Raz and Sis.Lou Plotado and assisted by the Vice Chair-couple Bro.Rodel and Sis.Lolit Cavas. It has been a whole day affair and every body enjoyed the simple yet very happy get-together.Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
tu2tu2bi sent you a video: "Hungry Super Kikay.avi.MP4"
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| tu2tu2bi has shared a video with you on YouTube: Beautiful Mischa Lenka hungry & crying out loud! hehehehe!!! Hungry Mischa Lenka, time for mamas' milk, crying so hard! Exactly one month now. | |
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
Happy Birthday
Dear: Wek-Wek,
Wishing you success and happiness in all your endeavors.
Happy birthday.
love, Dad & Mom
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Good Friday Procession Our Lady of Fatima Binakayan,Cavite,Philippines
Semana Santa among Catholics is a one week celebration of the life and passions of Jesus Christ.It started on a Palm Sunday with Jesus' triumphant entrance to Jerusalem was re-enacted.Each day has its own significance but it is during the Viernes Santo that people would meditate and reflect on their lives.It is during this day that the death of Jesus on the cross up to the time that he is buried is being remembered by means of a procession.This is being participated by many carozas escorted by the different barangays and church organizations.In this procession there are 16 carozas namely:
- San Pedro Apostol
- San Judas Tadeo
- La Entrada Triunfal
- La Oracion del Huerto
- El Senor Jesus Cautivo
- Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno
- Lagrimas
- La Piedad
- Sta. Veronica
- Sta. Marta de Bitania
- Sta. Maria Cleofas
- Sta. Maria Salome
- Sta. Maria Magdalena
- San Juan Apostol
- Sto. Sepulcro and
- Nuestra Senora delos Dolores, This would start after the afternoon mass and will be proceeding around the main roads of the barrio usually at 5:00 in the afternoon and finish at around 7:30 in the evening.The climax of this would be the placing of the Sto. Sepulcro in a makeshift tomb inside the church or somewhere within its compound.
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