Kuya Erwin's Blog

Kuya Erwin's Blog: Hope Angeles

2010-10-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

http://hopeangeles.com

Hope Angeles

2010-10-23T00:22:00.000-07:00

Kuya Erwin is back again on the web. Sorry guys if I haven't been posting on here. This will be the blog site for Hope Angeles. It is a church planting project in cooperation with Converge Worldwide, Baptist General Conference and United International Christian Church in Detroit, MI.

I'll post more information soon.

Back in the Day!!!

2009-10-15T20:29:00.001-07:00

TO ALL PINOY KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 50's, 60's, 70's and early 80's!

First, some of us survived being born to mothers who did not have an OB-Gyne, smoked and/or drank San Miguel Beer or Syoktong, while they carried us. Themanghihilot was the cheapest way to deliver babies. Dinala ka ba ng nanay mo sa pediatrician for DPT? While pregnant, they took cold or cough medicine, cortal or medicol, ate isaw, and didn't worry about diabetes or cervical cancer.

Then after all that trauma, our baby cribs were made of hard wood covered with lead-based paints, pati na yung walker (andador)natin, matigas na kahoy or rattan at wala pang gulong.

We had no soft cushy cribs that play music, no disposable diapers (lampin lang), ( noon cloth or rattan duyan lang tied to the posts or ceiling, babies fell asleep sa sobrang hilo )and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, no kneepads, sometimes wala pang preno yung bisikleta.

Take-out food was limited to Ongpin's pansit or Aling Toyangs pre-cooked ulam in kalderos. No pizza shops, McDonalds, KFC, Subway, Jollibee; and, coffee was just kape hinde ga-mahal as in Starbucks.
As children, we would ride in jeepneys libre pag kandong,hot un-airconditioned buses with wooden seats(yung JD bus na pula), or cars with no airconditioning & no seat belts (ngayon lahat may aircon na)

Riding on the back of a carabao on a breezy summer day was considered a treat. (ngayon hindi na nakakakita ng kalabaw ang mga bata) Did you make your own saranggola and pasted bubog on the strings?

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle purchased from 711(minsan straight from the faucet or poso)walang 711 noon, sari-sari store ni Mang Akong to buy sarsi, suntan, RC cola or choco-vim.

We shared one soft drink bottle with four of our friends, and NO ONE actually died from this or contracted hepatitis.

We ate rice with star margarine, pampatangkad daw, took raw eggs straight from the shell, and drank softdrinks with real sugar in it (hindi diet coke), but we weren't sick or overweight kasi nga......

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, and get back when the streetlights came on. Sarap mag patintero, tumbang preso, habulan at taguan.Tandaan mo ba PIKO, step-no-step- yes, trumpo, garter & mala-ahas sa haba na goma? Kung naulan, jackstones, pick-up sticks or sungka, bahay-bahayan, tinda-tindahan, titser-teacher- an or swimming sa baha or kangkungan.

No one was able to reach us all day (di uso ang cellphone, walang beepers). And yes, we were O.K.. Sipol lang ni tatay ang meron noon!

We would spend hours building our wooden trolleys (yung bearing ang gulong) or plywood slides out of scraps and then ride down thestreet, only to find out we forgot the brakes! After hitting the sidewalk or falling into a canal (sewage channel) a few times, we learned to solve the problem ourselves with our bare & dirty hands.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 100 channels on cable, no DVD movies, no surround stereo, no IPOD's, no cellphones, no computers, no Internet, no chat rooms, and no Friendsters, Facebook. MSN etc. ....... ...WE HAD REAL FRIENDS and we went outside to actually talk and play with them!TV viewing was a treat, kilala mo ba si Popeye, Gumby, Betty Boop & followed the bouncing ball in Melody Tunes? That was karaoke then, LOL!

We climbed walls and trees (to get aratiles and catch salagubang & tutubi - tied them on the neck with a string), fell out of trees, got cut or "bukol", broke bones and teeth and there were no stupid lawsuits from these accidents. The only rubbing we get is from our friends with the words..masakit ba ? pero pag galit yung kalaro mo,,,,ang sasabihin sa iyo..beh buti nga !

We played marbles (jolens) in the dirt , washed our hands just a little and ate dirty ice cream, fish balls & inihaw na baga. We were not afraid of getting sick or germs in our stomachs.

We had to live with homemade guns, gawa sa kahoy, tinali ng rubberband , sumpit , tirador at kung ano ano pa na puedeng makasakitan, pero masaya pa rin ang lahat. We made up games with sticks (syatong), and cans (tumbang preso) and although we were told they were dangerous, wala naman tayong binulag o napatay... paminsan minsan may nabubukulan lang.

We walked a lot, rode bikes, or took tricycles to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them to jump out the window!

Mini basketball teams had tryouts and not everyone made to the team. Those who didn't pass had to learn to deal with the disappointment.Wala iyang mga childhood depression at damaged self esteem ek-ek na yan. Ang pikon, talo.

Ang magulang ay nandoon lang para tingnan kung ayos lang ang mga bata, hindi para makialam at makipag-away sa ibang parents.

That generation of ours has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, creative thinkers and successful professionals ever! They are the CEO's, Engineers, Doctors and Military Generals of today.

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had failure, success, and responsibility. We learned from our mistakes the hard way.

You might want to share this with others who've had the luck to grow up as real kids. We were lucky indeed.

And if you like, forward it to your kids too, so they will know how brave their parents were.

PS - The big letters are because your eyes may not be able to read this if they were typed any smaller (at your age!)

While I'm Waiting

2009-04-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

Every Thursday my wife and I go to a growth group at GCF. One particular Thursday was different. Pastor Arnold and Tita Flordz showed us a movie called "Fireproof" which stars Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains). Quite honestly when they told us they were going to show us a Christian movie, I was a bit skeptical because 99% of them (with the exception of "Facing the Giants") is not very well made and B-Rated. As soon as the movie started, I was hooked. I highly recommend this movie.

One song they played in the movie made me teary eyed. Its lyrics (not the premise of the movie he he) reflect where my wife and I are at. We are waiting on the Lord...for direction, for my sister's healing and for my parents' financial freedom.

I want to share this song with you guys.

My wife, the movie actress

2009-04-15T19:06:00.001-07:00

So I'm sitting at home putting Zoe to sleep and I'm channel surfing. Right on cue I see my wife Blessing on Cinema One in a movie called "Labs Kita: Okey Ka Lang" with Jolina.

Everytime I ask her about her short lived modeling and movie career she avoids the subject and changes the topic. Finally I can put it to rest as I watch my beautiful wife on tv.

It's just funny how I always wanted to date a movie actress (a billion men out there most likely dreams this too). God does give you the desires of your heart, including the silly ones he he he.

Finally back in cyber space

2009-04-14T19:56:00.001-07:00

Sorry guys. Kuya Erwin has been crazy busy with Zoe, getting the radio show together and helping GCF Baguio with their youth group. But I'm back and will write once again with the same Kuya Erwin passion.

Thank God for hi-tech phones he he he.

Back from Boracay and lessons learned

2009-01-27T02:48:00.000-08:00

Right after the Life Changers event in Baguio, Blessing, Zoe and I decided we needed to get out of the city and head towards sunny Boracay for a well-earned and overdue vacation. For my American friends, Boracay is an island off the coast of Aklan which is right in the middle of the Philippines.

The trip from Baguio City was a six (6) hour bus ride to Manila. Then, another hour from Manila towards the airport. An hour by plane to Aklan. And finally, about 30 minutes from Aklan to Boracay by boat. YES! It was one long journey but we made it.

When we arrived (around 4pm), my buddy Peter (homie from Los Angeles) met us there. He's been living in Boracay since December 24 and has been bumming around the beach ever since. We dropped our bags at the hotel, changed to beach clothes and hit the ocean right away (we mountain people don't see the ocean often he he).

Here are a few things I learned from being in Boracay:

1. You can get "ALL YOU CAN EAT LOBSTER DINNERS" for 200php each.

2. You don't have to stay in a nice hotel to have a blast in Boracay. You're barely in your room anyway.

3. Sunblock doesn't really work for me. I have a tan 24/7 and my color did not change with or without sunblock.

4. You can easily spot a tourist in Boracay...look in the mirror.

5. If you're a tourist from another country and want to learn Philippine culture, DO NOT GO TO BORACAY! It's definitely the wrong place to get some culture.

On a more serious note, while we were there, God painted the most awesome sunsets for us. I know what He was doing. My God, Savior, Lord and Creator of all the worlds was showing off His glory and splendor and telling me, "Erwin, look at the things that you can do. Now look at what I can do. You can merely do things that are insignificant by yourself. Yet, I can turn that insignificant thing into a magnificent work of art if you stick with Me." Looking at those sunsets and seeing how insignificant I am made me realize whatever talents and skills I possess, they do not mean squat. It is God who uses my skills and talents not for my glory, but for His glory and that an insignificant guy like me can be used in an awesome way by a God who sees me as significant.

Basta Lovelife dudes in Baguio City!!!

2009-01-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

Kevin and I will be in Baguio City on January 15, 2009 at the Baguio Convention Center. Admission is FREE!!! Kevin will be promoting his book and will do some book signing 3-6pm. My band Pslam 23 will be playing at 7pm onwards. Hope to see you guys there!

Top 10 Things Kuya Erwin Will Do In 2009

2008-12-31T16:48:00.000-08:00

In our Basta Lovelife New Year's special, we discussed seven (7) questions to ask yourself before facing the new year. One of the questions Kevin asked was "Are there any decisions that you have been putting off?" So here are 10 things your Kuya Erwin will do in 2009:

1. Move back to Manila. Yeah, it's pretty comfortable where we're at right now but the ministry we're called to serve is there. I'm just giving more time for Zoe and Blessing to relax and breathe some clean, fresh, non-air conditioned, all natural cold air.

2. Take better care of my body. No, I'm not sick or anything but when I was in my younger years I suffered plenty of injuries doing crazy things like snowboarding, aggressive in-line skating, etc. and my injuries hurt when it's cold or when I'm stressed.

3. Learn French and Japanese. It's something I've been wanting to learn for a while now. It's always nice to upgrade your self, right?

4. Play the drums again. Ever since I moved back to the Philippines I have never been "the drummer." I miss playing my main instrument.

5. Draw and paint again. My day is incomplete when I don't open my Bible at the beginning of the day. My day is also incomplete if I don't do something creative for the day and drawing is my ultimate outlet. I do miss my animation days.

6. Design our new witnessing tract. One of the most effective witnessing tools we use at Crossway Ministries is a tract called One Way. It is visually oriented (which the students love), it produces more interaction with the students and it's not time consuming. But, we have had problems with supply and licensing. So the obvious solution, MAKE OUR OWN TRACT.

7. Consistently lead worship at Resonate. Not living in Manila makes this hard but the quick remedy would be to move back to Manila.

8. Lead more people to Christ. Evangelism is a lifestyle and in life, we always strive to be better. It just makes perfect sense to be better and more aggressive in our calling to evangelize.

9. Love God more and more each day. My Jesus is the main reason why I do the things I do. I am at "hello" when I think about how much I love Him. He gives me air to breath; so I'll use that air to serve him more. He gives me strength; I'll use that strength to build His kingdom. He gives life; I'll use this life to give life to others. He gives me love; I'll use this love to change the world.

10. LOSE WEIGHT, MORE MUSCLES, LESS FAT. Nuff said.

In Search of the Best Smartphone

2008-12-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

Last month I left one of my phones in a cab and never got it back. The search for the holy grail of smartphones is on, for me at least. I have read hundreds of reviews, comments and technical specs on certain smartphones and the more I read, the more confused I get! How I wish there were only two choices, decaf or caf. But life isn't that simple anymore, is it? Now we got blended or iced, whipped or unwhipped, vanilla or mocha. It's madness I tell you, madness!

I'm actually down to two choices: the Nokia E71 (which I heavily favor to win this smartphone war), and the ever popular Apple Iphone 3g 16 gig (which after reading hundreds of negative reviews, I don't know why I'm still considering). For me, it comes down to three things: I need it to send text messages and make calls, play music and videos and view and edit office files. The E71 does all this with excellence except the video and music playback is quite mediocre. The Iphone 3g has a wide variety of third party software and the video and music playback is off the charts however, though I can view my office files, I cannot edit them. You really can't have everything, eh?

So, if anyone out there can help me out, I'd appreciate it.

By the way, Kevin suggested I get a 13.3 inch Macbook which was the original plan. But I do like to keep my options open.

HELP!!!

Verse of the Day

2008-12-25T21:46:00.000-08:00

John 8:12 NLT

"When Jesus spoke...'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' "

My Late Christmas Gift

2008-12-25T17:50:00.000-08:00

I know this blog is about faith, hope, love and relationships. But this morning I got a late Christmas present as I was sitting on my couch while putting Zoe to sleep. I want to share this present to the world. Here it is...

I guess now ya'all know I'm a hard nosed LOS ANGELES LAKER FAN. Joy! Joy! Joy!

Christmas Eve!!!

2008-12-24T01:58:00.001-08:00

I'm a bit sad. I really miss my Parents, my sister, my niece and nephew. This is the first Christmas that everyone in my family is literally apart from each other. It's hard knowing that I can't do anything about it. I have hope and faith that next Christmas, we'll all be together. I don't know where but all I know we will all celebrate Christmas together.

If you guys are celebrating Christmas with your immediate family, consider yourselves blessed! Love them! Tell them how much you love them. Spend time with them. You don't know what tomorrow may bring.

Mom and Dad, Ate, Gabby and Willie. we might be apart from each other this Christmas. I'll make sure next year we'll be celebrating Christmas together like we have so many times. I love you all so, so much! You are in my thoughts and prayers every time I remember you... and I think about you all a lot!

To my best friends Cai (my brother from another mother), Chona and Rai-Rai, Laura and Mike, Karen, Peter (my other brother from another mother), Russel and Jet, Rommel, Juliet and Jewel Samaniego, Doc Jason Saure, my mentor Johnny Ortiz and Cynthia, my ministry team at Crossway Kevin (my white brother), Joel, Emily, Judith, Raziel, Hannah, JD, Jeff, Meanne, Kathy, Sheena, Rosette and Luvelle, my home church in Baguio PBC, Pastor Art and Ate, Mel, TJ and Celine, Fritz, Cris and Elisha, and PBC UNITED YOUTH, to my band PSALM 23, Kuya Manny, Kuya Boyet, Kuya Vic, Jason, Arjay, Shake and EmK, to my PBTS buds, Saul, Don Enrique, BJ, JR, Yanver, Doc Bong, Joyce, Vincent O., Sheng, Pastor Joe, and Sam, my extended family at PBTS Auntie Joyce, Auntie Sonia, Auntie Adelle, Auntie Beth, Uncle Henry, Auntie Lilian and Pastor Jerry, to my best cousins in the world Kuya Nonoy (AKA Tranqui) and Doods, to my favorite Aunt in the world, Auntie Nena and Uncle Silver, my boys at YL Bobot, Leo Paul, Manolo, Jhob and Tim, my ex-band Ardent Joe Neil, Ronnie, Bong, William, my SLM Records bigboss Stan "the Man" Gibson (keep the faith bro), my P.U.P. kids, to the listeners and followers of Basta Lovelife, and to the entire University Baptist Church Manila alumni, in behalf of my family (Kuya Henry, Ate Mel, Emelyn, Norman, Gabrielle, William, Erwin, Blessing and Zoe)...

Celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with us! You are all very special in our hearts! God bless you!

Happy Anniversary!!!

2008-12-22T07:43:00.001-08:00

Even though I don't see my parents often, I miss them a lot. They've been through a lot this year. It upsets me that I can't protect them from people that want to hurt them, oppress them and ridicule them. How I wish I can shelter them from all the trials that have come their way. But the reality is, I can't. God can!

Mom and Dad, you have touched and helped a lot of people. Both of you have led thousands and thousands of people to Christ. People may have positive and negative opinions about you but they don't really know you the way I do. They do not know the sacrifices you have made for me. They do not know how generous you both are. They do not have the slightest idea how much you love our Lord. They do not see and feel the passion you have for the lost. All they have are bits and pieces of information, put what they have together and make up one big story. I KNOW THE TRUTH! And the truth is YOU ARE THE BEST PARENTS ANYONE CAN EVER ASK FOR!!! Your lives served as a guiding light when I was lost and could not find my way back to Christ. For that, Mom and Dad, I owe you everything!

Happy Anniversary! Hang in there! God has something wonderful for you ahead. You are blessed! You are set apart! You are loved by thousands and thousands of people!

I love you both so, so much! With all my being.

Riches to Rags

2008-12-19T06:26:00.000-08:00

Last week I finally made my way to the surfing capital of Luzon. San Juan, La Union is just a hop and a skip away from the mountains of Baguio. It's quite a contrast having the high mountains on one side, and the ocean on another. God is great!

We arrived in the wee hours of the night in San Juan and went straight to bed. I laid in bed thinking it's been a while since I rode the power of the ocean under my feet. It's an awesome feeling! I got my phone and set the alarm at four in the morning.

Excited and desperate for the ocean, I set out to conquer the waves of San Juan. Surely enough it did not disappoint me. I had the best time! Even though the waves aren't as big as Ventura County or Solana Beach, they still did the job. Oh yes! I felt alive again. Just in case ya'all are wondering why I love the ocean, you can Google what the name Erwin means.

Here, I'll save you some time. "Erwin- friend of the sea."

After a full day of surfing, we hung out with some locals and tourists enjoying the moon and the ocean around a bonfire. It was an interesting crowd. We had a local surf instructor whose last name was Pancit (I swear on my lucky draws I'm not kidding), and another local guy sporting the name Honeywell (what were his parents thinking?). We had a guy from Sweden, Sacramento, and Hong Kong (shout out to my boy Eugene!). But one person got my attention. Her name was Amanda (not her real name) and she was utterly interesting. We got to talking and I found out that she's the daughter of an extremely rich family in the Philippines. She's been around the world and back, hanging out and rubbing elbows with the who's who in Hollywood and London, sipping cocktails with Yoko Ono and Sting. She has five big houses all over the world, expensive cars, VIP treatment around Manila and yet as the conversation turned serious, she has been in and out of rehab and counseling for the past ten years. She's on Prozac and Xanax and could not function well as a normal human being without it.

Here I am talking to an unhappy bona fide socialite and all I could think of was my pair of ripped Gap jeans that I got on sale for $19.99 yet I was HAPPY!

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

James 5:2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

HAPPY!

She might be well known in this life. I AM A CERTIFIED CHILD OF GOD AND HE KNOWS MY NAME! She may have all the gadgets and gizmos money can buy. I HAVE AN ETERNAL INHERITANCE IN HEAVEN! Not too shabby eh?

Busy Christmas

2008-12-17T19:31:00.001-08:00

My dear friends... yes, oh yes your Kuya Erwin is a busy bee lately. I've been wanting to sit and write some articles about my recent adventures but unfortunately I don't have much time. I've been helping out with the local youth group and also taking care of my precious Zoe. Yeah, she takes a lot of my time. But, it's time well spent! Here's a recent picture of her taken by my buddy Pete.

Be back later and I'll be posting some cool stuff. For now, we got the latest episode of Basta Lovelife. Peace!

Verse of the Day

2008-12-09T20:41:00.000-08:00

Romans 12:12 NLT

"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying."

Verse of the Day

2008-12-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

Psalm 5:3 NLT

"Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my request to You and wait patiently."

Empty Promises

2008-12-06T03:21:00.001-08:00

I'm a fairly patient man. I understand that some things are just beyond my control. Yet recently my patience was tested by a well-known cell phone company who is also offering internet service.

My internet went down on Tuesday morning (right after I posted my 'verse of the day') and right after I saved and published my blog...NO MORE INTERNET! I waited for a day until I called their 'HOTLINE' just to give them a chance to fix the problem on their own.

The next day (Wednesday) I called their HOTLINE again and reported the problem. They "promised" me that they will fix the problem within 24 to 48 hours. So, I then gave them a chance to do their magic and fulfill their promise but told them "You know for a HOTLINE, you're not so HOT." Saturday, came and still no internet. I gave them another call and told them what they had promised. They said their "field technicians" are already working on the problem as we speak. So once again, I gave them another chance.

Tuesday rolled in and lo and behold, STILL NO INTERNET! I was finally fed up. I went straight to their office and told them about the problem. I finally found out that they have not sent out any technicians to fix the problem. Their customer service department have been telling me what I wanted to hear but they never intended to fix my problem.

Matt. 5:37 says "Instead, let your message be 'Yes' for 'Yes' and 'No' for 'No.' Anything more than that comes from the evil one." That's all I can say about that.

If you guys want to know which internet company I'm talking about, they are global.

So what happened? I terminated my contract with them and went with a cable DSL provider. Thank God for COMPETITION.

Basta Lovelife Episode 1

2008-12-06T03:16:00.000-08:00

Well it's finally here! You guys can download the pilot episode of Basta Lovelife. I promise, it's just going to get better!

http://kuyakevin.libsyn.com/

Twilight- fangs not sharp enough

2008-11-28T19:31:00.000-08:00

I saw Twilight with Kevin, Shake and Belle last night.

Here's my movie review:

If you've seen the movie, BUY THE BOOK! You'll instantly forget you saw the movie.
If you want to see the movie, BUY THE BOOK! Forget the movie! You'll thank me I saved you 150 php.
If you're a hopeless romantic, go on right ahead. Watch the movie and buy the book. I'll stick with Die Hard.

Verse of the Day

2008-11-28T00:58:00.000-08:00

John 10:11 NLT
" I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Verse of the Day

2008-11-25T02:11:00.000-08:00

Starting today I'm going to be posting my daily verse of the day. I hope it will lift you up in whatever circumstance you guys are going through. God bless you.

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry. And he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'" John 6:35 NIV

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2008-11-23T22:13:00.000-08:00

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The Katinas Live in Manila

2008-11-23T17:52:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to watch these guys in San Diego, CA and they were awesome. I highly recommend the Katinas.

Katinas live in Manila. November 30.2008. Araneta Coliseum. 8pm
Tickets avalable at ticketnet outlets.

This is part of the Kerygma Conference Events but is OPEN TO the public!!!!
Call 911-5555 for ticket info.

Here are the ticket prices:

PATRON VIP P 1377

PATRON P 997

LOWER BOX P 897

UPPER BOX A P 747

UPPER BOX B P 497

GEN ADM P 247

Anger + Hatred= Vengeance

2008-11-23T03:26:00.001-08:00

This morning I had the privilege of preaching at our church. I want to share this with you guys.

Men can do such great things. Men can also do such great evil things. The story of this fourteen-year old boy changed the way I feel about anger and hatred.

Emmett Louis "Bobo" Till (July 25, 1941 – August 28, 1955) was a fourteen-year-old African American from Chicago, Illinois. He was naturally a mischievous boy (having been fourteen once, I can relate). One summer he went down to Mississippi to visit his grandfather. That was the last time his mother would see Emmett alive.

Emmett had fun hanging out with his cousins. After a day's work at the cotton field they would all go to the local store in Money, Mississippi and buy themselves a treat. One day, after a long day at the cotton field, Emmett and his cousins were outside the Bryant store when Mrs. Bryant (the wife of Roy Bryant), walked outside of the store. Emmett whistled at her. During the Jim Crow era, a colored person is not allowed to whistle at a white man or woman. Knowing they were in trouble, Emmett and his cousins fled to safety.

A few days later, Roy Bryant, JW Milam and some other men forcefully entered the house of Emmett's cousins and abducted him. They told his family that they were just going to beat him up and teach him a lesson. Three days later his body was found with a 75-pound cotton gin fan tied to his neck with a barbed wire. His body was badly mutilated. His eyes were gouged. His nose bridge looked like someone took a meat chopper and chopped it off. His right ear was gone. His tongue was pulled out and was hanging on his chin. His skull was separated and there was a bullet hole that went through his temple.

After Till's disfigured body was found, he was placed inside a pine box and nearly buried, but his mother, Mamie Till Bradley, wanted the body to come back to Chicago. A Tutwiler mortuary assistant worked all night to prepare the body as best as he could so that Mrs. Bradley could bring Emmett's body back to Chicago.

The Chicago funeral home had agreed not to open the casket, but Mrs. Bradley fought their decision. The state of Mississippi insisted it would not allow the funeral home to open it, so Mrs. Bradley threatened to open it herself, insisting she had the right to see her son. After viewing the body, she also insisted on leaving the casket open for the funeral and allowing people to take photographs because she wanted people to see how badly Till's body had been disfigured—she has famously been quoted as saying, "I wanted the world to see what they did to my baby."

Racism, bigotry, racial discrimination... all these things are a by-product of HATE. The Bible says:

"Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

1 John 3:15

"If anyone says, "I love God", yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." 1 John 4:20

Anger is what we feel when someone injures us. Given a threat or injury (emotional or physical), our body pours adrenaline into the bloodstream, and we get ready to fight or flee. Hatred is the product of anger when we let it sit and simmer in our hearts. Vengeance is the action we take as a result of hate.

We oftentimes let hatred simmer in our hearts and desire vengeance when someone hurts us and we don't get justice from it. We do not have to murder the person to have our actions be labelled as murder. It can be gossip, backstabbing, character assassination, etc.

God said in Leviticus 19:17-18 " 'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

So why did God end his statement with "I AM THE LORD"? He wants to tell us that He is serious about this commandment. He wants us to know that we do not have a say in this, no argument can show God otherwise. We can't whine to God and say "But Lord this person really hurt me deep!" Remember the beating and death Jesus suffered because of you and me. The Lord your God commands you. Plain and simple.

The most loving thing you can do for others is to obey everything God tells you to do about loving Him with all you are and loving others as yourself.

“As I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 19:18

10 Weird Things About Kuya Erwin

2008-11-22T22:48:00.001-08:00

Yeah, it's high time I bag on myself he he. It shouldn't be a problem because who knows me better than me except...well...ME. So here's TEN weird things you don't know about your Kuya Erwin:

1. I love dipping Wendy's french fries on vanilla ice cream (for some reason the salty and sweet taste combined makes a heavenly dish for me).

2. When I eat a Big Mac, I don't eat it with fries. It has to be FLAMING HOT CHEETOS! Yumm!

3. I put Ranch Dressing on almost everything (chicken, tacos, burgers, burritos, lumpia, pansit, etc.)

4. I have a southern accent (for a filipino, that's weird).

5. Every time I watch STEPMOM (an old mid-90's movie starring Julia Roberts), I cry like a baby! I have no clue why...tear.

6. I never sleep on my own bed or even the bed in the spare room. I sleep on the couch in the living room.

7. I talk to myself when I'm multi tasking (yeah, the lights are on but no one's home hehe).

8. I'm a closet VEGETARIAN!

9. I shop like a girl.

and finally

10. The hit TV series FRIENDS puts me to sleep.

BASTA LOVELIFE Radio Show officially on the AIR!

2008-11-20T21:53:00.000-08:00

It's official! Kevin and I signed a contract with DWLY 97.5 Baguio to broadcast Basta Lovelife. Starting December 4, every Thursday, 8:30 to 9:30pm we'll be coming out of your radio.

Praise the Lord!

Kuya Kevin and Kuya Erwin on TV and Radio

2008-10-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

Kevin (one of my ministry teammates) and I are in the process of putting together a tv and radio talk show program about love and relationships (and possibly other topics). This idea popped up while on my way to Baguio. The bus was tuned to a radio program where callers can ask for love advice from the DJ. Of course the advices gave were not in any way Biblical nor did it come close to what we believe in. The burden became heavier when I heard another station taking calls from people who have had "wild encounters."

Please pray that the Lord will touch people's hearts and minds to support and sponsor us put up this ministry.

What to do when you don't have a Mother's Day gift (because you're broke)

2008-05-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

Yup! It is once again Mother's Day. I remember the days when I was broke as a joke and Mother's Day rolled in. After about a few years of being broke (to a point where I can't even buy her flowers), I learned how to be CREATIVE!

Here are a few things you can do to make yo Mama smile and make her feel proud she has a child like you.

1. Clean the house, wash the dishes, water her plants, and (not or) the laundry- Any day that your Mom can take a break from these things already made her day!

2. Cook her breakfast in bed- A way to a man's heart is through his stomach...it is also true with Moms (Do not attempt this if you don't know how to cook. It'll ruin Mother's Day for her. Just go straight to #3)

3. Make her a homecard, a portrait, or anything artistic- This gives you a chance to show off your talent and how an investment in those magic markers can do wonders. And if it comes out ugly, don't worry! She's your Mom!

4. Say something nice to your Mom like "Mom, you're the best! I love you!"- Waterfalls will instantly come out of her eyes...guaranteed! Unless you've used that as a line before to get extra cash from her then go to #5.

5. Go to a friend's or neighbor's house who has a garden and ask if you can pick some flowers- Women and flowers are like ham on burgers (hamburgers).

6. Lastly, PRAY FOR YOUR MOM!- But don't just do it on Mother's Day. Do it everyday! Pray that God will bless her and give her good health. She will value that more than anything!

Mom, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! You are one of the reasons why I came back to God. Everything that you taught me about God, it was etched in my heart. Thank you for never giving up on me. I hope that I made you proud by serving our God fulltime. I love you so very much!

What to do if you can't sleep at night

2008-04-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

I suffer from this. Being an artist, it's quite common. It drives Blessing crazy. But after years of suffering, I found some techniques on how you'll get zzzz's quickly.

1. Make your bedroom more comfortable, keep it cool and quiet. If you live with other people in the room, ask them nicely to be quiet or tell em' GET OUT!
2. Get up and do something else (but don't clean the house like my mom when she can't sleep). Then, go back to bed.
3. Drink warm milk or hot water before you go to bed. (If you don't have milk, imagine you're drinking one. Trust me, it will help).
4. Take a warm bath, read a little or listen to some quiet music in the evening. I'm weird though. I watch the sitcom "Friends." It knocks me right out....SNORING!
5. Get fresh air and exercise during the day, but remember: exercise before bed can keep you awake.
6. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
7. NO CHEATING!!!...Don't take naps during the day.
8. Avoid coffee, tea or soft drinks after 5 p.m.
9. Don't think of your problems or what you're going to do the next day. Today has enough worries to worry about.

10. Don't eat spicy food in the evening.

11. Most importantly, PRAY! Sing praises to the Most High! Praise Him for everything He has done for you today. By the time you're done thanking Him, you're in lala land.

It is now 1:18 am and yes, I need to sleep. Time to pop in my Friends DVD. Nite ya'all.

What to do when it's hard to forgive...

2008-04-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

As a kid growing up in the 80’s (yes I humbly and proudly admit it), I thought one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in my tender age was the Knapsack. Back in grade school, I saw these older kids carrying these bags on their backs and that flabbergasted me. These bags came with pockets and secret compartments on the side and on the bottom. And yes, they came in hundreds of colors to choose from. After I talked my dad into buying me one (more like begged and pleaded), I was finally on the list of ‘cool’ kids at my school. I loved that bag so much that I wore it anywhere and everywhere. Even when I knowingly did not have anything inside that bag, I still sported the Knapsack.

A funny thing happened that summer. We had a church camp and when you are nine years old summer camps are the next best thing to Christmas and Voltes V. I packed my Knapsack the day before church camp. I told myself it was the only bag I was going to carry. Being the genius that I am, I tried to pack some clothes and all the toys I can fit in my bag (which are totally garbage). Without breaking any pockets or zippers I successfully packed everything in my cool Knapsack.

The next day rolled in and it was time to leave. My dad had packed the car with bags from my mom and sister. It was my turn to put in my Knapsack. As I was picking it up and holstering it on my shoulders I felt the weight of the bag pulling me down. I got up with both legs planted on the grounded and managed to take one step. The weight of the Knapsack was too much for my nine year old frame and as I was about the take another step, I found myself lying on my back on top of my Knapsack. I looked liked a turtle upside down. It was one of the few times my sister successfully laughed and made fun of me.

I can probably fill up five pages of legal paper (back to back) of people whom I have hurt and have hurt me. The ones that hurt me are naturally who I remember the most. Whenever I remember them and what they have done I felt anger, bitterness and an urge for revenge. I packed in these things in my Knapsack. And just like the bag I had when I was a kid, I filled it up with garbage which weighed me down. If you chose to keep that garbage in your heart it will take you down. It will cause you to live below your potential, take away your peace, rob your joy, keep you hopeless and ruin your relationships. Trust me on this one because for many years I let the garbage in and I paid a high price for something cheap and low.

The Knapsack I am talking about was never meant to carry “garbage.” It is the place the Bible calls your heart. You can either fill it up with treasures, or load it up with garbage.
Anyone can build up garbage in their Knapsack. Luke 17:1 says “It is impossible that no offences should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!” In other words it is not weird that we go through life with people mistreating us or criticize us or lie about us or abuse us or do any number of things they should not do.

Jesus traveled light. He showed us how to avoid paying the high price of living low. HE DID NOT HAVE GARBAGE IN HIS KNAPSACK, even the ones provided by those closest to Him. He did not pick up offences or let them enter His heart. When Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, Jesus simply called him “friend” and forgave him! Even at the crucifixion Jesus forgave His offenders, and He prayed “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus forgave everyone of everything- immediately.

What happens when you pour water on a duck? YOU CANNOT GET THE DUCK WET! Even if you pour hundreds of gallons of water on a duck he will stay dry. Those feathers keep the water flowing right off him. That should happen with offences in our lives. They should roll right off us.
First Corinthians 13:5 says that love does not take into account a wrong that has been done to it, or in another translation, a wrong suffered. You can experience a wrong and pack it straight in your Knapsack. You can even try to convince other people to stuff it in theirs by telling them all about it: “He hurt me! And you know what else he did?” OR you can walk in love. No matter what someone does, you let it roll off you like a duck and you keep going. You put one foot down…someone treats you like crap…then by the time you put the other foot down you are saying, “Bless him/ her, Lord.” You have already forgiven the person and kept right on living your best life without allowing offence to slow you down.