Customs Administration Celebrates International Customs Day

The College of Customs Administration of the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation (LIF), Iligan City joined the corporate world in celebrating the 2012 Customs Day on February 10, 2012.  This year’s international theme is “Borders Divide, Customs Connects” which places emphasis on strengthened coordination, cooperation, and communication between Customs administrations and various stakeholders.


LIF celebrated the international customs day in its own version wherein students are urged to appreciate the spirit of coordination, cooperation and communication as paramount core values of becoming “total customs administrators” in the near future.


LIF celebrated the day in five parts. The first part of the celebrations was an ecumenical morning devotion (spiritual) attended by customs students, faculty members, deans and heads, and the non-teaching staffs. The morning devotion was facilitated for by the Library Department. This part serves as the formal opening of the celebration.


The second part was a battle of the brain activities which includes quiz bowl, essay writing, extemporaneous speech, and poster making. These events were participated in by customs students who were grouped into five as follows: customs brokers group, customs appraisers group, customs examiners group, customs collectors group, and customs inspectors group.


The third part was a basketball exhibition played among customs students who were teamed according to their year level.


The fourth part was a social night attended by all customs students and preceptors in their astounding and glittering formal evening wear.


Finally, , the fifth part was the culmination ceremony to where the winners for various events were recognized. Part of the culmination ceremony was recognition for students who excel in academics and leadership during the current school year.


The dean of the college of customs administration, Mr. Abdullah R. Sirad, emphasized the relevance of the theme while the director for academic affairs, Dr. Romeo M. Daligdig, delivered an inspirational message.


The following are the winners and awardees during the culmination ceremony:

Quiz Bowl Winners

1^st Place: Examiner’s Group

1.)    Johnaid P. Marandang

2.)    Andrea Meda Danao

3.)    Khalil Marl Taha

4.)    John Louie Salano

2^nd Place: Appraiser’s Group

1.)    Evan Jumalon

2.)    Arbe Amama

3.)    Jehad Hadji Aziz

4.)    Malik Nooman Molok

3^rd Place: Broker’s Group

1.)    Jalal Amatonding

2.)    Juhaimen Barat

3.)    Nike Don Jaudian

4.)    Emerson Ranes

4^th Place: Inspector’s Group

1.)    Gamal Tanggor

2.)    Nassef Pangandaman

3.)    Jamail Macapaar

4.)    April Ariel Angelo Satorre

Extemporaneous speaking winners

1^st Place: Juhaimen Barat

2^nd Place: Nike Don Jaudian

3^rd Place: April Ariel Angelo Satorre

4^th Place: Abdul Raafi-Ali Arumpac

Essay writing winners

1^st Place: Hanna Lorraine Manumbilao

2^nd Place: Edil Fe Dominguez

3^rd Place: Johnaid Marandang

4^th Place; Emerson Ranes

Poster making winners

1^st Place: Johnaid Marandang

2^nd Place: Andrea Meda Danao

3^rd Place: Khalil Marl Taha

4^th Place: Ralph Louie Salano

                       

Recipient for Excellence Performance

in the Professional Courses

Customs Laws:

1.)    Evan Jumalon – BSCA 4                            QPA = 1.83

2.)    Juhaimen Barat – BSCA 3                         QPA  = 1.67

3.)    Hanna Lorraine Manumbilao – BSCA 2    QPA = 2.0

Tariff Laws:

1.)    Gamal Tanggor – BSCA 4                         QPA = 1.93

2.)    Juhaimen Barat – BSCA 3                         QPA = 1.69

3.)    Hanna Lorraine Manumbilao – BSCA 2    QPA = 1.75

Leadership Awardees:

Johnaid Marandang – BSCA 4

Achievement Awardees:      

Norhaifah Marohomsalic – BSCA 4

            Arbe Amama – BSCA 3

Athlete of the Year:   Misbak Amerol

Special Awards during Customs Social Night:                                           

Prince  & Darling of the Crowd:      

Mr.  Jehad Hadji Azis, BSCA 2

            Ms. Aleya Ashley Aguam, BSCA 1

Mr. & Ms. Socialite               

Mr. Abdul Raafi-Ali Arumpac, BSCA 4

            Ms. Haylon Tanog, BSCA 4
Best in Attire:            

Mr. Hassanol Lilo, BSCA 2

            Ms. Monica Oracion, BSCA 1

Mr. & Ms. Star of the Night:

Mr. Juhaimen Barat, BSCA 3

            Ms. Mary Ann Antonio, BSCA 3

Eye Catchers of the Night:   

Mr. Misbak Amerol, BSCA 4

            Ms. Norhaifah Marohomsalic, BSCA 4

LIF Customs Administration Conducts Seminar/Workshop on Modern Customs Industry Updates

In pursuit of enhancing the students needs for information on the technical aspects concerning the latest updates on CHED curriculum as well as on the customs operations pertaining to documentations, procedures and practices in import-export and PRC trends regarding the customs brokers licensure examination; the college of customs administration conducted a two-day (2 days) seminar-workshops on Modern Customs Industry Updates with the following topics:

Day 1

Part I (Morning Session): Excise Tax Computations Techniques and Formulas under the NIRC

      - Overview of the practical computations
      - Excise tax computations for petroleum  products

      - Excise tax computations for metallic and non metallic minerals

      - Excise tax for distilled products, wines and fermented liquors

      - Excise tax computations for non essential goods

Part II (Afternoon Session): Motor Vehicles Computations

     - Guidelines for motor vehicles computations for brand new and used motor vehicles

     - Short cut formulas for motor vehicles computations

     - Conflict computations (BOC Vs. BIR computations)

     - Computations workshop on motor vehicles

Day 2

Part I (Morning Session): Principles of Modern Customs Administration

     - CHED Memorandum Order No. 11 – 2006

     - Trade enhancement initiatives

     - Trade present modern customs organizations

     - Presenting the future: the ASYCUDA world projects (e2m)

     - Open forum and consultation

Part II (Afternoon Session): Industry Trends and Development

     - E.O No. 200 – Computerized Licensure Examination

     - R.A 9280 and its IRR CAO 3 – 2006 A

     - Trends and syllabus in the Brokers’ examination

     - Passing the Board Exam: An Analysis

     - Open forum and consultation

The said seminar workshop was held on the 16^th – 17^th of January 2012 at the LIF AVR which was attended compulsorily by all bonafide LIF Customs Administration Students. The seminar/workshop was facilitated by the Llave Review and Training Center, Inc. in which resource speakers, materials, hand-outs and certificates of completion were provided by them. The seminar has Dr. Jesus G. Llorando, Llave Review Director, as resource speaker. The college dean, Mr. Abdullah R. Sirad gives the opening remarks while Mr. Jeffrey P. Manaytay, faculty, gives the closing remarks.

PROGRAMME

DAY – 1

Morning

7:30 – 8:00      -     Arrival of participants & Registration                  Secretariat

8:00 – 8:20      -     Opening Ceremony

Invocation                                                           Mr. Daud Khair Mandia

                                                                                Muslim Prayer

                                                                                Ms. Evan Jumalon

                                                                                Christian Prayer

Opening Remarks                                            Abdullah R. Sirad, MBM

                                                                                Dean, Customs Admin.

Inspirational Message                                    Romeo M. Daligdig, Ph.D.

                                                                                Director, Academic Affairs

8:20 – 8:30      -     Introduction of the Resource Speakers    Florentina M. Bolodo, MBM

                                                                                                Dean, Student Affairs

8:30 – 11:00    -     Seminar proper on Excise Tax Computations

                              Techniques and formulas                          JESUS G. LLORANDO, Ph.D.

                                                                                                Review Director

11:00 – 12:00  -     Open Forum/Workshop                            LLAVE Review & Training Center, Inc.

12:00 – 1:00    -     Lunch Break

Afternoon

1:00 – 1:30      -     Registration                                                          Secretariat

1:30 – 4:00      -     Seminar proper on Motor Vehicles

                              Computations                                            JESUS G. LLORANDO, Ph.D.

                                                                                                Review Director, LRTCI

4:00 – 5:00      -     Open Forum/Workshop

DAY – 2

Morning  

7:30 - 8:00       -     Arrival of participants & Registration                  Secretariat

8:00 – 8:10      -     Opening Ceremony

Invocation                                                           Mr. Daud Khair Mandia

                                                                                Muslim Prayer

                                                                                Ms. Evan Jumalon

                                                                                Christian Prayer

8:10 – 11:30    -     Seminar proper – Principles on

                              Modern Customs Administration             MARCELO N. BUCAL, JR. MBA

                                                                                                Marketing Executive

11:30 - 12:00   -     Open Forum                                                          LLAVE Review & Training Center, Inc.

12:00 – 1:00    -     Lunch Break

Afternoon

1:00 – 1:20      -     Registration                                                          Secretariat

1:20 – 4:00      -     Seminar proper on Industry Trends                      JESUS G. LLORANDO, Ph.D.

                              And developments                                                Review Director, LRTCI

                                                                                               

4:00 – 4:20      -     Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation

                              Assisted by:                                                           Abdullah R. Sirad, MBM

                                                                                                                            Dean

                                                                                                           Florentina M. Bolodo, MBM

                                                                                                                    Instructor/DSAS

                                                                                                           Mr. Jeffrey P. Manaytay

                                                                                                                          Instructor

4:20 – 4:30      -     Closing Remarks                                                   Mr. Jeffrey P. Manaytay

                                                                                                                          Instructor

4:30 – 5:00      -     Distribution of Certificates

Emcee: Mr. Abdul Raafi-Ali A. Arumpac

                            BSCA – 4

Senior Customs Administration Students Attended OJT Awareness Seminar/Workshop

The college of Customs Administration of the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation (LIF) conducted a Seminar Workshop on OJT Awareness for its Senior and Junior students on September 16, 2011 at the LIF Audio Visual Room.

The seminar workshop aimed to prepare the senior Customs Students for their upcoming OJT during the second semester of SY2011-2012. This also addresses concerns as to which company or institution they would like to apply for their OJT and to orient them as to the requirements and procedures that they would have to go through before and after their OJT. Mr. Jeffrey P. Manaytay, faculty, formally open the program.  

Topics to this seminar workshop include the following:

     Part – I

     - Resume’ and cover letter writing

     - Job interview tips

     - Job hunting strategies

     Part – II

     - Work ethics on OJT

     Part – III

     - OJT Policy

     - Responsibilities and functions of the OJT Coordinator/Instructor

     - Evaluation of the OJT program

     - Procedures need to follow in applying for an OJT program

     - Accomplishment of the different OJT reports

The event was organized through the leadership of Mr. Johnaid P. Marandang, President of the Customs Administration Student Council (CASC) and Mr. Boblex Al Basit Adap, President of the LIF-Philippine Society of Customs Students Association (LIF-PSCAS).

Distinguished lecturers were invited to present and discuss the identified topics. Ms. Dorcas M. Bandiala, CU JEEP Start Program Lead Teacher, talks on resume’ and cover letter writing, job interview tips and job hunting strategies while Ms. Maria Theresa A. Billones discussed on the work ethics. Ms. Dorcas let the participants to prepare (on the spot) a resume and cover letter and later subjected each participant to undergo an actual job interview. Each participant was evaluated during the interview using the college’s performance rating form. Ms. Billones also conducted workshop on work ethics.  

Meanwhile, the dean of the college of customs administration, Mr. Abdullah R. SIrad, talked about the various aspects of the OJT program of the college. He reiterated that the OJT program is a curriculum requirement and is a three hundred hours (300 Hrs.) program aimed at improving the practical skills set of students by immersing them in the actual work environment. Mr. Sirad emphasized that there are three (3) participants in the OJT program: the trainees and the OJT Supervisors (from the host company), and the College OJT Coordinator, and each one plays an important role in the successful implementation of the program.

Mr. Sirad likewise provided the students with useful information about the OJT Policy, the responsibilities and functions of the OJT Department, evaluation of the OJT program, and procedures that students need to follow in applying for an OJT program. He likewise explained what students need to accomplish in the different OJT reports, the different questionnaires used to get feedback on OJT, and the importance of the OJT training plan and schedule as well as the OJT logbook. He also discussed about health and safety issues during OJT.

A question and answer session followed the presentation of the three resource speakers. Ms. Frences Lorraine D. Gornez, Customs Administration faculty, formally closed the program.

LIF 14th Foundation Day

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


Students, faculty members, and staffs of the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation (LIF) on Friday observed the 14^th Foundation Day of the institution by organizing both curricular and non-curricular activities which dubbed the year’s theme “Lyceum at 14: Moving Onwards for Peace and Progress through Quality Learning”.

Ms. Florentina Bolodo, Dean of the Student Affairs and Services, believed that the LIF had a glorious past and is still to expect to soar even higher.
Below are the various activities conducted and its results:

Short Story Telling – English
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Dep't.
2^nd Place:          Customs Administration Department (Abdul Raafi-Ali Arumpac)
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department

Short Story Telling – Filipino
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department  (April Ariel Satorre)
2^nd Place:         Nursing Department
3^rd Place:          Midwifery Department

Choral Reading
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
2^nd Place:          Customs Administration Department
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department

LIF Vision/Mission Melody Contest
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
2^nd Place:          Customs Administration Department
3^rd Place:          Nursing Department 

Essay Writing Contest – English
1^st Place: Customs Administration Department  (Hanna Lorraine Manumbilao)         
2^nd Place:         Nursing Department
3^rd Place:          Midwifery Department
       
Essay Writing Contest – Filipino
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
2^nd Place:         Midwifery Department
3^rd Place:          Nursing Department

On the Spot Poster making Contest

1^st Place:          Maritime Education Department     

2^nd Place:         Nursing Department

3^rd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department

Battle of the Brains
1^st Place:          Nursing Department                 
2^nd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department            
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department
4^th Place:          Customs Administration Department
5^th Place:          Midwifery Department

Hula-hoop Relay
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
2^nd Place:          Maritime Education Department
3^rd Place:          Midwifery Department


Sack Race
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department
2^nd Place:          Maritime Education Department
3^rd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department

Mario went to Town
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department
2^nd Place:          Maritime Education Department
3^rd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department

Maria went to War
1^st Place:          Maritime Education Department
2^nd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
3^rd Place:          Customs Administration Department

Egg & Eggplant Race – Male
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department
2^nd Place:          Midwifery Department
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department

Egg & Eggplant Race – Female
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department
2^nd Place:          Midwifery Department
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department

CUSTOMS PREGNANT MOTHER CROWNED AS GANDANG BUNTIS 2011

By: Abdullah R. Sirad

Highlight of the recently concluded celebration for the Nutrition Month at the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation, Iligan City was the search for “Gandang Buntis 2011” with real preggy mother as contestants. The contest which portrayed the theme “Isulong ang Breastfeeding: Tama, Sapat at Eksklusibo” was held on July 29, 2011 at the LIF Assessment Office Lobby.  

The crowd were too eager of seeing how a preggy mother looks like as they will walk along the ramp. Yes, here they come... Audience shouts so loudly cheering for their pet as the four mothers walk in a catwalk with a big stomach to the improvised stage. The four pregnant women come out for introduction with their maternity wear. Seemingly conscious about their big belly, mothers still shows confidence as they pose with pride, showing their healthy stomachs and shout out loud for their names and the college they represent.

The second round was the talent showdown. Amazing! Audiences thought these preggy mothers would just recite a poem. Nope, preggy beauties did ala Mariah Carey song number, on-the-spot painting and astoundingly! One of them did a Hawaiian Dance where she had showed steps usually performed by non preggy woman. The questions and answers portion concluded the showdown. 

Luckily, Mrs. Maritess Jumalon, who represented the College of Customs Administration, impressed both the audiences and the judges as she ramp confidently, dance very well and answered questions substantially which finally made her the reigning “Gandang Buntis 2011” of the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation.

All preggy contestants were given unique and wonderful prizes. 

IFTAR

 By: Abdullah R. Sirad

IFTAR get-together celebration was held sometime in August 17, 2011. The Muslims Student Association (MSA) of the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation through its President Mr. Mustapha Ali sponsored a solemn and festive Iftar occasion which was attended by Fasting Muslim students. Non Muslim fellows were also welcomed to this Muslim religious practice. 

Iftar which refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic Month of Ramadan is believed to be rewarding. The Prophet (S) said: "Whoever gives someone something to break the fast with, he would hove The same blessings as the fasting person and this would not reduce the blessings of the fasting person in any way " [Ahmad and Tirmidhee].

May the Almighty ALLAH accept from us our good deeds. 

A Beautiful story about QURAN

Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????

This is a beautiful story.

لماذا نقرأ القران, حتى لو لم نكن نفهم مفرداته العربية جيدا

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table
reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

عجوز امركي مسلم يعيش في مزرعة في جبال شرق كنتاكي مع حفيده الصغير

في كل صباح الجد يستيقظ باكرا ويجلس على طاولة المطبخ ويقرأ القران.

حفيده الصغير كان يريد ان يصبح مثل جده لهذا كان يحاول تقليدة بكل طريقة ممكنة

One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?"

في أحد الايام سأل الحفيد جده قائلا (جدي! انا احاول ان اقرأ القران مثلك لكنني لم افهم كلماته,والذي افهمه انساه وسرعان ما اغلق الكتاب.ما هي الفائده المرجاة من قراءة القران.

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.

الجد بهدوء وضع الفحم في المدفئة واجاب (خذ سلة الفحم الى النهر وأملئها بالماء)

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

قام الولد بعمل ما طلبه منه جده,لكن كل الماء تسرب من السلة قبل ان يصل عائدا الى المنزل.ضحك الجد وقال(يجب عليك ان تكون اسرع في المرة القادمة)ثم بعثه مرة اخرى الى النهر مع السلة ليحاول مرة اخرى.في هذه المرة ركض الولد بشكل اسرع,ولكن مرة اخرى السلة فرغت قبل وصوله المنزل.كان يتنفس لاهثا.واخبر جده انه من المستحيل ان احمل الماء بهذه السلة,وذهب ليحضر دلواً بدلا من السلة.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just again not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try in.

الرجل العجوز قال (انا لا اريد دلوا من الماء,بل اريد سلة من الماء.انت فقط لم تحاول بجهد كاف) ثم خرج ليشاهد الولد يحاول مرة اخرى

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."

في هذه الاثناء.ادرك الولد انها مهمة مستحيلة,لكنه اراد ان يثبت لجده انه حتى لو ركض بأسرع ما يستطيع ,الماء سوف يتسرب قبل ان يصل عائدا الى المنزل .فقام الولد رمى بالسلة في النهر وركض بسرعة وبجهد.ولكنه عندما وصل الى البيت وجد ان السلة فارغة مرة ثالثة.

فقال وهو يلهث, انظر جدي ........انها غير مجدية

اذن انت تظن انها غير مجدية.؟ أجاب الجد

انظر الى السلة

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

نظر الولد الى السلة وللمرة الاولى ادرك ان السلة مختلفة.كانت سلة متسخة تنقل الفحم القديم والان اصبحت نظيفة من الداخل والخارج.

Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an . You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out when you read time by time . That is the work of Allah in our lives...."

بني أجابه الجد : هذا ما يحصل عندما تقرأ القران.من الممكن أن لا تفهم شيئا او تتذكر اي شيء ولكن عندما تقرأه مره بعد مره بعد مره .سوف تتغير داخليا وخارجيا.هذا عمل الله في حياتنا .

If you feel this email is worth reading, please forward to your contacts/friends. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh & his family) says: *"The one who guides to good will be rewarded equally"

اذا كنت ترى ان هذه الرسالة تستحق القراءة,ارسلها مرة اخرى لجميع اصدقائك.

قال الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم "من دعى الى هدى فله اجره واجر من عمل به الى يوم القيامة لا تنقص من اجورهم شيئا"
--
{وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ }آل عمران104

{رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ }آل عمران8

RAMADAN - CHARACTER BUILDING

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


“Its general cleaning because Ramadan is coming!” Pinky shared at her Facebook’s wall. Pinky believed that our intention of keeping surrounding clean in welcoming the Holy month of Ramadan also cleanses our souls from sins as simple reward from the Almighty. Somehow, Pinky’s statement reflected Maranaos tradition of welcoming the Holy month. Among Maranaos, Ramadan is very significant for it unites family and relatives, it opens the once closed relationship due to misunderstanding and disputes the fact that Ramadan commands forgiveness, and above all it is the best month in which Allah bestowed His mercy to all fasting Muslims, hear those who sincerely repent and saved every fasting Muslim from the hell fire.

What is then a Ramadan means? The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction”- Holy Qur’an 2:185

It is the month in which every able Muslim is compulsorily obliged to practice fasting – an abstinence from eating, drinking, and sexual activity from dawn until dusk. The Holy Quran states: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may develop Taqwa (self-restraint)” [2:183]

I am not well learned of the religious explanation of the benefits one can earn from fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan but by reading some related literatures I found out that fasting in the month of Ramadan is an opportunity for self-character building.

The fact that we are refraining from what we usually do during day times because of Love and Fear to God motivates us of virtuous conduct and train us to keep away from evil actions. It leads us to be God-fearing person for we would be spending most of our times remembering the greatness of God through submissiveness and obedience. By considering the significance of worship, we gradually recalling and evaluating the extent of deeds or services we had offered to Him as well as to our fellow creations. This inculcates us of our accountability to the would-be life in the hereafter.

Through the hardship we would be experiencing during fasting like thirst and hunger and of sacrificing in avoiding from accessing to our usual habits like Facebook activity, we are developing the spirit of Patience within us. It help develop contentment of what we have for we would be putting our trust to God’s will instead of feeling despair, hopelessness, sobbing and complaining.

The effort of voluntarily depriving ourselves from worldly pleasure, desire, and enjoyment when we are fasting means training ourselves of Self-control and self-discipline. I would admit it’s not easy to control our temper or to reconcile with someone else but because Ramadan requires it for our fasting to be credited, we have to practice it. Likewise, leveling our life standard with less fortunate people such as refraining from our pleasure of seeking expensive and delicious foods or simply avoiding from watching shows on TV as it is forbidden during fasting is a means of inclining and boasting our self-discipline.

Keeping our body in a state of ablution and refraining ourselves from unpleasant or unnecessary talks like backbiting, criticism, teasing, and bullying keeps our souls purified. Turning our usual habits into a habit of daily Zikr – remembrance of God’s greatness leads us to purity in which, if maintained, would guide us to take our walks of life away from the influence of Satan, the devil.

Fasting also develops social responsibility. It is in which fasting individual feels what the poor and hungry people are experiencing thus it allows us to understand the need to care and be concern to them, being a less privileged people in the society. Charity and donations, refraining from wasting of foods and drinks are added lessons that we would learn from fasting.

Above all, by fasting a person keeps away himself from the pleasures of life, with no preventive or hindering factor, except that of obeying God and showing genuine devotion to His commands. This teaches us to become 'Conscious of God' in our daily living.

Tomorrow, 11th of August shall mark our first day of fasting in this Holy month of Ramadan. I am wishing, especially to myself, that these characters brought about by Ramadan will be maintained and be actualized not only for this holy month but throughout our life on earth.

Ramadan Kareem to all Muslims in the world. Mabuhay!

FIRST STEP

By: Abdullah R. Sirad

Taking the first step is perhaps one of the hardest actions that we may be doing be it a business transactions or personal relationships. In several cases, one would tend to wait for the other to make the first move. Different motivations may lies behind like fear of failure in meeting investors to a new business or being disregarded, unrequited, blamed, and or insulted in reconciling relationship with someone else. Pride and ego could be the roots of these which suppress someone to make the first move especially in terms of reconciliation.

Saying “hello, I’ll be willing to meet you over café for our business proposal” or “sorry, I guess I did a mistake” is a statement one would hesitate to pronounce. In business it might not be that difficult to do for as long as you are ready to accept whatever your discussions may lead but for personal relationship, it matters a lot because people involved are afraid of what people would think of them.

In a friendship for example. When misunderstanding wrecked their relationship, none of them would be willing to make the first move to reconcile. Both of them would wait who will do the first hint for settlement but the worse is, the gap between them gets harsh as it takes more time especially when chitchats from other people amplified the issues. Such situation leads into complexity thereby making it very difficult for the people involved to respond positively in resolving the misunderstanding between them.

I have common friends who had fought due to misunderstanding. They were discussing on the whereabouts of their monetary contribution but due to severe argumentation they were not able to control their temper until they spanked one another. Though their long time friendship allowed themselves to stay together in one house, both of them were hesitant to make the first step of saying sorry. They exist as if they don’t see one another. When they were asked separately, they reasoned that if they make the first move it would mean that they were the one at fault thus don’t want to be ostracized by other friends. It was a simple problem. But fear of being blamed drives both of them not to make the first step in their reconciliation.

Another friend confessed that he had made a foolish courtship. He had let someone else to be “addicted to his bitter coffee” but when bedlam surprised his way out, he couldn’t be verbose as he is of admitting the real score. He believed that the best step he could do to patch out things is by being quiet for some days but he was mistaken for it caused anguish and worries to his special one. His great mistake was of not accepting the real scenario behind as the very first step and then explains later. Fear of making the first move to break the ice had somehow stained his personality.

Taking the first step of patching up problems is very important in a relationship. It prevents relationship from totally getting smashed up. It really does not matter whether you are at fault or not, who might not approve or who might criticize, and of what might it leads – failure or success for as long as you did the first step because at the end, it would sets you free from guilt.

Just as “Brian Tracy” quoted it as “The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers”.

OFW HOUSEMATES

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


“I could have thrown up my hands and said, I am quitting! But I didn't”.

That was how my friend confessed to me when one time we were talking about homesickness. It was his first time to work away from home and at his fifth month in the company, he had encountered difficulty in adjusting to his colleagues and to the work environment. Much to longing family at home is the adversity he had facing toward his colleagues specifically to his housemates. Behavioral differences annoyed him in most of the time.

Although most of the OFWs have the freewill to choose whether they will stay with the company’s provided accommodation or to rent an apartment for their privacy, most of them chose to live with the company’s accommodation for the reason that it helps them reduce cost. But sometime, when the provided accommodation is very far from the work site or the accommodation itself is very uncomfortable, OFWs gambled to rent an apartment near to the work site. The problem is, most company doesn’t reimburse for the house rent. To save from rent cost, OFWs group themselves with at least 8 members, good enough to occupy two master bedrooms with two bath tubs/toilet and a spacious kitchen. Choosing to live privately requires more patients to challenges considering that individual differences usually ignite clashes among them.

Living with colleagues in one accommodation is truly a headache. We had seen clashes of people living together at Big Brother’s House but it’s greatly different from what I am referring – the OFW Housemates. In Big Brother House, there’s a rules followed and Kuya is there to moderate any clashes among housemates. Guidance counseling is also there available to help housemates who are in behavioral distress. But to OFWs, they don’t have rules to follow (most of the group members don’t follow to agreed particular rules) and no one is there to moderate clashes or to counsel housemates facing emotional crisis.

Being merged with different people always creates problems. You cannot really expect that your housemates would respect your principles or even your privacy. Because of individual differences, conflicts are always expected to arise. Criticism or shall I say destructive criticism is a prevalent causes of misunderstanding among housemates. Like when someone from the group talks about and aggravate the shortcomings of others. Or when someone is criticized of his being inconsiderate of loudly listening to music or when someone invited his friends and chitchat overnight disturbing others from sleeping. He may not intend to hurt or disturb other people but since the issue is a bit aggravated, it then caused misapprehension. Teasing is also very common among housemates. Since there’s no other way of diverting boredoms, unlike in Philippine where you can hang up with both male and female friends after office hour, housemates would tend to tease to enlighten themselves from stress. However, teasing sometimes becomes hurtful like when it delves on a personal or private life already while other seems to seriously rides on it until fights ignited. Bullying is another inevitable cause of conflict among housemates. There are those who are dominant in nature and whose principles always want to be respected or followed. They seem to impose what they want to happen without considering others’ opinion. Such makes others’ feel being discriminated which eventually leads into resentment. Unfair anger also wrecks relationship among housemates. Others are very emotionally sensitive in which they cannot control their temper whenever an argumentation arise. An example is when others from the housemates questioned the whereabouts or breakdowns of the budget. They would confront straightforwardly of how it was spent up to the single centavo. Usually it outraged people involved and resulted to a physical hostility especially when the accused cannot argue.

How do OFW Housemates survive in their dreadful relationship?

Worst as it is, they have no choice but to live with the situation. Bearing this kind of bitter relationship is indispensable to succeed in their mission abroad. They have to focus on doing what lies behind expecting that it may lead them to the next step and eventually to find themselves of where they want to be in spite of frequent communication gaps that overshadows their relationships.

This is because they cannot dictate one another to observe consideration and to listen with others grievances. They have to live practically, accepting the fact that the “strongest survives”. Otherwise, they have to voluntarily evict themselves from the house.

I or WE?

By: Abdullah Ramos Sirad

When it comes to sharing of experiences, I truly pay attention to the one I am sharing with and take inculcation of every details being disclosed. Most of the time, I used to listen than to compete in bragging of disclosing experiences unless I am asked to elaborate on my experiences to the topic we’re discussing. I am a sort of a secretive person in which I hate delving on too personal experiences especially when such experience involved sensitive issue to other people.

One time, I was with a friend named Ali Ramos Pacasum and we were sharing experiences about work. I was a bit intrigued when he asked me of the difference between “I” and “we”. I thought he was only kidding so I differentiated the two pronouns based on what I learned in my English subject way back in school. He guffawed loudly and he said he is serious of his enquiry. Come to think about it in the work place, he told me. I had worked with Filipinos, Pakistanis, Indians, Moroccan, Lebanese in which this “I” and “we” pronouns are very annoying, he added. I guess you are insinuating something deeper about it, I replied. He nodded his head and then starts expounding on his statement.

I been working for more than 10 years in KSA as safety officer, he said. I had worked with different nationalities in different companies and one of the common experiences I had encountered is the distinction between “I” and “We” in the work field. I had several misunderstanding with my colleagues because as a team we were working altogether but our output is being claimed by one person, he further said. There’s came a point that I used to confront our superior when one time, at our presence, he bragged to the Project Manager by saying “you know Sir, I did all of these and those…and because I … so and so…”. The way he swanked strikes my ears because I know that he was a bit implying of discrediting our concerted effort in which he seems to say that if without him, our department cannot come up to that level of achievement, he added.

Hearing his history, I told him it’s really a common behavior in all work settings. Employees of unstable status feared of being kicked out and as defense, they have to look for a mechanism that would at least help them to be recognized. Obviously, these “I centered” employees would rather tend to be selfish knowing that in this way they would earn trust from their superior than being realistic and yet with fear of losing a work at any time. For them, the more important are the day-to-day opportunities in the course of relationship between them and the superior. Thus it is very difficult for them to say “we” when reporting achievements to the superior. At the expense of others, they are trying to take the merit themselves for their personal recognition even if it means hurting or jeopardizing colleagues.

And how do they live from being “I” centered? Saying "I did them” when in reality it was "done by someone else” and saying "they did it when mistakes were committed." By claiming only what is beneficial and not accepting failure is actually compromising the truth and as consequence, it cause suffering in the work relationship. Such behavior may not intentionally to destruct their colleagues or they may only be thinking of keeping their work or position. But whatever it is that they are intending of, it is still “I centeredness” or selfishness that is ruling them.

...THEY REJOICED OF HURTING OUR FEELING!

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


If I have to make a Pig or a fucking monster caricature of Jesus or to some of his Apostles, would Christian worlds applaud me of this masterpiece? If I have to insist that I did it as an Art expression, would I be appreciated? If I keep insisting that it’s my right of “freedom of speech”, would I be excused? Ok, let’s take it this way. If I did it as revenge to some bad Christians, would the good ones ignore it? Definitely their answer would be “You are a Terrorist!”

I am not generalizing Christians because I believe that not all of them hate Muslims. In fact, I grew up in a Christian community in which most of my friends are Christians. I am only addressing the situation with regard to "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" movement over a page in Facebook and to other sites like www.mohammadture.com in which members of growing numbers are posting blasphemous depictions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

It is very heartrending of seeing various unpleasant depictions and of reading malevolent descriptions against Muslims in general. The first time I received an emailing protest against the show “South Park 201” who had first depicted the Prophet (PBUH) to one of their comedy segments and to the well known social network Facebook which allows page to mock the Prophet (PBUH), I thought it was all about green marketing. Out of curiosity, I tried to search on the net and was offensively surprised of what I had seen and read. Yes, Christians of mostly westerners mockingly depicted the Prophet in different forms. I wasn’t able to manage myself and shouted “Lanatullah!” (God Curse them!).

I cannot imagine why nonmuslim westerners afford to post those depictions when they do not have proof that the Prophet is of something to any of those caricatures. Though Molly Norris, the perpetrator of the first facebook page that calls for every Cartoon enthusiast to post their extreme repulsive depictions of the Prophet (PBUH) claimed that it was all about “rights” and not meant to disrespect Islam, the caricatures and text messages posted in several sites clearly expressed disrespect and discrimination among Muslims.

It is very enraging that when Muslims are put in a blasphemy, authority doesn’t spare some time to act on it. They keep their people to rejoice of hurting Muslims feeling. However, when revenge is acted by few Muslims, all Muslims are blamed and tagged as the bad of all people. Where is the universal justice as they are calling? Is it accorded to nonmuslims only?

A Muslim fellow named Saad Mustafa Warraich of Karachi – Pakistan created Adolf Hitler page over Facebook as counter action to Everybody Draw Muhammad page in the same social network but both his Facebook account and the page he had created were deactivated by the facebook management justifying that his page had actually violated the Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Facebook reply to Mr. Saad is read as this:

We do not tolerate hate speech. Targeting people based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or disease is a serious violation of our standards and has resulted in the permanent loss of your account. We will not be able to reactivate your account for any reason. This decision is final.

Now see how the facebook management replied to the request of Muslim community toward deactivation of "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" page in their network:

“We strongly believe that Facebook users have the freedom to express their opinions, and we don’t typically take down content, groups or pages that speak out against countries, religions, political entities, or ideas.”

Contradiction of the statements given by the Facebook management is a clear proof that Muslims are subject to their so called standard while nonmuslims are not covered by it though how blasphemous they would write or draw about Muslims.
It’s a total unfair treatment and personally, I am condemning it to the highest degree. If they couldn’t walk the teaching of their idol god, then they have to be at least professional of dealing things. The way they had depicted and described the Prophet (PBUH) is actually an exact definition of (nonmuslim westerners) their own identity.

I wrote this article out of my religious obligations that as Muslim, I would be asked during the judgment day of what I have done when the Prophet (PBUH) was being mocked. At least, I did my little part through this article. To all Muslims out there, let’s unite in prayer that ALLAH (SWT) will enlighten nonbelievers’ mind and heart; that they would realize that they were wronged of their depictions toward the Prophet (PBUH).