It is an honor for me to introduce Marriage and Beyond‘s first Guest Post – an article written by my mother who blogs via In My Solitude. It is essentially my mom’s influence that got me into journal writing. I used to do it the traditional way, armed with pen and an artsy notebook. But slowly drifted away from the practice until I went right back to it in 2004 as I desire to document my journey to motherhood.

My mother carefully preserved hard copies of letters filed in four enormous folders: two of which are labeled “Incoming Mails” and the other two “Outgoing Mails.“  None of which survived Ondoy. I have yet to find a person other than Mama who files copies of “sent” mails. The old school way, that is. We all know a copy is automatically archived in our e-mail’s Sent folder. Even in my grade school years, I admired how carefully written her letters are and saw the sentimental person in her through the way she penned her correspondences.  Since she was practically busy in the corporate world during my growing up years, reading through those letters was an interesting way to “know” her.

In all the years I have been blogging, I have received guest posting proposals and offers, which I was too busy to look into to consider. Now that I’m publishing an article from the very person who has primarily influenced me to journaling, Marriage and Beyond officially welcomes guest posts.

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Guest Post by Lynn of  In My Solitude

When I came back from North America after my first visit there, I could see and feel the stark contrast between a first world country and a developing country such as the Philippines. The question “Why is it that some countries are impoverished while other countries are rich?” kept going on in my mind. Is God being unfair to make it that way? Or should we blame it on the government, or is it because of people’s attitudes and behavior?

There are many factors for the economic condition of a country. And I don’t think we should blame God for this. Partly, the government is responsible for the economic conditions of a country, and partly it is because of people’s attitudes and behavior. The government is partly responsible because they are the ones in power to create laws and enforce them. So people must elect leaders with integrity, who are impeccably honest, who are sincere, aggressive and with a clear vision to propel the country to its highest potential.

On the other hand, the people’s attitudes and behavior are partly the reason for a country’s economic condition. As a people, the Filipinos have many good character traits. Foreigners who come to our country speak well of us as being friendly and very hospitable. Another very good character trait is we are a resilient people, that enables us to bounce back after experiencing very hard times. On the other hand, we also have negative traits like the “crab mentality”, the mañana habit, the “bahala na”, and the “puwede na”, which prevents us from doing our best.

As a child, I remember we had been taught that our country is rich with natural resources, unlike many of our Asian neighbors, we have vast agricultural lands that are lying idle. Sad to say, much of these agricultural lands are still lying idle to this day. The government is not doing enough to initiate the transformation of  these lands to good use.

We do need godly, responsible, honest, aggressive leaders who will lead and motivate the people to do their best for the country. If we have this kind of leaders, God will bless us and we will be on our way to become a prosperous country. This is not impossible.

President Benigno Aquino III (PNoy) delivered his first SONA today. The Filipino people are full of hope as all were intently listening to every word he said. It will be a real great challenge for President PNoy to rule this land. My encouragement to fellow citizens is for us to pray for the leaders of our country. Their hearts are in the hands of our Creator and may they act accordingly for the Philippines to finally move forward.

President Benigno Aquino III’s (PNoy’s) First State of the Nation Address (SONA) Full Transcript
Session Hall of the House of Representatives
July 26, 2010

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Vice President Jejomar Binay; Chief Justice Renato Corona; Former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; distinguished members of the diplomatic corps; my fellow workers in government;
Mga minamahal kong kababayan:

Sa bawat sandali po ng pamamahala ay nahaharap tayo sa isang sangandaan.
Sa isang banda po ay ang pagpili para sa ikabubuti ng taumbayan. Ang pagtanaw sa interes ng nakakarami; ang pagkapit sa prinsipyo; at ang pagiging tapat sa sinumpaan nating tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. Ito po ang tuwid na daan.
Sa kabilang banda ay ang pag-una sa pansariling interes. Ang pagpapaalipin sa pulitikal na konsiderasyon, at pagsasakripisyo ng kapakanan ng taumbayan. Ito po ang baluktot na daan.

GOV’T HAS LONG STRAYED TO THE CROOKED PATH
Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problemang ating namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad.

Sa unang tatlong linggo ng aming panunungkulan, marami po kaming natuklasan. Nais ko pong ipahayag sa inyo ang iilan lamang sa mga namana nating suliranin at ang ginagawa naming hakbang para lutasin ang mga ito.

RP’S PROBLEMS WIDE-RANGING; TRUE STATE OF THE NATION KEPT SECRET FROM THE PUBLIC
Sulyap lamang po ito; hindi pa ito ang lahat ng problemang haharapin natin. Inilihim at sadyang iniligaw ang sambayanan sa totoong kalagayan ng ating bansa.

PROBLEMA SA BUDGET

Sa unang anim na buwan ng taon, mas malaki ang ginastos ng gobyerno kaysa sa pumasok na kita. Lalong lumaki ang deficit natin, na umakyat na sa 196.7 billion pesos. Sa target na kuleksyon, kinapos tayo ng 23.8 billion pesos; ang tinataya namang gastos, nalagpasan natin ng 45.1 billion pesos.
Ang budget po sa 2010 ay 1.54 trillion pesos.

Nasa isandaang bilyong piso o anim at kalahating porsyento na lang ng kabuuan ang malaya nating magagamit para sa nalalabing anim na buwan ng taong ito.
Halos isang porsyento na lang po ng kabuuang budget ang natitira para sa bawat buwan.
Saan naman po dinala ang pera?

CALAMITY FUND
Naglaan ng dalawang bilyong piso na Calamity Fund bilang paghahanda para sa mga kalamidad na hindi pa nangyayari. Napakaliit na nga po ng pondong ito, ngunit kapapasok pa lang natin sa panahon ng baha at bagyo, 1.4 billion pesos o sitenta porsyento na ang nagastos.
Sa kabuuan ng 108 million pesos para sa lalawigan ng Pampanga, 105 million pesos nito ay napunta sa iisang distrito lamang.

ONE DISTRICT IN PAMPANGA GOT P105M; PANGASINAN ONLY GOT P5M FOR 2008 CALAMITY
Samantala, ang lalawigan ng Pangasinan na sinalanta ng Pepeng ay nakatanggap ng limang milyong piso lamang para sa pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong Cosme, na nangyari noong 2008 pa.

FUNDS FOR PAMPANGA GIVEN ON ELECTION MONTH, 7 MOS. AFTER “ONDOY”, “PEPENG”
Ibinigay po ang pondo ng Pampanga sa buwan ng eleksyon, pitong buwan pagkatapos ng Ondoy at Pepeng. Paano kung bumagyo bukas? Inubos na ang pondo nito para sa bagyong nangyari noong isang taon pa. Pagbabayaran ng kinabukasan ang kasakiman ng nakaraan.

MWSS
Ganyan din po ang nangyari sa pondo ng MWSS. Kamakailan lamang, pumipila ang mga tao para lang makakuha ng tubig. Sa kabila nito, minabuti pa ng liderato ng MWSS na magbigay ng gantimpala sa sarili kahit hindi pa nababayaran ang pensyon ng mga retiradong empleyado.

Noong 2009, ang buong payroll ng MWSS ay 51.4 million pesos. Pero hindi lang naman po ito ang sahod nila; may mga additional allowances at benefits pa sila na aabot sa 160.1 million pesos. Sa madaling sabi, nakatanggap sila ng 211.5 million pesos noong nakaraang taon. Beinte-kuwatro porsyento lang nito ang normal na sahod, at sitenta’y sais porsyento ang dagdag.

Ang karaniwang manggagawa hanggang 13th month pay plus cash gift lang ang nakukuha. Sa MWSS, aabot sa katumbas ng mahigit sa tatlumpung buwan ang sahod kasama na ang lahat ng mga bonuses at allowances na nakuha nila.
Mas matindi po ang natuklasan natin sa pasahod ng kanilang Board of Trustees. Tingnan po natin ang mga allowances na tinatanggap nila:

Umupo ka lang sa Board of Trustees at Board Committee meeting, katorse mil na. Aabot ng nobenta’y otso mil ito kada buwan. May grocery incentive pa sila na otsenta mil kada taon.

Hindi lang iyon: may mid-year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, at Financial Assistance. May Christmas bonus na, may Additional Christmas Package pa. Kada isa sa mga ito, nobenta’y otso mil. Sa suma total po, aabot ang lahat ng dalawa’t kalahating milyong piso kada taon sa bawat miyembro ng Board maliban sa pakotse, technical assistance, at pautang. Uulitin ko po. Lahat ng ito ay ibinibigay nila sa kanilang mga sarili habang hindi pa nababayaran ang mga pensyon ng kanilang mga retirees.

Pati po ang La Mesa Watershed ay hindi nila pinatawad. Para magkaroon ng tamang supply ng tubig, kailangang alagaan ang mga watershed. Sa watershed, puno ang kailangan. Pati po iyon na dapat puno ang nakatayo, tinayuan nila ng bahay para sa matataas na opisyal ng MWSS.

Hindi naman sila agad maaalis sa puwesto dahil kabilang sila sa mga Midnight Appointees ni dating Pangulong Arroyo. Iniimbestigahan na natin ang lahat nang ito. Kung mayroon pa silang kahit kaunting hiya na natitira – sana kusa na lang silang magbitiw sa puwesto.

ROAD USERS’ FUND
Pag-usapan naman po natin ang pondo para sa imprastruktura. Tumukoy ang DPWH ng dalawandaan apatnapu’t anim na priority safety projects na popondohan ng Motor Vehicle Users Charge. Mangangailangan po ito ng budget na 425 million pesos.

Ang pinondohan po, dalawampu’t walong proyekto lang. Kinalimutan po ang dalawandaan at labing walong proyekto at pinalitan ng pitumpung proyekto na wala naman sa plano. Ang hininging 425 million pesos, naging 480 million pesos pa, lumaki lalo dahil sa mga proyektong sa piling-piling mga benepisyaryo lang napunta.

Mga proyekto po itong walang saysay, hindi pinag-aralan at hindi pinaghandaan, kaya parang kabuteng sumusulpot.
Tapos na po ang panahon para dito. Sa administrasyon po natin, walang kota-kota, walang tongpats, ang pera ng taumbayan ay gagastusin para sa taumbayan lamang.

NEGOTIATED CONTRACTS
Meron pa po tayong natuklasan. Limang araw bago matapos ang termino ng nakaraang administrasyon, nagpautos silang maglabas ng 3.5 billion pesos para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga nasalanta nina Ondoy at Pepeng.
Walumpu’t anim na proyekto ang paglalaanan dapat nito na hindi na sana idadaan sa public bidding. Labingsiyam sa mga ito na nagkakahalaga ng 981 million pesos ang muntik nang makalusot. Hindi pa nailalabas ang Special Allotment Release Order ay pirmado na ang mga kontrata.
Buti na lang po ay natuklasan at pinigilan ito ni Secretary Rogelio Singson ng DPWH. Ngayon po ay dadaan na ang kabuuan ng 3.5 billion pesos sa tapat na bidding, at magagamit na ang pondo na ito sa pagbibigay ng lingap sa mga nawalan ng tahanan dahil kina Ondoy at Pepeng.

NAPOCOR
Pag-usapan naman natin ang nangyari sa NAPOCOR. Noong 2001 hanggang 2004, pinilit ng gobyerno ang NAPOCOR na magbenta ng kuryente nang palugi para hindi tumaas ang presyo. Tila ang dahilan: pinaghahandaan na nila ang eleksyon.

Dahil dito, noong 2004, sumagad ang pagkakabaon sa utang ng NAPOCOR. Napilitan ang pambansang gobyerno na sagutin ang dalawandaang bilyong pisong utang nito.
Ang inakala ng taumbayan na natipid nila sa kuryente ay binabayaran din natin mula sa kaban ng bayan. May gastos na tayo sa kuryente, binabayaran pa natin ang dagdag na pagkakautang ng gobyerno.
Kung naging matino ang pag-utang, sana’y nadagdagan ang ating kasiguruhan sa supply ng kuryente. Pero ang desisyon ay ibinatay sa maling pulitika, at hindi sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan. Ang taumbayan, matapos pinagsakripisyo ay lalo pang pinahirapan.

MRT
Ganito rin po ang nangyari sa MRT. Sinubukan na namang bilhin ang ating pagmamahal. Pinilit ang operator na panatilihing mababa ang pamasahe.
Hindi tuloy nagampanan ang garantiyang ibinigay sa operator na mababawi nila ang kanilang puhunan. Dahil dito, inutusan ang Landbank at Development Bank of the Philippines na bilhin ang MRT.
Ang pera ng taumbayan, ipinagpalit sa isang naluluging operasyon.

NFA
Dumako naman po tayo sa pondo ng NFA.
Noong 2004: 117,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply ng Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 900,000 metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit pitong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra pa rin ang binili nila.
Noong 2007: 589,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply sa Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 1.827 million metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit tatlong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra na naman ang binili nila.
Ang masakit nito, dahil sobra-sobra ang binibili nila taun-taon, nabubulok lang pala sa mga kamalig ang bigas, kagaya ng nangyari noong 2008.

Hindi po ba krimen ito, na hinahayaan nilang mabulok ang bigas, sa kabila ng apat na milyong Pilipinong hindi kumakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw?

Ang resulta nito, umabot na sa 171.6 billion pesos ang utang ng NFA noong Mayo ng taong ito.
Ang tinapon na ito, halos puwede na sanang pondohan ang mga sumusunod:
Ang budget ng buong Hudikatura, na 12.7 billion pesos sa taong ito.
Ang Conditional Cash Transfers para sa susunod na taon, na nagkakahalaga ng 29.6 billion pesos.
Ang lahat ng classroom na kailangan ng ating bansa, na nagkakahalaga ng 130 billion pesos.
Kasuklam-suklam ang kalakarang ito. Pera na, naging bato pa.

ZERO BUDGET
Narinig po ninyo kung paano nilustay ang kaban ng bayan. Ang malinaw po sa ngayon: ang anumang pagbabago ay magmumula sa pagsiguro natin na magwawakas na ang pagiging maluho at pagwawaldas.

Kaya nga po mula ngayon: ititigil na natin ang paglulustay sa salapi ng bayan. Tatanggalin natin ang mga proyektong mali.

Ito po ang punto ng tinatawag nating zero-based approach sa ating budget. Ang naging kalakaran po, taun-taon ay inuulit lamang ang budget na puno ng tagas. Dadagdagan lang nang konti, puwede na.
Sa susunod na buwan ay maghahain tayo ng budget na kumikilala nang tama sa mga problema, at magtutuon din ng pansin sa tamang solusyon.

IMMEDIATE STEPS
TAX EVASION
Ilan lang ito sa mga natuklasan nating problema. Heto naman po ang ilang halimbawa ng mga hakbang na ginagawa natin.
Nandiyan po ang kaso ng isang may-ari ng sanglaan. Bumili siya ng sasakyang tinatayang nasa dalawampu’t anim na milyong piso ang halaga.
Kung kaya mong bumili ng Lamborghini, bakit hindi mo kayang magbayad ng buwis?
Nasampahan na po ito ng kaso. Sa pangunguna nina Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares at Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez, bawat linggo po ay may bago tayong kasong isinasampa kontra sa mga smuggler at sa mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis.

EXTRALEGAL KILLINGS
Natukoy na rin po ang salarin sa mga kaso nina Francisco Baldomero, Jose Daguio at Miguel Belen, tatlo sa anim na insidente ng extralegal killings mula nang umupo tayo.

Singkuwenta porsyento po ng mga insidente ng extralegal killings ang patungo na sa kanilang resolusyon.
Ang natitira pong kalahati ay hindi natin tatantanan ang pag-usig hanggang makamit ang katarungan.

TRUTH COMMISSION
Pananagutin natin ang mga mamamatay-tao. Pananagutin din natin ang mga corrupt sa gobyerno.
Nagsimula nang mabuo ang ating Truth Commission, sa pangunguna ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide. Hahanapin natin ang katotohanan sa mga nangyari diumanong katiwalian noong nakaraang siyam na taon.
Sa loob ng linggong ito, pipirmahan ko ang kauna-unahang Executive Order na nagtatalaga sa pagbuo nitong Truth Commission.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Kung ang sagot sa kawalan ng katarungan ay pananagutan, ang sagot naman sa kakulangan natin sa pondo ay mga makabago at malikhaing paraan para tugunan ang mga pagkatagal-tagal nang problema.

Napakarami po ng ating pangangailangan: mula sa edukasyon, imprastruktura, pangkalusugan, pangangailangan ng militar at kapulisan, at marami pang iba. Hindi kakasya ang pondo para mapunan ang lahat ng ito.
Kahit gaano po kalaki ang kakulangan para mapunan ang mga listahan ng ating pangangailangan, ganado pa rin ako dahil marami nang nagpakita ng panibagong interes at kumpyansa sa Pilipinas.

Ito ang magiging solusyon: mga Public-Private Partnerships. Kahit wala pa pong pirmahang nangyayari dito, masasabi kong maganda ang magiging bunga ng maraming usapin ukol dito.

May mga nagpakita na po ng interes, gustong magtayo ng expressway na mula Maynila, tatahak ng Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, hanggang sa dulo ng Cagayan Valley nang hindi gugugol ang estado kahit na po piso.
Sa larangan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas:

Mayroon po tayong 36,000 nautical miles ng baybayin. Ang mayroon lamang tayo: tatlumpu’t dalawang barko. Itong mga barkong ito, panahon pa ni MacArthur.

May nagmungkahi sa atin, ito ang proposisyon: uupahan po nila ang headquarters ng Navy sa Roxas Boulevard at ang Naval Station sa Fort Bonifacio.

Sagot po nila ang paglipat ng Navy Headquarters sa Camp Aguinaldo. Agaran, bibigyan tayo ng isandaang milyong dolyar. At dagdag pa sa lahat nang iyan, magsusubi pa sila sa atin ng kita mula sa mga negosyong itatayo nila sa uupahan nilang lupa.

Sa madali pong sabi: Makukuha natin ang kailangan natin, hindi tatayo gagastos, kikita pa tayo.
Marami na pong nag-alok at nagmungkahi sa atin, mula lokal hanggang dayuhang negosyante, na magpuno ng iba’t ibang pangangailangan.

Mula sa mga public-private partnerships na ito, lalago ang ating ekonomiya, at bawat Pilipino makikinabang. Napakaraming sektor na matutulungan nito.

Maipapatayo na po ang imprastrukturang kailangan natin para palaguin ang turismo.
Sa agrikultura, makapagtatayo na tayo ng mga grains terminals, refrigeration facilities, maayos na road networks at post-harvest facilities.

Kung maisasaayos natin ang ating food supply chain sa tulong ng pribadong sektor, sa halip na mag-angkat tayo ay maari na sana tayong mangarap na mag-supply sa pandaigdigang merkado.

Kung maitatayo ang minumungkahi sa ating railway system, bababa ang presyo ng bilihin. Mas mura, mas mabilis, mas maginhawa, at makakaiwas pa sa kotong cops at mga kumokotong na rebelde ang mga bumibiyahe.

STREAMLINING PROCESSES
Paalala lang po: una sa ating plataporma ang paglikha ng mga trabaho, at nanggagaling ang trabaho sa paglago ng industriya. Lalago lamang ang industriya kung gagawin nating mas malinis, mas mabilis, at mas maginhawa ang proseso para sa mga gustong magnegosyo.

Pabibilisin natin ang proseso ng mga proyektong sumasailalim sa Build-Operate-Transfer. Sa tulong ng lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno at ng mga mamamayan, pabababain natin sa anim na buwan ang proseso na noon ay inaabot ng taon kung hindi dekada.

May mga hakbang na rin pong sinisimulan ang DTI, sa pamumuno ni Secretary Gregory Domingo:
Ang walang-katapusang pabalik-balik sa proseso ng pagrehistro ng pangalan ng kumpanya, na kada dalaw ay umaabot ng apat hanggang walong oras, ibababa na natin sa labinlimang minuto.

Ang dating listahan ng tatlumpu’t anim na dokumento, ibababa natin sa anim. Ang dating walong pahinang application form, ibababa natin sa isang pahina.

Nananawagan ako sa ating mga LGUs. Habang naghahanap tayo ng paraan para gawing mas mabilis ang pagbubukas ng mga negosyo, pag-aralan din sana nila ang kanilang mga proseso. Kailangan itong gawing mas mabilis, at kailangan itong itugma sa mga sinisumulan nating reporma.

Negosyante, sundalo, rebelde, at karaniwang Pilipino, lahat po makikinabang dito. Basta po hindi dehado ang Pilipino, papasukin po natin lahat iyan. Kailangan na po nating simulan ang pagtutulungan para makamit ito. Huwag nating pahirapan ang isa’t isa.

Parating na po ang panahon na hindi na natin kailangang mamili sa pagitan ng seguridad ng ating mamamayan o sa kinabukasan ng inyong mga anak.

FREEING UP FUNDS
EDUCATION
Oras na maipatupad ang public-private partnerships na ito, mapopondohan ang mga serbisyong panlipunan, alinsunod sa ating plataporma.

Magkakapondo na po para maipatupad ang mga plano natin sa edukasyon.
Mapapalawak natin ang basic education cycle mula sa napakaikling sampung taon tungo sa global standard na labindalawang taon.

Madadagdagan natin ang mga classroom. Mapopondohan natin ang service contracting sa ilalim ng GASTPE.
Pati ang conditional cash transfers, na magbabawas ng pabigat sa bulsa ng mga pamilya, madadagdan na rin ng pondo.

PHILHEALTH
Maipapatupad ang plano natin sa PhilHealth.
Una, tutukuyin natin ang tunay na bilang ng mga nangangailangan nito. Sa ngayon, hindi magkakatugma ang datos. Sabi ng PhilHealth sa isang bibig, walumpu’t pitong porsyento na raw ang merong coverage. Sa kabilang bibig naman, singkuwenta’y tres porsyento naman. Ayon naman sa National Statistics Office, tatlumpu’t walong porsyento ang may coverage.
Ngayon pa lang, kumikilos na si Secretary Dinky Soliman at ang DSWD upang ipatupad ang National Household Targetting System, na magtutukoy sa mga pamilyang higit na nagangailangan ng tulong. Tinatayang siyam na bilyon ang kailangan para mabigyan ng PhilHealth ang limang milyong pinakamaralitang pamilyang Pilipino.

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Napakaganda po ng hinaharap natin. Kasama na po natin ang pribadong sektor, at kasama na rin natin ang League of Provinces, sa pangunguna nina Governor Alfonso Umali kasama sina Governor L-Ray Villafuerte at Governor Icot Petilla. Handa na pong makipagtulungan para makibahagi sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin. Alam ko rin pong hindi magpapahuli ang League of Cities sa pangunguna ni Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

Kung ang mga gobyernong lokal ay nakikiramay na sa ating mga adhikain, ang Kongreso namang pinanggalingan ko, siguro naman maasahan ko din.

Nagpakitang-gilas na po ang gabinete sa pagtukoy ng ating mga problema at sa paglulunsad ng mga solusyon sa loob lamang ng tatlong linggo.

Nang bagyo pong Basyang, ang sabi sa atin ng mga may prangkisa sa kuryente, apat na araw na walang kuryente. Dahil sa mabilis na pagkilos ni Secretary Rene Almendras at ng Department of Energy, naibalik ang kuryente sa halos lahat sa loob lamang ng beinte-kwatro oras.

Ito pong sinasabing kakulangan sa tubig sa Metro Manila, kinilusan agad ni Secretary Rogelio Singson at ng DPWH. Hindi na siya naghintay ng utos, kaya nabawasan ang perwisyo.

Nakita na rin natin ang gilas ng mga hinirang nating makatulong sa Gabinete. Makatuwiran naman po sigurong umasa na hindi na sila padadaanin sa butas ng karayom para makumpirma ng Commission on Appointments. Kung mangyayari po ito, marami pa sa mga mahuhusay na Pilipino ang maeengganyong magsilbi sa gobyerno.

Sa lalong madaling panahon po, uupo na tayo sa LEDAC at pag-uusapan ang mga mahahalagang batas na kailangan nating ipasa. Makakaasa kayo na mananatiling bukas ang aking isipan, at ang ating ugnayan ay mananatiling tapat.

Isinusulong po natin ang Fiscal Responsibility Bill, kung saan hindi tayo magpapasa ng batas na mangangailangan ng pondo kung hindi pa natukoy ang panggagalingan nito. May 104.1 billion pesos tayong kailangan para pondohan ang mga batas na naipasa na, ngunit hindi maipatupad.

Kailangan din nating isaayos ang mga insentibong piskal na ibinigay noong nakaraan. Ngayong naghihigpit tayo ng sinturon, kailangang balikan kung alin sa mga ito ang dapat manatili at kung ano ang dapat nang itigil.

Huwag po tayong pumayag na magkaroon ng isa pang NBN-ZTE. Sa lokal man o dayuhan manggagaling ang pondo, dapat dumaan ito sa tamang proseso. Hinihingi ko po ang tulong ninyo upang amiyendahan ang ating Procurement Law.
Ayon po sa Saligang Batas, tungkulin ng estado ang siguruhing walang lamangan sa merkado. Bawal ang monopolya, bawal ang mga cartel na sasakal sa kumpetisyon. Kailangan po natin ng isang Anti-Trust Law na magbibigay-buhay sa mga prinsipyong ito. Ito ang magbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga Small- at Medium-scale Enterprises na makilahok at tumulong sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya.

Ipasa na po natin ang National Land Use Bill.
Una rin pong naging batas ng Commonwealth ang National Defense Act, na ipinasa noon pang 1935. Kailangan nang palitan ito ng batas na tutugon sa pangangailangan ng pambansang seguridad sa kasalukuyan.

Nakikiusap po akong isulong ang Whistleblower’s Bill upang patuloy nang iwaksi ang kultura ng takot at pananahimik.
Palalakasin pa lalo ang Witness Protection Program. Alalahanin po natin na noong taong 2009 hanggang 2010, may nahatulan sa 95% ng mga kaso kung saan may witness na sumailalim sa programang ito.

Kailangang repasuhin ang ating mga batas. Nanawagan po akong umpisahan na ang rekodipikasyon ng ating mga batas, upang siguruhing magkakatugma sila at hindi salu-salungat.

PEACE PROCESS
Ito pong mga batas na ito ang batayan ng kaayusan, ngunit ang pundasyon ng lahat ng ginagawa natin ay ang prinsipyong wala tayong mararating kung walang kapayapaan at katahimikan.
Dalawa ang hinaharap nating suliranin sa usapin ng kapayapaan: ang situwasyon sa Mindanao, at ang patuloy na pag-aaklas ng CPP-NPA-NDF.

Tungkol sa situwasyon sa Mindanao: Hindi po nagbabago ang ating pananaw. Mararating lamang ang kapayapaan at katahimikan kung mag-uusap ang lahat ng apektado: Moro, Lumad, at Kristiyano. Inatasan na natin si Dean Marvic Leonen na mangasiwa sa ginagawa nating pakikipag-usap sa MILF.

Iiwasan natin ang mga pagkakamaling nangyari sa nakaraang administrasyon, kung saan binulaga na lang ang mga mamamayan ng Mindanao. Hindi tayo puwedeng magbulag-bulagan sa mga dudang may kulay ng pulitika ang proseso, at hindi ang kapakanan ng taumbayan ang tanging interes.

Kinikilala natin ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng MILF sa pamamagitan ng pagdidisplina sa kanilang hanay. Inaasahan natin na muling magsisimula ang negosasyon pagkatapos ng Ramadan.

Tungkol naman po sa CPP-NPA-NDF: handa na ba kayong maglaan ng kongkretong mungkahi, sa halip na pawang batikos lamang?

Kung kapayapaan din ang hangad ninyo, handa po kami sa malawakang tigil-putukan. Mag-usap tayo.
Mahirap magsimula ang usapan habang mayroon pang amoy ng pulbura sa hangin. Nananawagan ako: huwag po natin hayaang masayang ang napakagandang pagkakataong ito upang magtipon sa ilalim ng iisang adhikain.

Kapayapaan at katahimikan po ang pundasyon ng kaunlaran. Habang nagpapatuloy ang barilan, patuloy din ang pagkakagapos natin sa kahirapan.

PANAWAGAN
Dapat din po nating mabatid: ito ay panahon ng sakripisyo. At ang sakripisyong ito ay magiging puhunan para sa ating kinabukasan. Kaakibat ng ating mga karapatan at kalayaan ay ang tungkulin natin sa kapwa at sa bayan.
Inaasahan ko po ang ating mga kaibigan sa media, lalo na sa radyo at sa print, sa mga nagbablock-time, at sa community newspapers, kayo na po mismo ang magbantay sa inyong hanay.

Mabigyang-buhay sana ang mga batayang prinsipyo ng inyong bokasyon: ang magbigay-linaw sa mahahalagang isyu; ang maging patas at makatotohanan, at ang itaas ang antas ng pampublikong diskurso.

Tungkulin po ng bawat Pilipino na tutukan ang mga pinunong tayo rin naman ang nagluklok sa puwesto. Humakbang mula sa pakikialam tungo sa pakikilahok. Dahil ang nakikialam, walang-hanggan ang reklamo. Ang nakikilahok, nakikibahagi sa solusyon.

Napakatagal na pong namamayani ang pananaw na ang susi sa asenso ay ang intindihin ang sarili kaysa intindihin ang kapwa. Malinaw po sa akin: paano tayo aasenso habang nilalamangan ang kapwa?

Ang hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataong mag-aral, paanong makakakuha ng trabaho? Kung walang trabaho, paanong magiging konsumer? Paanong mag-iimpok sa bangko?

Ngunit kung babaliktarin natin ang pananaw-kung iisipin nating “Dadagdagan ko ang kakayahan ng aking kapwa”-magbubunga po ito, at ang lahat ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon.

Maganda na po ang nasimulan natin. At mas lalong maganda po ang mararating natin. Ngunit huwag nating kalimutan na mayroong mga nagnanasang hindi tayo magtagumpay. Dahil kapag hindi tayo nagtagumpay, makakabalik na naman sila sa kapangyarihan, at sa pagsasamantala sa taumbayan.

Akin pong paniwala na Diyos at taumbayan ang nagdala sa ating kinalalagyan ngayon. Habang nakatutok tayo sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa, bendisyon at patnubay ay tiyak na maaasahan natin sa Poong Maykapal. At kapag nanalig tayo na ang kasangga natin ay ang Diyos, mayroon ba tayong hindi kakayanin?

Ang mandato nating nakuha sa huling eleksyon ay patunay na umaasa pa rin ang Pilipino sa pagbabago. Iba na talaga ang situwasyon. Puwede na muling mangarap. Tayo nang tumungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pinangarap.
Maraming salamat po.

Now that I have Lady Rouge at my disposal, I am not anymore at the mercy of my husband to drive me places. It really helps a lot that I need not depend on his every busy schedule. But the hubby, up to now is teaching me how to drive in a more fuel efficient manner. He cannot help being my backseat driver whenever I’m the one behind the wheel. His landing as a topnotch last year for a fuel efficient run is probably driving him to want to teach me how. But I did get a few fuel saving pointers he had taught me. Like not lugging around with extra and unnecessary weight in the car.   Because the more weight we lug around in the car, the more fuel it burns.

Incidentally if you know how to drive and you think you have what it takes to be the country’s Smartest Drivers, you might want join Shell Eco-Marathon happening this coming July 2010. The contest is open to legal-aged Filipino drivers with valid driver’s license. To join the Shell Smartest Driver promo, participants will create a video demonstrating or discussing fuel saving tips that will allow motorists to increase their fuel efficiency. Close the entry by completing the catch phrase “Ang Pinoy na matipid sa gasolina, ____________.” Then simply log onto www.topgear.com.ph/shellsmartestdrivers and upload your fuel saving video clip. Entries can be submitted from May 20 to June 20, 2010.

Participants will get shell premium items, fuel and product vouchers when you are tagged as one of the finalists. The grand prize winner will take home no less than a brand new, fuel efficient car! Now this is the contest of all contests, I should say. Perhaps the hubby could join. He might as well pour out his zest on teaching me to drive the way he does to doing videos of fuel saving tips to join the Eco-Marathon.

The hubby and I visited the Lopez Museum and Library last Saturday and it was one interesting experience. It was eons ago when I last stepped foot on a museum and now that we are a homeschooling family, it is in our must go to places list.

The “After the Fact” exhibit at Lopez Museum literally got us thinking what’s behind the title and Ms. Iday Marpa, the museum’s admin support/assistant, readily indulged our many questions. The After the Fact is based on the questions “What and how did we do?” “Then what?” The “After” in the title being, the gesture to summon to establish lineage and recollected past from the exhibition ensembles. The concept behind the theme encourages us to look backward and forward at the same time. The tour was a memorable one, to say the least. It got us to appreciate the rich culture of our nation all over again and I will be most thrilled to bring my son to this museum in one of our scheduled “field trips” in this upcoming school year.

the hallway leading to the rooms in the “After the Fact” exhibit

Jose Rizal’s binoculars and compass

Lopez Museum Library

Soldiers (Heroes of the Past) by Bencab

the oldest existing detailed map

There are more interesting pieces that our eyes feasted on: artworks of Juan Luna, letters of Jose Rizal to his mother and sisters, selected works of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo and a host of other art pieces that preserve and promote Philippine arts and letters.

Incidentally, Lopez Museum and Library celebrated its 50th anniversary last month by launching the book Unfolding: Half a Century of the Lopez Memorial Museum and Library. This book contains the history of the institution and its preserved works in the library. It serves as a testimony of the passion and generosity of the Lopez clan to preserve the rich history and culture of the Philippines. It is currently sold at the museum for P2,800 (with box) and P2,500 (without box).

It will be our family’s 3rd year of supporting Earth Hour on March 27, 2010 at 8:30 PM (Manila Time). Hopefully more families, communities, even countries will participate this time. You can find MarriageandBeyond.com’s posts from the previous years here: Earth Hour 2008 and Earth Hour 2009. And here is the Earth Hour 2009 Report that I’m praying that we will collectively be able to surpass.

Here is the message from The Earth Hour Team:

Since Earth Hour began in 2007 the real catalyst for the event, and for lasting change, have been the people whose actions have helped spread the word. This is what allowed a Sydney based event to grow to a global phenomenon in three short years. Over a billion people took part last year, and 2010 is looking to be even bigger.

It is with this knowledge of you, the people who make Earth Hour more than just an idea, but a reality, that we have launched this blog. You will still be able to find the news feed here but here you’ll find posts written by Earth Hour staff and supporters (and even possibly the occasional panda) from all over the globe.

We’ll be covering what’s happening around the world, our personal Earth Hour experiences and interesting stories and also sharing inspirational content we find. The most important thing is that, like all our social media interactions, we’re just as keen to listen and highlight what you’re doing, both on the night and long term – after all, every hour is earth hour.

So please, comment, send us links, join us on the social networks I’ve listed below and let’s make this year’s Earth Hour event the best yet!

Here is the official video of Earth Hour 2010

World Wildlife Fund Philippines recently emailed me a report on the impact the Philippines has made during the Earth Hour last month, March 28, 2009. It was a joy to learn that our country ranked number one in the world in the number of cities that participated during the Earth Hour.

Over 15 million Filipinos in 650 major cities and towns
switched off their lights.

This year, the Philippines ranked number one
in the world in the number of cities and municipalities
that participated in Earth Hour 2009.

Together, we made history. Together, we made a difference.

But Earth Hour is just the beginning.
By signing up and turning off, your stand against climate
change will be heard at the UN Climate Summit this December in Copenhagen

where leaders of all countries will discuss absolute greenhouse
gas reductions and how they can help countries like the
Philippines adapt to the escalating impacts of a warming
planet.

Celebrated every April 22, Earth Day was originally founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 and has since been practiced all over the world annually.

What can we do for earth day? Since the first Earth Day in April 22, 1970 people around have celebrated by renewing their commitments to do their share in building a healthier and cleaner world not just for those around us, but for the generations to come.

There are handful of ways that you can do today. Plant a tree, volunteer to an event that has to do with Earth Day, et.al. Maybe if you have the resources, choose natural energy in your homes- install solar panels. Organize an event where you live to spread the Earth Day awareness campaign. It does not have to be spectacular. The best thing about it is we actually do not have to wait for April 22 to do our share in taking care of our environment. 

For Earth Day related events, head over to EarthDayPhils.org

This was the candle that our family lit during Earth Hour 2008. It was set at 8P.M. March 29, 2008.  Our family intends to join the Earth Hour this year just like we did last year.  We are thrilled to see that the promotion of Earth Hour is more widespread now than it was the previous years. Earth Hour 2009 is set at 8:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M, March 28, 2009, Saturday.

Our individual contribution is simple.  The only thing we have to do is to turn off all the lights for one full hour.  It might seem trivial but you have to believe the numbers when it came back that approximately 100 million people participated in Earth Hour 2008.   A million of which are Filipinos.

Here’s an excerpt from Department of Energy of Earth Hour 2008:

Last year, Earth Hour realized savings of 56 MWH of electric power in Luzon and 16 MWH in Metro Manila, equivalent to the output of a small coal-fired power plant. An estimated one million Filipinos were involved. Over 400 establishments participated by turning off their signs and non-essential lights. In Manila, Roxas Boulevard became the focal point of the celebration since it cuts across the cities of Manila, Pasay, and Paranaque, but Quezon City, Makati, and Mandaluyong also joined in the energy efficiency-promoting activity.

The numbers should be enough reason for us to participate this coming Saturday. Click on the banner above this post and be counted.

Related Post:

Earth Hour 2009 by Jane

Last night was the first time in many weeks that the hubby and I turned on the television and primetime news was on. Apparently, March is Fire Prevention Month. While we were busy in our respective workstations, I cannot help but feel bad for the mother who lost all her four children to fire. Horrible, to say the least. I just had to pause and whisper a prayer her way.

It just bothers me somehow that as much as March was coined to be the fire prevention month, how come that fire accidents is in its all time high. And we are not even done with half of the month yet! Apparently, there are a handful of commercial establishments that went down to fire as well in the previous days. Aside from EXIT SIGNS as a non-negotiable for building owners, other measures should always be taken. It is too awful to think how people get trapped in a building’s skyscraper with no clue what to do, waiting for those huge flames to eat them all up.

We are not really a big fan of the evening news, whether from the boob tube or the radio. I happen to think that what they have on are mostly too sensational for reality. But the very few times we listen or watch the news, the truth about all this fire incidents has stuck. I even found myself spotting the exit sign when the hubby and I watched a chick flick in the movie house last week.

If looking for exit signs has become like an instinct, it can’t be bad, right? Be safe everyone, especially March being the Fire prevention month. The heat is starting to seep through the skin and heat stroke being just around the corner. Let’s all enjoy the summer, sans accidents. Written in association with fire safety training suppliers.

With the wide range of consumer products that are full of synthetic and dangerous chemicals that harm the environment, it can be quite a task for me to put aside what things to use and not to use. But if there’s anything I really take note of eco friendly products and use them to replace the usual household stuff that we use.

For sometime now I have taken the SLS and DEET factor off our home. This is beneficial especially for my son who does not need to use those commercial products that contain harmful stuff. Even our detergent and scented candles are all eco-friendly. I love the fact that we do our small share in helping to preserve mother nature and even have our son value the environment as we do.

The heat is definitely on! Mama have been telling me to have dear son’s head shaved so he would be less sweaty. The humidity has worsened a tad and I talked to our son yesterday and he got convinced that he would be okay with it. The last time hubby shaved his head was summer of last year and the buzzing sound of the apparatus just got him bonkers and cried the whole time. Talk about trauma. This time around I got him convinced and he is now a big boy. Turned out he was still my baby after all. He cried half the time his head was being shaved by his papa this afternoon. Allow the photos to speak for themselves. Don’t be fooled, though. As pitiful as the shots look, our little guy instantaneously stops crying every time the apparatus is turned off. He is really just afraid of the loud buzzing sound.

Anticipating what’s to come…

(before the main event)

itchy!

almost done!

Finally!

(forcing a smile)

He actually loves how comfortable he now feels. He was all smiles when he first looked at himself in the mirror. I will miss cropping and trimming his hair every couple of weeks but this will be the better “do” for him now. We actually expect our electricity bill to shoot up now that we have our airconditioning on every single day for almost a week now. Global warming has gone really bad.

This is the candle that we lit from 8 P.M. to 9 P.M.

Saturday, March 29, 2008.

I have yet another great find to help save the environment – friendsofwater.com. I have been made aware to do my share in conserving water from one of my better teachers in grade school. Miss Liban told her class how one of her ordinary days she suddenly felt silly just letting the water flow while she brushes her teeth. That simple example of hers made her mark in my life, that even at the young age of eleven I was made conscious to save water in my own little way.

Friendsofwater boasts of technology that takes out chlorine out of water in such a neat way with the Pink Shower & Bath Filters. A portion of every purchase of their products goes to support the breast cancer research. You can check out their site and learn more on Pink Shower & Bath Filter Information.

It is interesting how things like these actually help us conserve water and energy. They actually have energy saving shower heads that allows you to save more energy than the regular hot and cold shower heads. As I have time and again mentioned, it is never too late to do our share in preserving our environment. Even as my former teacher has influenced me even after twenty years, (I doubt that she even knows she had made that impact on me from that small talk), one thing for sure, I’m glad to have been doing my share for years and even influence people around me to do the same. That’s why products like these catch my eye even as I find them helpful in saving and preserving our world.

Our family is proactive when it comes to valuing our environment. We do our share either by using products that are organic or recycling materials. To prove this, instead of disposable diapers, I have made use of leakproof cloth diapers to my son in his diapering years. There are a lot more examples, that at first were frowned upon by hubby, but now have come to embrace them. It is never too late to influence people around us to be conscious of our environment. For one, there is no replacing the mother earth that we now have.

 

It is interesting to know that a firm is especially designed to do the recycling processes of plastic, rubber and polymeric recyclable materials. They provide services such as Scrap HDPE: scrap transportation, universal scrap handling, purchase and sale of post industrial and post consumer materials. This firm is indeed giving their share in preserving our environment big time. Instead of having all those plastic products pollute our environment, they have made it possible for those items to still be beneficial by the recycling processes that they do.

 

It is a given fact that wherever part of the world we may be in, there is a constant need for recycling. We should do our share. It is never too late to start.

The custom of sending Valentine cards started in the eighteenth century. It took the place of having to send very expensive gifts. The first valentine cards were all hand made and with original verses. Cards were then later commercially produced and became very popular during the Victorian Era. Earlier in the twentieth century, they went out of fashion for sometime. Romantic Valentine cards came back into fashion 1930′s.

In countries with western influence like ours, Valentine cards are sent to all relatives. Elementary schools spend hours on end having their kids prepare one for their parents and loved ones. Giving flowers, especially red ones, and candies too are also popular.

{Another one for Marghil’s The Valentine’s Day Project}

Read: The Origin of Valentine’s Day, Part 1 of 2

The second lore is one of the more interesting origin of Valentine’s Day. It starts with the Bishop of Terni in Italy. He was martyred in the year 270. The story goes that when the Roman emperor ordered that soldiers should never marry, Valentine refused to obey and went on to perform secret weddings for those in the army. He was then imprisoned for that crime. While he was then in prison, he fell in love with the daughter of the jailor. And before he was set out to be beheaded, he left a love note for his beloved and was signed, “Your Valentine.”

Even as the story was passed from generation to generation, Valentine was then seen as the spirit of true love. In the middle ages, the custom continued of young men and women receiving by lot his or her “Valentine” for the coming year. This is mentioned in Chaucer and Shakespeare. In some cases, choosing a partner by lot is a serious business, which eventually leads to marriage. While in some cases, it’s no more than a game. There used to be a popular belief that the first man to be seen by a woman on February fourteen had to be her Valentine, without objections from either party.

St. Valentine’s Day is one of the many festivals celebrated in countries having western culture. The emphasis may differ from one country to another. As with traditions, there usually are lots of versions that point back to the origin. Here is one of them:

In the lore of the countryside, mid-February is the time when birds choose their mates. In spring ‘a young man’s fancy turns to love’. These two ideas may have been connected in ancient societies which practiced special rites at this time of the year to ensure everything would grow, and that young people would find their marriage partners.

The Romans had a feast to mark the beginning of spring on the fifteenth of February which they call “Lupercalia”. Which is derived from “Luper” (wolf). This was then “the Feast of the Wolf.” The choice was no dobut because a young man chasing a girl was called a wolf, an idea that survives in the English expression ‘a wolf whistle’. Young people would draw lots to choose their partners for the coming year.

The church, as expected, was not so happy with some of these pagan ideas about spring and the debasing of sex that went with it. Of course the church would rather have a celebration of a Christian feast and celebrate the meaning of true love. The theory is the church probably decided to hold their own festival on this the day before Lupercalia. So there comes in the the date of February fourteen being Valentine’s Day.

Why Valentine’s Day? Since the church initiated this feast to bash the feast of Lupercalia, someone must have come up with the suggestion of using the name of a saint who seemed to represent the spirit of true love – St. Valentine, who died on 14 of February.

{This entry is written to join Marghil’s The Valentine’s Day Project}

It is interesting to note that wedding superstitions are not unique to our native land. Other countries acknowledge these and even practice them in this day and age.

Some wedding superstitions try to satisfy the curiosity of girls about who will marry them, and when. One belief says that if a man wipes his hands on a woman’s apron, he is going to fall in love with her. This is because he will have wiped some of her sweat on to his hands, and it will have a magical effect upon him. Sounds a lot like “gayuma” (love potion), if you ask me.
Other superstitions try to ward off bad luck from the new marriage like: engaged couples shouldn’t give one another handkerchiefs; a bride shouldn’t make her own wedding dress; a wedding dress shouldn’t be worn before the wedding day itself, and the bride should not look at herself in the mirror as she wears it. These may all sound ridiculous in themselves, but these were like rules of the thumb back in the olden days.

The choice of wedding day is important: not the bride’s birthday, and preferably not in May (because Maia, after whom the month is named, is the Greek goddess of the elderly). And the gown the bride wears is important too. If she uses her mother’s wedding dress, she will become especially lucky. But she should also wear ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” as the old adage would say.

Nearly all of the traditional wedding customs have some superstitious reason behind them. The throwing of rice, confetti or birdseed, for instance, which was supposed to ensure that they would produce lost of children and never go hungry.

It’s really up to us if we still choose to recognize these beliefs or consider weeding superstitions altogether instead.

Tomorrow, Jeff will officiate a wedding yet again. Weddings are just the finest events on earth if you ask me. Going back to the time God presented Eve to Adam, how lovely could it have been? That’s the scene that repeats itself in my head even as I witness weddings that I have planned and coordinated, some of which I was just one of the many guests. No matter how many details are entailed for the organizers, weddings never cease to make me giddy all over again. Need I say more? I love weddings! That’s why I truly take pride in the weddings that I deliver and help coordinate, because I only give my best, no less.

Marriage is not a uniquely Christian institution. In fact, it has been around long before the biblical times, so to precisely define a wedding ceremony to be “Christian” isn’t easy. Let me start off by describing a typical church wedding in the west, then the various parts in details. The ceremonial symbols: Ring, Veil, Cord, Coins/Arrhae.

Now even as another wedding is coming up, I am yet again fascinated just how Jeff explained to the couple some days back during their pre-marital counseling what the symbols in our traditional wedding ceremony signify. These elements may have just started as tradition, some even came about for “luck.” Here we hope to share the biblical meanings behind these symbols in Jeff’s own words:

The Rings

The rings symbolize God’s unending love, just as the shape of a ring has no beginning and no end. These symbols stand as the model of love for the husband and the wife who have both pledged their commitment to each other; and as they wear the rings, they are reminded of each other’s love.

The Veil

The veil is placed on the groom’s shoulders and on the bride’s head. This symbolizes the roles given in Ephesians 6 – to the husband – to love his wife as Christ loved and gave His life for the Church; to the wife – to submit to the husband’s leadership as Christ is recognized as the head of the Church. Responsibility for leadership resting on the man’s shoulders and the symbol of submission of the woman is shown perfectly through this symbol.

The Cord

This binds the man and the woman, as seen at the first wedding in Genesis 2:27, “For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and be UNITED to his wife, and they will become ONE flesh.” The union that is displayed also has a practical application for the couple. The husband must not pull his part of the cord towards himself so as not to displace the wife’s uniqueness. Similarly, the wife must not pull her part of the cord towards herself so as not to displace the husband’s uniqueness.

The Coins/Arrhae

In weddings, coins are used to symbolize prosperity and blessing for the couple. But taking the Biblical perspective and design, in the Christian wedding, the coins are given to the husband and his acceptance of these symbolizes his taking on of the responsibility to be the provider as God is to His children. One of the names of God in the Bible is Jehovah Jireh which means ‘the Lord will provide.’

The Bible

Traditional ceremonies often don’t have this element. In the Christian wedding, the Bible, which is God’s manual for life, is given to the husband. His acceptance of the Bible is symbolic to his acceptance of the role of being the spiritual leader of the family. It is interesting to see in the first seven chapters of Proverbs that they all (except chapter one where it is mentioned in the 8th verse) begin with ‘My son’ or a father’s words to his son. It is implied that fathers (the husband) should lead the family spiritually – in teaching the Bible, going to church, serving in the church, etc. This symbol is very important in the Christian wedding ceremony.

The Unity Candle

Matthew Chapter 5 gives Christians the title, “light of the world.” As the groom and the bride have professed that they are followers of Christ, this then implies that each one’s life serves as a light to the people around them. But, as a married couple, and as their lives are united, their marriage and their Christian home will now serve as the light, the example, for the people and families they get in touch with. The ideal is that their marriage would be a great testimony of God’s faithfulness, love and mercy.

Whoever said that “to be a pastor’s wife is to live life inside a fishbowl” couldn’t have been more right. After six years of being one, I could actually rejoice and pat myself on the back for thriving inside this “fishbowl.”

Come to think of it, pastors go through the training, whether formal or informal. Not to mention the bloody ordination ceremony that Jeff had to go through, that I had the privilege to witness. And was I the proudest wife then! I remember the ordaining council commending Jeff for a job well done, to an overkill, even.

A future preacher really has to earn his title one way or another. But how about for the wife? There is really no getting-ready-to-be-the-preacher’s-wife course that I know of that exists. I remember attending a Partners in Ministry Certificate Course in one of the more prestigious theological school in Asia, but I just don’t remember being told how to rise up to people’s expectation of being a preacher’s wife at all! I remember taking that course when my wedding with Jeff was yet two years down the road. You see, I knew right then he was called to minister as a preacher no less and of course my primary motivation in taking that course is to be equipped. I knew it’s no easy road for me and I was out for a spin.

The fear alone of being subjected to criticism is enough to eat someone up. Expectations were high and I resolved to just take it one day at a time. I never really intended to live on anyone throwing me on the scale to measure how I’m doing.  I have known rejection from childhood and this is one of the major things the Lord has been dealing with me since I gave Him back the full control of my life.

I have once come across a friend who challenged me with this old school thinking that I should do this particular ministry because it is expected of me being the pastor’s wife. I just had to tell her myself, lovingly, of course, that it is not one of my gifts. I don’t intend to live to please people. I want the Lord to work in me and not just through me. Being the passionate person that I am, I always intend to do things wholeheartedly. I don’t do things half-baked, as much as possible. Otherwise I know I’d cringe in regret. I found an old verse probably written by a preacher’s wife, who opted to remain anonymous — which, for me, does not come as a surprise. If preachers’ wives still feel the pressure in this day and age, how much tougher could things have been for them way back then?

An Easy Job (Author Unknown)

You may think it quite an easy task, and just a pleasant life

But really it takes a lot of grace, to be a preacher’s wife.

She’s supposed to be a paragon without a fault in view

A saint when in the parsonage, as well as in the pew.

Her home must be a small hotel, for folks that chance to roam,

And yet have peace and harmony- the perfect preacher’s home!

Whenever groups are called to meet, her presence must be there,

And yet the members all agree, she should live a life of prayer.

Through hearing people’s burdens, their grief both night and day

She’s supposed to spread but sunshine to those along the way.

She must lend a sympathetic ear to every tale of woe

And then forget about it, lest it to others go.

Her children must be models rare in quietness and poise,

But still stay on the level with other girls and boys.

You may think it quite an easy task, and just a pleasant life;

But it really takes a lot of grace to be a preacher’s wife!

To cut us, pastors’ wives, an inch of slack, should not be all that hard. For one, people have to consider the fact that some pastor’s wives did not plan to marry a preacher, and it just so happened that the men they love were called to minister. Not to say that I’m one of them. Having met Jeff in church when I was eleven years old (he was twelve), I kind of already knew in my heart of hearts that he was destined to be a minister. Here’s a snippet of our love story that Jeff wrote in 2008.

I would have to agree that being a pastor’s wife must also be a “calling.” I remember there was this one time I struggled during my devotion time when Jeff and I were thinking about marriage more than ten years ago. There was never a time in my life that Ruth 1:16 has ministered more to me.

“But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’” Ruth 1:16

The Lord provided me such peace when I acted upon that personal rhema and chose to seal that calling to be Jeff’s wife.

I’m not the stereotypical pastor’s wife in many ways than one, if you have not yet noticed. My husband leads me and allows me to be molded by God Himself and not by what our culture seemingly dictates. He has protected me from “the pressure”. He is first a husband, then a minister. Because it’s a fallen world, cultures are tarnished one way or another. This imperfect world does that to us. Our authority  remains to be God and His word.

With all that said, I remain to be a work in progress. Praying that I will continue to find favor in the eyes of the God I serve as I press on doing what I am purposed to do. I consider myself really blessed to know that even as I live in this fishbowl, I still get to be the person the Lord has designed for me to be — unbiased by what our culture dictates. Having the approval of my God and my better half is worth more than all the world’s applause.