Greater Good Philippines tells the stories of social entrepreneurs, volunteers, philanthropists, and ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things for their community, in hopes of motivating and inspiring others to do the same.

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Harnessing the Internet to spread God’s Word

July 21, 2011

“The youth cannot afford not to be extraordinary especially in this day and age.”

I have quoted these words a number of times in this blog, which I attribute to social entrepreneurs Mark Ruiz and TJ Agulto. And the facts cannot be any clearer.

Never has humanity been more connected until the advent of the Internet, making virtually everyone in the globe reachable. So what can one do with the power that is literally just resting at their fingertips?

As a Christian, it is our duty and obligation to honor God and make disciples. This call to action is made easier by Web 2.0, the very tools that enhance interactivity amongst web users. More than two billion people are online–and it is safe to assume that more than half of that population is surfing the Web at any given time of the day.

Just imagine how far-reaching an online advocacy would be. This

With this, I propose for Churches around the world to create an Internet/Web/Online Ministry that will take charge of reaching out to unbelievers at the virtual space.

This ministry will face its own unique challenges. And as I write this blog, a number of issues is already stunting any form of enthusiasm. But I am already doing it, which is why, as you may have noticed, this blog has slowly been focusing on Christian-related themes.

The original and primary thrust of Greater Good Philippines remains, which is to spread the stories of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things for the betterment of the community. But I offer more of this space for the glory of God.

The real challenge is how to reach the other four billion. Perhaps only in God’s time.

Guidelines International is a great case study.

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5-Why Analysis: Traffic on C5

July 13, 2011

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself
Philippians 2:3

Why is traffic bad along C5 from Market! Market! to that overpass crossing the Pasig River?

This section of the highway is poorly designed with four bottlenecks in a span of 1.5 kilometers.

Topped with the Filipinos’ penchant for squeezing in every road space available, this blends just the right formula for a horrifyingly epic experience on the road.

It is safe to say that you can get anywhere around Metro Manila within 30 to 45 minutes, traveling at a safe speed of 80 kilometers per hour. But the only time you can do this is during Holy Week (at least from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday) or a Manny Pacquaio fight.

On the contrary, traversing that very span of C5 will take you about 45 minutes to an hour on peak hours 5pm to 8pm, Mondays through Fridays. Don’t miss it.
(more…)

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The essence of trail blazing

July 7, 2011

trail blazing

Last Sunday, July 3, I conducted a lecturer in front of 40-plus trainees under my mountaineering club’s Basic Mountaineering Course, touching on the subject of trail movement. Towards the end of my 45-minute talk, one of the trainees asked me what trail blazing meant.

“It’s, basically, building a trail when there is none,” I answered.

A few minutes after the session, during a self-evaluation of my performance, I thought I could have expounded more on the subject albeit deviating from the topic of mountaineering.

“Trail blazing is leaving a trail behind you that others can follow.”

“The analogy of trail blazing is used in modern society to refer to people who leave a positive and lasting mark that benefits others.”

…and so on. (more…)

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Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup

July 2, 2011


The Homeless World Cup is just around the corner. Here is sneak peak of what spectators can expect from the 8-day event.

Visit the Homeless World Cup website for more information.

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"Fishermen do the hardest work…yet receive the least profit"

July 1, 2011

“We can’t immediately trace the increase in prices,” said Ely Buitizon, WWF’s data enumerator, referring to the vibrant but vulnerable live fish trade in Palawan. “But what’s evident is that the fishermen do the hardest work, have the highest economic needs, invests the most time in the trade, yet receive the least profit.”

This is a phenomenon that occurs throughout the country with farmers and fishermen at the lower end of the tier (worker-local trader-distributor) receiving a measly share of the economic pie. The article, “Fishing for Survival: How a Global Market Is Shaping One Island Community”, tackles this inequity plus the growing challenge of resource depletion.

Coleen Jose, a grantee from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and the Dean Rusk International Studies Program at Davidson College, uncovers the bustling Live Reef Fish for Food Trade (LRFFT) program in Taytay, Palawan and the dangers faced by local communities from dwindling aquatic resources. The upside of the article is the viable resource management program being executed in the province that poses as a model for the rest of the country and its neighbors.

Read more of the article on Huffington Post.

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