HYSTERICAL NEWS

Integrity and objectivity. These were the values instilled in us by our Journalism professor.  

I took these to heart when I apprenticed at the news desk of a radio station; and later joined a broadcast company, and then another, after college.

Our TV station's evening news program reaped awards for TV news reporting because our News and Public Affairs bosses adhered to these tenets.  

That's a bygone era. 

That was when TV news, no matter how shocking, didn't make your blood pressure rise — because even the most disgusting or heart-breaking stories were delivered by newscasters who didn't raise their eyebrows or sounded panicky.  It was up to the viewer to supply his own angst or disgust or disbelief.  

A professional newscaster modulated his voice. No tinge of editorializing, bias or intrigue. No shouting or eardrum-busting tones and snide comments. No bringing-you-to-the-gutter tactics.

Oh yes,  some emotion and a bit of hysteria somehow made their way into our living rooms.  But these were during live coverage of crises, like the EDSA revolution or a devastating earthquake. 

Today, when I turn on the news, I somehow get the same sense of panic attack akin to what I experienced when, many years back, a radio broadcast reported that a building collapsed due to an earthquake. 

Sensationalism is bad for your health! Today's broadcasts seem to set you off on fear-mode.

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Reporters didn't report neighborhood fights or husband-beats-wife incidents. Those were for the tabloids. Sadly, today's TV newscasts have turned primetime news into tabloids, magnifying tsismis, gore and scandals, and the lurid details of celebrities' lives. 

Where's the real news? How about some news on Filipino achievers, and I mean not just showbiz personalities. There must be some news about government leaders and programs worth emulating. And the world is so diverse, viewers could probably benefit from learning about what's happening in other countries. 

Or how about some objective commentary coming from those who can --- without fanfare or angas --- truly analyze the news and the actions of people behind them. We should have more Anthony Tabernas or Ka Tunyings in every newscast.

Our newscasts have become so micro-and-bad-news-oriented, viewers fail to see a bigger perspective with which they can judge domestic happenings. 

Then maybe, we can use some praise reports. Not the usual praise releases of politicians or entities glorifying themselves to get votes for the next election or to propagate some sinister ideology.  

Why not these? Honest-to-goodness news on goodness and kindness.  Successful partnerships, philanthropy and entrepreneurship.  Character and situation turn-arounds, triumph of good versus evil, etc.  

I'm not surprised if a lot of Pinoy TV viewers no longer tune in to local news. "Tumataas ang presyon ko," says my friend. 

I found one local news channel which still adheres to non-sensational and intelligent reporting.  Solar TV newscasters could amp their enthusiasm a bit; but I salute them for their objectivity and sobriety.

Isaiah 52:7---"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

That's why if you're sick and tired of watching hysterical news, the Good News is always there to comfort and give you hope. 

FIRST DAY OF CLASS

As a teacher, my only wish is for my students to be teachable and responsive, their minds and hearts molded just right so that when they graduate, they'd be ready to take on the challenges of a crazy dog-eat-dog marketplace.

If I see just a glimmer of interest or someone's eyes connecting with mine when I lecture or tell them stories, I grow hopeful.

I experienced that on my first teaching day a few days ago; so in spite of a migraine headache intensifying as the day progressed, I persisted and taught like it were my last lecture day---careful that these fresh-out-of-high-school kids would not miss the direction their elders want them to take.

Some students even stayed to chat after class. One lingered to share why she enrolled in spite of limited finances. We prayed for one's problematic family situation. Then a few of my old students bounded in, making the new ones feel at ease and welcomed.

Whew, that was just day one!

With two days and four sections to handle each week, the next three months promises to be a windfall. Who knows what surprises and tricks my students may pull to fill our classroom with glee?

Flashes of wisdom and brilliance?  Eureka moments? Discoveries? Excitement? Fun? Creativity? Learnings and blessings galore! Aren't these every teacher's wish for her students?

You see, I take my "teacher" calling rather seriously. And I'm dead-set that in the 112 classroom hours I get to spend with them this particular term, some of them will claim later that they've become wiser, hope-filled, brighter, more analytical, smarter and more confident.

But how I conduct my life should also speak volumes to them. My lectures may poke their minds. But my character and attitude will surely cut through their hearts---if I behave as I should. 

Word and deed in equal proportion---that's the meat teachers serve to knowledge-and-direction-starved young minds.

"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching, show integrity, dignity," Titus 2:7.

Whatever void a student feels should somehow be filled as he catches a whiff of the profound in my class.

It's quite a chore and a nose-bleed for a baby boomer like me to connect with millennials who are supposedly self-obsessed or narcissistic and more interested in their gadgets and their selfies than reading and learning. 

More and more, I find it a bit of a struggle to bait them to the task at hand.

Still, teaching is a privilege which allows me entry into some stranger's budding life. Every lesson preparation time, I wrack my brain so that I can easily wiggle into the consciousness of studying-averse teens. 

There must be ways to engage them! 

So I think: young, games and rewards, experiential, cool, audio-visual. Perfect therapy, on the other hand, for an old foggy's staggering brain neurons. 

Teaching is littered with disappointments. But it comes with the territory. 

My friend Babeth advises: "When a student presents difficulties, I just recall the teachers in my life who were extra-patient with me. :) and I learn to appreciate the student, especially if it's a kid with special needs."

Almost 80 minds to discover, uncover and connect with in the next three months. This term should be a blast, and blessings-filled. 

IMAGINE

Dateline: Eternity, Jesus' throneroom, heaven

My conversation thread with Jesus—

Yay: Did you really want to save me even if I did many awful things?

Jesus: Hey, I created you, didn't I? You are mine. Didn't you think I'd let you go without a fight?

Yay: Up the point of death and humiliation?

Jesus: Would you not fight to death for what is yours since the beginning of time? Didn't my Father give you to me?

Yay: Even if I rebelled and let you down?

Jesus: Because I had planned something better for you. I created you, remember? Did you think I would let that go to waste?

Yay: Is that the reason why you became man?

Jesus: How else could I reach you? Through thunder and lightning? Hurricanes? Wouldn't that terrify you?

Yay (beholding Jesus' face): Would this face? With your love? Your touch? Your healing? Your friendship? Your wisdom? 
Your miracles? You loved us that much, didn't you?

Jesus: Need I say more?

WE CAN'T SURVIVE ON SOUND BITES

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We are a generation of sound-biters — our daily lives reduced to easy-to-chew or shortened processes. 

         Well, because everyone craves for convenience. We're all just too busy to take complicated and stress-laden routes. 

         So slowly-brewed coffee has given way to instant, three-in-one pa. 

         A supposedly full balanced meal can easily be replaced by, for example, instant mami, with a few emaciated leaves thrown in for veggie effect or microscopic meat strands to resemble protein. But really, where's the nutrition?

        And because we're barraged by so many instant messages even when we're on our toes — either through cellphone texting or access-anywhere internet — we have learned to message like brats unmindful of the rules. Even our formal correspondences show our love for short cuts:  "Luv," "Hapi," and "LOL" are just "K lang."

       We're all pretty cool with sound bites. It's the stuff of successful brands:  "Open happiness." "Just do it." "It's time every Juan flies." "Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan?" "Mukhasim." "Love ko to."

       I've observed the sound bite character among my students. They simply refuse to read books even as they spend more time on their mobile phones, Facebook and other social media sites.  

       Haven't you noticed that some of the most liked messages on Facebook are bible messages captured in sound bites? I believe it is a fulfillment of end-time prophecy. The Word of God has gone viral, permeating popular culture and meeting people daily where they're at — their mobile devices.  

       For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea, Habakkuk 2:14. Has this happened yet? 

As believers, we are encouraged to share the Word of God, in season and out of season — because we know that His Word will not come back to Him void. 

       Using Facebook and every means possible to fulfill Jesus' great commission should be every believer's calling. However, sound bites alone will not hack it. 

       Most of the time, we limit our messages to those which tickle readers' ears  — His great love and mercy. Oh how we love it when we read verses on peace, joy, contentment, victory, triumphing over the enemy, and having all of our needs met.

       But we need to bring to the discussion table too the truth about God's wrath and justice and that He will take to task anyone who willfully rebels and calls wrong right. 

       The created should realize their Creator is a jealous God who cautions us against turning to other gods  — be they of silver, gold or stone, and power, possessions or lustful desires.

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       Having made us, He desires our fellowship and forbids us from chasing after anything that would prevent us from trusting or depending on Him.  

       Too, if we think that biblical sound bites could substitute for time alone with God, that's wishful thinking. God has given us an entire operating manual, the Bible, through which we can discern His every will, rule, promise and purpose. 

       Unless we take to heart the entire Book —  God's desire to fellowship with us and His relentless love through Jesus who came to save us from eternal death — we will all be treading on dangerous waters, no matter how many feel-good sound bites we eat every day. 

       What's scary is this: That we be lulled into thinking that all is well because God is loving, patient and compassionate, and we fail to see His character as a just God. 

       That's the reason Jesus should be the center of all our shared messages. Everyone needs to know that unless they turn to Jesus as their Savior and Lord, their knowledge of God, and their ability to follow Him, even through death, ends in a black hole.   

       Oh that we may all be filled with the knowledge of God from His Book and His plan to save us through Jesus, the One destined to cause the stumbling of many. 

       Because of that name —  Jesus —  many will be brought down to their knees to repent of their sins. 

       All who call on the name of Jesus and put their faith in Him will be saved! 

       Feel-good sound bites are just the beginning. We all need to grow in our relationship with Him through Jesus. 

       Read your bible! And let Jesus teach you everything you need to know from A to Z.

THE FACE

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“Argh!” was all I could mutter under my breath as I bit my lips to stifle a scream: “Stop it!” 

Tooth extraction? No. Migraine headache? Neither.

Guess what, I went for a face treat in one of those popular derma salons and got an ache trip instead. The facial proved to be total agony; the eye brow threading pure unadulterated torture.

How could women stand all that pain? And for what? The funny part was, I didn’t see an Angelina Jolie when I looked at myself in the mirror.

My eyes still wore their baggy pants. (When my aging mother was alive, she’d call them eyes bags, surreptitiously framed by no-grade spectacles.) And my vertical facial lines still ran to and fro like tracks converging at a train station between my senior eyes.

Had I complained, someone could have thrown me the look: “What you need is a face lift!”  So I kept my lips zipped. (Just imagining its cost is cause for more sleepless nights; naturally, more eyes bags.)

No wonder I tried to decline when my sister offered to treat me to a facial. But hey, a treat is always a treat; and my Ate Marcia was so kind. So I relented.

I realized soon enough that the reason I didn’t enjoy facials that much was the prospect of someone unearthing my face of dirt and grime—and white and black and whatever despicable heads—like she were mining for coal. (At least coal has its economic benefits.)

But “The Face” business has really become a booming industry, with more and more women going for facial treatments—including botox injections, face, lip and nose lifts—an ego lift actually, to reverse the onslaught of gravity and years of battling it out to survive on planet earth.

It helps of course that Hollywood and mass media have reminded us non-stop that beauty is all about having smooth unruffled skin, a narrow and aquiline nose, or lips as plump as Jolie’s; and body as reed-thin as Jolie’s (again!).

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Had I complained, someone could have thrown me the look: “What you need is a face lift!”

An online source predicts a $267 billion global beauty industry in 2017. In the Philippines, “whitening” products and services have grown dramatically.

It is said that whenever the Philippine economy is on a slump, sale of cosmetic products dramatically go up. My Marketing mentor explained it this way: “If people don’t have much to eat, they want to at least feel good about themselves.”

Some food for thought, huh. But an eye opener on how our priorities have shifted as marketers tried to condition our minds about indulging in more pleasurable and sensual experiences to mask life’s real issues.

It’s a sign of good stewardship if we take care of our health, including the only face and body God gave us—as long as we are not overtaken by vanity; or your hard-earned sweldo (salary) flies away and your creditors swoop down on you because of your unpaid bills.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised,” Proverbs 31:30

Besides, the Lord reminds us that what’s inside matters more. 1 Samuel 16:7 “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature… For the Lord sees not as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

“Godliness is of value in every way,” says 1 Timothy 4:8, because “it holds promise both for the present life and the life to come.”

A facial may momentarily make you look polished; but come to think of it, greater scrubbing of our insides comes from spending more time in His Word.

Believe you me, it is because of these quiet times with God that I get comments like, “You’re glowing!”

Recently published at http://cbnasia.org/home/2014/05/the-face/

TUBIG!

www.bodymaintenance.com

Na-El Niño ka na ba?

El Niño refers to the warming of the Pacific Ocean which in turn contributes to dry spells and limited rain. La Mesa dam's water level has reached critical levels, we are told, that's why we need to pray for rain.

Though unaware, we are hit by the  El Niño on a daily basis. Spiritual dryness can be a stealth bomb---attacking you in trickles, then slowly turning your heart for God from hot to cold.

And it comes in the most natural manner. This morning, you probably tumbled out of bed in a frenzy. You slept rather late, unable to set your alarm last night. Now, you've only got a few minutes for your morning rituals before setting out to work. Lunes pa man din! 

Just a "Thank you, Lord!" No praise. No Worship. No prayer. Mamaya na lang ang quiet time. Huli na nga ako! Lagot ako ke Boss! 

We learned in biology class that the human body is 50-70% water-which diminishes when we pee or sweat, or when you, for some reason, experience diarrhea or vomiting. Lots of electrolytes (with all the minerals you need) lost through dehydration is a prescription for cardiac arrest, unless your system is replenished with fluids.

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We are more than just this physical form which you can pinch and admire (or abhor depending on how you see your image in the mirror). Somebody in church always reminds us that man is a spirit residing in this articulo corporis or human body.

So is it too far-fetched to consider that we too need spirit-electrolytes to replenish our spirit as we battle day-to-day situations?

Confusion, panic, anger, fear, worries-these are no mean challenges. They can deplete your spirit, turn your laughter into sungit, so that at the end of the day, you feel drained, sapped of all energy.

Where did your bubbly, positive, considerate and funny you, go? Why the detour? When just yesterday or the other day, you seemed like a beacon of hope, encouraging others you encountered along the way? Why so downcast, oh your soul?

Ephesians 6:12-For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

That's why Satan is just too happy to see you not praying or reading your bible or having your conversations with God. They're your daily spirit-lyte. Take them. They're good for you.

www.cooklovesgod.com

Your spirit needs to have a stash of spirit-lyte---stored within your heart. Gas up on it daily. And fill your tank early. 

Instead of confusion, panic, anger and worries, you'll instead enjoy a rich menu of heart-and-soul-healthy nutrition enough to sustain you through the day. The fruit of the Spirit, with everything thrown in: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." (Galatians 5:22-23)

Jesus, your Alpha and Omega-Beginning and the End, who holds your life in the palm of His hand and is the author and perfecter of your faith-is your best remedy for any kind of mallaise.

But follow the prescription: daily dose, all through the day. It starts with acknowledging Him as Savior and Lord.

TONGUE-IN-CHECK

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She's quite a superstar, a multi-tasker and doesn't even know the meaning of rest.

Come to think of it, your tongue—very small compared to the rest of you—is one tough babe. Decked with 10,000 taste buds enabling you to savor the tiniest of flavors, she too helps you mix and swallow your food, fight germs, and talk or sing—even create soulful sounds as she manipulates a trumpet or clarinet.

But even while you sleep, she has to stand guard to make sure your saliva makes its way to your throat, or else you'll drool all over your pillow or blanket.

Oh how boring life would be without our all-efficient tongue! Too efficient that it must be put in check because as hard working as she is, she could go on overdrive, turning a conversation into a talkathon.

In my book "Going Up: Making Right Choices at Work," I wrote, "Who uses more words in a day? Many researchers point to women, with word use ranging from seven thousand to fifty thousand daily. Guilty as charged! Men, it is said, use between two thousand and twenty-five thousand...

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"I wonder how many of these words are spoken to encourage, bring out a smile, trigger laughter or brighten up a sad expression? And on the other hand, how many words will malign, distress, or bruise another's spirit, whether uttered deliberately or without caring how that person would feel?

"Would an inventory of words uttered in conversations... cause me to bow in shame? 'Did I really say that?'"

Listen to what the bible says about allowing our tongue have its way (James 3:5-8):

 "...the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

How many relationships have been broken because of slander? Neighbors cursing each other because of righteous-than-thou comments making their way round and round chika-starved tsimosos and tsismosas.

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Many young people I know deal with insecurities and low self-esteem issues because of adults or their peers constantly deriding them or pouring acid on their self-worth with words like, "Ang bobo mo kasi!" "You won't amount to anything." "You might as well not have been born."

So how can I control my tongue even if it wants to work overtime? By myself I could not.

James 3:7-8—"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

But by His Holy Spirit who gives wisdom, my tongue can be put in check.

Proverbs 4:23-24—"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips."

It's really in our hearts where the issues of life percolate; they spout through our tongues to spread venom on unsuspecting ears and hearts.

The tongue is likened to a tiny rudder which controls the course of a big ship. But lest we forget, a ship has a captain who directs that rudder to where the ship should be headed.

I oftentimes have a hard time managing my own life. I'd rather have Jesus be my Captain. That should be the first step to making sure my tongue doesn't get unwieldy.

Jesus has proven to be no match to life's troubled waters.