Gloria Resign?!

We want a perfect government.

That’s too obvious. We kick our president’s fanny off his or her throne because of some scandal, some faulty actions and some treasury holes. Then we support another rising political star and pin him or her to presidency. Then after some good enough years, we discover something fishy and decide to take the crown off him or her, too.

I’ve got a question for you: HOW CAN YOU EXPECT AN IMPERFECT MAN TO CREATE A PERFECT GOVERNMENT?

Yeah, give me an election stage right now and I might haul Miriam Defensor-Santiago to the palace! But–hey–even Miriam can lie about jumpin’ off the plane without a parachute! Who are we going to vote as president? The I-am-Vice-President Loren Legarda? The bright Chiz Escudero? I guarantee you: You’ll always find mistakes in them or in any other person you’ll place in that position.

Why? It’s a two-way street. At one point, humankind is so fond of “tsismis” or what my former colleagues call as “cheezums”. We always want to dig the mistakes of others and, albeit with a malicious heart, wear a mask of humility with a slogan in the forehead that says: I just want the truth to come out. Oh foolish man! You think that the heavens smile down on you for your bravery?! Don’t you have your own mistakes waiting to come out in the open? Don’t you have a speck in your eye? Check first from the inner canthus going out! Jesus told the crowd who were waiting to stone an adulterous woman to stone the woman if they haven’t sinned at all. Was there a boulder flying? Not a pebble, baby. Coming from the opposite direction, the politicians may be bright, rich and *sigh* bred with good moral values but they’re human! And they’ll be placed in a position where it’s either you’ll take some or be forced to take some. Why? My goodness! You should know! We’re of corrupted and of corruptible seed!

A student once asked me, “Sir, why does man, though he tries to be as good as he can, always sin?”

I can tell you two true-to-life stories. First, man was created perfect. No sin, no guile, no illness, no poverty, doesn’t have to work, doesn’t have to worry and mama need not labor to give birth to the cutie yet silly you. Perfect. Not destined to go to hell. Second, a worship leader in heaven named Lucifer got all puffed up. Maybe his wings got “pimped up”. He got lotsa stocks of pride so the Lord God threw him out. The handsome singer-turned-scheming evil was then and until now destined to be punished in the lake of fire. Now let’s join the two stories as it happened. Your guy, Luci,could have thought that, “hey–if I’m going to the lake of fire, why not take the humans along?” or “would it be okay for me to go all alone with my demons to eternal punishment and leave man enjoying his blessings?” Surely his answer was: No way. So he tempted my fair lady, Eve, to disobey God and eat of the forbidden fruit. And SURPRISE!!! Man sinned. Now, man gets sick, must work to eat, will die and go to hell. Know what’s another feature? He will always be under the power of his corrupted flesh. He will always sin. Brangelina can always give to charity and adopt helpless children but they still live in sin. (Sorry guys, but you gotta repent!)

Check out your dusty-to-the-max Bible. God wanted to rule over His people. But what did man want? “I want a king! A human king! I want a king to rule over me!” Thus, God gave man a human government. A government with a motto of: fail and fail until you’re kicked out! God donned flesh to rule over His people, wanting to give them righteousness, peace and joy. But what did humans cry out for? “We want a rich human king decked in silky robes and powerful arms to deliver us from these Romans–not that carpenter of Nazareth!” Thus, it was your loss, kiddo.

So what’s my stand? I’m not pro- or anti-Gloria. Neutral? Nah. I’ll simply give her my respect because she’s in position. “Honor the king”, as our beloved apostle said. Yep! The king who was known to be cruel to the apostles. Crazy? Godly. I’ll let you yell “resign” all you want and wait for you to yell again in a few years for your “next one” to resign. Ain’t it funny? Why not take my advice? Conquer the flesh that makes you sin. How, Mr. Nurse? Well, the Bible says: (1) Repent of your sins, (2) Be baptized in the name of Jesus and (3) Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Only then can you receive the power over sin. So scram, kid, and sign up for the best experience of your life!

Oh! Remember the student who asked me? He repented, got the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in other tongues and got baptized in the name of Jesus. It was a joy to see him dancing and jumping like crazy for God!

Gloria resign? I got a better idea: Dear reader, RESIGN FROM SIN!

The Great Wall Of… L.A.?!

Surprise!

 

Pau Gasol is shipped into Los Angeles and we’re all surprised, aren’t we? We were like, “are you kidding me?” or “you can’t be serious!” Even NBA coaches couldn’t believe this latest transaction between the Lakers and the Grizzlies. The Lakers (finally a wise decision…whew!) got Gasol from Memphis in exchange for Kwame Brown (considered to be the lousiest #1 draft pick), Javaris Crittenton (a promising player but not of the present world), and two first round picks (which most probably slouch down to the 20ths as the Lakers’ rise is anticipated). Tinseltown is clearly on the winning end while Graceland is on the “better luck next time” phase.

 

I’ve never been a fan of the Lakers but I’m a fan of the 7’0’’ Spanish sensation. He’s an effective low post scorer, rebounder and defender with a good touch, a decent dribble and a well-known high basketball I.Q. Of course, he’s no Tim Duncan but he’ll readily show up on the top 10. He’s got the type of personality that will complement Kobe’s leadership. He’d probably remind Phil Jackson of Toni Kukoc’s aura.

 

Now, when the Lakers take the floor, you’d see the muscle-sporting, experienced Derek Fisher running the point at 6’2”, the NBA’s current best player in the 6’6” Black Mamba, a lengthy, versatile player in the 6’10” Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol at 7’0” and a rising monster in 7’0” or 7’1” Andrew Bynum. It’s like the Great Wall of China you’re going against when you’re talking of length from Kobe and up. Other coaches are now starting to think how to match up against the Lakers’ height. And let’s not forget the skills that go with the height. Are you, Western Conference guys, ready to say big four now? San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas will no longer hold the spotlight to their own arenas.

 Where will this move take the team? I’m guessing up to the Conference Finals. San Antonio has still the upper hand when it comes to experience. Los Angeles, however, has the tools. It all comes down to the execution and the involvement of the reserves. The Spurs got a good move out of Memphis, too—Damon Stoudamire—and add to that a good cast on the bench. L.A.’s got to think about that. But who knows? They say the ball is round. Good luck to my good friend Marlon “OM” Villa… Hey Pau! You gotta shave, man. You ain’t a grizzly anymore.