Panatang Makabayan | Happy Independence Day 2010

There is now a new version of the Panatang Makabayan but I prefer to post the old version as I think (even though it's longer), it's full of love and patriotism.


Panatang Makabayan ng Pilipinas: old (original) version


Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas.
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan.
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi.
Ako’y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan,
Upang maging malakas, maligaya at kapakipakinabang.


Bilang ganti ay diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang.
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan.
Tutuparin ko ang tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan at masunurin sa batas.


Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at nang buong katapatan.
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino,
sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.


I just came from the Asia Conference and one of the great things I've learned was the teaching of A.R. Bernard about us created in the likeness of God and that we truly are the Image of God. And because of that we become Better Christians, Better People, Better Citizens. In my case, Better Filipinos.


It's almost our Independence Day and I want to take this chance to refresh all of us with our Philippine Patriotic Oath (Panatang Makabayan). Even though there had been several changes with it (e.g. newer version and it being no longer required after the singing of the National Anthem), I think though that we as Citizens of Heavn (being children of God) we ought to be blessings to our Country as well while we're still here on Earth.


Let's all take this time to remember to pray for our nation. With the new president, let us pray that our nation will soon see More Job Opportunities, Improvement in the Economy, Lesser Corruption, Fair Judicial System, Healthy Government, and Happy People. Let us pray that God will remember, heal and bless our nation!


Let the change start from us.

The Truth Shall Make You Free | Happy Independence Day

John 8:31-36 (New King James Version)
The Truth Shall Make You Free

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.

36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

As the United States celebrate their Independence Day today, I am reminded of the above passage. Truly, the freedom we have is but a "fake" freedom unless the Son has set us free. People think they're free because they can do anything, anywhere and anytime they want. But as Jesus had said, "whoever commits sin is a SLAVE to sin".

My prayer therefore, and I hope you join me is for God to break the chains of slavery to everyone who are enslaved by sin up until now. Be it drugs, addiction, pornography or even a simple theft and lie. All these are still considered sins before God and a lot of people are ensalved to these.

Today is also a reminder to all of us as well, that even though we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and had been set free from Death and Sin still a lot of times we pretend to be slaves to our human nature. We actually make ourselves slaves again when we choose to give in to temptation the devil is throwing at us when we could have rebuked and resisted it!

You see, today aside from the celebration of the Freedom the Lord Jesus Christ had given us for free is also a Day of Prayer for constant breaking of chains as we continue our Spiritual Journey with Him.

God Bless you!