The Philippine FAITH

 

2 Corinthians 5:7

King James Version

7 (For we walk by faith, 

not by sight:)

The Philippines is basically a Catholic nation.

From a population of nearly 112 million in 2015, nearly 80% of Filipinos are Catholics.

Having been colonized by Spain in the 1500s, we had to embrace that faith.

I myself grew up Catholic.

In my city, it was mostly Catholic schools run by Filipino, Belgian, and German priests, and nuns.

Throughout my studies, from kindergarten, to college, I studied at a Catholic school.

The older generation taught us to pray the Rosary, to go to Mass, to pray the daily Angelus, to go to Confession.

We are supposed to receive the sacraments, from baptism to extreme unction.

Protestants comprise but 9.13 % of the Philippine population.

My country has the world's third largest Roman Catholic population.

No wonder, soon as he became head of the RC church, Pope Francis visited us in Leyte.

Interestingly, welcomed by a literal storm, too.

I remember seeing that on tv.

As for me, GOD made me take another fork in the road.

He made me born again  in 2019, changing my life forever.

He made me take that 180-degree turn.

The Bible became my only reference, after that.

GOD's WORD came alive in my heart.

His SPIRIT made things plain.

I dropped all other studies at that point.

There are many other faiths in the Philippines.

But I'm forever grateful GOD made me born again.

Through His SPIRIT, I have greater understanding of JESUS.

Which I'm able to share with you.

Through our many blogs, and books.

Nothing like knowing you're walking the right path.

And that you're not misleading others.

Isaiah 30:21

King James Version

21 And thine ears 

shall hear a word behind thee, 

saying, 

This is the way, walk ye in it, 

when ye turn to the right hand, 

and when ye turn to the left.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, 

but by me.

Galatians 5:16-18

King James Version

16 This I say then, 

Walk in the Spirit, 

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, 

and the Spirit against the flesh: 

and these are contrary the one to the other: 

so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, 

ye are not under the law.

More articles here.

Related material:

An Urgent Message For Roman Catholics

Mike Gendron's "Christ Alone"

"Saved By Grace, Not By Good Works"

WHO shall be SAVED?

GOD's GLORY blogs

Paoay church image: Wallpaper Flare

A RESILIENT race

 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

King James Version

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; 

we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; 

cast down, but not destroyed;

The Philippines is loved, because we are a friendly nation.

We speak English well.

We are open to learning.

We work hard.

We learn fast.

Even imbibing foreign ways to a fault.

What others would call "colonialism".

But we've suffered greatly, too.

We've been under three rulers:

-- The Spanish rule (1565–1898)

-- The American rule (1898–1946)

-- The Japanese rule (1941-1945)

We were finally liberated by the Americans, until Japan's formal surrender on 2 September 1945.

By that time, approximately 10,000 American soldiers were missing in action, and one million Filipinos had perished.

Many old buildings in my city still carry an echo of such suffering.

Come rain, or come shine, Filipinos manage a smile.

Our islands are loved for our people's hospitality, even as we also have many unscrupulous characters who feed upon trusting tourists.

Because of the various foreign occupations, we are a melting pot of mixed races.

We carry strong Spanish, American, European, Chinese, and even Japanese features to this day, mixing with our original Malay race.

May the next generations remember the sacrifices of their kin.

Many say they've kept on because of their faith.

And that's for the next post.

Image: Michael Rivera

JEEPNEYS and such

 

James 4:10

King James Version

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, 

and he shall lift you up.

How do we get around within the Philippines?

Simple.

If you're an everyday person like me:

Jeeps.

Buses.

Pedicabs.

Taxis.

Trains.

Ferries.

Motorcycles.

You walk.

If you're loaded:

Cars.

We're particularly proud of our Philippine jeepneys.

Sarao and Francisco Motors were the popular builders.

We learn that its heritage has American, Russian, Jewish, British, and eventually Filipino roots.

(I'm referring to the brains behind the creation of our jeeps; as well as the technology involved.)

Talking about a rich heritage.

All the more I would never want it scrapped.

In Thailand, we rode tuks.

In India, I loved their old, cream Tata Motors cabs.

Now, if those are gone, you can imagine how old I am.

You see, global elitists wants us all to go electric.

Now, if they're really smart, they'll have three:

Petrol, electric, pedal.

Or even solar, biofuel.

Depending on the terrain.

You don't need to be a genius to figure that out.

More exacting terrain will require more exacting power source.

Who's to say oil won't run out?

Who's to say your electric batteries won't burn?

More so, can my people afford your expensive schemes?

So, please, don't scrap our jeeps.

Don't take away our people's livelihood.

If anything, you can supply us fresh tires.

We are of a humble race.

And that's for the next post.

Related material:

Jeepney

Image: Wallpaper Flare

Very UNUSUAL shape

 

1 Samuel 16:7

King James Version

7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, 

Look not on his countenance, 

or on the height of his stature; 

because I have refused him: 

for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; 

for man looketh on the outward appearance, 

but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Is it just me?

Or am I imagining it?

I've always thought our country has a strange shape.

Looks like a sitting dog, to me.

Is that why other countries make us the underdog?

Is that why some of my countrymen feel they are underdogs?

My apologies.

Sometimes, my over-active imagination gets the better of me.

And yet, look!

Doesn't my beloved country, the Philippines, have an unusual shape?

I mean, look at other land masses of the world.

Most countries, apart from Israel, are vast, landlocked.

My country's the cutest.

It's an archipelago.

As a kid, I learned we have 7,100 islands.

Now?

Wikipedia says we have 7,641 islands.

You mean, my country's still birthing?

How do islands form?

Geologist Emma Gillies says it's:

 "through the convection currents 

of the mantle"

Wow, heady stuff.

I won't even pretend to know.

(Though I once contemplated studying Geology.)

So I dig further:

"Mantle Convection on Earth"

As you can very well see, we are having mini lessons.

On geography, and geology.

No wonder tourists love it here.

For the beaches, people, and scenery.

A quirky shape.

A quirky people.

A quirky country.

Is yours, like ours?

Now, I'll tell you how we get around here.

Click the next post.

Related material:

Geography of the Philippines

Image: Free World Maps

On the PHILIPPINES

 

1 Peter 2:16

King James Version

16 As free, 

and not using your liberty 

for a cloke of maliciousness, 

but as the servants of God.

Yes, friends, that's our Philippine flag.

Every country has a flag.

When you brandish it, that means you've earned your freedom.

And most likely, fought for it.

You are officially a nation.

What can I tell you about my country?

A lot.

Mostly quirks I've noticed.

Unique traits of Filipinos.

A rich heritage from natives, Spaniards, and Americans.

I won't go much into history.

But I will tell you simple traits we have.

Traits we need to preserve.

Traits we need to change.

Traits that shape us.

And culture, in between.

These articles will be at random.

As SPIRIT guides me.

As my memory serves me.

All observations had been "filed" for future use.

And today is that day!

Please welcome "On the PHILIPPINES".

It replaces a July 1, 2022 blog we first created.

The old title limited me.

But this one won't.

Head over to the next posts.

Related material:

Philippines

Image this page: Wallpaper Safari

Blog background image: Jah Cordova