Denim Scratches

2012 Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:08:00 +0000

I am not playing Nostradamus or Madam Auring. These "predictions" were generated using Google and some phrase syntax related to the year 2012. Let's see which of these will happen and will update this post until the very end of the year 2012.

But as of 27 September 2011, Google is telling us that by 2012:

(UPDATED: * Google as of 18 October 2011)
General

There will be no doomsday

Science and Technology

The Earth will have two suns
Flying cars will be sold to the general public
The South Pacific islands of Tokelau will use solar power for their electricity
The Moon will have its first garden
Fujitsu's K supercomputer to do a whopping ten petaflops*
Ireland's first free digital television service, SAORVIEW, will offer 98% coverage for all channels

Environment and Wildlife

Atlantic bluefin tuna will be wiped out

Philippine Politics

Pres. Noynoy Aquino will jail corrupt officials
The Philippines may finally have its own cybercrime law*

International Politics

Peace will be achieved for Israel and Palestine

US Politics

US elections will cost $6 Billion
Medicare premiums for seniors will shrink
Pres. Barack Obama will win the 2012 elections
US will become an undeveloped nation, with revolutions marked by food riots and squatter rebellions
Failed economic policies, federal spending spree, and his numerous broken promises will make it very difficult for Obama to win the elections*
Ron Paul will run for US President*

Economy

South Korea's fiscal deficit will shrink to 14.3 trillion won
US will have an "Economic Armageddon"
2012 will be a transitional year for mobile payments
The demand for dental assistants will rise 43%
The demand for personal finance advisors will rise 44% in Northeastern US
500 million young adults will have productive and sustainable livelihoods
Paying for goods with notes and coins could be consigned to history
US military retiree COLA will rise

Internet

Internet will become pay-per-view, forcing users to pay selected websites
As Internet Explorer remains the king of all web browsers, upcoming star Google Chrome could be set to take over Firefox as the long-running second place browser*
Koreans will get 1Gbps broadband connections*

Health

100,000 will die from diabetes in Mexico

Religion*

There will be changes in the prayers and responses said during the Mass*

Sports*

Arsenal FC will dominate English football*

I will not further comment on the predictions, but I will give you the liberty to check on the links for their integrity. My next update will be next month, and let's see if there are changes in these "digital predictions".

Sa Isang Banda, Sinampal Ako ng Tula na Ito

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:51:00 +0000

The poem below is an old poem which never had any personal impact on me when I first read it. But now, years after that, I read this poem again and *boom*!!! - flashes of memories of me and my siblings and our parents and how we, their children, often take them for granted and the lost opportunities to show them our love and concern. And this poem below cuts like a double edged knife in my heart - the first edge being the sins to my parents and the other edge being the sins that my son can do to me.

Sulat ni Nanay at Tatay

ni Fr. Ariel Robles

Sa aking pagtanda,

unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensiyahan.

Kapag dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggan

o nakatapon ng sabaw sa hapag-kainan,

huwag mo sana akong kagagalitan.

Maramdamin ang isang matanda.

Nagse-self-pity ako tuwing sisigawan mo ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko

at hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi mo,

huwag mo naman sana akong sabihan ng bingi,

pakiulit na lang ang sinabi mo o pakisulat na lang.

Pasensiya ka na, anak.

Matanda na talaga ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tuhod ko,

pagtiyagaan mo sana akong tulungang tumayo,

katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang lumakad.

Pagpasensiyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit

at paulit-ulit na parang sirang-plaka.

Basta pakinggan mo na lang ako.

Huwag mo sana akong pagtatawanan o pagsasawaang pakinggan.

Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa?

Kapag gusto mo ng lobo,

paulit-ulit mo 'yung sasabihin,

maghapon kang mangungulit hanggang hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo.

Pinagtiyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo.

Pagpasensiyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy.

Amoy-matanda, amoy-lupa.

Huwag mo sana akong piliting maligo.

Mahina na ang katawan ko.

Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan,

huwag mo sana akong pandirihan.

Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa?

Pinagtiyagaan kitang habulin sa ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo.

Pagpasensiyahan mo sana kung madalas,

ako'y masungit,

dala na marahil ito ng katandaan.

Pagtanda mo,

maiintindihan mo rin ako.

Kapag may konti kang panahon,

magkuwentuhan naman tayo,

kahit sandali lang,

inip na ako sa bahay,

maghapong nag-iisa.

Walang kausap.

Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho,

subalit nais kong malaman mo na

sabik na sabik na akong makakuwentuhan ka,

kahit alam kong hindi ka interesado sa mga kuwento ko.

Natatandaan mo anak,

noong bata ka pa?

Pinagtiyagaan kong pakinggan

at intindihin ang pautal-utal mong kuwento

tungkol sa iyong teddy bear.

At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako'y magkasakit

at maratay sa banig ng karamdaman,

huwag mo sana akong pagsawaang alagaan.

Pagpasensiyahan mo na sana kung ako man ay maihi

o madumi sa higaan,

pagtiyagaan mo sana akong alagaan

sa mga huling sandali ng aking buhay.

Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.

Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw,

hawakan mo sana ang aking kamay

at bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang kamatayan.

At huwag kang mag-alala,

kapag kaharap ko na ang Diyos na lumikha,

ibubulong ko sa kanya na pagpalain ka sana...

dahil naging mapagmahal ka sa iyong ama't ina....

Bakasyon by Peryodiko

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:10:00 +0000

Sakto!

This song is the music of my soul right now...

Lyrics | Peryodiko lyrics - Bakasyon lyrics

The Gospel for Today - 3rd Sunday of Easter, May 8, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:20:00 +0000

Jesus Walks the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

24:13 Now that very day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.

24:14 They were talking to each other about all the things that had happened.

24:15 While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them

24:16 (but their eyes were kept from recognizing him).

24:17 Then he said to them, “What are these matters you are discussing so intently as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad.

24:18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?”

24:19 He said to them, “What things?” “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet before God and all the people;

24:20 and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

24:21 But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened.

24:22 Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early this morning,

24:23 and when they did not find his body, they came back and said they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.

24:24 Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”

24:25 So he said to them, “You foolish people – how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

24:26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

24:27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things written about himself in all the scriptures.

24:28 So they approached the village where they were going. He acted as though he wanted to go farther,

24:29 but they urged him, “Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening and the day is almost done.” So he went in to stay with them.

24:30 When he had taken his place at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

24:31 At this point their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Then he vanished out of their sight.

24:32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?”

24:33 So they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and those with them gathered together

24:34 and saying, “The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon!”

24:35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

===

Reflection

How many times have we been speaking, preaching and discussing things about Jesus but not able to recognize him, understand him and see him?
Have we seen Jesus in the face of a stranger?
Have we felt Jesus to an unknown visitor?

5-Minute Story... Pencil Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:55:00 +0000

A pencil maker was busy polishing his newly finished pencils when his son entered his room. "Father, the carriage has arrived. I'll help you load these pencils. I'll also stay with brother at the market and help him sell these pencils" said the child.

"Alright, but before you pack these pencils, would you let me be alone with them for awhile? I'll just whisper something to them" the pencil maker replied. The son nodded but he was quite puzzled. He can't understand why his father would talk to the pencils privately. He left the room to give his father a privacy as requested. But as soon as the pencil maker turned his back, the young child opened the door a little to give him a little peak. He saw and heard his father talk to the pencils.

"Little children, when you leave my house, always remember these things that I will tell you. First, always remember that everything you will do will leave a mark. Second, you can always correct the mistakes you make. Third, what is important is what's inside of you. Fourth, you must remember this, in life, you will experience painful sharpening to make you a better pencil. And the last, the most important is to be the best pencil that you can be - you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you."

After hearing those words, the child paused and reflected. His father went out of the work room and called him. "I hope you listened carefully to my words my son" said his father, tapping the child's shoulder. They packed the pencils together and sold them to the market. The son lived with these words all his life and grew up happily.

Kawawa Ang Mga Kristyanong Doktor Kapag Naging Batas na ang RH Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:30:00 +0000

EKSENA...
Mother: naku honey, hindi epektib ang calendar method na sinabi ni Dok. paano gagawin natin?
Father: palaglag na lang natin, tutal aprub naman sa RH Law ang dalawang anak...
Mother: Ano ka ba, krimen ang abortion!
Father: Oo nga pala... di bale na, protektado pa din naman tayo ayon sa RH Law... may prosciption of abortion doon, ibig sabihin, kapag tapos na ang abortion, hindi tayo pwedeng tanggihan ng kahit anong ospital o doktor...
Mother: Kahit na anak natin yun. At paano ang sinapupunan ko, baka magkaroon ng komplikasyon?
Father: kung magka-komplikasyon, ganun pa din... protektado ka pa din ng RH Law... merong nakasaad dun tungkol sa management of abortion complications... kapag nagka-cancer ka, tutulungan tayo ng gobyerno! O di ba, alagang-alaga kayong mga babae sa batas na yan!
Mother: Ah ganun ba... pero masama pa din ang abortion! Krimen yan, at makukulong tayo!
Father: Hay naku, bwiset kasi yang doktor na yan... dapat pina-IUD ka na lang nya o kaya nagreseta siya ng pills! Bwiset talaga siya. Bukas, pupunta tayo kay Atty. Lagman, idedemanda natin yang doktor na yan!

from House Bill 4244 (final consolidated RH bill, HB 4244)

SEC. 28. Prohibited Acts

The following acts are prohibited:

(a) Any healthcare service provider, whether public or private, who shall:

(1) Knowingly withhold information or restrict the dissemination thereof, or intentionally provide incorrect information regarding programs and services on reproductive health, including the right to informed choice and access to a full range of legal, medically-safe and effective family planning methods;

(2) Refuse to perform legal and medically-safe reproductive health procedures on any person of legal age on the ground of lack of third party consent or authorization. In case of married persons, the mutual consent of the spouses shall be preferred. However in case of disagreement, the decision of the one undergoing the procedure shall prevail. In the case of abused minors where parents or other family members are the respondent, accused or convicted perpetrators as certified by the proper prosecutorial office or court, no prior parental consent shall be necessary; and

(3) Refuse to extend health care services and information on account of the person’s marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, personal circumstances, or nature of work; Provided, That, the conscientious objection of a healthcare service provider based on his/her ethical or religious beliefs shall be respected; however, the conscientious objector shall immediately refer the person seeking such care and services to another healthcare service provider within the same facility or one which is conveniently accessible who is willing to provide the requisite information and services; Provided, further, That the person is not in an emergency condition or serious case as defined in RA 8344 otherwise known as "An Act Penalizing the Refusal of Hospitals and Medical Clinics to Administer Appropriate Initial Medical Treatment and Support in Emergency and Serious Cases".

(b) Any public official who, personally or through a subordinate, prohibits or restricts the delivery of legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services, including family planning; or forces, coerces or induces any person to use such services.

(c) Any employer or his representative who shall require an employee or applicant, as a condition for employment or continued employment, to undergo sterilization or use or not use any family planning method; neither shall pregnancy be a ground for non-hiring or termination of employment.

(d) Any person who shall falsify a certificate of compliance as required in Section 15 of this Act; and

(e) Any person who maliciously engages in disinformation about the intent or provisions of this Act.

May 7 is Free Comic Book Day

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:49:00 +0000

Free Comic Book Day happens every first Saturday of May each year when participating comic book shops across the globe would give away free comic books absolutely free. This year's Free Comic Book Day will happen on May 7. These are the following participating stores in the Philippines:

FILBARS - GREENBELT

GROUND FLOOR, GREENBELT 1

MAKATI CITY

PHILIPPINES

Phone: 632 816 3845

DRUID'S KEEP

2002 LEVERIZA ST

PASAY CITY

PHILIPPINES

1300

Phone: 632-8545332

COMIC ODYSSEY

ROBINSON'S GALLERIA

SPACE 20, LEVEL 3

QUEZON CITY

PHILIPPINES

Phone: 632-9140040

PLANET X

M 2, SPACE 2140E TRINOMA

QUEZON CITY

PHILIPPINES

Phone: 632-915-2744

If you are not from the Philippines, you can locate your store here: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/fcbd_locator.asp

ASTIG!

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #10

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 18:10:00 +0000

She won a Magsaysay Award for Government Service because of her management style...

"My management style? Spiritual fortitude, intellectual scholarship, and, (smiling) if all else fails, physical violence might prove salutary."

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #9

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:55:00 +0000

In her speech in front of the typical urban poor...

"Itong mga kalaban natin, kapag madilim na ang Metro Manila, nagsisipagbangon sila sa mga kabaong nila, lumilipad sa kabilugan ng buwan, nagkakalat ng kanilang mga lagim!"

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #8

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:45:00 +0000

In high school, she was a swimming champion.

“I’m glad swimming is my hobby, because the CID* is populated by sharks.”

*CID - Commission on Immigration and Deportation

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #7

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:32:00 +0000

Her answer to a radio interview...

“Kung papatayin man nila ako, mumultuhin ko sila!”

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #6

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 06:58:00 +0000

Only Sen. Miriam can tell this straight to the face of a member of the Commission of Appointments:

"Sir, you have the grin of Garfield the cat."

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #5

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:19:00 +0000

A congressman included Miriam in his attack on Cory Aquino's administration. Her rebuttal:

"He is suffering from mental AIDS and needs a frontal lobotomy!"

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #4

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 17:20:00 +0000

There are some Commission on Immigration and Deportation employees who announced they would stage a demonstration and burn her effigy. So she replied...

"Those crooks exhibit the epidermis of pachyderms. But I am prepared to fight them. I have cultivated intestinal fortitude."

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #3

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:05:00 +0000

In the midst of her speech before nuns...

"Yes, I go to mass everyday. Sometimes I pray that God might turn my enemies into pillars of salt."

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #2

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:17:00 +0000

A reporter asked "What is your reaction to the many death threats received by your office?"

"I eat death threats for breakfast!"

MYRIAD: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Kickbutt Lines #1

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:07:00 +0000

An alien criminal suspect raised his voice to interrupt Miriam during a televised press conference.

"Sir, I remind you that as the Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation, I represent the majesty of the Republic of the Philippines. You have the obligation to show respect and courtesy to me. Now shut up, or I'll knock your teeth off!"

5-Minute Story... A Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:43:00 +0000

This is a Chinese traditional story...

An immigrant from another province was arrested for a certain crime. He was detained in the province's prison and sentenced according to the law of the land. Since he is a non-native convict, news spread like wild fire across the province especially that this is not a usual case.

The news reached the immigrant's province and the people there were worried. The governor of the immigrant's province sent out his ambassador to the other province to try for a diplomatic resolution. The ambassador went to the province's capitol and met the governor of the province.

Ambassador: Sir, we heard news that a countryman from our province is detained here in your province, is it true? I know people from our province are decent and obedient to the law.

Governor: Yes, he is detained here. Now, if you are saying that people from your province are decent and obedient, then your countryman has also sinned against your province. Therefore, I will add more punishment to your countryman. He will be executed tomorrow instead of a lifetime imprisonment.

MORAL: Always remember that you are a reflection of your origin. You represent your origin wherever you go.

5-Minute Story... Mad Love

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:44:00 +0000

One day, I accidentally sat beside two lunatics and heard them talking…

Lunatic 1: Saan na mama mo? (Where’s your mama?)

Lunatic 2: Bilog, boy… Kailan? (Circle, boy… When?)

L1: Flat yung gulong… (The tire’s flat...)

They are having non-sense talk so I decided to leave. When I was about to stand up, I heard them speak again…

L2: Kailan nagiging martir ang pag-ibig? (When is love a martyr?)

L1: Kapag dinidiligan yung kahoy na panggatong… (When firewood is watered…)

I guess I’ve wasted another minute. I stood up and started to walk. But I stopped when I heard the other one continue…

L1: …umaasa pang mabuhay, magkakadahon, mamumukadkad at magbubunga… kahit wala nang pag-asa… (…hoping it will live, will have leaves, will flower and will bear fruit… even when there’s nothing left…)

a FACT U should know #20

noreply@blogger.com (Red Ram) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:27:00 +0000

The elephant is the only mammal that can't jump!

from "50 Things Everyone Should Know (or 50 Completely Useless Facts)"