Birthday Special: Raphee @ 17

Rafi & the Coconut

Once in my life, I got a tall, fair skinned sister. She came all the way from Spain but she said she is a full blooded French Girl. She was only 15 years old when she came to our house and celebrated her 16th birthday with us. She loves to dance but she looks weird when she does. She tends to be noisy every time she gets excited but when she did not get enough sleep she acts like Cinderella's wicked step sister. She loves to explore and go out. We even let her ride the jeepney all by herself.  She loves the beach and most of all I can say she loves the Philippines.


We cannot send her a gift or even a card, it takes the local post office months for them to receive it, so here I am writing this blog entry specially for her.


Dear Raphaelle Auvigne ( i still cannot even spell your name right), you will never be forgotten. You are dearly missed and we wish you a happy birthday! From papa, mama and the rest of the people of Apopong love you! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY INDAY RAFI! LOVE YOU!

Happy Day to all the Real FATHERS!

This is my second repost from the very influential Bro. Bo which is timely for 
the father's day celebration. The first was all about being happy. (Click to read)


This post is not all about skepticism but facing the reality. Consider yourself lucky if you have a dad or a husband who does not have the traits that will be mentioned. 


Here you go, enjoy!

From: Are you a Real Man?

By: Bo Sanchez

I’m going to be very blunt here.

Do you know why the world is in crisis today?

I’ll tell you why: Because men don’t know how to become real men.

Because fathers don’t train their sons how to live life.

Because fathers don’t raise their sons in the ways of the Lord.

Because fathers don’t mentor their sons to take responsibility.

Because fathers don’t teach their sons how to relate to women.

Because fathers don’t love and protect their wives.

Because fathers don’t lead their families towards a vision.

They’re cowards. They’re macho on the outside but flakes on the inside. They’re irresponsible. They’re passive. They’re parasitic jello.

Fathers don’t really “father” their kids on a daily basis. They leave childrearing to the mothers. They have no vision for their families.

Make no mistake about it. Families are in crisis today because we lack godly husbands and godly fathers.

The crisis of the world today is a crisis for manhood.

Let me give you this set of facts you may not know:

· Men commit 90% of major crimes.

· Men commit 100% of all rapes.

· Men commit 95% of all thefts.

· Men commit 91% of all offences against the family.

· Men commit 94% of all drunk drivers.

In one study, they asked fathers how much time they spent with their kids.

They were very honest and apologized that because of their busy schedule, they could only spend 15 minutes a day with their kids. After the interview, these same fathers were equipped with audio recorders—and for the next few days—the behavioural scientists measured the actual time they spent with their children. Average time a father spends with kids? 45 seconds a day.

No joke.

By the way, raising your children isn’t just about spending time with them. A father could be spending time with his children watching TV. Hearts don’t engage when you sit passively in front of the idiot box.

Here are the three things fathers need to do with their kids.

First, you bond with them.

Play with them. Laugh with them. Do things they enjoy doing. Because my sons are small, I play their games, no matter how silly they seem to me. “Waste” your time with them, doing what you may consider totally unproductive. In reality, playing with your kids is the most productive thing you can ever do as a human being.

Second, you teach values.

Yes guys, you actually open your lips. Not classroom lectures, mind you. But you tell stories. Exciting, inspiring stories. Don’t leave this to Mom. Men, pick good books and read stories to your sons. Stories of courage. Stories of service. Stories of heroism. Stories about God.

Third, you pray together.

That’s right, Dads. Don’t let Mom be the priestess at home. You’re the priest of the family, so act like one. On Judgment Day, God won’t first ask the mother, “Did you bring your family closer to Me?” He’ll ask this important question to Dad first. Fathers, let your children watch you pray and see your heart for the Lord.

How can you do all these three assignments if you don’t spend at least a weekly date with each of your kids?

Fatherhood isn’t for wimps. It’s requires men of steel. It requires rocklike warriors totally committed to winning the battle for the hearts of their children.

Will you be a real man?

Now let me congratulate all the fathers who had won the hearts of their children.




Happy Father's Day!