Anything Under The Sun

The Philippines is renowned for the multitude of presidential aspirants and political parties that emerge whenever a national election approaches. Without a stringent nomination or candidate filtering process, Filipinos are faced with an overwhelming array of choices. How can voters discern the competence of each presidential candidate? Relying solely on surveys, some of which may lack reliability, seems precarious. Should Filipinos hinge their decisions on popularity alone? Fortunately, there are individuals, hopefully a majority, who diligently examine the platforms and programs of candidates, delving into their backgrounds through extensive research. Many presidential hopefuls hail from well-known families: Gibo Teodoro, Noynoy Aquino, and Jamby Madrigal, to name a few. Some are related, such as Dick Gordon and JC delos Santos, as well as Noynoy and Gibo. The roster also includes religious leader Eddie Villanueva and lesser-known candidates like Nick Perlas and JC de los Reyes. Not to be overlooked are businessman and politician Manny Villar and the popular Erap Estrada. Each candidate possesses admirable qualities and flaws, along with varying degrees of influence, contingent upon the diverse groups and individuals supporting them. Undeniably, the plethora of choices for the presidency in the Philippines offers both benefits and challenges. While the abundance of options allows for diversity, it also risks creating chaos. The call to Filipino voters is clear: be wise in your decision-making process. Evaluate candidates judiciously and choose with discernment.

An April Fool is considered to be someone who sends jokes or plays tricks after noon. This is because in some countries, the jokes only last until noon. Whatever the origin of April Fool is... it's still unknown. More detailed references to the talked-about event are said to have piqued public curiosity in the 18th century. There are lots of theories that have been made and speculated about how the tradition started. Unfortunately, none of them has been successful in providing evidence. With this, the mystery of April Fool's Day's origin remains unsolved. Whatever and wherever the tradition started, most people still celebrate it. Are you ready to discover news saying that the planet has been invaded by aliens? Or that Bigfoot was found sitting beside Elvis Presley? How about learning that Michael Jackson is alive and enjoying summer beaches in a Southeast Asian country? Well, be wise. Be wise. Be wise.

For years, people have strived for excellence. Many individuals and organizations consider excellence to be a fundamental value or goal worth pursuing. What, then, is excellence? What does it mean to pursue it? What lies within the concept of excellence? Allow me to share some insights as we collectively strive for excellence: Excellence means: Surpassing average or mediocrity. Committing to go the extra mile. Devoting what you are, what you have, and what you do to God and then giving your best. Focus on giving your best without dwelling on rewards, as they will naturally follow. Steps to Excellence: Recognize the significance of the mediocrity problem. Decide to be an excellent professional. Regularly reaffirm your commitment. Consistently provide excellent service. Resist all temptations to backslide. Benefits of Excellence: Mastery of your craft. Admirable and marketable skills. A promising career trajectory. Fulfillment in life. Hearing the words, "Well done," from God. Are you ready to pursue excellence? :)