Journalism 101

Journalism 101

No story is worth your life

With the Libyan crisis and the Japan’s devastating earthquake now making headlines in newspapers and TV broadcasts, I can’t help appreciating the efforts of these journalists—men and women in various media--, who have been putting their lives on the line covering these dangerous events.

I sympathise with these courageous men and women because I myself have experienced covering back home -- the EDSA revolutions, violent military coups, the Muslim rebellion in Mindanao and the Communist insurgency—and I know being a journalist is not an easy calling and getting killed is just one of the hazards that goes with the job.

Journalism is not just a job or a calling. It’s a mission; a way of life, Journalists will always be covering important and life-changing situations risking their lives all in the name of their quest for truth.

Nowadays, journalists are now easy targets not only in Libya but also in other media hotspots. Gone are the days when journalists and other media practitioners used to enjoy some form of unwritten immunity since they have been recognized to be independent observers whose job is mainly to report the news freely. But the scene of this world is constantly changing; we are now living in a violent world where nobody feels safe anymore, not even journalists covering their beats. In some cases, combatants in conflict situations have gotten rid of the rules of engagement, so with this “ free-for-all” atmosphere in conflict zones, a number of journalists have become casualties.

The vulnerability of these media people is even more pronounced when we consider that some of them are doing their job out there on the battle ground getting all the facts, interviewing people, zooming TV cameras to catch live actions as the story unfolds, thereby bringing the newscasts right to the comfort of our homes

I’ve seen on the ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol World a handful of Filipino reporters covering the evacuation of our kababayans in Japan to escape the possible meltdown of the nuclear reactors damaged by the recent earthquake.

Well, unlike covering violent conflicts, reporting on the possible nuclear reactors’ meltdown is one of the hardest assignments journalists could ever have considering that the main enemy is an invisible one: radiation. Are they well equipped to deal with radiation fallout? Should the reactors explode, could they easily get out; would they have enough time to escape? These are some of the questions that have crossed my mind because more than “tapang” is needed by my colleagues to escape unscathed covering this perilous assignment.

While writing this piece, I’ve read a Yahoo news that says “ Journalists Monday are breathing sigh of relief as news comes that four of their peers—two reporters and two photographers from the New York Times—have been released after being swept up by authorities last week while covering the turmoil in Libya. But the fates of several other correspondents assigned to the war zone remain unclear.”

The same report says that the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has confirmed reports that 13 journalists have been missing or detained in Libya.

On reading this news item, it reminds me of what Terry Anderson, CPJ honorary vice-chairman and former AP Beirut bureau chief, who was held hostage for nearly seven years in Lebanon, has said “Always, constantly, constantly, every minute weigh the benefits against the risks. And as soon as you come to the point where you feel uncomfortable with the equation, get out, go, and leave it. It’s not worth it. There is no story worth getting killed for”.

Yes, it’s true that there is no story worth dying for—but still there will be journalists who would be willing to risk their lives to report on some life-changing situations that matter to us.

These journalists have fears just like you and I but they are of different breed of people.

You are the modern-day heroes--may your tribe increase!

Life’s success

One morning, while my wife and I are at the hospital waiting for our doctor to call us, out of the blue, I pose this question to her “ Do you think you can consider yourself successful?”

She says:” Well, being a nurse, I ’m satisfied with my job despite the hardships of this kind of work and the fact that I’m also satisfied with my spiritual life, I know I’m successful”

“ I can go to sleep, without worrying so much. I ‘m content with my simple life. Success in life can only be possible if one has the spiritual, emotional and psychological, stability,” she says.

Well she’s right, she’s found joy and fulfilment in her spirituality and in working hard and in the words of King Solomon “I have come to know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one’s life and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12,13).

I‘ve e-mailed a friend in the Philippines and asked her the same question and she said “Successful? Yes, in a way...kasi being successful is not only about having a successful career and plenty of money...it's also when you get to see that you've raised your children well... and "spiritually" siguro because you're at peace with yourself and contented—I don't know if this is the right term) and you know God is always with you...and when you've learned His teachings, you can always look forward to a bright future.”

Yes, it’s true there is a link between success and spirituality because when a person pays attention to what God says, the Bible tells us “ Everything he does will succeed. (Psalm 1:3)

But why is it that having a successful and happy life has eluded many people?

Many of us could not find success and happiness in life as we have been using the wrong norms and standards in measuring success and gaining real happiness. The God’s Word warns of the danger of walking “ in the counsel of the wicked one.”(Psalms 1:1) And Satan is the “ wicked one” (Mat.6: 13) and he is also “the ruler of this world “and that “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one”. John 16:11; 1 John 5:19)

And since Satan is the ruler of this world, he is the one influencing the minds of people, it is not surprising why most people are so engrossed in amassing wealth and seeking fame “ the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father but originates with the world.”

At Ecclesiastes 7:12, it says that “ Wisdom is for a protection the same as money is for a protection; but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom itself preserves alive its owners” So there’s nothing wrong with the money itself because we need money for our living specially if we have our family to support. (1Tim.5:8)

But what is wrong is the love for money, the Bible says “ For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains”. (1Tim. 6:10)

We cannot depend on these superficial and unstable riches since in the blink of an eye, everything will be gone. Look at what happened when the Typhoon Ondoy struck our country a few months ago: most of the material things—houses, cars, and other prized possessions that our kababayans had accumulated in their lifetime were destroyed in just few minutes

In this life, nothing is certain, nothing is secure, why-- when storms, earthquakes and other natural calamities hit us hard, then, all the material wealth we have accumulated through the years of handwork could easily go down the drain even without any warning. Even a serious illness is enough to cause the breakdown of our spirit.

As regards seeking  fame  and glory from the eyes of people whose lives are uncertain and short-lived,  it’s better that we make a good name before Jehovah God who said through his prophet Isaiah: “I will even give to them in my house and within my walls a monument and a name.... A name to time indefinite shall give them, one that will not be cut off” (Isa.56: 4,5) Because of their obedience to God, those acceptable to him will have “ a monument and a name”

Let’s all strive to do our very best to have a good name before our Creator and He will always remember our name to time indefinite.

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OFW Bank

Help wanted: A bank to protect modern-day heroes--OFWs

Now is the time to push for the creation of the OFW bank that will provide not only cheaper remittance rates for our kababayans working overseas but also serve their financial and investment needs.

Why now? Well, let’s consider these facts: OFW remittances for the first 10 months in 2010 reached US$ 15.5 billion and most of the remittances came from the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, United Kingdom, UAE, Singapore, Italy, Germany and Norway.

Recognizing their vital role in propping up the country’s economy, these modern-day heroes—our millions of workers deployed overseas—should be given their rightful honour as the government takes the initiative to set up these workers’ “own bank”

This money remittance business is a billion-dollar enterprise. Why not let these OFWs have a bank that will genuinely serve their interest, a bank whose operational profits should redound to OFWs’ and their families’ benefits—a bank that they can call their own.

Just imagine how much all these privately-run remittance outlets and other banks have been raking up billion of profits all these years.

One of the problems confronting these overseas workers is where and how to invest their hard-earned money. At present, most of these OFWs have been investing into real estate—buying condos, houses and lots for their families.

But, do we have banks and other financial institutions which we could expect to really think about the OFWs’ interests first, thereby, giving them not only the right advice on the kind of businesses they can engage in, but most importantly, extending to them low-interest loans and capital if they so decide to get into small-and-medium businesses.

So, the main issue here is looking for some banks that would truly cater to the needs of these overseas workers and protect their interests too—that kind of banks that would be their real partners in improving their condition in life.

The recent proposal of Vice President Jejomar Binay for the setting up of the OFW bank could be the timely solution to OFWs’ concerns on their need to have their own bank.

Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers, said the bank will “ provide competitive and cheaper remittance rates”. He added that the OFW bank “will provide alternative yet viable economic financial and remittance institution for our kababayans at the local and international levels”

Fully cognizant of the plight of these overseas workers, Binay said the proposed establishment of the OFW bank is in response to their clamour for the setting up of a financial institution as they have become victims of exorbitant remittance rates charged by financial intermediaries and money brokers.

In a letter of President Aquino, Binay said “ The bank will provide fair competition towards reduction/lowering of remittance/transaction costs and provide productive outlet for our overseas Filipinos’ savings as bank investors and shareholders”.

Binay has suggested that the OFW bank could initially be funded and underwritten by government financial institutions and it will then be sold to and controlled by OFW investors and stockholders after a period of time.

So the proposal for the establishment of the OFW bank is now on the table—what’s needed now is for all the million of kababayan workers abroad and their respective organizations to work hand in hand in bringing into fruition this long dream of having their “ own bank”.

Help wanted: A bank to protect modern-day heroes--OFWs

Now is the time to push for the creation of the OFW bank that will provide not only cheaper remittance rates for our kababayans working overseas but also serve their financial and investment needs.

Why now? Well, let’s consider these facts: OFW remittances for the first 10 months in 2010 reached US$ 15.5 billion and most of the remittances came from the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, United Kingdom, UAE, Singapore, Italy, Germany and Norway.

Recognizing their vital role in propping up the country’s economy, these modern-day heroes—our millions of workers deployed overseas—should be given their rightful honour as the government takes the initiative to set up these workers’ “own bank”

This money remittance business is a billion-dollar enterprise. Why not let these OFWs have a bank that will genuinely serve their interest, a bank whose operational profits should redound to OFWs’ and their families’ benefits—a bank that they can call their own.

Just imagine how much all these privately-run remittance outlets and other banks have been raking up billion of profits all these years.

One of the problems confronting these overseas workers is where and how to invest their hard-earned money. At present, most of these OFWs have been investing into real estate—buying condos, houses and lots for their families.

But, do we have banks and other financial institutions which we could expect to really think about the OFWs’ interests first, thereby, giving them not only the right advice on the kind of businesses they can engage in, but most importantly, extending to them low-interest loans and capital if they so decide to get into small-and-medium businesses.

So, the main issue here is looking for some banks that would truly cater to the needs of these overseas workers and protect their interests too—that kind of banks that would be their real partners in improving their condition in life.

The recent proposal of Vice President Jejomar Binay for the setting up of the OFW bank could be the timely solution to OFWs’ concerns on their need to have their own bank.

Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers, said the bank will “ provide competitive and cheaper remittance rates”. He added that the OFW bank “will provide alternative yet viable economic financial and remittance institution for our kababayans at the local and international levels”

Fully cognizant of the plight of these overseas workers, Binay said the proposed establishment of the OFW bank is in response to their clamour for the setting up of a financial institution as they have become victims of exorbitant remittance rates charged by financial intermediaries and money brokers.

In a letter of President Aquino, Binay said “ The bank will provide fair competition towards reduction/lowering of remittance/transaction costs and provide productive outlet for our overseas Filipinos’ savings as bank investors and shareholders”.

Binay has suggested that the OFW bank could initially be funded and underwritten by government financial institutions and it will then be sold to and controlled by OFW investors and stockholders after a period of time.

So the proposal for the establishment of the OFW bank is now on the table—what’s needed now is for all the million of kababayan workers abroad and their respective organizations to work hand in hand in bringing into fruition this long dream of having their “ own bank”.

Should true Christians join revolutions, protest actions?

Should true Christians join revolutions, protest actions?

Through the power of the various media—TV, Internet, satellite and print media--we are all witnesses to the killing and maiming of hundreds of people in the Middle East; they are now in the midst of toppling down their despotic rulers.

While this violence is going on in that part of the world, our kababayan in the Philippines have been busily commemorating the EDSA People Power revolution, celebrating their success in kicking out a former dictator, thereby restoring democracy and freedom in the country.

But how should true Christians view and react to this world’s political turmoil: should they get involved not only by expressing their solidarity to these demonstrators but also actively joining their struggle to oust their oppressive leaders?

Well, the bottom line is, could we really bring about lasting solutions to mankind’s problems such as poverty, hunger, diseases, unemployment, injustice and corruption by joining these protest actions, even if we have been successful in removing from their lofty posts these wicked rulers, would that be enough to make this world a better place to live in?

Look at our own experience at EDSA uprising, after we have ousted former President Marcos, the aged-old problems of poverty, unemployment; violence, pollution, injustice and oppressions are still very much prevalent at present. Despite the leadership of these people-- Ferdinand Marcos, Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo—in running the affairs of the state in a span of many years, still majority of our people have not felt any meaningful changes in their lives; most of them are still poor, victims of injustice and corruption, unemployed, and millions of them have to seek overseas jobs in order to survive.

These problems are unsolvable; no political leader can ever hope to address these difficulties, it’s beyond humankind to find solutions to these dilemmas.

Even in some countries, let’s say the Islamic Revolution in 1979 in Iran, the ouster of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the recent defeat of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, the downfall of the so-called The Gang of Four in China, the change of leadership in these countries has not wiped out the poverty, corruption, injustice and other woes plaguing their peoples.

In the December 10 issue of the Watchtower magazine, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, an article entitled Reap Blessings Through God’s Spirit-Guided King, it says “ In a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?’ That is what astrophysicist Stephen Hawking asked in 2006. An article in the journal New Statesman observed: ‘We have not abolished poverty or constructed world peace. On the contrary, we seem to have achieved exactly the opposite. It is not as though we haven’t tried. ? We have tried everything from communism to pure market; from the League of Nations to nuclear deterrence. We have fought too many wars to end war to believe that we know how to end war.”

Let’s see what the God’s Word, the Bible, is telling us why we as imperfect humans don’t have the right and capability to govern ourselves, in Jeremiah 10:23, it says that “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”

But, of course, there are some sincere leaders who would really want to effect changes in the world today, but their efforts are doomed to fail because of this truism that.... the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one”. Satan the Devil is the ruler of this world, he’s “the god of this system of things.” (1 John 5:19 and 2 Cor. 4:4)

Jesus lived at the time when the Jews were living under the tyranny of the Roman Empire. But, he never encouraged his followers to march in protest or become politically involved. Her repeatedly said that his disciples were “no part of the world.” (John 5:19).

When the authorities arrested him, he did not stir up his followers to stage protest actions, which he could have done so if he had decided to. But instead, he told the Roman governor “ My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” (John 18:33-36.

So as followers of Christ, we should remain politically neutral and we should maintain our conduct fine among the nations and to remain subject to human governments even if those in authorities are hard to please and unreasonable (1 Peter 2:12,13 and 18).

But instead of being active politically, as true Christians, our main focus should be the preaching of the good news about God’s Kingdom, the Kingdom government which Jesus taught his followers to pray (Mat.6: 10; 24:14) And this Kingdom government will destroy all the world’s wicked governments and it will bring about lasting solutions to mankind’s problems. (Daniel 2:44)

Are we living in ‘The last Days’?

Are we living in ‘The last Days’?

Are we living in the last days?

Well, last Monday night while I was watching the CNN news, what caught my attention was the report about the thousands blackbirds that fell from the Arkansas sky on New Year’s eve for still unknown reasons.

This is not a simple news since thousands of birds have died and some people have even expressed thoughts that this birds’ falling incident could be an apocalyptic sign—“ what if this is the beginning of the end of the world”.

The next day, while my wife and I were having breakfast at Tim Horton’s coffee shop near our home, I leafed through the pages of the 24H tabloid paper and came across a news item about Australia’s flooding with a headline “Disaster of biblical proportions”

Other news stories in the paper were: A 7. 1 magnitude earthquake hit Chile Sunday; a suicide car bomber attacked an office of the intelligence services in Baghdad, wounding 28 people. And watching the TV Patrol World later in the day, I was not surprised seeing reports on murders, graft and corruptions, human trafficking, terrorist attacks, floods, landslides and the onset of extreme changes in the country’s weather.

Let’s take a hard look at the deteriorating world condition and all these worrisome things we are seeing today-- more crimes, internecine wars, hunger, pestilence, loose moral conduct, frequent earthquakes and other natural calamities and the proliferation of nuclear warheads—have been causing fear and anxiety to millions of people.

We all feel at a loss on what do and whom to turn to for help. All these things have been weighing us down but despite this messy world of ours, still we can look forward to the future with optimism, knowing that the days of violence and wickedness are now numbered.

So in the midst of these problems, where can we find comfort and peace of mind?

My dear readers, certainly I won’t render any opinion on the matter because just like you and everybody else, I’m imperfect and my own point of view is both flawed and limited. In the matter of spirituality—and your salvation and mine-- the Bible is the only book that can provide us with the timely knowledge and wisdom we need to fully comprehend the fearsome things happening around us.

The Bible says, “ All scripture is inspired of God, beneficial for teaching, for reproving, setting things straight....” (2 Tim 3:16) It’s our guide or map in living this troubled world—it’s the only book that tells us where we came from, where we are now in the stream of time and where we are going.

While I was reading all these news stuffs, I could help myself reflecting on what Jesus Christ said that “ The conclusion of the system of things” would be identified by war, food shortages, pestilence and earthquakes” (Mat.24: 1-8:Luke 21:10-11)

This world seems heading to a complete doom but the Bible assures us that one of these days, God will intervene in mankind’s affairs because human governments have been proven to be incapable of addressing these gargantuan problems that we are facing today.

However, what the Bible promises is something better for the future because as far as God is concerned the “ end of the world” simply means the end of this loveless, violent and wicked system of things and not the end of the humankind or the destruction of the physical earth. God will surely wipe away all forms of badness, violence, sufferings and even death itself. (Rev.21: 4)

As regards the physical earth, the Bible says “ A generation is going, and a generation is coming, but the earth is standing even to time indefinite.” (Ecc.1: 4) At Isaiah 45:18, it says “ This is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the true God, the former of the earth and the maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited: I am Jehovah, and there is no one else”.

So those who will survive the end of this wicked system will live here on earth as God transforms this earth into a paradise where the people will have a chance to live forever—“For the evildoers themselves will be cut off. But those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth. The righteous themselves will possess the earth. And they will reside forever upon it”. (Ps. 37:9,29)

Do you still remember the famous prayer, Our Father, when Jesus asks his Father “ Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Mat. 6:10) In Daniel 2:44, it says that “And in the days of those kings, the God of the heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms and it itself will stand to times indefinite.” This is a real government to be led by Christ (Dan.7: 13-14) and this government will be used by Jehovah God to bring lasting solutions to problems of the humankind.

So before the destruction this loveless and wicked world, what’s needed now is for us to have some meaningful changes in our lives. We have been so preoccupied with our daily affairs and other concerns that we have forgotten to do something about our spirituality. Some questions we have to ask ourselves: Do we know God’s name? What are his purposes and qualities? What does God require of us?

In Psalms 83:18, it says that “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth”. (The Holy Bible, King James Version)

Why is God’s name that important? The Bible says, “ For everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved. However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach?” (Rom. 10:13-14).

The Bible does not give any definite date on the end of this wicked world.

But those who continue to ignore the evidence that we are living very close to the last days might be caught off guard when the end comes. Jesus said, “ Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare. For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the face of all the earth. Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:34-36)