Photos Disrespecting the Lenten Cross

Just a day after the nation observed Lent, life - and cyberspace - returned from a brief hiatus but in a rather unpleasant way.

Many netizens are crying foul over a girl's apparent disrespect for religious symbols as she posed for a photo looking like she was nailed to a cross.

The photo was taken by a certain Maike Domingo in Bgy. Lourdes in Angeles, Pampanga. His Facebook album would also reveal that others had posed for the same photo too, including a foriegn woman and two men who appeared to be Filipinos.

Another photo showed children climbing up the cross, as if let loose in a playground.

GMA News Online has tried but failed to get in touch with Domingo on the matter.

'Forgive them for they know not what they do'

The photo, which as of posting time had over 5,000 shares on Facebook, has sparked online rage. The older population of the Pinoy cyberspace tried to put it in context with youth and its subscription to modernism.

But some have opted to contain their ire and pray instead for the individuals, quoting Luke 23:34: "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

GMA News Online has stumbled upon another photo which appeared to have been taken in the same place in Angeles, Pampanga. The photo, taken by photographer Jay Javier, is a jumpshot of two girls in front of the cross.

Javier, on his Facebook page, said the photo was taken on Good Friday and commented, "Even non-believers will cringe at the sight of this blatant show of disrespect and impropriety."

'Officials didn't do anything about it'

Javier also told GMA News Online that he approached the event officials/organizers to "do something about it, but they just appeared to have tolerated it."

"They made a feeble attempt to stop these follies, but the person tasked to that left immediately after," Javier said. "The 'set' with the crosses were left unattended, for anyone to play in, and do poses like [these] photos."

Caritas Manila executive director Fr. Anton Pascual said over Catholic station Radyo Veritas that today's youth seemed to have lost respect for spiritual things along with their moral values, and need to be educated about it.

"Kaya’t  ipagdasal natin ang ating mga kabataan ngayon at mabigyan ng tamang pag-aaral ng paggalang sa mga bagay na esperitwal tulad ng crucifix at malaman  din ng mga kabataan na ito ang identity at  moral values at paggalang sa relihiyon," Pascual said.

Pascual also reminded that social media, despite its power to connect people, can be used for wrong.

"Pero ito (social media) ay  binibigyan natin ng babala ng ating Simbahan na  bagamat ito ay nakatutulong itoy maaari ding maging instrumento upang magdulot ng isang masamang katuruan at lalason sa mga kaiasiapn ng mga kabataan tulad ng paglabag sa Gospel values at sa tinatawag natin na good manners and right conduct," he added. 

— RSJ/KBK, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/254331/scitech/socialmedia/photos-disrespecting-lenten-cross-earn-ire-online

I always knew I would look back on my tears and laugh; but I never knew I would look back at my laughter and cry...

Missing you so bad... :(

Men 101: Hot Men in the Philippines_Century Boys

Hot Men in the Philippines: Century Boys: These are the best boys in this year's edition of the Century Tuna Superbods , which will have its finals night on 14 April 2012. Let's see....

15 Signs Your Relationship is Meant To Be

Even when you're crazy about someone, it can often be hard to know if he or she is "right" for you. How do you know you won't feel differently in a year? Ten years? A lifetime? Deciding if you can commit to someone is a deeply personal determination, and everyone has different criteria. As in any verdict, you have to start by assessing the evidence. With that in mind, YourTango has come up with 15 signs that you're dating a soul mate. You don't have to check off all of these points to be sure about someone-but if you can say yes to several, you've found someone very special.

1. You tell him things you don't tell anyone else. We don't mean blurting something out after you've had too much merlot, but the desire to tell him intimate details about your life means you trust him-a major component of successful long-term love. Related: 10 Signs Your Guy Is Definitely In Love With You

2. You let her see you in moments of weakness. It's easy to be happy with someone when you're feeling good about life. But what about when you're not doing so well? Do you want to see her when you've been denied a raise, or your cat died or you had a plain old bad day? She should be a comfort during tough times, not a burden.

3. You respect him. You don't want to change the essence of who he is. There may be stuff that irritates you in everyday life-he insists on wearing his favorites, holey T-shirt, he eats sugar cereal for dinner, he still watches Saturday morning cartoons-but you like him, plain and simple. Related: 6 Ways To Be Extra-Supportive

4. You want him to meet your parents. You feel proud of him and you want to show him off-as opposed to feeling like you have to make excuses for him.

5. You can imagine a future together. You don't have to practice writing your first name with his last name, but do you periodically let your mind wander to picture a life together? Is it amazing?

6. You're not afraid to disagree with him. You know that even if you fight, he'll listen to you and won't brush you off. He takes you seriously, even when he thinks you're wrong. Related: 9 Things To Say During A Fight

7. You want to work out your major differences. If you do have crucial differences that will impact your future together-different opinions about religion, money or something else-you want to work them out with him, and you believe you can come to a conclusion that will satisfy both of you.

8. You laugh together. Laughter is one of life's simplest pleasures-you should definitely be able to crack each other up.

9. You're incredibly, utterly, surprisingly attracted to her. Physical chemistry is an undeniably important ingredient in a healthy relationship. And if she's not a classic beauty or your usual "type"? Even more reason to think she's the one.

10. It's OK to be quiet around her. You don't feel like you have to fill the space between you with chatter or other interaction. Instead, you feel an easy comfort.

11. You feel like yourself around him. You don't feel like you have to edit your thoughts; you're not self-conscious or anxious.

12. You need him the right amount. You long for him-but not too much. Some neediness is good but too much breeds discontent.

13. You don't feel too jealous. You're comfortable with him going out with his friends-even female friends. You let each other have your own lives and hobbies. Related: Feeling Jealous? Could Be A Good Thing

14. You feel like she makes you a better person. She makes you feel smart, funny, attractive, creative-like the best version of yourself. You feel like she brings out and complements the best parts of you.

15. She just gets you. Sometimes it's that easy. You feel like she understands some essential part of you that you can't explain or articulate. It's a warm, comfortable feeling-and one you should have with the person you marry.

http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/15-signs-relationship-meant-163600491.html?fb_action_ids=3037680629168%2C2885924629786&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_source=other_multiline&code=AQDfQfpaAuUrljGEfh0nsKiymppjH89R4sWbuL9JM6zfCzXNpz0_bctnW921iYO4_uKbkyitUkh9EqwsycVWLGs29Az5AkW-VAVlntNRvc-xQFTMIytmAxH7O-_tRZ0DXPfLTfp2aKBKGTBC4gq-8HAaanG26otAF87MrzJltzF50EtdzmDoaP3g3Dj1cZWiZbY#_=_

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, properties and luxuries, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.

At 9PM I got my first phone call from Rhon, he's already with his uncle in Jubhail, KSA. Thank God he had a safe trip. Medyo na-culture shock lang siya, with most of the people there all robed-up, their smell and all. Wishing you a happy working life there, I still terribly miss you Rhon.

My Prayer

Father.. You hear our hearts. We do not want to settle, we do not want to find  comfortable positions and put up our tents there and be happy with you blessing me. Father we understand that forgiveness and reconciliation and blessing and favor are given for a reason. It is given for a purpose Father. And today we say God, "Forgive us!" Forgive us when we have taken this attitude. Father, use us! Pick us! Choose us! We want to spend ourselves. FATHER I WANT TO GET TO HEAVEN WITH A LIFE POURED OUT! Not with a life that looks perfect God. I DO NOT WANT TO LOOK GOOD. I WANT TO BE GOOD! We love you today Father God! Let our love be seen on this Earth. Let our love be carved out on the pavements of our neighbourhoods. Let our love be carved out for the lonely, for the state that we were in. We were in that state God, yet someone bothered to take the time and present you to us. We'll never ever take that for granted and in turn we'll live our lives as a thank you! AMEN

Happy Easter 2012

Love knows no boundaries and no distance; miles and obstacles mean absolutely nothing in the face of love.

It’s just our first day apart yet it seems like eternity, i miss you Rhon… L