How to Help the Poor?

 "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. 

Teach a man how to fish, feed him for a lifetime."

According to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), 2009 data shows that the magnitude of poor population in the Philippines is in 23.1 millions. (See data at NSCB website)

That is an astounding number. Unfortunately, it is a sad, scary truth that has been around for a long, long time. Even before and during Jesus' time, poverty already existed. Remember the poor widow who put in her last two very small copper coins as offerings (Mark 12:42)?

Yes, poverty is an epidemic and not only in the Philippines but around the globe. People die because of hunger. Millions of Filipino families live under a dollar everyday. They seldom eat three times a day. Children, disabled, men and women alike roam the streets of the cities to ask for alms. They live in the slums and most are jobless. 

Year after year, the state of poverty in the Philippines is getting worse. The number is ever increasing and if we do not put a halt to it, we will find ourselves in a sea of impoverished fellowmen.

But how do we help the poor? There are already a hundred NGOs around the country doing their share but it still doesn't seem to be enough. We see hundreds of on-going feeding programs, medical missions, and add to that those TV shows that give away cash prizes on a daily basis. Yes, these efforts help but after the meal was consumed and the prize money was gone, what happens next?

If we really want to help the poor, we need to stop offering band-aid solutions. These are temporary and forgettable. It doesn't deal with the root cause of the problem resulting in little to no difference at all. We need to come up with solutions that are meant to deal with the causes and not just the symptoms of the disease. Poverty is like a deadly disease that spreads like an epidemic because of lack of education, unavailability of decent jobs and poor mentality.

Poor people remains poor because they allow their situations and circumstances to dictate the course of their lives. Breaking free from poverty will never be a walk in the park. It will require hard work and grim determination to get past through the challenges and setbacks along the way. But the feat is possible because there are people who have already done it.

I came up with 4 E-STEPS on how we might be able to gradually eradicate poverty in the Philippines. This is not based on a study or research but this is merely based on my opinion, observations and readings.

Step 1: ENLIGHTEN

Changing one's poor mindset is a good place to start. They may be born into poverty but they don't have to die poor. They just need to understand that things CAN change for the better. Change the way they think and actions will follow through. 

Step 2: EMPOWER

As soon as the mind is ready, the next step is to prepare them for the long journey. They need to know that they have what it takes to do this. It's definitely not going to be easy but they need to know that there are people who are ready to guide, support and even love them.

Step 3: ENDEAVOR

If one has already set his mind to overcome poverty, it is time to set a goal, big enough that will challenge and motivate them to keep going even if the path is tough and hard.They need to have a target and they need to know where they are going. Setting a goal or an endeavor is essential for their success in beating poverty.

Step 4: EDUCATION

The tool that they need the most is education. A degree will not get them out of poverty but the experience of getting a diploma will widen their horizons and challenge their perspectives. Education is not the only solution but it is a key that will open doors of opportunities for our poor people. 

Pacquiao's Stunning Loss is God's Glorifying Win

Philippians 3:7-8

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Every time there's a Manny Pacquiao fight, traffic stops, crimes go down and Filipinos are excited and more hopeful. Young, old, men, women, the poor and the rich come together to watch Pacman bring glory to the Philippines. We are so used with Pacman winning game after game after game. We get to a point where we bet not on who's going to win but on which round will Pacman KO his opponent. 

But yesterday was a different story. In a stunning, shocking and an unbelievable twist, Pacman was caught off guard by Juan Manuel Marquez's winning counter punch. The People's Champ fell down. He was KOed at round 6. With Pacman's stunning loss, it seemed like we, as a country, also felt that brutal punch from Marquez. What just happened? It took a while longer for reality to sink in. People were crying, shouting in dismay and some just fell silent. In the cyber world, we all have something to say about the fight. Some were sad, angry and very disappointed. Thankfully, most people are still behind Pacquiao win or lose. 

Most of us could not believe that our champion was defeated. We thought Pacman was invincible. He's supposed to be the "Fighter of the Decade" and we expected him to win this one. This time around, our hero failed to meet our expectations. Why did he lose? Is it because he changed his religion? Or it could be that he did not train enough? Maybe Marquez trained harder than Pacman that's why he seemed leaner and stronger. Or was it just lucky punch?  We can speculate. We can justify. Or we can move on. 

In any kind of sports, there's always a winner and a loser. For this specific fight, Pacman is the loser and Marquez came out victorious. But does life ends when one loses? Does Pacman stop being the People's Champ because of one defeat? Is his legacy ruined because of this? I don't think so. The Filipino pride is intact. He still made us all proud when he accepted defeat graciously. He knows his story doesn't end here.      

Instead of walking out, Pacman smiled and congratulated Marquez. He got up with his honor and faith intact because despite his loss, he managed to give praise to God. He surrendered the results to God knowing that his loss is God's gain. When Pacman gave thanks to God and honored him on international television, he won the biggest battle ever. He may have lost some fans and supporters after this fight but he surely won God's stamp of approval.  

Even the Winds and the Waves Obey Him

Matthew 8:27 

The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"




There are times in life when we will experience extreme suffering and hardship. The wind blows like crazy, strong enough to break our resolve. We will stumble and fall once in our lives. Sometimes, the waves of sadness and hopelessness are too huge to drown us in our very own misery.

When problems are too hard to handle, we are often tempted to give up. Then we blame God for our own misfortunes. Such audacity we possess to put the blame on Him when He had given us everything. We are the ones who are making the choices, decisions and excuses. Instead of blaming, why not praise Him despite of our troubles and tribulations? After all, accusing someone never solves the problem. However, this is easier said than done.

When we are hurt and in pain, the first automatic response is to put on our defensive mode. We attempt to protect ourselves from despair by placing the blame on someone else. This allows us to have a temporary retrieve and relief because somehow, we are not entirely at fault for our messy situation. We further nurse our ego with self-pity ridiculously thinking that this will make us feel better.

But we have to realize that problems are there not to break us but to draw us closer to God. Jesus said it himself, "Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."

If we truly know the power and the glory of Christ then we would also know that the best choice is to praise Him at all times especially during the bad times. In moments of desperation, sing your praises and lift up your hands to honor Him. Do not use your mouth to blame or curse but only use it to thank God for who He is.

No matter what your circumstances are, you can trust God. Use all your might to focus your perspective on who God is and not on your present dreary situation.

Our God is all powerful that even the winds and the waves bow down to Him. One word. One command. God can and He will change your situation in His perfect time. So, hang in there and wait on God. For always, we have to let go and let God.

The Zig Ziglar Legacy

"You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." 

                                                             

                                                              - Zig Ziglar

C.S. Lewis. Abe Lincoln. Winston Churchill. Steve Jobs. John Piper. Mahatma Gandhi. William Wilberforce. Theodore Roosevelt. Jose Rizal. Peter Drucker. And Zig Ziglar. These men are some of those whom I highly look up to. They are my inspiration, my standard and my heroes.

I never met any of them but they changed my life through their stories, writing and legacy. These men are one in a million because they fully lived and embraced their fate and destiny. Passion and purpose drove them to make history. Most of them are long gone but their legacy lives and will continue to be alive in the future because of their incomparable and incredible contribution to humanity.

Last November 29, 2012, I heard the news that Zig Ziglar passed away after losing his battle against pneumonia. A great loss for us who were touched and changed by Zig's unwavering passion to motivate people live their dreams by helping enough other people achieve their own aspirations. Zig's contagious enthusiasm towards life and success will continue to change lives for the generations to come. He may have lost the battle to a sickness but his was a full life nevertheless. 

I mourn the passing of one of my heroes and my mentor. I have devoured his books and I have listened to his audio messages again and again. He has made such a huge difference in my attitude towards life. He made a believer out of me. One of my most treasured quotes from Zig talks about choosing to become a meaningful specific rather than becoming a wandering generality. Up to this day, that philosophy pushes me to live life meaningfully not only for my sake but for the sake of other people too. 

This is Zig Ziglar's legacy. He's not after individual successes but he wants every story to be meaningful and significant. This is not done through selfish ambition and hoarding of all the wealth in the world. Real and lasting success is all about working together with other people. You will get what you want if you help your friend, your neighbor, your colleague, your family get what they want. It's a win-win situation. It is a timeless and proven philosophy of sowing and reaping. It's all about building relationships with other people. And the truth is, it is more fulfilling and satisfying to know that you are a part of someone else's success story.

And Zig, you have helped me immensely. Thank you for your dedication to help other people run after their dreams and goals. You are a major part of so many people's success story including mine. You will be truly missed.

Living a Passionately Purposeful Life

Photo Credits: www.inspiredgiftgiving.com

Finding your passion at an early age is a rare opportunity and an extraordinary blessing. It only means that God has given you more time to live life according to your heart's desires and His design. Use your time wisely and embrace your passionately purposeful life.

For most people, it takes many years of searching and suffering before they find the passion that makes them tick. Unfortunately, there are also people that never lived their passion. These are people who allow fear, circumstances and discomfort to hinder them in pursuing their dreams and aspirations.

Often, we are content to live the good life. As long as we have food to eat, a shelter to live in and money to meet our needs then we are content. Life is good. Then life becomes a routine where we wake up with less and less enthusiasm as the days go by. We end the day without any sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. Soon, we realize that twenty five years has passed and our lives are not an inch closer to what God wants us to have.

Living is not just about breathing air. You can be alive and dead a the same time. Your age may reach a century but if you are not living your passion and your purpose then your time on earth is meaningless.

God does not want that kind of life for you and me. Good is not good enough. He wants us to have a great awesome, exciting and a fulfilling life.

Don't stop searching and pursuing for your passion and purpose. Let God guide you as you embark on this journey that will change the course of your life forever. Once you find it, do not ever let go until your are living, breathing and tasting your passionately purposeful destiny.