What Makes You Cry?

This time I'm turning the tables and I ask you to tell us ... what makes you cry? Whatever that may be, your life purpose won't be very far away from it.

General Douglas McArthur was a great general in world history. You have an idea what made this general cry? (Photo courtesy of publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com.)

You may revolt and say, "What!?! What question is this? Who0ooo cares, man? Who cares?"
If you have nothing to cry about in this world, what sort of life would that be? Won't it be a kind of existence that's boring, annoying and meaningless? Is that how life should be lived? Tell me.

When Your Father Cries

Fathers out there may find it uncomfortable reading this post. I understand.

No father wants to cry, much less be seen crying, especially by his children. Among children, I guess no one wants to see their father cry.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="317" caption="A father cries holding the clothes of his child. Photo from http://www.daylife.com/photo/0fNrfsrfKw7ke"][/caption]

But truth be told, it does happen. Believe it or not. A father cries. You have been warned, so be prepared.

10 Ways to Kill An Association: Which One Have You Mastered?

A satirical article in our club bulletin (the Rotary) surprised me one night. On page 3 was "Ways to Kill an Association" which really got me laughing.

Later I asked myself why I found that article very funny, but that's getting ahead of my story.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="333" caption="Does anyone remember how Andres Bonifacio died and why? These days, we need living heroes: real men, who stand for principles, regardless of cost. May you be that kind of hero to your kids. (Image from Wikipedia)"][/caption]

Do you care to know what the funny article said?

"8 Things I Learned as a Father" by Anton Diaz

Anton Diaz is one of the most passionate fathers I have met, and one of those most willing to share their learnings to others. Frankly, he's one of those who are supporting me--morally and technically--in going ahead with this blog site, RaisingFilipinoBoys.com. Most people know Anton Diaz as the man behind OurAwesomePlanet.com and as one of the most successful internet marketers in the Philippines. This time, we'll see the other side of Anton Diaz, his fatherhood.
-Marvin

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Anton Diaz the Father, with Kids Aidan and Joshua"][/caption]

Being a Father of 3, I'm starting to appreciate the celebration of Father's Day. As I reflect on the last 4+ years of raising two boys and expecting a new baby, I would like to share with you the 8 Things I learned as a Father:

Can You Truly Live Without The Unconditional Love of Your Father?

The unconditional love of his father for his children is a powerful force in one's life. The lack of such love can cripple a person forever. There are countless true stories around to prove that.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="A Father's Unconditional Love is more powerful than most of us think. And the lack or absence of it is much more damaging to a person that most of us think. (Photo by Thomas Hawk @Flickr)"][/caption]

Let me share two stories today.

Edward Lee, CitisecOnLine.com. Edward's father once tearfuly pleaded with him to reform his happy-go-lucky ways. He was very lazy in school. In high school, he was kicked out. But never did his father waiver in his unconditional love for him.

Three Things Every Father Must Know About Fatherhood

What is Fatherhood to you? What pictures do you see when you hear the word "Father"? Who are in those pictures? What feelings do those pictures generate in you? Are the feelings pleasant?

Most of us may define the word "Father" according to our experiences of our own father. Conversely, we are the embodiment of the word "Father" to our kids. What do you think your kids see? What do you think your kids feel?

Hard questions, aren't they?

Happy Independence Day!!!

Today is Philippine Independence Day. June 12, 1898 is a date Filipinos remember as the day when then 28-year old General Emilio Aguinaldo declared the independence of the Philippines from Spain.

[caption id="" align="center" width="400" caption="Venue of the Declaration of Philippine Indepence on June 12, 1898. Photo taken from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aguinaldo_Shrine_(Kawit,_Cavite).jpg"][/caption]

It was a very short-lived independence though. The Americans whom Aguinaldo thought to be his allies turned out to have other ideas. It colonized the Philippines and ran after Aguinaldo as a bandit. It wasn't until July 4, 1946 when the Philippines had its "real" independence.

The ONE THING Fathers Want on Father's Day

This year, we celebrate Father's Day on June 21, 2009. Being a Dad, I wanted to write today about what I want from Father's Day. Then I realized I wasn't sure what to write about! I couldn't believe it!

Pressing on, I confessed to myself that hugs and appreciation from my family will be great enough for me.


But then maybe it is just me who wanted that, I thought. So, I sent a question to friends of mine who are also Dads...

"What ONE THING would you want on Father's Day?"

I got a handful of responses, all of them very interesting.

Seven Other Ways of Using Your Television

Granting we do not really need a television at home (see previous post), what do we do with our existing TV sets now? Throw them out the window?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="An Abandoned TV, Photo courtesy of Roo Reynolds at Flickr.com"][/caption]

Not too fast. Keep your TV right where it is.  Just throw away the antenna or cancel your cable subscription. Then focus on more productive ways of using your TV.

Here are some ideas you might relate well with...

1. REPLACE TV Programs with Wholesome Movies via DVD/VCDs

Of course everyone watches DVD/VCDs these days. But I'm talking here about substituting TV programs with your favorite movie on DVD or VCD as a habit! That way, you have absolute control over what your TV spits out into your home. That's the ultimate "parental guidance" for kids, especially very impressionable boys.

Five Reasons Why You Do Not Need a Television at Home

Everyone has a television. So, should you have one too?

The reasons why we do not really need a TV tuner at home varies from the practical to the profound. Let's start with the practical ones and progress to the more profound.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="LCD Home Television. Oh, how far it has evolved since its invention! But do we really need one at home today? How many have asked that question?"][/caption]

1. Who's really having a great time with your TV? and I mean, really? Traditional TV (the "CRT") is becoming obsolete, while the expensive LCD TV is becoming the "IN" thing. Getting one is not cheap. Question is, who really watches your TV as you labor to get it paid? Is it YOU? or your househelp?