Men in Progress | Jan 2014

In This Issue:

The Builder Getting Involved in “Bayanihan” Real Men “Bayani” Amongst Us

You’re the Man! What Does Jesus Say? Gadgets & Gizmos Bruised Knees & Worn-out Slippers The Gym You Can Do It!

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

The Builder

Getting Involved in Bayanihan

by Jesse C. Felizardo

T

he Philippines often experiences natural calamities like strong typhoons, flash floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Many die, while others are left homeless, traumatized and devastated. Now with climate change, more and more people and regions are adversely affected.

In these desperate times, the Filipino bayanihan spirit shines forth.

Bayanihan is the Filipino version of the 2nd greatest commandment, “to love your neighbor as yourself.” In each of us, created in God’s image, there is an innate desire to help people. But if we do not put it into action, it only remains a hidden aspiration. How can we then actualize the spirit of bayanihan?

Be informed. Observe and listen to what is happening. Media, social network, friends, and relatives are good sources of information. As our awareness grows, so is our compassion for other people.

Communicate the need. Often times, people do not know how they can get involved. People feel significant if their abilities and skills are used for a worthwhile cause. They are just waiting to be informed so they can be part of a team. Right information mobilizes them to be connected.

Share sacrificially. Shoichi Kodoh from Japan and Alexander Dzanaev from Russia, both 6 year old kids, were moved by their desire to share their hard earned savings with the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. They could have just kept their savings, but instead, they gave generously. For us, it may mean giving our precious time, our favorite shoes or clothes.

Be innovative. In the Unites States, two children sold lemonade drinks in the streets to raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. This small project sent waves of encouragement to others to do their share.

Develop camaraderie. Chances are we meet people from different backgrounds with whom we interact in a worthwhile endeavor. Developing good friendship with them will encourage cohesive working relationships to achieve a common goal.

If we keep our eyes open, we help others, even if our role is a small one.

Our concerted efforts encourage and help people in need.

Real Men

“Bayani” Amongst Us

by Revodem Avarientos

Mr. Felipe de Leon Jr., or simply ‘Liboy’, is a Partnership Facilitator of Compassion International, a world-wide child development organization. Liboy, assigned to Aklan and Antique provinces, led their relief operations, serving as point person between the Manila office and the local leaders of CI during the “Yolanda” aftermath in Panay island.

I

n the wake of “Yolanda” what can you say about the “Bayanihan” Spirit of the Filipinos?

Yolanda’s devastation is very great. The most vulnerable victims are children and the elderly.

I saw the care, concern and expression of the people helping directly in different ways in their unique capacity.

In the first five days, it was really hard to penetrate the affected areas. We needed to work with several groups, so we could help those who were in need. We partnered with the Civil Air Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), which gave us a big space in the airport to store relief goods.

Alpha Land offered their own plane to transport our relief goods free in different destinations like Cebu, Ormoc, Leyte, and Calbayog. I also noticed that people who were affected themselves were still willing to help those in greater need. Our project staff and local pastors were instrumental in coordinating relief work in their respective locations.

What did you feel when you were helping in the relief operations?

Coming from a poor family, it’s like giving back to God who blessed me. There is fulfillment and reward in helping others, knowing that I can make a difference in their lives. I was touched when a survivor approached me and said; ‘It’s good that you have brought blessing to us. You were the first ones that brought relief to our community.’ I personally felt the recognition that I was making a difference in their lives in this time of deepest need. I owe it to God for making me experience this kind of fulfillment. To become a channel of blessing to other people is a priceless experience. The work was physically and mentally draining, but it was all worth it.

What lessons have you learned through your experience in “Yolanda?”

I have learned how critical it is to establish a network with other organizations. I looked

Liboy and his family

for partner local churches, particularly in Roxas City. I asked my former pastor if I could store the relief goods in their church, and also asked the military to provide a truck for distribution of goods from the airport to the facility. I saw the favor of God at work during the relief operations through dialogue with pastors, local leaders and the affected people themselves. When you are helping in this magnitude, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the devastation that you see.

Why is it important to help others, especially those who are poor and in need?

I ultimately relate it to the Great Commission.

We are commanded by Jesus to reach out to people especially those who are in need. Also it is my expression of gratitude to our Lord for how He has blessed my life. I am thankful to be part of an organization that reaches out to the poor by addressing economic and spiritual poverty by sharing Jesus Christ to people.

How can you encourage our readers in promoting the “Bayanihan” Spirit?

In our own little way we can always help someone who is in need. Filipinos are sensitive to the Bayanihan Spirit, we can easily discern and act toward someone who is in need. I always ask myself, “what is my significance as a person?” My purpose is to share Christ by helping out those who are the least of these.

You’re The Man!

What Does Jesus Say? by Alvin Eleazar G. Tud

R

ecently, a friend of mine showed me a trendy music video on YouTube about a singer’s search for the “language” of the cunning fox. The singer in this MTV, which has more than 321 million views, repeatedly sang the chorus line “what does the fox say?” then he went on to mimic sounds that might possibly be the “sound of the fox”.

If I produce an MTV, I would entitle it “What Does Jesus Say?” It would be a music video on what would Jesus say about “people helping people.”

Many have written articles about “people helping other people,” especially after the Yolanda devastation. In the Philippines, we call it bayanihan. It is the community’s (“ang bayan”) effort to help one’s fellow in need.

What did Jesus say about this bayanihan idea?

First, He said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) Loving one’s neighbor is the second greatest commandment, after “loving God.” To love other people is to care for them just as you would care for yourself. Helping other people is more important than rituals and sacrifices. If people begin to care for their neighbor as they love themselves, it would be easier to help the poor, and fight injustice.

Bayanihan starts with individuals helping other individuals. These individuals, then as a community, will begin to care for other communities.

Second, He identified “our neighbor” as someone who needs mercy. (Luke 10:3337) Someone asked Jesus to identify “the neighbour who needs our help”. Here, Jesus gave us the story of the Good Samaritan. The religious leader and his assistant avoided the victim. But, the Samaritan, an outcast to the “locals”, was the one who actually helped the victim. He gave him first aid, and paid for his “hospitalization bills”. Our neighbour is someone who needs help regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs, socio-economic status and physical condition.

Bayanihan is not the term Jesus used, but He certainly taught and modelled for us the truth of this great Filipino trait.

Gadgets & Gizmos

Bruised Knees and Worn-out Slippers: Digital Filipino Street Games

by Joshua Kho

A

mongst the multitude of game applications that can be downloaded today, two game apps significantly stand out, especially for us Filipinos; namely Patintero Playtime and Sipa (Street Hacky Sack). Now available at the Apple App Store and in Google Play, these Filipino-themed games were developed by local game developers from Zeenoh and IAcademy respectively. They represent two of the most popular and best loved street games of Filipinos all over the country.

Technology as useful as it can be, if not properly managed can also be a source of addiction and future health issues to us, and especially to children.

Though truly a milestone for the local gaming industry, it still stands that if we’re not mindful of the excessive use of technology and gadgets, then we risk the possibility of neglecting the importance of physical activities and exercise for ourselves and our children.

A lack of physical activities and exercise will leave us all susceptible to sickness and various kinds of diseases, due to underdeveloped bodily systems.

It’s nice that patintero and sipa have been made into mobile applications. As a result, we can now introduce these Filipino games to the new generation, while promoting playing outdoors to everybody, which I believe is the motivation of the game developers.

My four year old nephew, not surprisingly, knows how to download games from the appstore, use the camera and watch cartoons on our tablet, compared to my mother who barely knows how to connect to our wi-fi connection.

And as convenient as it is for me to see my nephew fully engaged on the games that he’s playing, instead of running around and wrecking stuff in our house, I still believe it is more to his benefit if I encourage him to play outside. Outdoors playing will develop his Continued at the back

The Gym

You Can Do It!

by Revodem Avarientos

O

ne of the side effects of the holidays is that there is too much good food out there! Too much food results in too much of you and can cause unwanted weight gain, discomfort and health problems.

Here are some tips to prevent overeating: 1. Chew your food well. Take at least 20 minutes to finish a meal. In doing this, you may feel like you are eating more food while enjoying the conversation with friends.

2. Eat sitting down. Eating while standing up will cause the food to go directly into your digestive system, making you consume more food.

3. Use a smaller plate when eating. Remind yourself that second round eating is not an option.

4. Drink a glass of water before eating. It will fill your stomach and make you feel less hungry.

5. When you crave a snack, wait 10 minutes before having it. Prolonging your hunger might make you realize that you’re not hungry after all.

6. Stock your refrigerator with healthy food.

Have fruits and vegetables readily available for snacks.

7. Begin your day with a good protein breakfast. Protein takes longer to digest and will help you feel full longer during the day.

8. Working out, or exercising is always good.

Walking is a good work out.

9. Fasting every once in a while doesn’t hurt either. Spending time with God changes our focus from ourselves to God, enabling us to think of pleasing Him rather than ourselves.

Just remember to drink water when you fast to avoid dehydration.

You can take control of what you eat and be healthy. All it takes is your dedication and commitment. Just remember to eat the right food at the right time.

Bruised Knees ...

body, mind and social skills in real life settings. After all, not even the most downloaded apps and games can substitute for the fun, drama and experience of the real thing.

May the day never come when bruised knees and worn-out slippers are just a thing of the past. *http://www.zeenoh.com/games/-playtime.html, http://butchukoy.com/

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Photo by Don David

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Alvin Tud Layout Design Patrick Tan Distribution Johnson Li MIP Editorial Staff: Alvin, Johnson & Patrick

Executive Editor Kim Snider

Published quarterly by Asia Pacific Media Ministries Unit 2608 Raffles Corporate Center, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig City, Philippines Telephone: 914-9767 E-mail: mip@apmedia.org Reproduction of photos and articles is prohibited without permission.