TRIBUTE TO CORY AQUINO

The death of the most beloved and respected of all presidents of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino has deeply saddened the Filipino people. She was a great loss for us.

Her presidency was a series of example of sincere dedication, unpretentious and self-sacrificing hard work. She was one of a kind. Once she has tasted power and influence and yet it never tainted her motivation in serving the people. She never entertained thoughts remaining in power.She is admirable in a sense that she never used her position to shamefacedly make members of her family become government officials for it would tantamount to a sort of nepotism. She invested no self-interests that would be self-profiting while in power. She is the only president I know who never had dubious transactions aimed at gaining wealth personal wealth. She and the people working with her, worked in unison to restore the lost democracy under Marcos regime. They never attempted to plunder our country and to corrupt the position they hold in an effort to show real service.

Yes, her life was a life of dedication to true service. She is the epitome of purity, dedication and integrity. No one can ever point a finger at her, for if they would, they would only be putting in light their own hidden evil motives.

We the people of the Philippines, may never witness another human being, another leader as pure as she is. We all are grief-stricken. We cry our hearts out. For we not only lost a president but democracy as well.

I take-off my hat to her in honor. I lament her departure. Who is like unto her? The hearts of all Filipino people go out to her and to her family.

TIME TO PERSEVERE

What is presently taking place in Philippines is making the people's lives more difficult each day. This crisis which currently engulfs us portends a gloomy future ahead. It is the greater masses of the poor population are the ones who are greatly affected. Practically everything in the market became too expensive for the ordinary people. Wages remain dormant at an all time low. This troubled everyone who has brain to weigh the consequences. It seems everyone now wants a way out. Out to where? Overseas.

I believe that this trial will soon be over like the others. Trials and testings come in batches, so I heard. Their torment severly tests what little faith we have. We need great faith in times like these. We have no other recourse except to put it in the hands of God. Have anyone ever heard that it was said "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." This little verse in James is inspiring to the point that it shows us trials are opportunities to prove our love and enhance our faith. With this perspective, life becomes inspiring-not in spite of the trials but because of them. Perseverance. We need lots of it.

Religion has much to offer to calm the minds of troubled human beings who are on the verge of cracking up. Others find it amusing especially those who don't believe. Such blind faith as this but it's no joke. If you would ask me, I'm not ashamed to say that I truly believe in the power of God to turn disaster into blessing and even in raising someone from the dead. The following verse puts my faith to rest in the mighty hands of the Almighty. It says "Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." It can be found in Jeremiah 33:3. Great and powerful words of God. Sure I call God in times of distress. He never failed to show His mighty power. It never ceases to inspire me.

The soldier who is called to the front lines is stimulated at the chance to prove his skills. The officer who is given a position of higher responsibility is roused by the rugged demands of his task. You and I are soldiers in the same way. We need to remain faithful and not slack off from praying so that our faith develops perseverance. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we must start to think of others' needs. It refines character.

It takes God's power to be faithful. God has incomparably great power in store for those who believe, the same power He used in raising Jesus Christ from the dead. In other words, the sky is the limit when it comes to the display of God's mighty strength in our lives.

So, people, take courage. We may be in the hardest times of our lives but it's not the end yet. All is not lost when we have God. Scam after scam may shake the very foundations of our government system. There's a God in heaven who gives reward to those who persevere. And He sure exacts punishment to those who deserve it. Do not make the situation any more worst than it should be.This will last only for a moment. He will make good the damage that's been done and all our losses shall be repaired.