Let's Save Our Planet: Stop Stuffing the (Sea) Turtles!

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 18 No. 46, March 21, 1995
On the cover: Emilio Garcia and Jenette Fernando

One of my earliest article contributions for Mr. & Ms. magazine is “Stop Stuffing the (Sea) Turtles” (p. 19) that was featured in the magazine’s “Let’s Save Our Planet” section.

Mr. & Ms. magazine Vol. 23 No. 45, March 21, 2000
On the front cover: Regine Velasquez
On the back cover: Sharon Cuneta for the Alaska Milk print ads.

 

In my early freelance career as a magazine contributor, I used to make all sorts of trivia “quizzes” and “puzzlers” like “Quiz for the Wiz” for Chinatown East magazine, “Showbiz Quiz” for MOD Filipina magazine, and “Braintwister” for Mr. & Ms. magazine. I try to make them unique and interesting. Here’s an example, “Word Countries” in Mr. & Ms. “Braintwister” March 21, 2000 issue, where I even added an illustration.

“To the LORD belong the earth and everything in it, the world and all its inhabitants. For it was He who founded it on the seas and planted it firm on the waters beneath.” – Psalms 24:1-2, The Revised English Bible with Apocrypha.

 

 

 

 

Sexy Geeks of Television

Celebrity World Vol. 4 No. 189, March 20, 1995
On the cover: Pilita Corrales

A glimmer of hope was proposed with this article.

Atlas TV Guide, March 2010
On the cover: Taylor Schilling, Michelle Trachtenberg and Jamie Lee Kirchner
of the TV series Mercy.

Three of my favorite American TV actresses, Allison Mack, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Pauley Perrette, were featured in my article “Sexy Geeks” (p. 12) of television.

“Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you can get, get insight. Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honor. She will be your crowning glory.” – Proverbs 4:7-8, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version.

 
 

Dagdag Kaalaman: Ang Kulay Bughaw

The Daily Sun, Vol. 01 No. 17, Marso 19, 2013 Nasa bungad-pahina ang headline na “Misis ni Binay Hinarang sa NAIA!”
na isinulat ni Alvin Madan.
Tampok din ang “Photo Balita” tungkol sa pagsasagawa ng “Black Protest”
ng mga mag-aaral ng University of the Philippines laban sa pagtaas ng tuition fees
kasabay na panawagan ng katarungan
para sa nagpakamatay na estudyante na si Kristel Tejada.

Ang kolum na “Dagdag Kaalaman” tampok ang tungkol sa “Kulay Bughaw.”

“Kahit baha ay di kayang pigilin itong paggiliw,

          buhusan man nitong tubig, di makuhang palamigin.
Subukin mong ang pag-ibig ay sa yaman mo daanin,
          baka nga ang mangyari ay ikaw pa ang siyang kutyain.”
                    – Ang Awit ni Solomon 8:7, Magandang Balita Biblia,
                       Tagalog Popular Version.

Math-O'Logics: The Modern Math

Celebrity World Vol. 4 No. 240, March 18, 1996
On the cover: Sakura Queen Ikuko Toriyabe

Collected information from reading and conversations led to this write-up.

MOD Filipina Vol. 20 No. 863, March 18, 1988

On the cover: Isabella Rossellini

One of the most popular columns that I pioneered is Math O’-Logics. It deals with Math and Logic, the first of its kind in the Philippines. It was a big hit among students, teachers and professionals. From its start on August 28, 1987, the column ran for more than 100 issues spanning six years. On this issue, the approach to “The Modern Math” is concisely explained.

“Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.” – The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians 7:3, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.

Runaway Asteroids: Are We Ready for Them?

MOD Vol. 32 No. 1486, March 17, 2000
On the cover: Shaira Luna

MOD magazine’s March 17, 2000 “Headliners” featured my article “Close Encounters of the Massive Kind: Runaway Asteroids – Are We Ready for Them?” (pp. 10-11). This was also published in the Manila Standard (January 3, 1999).

“The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water; and the name of the star is Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood; and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened; and a third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.” – The Revelation of Jesus Christ 8:7-12, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.

Let's Save Our Planet: Charge of the Last Tamaraw



Mr. & Ms. Vol. 22 No. 46, March 16, 1999
On the cover: Piolo Pascual and Angela Grant

I’m a consistent contributor for the Mr. & Ms. magazine section “Let’s Save Our Planet.” This one, “Charge of the Last Tamaraw” (p. 39) is a reissue taken from the 9-part special features article “An Education of Philippine Endangered Species” published earlier in Celebrity World magazine (September 4 – October 30, 1995), for which I won the top prize of the Science and technology Journalism Award sponsored by the Philippines Press Institute and the Philippine Geothermal Inc. 

 

 

 



“In addition, I have noticed that in this world you find wickedness where justice and right ought to be. I told myself, ‘GOD is going to judge the righteous and the evil alike, because every thing, every action, will happen at its own set time.’ I decided that GOD is testing us, to show us that we are no better than animals. After all, the same fate awaits man and animal alike. One dies just like the other.....” – Ecclesiastes 3:16-19, The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version

Pinay Matematika: Simpleng Pamamaraan



Pinay Digest Taon 1 Blg. 23, Marso 15, 1994

Ang aking kolum na “Pinay Matematika” kung saan tinalakay ko ang mga “Simpleng Pamamaraan” (pp. 46-47) ng pagsagot sa mga katanungang may kaugnayan sa matematika. Tinalakay ko rin sa isyung ito kung paanong sa pamamagitan ng matematika ay makaguhit ng hugis na korteng puso o cardioid.

“..... Sinabi ng PANGINOON kay Samuel, huwag mong tignan ang kaniyang mukha, o ang taas ng kaniyang kataasan...., sapagka’t hindi tumitingin ang PANGINOON na gaya ng pagtingin ng tao: sapagka’t ang tao ay tumitingin sa mukha, nguni’t ang PANGINOON ay tumitingin sa puso.” – Ang Unang Aklat ni Samuel 16:7, Ang Biblia, Ang Banal na Kasulatan, PBS.

Fan-Fare: Interesting Facts about the Fan

MOD Vol. 43 No. 1891, March 2012

On the cover: Daiana Menezes

 

An interesting article about the “fan” or the pamaypay, titled Fan-fare (pp. 22-24)





 

 

“His (GOD’s) winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out and clean His threshing floor, and gather and store His wheat in His barn; but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out.” – The Gospel According to Matthew 3:12, The Amplified New Testament.

Film Review: "Reflections in a Golden Eye"



TV Star Guide (later Atlas TV Guide), March 2000

On the cover: Summer Glau as the lady-terminator

in the TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connnor Chronicles.

 

This is an assigned write-up, a review of the TV-movie titled Reflections in a Golden Eye starring Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor (p. 21).

 

“....Remember the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other towns around them. In the same way they were full of sexual sin and people who desired sexual relations that GOD does not allow. They suffer the punishment of eternal fire, as an example for all to see.” – Jude 1:7, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version

 

Dagdag Kaalaman: Ang Salitang "Sinta"

The Daily Sun, Vol. 01 No. 12, Marso 12, 2013
Nasa bungad-pahina ang headline na “Suplay ng Bigas Titiyaking Sapat”
na isinulat ni Jipper San Diego.
Tampok din ang mga larawan nina
Marian Rivera, Angel Locsin, Yeng Constantino at Vic Sotto.

Ang “Dagdag Kaalaman” ay aking kolum sa pahayagang tabloid, The Daily Sun, na nagsimula noong Pebrero 27, 2013. Ito ay naglalaman ng mga kawili-wiling mga kaalaman at trivia sa iba’t-ibang larangan. Tampok sa isyu na ito (Marso 12, 2013) ang salitang “Sinta” (p. 10).

“O pagsintang labis ang kapangyarihan....! Pag ikaw ang nasok sa puso ninoman, hahamaking lahat masunod ka lamang.” – Ika-80 saknong ng epiko ni Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar (1788-1862) na Florante at Laura.


“Kay ganda mo, aking mahal; kay ganda mo, aking sinta,
          Sa akin ay nagdudulot ka ng galak at ligaya.
Kay hinhin ng iyong kilos tulad ng punong palmera,
          Ang dibdib mong ubod yaman ay tulad sa buwig niya.
Puno niya’y aakyatin upang bunga ay pitasin.
Sa tingin ko ang dibdib mo’y buwig ng ubas ang kahambing,
          Hininga mo ay mabango, mansanas nga ang katuring.
Ang tamis ng iyong labi ay katulad ng inumin,
          Dahan-dahang tumatalab habang ito’y sinisimsim.”
          – Awit ni Solomon, Magandang Balita Biblia, Tagalog Popular Version  

All About the Itsy Bitsy Bikini



MOD, March 2008
On the cover: Valerie Concepcion

An article all about the Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie .... Bikini, editor-titled “Swim Styles: The Itsy-Bitsy Bikini Struggles to Keep Afloat” made it to the “Top of the Month” stories of MOD magazine March 2008 issue.

“Statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.” – Aaron Levenstein (1911-1986), business administration professor, writer and journalist.

It's a Fact (Magazine Column)



Prime Weekly Edition Vol. 3 No. 10, March 10, 1988

On the front cover: Lalaine Robles

On the back cover: Gymnast Bea Lucero for the Milo print ads

          One of the magazine columns that I pioneered is “It’s a Fact.” It first appeared on Prime Weekly Edition magazine. The column featured interesting bits of information that I’ve collected from various sources since I was in high school. Later, as an alternate to another column that I started, “For the Record,” it was featured inside the pages of MOD magazine.

 

 

 

 

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 No. 914, March 10, 1989
On the Cover: Reyna Arroyo

 

This poem I wrote just after the onslaught of Typhoon Unsing. I was with the cause-oriented group, Lupang Ugnayan, during the time. I witnessed the devastation the typhoon made in Metro Manila. Many large houses in flush subdivisions were damaged, some beyond repair, but to my amazement, the shanties of indigent people near the seashore of Manila Bay, in the Port Area, remained intact and standing. So, I wrote a poem to dedicate that instance in time when Heaven showed mercy on the indigents. It was featured in the "Reflections" section of MOD Filipina March 10, 1989 issue.

SHANTIES IN THE EYES OF GOD 

(A message from Typhoon Unsing, January, 1989)
 
Destructive winds
          rage unchallenged.
All the powerfuls are cowardly hiding
          under their mattressed beds.
Not even the towering edifices,
          built from the sweat of others,
          can stand undamaged.
The oligarch’s mansion,
          built of expensive bricks,
          crumbles against nature’s might.
The blossoming garden of sunflowers
          withers in just a flash!
The fiefs of the corrupt
          are ruined beyond consolation;
          even ants care not
          for the rotten sugar stalks!
But lo! Look in the seashores;
          look in the slums,
          though flooded,
          the poor shanties stand.
Pieces of plastics, cardboards
          and used timber cleats
          – against a howling storm?
Yes, my friend:
          This time the weak are blessed.
For in the eyes of the Almighty,
          they are made of unbreakable bond!


 “Listen, my dear brothers! GOD chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him.” – The Letter from James 2:5, The Good News Bible in Today English Version.

Throwback Thursday (March 9, 2017): Pahimakas ng Isang Pag-ibig & Unpublished Caricatures

Thomasian Engineer Vol. 20 No. 3, March, 1979

THROWBACK THURSDAY
PAHIMAKAS NG ISANG PAG-IBIG

Sa ibabaw ng mundong puno ng hapis;

Sa isang sulok ng paaralang liblib,
Natagpuan ko nililiyag ng dibdib,
Ng puso’t kaluluwang kagyat umibig.

Siya na gumising sa puso kong manhid,

Na ngayo’y di na mawalay sa panaginip,
At sa aking guni-guni’y umuukit,
Pagdaka’y bulong ng diwang di-maidlip.

Bawat dakuin isip kong naglalakbay;

Ano mang sandaling lumipas-sumilay,
Ang sinta ng puso ay di na mawalay
Sa kaluluwa kong pag-ibig ang kulay.

Tibok ng dibdib kung sadyang tatarukin,

Malalamang ang lakas ay walang supil.
Ano mang balakid ay handang harapin;
Walang pipigil bundok man ang hilahil.

Kung ganda niya’t asal ilalarawan

Sa madla ng mga engkantadang dilagan,
Walang ‘pinaka’ sa buong panitikan
Ang maibibigkas na pang-uring turan.

Siya na diwata ng bait at hinhin,

Tanglaw ng diwa ko sa gabing madilim.
Siya na mutyang pumupukaw sagimsim,
Sino mang pantas siya’y nanasang kamtin.

Kanyang mga matang tulad sa diyamante.

Na nangagkikinang sa lawak ng gabi.
Kanyang mga namumulang rosas na labi,
Na tumitighaw sa lungkot at pighati.

Sa bawat gabing malungkot at tahimik,

Laging ikaw ang nilalaman ng isip.
Larawan mo kapagdaka’y gumuguhit
Sa dalumat kong alipin ng pag-ibig.

Sa bawat araw na pakikipagtalik

Sa bagtas ng panahon, inog ng isip,
Pangarap ng puso ay huwag maamis,
Pagsinta sa iyong lubhang masigasig.

Mukha mong mala-anghel, ngiting kay tamis,

Ang bawat susulyap mata’y magniningkit.
“O adang sa puso ko ‘tumbas ay langit,
Nawa’y unawain tunay kong pag-ibig.”

Sa pag-ibig ko may babala’ng tadhana,

May bantang ligalig ang bawat ligaya.
Sadya kayang ganyan lihim na pagsinta,
Habang lumilipas nawawala’ng sigla.

Kaibigang lilo, magulang mahigpit,

Dalawang silakbong nag-uudyok pilit:
Tukso at pangaral ay nagpapanglupig
Sa gitna ng nilalangoy n’yang daigdig.

Umihip ang habagat noo’y nagbanta,

At nalagas ang mga dahon ng ligaya.
Siya’y nagbago, ngiti’y naging bula,
Ang dating matapat ngayo’y palamara.

Masalimuot nga ang landas sa lungsod,

Tahana’y matibay, pinto nama’y gapok.
Siya’s natangay sa malakas na agos,
Naging makabago at naging marupok.

Habang ‘nulat ko bahagi nitong tula,

Kaluluwa ko’y sa dilim lumuluha.
Ako’y nalulumbay, ika’y nagsasaya,
Sa pagkasi, may dupil man sadyang aba.

Damdaming nanangis sa bawat puntod,

Paraisong kay saya, ngayo’y kay lungkot.
Sa altar ng sawi ako’y nakaluhod,
Laging dalangin ang magbalik ka irog.

“O lakambining hiyas ng aking buhay,

Sa bisig ng siphayo ako’y hihimlay.
Ang tanging hiling ko aking sintang tunay,
Tanggapin tulang ito – munti kong alay.

Ngayon sinta ako man ay lilisan na;

Mananatili tangan kong alaala.
At kung sakaling magbago ang tadhana,
Maghihintay pa ring taos at malaya.         

 

Isinulat noong Pebrero 7-8, 1978, ang “Pahimakas ng Isang Pag-ibig” ay maituturing na isang pagliliwat sa Pilipino ng tula ko sa wikang English na “To Salve” (1975). Ang tula ay nagwagi ng Ikalawang Gatimpala sa Thomasian Engineer Second Annual Literary Writing Contest, Pilipino Poetry Category. (Naaalaala ko pa ang sinabi ng aking guro sa Pilipino, si Ms. Carminia Carrasco, na kung sa pagkakataong iyon ay “nadaig ng salapi ang pag-ibig,” marami pang darating na panahon na “ang pag-ibig ang siyang magwawagi.”) Inilathala ang “Pahimakas ng Isang Pag-ibig” sa Thomasian Engineer, October 1979.

 

MY CARICATURES

The first two caricatures, I drew when I was in fourth year college. I submitted them to Times Journal, but it was never published. The third, a sort of revision of the second caricature, is intended for a book titled It’s A FACT, still unpublished.

“If only you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea. Your children would have been numbered like the sand, your descendants as many as its grains. Never would your name have been cut off or blotted out before me.” – Isaiah 48:18-19, The Jerusalem Bible.

The Eastern Sarus Crane: Is the Philippines' Largest Bird Already Extinct?

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 20 No. 43, March 4, 1997
On the cover: Tom Cruise
 

For the “Let’s Save Our Planet” section of Mr. & Ms. March 4 1997 issue, I did a research about the Eastern Sarus Crane, the largest bird in the Philippines, and discovered that there are very little information about the bird available locally. The concern agencies of government have not taken any concerted effort to study this precious endemic bird. The information that I gathered were taken from foreign research and studies. And so I asked, “The Eastern Sarus Crane: Is the Philippines’ Largest Bird Already Extinct?”

Atlas TV Star (Later Atlas TV Guide), March 2000
On the cover: The Launching of Disney Channel
 

For the article "Anime vs. Animation vs. Cartoons" (pp. 26-27), I surveyed and interviewed 120 people, mostly kids and teens, to know what anime, animation and cartoon series they like and dislike.

"A poor but wise boy is better than a foolish but old king who doesn't listen to advice." – Ecclesiastes 4:13, The Everyday Bible, New Century Version.

 

What the Bible Say About Homosexuality

Woman Today, February-March 2017
On the cover: Representative Geraldine Roman of  the First District of Bataan

 

My first article published in 2017, in Woman Today, February-March issue. Originally titled "Biblical Abomination." It was written after eight-division world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao's "encounter" with the LGBT community last year, when he supposedly compared members of the so-called "third-sex" to animals. In this article, I expound where Pacquiao (now senator) missed to cite in his arguments. That is, what the "Holy Bible (really) says..." about homosexuality (pp. 60-61).

 

 

 

In Solomon’s wisdom: “People who listen when they are corrected will live, but those who will not admit that they are wrong are lost.” (Proverbs 10:17).