Men in Progress | Apr 2014

In This Issue:

The Builder Intentional Kumpare Real Men Kumpare, o Tunay na Kaibigan?

You’re the Man! It’s an Integrity Issue Gadgets & Gizmos Buying a Tablet Checklist The Gym Go ... Get Moving!

“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.” ― Douglas Pagels

The Builder

Intentional Kumpare

by Jesse C. Felizardo

M

ost Pinoys have a kumpare or pare. Becoming a kumpare is formalized by being a godfather in infant baptism or wedding. Kumpare connotes close friendship. Pare on the other hand may range from being good friends to plain acquaintances.

Whatever the depth of our friendships, we can be a true kumpare who influences others positively. Here’s how: Smile. A sincere smile helps in connecting, and can tear down walls of indifference or self-consciousness. It is a good way to start a friendship.

Spend time in the community. When I became a follower of Christ, I gradually gravitated towards fellow believers until my interaction with others. When we understand our role as salt and light, we should not limit our connections with a select few, but to others in our community as well. We can participate in homeowners’ associations, cleanliness drive, bayanihan, fun run and other activities.

Be available. Nurture budding friendships. Simple calls or FB posts tell people they are remembered. Visit or invite them to your home. A casual chat about sports and work may lead to more intimate discussions about family, personal or spiritual matters.

Let them know of your beliefs and limitations. Sometimes, our pare may compel us to do things that may compromise our convictions. They might think it is okay to ask for favors involving shady deals, or we may be invited to heavy drinking sessions. Drawing the line and letting them know what you believe will save you from compromise and not make them feel rejected. In a drinking session, I would say I can only take a couple of shots or I do not drink at all, but I would love to enjoy their company.

Lastly, be with them through thick and thin.

Stay by their side in good or bad times. Share good and bad moments with them, emphasizing how God works in both may encourage them that they are not alone and that they too can trust God.

Real Men

Kumpare, o Tunay na Kaibigan?

by Joshua Kho

Crispin Mercado is a general serving in the Philippine Navy Marines. He also serves in ministry putting up livelihood projects in communities in Metro Manila.

Can you tell us something about the “kumpare” system?

T

he kumpare system (KS) is characterized by a strong bond between men, whether they be godparents or close friends. My father was a Barangay Captain, and “negative” ako sa mga pakikisama na ganyan, kasi “negative” ang influence sa ‘kin … ’yung tatay ko pag nagdala ng kumpare kainuman nya, ultimo ‘yung itlog na nililimliman ng manok dun General Crispin Mercado with his family. sa pugad para maging sisiw, Kung matapat kang kaibigan at talagang very pagdating nung mga kumpare nya, dudukutin close kayo, kukunin ka talagang kumpare, kasi pa ‘yun sa pugad, para lang may mapulutan. alam nila ‘yung character mo ay maganda, That’s the kind of relationship na para bang, kahit mahirap ka! Ngayon, little by little ma-maintain mo lang ‘yung pagkukumpare nyo, nagiging materialistic na tayo. From tradition lahat ibibigay! Kung minsan ikaw naman ‘yung na importante ‘yung character, ngayon mas miyembro ng pamilya, alam mo naman halos importante ‘yung materyal na bagay. And I can ‘yun na lang ‘yung inaasahan mong maging sisiw say part ‘yan ng morally deteriorating society.” ... Imagine, ipapa-pulutan pa ng tatay mo, dahil Your advice in finding the right “kumpare” or sa kumpare nya. So sa-akin “negative” ‘yung sponsors? kumpare system. “ Some people choose powerful and influential individuals as “kumpare,” because they can be assets, as opposed to individuals with the right character. Can you comment on this?

Sa mga ikinakasal ngayon nakalinya sa mga godparents ‘yung mga well-to-do. Kung kaya nila, president pa ang kukunin nila, ‘yung “somebody” para meron silang connection and later on maaring makatulong sa kanila.

Hindi ‘yung character ang tinitingnan nila. Ang problema dito, unang-una, hindi mo naman kilala ‘yung taong ‘yun. Maaaring kilala nung mga magulang, pero hindi nung ikinakasal.

Noon, matinding basihan ‘yung character.

Una sa lahat, mamili ka talaga ng magiging kaibigan mo. Hindi ‘yung nakilala mo ‘yung isang tao, kaibigan na agad. Maaring magkakilala tayo pero hindi tayo magkaibigan. But when you get closer, nagkasama kayo sa mga activities, dun mo makikilala ‘yung character ng isang tao.

I would rather go for kakaunti na maganda ‘yung relationship nyo, magkakilala kayo, magkaibigan kayo, kaysa marami nga very ‘loose’ naman ‘yung bonding. At tayo, lalo na sa Christians, makikita mo ‘yang mga kaibigan na ‘yan if you get involved in Christian activities, like sa ministry. Get involved in ministry.

Magkakaroon ka ng mga kaibigan na tunay, kasi dyan mo din makikita ‘yung mga Christians na ang puso talaga ay ibinibigay nila sa Diyos.

You’re The Man!

It’s an Integrity Issue by Revodem Avarientos

S

how me a man of integrity, and I will show you a man who is respected and esteemed by many. Men of integrity are rare. Reports from politics, show business, and the ordinary office bombard us with stories of men caught cheating, stealing or falsifying the truth in order to get what they want or hide what they don’t want people to know about.

If we want the easy way out, pressure and temptation can make us forsake our integrity. Many men believe that if you live with integrity you will be miserable, life will be difficult and people will shun you. In Proverbs 11:3 however, the Bible says, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”

One person from the Old Testament who I admire because of his integrity is Joseph.

Because he was righteous, he was put in charge of the entire household of Potiphar.

He never betrayed the trust of his master even though Potiphar’s beautiful wife made advances to him. He did suffer for his integrity, but eventually God raised him to be an important official in Egypt.

Some people, who want to hide something, think it is alright if you have no integrity as long as you are rich and powerful. But in Proverbs 28:6, the Bible says, “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.”

The world needs men of integrity. Ever wonder what our country might be like if we are led by honest people with strong moral principles? People easily follow a man who lives an honorable life.

The truth always comes out in the end.

What differentiates a man of integrity from a man who has none is that the former is lifted up while the latter is destroyed. Living a life of integrity is never easy, but it’s definitely worth it.

The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! Proverbs 20:7

Gadgets & Gizmos

Buying a Tablet Checklist

by Johnson Li

1. Brand – Consider buying a computer brand.

It will last longer and it’s more dependable.

It might be more expensive at the outset but will be cheaper in the end.

2. Screen - Size ranges between 7 to 10.5 inches. It is not true that you see only a partial screen when the tablet is smaller.

3. Resolution –If you watch videos often, consider getting a high definition (hd) 1920x1200 resolution.

4. Processor – You can have Intel atom, tegra 3 Quad-core, AMD E. How fast a program responds to the app depends on its capabilities in Ghz.

5. RAM –RAM is the memory of the system.

Computers always run several programs at the same time such as the clock, anti-virus and various other programs. The more programs you have in your computer, the more ram you need. The market offers 1 ram but you can get 2 ram easily.

6. Storage - There is internal and external storage.

Internal storage comes in 8G, 16G, 32G, 64G. This internal storage is the capacity to hold your apps. Each time an application is loaded it goes to internal storage. External storage is where you hold and store your pictures, music and videos.

7. Battery - Battery life can last from 1 to 8 hours. Branded batteries can extend up to 8 hours. Use up the battery when you first turn it on. Then charge it for the first time for 12 hours even it says it is fully charged after few hours. Never leave your battery empty overnight but charge it immediately.

8. The operating system – The Android is more popular because of many useful apps available, some of which some are free.

The Gym

Go ... Get Moving!

by Peter Banzon

B

eing fit in today’s world means taking time to exercise regularly. What prevents people from exercising on a consistent basis is that they believe they need to go to a gym to do that. Consistency can be achieved if the exercise program be done anywhere, anytime with minimal equipment or none at all. In other words bring your gym along. Three areas of fitness that need to be addressed are Cardio, Strength and flexibility.

Two exercises I engage in that that hits all three areas simultaneously are walking with weights and jump rope.

Many people exercise aerobically using their lower body by jogging and running. But by using four limbs for exercise not only do distribute the work load, you actually lose more calories than by just running or jogging.

I use 4 or 5 pound dumbbells swinging them as I walk. They may seem too light to result in a workout but when swung overhead for hundreds of times during a 20 or 30 minute walk, the workload adds up. I don’t count repetitions; I exercise according to time. Exercising to music played in inexpensive mp3 player help me track time. If you are just starting out 1 or 2 pounds are enough to give you a great workout. I can even get a work out in a very limited amount of space in my room.

Jump rope has been a staple workout.

Contrary to common belief, jumping rope is not

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high impact exercise. It has ¼ to ½ the impact of running. Your feet don’t rise a few inches from the ground and its fun! Boxers are among the elite athletes in the world and they add jump rope to their training routine. It takes time to build up the necessary endurance for jumping rope for 10 to 30 minutes. The jump rope is one of the best fitness investments you can ever make

If I am really pressed for time I do Interval training where I exercise intensely for 20 seconds, rest 10 seconds before proceeding to the next exercise. I do eight exercises for a total of 4 minutes. My current routine goes: Jump rope, push up, squats, punching with dumbbells.

A good exercise program has a proper warm –up and a cool down component. So what are you waiting for? Get moving!

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Alvin Tud Layout Design Patrick Tan Distribution Johnson Li MIP/MOMS Editorial Staff (L-R): Patrick, Alvin, Evelyn, Kim & Johnson

Executive Editor Kim Snider

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