Walks of Life

Walks of Life is Now Officially on Technorati Blog Directory

2011-07-01T13:34:00.005+03:00


"Technorati Stickers" ( Image Source: socialmediamagic.com)

Technorati sets a wider path of opportunity for growth and improvement, like BlogCritics, it actually allows a wider exposure that would increase readership for every blog registered on its directory. The chance of being tagged, indexed and pinged are right here, thus, Technorati is an excellent way to get more traffic that would be significant to increase search engine ranking. As a newbie I am eager to get “Walks of Life” be on tracked and I need Technorati to get my site on the way to it.

Walks of Life on Technorati

It has been more than two weeks now since I have received a message from Technorati that my claimed authority on "Walks of Life" has been completed and it took me awhile to get a new post for my blog to be visible on its search engine but now "Walks of Life" is officially registered and can be searched on Technorati Blog Directory.

The screenshot below is the message I received from Technorati on June 15, 2011, that the claimed authority on my site has been completed.

Here is a screenshot where "Walks of Life" can be searched now on Tecnorati blog Directory.

Today's ranking is 57, 942 with authority of 94. The higher the rank the better.

While here is a screenshot of the site details registered on Technorati Blog Directory.

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

New Divorce Bill Stirs Controversy in the Philippines [ BlogCritics -- Repost ]

2011-06-30T18:51:00.003+03:00

Article first published on BlogCritics [Click HERE to view]

Category: Culture - There, I Said It!

The Philippines and Vatican City are the only Catholic countries and in fact the only two countries which do not permit divorce. Though the Philippines is a democratic country, and over the years, the evolution and transformation of the ways of life and the ways of thinking there have undergone dramatic changes, adopting other cultures and traditions, the nation remained religiously contained and oriented, which indicates that the majority of Filipinos still value their beliefs in the Supreme Being.

A Divorce Bill, also known as House Bill 1799, is currently a controversial hot topic in the country. Though annulment, which is filed under Article 36 of Family Code in the Philippines, is duly being applied and allowed in the country, most of those who are pro-divorce would say that is not enough intervention for those couple who can't live together anymore.

Annulment is too costly for the marginalized sectors or common people to get approved in the Supreme Court. Thus, it only means legal separation but not actually ending marriage. This involves a claim that a marriage even from the beginning is defective and is thus null and void. Infidelity, battery or abuse, gross irresponsibility, homosexuality, impotency, and some sexually transmitted diseases in either spouse can be grounds for annulment.

Furthermore, the increasing rate of abuse of women and children is an ongoing reason why people want divorce to be legal in the country. There are about 22 women per day reporting physical abuse by their spouses and that in itself is an indication that it is about time to pass a divorce law, according to the pro-divorce.

For the anti-divorce, however, the sanctity of marriage is always highly regarded in respect to divine law made from the Holy Scriptures. The fear of God and the religious belief system remains intact among the majority of Filipinos, be it non-Catholic Christians or Roman Catholics. Thus, this is also a good indication of how Filipinos greatly value their families.

The divorce law is not an answer to decreasing the rate of abusive relationships or partnerships. In fact, it will actually worsen the situation. The abuse will happen not only once, twice or three times once the divorce law gets approved, because chances are that the abusive spouse will do the same thing from one partner to another. The history of domestic violence would most likely increase.

The trauma divorce can cause to children would have a great impact on their well being, and it is not even healthy to raise children in a broken family. There is still nothing better than to be raised in a family with a strong bond and good relationships where there will be an image of father and mother who can continuously guide and support the children.

Moreover, it raise the risks to moral and social obligations. There will most likely be a greater chance of infidelity and immorality, grave acts of sin which are not only against constitutional law but also against divine law.

For the anti-divorce, divorce is not and will never be an answer for the ongoing domestic problems in the country. Counseling remains the top intervention prior to marriage, which includes seminars and proper teachings in responsible parenthood. Counseling also remains the proper intervention for solving any domestic problems and making a struggling relationship work again.

Image Source: http://bonbonquest.blogspot.com

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Fighting Nostalgia

2011-06-24T06:44:00.012+03:00

It’s been more than a week now since the last time I blogged. I was interrupted by some social events in the workplace and by some activities at home. I also noticed that I easily get tired lately that I felt the need breathe out and rest so I was asleep most of the time. And during my spare time, I can’t help but to watch television these past few days, and it seems to be that it is becoming a part of my routine before I get to bed or after coming from work. That could be a sign of homesickness, a separation anxiety that anyone who’s away from home has to deal with. The enemy that I have to fight against and the most anticipated dilemma of longing to be with the people I love.

Though, the feeling of nostalgia seems to be on the air, I can't go astray so I need to withstand against it. I am trying to keep myself busy after sleeping long hours just to divert my attention. Aside from hanging out across the cyber space to do some networking from the social media and aside from playing with the different online media platforms across the web, the “The Filipino Channel” or “TFC” seems to be working out and a simple way to reach out. Just by watching this community channel, it actually minimized the feeling of being far away from home. I even tend to become more updated on what’s going on our national television be it news updates, documentaries or some television series.

I would not deny and be ashamed that nowadays I am becoming fond watching the different telenovelas like “Minsan Lang Kita IIbigin,” and “Guns and Roses,” to name a few. I am even watching “The Biggest Loser” up to “Krusada,” and “Patrol ng Pilipino.” I was never fond watching any teleserye when I was still in the Philippines. I would rather watch some documentaries, some segments of Boy Abunda like “The Bottomline," or even watch "Storyline" but not telenovelas but I started to learn watching it after coming here in Saudi Arabia because somehow, it makes me feel like I am home.

Some of my colleagues just arrived from the Philippines. Two of them are actually my closed friends and I know how they are feeling at the moment, especially at those moments when they were still seated while the plane was on the air flying on the way here or while they were waiting to reach the land of their destination. I know how it feels like going back to work again after coming from a long vacation trip. And this is actually the worst feeling ever which is usually being experienced by the overseas workers.

Most of the overseas workers would spend some few days trying to get away from the crowd after coming from land of origin. The thoughts of wanting to go back home would linger and there would be crying moments from which they can’t help but to embrace the feeling of loneliness. That is natural but as overseas workers we have to deal with it and we can’t let ourselves dwell with it for a long time. We can’t let ourselves get too much affected by what we feel.

To surmount such anxiety and such feeling of wistfulness, the need to express or verbalized feelings is really necessary to lessen all the burdens. And this is one thing that is much more advisable rather than just to keep it to one self. It’s not a sign of weakness to let others see us cry or let them know that we cried. It is just one way or another to make us feel and express ourselves that we are also humans. And for us to gain strength, sometime we have to let go of those negative feelings.

Though we left our country to work, we also have to remember once in awhile that we are also human and life is not for work alone. Sometimes, we need to cry, that's alright, but most of the times we need to smile and feel good and happy about ourselves because all these serve as fuels in order for us to get stronger and even tougher to face all the daily battles away from home.

These are different ways to fight against the feeling of nostalgia and the above mentioned are just the few things we can ride on in order to deal with it. The role of friends as our immediate support system would always be on top of the lists and it is advisable to connect and to meet people whom we can get along with and whom we can trust. We can always go out and hang out with them, and they are the ultimate shock absorbers whom we can rely on and whom we can always talk to. Their significance will always be experienced and appreciated especially in times like this.

Though melancholia inevitably comes along the way, we have to go against it. We have to let go and never embrace it for long time. Neither anxiety nor depression can rule our lives. We have to get over with it and move forward. Life is so short to dwell with it.

Image Source: http://thepleat.com/

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

World Blood Donor Day: Sharing Blood for a Cause [BlogCritics Repost]

2011-06-14T00:44:00.090+03:00

Article first published on BLOGCRITICS [click here to view]

What a great difference you can make if you can help other people to prolong their lives but what is even greater is if you can save their lives. Every blood donation counts, and the way to survival for patients suffering from blood loss and blood disorder specifically brought by an emergency situation, be it due to trauma from a road traffic accident, inevitable physical injuries, surgical complications, and related medical histories like sickle cell anemia or gastrointestinal bleeding, is the blood stored or reserved from a donation.

June 14, 2011 is World Blood Donor day which is annually being observed and organized by the International Federation of Blood Donor organizations. This is in recognition for those who continually share or donate blood in order to save lives.

Despite modern scientific inventions, there is no substitute for human blood, so every donor participating in this noble cause is considered a hero because without their efforts and generosity to give blood, the mortality rate due to blood loss might be on the higher side.

Furthermore, along with its celebration is the dissemination of the benefits of regular blood donation and that should always be emphasized, for it is not the recipients alone that gain.

There are several advantages which can be enumerated from blood donation. The wonderful feeling that you have done something good for other people and that your blood can run a thousand miles to save lives will always be on top of it. The fact that some of the donors are getting paid is a part of it. The chance for a free check and health screening can also be an additional factor.

There are also health benefits which can be acquired from a regular blood donation. It is actually a great way to regenerate blood cells. Giving blood reduces iron accumulating in the blood streams which thereby lowers the risk for certain diseases like cardiovascular or heart problems. It also lowers cholesterol levels and even reduces the risk for certain cancers.

There are disadvantages as well from blood donation. The feeling of discomfort can arise from a needle prick during the procedure. There may be a feeling of light-headedness, nausea or even the possibility of a fainting attack after. That is the reason why every donor is encouraged to rest and take a snack after the donation procedure in order to regain strength or energy from blood loss. All of these can be overcome later on by the fact that the donor has given something that can be a great help for others in need and that in itself is a simple way to make a difference.

Image Source: bloodsavelives.org

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Overwhelming Response to BlogCritics

2011-06-13T13:25:00.006+03:00

I started to gain enthusiasm to blog again during the first time I spent my vacation leave here in Saudi Arabia, last February, 2011. I had nothing to do with my spare time even after having my part time job in the hospital clinic; still I had so much to kill time so I had to do something. I could not think of any but to blog. I may be a nurse by profession but I will always be an artist by heart. I strongly advocate freedom of the press and freedom of expression, and for me, one way to a free cognition is through blogging that speaks for the mind.

My wordpress.com blog didn’t work out so well that I had to migrate in blogger.com. Though in terms of layout, themes, templates and even widget applications seemed to be much more manageable unlike in wordpress.com, the way to increase traffic and search engine optimization is still quite more like a challenge in order to gain more visitors here so to speak.

From here I came across Technorati, a blog search engine that is very significant to gain visitors by registering blog from its directory. I am newbie still, in terms of the different blogging tips and how to improve the sites so I had to explore and learn more.

From Technorati, only then I came across with Blogcritics, which from my research, is an online magazine which offers writing reviews on all aspects covering all the contemporary culture and society with more than 3600 registered writers.

I attempted to register my blog and was glad that they accepted my post and be a part of this online magazine. I knew there is something quite unique from this BlogCritics site and I am so happy that they did not turn down my writing post.

The response is quite personal and the approach to a human level is very touching and truly awesome. The treatment, the way they welcome and reach for writers are so much overwhelming. And more than any of the exposure that a blogger can get to increase traffic and to get on top of the page ranking in online marketing from Blogcritics is the learning experience and the relationship that any writer can gain from them and that aspect is priceless and irreplaceable.

I could feel some excitement starting from the very first time I have received an email offer for blog reviews from this site because I knew that this community will offer more than anything else that I will not find from any other sites.

Though the instructions are quite complicated just to make a new entry or make a new post, but still, I knew that I would learn more from this site and that is actually my main goal that’s why I am blogging. It is quite a challenge to submit the first article for any writers but I knew that this is one way or another to show that Blogcritics is hands on with their members and to show how they care. The way they moderate all the entries shows how persistent they are to help their clients or writers to improve more of their skills.

I do hope for the best for BlogCritics. I do look forward working with the team.

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Friendster Demolition or Reinvention?

2011-06-05T10:11:00.007+03:00

The first time Friendster was introduced was the actual hallmark or the beginning of the interactive social media connection and "Friendster" being the pioneer was considered as the original and even the "father" of all social networks.

Friendster is where I started. This is where I started to learn how to manipulate computers and see what is in the cyberspace. This is where I started to gain interest in blogging and this is where I had written my first blog post. I honestly admit that I have been addictive on it before. But even in Cyber-world, nothing is permanent and everything will come to an end.

I only got the information like a week ago that Friendster will delete users files by the end of May but from the latest updates, they are extending until 27th of June. To be honest, I rarely open this site since everyone seems to be much more of a facebook users now.

From what I have read, Friendster is actually reinventing itself and it's on its way on repositioning itself into a gaming site and it has to discontinue all the users social network account.

In order to save all the data like photos, messages, friends, testimonials, shoutouts, blogs, groups and the like, an application called "FRIENDSTER EXPORTER" was created to download all the files.

Here is how to donwload file via Friendster Exporter:

1. Log in to your friendster account and from the upper portion of your HOME page, a banner like this will appear. Click on it. It will take some time to direct you to Friendster Exporter.

2. The Friendster Exporter page can be looked like the screenshot below where the zip containing your profile information is being generated. Just refresh the page or go back to the Home page and hit the banner again after quite sometime if this happen.

3. A message like this will appear if your file is ready for download after being generated from the system. Click on the link "Restart Download" below.

4. It will provide you with options as to how you want your profile to be saved or to be downloaded. Either you choose the Faster Download or the Slower Download, the first one is recommended where photos are not included but it can be exported either to Flickr or Multiply while the latter one will take so much time as photos can as well be included from the download file.

5. If you opted to go for the Faster Download. The exporter will ask you to verify your email address and password for the user account. After entering your email and password, hit "Download" button.

6.Then a zip file will be ready for download. From here, either you save or open it automatically with WinRar.zip which is a software you need to download and keep in your computer in order to extract or unzip the file.

7. Once you open the file, this can be extracted in WinRar.ZIP

7. Hit on the Friendster file, click on "Extract To" and choose in which folder you want to save it from your computer.

8. The extracted friendster file, once you open it, it can be viewed as html like this...

9. Again, if you opted to go for a Faster Download, you have to export your photos either to Flickr or Multiply and the exporter will give you an option like this...

10. And of course, if you have your friendster blog, you also have the option either to transfer it to wordpress or blogger.

For a slower download, you will have to follow same procedure, only it will take so much time as it will include all the files including your blogs and photos. A Faster Download option is still recommended.

So this is how the Friendster Exporter works. Friendster is just reinventing itself in to something different which will hopefully give more fun and entertainment but this time not as a social networking site but an online gaming site... and I don't know which among the other social media platforms will come to an end, I just do hope that FACEBOOK can survive. =)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Technorati: Verifying the Claim Token

2011-06-04T14:23:00.004+03:00

In order to optimize my blog, I need Technorati to have my blog become more visible in search engine. Unlike here in Blogger.com, in Wordpress.com, blogs can be automatically visible from search engines by adjusting the setting without making too much effort to increase traffic, but since I migrated here, I had to register and claim authorization on my blog. The instructions from Technorati is not that clear enough, though, but here is how I got the claim from Technorati:

1. Start to claim a blog.

Just type your blog URL on the space bar then hit the button "CLAIM"

2. Fill out the next page with all the detailed information about your blog.

This includes the blog title, blog feed URL, linking blogs (optional), site description (1000 characters maximum),site categories and blog tags.

3. After hitting the proceed to next page button, a message like this will appear regarding your blog claim status. Then hit the "RETURN TO PROFILE" button.

4. Verify your authorization on the blog claimed by searching for the unique code upon hitting the "CHECK CLAIM" button.

5. While Technorati claim is in progress, a message will be sent via email consisting of the important short code.

6. After hitting the "CHECK CLAIM" button, a message like this will appear with an instruction on how to verify the claimed blog.

Make a new blog post (literally new post)
Put the short code like this "R7QS2TZE6NDU" on the blog post
Publish the new blog post
Go back to Technorati Account
Hit the button "VERIFY CLAIM TOKEN"

7. After publishing a post with the short code and hitting the button "VERIFY CLAIM TOKEN"

a message will appear that Technorati is evaluating your claim.

8. A message will be sent via email after a few minutes, like this...

..and that's it. =)

This is my actual post to claim the token to verify authorization of this blog and my short code is "R7QS2TZE6NDU."

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Care for the Elderly

2011-05-28T01:21:00.019+03:00

Image Taken from BloggersUnite Event--"World Day to Combat Violence Against Elderly"

Being "family oriented" is one of the great qualities that is innate among the Filipinos and this is the chain that exceptionally binds them. The worth and value being given to families would be synonymous to love and sacrifices and would also mean more than the life, itself. Who would forget about the care and love of parents to their children and how they always wanted to have their children to have a better future?!

All the sacrifices of parents are considered priceless and irreplaceable that at the end of the day, their children would only wants the best thing that they could offer to their parents in return. As Filipinos, the moment we get older and become more mature enough to handle things, it is the moment when we take responsibilities to care for our parents in return especially at times when they needed us most or even more so, during our younger age, everyone learns and always tries to find ways to repay them in our own simple ways.

The care for the elderly varies from one country to another which is basically depends on each culture and tradition. In some countries, most of the elderly are nowadays being kept in the home care but to most of the Filipinos, despite all the uncertainty of situations and poverty, they wouldn't dare to give up on their parents or grandparents.

There are only few home for the aged that can be noted in the Philippines like Hospicio de San Jose and Golden Acres.These are the two known institutions where most of the abandoned elder people are being kept in refuge, but other than that, we are all uncomfortable leaving our grandparents in the care of others.

"Hospicio De San Jose," Taken During My Nursing Affiliation in Manila, Year 2006

Though, there are several institutions which can be enumerated, established to cater for the elder people in other countries, still, this is a better way to care for them rather than to abandon them with no one else besides them. Perhaps, the lack of time and effort would mostly be the reasons for the others to allow their elderly to be kept in such institutions and they don't mean to neglect them.

Today, 28th of May is the BloggersUnite's World Day to Combat Violence Against Elderly and this is a simple way to advocate the rights of the elderly: the rights of the elder people to be given proper care and proper needs, and the rights be given proper shelter if unable to provide proper refuge at home and not to be abandoned.

Any act of abuse or violence against the elderly is unacceptable act of ingratitude and disrespect and we are here to fight against it. Our parents or grandparents deserve to be treated in a way they treated us during the old times. Their love, efforts and sacrifices are worth more than anything else that without them we wouldn't be here.

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Outlook: The Easy Way Out

2011-05-22T19:50:00.017+03:00

Image taken from guardian.co.uk (Photograph: Alamy)

Mental Health Awareness Ribbon

We are exposed in a battle everyday and our emotional, physical and mental health are the weapons that we have in order to fight and defeat all these daily life stresses. The dilemmas we are facing every now and then are something that we could get used to and it’s a matter of learning on how to work on it. The encounter could be a stretch and it depends on how we deal with it, whether the easy way or the hard way or whether the right way or the wrong way. But either way, we have to learn and understand how we feel towards each situation for us to absorb and manage it.

There might be a time when we are doomed to fail and the tendency is to get carried away in a situation and it’s hard every time we fall down and hit the floor but in the long run, we need to stand up and face them all. The moment we deal with things the hard way, the more it gets the situation even harder, thus, all the burdens we carry on our backs become heavier than it may seems, thinking that it’s the easy way out which turned out to be the other way around. Therefore, the feeling of over stress may become more intense resulting to burnout which in return may affect the way we respond to the external environment and to other people.

Emotions are sometimes deceiving. We need to learn how to balance the way we feel towards each situation. There might be moments when we tend to get irrational and illogical wherein the emotion itself tends to control us. We have to learn how to control our feelings before it controls us. On the other hand, the perception and the outlook that we have could as well make a big difference when we see things the other way around. Thus, there is a need to learn how to let go all the life's negatives and embrace all the positivity. There are reasons behind all the happenings, and the proper way to deal with it is to see things on its brighter sides. The solution to any problems does not depend on the situation alone, but it also depends on our attitude towards each situation.

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion

2011-05-21T01:22:00.013+03:00

Join on Facebook (click here)

"No man is an island." No matter how far we are away from home, there will be people who will come along our way and once in awhile, there will be moments of indifference and living their culture, the way to diversity and inclusion will always be the next great challenge. There are varieties of treatment given to aliens or foreigners in one country to another and there will be ups and down. Thus, migration and treatment are always on rocky road and they are the obstacles in a form of racism and discrimination.

Different forms of racism can be noted and it happens all the time and any form of insult and degradation against other nations is unacceptable act of exclusion. There are some sort of discrimination happening within the country alone or within one nation, and that should we also learn how to avoid or at least minimize. There are also trails of stereotyping of some sort where judgment and criticism arise.

Factors affecting the way we live in diversity with other people can be enumerated. Cultural and language barriers are among them. Status in life and level of education are no exceptions. Physical appearance and capabilities can as well be included. These are just one of the few examples that tend to make less of other people and that mentality alone is act of slur or inconsideration.

Today, 21st of May is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue as proclaimed by the United Nation General Assembly. This is a Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Today is the day to take offside racism and promote harmonious relationship with one nation to another.

Embracing cultural diversity should starts within ourselves, and the proclamation should not remain a dialogue alone, the implementation starts from how we treat others, regardless of race, color, beliefs or status in life. Do unto others what you want them to do to you. Respect begets respect and that’s the way we can earn respect itself from the others.

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Nurse's Day Celebration: Making a Difference

2011-05-11T22:07:00.014+03:00

King Khalid University Hospital Celebrating Nurse's Day

Florence Nightingale's works and efforts had been greatly recognized for ages and the footprints she left and the image she established had been greatly remarkable from the history as the foundation she built marked the beginning of "Nursing Profession" that without her passion and enthusiasm in her labor to render care and to heal the sick, the so called "NURSES" today would not exist.

Through formal education, the health care and nursing practice had been standardized, and today, competency is what nurses deliver through updated knowledge, solidified skills and proper attitude towards providing safe and quality services to clients, patients, significant others and co-workers and that is how nurses make a difference in their daily practice.

Moreover, with all the efforts and supports of nurses, the system of care had been greatly achieved in every institution and the required organizational practice in the deliverance of medical and nursing care had been proven effective reflecting the improvement and the betterment of the standards of practice highlighting the patient's safety and the quality of service, thereby assisting patients or clients towards the optimum level of health and wellness, and towards the maximum level of functioning.

Patient’s safety is synonymous to quality care that is essential to a systematic and organized behavior in the standards of health care practice. It advocates all the life saving measures in terms of interventions and treatment that goes along with the patient’s plan of care, minimizing all the risk, avoiding errors and promoting a no blame culture.

Celebrating today is the NURSE'S DAY with the theme of "Nurses: Making a Difference Everyday," and King Khalid University Hospital along with the other hospitals, organizations and other institutions had once again recognized all the efforts of nurses in order to achieve the level of competency in terms of quality of services.

Here are some of the photos taken from the event held in King Khalid University Hospital Auditorium

KKUH Main Auditorium

Mr. Mohammed Moufleh, KKUH Director of Nursing

Head of the Department, Mr. Haytham, Ms. Liza and Ms. Estelita

Department of Emergency Medicine with Ms. Estelita Padua, DEM Head Nurse

DEM Adult and Pedia- Casts in ROP Role Play

Dan, Thess, & Joyce from DEM Adult

Praisy and Vincy of DEM Adult - Casts in ROP Role Play

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

World Press Freedom Day: Breaking the Silence

2011-05-03T15:34:00.005+03:00

What could have been with a world without freedom to express? It could have been a diversity of prisoners in detentions with no chance to claim the rights to be heard. It could have been a place where there is no room to break the silence and the use of mouth to speak is not possible in which the chain and the mode of communication seems to be weak and built without advocacy.

Real free minds promote democracy with accountability and integrity to disclose facts and truths. It yearns to outcry the voice of human rights that deliver opinions, knowledge and ideas. It is a way to a free cognition that share values and ideations. It is also an exposition for the love of words and phrases and a passion on the use of language expressed through creative writings and other forms that carry out fascination in self-expression.

Press freedom is a communication tool and medium that brings out topics, concerns and common issues. It creates awareness on current events and sends messages and feedbacks that affect the common welfare of the people in one way or another. It also relays stories of different people that bring about inspirations and lessons learned.

Nowadays, the social media and internet plays an important role in the making of the freedom of the press. It provides an efficient and effective approach that enables to deliver news feeds the easiest way possible, reaching the people the most accessible way through social networking like facebook, myspace, multiply and the like; through blogging system like blogger, wordpress, typad and the like; and through search engines like google, yahoo, bing and the like.

Unfortunately, there are several countries which can be enumerated in which, despite the modern vehicles and means to deliver thoughts, still failed to practice the liberty of the press, Inhibited by some social and political concerns and for the others, the freedom of the press would only mean risking lives and conflicting well beings. Yet, there is a bigger population and percentage from different nations globally who believes on the continuity of press liberty and freedom of expression supported by the commoners and by several groups and organizations within the country of origins, worldwide or internationally.

Celebrating today is the “World Press Freedom Day” which is annually being observed every 3^rd of May to inform the international community that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are fundamental. This is established by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight its importance and to remind the government of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.

Written By|Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Let Me Be Me!

2011-04-15T13:00:00.000+03:00

Illustration was taken from deviantart.com

Let me spell words I can’t define

Let me state phrases in a line

Let me share the real thoughts of mine

Let me sing praises in a rhyme

Let me paint the color of sky

Let me cry till my tears run dry

Let me draw every single line

Let me sketch the meaning of life

Let me reach and stay in cloud nine

Let me play games of lucky nine

Let me dance like no one’s around

Let me walk the whole town around

Let me go, fly and then soar high

Let me climb in a mountain high

Let me sail with the boat around

Let me run and trip all around

Let me talk my own story line

Let me walk the value of life

Let me reach my own bottom line

Let me feel the freedom of life

"LET ME BE ME"

written by Azeweht

Dear Diary

2011-04-15T12:37:00.002+03:00

Illustration was taken from thebaumer.wordpress.com

Whenever I cry

You have been my witness

All the time

Whenever I feel alone

You have been my company

And never left me behind

Whenever am with you

There is no hesitation
There is no word like doubt

And with you

Nothing to compare with,

You are unlimited edition

You are my shock absorber

You are a good listener

The greatest silent keeper

You are a good communicator

You are therapeutic

My ever secret keeper

You are authentic

No words can be defined

Genuine and exceptional

You never criticize

You are sentimental

Truly non-judgmental

"DEAR DIARY"

written by Azeweht

Jousting Faces Doom

2011-03-22T07:51:00.006+03:00

Illustration taken from genuinetourist.wordpress.com

Hovers in empty room

Feels silence in gloom

Bid crisis in loom

Jousting faces doom

Like a gap of seam

Yearn to make a scream

Full of thoughts in ream

With no one to lean

Self steeled from dread

In a strip of shred

Pulled in good stead

Brings forth doubt in thread

Dances like a stag

Hit and make a tag

Hears no word but brag

From headpiece of rag

Drown from hearts aflame

In four corners of frame

Hears no sounds but blame

Of souls in stalls of lame

"JOUSTING FACES DOOM"

written by Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Japan: The Momentous Tragic Event

2011-03-13T05:37:00.018+03:00


Photo was taken from himho.com

Photo was taken form thedailybeast.com

While Middle East is on the verge of tremor due to series of revolts that preceded violence causing the death of many activists for a rally of anti-government movement, the world fixed eyes suddenly was interrupted by a momentous tragic event in north-eastern Asia when Japan was hit by a sequence of earthquakes with an 8.9 magnitude at its maximum while generating a 30 feet big waves of tsunami.

Instead of a terrorized “Day of Rage” awaited current event, I was stunned with disastrous happening going on in Japan as I turned on the television to watch news updates. Witnessed how the big tidal waves enveloped the land space of the country on the videos presented, made real goose bumps.

I never had a second thought when I contacted my family in the Philippines as I heard that the entire Pacific had been put on alert as well for an aftershock effects without even verifying in which specific area first just to check on them and to inform them as well that I am safe that the demonstration here in Riyadh had failed to materialize.

Status updates on facebook and twitter, blogs, comments from other social networking sites really struck me as well and made me asked “what the hell is going on?!” The environmental catastrophic event seemed to be more alarming than terrorists’ attack or activists’ revolution.

Would it be a way of the environment to get even with its inhabitants? Or just the nature’s way to balance itself through changing its formation. Moreover, this natural disaster had taken away thousands people’s lives and had caused serious damaged to infrastructures and other properties.

Meanwhile, the United States, Philippines and other countries extended their assistance including other organization like Red Cross, and though, Japan being one of the richest countries would definitely have a hard time getting up after being hit by this disastrous calamity.

The video I took from Youtube showing the catastrophic event in Japan on March 11

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

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When "DAY OF RAGE" Failed to Stage!

2011-03-13T04:12:00.008+03:00

Photo was taken in front of Coral Hotel near the Mosque and Al-Rajhi Bank opposite of Al-Jazeera Mall in Sulaimanya, Riyadh City

No doubt that this Day of Rage won’t go on stage here in Riyadh City, while others were marching on protests from the other sides of the Middle East. The main city of Saudi Arabia seemed to back off and loosened up when security forces went on tight clogging some highways causing severe traffic on their strict check points.

When I tried to google on what’s new about the planned “Day of Rage,” I have read that the King have released 10, 000 armed forces in defense against those who are planning for revolt in any form. The rules and orders declared by King Abdullah seemed to be working out and were strictly being followed and implemented in the kingdom and Saudi nationals wholly feared the officers guarding the community when the king has declared to stop any form of movements against the government at any cause.

Meanwhile, while the planned revolt seemed to fail in Riyadh, hundreds of people bravely pushed through in some province like Al-Qatif consisting mostly of Shi'ites to outcry their yearning for a change in the government system. Shi'ites, I learned from a friend that they are another sect of Muslims perceiving Quran’s teaching in another way experiencing mostly of discrimination against Sunni comprising the majority of Muslims. On the other hand, Arabs have witnessed more protests across the Middle East like Kuwait, Yemen, Libya, Iraq and in some parts of Bahrain. (Check this out at Aljazeera.net)

Then later from the news, the king has declared salary increased for the Saudi Nationals to prevent them further from going rage and the Absolute Monarchy government seemed to have a great advantage when country's peace and orderliness is being maintained, though, lots of disadvantages can as well be enumerated.

Here are the photos of some streets in Sulaimanya near Olaya in Riyadh City which I have taken from the time of scheduled revolution after Salah on March 11.

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At the Cross

2011-03-11T11:23:00.023+03:00

Jesus on the Cross - Photo taken from another website

The Filipino Catholic Church has started the Lent season last Wednesday, 9th of March which they called as "Ash Wednesday." I am not very well-versed with the catholic rituals, so I asked my friend how they are actually celebrating it, and though, I am from another religion, I am aware of what is meant by this Season. The season of Lent spans for 40 weekdays or 45 days all beginning on Ash Wednesday and climaxing during Holy Week with Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday, and concluding Saturday before Easter.

Traditionally, lent has been marked by fasting, meditation and alms giving. There are foods which they are not allowed to eat in particular days during fasting like meat, alcohol, sweets and the like. Some Catholics are strictly following this tradition while others are focusing on doing some charitable works like sharing of clothes, foods, money, etc to some institutions or for those who needs it. Moreover, this season is the season for penance, repentance and this is the actual celebration of God's redemption through Christ's death and resurrection.

The true meaning of lent is most likely rooted on God’s love that because of His unconditional love, He permitted His only Son, Jesus to die on the cross of Calvary to pay all our sins so that everyone may have ever lasting life. This is a season of preparation for the day when the Son of God was crucified to save us all from sin.

John 3: 16 (New international version)

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The question is-- why did God allow this to happen? Why there is a need for Jesus to get crucified, then died and resurrected. It may sounds like confusing but the answer is because all of us have sinned so God the Father allowed His Son to die for us all to live.

Romans 3 23-26: (New International Version)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Another question is why it had to be Jesus? The answer is-- since we are all sinners as we inherited sins from Adam and Eve, from our origin, we are not free from it. All of us did not qualify and no one can ever meet the standards of God so there is a need for pure and holy one who had never sinned to become a sacrifice to wash away all our sins. Man is the one who had sinned so only man as a human is the only one who can be a sacrifice to save every human being from the hands of the enemy, so Christ Jesus came into the picture as a Messiah who was born as a man to save us all.

John 14:6 (New International Version)

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

After the resurrection and after Jesus paid all our sins, it does not mean that we are all now save and safe. The story does not end there so here comes the next question of what is our role after or what is our response with all the sacrifices of Christ? From here, the process of “SALVATION” is being highlighted, that for us to be saved we have to repent and then accept Jesus as our personal Savior. The moment we become a believer of Christ, we became Christian and that comes with a role of living the Christian way.

John 3:17-21 (New International Version)

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

This Lenten Season is the season of LOVE and Sacrifices. A season that would always remind us about the unconditional love of God, how He sacrificed His Son, Jesus to wash away all our sins with His own blood. A season that gives us more reasons to find more time to talk to God and be more thankful of the chance of having the second life together with Him. Let us all wait for the Lord to come and allow Him to take over with our lives as we follow His divine purpose.

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Saudi Arabia: Revolution of Yearning on March 11th

2011-03-09T15:50:00.010+03:00

Photo taken from the article "Saudi Arabia Facebook Group Calls For Protests" of The Huffington Post

I was awakened suddenly while in a deep sleep by a long distance call from the Philippines late in the afternoon the other day. I got lucky when my phone didn't die even for 3 days after I bought it as I replaced the old one that I overcharged and no longer functioning. It was my mother calling me, her voice sounds like she was anxious and quite disturbed. She was getting scared and worried about the turmoil and war over here in the Middle East and though the riot has begun already from the neighboring country of Saudi Arabia when it all started from Tunisia and Egypt after they overthrew their leaders to step down from their positions who ruled the country for several years through demonstrations and rallies, it seems like every country is trying to mimic what these two countries did after the United Nations applied some international western interventions. There it all started the protests and it spread like a virus from the nearby country like Libya and Bahrain which happens to be in the same political conflicts where their leaders rule for decades but only, this time, particularly in Libya, it is becoming more bloody and violent as their strong willed leaders are not willing to give up the posts.

This political conflict has created major effects not only in terms of the worldwide economy but also it has taken the risk of the lives of the people particularly of the overseas workers. The Philippine government and other countries provided assistance to take their citizens home, though there are some Filipinos who are refusing to go back in the country, specifically those who are in the medical field believing that they are safe and won’t get hurt by other nationalities. Moreover, the Overseas Worker Welfare Administrations extends their assistance through a program to displace OFWs by giving them 10,000php each.

I always sympathize those people whenever I watch the news, especially those Overseas Filipino Workers or expatriates who have their families with them who were trapped in the middle of the crisis as they risk their lives in danger. But not more than a week ago when I got a friend who stated that same thing could also happen here in Saudi Arabia. I was in doubt at first, because I witnessed how Saudi nationals welcomed King Abdullah, their ruler after having medical treatment abroad for a few months and everyone celebrated his come back and in return the king has declared one public holiday nationwide, for Saudi and non-Saudi. So how could they revolt against their claimed good king when they are all happy at the moment seeing him back.

"This is a video from Youtube showing how they have welcomed King Abdullah in Riyadh City"

On the contrary, I was surprised when I heard from the news that Saudi is as well planning a revolt against the kingdom on the 11^th of March. It's a protest to outcry for women's rights and freedom, and the release of political prisoners. I don’t know exactly what they are fighting for but I don’t like what they are planning and what is exactly happening here.

"While here is another video from Fox News stating about the plan for a call of rage on the 11th of March initiated by Saudi nationals via social media."

There may be skepticism as whether they have the ability to demonstrate but the rumor has just begun. I just pray that the price will be worth it and no one will get hurt after the occurrence of such event and I hope for a peaceful rally in case they can get organize on the 11^th of March.Whether it will take place or not, everyone has to be prepared for it!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Tug-of-war

2011-03-07T23:59:00.004+03:00


Illustrated by ecartoonman from Flicker

In a disturbing silent war

Provokes unwanted tug-of-war

Marked the birth of antagonists

From the neighborhood of conflicts

Stirs up, calls forth rivalry

Exacerbates the word “envy”

That breaks the chain of unity

With a mind full of jealousy

It's a part of humanity

But that is truly unhealthy

No space for congeniality

Dispirits solidarity

It withstands true integrity

With mind that covets eagerly

Reflects rotten mentality

That really desires wrongfully

It defies one's humility

And it lifts superiority

Oversights nationality

Demotes one's personality

No progress, no prosperity

Disheartens one's ability

Dismays responsibility

That exalts “crab mentality"

"TUG-OF-WAR"

written by Azeweht

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

The Battle Cry

2011-03-06T08:18:00.002+03:00

The angel falls

When devil reigns

Evil remains

While good one fades

Weakness rules

Strength defeated

Life overshadowed

By the thoughts of death

The internal battle

No one can hear

A real fight from within

Can hardly bear

A crushing pain

Started to gain

Weighted beneath

The empty soul

Pain sinking in

Anguish gets in

Breaks the heart

Loses the soul

From flesh and blood

It all remains

Bloodshed like tears

It falls like rain

The battle cry

Fought from within

Where mind and heart

Comes in between

One may prevail

Other may fail

It ends with thoughts

Of which will win?!

"THE BATTLE CRY"

written by Azeweht

on August 01, 2010

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Crippled Soul

2011-03-06T07:48:00.002+03:00

A Soul in Bandage, 1985 (photo was taken from another website)

From stabbed wounds

Marked scarred wounds

Marked the crippled ways

Of the crippled souls

From the crippled souls

Marked twisted minds

With crippled thoughts

Of the stone cold hearts

In a stagnant situation

It stored undelivered thoughts

Unfilled with unity and love

Suppressed happiness and joy

It's a true confession

Like a tragic combination

In state of confusion

Of the unstable condition

It's the different tastes

Of sour and bitterness

It created the masks

Of fake smiles and laughter

Like any open wounds

With no blood circulation

Covered with bandages

Of foul smelling discharges

With a crepe bandage

It hides how it looks

It hides the true color

Of a non-healing wound

But each recurring wound

Comes with a chronic pain

Of the heart with a hole

Longed for a better cure

"CRIPPLED SOUL"

written by Azeweht

on August 04, 2010

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

One Best Role

2011-03-06T04:03:00.010+03:00

Baher, Al-khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

From the distinct portion of life

There can be found an obscure path

Where some people lose their path

While others dream come to life

Where everyone is a maker

Of each and every life’s chapter

That calls for a great real journey

Of a never ending story

And from the endless road

Creates an endless role

That defines who you are

And not for what you are

But there is one unique story,

It comes with the best role,

With the main best goal

That is "to God be the glory"

"ONE BEST ROLE"

written by Azewent

on August 04, 2010

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Soul Searching

2011-03-05T06:13:00.022+03:00

Photo taken by "Archie" during the KKUHCF Anniversary Special in Al-khobar

"For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Matthew 16: 25

Photo taken by "Archie" during the KKUHCF Anniversary Special in Al-khobar

I felt somewhat wrecked and lost as I tried to seek for myself but I ended up being miserable like the prodigal son searching for the way going back home. I found myself in loneliness, instead, and my soul was full of emptiness. When I got my post away from home, I felt like it’s almost over and nothing good will ever happen. With a culture that was different wherein Christian Religion was not allowed to practice, I even wondered why God sent me to a distant place where I would be led far away or even separated from Him. But then again, I can’t question His will and what He really wants to happen. I just entrusted Him my life, instead.

I never hesitated as the road of opportunity abroad was becoming narrowed due to some changes in the Nursing trends, after such production of large amount of population of Nurses, some ended up not practicing their profession due to a limited post within the country, itself, so I had no choice but to take this chance thinking that this was the only way out for survival.

The thought of being lost in another country had changed when I found more reasons to enjoy my stay. I felt so much relieved after I encountered someone whom I believed God used as an instrument to help me find what I have been missing. The moment she invited me for a church when she was going for a service, I never hesitated to come even coming from a night shift just to attend and feel once again the presence of God. I was already searching back then and was just waiting for the right time and right person to ask for, where I can find what I have been looking for. From here, once again, I felt that I can’t be lost with God that no matter what happen and wherever I am, I would always end up going back in His arms again.

With Ate Wheng, the person God used for me to find the missing piece!

These are the people who made my life in Riyadh brighter than ever.

These photos were taken during the Anniversary Special of King of Kings of the Utmost Heaven Christ Fellowship which was held in Baher, Al-khobar on December 3-4, 2009. This was our first day where I had so much fun bonding with my newly found Christian family taking pictures, participating in group games, eating Filipino foods, exchanging gifts while enjoying the beautiful and very relaxing venue of the resort.

Our first night in Al-khobar. Though it was cold cause it's winter, still everyone decided to stay outside to experience the fresh air along the seashore while drinking coffee and tea, and enjoying the sweetness of Krispy Kreme doughnuts as we watched REVELATION and some group presentations!

This is our second day in Al-khobar, enjoying the sunrise which remind us all that life is full of hope, and it symbolizes new life, new beginning and each new day is a blessing which we have to thankful about. =)

Just maximizing our time before leaving Baher Resort, enjoying the remaining moment that have and the chance to be together as one Christian family. ^_^

With all these experiences, it has made me realized that God really works even if we don't... that He always find ways for us to go back home especially at times when we are lost...and more often than not, He make things happen when we least expect it.

This experience reminds me of some Bible Verses:

From the American Standard Version:

"My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

John 10:29

"For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Matthew 16:25

*Most of the photos uploaded from photobucket were taken by Archie using Canon SLR.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.

Endless Road

2011-03-04T13:53:00.005+03:00

Fort Bonifacio High Street

Walked away from broken roads

In search for an endless road

Got a temporary home

Miles away from real home

In a million crowds

I feel so much drown

Yet I find myself alone

As I traveled all along

I fall on my knees

Whenever I lost my keys

I find myself in insanity

In the real world full of vanity

In stillness and in darkness

Amidst loneliness

I bowed down my head

As I tried to move ahead

Time passes me by

As I run out of time

Memories pass by

Starting from the old times

I wonder how, when and where

From here, i found no answer

Will it even ever end?

Or it really has no end

"ENDLESS ROAD"

created by Azeweht
on August 04, 2010

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Philippines License.