The Magic of Insoymada

Did you already taste an ensaymada and how delicious it is? It is how delicious life can be to the one of the legendary people in Cebu.

Lorenzo “Insoy” Niñal was known by forming one of Cebu's most successful band ‘Missing Filemon’ in 2002. He writes songs that are what he considers to be "shallow", wherein one doesn't have to think about what the song means upon hearing it. His lyrics employ overused themes like friendship, unrequited love, memories of childhood.

“You can't hide behind the symbols," he said.

Niñal was also an advocate of promoting Cebuano language at its best. He noticed that local bands in Cebu did not created a Cebuano song, so he started everything by writing Cebuano songs that hit the music industry not just in Cebu but in the whole country.

“It is really hard, you don’t have any guide because you are the first one to do it,” he explained in TEDx USC as he was one of the speakers.

In 2008, the band received its first national award. The song “Sine-Sine” won as Best Movie Theme Song in that year’s Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS), besting compositions by Noel Cabangon and Mike Hanopol, among other big names in the country’s music industry.

Niñal inspired the young Cebuano artist and bands to do the same that also hit the industry. "Write really good songs so the public will have no choice but to support you," he said.

Many people considered Niñal as one of the legendary artist in Cebu because he founded the immediate rise of the Cebuano music and the first who used the own language in creating music in bands. He also founded the Visayan Pop music that he believes to be to the future of Cebuano music industry.

“If the legendary Eraserheads are in Manila, we also have Missing Filemon in Cebu, headed by Insoy, he is a legend,” University of San Jose Recoletos Mass Communication Professor Kaloy Uypuanco said.

Aside from being an artist, he was also an editor of  the publication of the San Carlos Seminary College and also contributed “Crossline” essays to Sun.Star Cebu’s Weekend Saturday Magazine.

Finally choosing the pen over the pulpit, he quit theology studies in seminary and became a Sun.Star reporter in January 1999. The year 2003 Insoy also edited “Light,” a faith-based section published on Sundays.

In July 2007, his “Scrambled Egg” column in Weekend Saturday Magazine was renamed “Insoymada” and moved to the opinion-editorial. He was one of Sun.Star Cebu’s page editors and columnists.

            With his work in media and music industry, Insoy inspired youth by actively participating in the different forums as a guest speaker. He was part of the faculty of the Cebu Normal University teaching music and other Mass Communication subjects. He also guides Tsinelas, an organization he founded to help children attain an education.

“My profession also allows me to always keep myself abreast of the latest developments in various fields of interest and write about a wide range of topics,” he said.

“Over the years, I have worked with some of the best people in my field who have helped me develop love and respect for the written word,” he added.

Insoy made a mark in his life and continue making his legacy in the industry of media where he serve the people through giving information, in the industry of music where he will continue to give an uprising stint of the patronage of the people in Cebuano music and by inspiring the people in using Cebuano language and lastly, in the industry of knowledge- the academe where he continue to inspire his students and give a good quality education for the future.

That’s what the Insoymada Magic was all about! It was an all-packed service to the community with humility. Nobody could ever surpass the deeds of the humble Insoy. It is hard! But it was inspiring! You know what was the easiest thing? We better eat the delicious ensaymada.

Ten Commandments of REALationship

“Love never fails”, 1 Corinthians 13: 8 in the Christian Bible.

It is inevitable for us to love and be loved. Sometimes, we will be hurt and that was the challenge of love- sacrifice, understand and care for the one you truly love. Many people get discourage to love because they were already hurt. But I totally agree as how the bible describes the unexplainable love: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. So here are some steps toward making your love last:

1. Take your partner’s breath away. Do something amazingly thoughtful and out of the ordinary and try to incorporate an element of surprise to it: a loving note tucked into a pocket. A special dinner on an otherwise ordinary night. A playlist made up with his favourite songs. These thoughtful acts will embed you in his memory.

2. Do something special on a regular basis. Call her everyday just to touch base for a few minutes. Make her meal once a week. Once she begins to expect these things, you will always be close to her awareness.

3. BE YOU. Don’t try to change him/her. Be with your desired mate because you love him/her as is, not who you think you can turn him/her into.

4. Learn what pleases your partner sexually. Make it clear that her pleasure is your pleasure, and you want to discover everything about what turns her on. She’ll be happy to have you experiment with her.

5. Teach your partner what you like. Likewise, making you happy will make her feel good. And research shows that the sexual pleasure of one partner increases the pleasure of other partner.

6. TRUST! TRUST! TRUST. Trust your mate. Of course it’s easier said than done, especially if you have been cheated on in a past relationship. However, the person you are with now does not deserve that judgement. It’s a different person and it’s a different relationship. If you don’t trust your mate, you are going to have problems.

7. Low Pride Talk nice. Don’t berate your partner in public, and also watch your tongue when you are in private. Do not show or express contempt, as it is the opposite of respect, and then that is gone, the relationship is over. If something your partner says or does pisses you off, do not act negatively. Wait to respond if you know you have a sharp tongue. Find a way to respond in a way that will diffuse the situation. The smallest argument can blow out of proportion and be the beginning of the end. The point is you communicate well. Don’t say, “That was stupid.” Go something like, “I think you could have handled that a little better.”

8. Learn how to deal with conflict. Couple fight. It’s not going to always be peaches and cream. How you handle your disputes, however, can be the difference between a short marriage and a lifelong one. Attack the issue that has popped up, not your partner. Don’t become defensive and hurtful. Talk about it. Resolve it and move on. Don’t let hurt feelings boil inside and blow up one day out of the blue.

9. Summarize and immortalize loving moments. Don’t be afraid to give voice to your love. Tell her how you feel. Write a loving note or poem. Lovers have been doing this from the beginning of time because it works.

10. AS ONE. Face adversity or a challenge together, whether it’s aimed at just one of you or both of you as a couple. Say your partner is studying for the bar exam. As the test gets closer, relieve him/her of some of his/her chores so there is more time to study. Chances are, once the exam is over, your partner will do something special for you in appreciation.

Having a successful relationship is not always going to be easy. However, if you think ahead and follow these few guidelines, the rewards can be exceedingly generous and provide a lifetime of joy and happiness.

Remember if you truly love each other, amidst the imperfections, challenges and mistakes, Love will always reigns. Don’t be afraid to love and be loved, just give your all and do what you believe what is right because that was REALationship means and it will never fail.

Bring BA-s-K-et-BALL’s Glory

The world took notice again.

Sports analysts, coaches and basketball fans from around the world stunned by the Smart Gilas Pilipinas in their impressive performance in this year’s FIBA World Cup- one of the prestigious events of basketball in the world.

The Philippine national men’s basketball team made heads turn and showed the whole world what Filipino basketball has to offer. Armed with the passion and heart to give pride once again to the Filipinos, the Smart Gilas Pilipinas marked the first win in the World Basketball since 40 years of the drought against Senegal.

The Gilas Pilipinas had an outstanding performance in a wire-to-wire loss against Croatia in a tough overtime, the impressive “never say die” attitude in a double digit loss against the Greece, the dog-eat-dog game in a crucial loss against the rank 3^rd team Argentina and the nearly win against the standout team Puerto Rico.

 It’s been 36 years, after all, since the Philippine basketball team made it to the world championships. When the news first broke that Gilas was headed to the world stage, all but those die-hard fans expressed surprise at the fact that given the amount of determination and talent present.

A bronze during the 1954 FIBA and a fifth-place standing during the 1936 Summer Olympics serve as the country’s top claims-to-fame. Since then there’s been a drought in wins, if not actual participation in a world-ranked arena. Subsequent suspensions in 1963, 2001, and 2005-2007 also dampened any championships chances the country had.

The social media hits up with the support of the Philippine National Basketball Team that trend a week ago. The hashtags of #LabanPilipinas and #PUSO were viral for almost a month.

Gilas Pilipinas may have walked off the courts with a loss for now but certainly not out of the hearts of Filipinos. Both the country and most of the world watch as they make a repeat performance at the FIBA Asian Championship Game in the upcoming weeks.

The social media is expected to flood again by the all-out support of the Filipinos around the world. The fight to bring back the basketball supremacy continues as Gilas Pilipinas together with the millions of Filipinos will unite.

The former University of Cebu standout June Mar Fajardo will expected to carry the national squad in the international tournament as the mighty team captain Jimmy Alapag will be retiring from his national uniform.

Known from a basketball country, the journey of Gilas Pilipinas is a trend in Cebu as Cebuanos hand the full-support for Fajardo but it doesn’t end there, it is a trend that every Filipino must be proud of and an international trend as the world take notice of the Philippine basketball.

Indeed, forming the national basketball team has never been easy. This is the starting point of stepping again to the world arena. We must support our one and only team. It is the team that represents our passion for the game and our dreams of doing well in a game more suited for giants and titans. 

Bucket Challenge of Cause

Have you been nominated to do the ice bucket challenge? Do you wonder the challenge worth doing for? Do you know the mystery behind those buckets?

It was just a simple challenge in your eyes but deep inside the buckets were a helping hand, social awareness and worthwhile service to others.

I don’t mind the viral challenge in social media at first because I didn’t know the cause of doing it. But when I come to realize, I was already amazed on how people do some initiatives to address public awareness and to help others financially in their fight against the disease.

The Ice Bucket Challenge is an activity involving dumping a bucket of ice water on someone's head to promote awareness of the diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)  in the United States of America and Motor Neurone Disease in United Kingdom. The challenge encourages nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and then nominating others to do the same. A common stipulation is that nominated participants have 24 hours to comply or forfeit by way of a charitable financial donation. The participant is expected to donate $10 if they have poured the ice water over their head or donate $100 if they have not.

The origins of the idea of dumping cold water on one's head to raise money for charity are unclear and have been attributed to multiple sources. The most commonly accepted origin credits Pete Frates, a Bostonian who was diagnosed with ALS in March 2012. One version took place in Salem, Indiana as early as May 15, 2014, involved dousing participants with cold water and then donating to a charity. Meanwhile, the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation popularized the "Cold Water Challenge" in early 2014 to raise funds as an unsanctioned spin-off of the polar plunge most widely used by Special Olympics as a fundraiser.

Golfer Chris Kennedy was the first to focus the freezing fundraiser on ALS research. He challenged his cousin Jeanette Senerchia of Pelham, New York, whose husband, Anthony, had ALS for 11 years. Kennedy was the first to focus the freezing fundraiser on ALS research. Also Former Boston College baseball player Pete Frates, who has ALS, a patient advocate began posting it on social media that has an initial focus of the challenge and strengthened its focus on ALS.

The success of educating the people through the power of media is slowly showing signs as the ALS Association stated that prior to the challenge going viral only half of Americans had heard of the disease, often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease", after the famous baseball player Lou Gehrig, who publicly revealed his diagnosis in 1939. But after, the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media, public awareness and charitable donations to ALS charities soared. Hits to the English Wikipedia's article on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis grew from an average of 163,300 views per month to 2.89 million views in August 2014, and similar increases occurred in the Spanish and German Wikipedias. The ALS Association is just one of several ALS-related charities that have benefited from the challenge that unites the world in one cause- proper education and a helping hand.

Many celebrities, government officials and ordinary people did their share of helping. The initiative of helping other people and the challenge to open the passive minds on the other people is a great challenge for us. This ice bucket challenge was a clear manifestation that we can do something to be everything of someone who is in need.

In fact, this ice bucket challenge was the inspiration of the former President of the University of San Jose- Recoletos Supreme Student Council Carl Dave Ang to help his fellow Josenian, Manuel Cedric Rafols Gaspar in raising funds for his kidney transplant and by having his version- the #‎JosenianIceBucketChallenge.

Carl Ang nominated the Josenian family, including the alumni to do the ice bucket challenge by wearing any USJ-R shirt and donate at least 100 pesos. Ang explained to his video post in facebook that if all Josenians currently enrolled and alumni will give at least 100 pesos, he will have enough money for the transplant.

Amidst of its critics on the health conditions of the participants and the issue of wasting the water, I saw the uniqueness and greatness of this challenge that comes out in our hearts.

It is not all about the challenge but it is all about the awareness to help other people as much as we could- that it is not impossible to be big despite of the individuality, that it is not hard to fight when you know that there’s somebody willing to help and that it is not stiff to be a change in the society. This is the challenge of serving! 

Finding Love: Breaking Curiosity

Did you ever dream of finding Maria in the mountain of Mount Makiling? Did you ever wonder how beautiful Maria would be? Is she still living in the beautiful paradise in Laguna?

               

These were the questions that I needed to answer when I accepted the challenge of representing the Boy Scout of the Philippines Biliran Council in joining the prestigious event in scouting- the 26^th Asia Pacific Regional Jamboree last December 28, 2010- January 3, 2011.

           

It was just a once in a life-time opportunity to me, to be with the scouts all over the Asia Pacific regions and to meet different scoutmasters in different countries. But above all, it was a dream come true moment to witness the legendary mountain in the country and to find the love of the legendary fairy.

            I was one of the best scouts in our province who were travelling in the cold-breeze wind in our place at dawn to be in our 7 am flight in Manila. Our van was silent and everybody just fell asleep in our way. I only heard the blowing of horns, the crashing of the winds in our van and the chitchatting of the trees while thinking about our romance between Maria. When I was still a child, I often heard the folk story about Maria Makiling and her mysterious acts in the beautiful mountain paradise. The widely known ‘diwata’ of Philippine Mythology has a light olive skin, long shining black hair, and twinkling eyes in my dreams.

Our national hero, the great Jose Rizal himself, published an article in La Solidaridad about Maria Makiling:

"According to eyewitness, she was a young woman, tall and graceful with big black eyes and long and abundant hair. Her color was a clear pure brown, the kayumangging kaligatan, as the Tagalogs say. Her hands and feet were small and delicate and the expression of her countenance always grave and serious. According to general belief, and contrary to the reputation imputed to the nymphs and goddesses, Mariang Makiling always remained pure, simple, and mysterious as the genius of the mountain.” ("Maria Makiling" by Dr. Jose Rizal published in La solidaridad, Dec 31, 1890.)

After arriving in Tacloban, we are bound to travel to Manila and after in Laguna. I am under the weather at that time. I feel like having the fire in my body but I kept myself to be strong just to find my love Maria. When we arrived in the University of the Philippines Los Banos Campus, I saw the beauty of the whole mountain. The abundance and serenity of the enchanted mountain complements Maria's own persona in my dreams.

Mount Makiling is a dormant volcano in Laguna province. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) classify the volcano as potentially active. Mount Makiling is a state-owned forest reserve administered by the University of the Philippines, Los Baños. The mountain was the first national park of the Philippines that was used in forestry education and information. The Makiling Forest Reserve was declared an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2013.

The smiles of my fellow scouts, the warm greetings of “Good Morning”, their colourful Council shirts, their creative and unique camps welcomed us with joy and excitement to unite the spirit of scouting within us as Sir Baden Powell, the founder of the scouting movement said: “A scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens”.

I was surprised because it has roads in the mountain and well-developed. Scouts was often put their thick jackets on because of the winter weather. In addition, the water was also made by ice that would make you realize that it is nice to be warm.

The challenges, the drills and the obstacle trainings in the Jamboree were indeed challenging. I also saw different talented, hardworking and service oriented scouts around the world. My life in the week event was worthy to be reminisced every now and then. But wait, after finishing our test as a scout, I have yet a mission to be fulfilled and questions to be answered – that was to meet my one true love for Maria.

            I enjoyed hiking, camping, trekking, mountain biking, and bird watching in the legendary mountain but I was never lost. I did it because I think that it was the only way to find Maria. In my journey around the mountain, I observed that approximately 2,048 species of plants can also be found there. Mt Makiling hosts man-made attractions such as the Makiling Botanical Garden and The National Arts Center; its natural attractions include the mountain's highest peak (the Peak II), the Flat Rocks, and the Mud Springs and the Boy Scout of the Philippines facade.

In the end of the event, I felt hopeless while watching the wonderful art of God- the Laguna Bay because I did not met Maria. I just saw her beautiful monument in the middle of the forest but I still not able to talk to her.

            When we were packing our things to leave Mount Makiling, I had come to realize that Maria Makiling was the mount Makiling itself. The beauty, the mystery and the legendary of Maria in the folktales was the mountain itself. I just smiled with the feeling of being in loved and say, thank you for giving me a worthwhile experience Maria. Till we meet again!

Universal F(e)ast of UNITY

Is Eid-al Fitr just for our Muslim brothers? Do we celebrate on their one of the important and symbolic feast?

People around the world may have different ways in celebrating the feast but we just have one goal- to thank and praise God. In the Philippines, particularly here in Cebu, the feast is a non-working holiday for the Filipinos showing respect to our Muslim brothers. It is recognized by the Philippine government as a regular holiday. The first commemoration of this holiday occurred on Dec. 6, 2002.

Other Filipinos went to the mosques and sharing traditional food as a thanksgiving to their God for allowing them to abide by their religious duties and to uphold peace and unity among Islam's faithful. Eid-al Fitr is a unique festival. It has no connection with any historical event nor it is related changes of seasons or cycles of agriculture.

The “Feast of Breaking the Fast” is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It is a three-day worldwide festival that started Monday this year. The holiday begins with revelers waking up before scorching heat smile of the sunrise, brushing their teeth for fresh breathing, taking showers for refreshing, and then putting on their best clothes. After the solemn Eid prayer, family and friends celebrate together, while children are given small gifts and treats.

“Eid” in Arabic means festivity while “fitr” is denoted from the Arabic word iftar which mean breaking the fast. This festivity rooted way back 610 A.D., almost 600 years, when Prophet Mohammed saw an angel, angel Jibril, the messenger of Allah. Jibril guided Mohammed in writing the verses of wisdom which later became the code of conduct of Islam, popularly known as the holy book of ‘Quran’. Mohammed said that God taught him all the verses of wisdom exactly on the month of Ramadan. Because of this, Mohammed told and asked all Muslims to observe Ramadan as the month of offering prayers and sacrifices to Allah to show their deepest gratitude.

Its significance is purely spiritual. It is the day when the Muslims thank Allah for having given them the will, the strength and the endurance to observe fast and obey His commandment during the holy month of Ramadan. It brought rejoicing and happiness in Muslim world. The rejoicing is not, however at the departure of Ramadan; it is the happiness which man feels after successfully completing an important task.

For Muslims, Eid al Fitr is the occasion for showing gratitude to God. The religion tries to strengthen the highest qualities of the human character; materialism strives to make him the slave of the lowest animal instincts degrading him to the level of the beasts. On this day, special prayers are held around the world over, between sunrise and noon when the Muslims assemble, in large congregations, wearing their best dresses standing shoulder to shoulder, demonstrating for everyone the universal brotherhood.

Brotherhood also came in when Muslims and Christians have some conflicts here in our country. But that story was just a history for us, a history that innovates to the reality of respect and unity with one another- lowering of prides, respecting each individual and empowering everyone’s lives.

Moreover, I believed that this feast is a tool of unity in the country and in the world because it is not only for the Muslims but for all of us, showing our heartily praise to our God and giving our hearts and souls to Him as we deny ourselves through Him and in Him. This feast is just similar to our other feast. It is not all about religion but on having the same God- as brothers and sisters.

Let us re-dedicate our life to the cause of humanity, which is the best way to demonstrate our love of God. Let us decide that, in the coming year, we will build a social order which would bring not only the material benefits, but also the spiritual satisfaction as we celebrate – the universal feast of Unity.