The Fourth Perspective

The recent incident at Ayungin shoal where a handful of Navy personnel are stationed is an ejemplo of how the Chinese test their opponents determination. The BRP Sierra Madre, notwithstanding its current condition, is an active commissioned ship of the Philippine navy. This means that an armed attack on that ship is an attack on the Philippines. Such as that, the attack would amount to an act of war. The ship symbolizes right and sovereignity that is duty bound to be depended and protected by the armed forces. The Chinese acted to challenge that symbol by employing gray tactics, offensive actions that are short of an armed attack. They provoked the Filipinos by approching beyond the security perimeter and the rest is on record. The Filipinos in small rubber boats called the bluff by actively resisting the Chinese enchroacment. The little skirmish sent a message to the Chinese, that is, the Filipinos are no longer taking a passive stance. The Filipino personnel passed the Chinese test o...

Taxation is a tool in socialism. Yes, in essence socialism.  Dues were collected through various means and through various terms. The monies then were entrusted to the government bureaucracy for the benefit of society as a whole, not for the few individuals. Taxes are wealth redistributed in various ways, aimed eventually towards equalization of social status, though barely. Now let us be clear about this, taxes collected are technically the property of the taxpayer until it is expended for its intended purpose, as provided by law. Again, the government is a mere trustee. Being so, the goverment office is presumed to be an office of trust and confidence. What happen if that trust is breach? What are the remedies of the taxpayer? Taxes are the equivalent of blood, sweat and tears exacted from the working and even the non-working man. Earnings that could have gone a long way in improving lives were given up as taxes supposedly for the general well being of the public at large. Again ...

Maybe its time to abandon the "Mahatma Gandhi psyche". Instead, the Philippines may intensify the projection of the "underdog effect", by muddling the gray zone that China is exploiting to further its ridiculous claim. Its not their ubiquitous presence alone in the West Philippine sea that is of grave concern, it is also the escalating degree of physical violence that they brought, both to civilians and the maritime law enforcement vessels /personnel. So far, the "Mahathma Gandhi psyche" has garnered the Philippines a respectable number of allies. But sooner or later these allies and alliances would wane like a lukewarm water, if the Philippines would continue to behave like a helpless sheep in the middle of the desert, despite the assurance of support by like minded allies. The Philippines may need to assert itself as a beleguered protagonist within the bounds of the grey zone, amid China's push, that is now more than a shove. It must enable itself to...

Why is it easier for people to believe in ghost than GOD's manifestation.? If there were signs, or indications of non physical presence, they would assume that it was a ghost, but never an expression of divine beings. We can only surmise that there are three significant reasons. First, spiritual maturity has yet to reach the essential level of discernment. There is the firm inclination to temporal realities, which a particular event can be associated and identified by the senses. Probably the reason why Jesus had to perform miracles in order to gain attention. Second, religion had taught them unworthiness, undeserving of a visit from any divine beings, which by observation and learning can only be attributed to saints. Religion, wittingly or unwittingly had not stressed in their teaching the true nature of man. Third, is the influence of culture and tradition. The stories of ghost and other negative supernatural element from a man's early years up to his maturity predominate ...

My conspiracy theory as to why China is hellbent to control Scarborough shoal, also known as Panatag shoal. It is all tied up to their so called nine dash line. It means a buffer zone against American encirclement and at the same time, to gain control towards the exploitation of potential resources in the South China Sea, that include the West Philippine Sea. This are well known motivation for China's unjustified assertion and despicable aggression. It has been established that Recto bank has oil deposit, but what about the shoal? What is so particular about Scarborough that many seemingly are still unaware?  In 2018 China proposed a submarine research facility beneath the sea in the area of the Manila trench. It is the deepest part that hugs the western side of Luzon. Manila trench is estimated to be at around 120 kilometers from Scarborough and around 60 kilometers from Zambales (Correct me if I am wrong). In March 2024, University of the Philippines scientist did a survey of th...

Fate is preordained. it is sealed even before the soul assumed a body. Destiny is the aggregate of freewill, a GOD given gift which we exercised as the power of the intellect. Such that it influenced the trajectory of our eartly purpose which we can call destiny. Here man has control and has the ability to switch from one destiny to another. Now then the question is why would GOD still allow freewill to charter man's destiny which could veer him away from his preordained mission which is his fate? It's a test! A man is not capable of knowing his fate in the same way that he can predict his destiny. Again fate is predetermined. The divine creator had a mission for each soul to fulfill and experience. Since his will be done, it cannot be altered by choice. Now what happen when a man reached his destiny that is not his fate. There will be no inner fullfilment. Fame and fortune which were the common destiny man strived for will fail to satisfy the inner longing for achievement and...

Is owning a firearm a right or a privilege? This is the question raised by a Filipimo congressman in a public hearing for the purpose of introducing an amendment to the Firearms law under Republic Act 10591. Some stakeholders answered yes, its a right. Some answered that it is a privilege. However, none of them was able to give a satisfactory explanation for their stand. In the Philippines firearm ownership is considered to be a privilege. Hence, stringent requirements were imposed to acquire a license to possess a firearm. Along with the requirements were exorbitant fees that exacted a burden akin to paying an annual real property tax. The process exalted the concerned government agencies into profit centers rather than cost centers.The issue lies on whether it is indeed a privilege or a right. Because, if it is a right, a firearm need not be licensed.  Let us try to delve on the issue with objectivity and impartiality. The substance of owning a firearm primarily rest on the co...

The dilemma in Matthew 22:37–39.  The Bible says, • 37: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" • 38: "This is the great and first commandment" • 39: "And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself"  The foregoing verses were actually a summation of the ten commandments. Details of which proved to be unburdensome. In substance, it was attuned to the tenet, "do not do unto others what you do not want do unto you". It is a neighborly love that may be equated to, "do not hate thy neighbor". Hence, firm believers found verse 37 to be far more unexacting and less inconvenient to follow, at least through the exercise of faith, principally because after all, God has no bias and prejudice. On the other hand, there seems to be some diificulty if not reluctance in abiding with verse 39. That is, "love thy neighbor as thyself ", since, it is somehow regarde...

Darkness is the absence of light! Everytime the earth moved in rotation, a part will veer away from the source of light, then there is darkness. It is unending, perpetual and repetitive. An accepted physicality, as if constantly reminding us that this perfect manifestation of truth via the natural law, has congruence, and is analogous to a mysticality. It was and is a declaration of a consequence, of cause and effect, displayed as a matter of fact, and the fact of the matter. It is far more hinting than telling. As above, so below! GOD said, "Let there be light", and there was light.- the physicality. Jesus said, " I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but with the light of life."- the mysticality.  Darkness other than its plain meaning but rather on spiritual plain is ignorance, evil, confusion, chaos, unhappiness, meaningless and lost of direction. We now see that this natural law, encompass in the word physics would correspond...

Eulogy on a birthday? What the heck are we saying here? Alright calm down and just read me out. We all know what EULOGY means. But for the sake of reflection, let us just reiterate what eulogy is. In general, it is an accolade delivered by a privileged love one for their dead. A tribute, not dissimilar to a posthumous award.The accolade relatively is a summation of a dead individual's benevolence, unique positive character as well as his/her contribution to society, organization and possibly to the personal lives of people belonging to his/ her immediate circle. It's a good thing to echo the person's positivities among those who survived his/her passing. It alleviates the pain of separation and stimulates and deepens the endearment to the one who passed away. The tragic irony is that it was never made known to the dead; that all along, he/she was being regarded that way. He can no longer hear and experience human appreciation of his existence; his works and achievements tha...

The spiritual battle is raging, persistent and unwavering, it has been so for centuries, but the spiritual assault has intensified and has never been so pronounced. The evil one is everywhere, he has infiltrated the mind, the very manifestation of the soul. Rites and rituals that glorifies his name were guised as entertainment, while the unsuspecting had unknowingly participated. He fomented egocentricity. His bait are power, fame, and fortune. His pole is long and far reaching, seducing insatiable greed and constant obsession for materialism. He is gnawing away the very foundation of faith while building upon it the new idealism centered upon man with the exclusion of God. He patiently crept in all fronts, from within to without, he distracted the mind, triumphantly, he redefined want as need, consequently creating a massive hypnotic distraction, with the intent to veer all, away from the truth... from the true selves. He is leisurely tearing down the tie towards heaven. His weapon...

Article 5 of the 1951 mutual defense treaty states that an armed attack—which would compel one partner to come to the defense of the other—includes an "armed attack on a metropolitan territory of either of the parties or on the Island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean, its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific." The recent incident when China coastguard attacked and robbed a Phil. Navy vessel with axes knives and spears may well fall within the Article 5 of the mutual defense treaty. In recent separate pronouncement however, by Marcos and Sec. Austin, the attack must result to a dead Filipino before the treaty can be invoke, which in my opinion had changed the context of the provision. This seems to indicate that the US has no keen intention of confronting China for the South China sea or the West Philippine Sea. It is more apparent that all the preparations and prepositioning in the Pacific by the US forces are intended primarily for t...

 These quotes may no longer be true today. "Pictures don't lie"; "A picture paints a thousand words". Its amazing and at the same time concerning how pictures and videos can be almost totally manipulated to suit the taste; to change the paradigm on captured images. The applications entailing artificial intelligence came in droves that tends to overwhelm the senses, making one pause in disbelief and confusion. Why they can even make a stagnant images move and sing in well coordinated fashion.. Some don't require a green screen anymore to alter a scenario. Absolutely entertaining but at the same time fearsome and spine chilling. The trend and speed by which a recorded situation may be altered to perfection can and may change the truth behind every images and videos. It can revise or replace history to shape the present and the future. It can modify a culture in a short span of time. It can reform belief and traditions. Destiny may no longer be by choice but...

When I was a boy, my father used to say, "destiny not freewill, freewill not destiny". I have not forgotten those phrases as it occassionaly crosses my thoughts along my way. Accordingly, in my years of spiritual search, I may have found the reconciliatory statement regarding those phrases. Freewill is the most precious gift given by the divine to man. Its the freedom to choose. It is known as the power of the intellect. While destiny in spiritual sense is the divine plan for man. Are they different?  The difference lies in that destiny is preordained. It is the purpose for which an individual creation were brought into being. Some regard it as the calling. It is GOD's path that man need to cross. It is a journey towards GOD's plan for each man. However, the divine source has given man the power to choose, he may take an alternate path, a diiferent road. Man is free to deviate from GOD's purpose to earthly cause because he treat each man as children, not slaves. C...

Given the intensifying situation at the West Philippine Sea, the lawmakers should instead move to remove any legal impediments that preclude the exercise of other viable options available, as offered by other countries.The backlog in the AFP modernization program is not a joke. The practice of procuring conventional weaponry through "tingi-tingi"(piecemeal) is a joke. It is indicative of ineptness and alienation on the part our lawmakers. They were oblivious to the unfolding scenario. The least they can do is align the law to the current paradigm and/or secure an emergency funding to implement and further the law which is the AFP modernization act. Shape up your honors.

The Jews were discriminated, incarcerated, victimized, oppressed, humiliated and killed by the Nazi. Those that survived the holocaust suffered terribly to persistent nightmares and trauma. They were broken and since then were no longer the same. They felt that they were no longer human beings, strip of that dignity. The irony is that they were doing the same thing to the Palestinians.

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes,in undisturbed places of rest.- - - - -Isaiah 32:18 The Jews were the chosen people even before Christ was born. It is claimed that they have returned and are now settled in the relatively young State of Israel, that is supposedly the promised land. But Isaiah 32:18 made a guarantee of peace and security. Incontravention however, the State of Israel has been besieged by threat of violence, death and destruction eversince it was established.is it possible that the place where the State of Israel is situated is not the land that GOD intended for them? Is it also possible that its present inhabitants predominanly were not the chosen? What do you think? Comments are welcone.

It was a tragedy and still a tragedy in the making. Hamas has gone overboard. Their actuations were clearly motivated not by patriotism alone but by boiling anger. Such that their human side were vaporized into nothingness. They committed a sin against the law of men and the law of GOD. They will be punished, and its only a matter of time. Shocking however was the reaction of Israel that seems to have been equally deprived of reason and sobriety. Israel is a civilized state, a country subject to the rules laid under the Geneva convention and the Rome statute, all calling in summary for the respect in civilian lives and their rights inherent or as provided by the laws of men. Israel is supposed to be the chosen as it professes. But its reaction to Hamas attack can be compared to a man that had run amuck due to madness. It reduces itself to the level of Hamas. The indiscriminate bombing of civilian habitation that kills innocent children. The obliteration of hospitals, schools and basic ...

The physicality is governed by the natural law. But since GOD enacted it to maintain balance and harmony among all of his creation, he alone by his divine will can suspend, redirect or change its natural course and effect. In his words through his son, he made the assurance of divine intervention through faith. Lets take a look on some of the proof that attest to that promise to his children. From the mouth of GOD: 14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. - Psalm 91:14-15. 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. - Matthew 7:7 11"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours". - Mark 11:24 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that y...

Biblical passages are proverbial and methaphorical. Likewise it is subliminal. It was addressed to the non-corporeal essence of man and much less to his corporeal aspect, for the latter is subject to the rigors and pain of the natural law. Biblical passages are guides for the spirit of man, akin to a road but methaporically paved by Jesus's blood. The road leading towards resurrection and salvation. It is not a set of laws being imposed upon man. Rather, it is instructional, a curriculum in the school called earth. It is the embodiment of the absolute truth. It is a divine providence. Man may choose to abide or he may choose to forsake. In methaporical sense his choice would result either to convocation or repetition.  "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance". - 1 Peter 1:14.