State of poverty, results from wanting money, my friend’s DJ gig last Sunday and new child to be born into the world

Mandaluyong, Philippines - 11:43am
I just got back from breakfast at a local eatery called Binalot that’s open 24 hours. I love places like that. It reminds me of late-night places that would stay open either 24 hours as well or until 3 or 4am back in Los Angeles. I’m a night owl so I welcome any of these places. The people there are starting to get to know me since I frequently eat there. I love being able to build relationships with people by seeing them constantly. Now it’s a matter of coming to talk more about where they come from and what they aspire to. I just love hearing people's background and where they are going.



I was reading in the Manila Bulletin and 3 stories stuck out for me to reflect on.

1. Fernando, Golez tangle over EDSA speed limit
2. Seventh fetus in 2 weeks found in Sta. Cruz
3. Kidnap-for-ransom suspect arrested

1) EDSA is the main highway that goes through Metro Manila from north to south, on the east side of Manila. Motorists of all different types of vehicles from trucks, passenger cars, buses, utility vehicles and motorcycles speed and merge dangerously throughout the day. This article was about the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Representative of Paranaque City and their arguments over the speed limit on EDSA. In a congressional hearing about the budget, the Rep. is criticizing the chairman about being irresponsible with his remarks. The chairman as recorded he “encourages” people to speed, so as to relieve traffic. The Rep. is saying that this promotes reckless driving and deaths. Actually, a few articles down, there was another article that talked about deaths that occurred recently from buses and trucks running down motorcyclists because of driving too fast. The incompetence and desire for respect from the chairman’s peers causes him to retaliate in the media as well as lead the organization to faulty road policies. It’s important that people are put in place of leadership that can lead with integrity and righteousness, without fear of being accountable for mistakes

2) This past month, 7 fetuses have been found in different places: at a restaurant, in front of a barangay representative house, in an apartment, in a restroom in a mall and at another mall on the road. I don’t know what’s causing people to do this, but regardless, this is happening and babies are dying. Those children are not able to live a full life and the people that are leaving this babies to die are in a dark place right now, needing to be saved.

3) This last article was about a person getting caught that is part of a gunrunning syndicate. In an article yesterday, I read more and more kids, ages ranging from 12 – 18 years old are participating in the kidnapping of people. They get paid ranging from P5000 and up. That’s about around $100 USD. So sad, that people would kill another person for that type of money. This goes to show just how many people need to be saved and that time should not be wasted to try to connect with people and spark that change. The people you help may end up influencing people like these kidnap-for-ransom people in changing their ways.

All these stories are happening in this world, maybe more in some places than others. Regardless, it shows how much that people need to know more about the transforming nature of knowing Jesus Christ. If people believe and follow in the faith and the Word, all is good literally and spiritually.



DJ Red-I and DJ Don-P, reggae/dancehall music
Last Sunday I checked out my friend’s gig at Karport at the Fort. Good reggae/dub-step/dancehall. Apparently this music is not that big here so there’s opportunity for them to influence the music/club scene with this great music. Their friend Sean video taped, took pics and made the video clip. Sean's a really cool guy that works with some social networking site here called Zintropia, something like that.

PJ, Jen and Jahzara Phae Martinez
Just heard from my friend and roommate PJ that his wife Jen is going to go into labor back in the States for new child into the world Jahzara. This just makes me think of the blessing God has provided these two, and now they will be guided to take care for and think of another, providing, as God provides with love. I pray that PJ and Jen raise Jahzara in love and with love for God, I pray that the whole family learn and follows Jesus Christ and that their union with God is an example for others to aspire to. Amen.