siete pecados

"Sin creates an inclination to sin. It engenders vice by the repetition of the same acts."

This is not to claim self righteousness, or to purchase a ticket to heaven. Simply, this is just a presentation of the sins that I, too, have committed and once or still developed as a vice. At the same time, it is also upsell the virtues that we often sin against.

PRIDE/VANITY. Defined as an excessive love of self and belief in one's abilities. It is where all the other sins root from. The battery that keeps all evil working. Comes along with Pride, is it's twin sister, Vanity (- it is my favorite sin). They say that pride and vanity will always call for competition. "If someone else's pride bothers you, then you have a lot of pride yourself."

The horse and the color violet are said to be the allies of pride.

ENVY. Defined as desiring what other's have, may it be material or situational. Its is a manifestation of discontentment and a result of desiring more than what you have. Instead of being happy for the achievements of others, we wish for their losses. As Desiderata says, "Do not compare yourself with others because for always, there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself."

The dog and the color green are said to be the allies of envy.

GLUTTONY. Defined as the consumption of much more than what is required. It is taking much more than what we need. Acquiring more and more properties without considering that others do not even have something to eat. "Take everything in moderation."

The pig and the color orange are said to be the allies of gluttony.

LUST. Defined as the excessive craving for the pleasures of the body. It is wanting more of sex without taking into consideration of the emotions that come in between and the sanctity of its purpose. Thus, it is the id or the most primeval tendencies that controls over the mind and heart. Lust also has a twin named Promiscuity. "To highlight lust and promiscuity can hurt the body, the mind and as well as the soul."

The cow and the color blue are said to be the allies of lust.

ANGER/WRATH. Defined as a state of fury towards someone or something. It is a crippling emotion which will prevent you from doing good to others, especially if you are angry at them. It is a catalyst of revenge and all other wrong doings. "He who angers you, conquers you."

The bear an the color red are said to be the allies of anger.

GREED/AVARICE. Defined as the the sin of covetousness. It is the desire for material wealth. Greed is having so much at the expense of others. It is preventing oneself to grow. It is selfishness. "Materialism is the only form of distraction from true bliss."

The frog and the color yellow are said to be the allies of greed/avarice.

SLOTH. Defined as indolence or the lack of willingness and passion for work, may it be physical or spiritual. It is the lack of effort to make a living and the indulgence in confort and luxury. "Work is love made visible."

The goat and the color light blue are said to be the allies of sloth.

The Bible does not specify a single book or even a chapter on these sins alone, yet they are present from Genesis through Revelation, as they are existent in our daily living and that, we are tempted (more often unconciously) to commit them.

I could not cast the first stone, but let us one by one pick up what sin we have thrown to others and choose to be virtuous for as much as we can.

"Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit."

i have left you my right

"No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances."

-Art. 3, Sec. 4 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines

Thus, stated in the Bill of Rights, that every Filipino has the right to peaceably redress their grievances. This in fact, is included amongst the highest law of the land. With this freedom comes great responsibility.

Here is my piece, and I hereby do my responsibility:

Many have read the articles in my blog. It is an extension of oneself. A primer to one's soul. I have friends who keep track of me through my writings, as I keep track of theirs, too. With this, we update each other with our lives without saying much.

Few days ago, I have received a feedback that one of my blog articles bothered some people. In the first place, why be bothered? There is nothing more bothersome than guilt. It killed Judas, right? I didn't even know those people read my blog. Perhaps, they are my friends who would like to keep track of me, too. Of course, I am glad that somehow, I could add them to my growing list of fans.

Until one day, I have received a message saying that I should be cautious about what I write because what I have written could be used against me. I am thankful, for the generous concern. Yet, I could not grant the request of one of my articles be hidden, edited, deleted or disclaimed. For I have none to fear, or the least be cautious about.

Those are my opinions, yes. But no one was specifically identified, neither did I drop any names. I was taught that responsible journalism is safer than latex condoms.

Art. 353 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines pointed that, "the elements of libel are (a) imputation of a discreditable act or condition to another; (b) publication of the imputation; (c) identity of the person defamed; and, (d) existence of malice." Unless all of these elements are present, no crime committed.

"A man's reputation is the estimate in which others hold him in, not the good opinion which he has of himself."

catharsis

Hmmnnn...my recent few entries were all about my whinings about love, work and life. There are just a lot of evil spirits lurking around. Now, I have a lot to be happy about.

Finally, I am a proud mom to a bouncing baby boy!

I didn't know it was going to be a boy. I labored for him at an auction in the mall. When I finally held him in my arms, my dreams of having my own were fulfilled. He is the cutest!

Say hi to my newborn baby monkey kong, "Nonoy".

Me and my baby boy, Nonoy.


Nonoy with Tonet's baby girl, Lowlah...sweet, isn't it?

mad about il divo: the man i love

I have always been a classic.

Here's the English translation of Il Divo's "The Man You Love". Sounds good in Spanish, and I die everytime I read it in English.

If you look at me
you will find love in my eyes
you are my other half
I will give you all myself
without fear of making mistakes
I believe in you and
I will leave in your hands my illusion
I want to be in your heart
I want you to love me the way I love you

I only want to be the man
to give you everything I can
every day and every night
love you for all my life.
I don't want to change the world
as long as you're my girl
it's more than enough,
just to be the man you love.

I want to be the place where you can shelter
your fear and quieten your anxiety in my arms
from today I'll be everything for you
until yesterday I dreamt of you
and now you're here
I want to know your secrets
I want to find out your dreams
I want to love you this way

I only want to be the man
to give you everything I can
every day and every night
love you for all my life.
I don't want to change the world
as long as you're my girl
it's more than enough,
just to be the man you love.

I only want to be the man
to give you everything I can
every day and every night
love you for all my life.
I don't want to change the world
as long as you're my girl
it's more than enough,
just to be the man you love.

Just to be the man you love

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAXIMUS!!!
May all your wishes come true - remember, good things come to those who wait. You will be granted all the desires of your heart. Just keep the faith.

the dissection of psyche

"Love and Soul : had sought, and after some trials found each other. And that union can never be broken." -Hamilton

She was a mortal, with an immortal beauty. Envied by her kind, she is lusted by men. Aphrodite loathed her and she was scorned. More than anything else, she was a lover. She was was mistaken, she was hurt, she was tested.

She was real.

It was in college that I first came upon the synopsis of the Cupid-Psyche story. I was too busy with the other Olympian dieties to really concentrate on them. It was only until recently that I was able to delve deeper into what she had to go through...that made her all deserving to be exalted right beside her beloved.

When she married her so-called monster of a husband, she accepted her fate. And in darkness she savored the tender loving of the invisible beast. She's got all that she needed but she is deprived from seeing him. This is blind faith - believing beyond reasons. A requirement in relationships, that at one time or another, each of us has failed to submit into.

The heart is what makes us human. Because it is restless, she discovered that she wanted more than just what she already has. Wanting to go far beyond feeling his caresses, she had to see him. As upon first sight, she lost him. She violated his trust and thus, causing things to come in between them.

In search for the love that she once lost, she had to undergo ardous tests from Venus (ugh, in-laws! Even the mythologies, describe them exactly the way they really are!). Fortunately, fate was kind enough to provide her with the armaments in all her battles. It was her will to find Cupid that got her through. Love, indeed, finds a way.

And the most important part is, when they reunited, they have forgiven. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. It forgives and learns...and never stops forgiving until the other learns.

Psyche means "soul". Just like her, the human spirit is restless, blindly trusts in love, endures hardships and forgives offenses.

It is real.