Victory in Losing

Filipino-Mexican Jessica Sanchez failed to win the title, American Idol, during the finale on May 23, 2012. The popularity contest obtained a total of 132 million votes, the highest ever. The white guy with guitar – Phillip Phillips – took the top spot. A horde of Sanchez supporters were dismayed with the result.

There was one consolation: in the show finale, everyone was blown away by the duet of Tony-award winning performer Jennifer Holiday and Sanchez of the song, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”. The Wall Street Journal said, “One of the most electrifying moments of the “American Idol” finale last night was a duet performed by Jennifer Holliday and Jessica Sanchez, which brought the house down and had even judge Jennifer Lopez jumping up and down screaming.”

There are many instances in life that even if you give it your all, you don’t get the championship trophy. We have this notion that “winning is everything”, and “nobody remembers runner-up finishes”.

One must develop a positive outlook on losing.  For as long as one gives his/her very best in whatever pursuit in life, victory is attained.  In Desiderata, there is that wise advice: “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.”

Martyrdom means losing one’s life for God. It is about giving your very best to serve the Lord. It is about standing for your Faith against authority, against man-made laws, against popular will. It takes courage, conviction and trust to face the wrath of public ridicule.  

But it is not for humans to judge what is in your heart; God knows what is in your heart. Those who are pure of heart He justly rewards. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? “(1 John 5:4-5)

Jessica Sanchez lost to Phillip Phillips, but she won our hearts, and that is what counts the most.

Prayer for Jessica Sanchez

You sit down in a bar in Tokyo, as you listen to the band playing on stage you realize that the singer with the soothing voice is a Filipina accompanied by other talented Filipino musicians. The set-up is duplicated in other entertainment capitals in the world, be it in Singapore, Dubai, Las Vegas or Geneva, for Filipinos seem to be specially ordained by God to sing to the world. Cruise ships usually contract Filipino bands to entertain their passengers.

One writer also observed that whenever he goes to a Catholic church in any part of the world, he is certain to hear familiar angelic voices singing, those of Filipinos who are members of choirs or singing groups in the countless parishes around the globe.

In the Philippines, amateur singing contests in the barrios are staples as in radio and television. The karaoke phenomenon originated in the Philippines when Filipino Roberto del Rosario invented the Sing-a-long System in 1974, which was pirated as the “Miyata Karaoke” in Japan. When the musical, Miss Saigon, became a certified hit, Filipinos led by Lea Salonga became regular casts in Broadway.

Nobody could contain the Filipinos innate music talent as they started breaking into popular music such as the first all-rock band Fanny (with the Millington sisters); Bert Nievera (lead singer of Society of Seven); Nicole Scherzinger (of Pussycat Dolls); Apl.de.Ap (of Black Eyed Peas), Bruno Mars and Charice.

It has become usual for Filipinos to make it as contenders in the toughest and most popular talent show in the world today, American Idol. These included Thia Megia (Season 10 finalist), Ramiele Malubay (Season 7 finalist), Jasmine Trias (Season 3 finalist) and Camile Velasco (Season 3 finalist).

This week, Filipino-Mexican 16- year old Jessica Sanchez makes it in the final round where she pits for the title against Philip Phillips. Judge Steve Tyler predicts that she will be “last one standing” on the stage come finals night.

Sanchez is not only seeking to be the first singer of Filipino descent to win the title, but she carries with her the dreams and aspirations of Filipino singers wherever they may be, she brings with her the offerings of songs during masses by Filipino music groups and choirs.

Please say this prayer in the days leading to the finals of American Idol:
(Sign of the Cross)

We praise You Lord for the gifts you bestow upon Your children.

Your child, Jessica Sanchez, has shared her talent of singing in American Idol, giving us joy, giving us hope

Send Your Holy Angels to protect her from sickness, tiredness and complacency.

Keep her strong physically, mentally and emotionally. Give her spiritual strength in these crucial times of the competition.

We pray for her victory, as she not only deserves to win, but because she carries with her the dreams and aspirations of Filipino entertainers who perform in many parts of the world and in cruise vessels; she represents the many Filipinos who sing in choirs and music groups in churches.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Our Father

Hail Mary

Glory Be

A Fruit Fly

“O my, swallowed a fly, poor little old woman, I think you’ll die.” This nursery rhyme was repeatedly recited by a classmate in my elementary school days that has stuck in my mind for a long time. I thought it was silly.  Not until the time I read an article about one fruit fly that made the headline in the New Zealand Herald on May 11, 2012.  The picture of the fly occupied one half of the front page of the popular daily.

The NZ Herald report said, “A 1.5km red zone cordon surrounds the Auckland suburb of Avondale in a bid to contain a biological disaster that experts fear could decimate New Zealand's $3.5 billion fruit and vegetable export industry. A male Queensland fruit fly was found in a surveillance trap in neighbouring Mt Roskill on Tuesday.”

As a precautionary measure, biosecurity personnel have set up traps in the area to prevent the spread of Q'fly, considered Australia's most serious insect pest of fruit and vegetable crops. An official of the Horticultural New Zealand, in an effort to temper the impact of the finding said, “They only found one fly, were onto it really early, and it's only a male - he can't do much on his own."

Sin is very much like one fly that could cause the collapse of an industry. One sinner can contaminate others, resulting in a spiritual contagion upon a population or a generation. While there are those who think little sins are harmless, actually they are more dangerous for they infiltrate unwitting victims who become themselves carrier of those sins to others.
An example is the contamination of trash language into homes. It either begins with one or both parents shouting profanities between each other or to their children. The next thing we know the kids are talking trash that influence their friends and associates. Most probably, some of these kids grow up to become TV or film directors who produce trash films such as “Hangover”, “Bad Teacher” and “Get Me to the Greek”. These flicks, harmless they may seem, have made the use of trash talk common among people.

Establishing a cordon to contain a lethal fly may be a good idea, in the same manner as doing a good deed can counteract evil. “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23)
But then, good deed alone cannot defeat evil; it must be good deed with the grace of Jesus Christ.  For only the blood of the Lamb of God can cleanse the contaminated soul, thus, recreating a new person, that is "put on the new self, created to be like God."

So next time you see a fly, think on sin. As you swat a fly, so must you with sin, always calling God on your side.

Jesus Heals Cancer

The Equippers Church in Napier placed on its billboard the following message, ‘Jesus heals cancer’ with a tally of six cancer-stricken people who were healed.  It also contained the Bible verse, "Jesus heals every sickness and every disease - Matthew 4:23''.

A mother, whose 3-year old son is being treated for leukemia, said that the sign as "offensive and upsetting''.  “It’s totally disrespectful and hurtful to those that have lost loved ones to cancer or are caring for loved ones with cancer and waiting for them to die. How dare they make a claim like this. It is false advertising.''

The Advertising Standards Authority, persuaded by the submissions of nine complainants, ruled that the advert breached the code of ethics, as it had "neither been prepared nor displayed with the due sense of social responsibility required.''

Instead of waiting for the ruling of the ASA, the church, removed the ‘controversial’ message, saying that  it never intended to cause offence with the billboard, but acknowledged it may have done so to some members of the community,

Church officials said the original statement was an expression of Christian beliefs and was supported by results. "Our belief is substantiated by the fact six people within our congregation have testified to Jesus healing them from cancer. It is also our passion to provide a place of support, hope and healing as we seek to build and encourage people in their relationship with Jesus.''

In an environment of political correctness, the expression of one’s faith and belief has often been labeled as insensitive to non-Christians, atheists and agnostics.  To be respectful, in secular societies, is to keep your faith to yourself, and not bother others. What has become of the world? Why do people not listen? Why do people not want to see the Truth? “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 2:29)

How should we believers open the hearts of those who doubt the saving power of the Lord? “Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.” 1 Peter 2:12