It hurts. Burning.
The acid on my face. The shame.
The knife wounds. The blame.
I painted my dream in color;
t'was shortlived...four months.
Painful. Hellish. A nightmare.

At least, I now rest,
suffering no more;
without aches and burns,
and weepings and sleepless fears.
For people like me,
death is a sweet embrace.

My story will be told,
between sobs and bottled anger.
My family's hurt will last long.
My name repeated countless times,
with prayers and remembrances
and then...

I'll be forgotten,
just like the others.
Until someone suffers
a similar fate:
Left for Saudi with a bag;
Leave Saudi in a bag.

You with ears, listen.
You with a heart, listen more.

Morning last Sunday, a colleague showed me the newspaper and said I'm on it.

Yes, I am -- there below! -- together with our Indian colleagues during the celebration of the Indian Independence Day last 15 August.



Naks!

I'm impressed with the Indian Nationals in our office. They sang their national anthem, explained the meaning of their flag, showed us their national flower (lotus), animal (tiger) and fruit (guess what? it's mango, too!).

They also had a short contest where I won a prize. It's an impromptu Q&A which I managed to answer quite accidentally.

The question: Who was the first man to walk in space?

In an almost inaudible sound, I whispered to my colleague that it can't be Neil Armstrong, although I doubt whether Yuri Gagarin is the person...

I didn't finish my sentence because an Indian collegue was already pointing at me saying that I got the answer right! Cool. The things you get when you're verbalizing your thoughts. Hehe.

I gave away the prize to another colleague -- an Indian -- who had a newborn that same morning.

Although belatedly, I greet all my Indian friends -- and all the Indians in the world -- namaste.

This is dedicated to all Pinoys who are just starting to be OFWs in Saudi (or anywhere else in the world)!

To you, newbies in Saudi!

Let's cut to the chase.  You are luckier than I.  (Except perhaps in the aspect of salaries.  With the rate of inflation during the past ten years, your starting salary should already be at least four or five times than when I started in Saudi.  Why you are receiving the same rate that I received ten years ago is beyond me, really.).

No matter how you put it (and please stop watching too much soaps on tv because I think that's where you get your being dramatic), you are far, far luckier than I.

The latest shopping mall to open in Alkhobar is Lulu Center, a stone's throw away from the International Philippine School of Alkhobar (IPSA).

Indians mostly frequent the place (it's Indian-owned center I heard), but because the mall sells various items at a guaranteed low price, it also is popular among kababayans who are due to leave for vacation. (Dove soap for example, which is my favorite pasalubong, sells 20 halala lower than in other groceries in Alkhobar).

They sell other Filipino products like Mamasita flavouring, Marca Piña soysauce, and Datu Puti vinegar. What surprised me the most are these:



Tosilog: Chicken tocino, fried rice and egg. You just have to microwave it for a couple of minutes because it's kept in a cool stand.



And they have tapsilog too as well as longsilog!



This came to me as a surprise.  Ulam at Lulu Center?!  My officemate swore the Duck Adobo sa Gata is to die for. Half a kilo feeds two.



Paying cooked food per weight is new to me. Although it looked pricey, it really is the same as 'takal', or maybe even cheaper. We tried the kalderetang kambing, and it really was delicious.

Cool, eh. As far as I know, Lulu Center is the only shopping mall which sells these Pinoy viands.




Cassava cake



Maja blanca: a corn-based dessert.



Puto of various colors: even in green and pink!

And they sell grass, too!

Nah. They're herbs and spices, some of which grow wildly and free in the Philippines.



Did you know that oregano can deliciously flavour your pasta, or your grilled meat? The herb sells at SAR6 per pot in Lulu.

(PS:  I took these photos last month.  So don't mind the 'best before' date.  Lulu Center only sells freshly-cooked food).

If you're a fan of Steven Seagal, perhaps you'll notice how catatonic (err, emotionless!) he is when fighting with his enemies. His face is unmoving and so bereft of reaction, but the movement of his arms is fast but calculated, graceful but deadly. That, an aikido master told me, is what combat aikido is about.

A few nights back, someone invited me to a combat aikido class as an observer. I'm impressed. The kabayans who I saw practicing that night all emanate discipline, and on their sweaty faces is an aura of control and strength.

These kabayans all belong to PHIMACA Black Belt Alumni Association (PBBAA) under the umbrella of Philippine Martial Arts Combat Aikido (PHIMACA).

They can be seen in various places -- in a warehouse's empty space in Dammam's Industrial City, or in a rented room in Al Khadisiyah, or sometimes, in the rooftop of a building in Khalid Street, shouting hisss! and whosss! while practicing. (I was told it's the same as a karateka haik! or when a judoka shouts hu or ha!).

Combat Aikido, according to PBBAA's current president Rolando Jamila, is primarily designed to cope with any form of assault in the streets and is a good form of self-defense. That's why it is not surprising to know that in Riyadh, there are female members of PHIMACA. I heard that it's a plus point for nurses applying for jobs in the US and Europe to acquire self-defense training course certificates. Plus it's also an advantage for them so they can easily ward off male hustlers in the hospitals. Hehe.

Roland Jamila, the PBBAA President, and his young instructor Ibrahim at 14.

PHIMACA started in SAudi Arabian in 1997. Currently, they have more than 4,000 active members in the whole of Saudi Arabia. In Alkhobar alone, there are more than 10 chapters of PHIMACA with around 10 to 15 members each. Riyadh has the most number of chapters which, according to Jamila, run to around 35.

Jamila said: When observing combat aikido in action, one can clearly see that the movements closely mirror the motions of someone wielding a sword or similar object incorporated with punching moves. And akin to judo, although not as commonly practiced, kick moves also exist in aikido. Why? Because mistimed kicks and loss of balance can often cause serious injury during practices.

If someone holds a knife to your kneck or if someone strangles you, Jamila asked me, what will you do?

I just stared at him blankly. Embarrasingly, I said: Give up and give in...? He laughed. He said the tendency of victims in an strangulation is to free the neck from the attacker's hand. This is incorrect because the more will the attacker grip you. The best thing to do, he said, is to raise both your hands and position it like how Mr Clean does. (He actually didn't say that but that's the nearest thing I can call that motion).

True, when he showed me the motion, I the strangler, readily let go of my grip and -- although I didn't tell him -- the bones above my wrist hurt after that simple exhibition.

During their session, I met Ibrahim Estoesta, their youngest member at 14. Ibrahim is in second year high school at Philippine School of Dammam, and is due to be promoted as Certified Instructor this month of July. Ain't it cool?!

He narrated: 'Gusto ko po kasi talagang matuto ng martial arts kaya po ako sumali. My parents fully support this.' He said the training taught him self-control and self-discipline, and I think it is evidenced by his performance that night.

Ibrahim standing as instructor to one of the green belters.

PBBAA has many projects in line, according to Jamila. They have currently instituted a benefit schemes for all black belted members who suffer disabilities or death. Jamila said: 'Our funds are still low at this time, but we are also eyeing to develop many projects to support our members.' One of their plans is to provide scholarships to deserving children in the Philippines. 'Gusto nga rin naming magbigay ng educational benefits sa mga mahihirap naming ka-miyembro,' Jamila added.
With the kind of discipline that the group has, and with such noble a purpose, I believe they will surely achieve their dreams.

Here are the other photos I took that night.

They are not just sparring partners; they also regard each other as brothers.

Throughout the three-hour session done thrice a week, these aikido trainees learn speed, timing and balance, as well as self-discipline and concentration.

Used carpets at their feet and surrounded by junked appliances, kabayans are only mindful of one thing: to learn the art and technique of combat aikido.

More photos can be found in Flickr.

If you're based in Alkhobar or Dammam and is interested in joining their group, please get hold of Jamila at 0502-903685, or visit their Facebook account.

The counting was manually slow, but I'm really appreciative of the teachers at the International Philippine School in Alkhobar who, as of this writing, are I'm sure continually counting the meager votes of OFWs in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Noynoy leads in the early counting of ballots at IPSA (and I'm sure the trend will unlikely change just like in the Philippines). I guess he already is our 15th President.

I hope after two days of counting -- regardless of whether it's finished or not --, we Filipinos would turn off our political bias and finally unite to helping our next set of officials. We may not have voted for them (and I'm saddened that of my 12 senators, only one is highly likely to win) and we may not like their personality, but we have got to support them. Otherwise, the next six years will once again see us divided and in constant bickering. It is, I hope you agree, already too trite and tiring.

Hindi na uso ang nagbabangayan.

Here are some of the photos I took at IPSA during the counting of ballots.

It's entitled Silent Beauty, a Zain tv commercial running in most MBC programs.

The boy's sweet voice, even if I can't understand the language, is simply angelic. The simple melody is lulling.  And of course, the artistically-painted hands depicting various objects are simply amazing.

The music's English translation is as below. Hmmm...profound! I hardly understood what it meant, but I really liked the full concept.

Did you see the sun lighting up the sky?

Good news for people residing in Riyadh Region.

Starting soon, Philippine Airline's flight services will resume in Riyadh.




The last time I took a Philippine Airlines flight was some years ago when it was still in operation in Dhahran. After a bad experience of being delayed for four days (worsened because it was Christmas season -- I left Saudi on 19th and arrived in Manila on 23rd! That late!), I promised myself not to board any PAL international flight ever.

PAL's Gulf service is also a bit sub-standard (for me).

On the two or three ocassions that I took PAL Gulf flights, I formed this notion that PAL's flight attendants are rude. It seemed they were all forced to serve, they don't like what they're doing and really, they are unexciting. Parang napilitan.

I heard that their other international flights, especially those US-bound, are far, far better. This hearsay worsened my dislike of PAL.

Does that make me an un-nationalist?


One, because it has a direct flight from Bahrain to Manila. (That's why I don't take Cathay because from Bahrain, it still has to stop over in Hongkong).

Two, because their service, although not as award-winning as Emirates, is passable. (Heirarchy of importance: my priority is to get home safe and on time -- give or take an hour or two of delay. I'm so undemanding a traveller that all I'm looking for in an airplane is that the food is palatable, the seats comfortably spaced so I can sleep and, most importantly, loos should all be working).

Three, because their frequent flyer card gives you an extra 10 kg on top of the baggage limit weight. PAL doesn't offer this perk; neither Cathay Pacific.


What I like about PAL and Cathay is that they are benevolent with their frequent flyer miles. I know of a friend who uses his FF miles in getting a seat upgrade everytime he goes home. He thus sits comfortably in Business Class, whereas I, in Economy. PAL's FF miles, on the other hand, gets you to places around the Philippines. I like that!

(My Gulf Air FF miles, for five years now, can only get me as far as Dubai! They are that stingy!).

Kids, kids at heart and those who are kidding themselves that at the age of 50+ think they can seriously play volleyball, basketball, bowling, badminton and scrabble gathered together yesterday at International Philippine School in Alkhobar (IPSA) to formally open the three-month long 1st Alfidasca Chairman's Cup.

Had it not been for my appendectomy, I will surely be playing volleyball or even the strenuous badminton.



To show my support to my elderly churchmates (just kidding), I attended the ceremony. I think there were more than 150 other Filipinos who attended the event composed of small prayer groups from Alkhobar and Dammam. It was a blast! Labour Attache Delmer Cruz graced the event and didn't fail to remind the OFWs that absentee voting schedule will be a month early and that we should encourage others to cast their votes too! Cool.

There were contests too for best in uniform, most sportsmanly guy and gal, the group with most delegations, etc. Our group lost in all categories but we had a fine and fun time enjoying the revelries.

Here are the photos.

Mondo. That's the cafe's name. Unfrequented because it's situated in an area hidden from public roads. The cafe's facade is affluently designed, hence, most people would assume that they are high-priced. The truth is: their price is fair.

Every morning on my way to work, I notice the graceful chaos of birds (seagulls, I think) in a vacant lot near our place.

Between five thirty up to around eight, the birds -- and a cat -- feast on morsels of kubhus left by worshippers from a nearby mosque.

Oh how they fly in unison whenever they sense an arrival of a cat (or a person). At times, they just frolick on top of the National Commercial Bank getting their early sun bath.

This morning, I went there to observe and take these photos.

















Happy birds day to me. I'm something years old today.

This is a repost of an article from the Kablogs site entitled Come Fellow OFW's, Vote With Us!

This article, a compilation of thoughts from some of the best and brightest PEBA and KABLOGS bloggers, was also posted in Philippine Online Chronicles, and Blogwatch.ph.



The post reads:

"For decades, we've been lauded as "Bagong Bayani" as a recognition by the same government who has caused our mass exodus into foreign lands.

Let's breathe the title of modern day heroes and accept its appended challenges and responsibilities. Despite our distance and diversity, we take pride in being a part of the Filipino abroad’s global recognition as shapers of the world.

Now, the time has come to unleash the heroes within us as the majestic sun rises in the East and its rays of hope shines upon our nation this coming May 2010 election.

This is a call for our collective voice in the 2010 election. We encourage all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families to actively participate and be part of our country’s historic electoral process.

For several years, we’ve made our presence felt in building our nation. In every single dollar remittance that is being delivered in our family’s doorsteps, we OFWs have helped in sustaining the Philippines’ economic growth.

Our experiences in and out the country have led us to become seasoned professionals who are now politically mature to discern what’s best for our home country. Now is the moment to make a difference. We are part of the 12 million Filipinos dispersed across the world and we can definitely make a difference.

We will solidify our stand to choose the right leaders for our country. We will influence our family and loved ones back home, the recipient of our hardships and struggles abroad, to act too. We will guide them in making their choices this coming May 2010 because we believe that their actions will not only shape our country’s future but the future of the generations to come.

Our nation has suffered from the action (and inaction) of irresponsible and corrupt government officials but we must remain steadfast in our hope and desire of having a better country. Our nation is already battered and divided. This coming election, its fate resides in US.

If there is a time to live as modern day heroes, to make a difference as global Filipinos, to embark on something worth doing, IT IS NOW!

Let us empower ourselves as OFWs. With one voice and one heart, let's vote and get counted! Only responsible voters can bring responsible leaders in office on May 2010. Let the new leaders of our land rise from the votes of OFWs."

(We encourage all OFW bloggers to post this in your blog and FB Profile, Twitter, Plurk and circulate this piece to OFW and families email addresses. Thank you.)

My take on presidential elections

Original posting here.

None of those I elected in the past ever won. My criteria are quite simple:

Must be faithful to the marriage. If you can't be faithful to your wife, how can you be faithful to the many?

Must always be truthful. Always direct to the point, no frills, no fuzz, no insinuations.

Must not be a media ass-kisser. In fact, the lesser the media mileage, the better. I hate those politicians who jump at an issue the soonest they get a chance.

Better yet, why not we plot a table using Carlos Alberto Montaner's 20 categories in electing a good president (actually he listed only 19, I don't know why, that's why I added the 20th category).

Full file is available if you want to copy or download it.

Montaner is a respected Latin American journalist, a professor and President of Firma Press.

Confession: I buy from ukay-ukay.

Three Christmasses ago, I bought a red maong jacket which I used in a motiffed party with friends. A friend saw it and loved it. I lied and I said I bought it from Gap. He gladly accepted it as a gift.

Some years ago, I purchased an almost-new Lands' End long sleeves shirt colored baby blue for SAR20. I only let go of it -- after around two years of use -- when I noticed that the collar was tattered due to over-use.

Last Friday, I re-ventured the ukay-ukay in Alkhobar to admire its many offerings, and I admit that there were some items that caught my fancy. Hey, who wouldn't love t-shirts for SAR1 each, shorts for SAR5, jeans for SAR15, winter jackets for SAR25!

During Friday afternoon, ukay-ukays become a hub for Filipinos coming from various areas in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Most ukay-ukay stores in Alkhobar are ran by Afghans. In one of the photos below, you will meet Faisal, an Afghan proprietor of one of the decent ukay-ukay store in the area. Some Filipino also work as part-timers in these ukay-ukay stores, earning SAR50 for a four-hour work on a weekend.















Next time, perhaps I could give you a glimpse of some of the 'best buys' in ukay-ukay, i.e. excellent items with their unbelievably low prices.

Fifteen months ago, I wrote this post about my experience queuing at a remittance center.

I said that wouldn't it be nice if someone will invent an ATM-like remittance center where all we need do is key in our details and voila! our remittances will automatically be in the Philippines.

I guess someone's necessity is another else's invention because whatever I wished for in my post all came true. (Pretend you're hearing the Twilight Zone music).

Nah. I think someone already thought of it long before I made my wishes. (Pregnant pause).


It's quick, alright. Convenient. And it's very, very easy. No need for long lines, no need for a long wait.

The best thing about it (for me) is that it's tied up to our payroll account at the National Commercial Bank. The other great thing about is that Quick Pay's dollar-peso exchange rate is as competitive as most remittance centers' in Alkhobar.

Caveat: This is not a paid advert. I just thought I would share this with you just so you know that you can have other options other than suffer the woes of lining up at remittance centers.

Check here to know if Quick Pay is in your area, and how you can avail its services.

I've been using Quick Pay for more than six months now. I only thought of writing about it when I chanced upon my old post about OFW remittance woes.


Who knows? Maybe I have a superpower.

Hmmm...what a thought!

And if ever I do -- you know that kind of power to wish for anything and it will quickly come true -- here's what I'm going to wish for: ...that all the good wishes of all Filipinos come true. Right now. At this moment.

It wasn't me. I'm a soul in peace. My patience is long. And believe me, the last thing I want is a confrontation.

It happened inside Jollibee Alkhobar last night where my friends and I - I don't know what came into me that I agreed to queue along with around 20 other kabayans to get inside the store - had a taste of Jollibee's chickenjoy. Sadly, it's not only JB's chickenjoy we tasted; we also had a sampling of the usual bad trait of Filipinos -- ang hilig sa singitan!

The story goes like this: We're in a queue (the store was jampacked and their chickenjoy was a huge hit!). In front of me is a boy of ten who ran errands for her mom standing at the entrance. (There's a separate line for women and men, and for a while, I acquiesced with mom's 'wise decision' to let her son fall in queue because the male section's line is less longer than the female's). The problem came when the mother's friend -- who just arrived -- handed the boy her own order slip.

Someone quipped: What's happening here?!

I just stood there grinning.

Hayaan nyo na, konti lang naman!, the mother said to us.

Let's be patient, I whispered to my friend.

And then a small girl handed another order slip to the young boy. That's when my friend flared up but the mother and her friend remain unperturbed. I also sensed the discomfort in the store crew's action because he knew what was happening but 'the customers are always right', right? His job was primarily to attend to whoever is in front of him.

I whispered to my friend to let the incident go and just be cool about it. Instead, he turned to me and said: Bakit? May karapatan din naman tayo a! Kaya nga may pila, di ba? (That was from watching too much soap on TFC, I thought).

I said: This will not take us anywhere good, so just hold your horses.

And finally after a long wait (imagine this: three customers were already served on the other line while we stood in our own queue waiting for the boy and his mom to finish their orders), it was my turn at the counter. I hadn't finished ordering yet, when the boy returned and asked for a sundae cone. The store crew rolled his eyes but obligingly gave a sundae to the young customer. I chuckled and I looked (without any disdain) at the mother and her friend who were just chatting there like it was one fine day, er, night. (My friend foamed in the mouth but we managed to control him).

Then I wonder what that simple incident taught the ten-year old! (For all we know, he could be the next president of the Philippines).

That's when I realized the virtues that we Filipinos should always take with us, wherever we go.

Discipline. We should always be disciplined. Fall in line if there's a line, and wait for our turn. If we're in a hurry (unless you know for certain that if you don't eat in the next three minutes you'd fall on your face and die), think of those others in line who were also in a hurry (and who, for all we know, also had the same condition of falling on their faces and dying) but waited patiently for their turn.

Patience. If you're in a hurry (and hungry), don't fall in line in a queue that is longer than a Saudi remittance center on a salary period. If you decide to fall in line, patiently wait. Patience is a virtue that will take us in lots of place. If you're short-fused, never ever fall in a long queue.

Have a tranquil soul. Contrary to what my friend said to me after that incident, grace under pressure is not a weakness; it's a strength. Most people can easily be angered. I said to my friend: There are right battles to fight for, and then there are a petty fights that are not worth your time. (That was from watching too much Boy Abunda on tv).

Pagbibigayan. In a long queue, I will always allow these people in front of me: the elderly, pregnant women, small children (not accompanied by their burly mothers), priests and nuns, the unprevileged, the hungry and the oppressed. I will not, under any circumstances, allow any else to move their way in front of me (unless it's the gas chamber or at the mouth of a volcano to be offered to the anitos). My point is aptly sung by Florante many years ago in 'Kahit Konti'.

Hindi naman buong-buo ang hinihiling ko sa iyo
Ngunit kahit kapiraso mano'y magkasundo tayo
Iba't-iba ang katuwiran ng tao sa lipunan
Ngunit ang kailangan lang tayo'y huwag magtulakan

O kayraming suliranin, oras-oras dumarating
Dahil di kayang lutasin hindi na rin pinapansin
Subalit kung tutuusin, iisa ang dahilan
Kaibigan, ayaw nilang umusog ng kahit konti

This I noticed: Filipinos are short-fused when it comes to queues. Admit this though: Once or twice, we've shouldered our way in a line somewhere, and we didn't feel sorry about it. We even thought it's us being wiser and more cunning. It's not. It's pananamantala to the max. It's actually the starting point of corruption's anatomy: shortchanging others for our own benefits. Let us change for the better. Because I know we can; I just wonder why we won't.


Their chickenjoy tasted like the original recipe. It really is langhap sarap! I just thought the servings are small and, in my opinion, a bit pricey. A small serving of a spaghetti, one piece chicken and softdrinks is SAR9 (I'm comparing it to four pieces of Fawaz broasted for SAR 13 -- with fries and khubus!). But hey, it's Jollibee. It's imported from the Philippines. It's a brand (and anything branded has a price!). Bottomline: Jollibee will be a huge hit to kids (and kids at heart like me who, when wanting to taste something Filipino, will always return to Jollibee for that langhap-sarap, langhap Pinoy chickenjoy!)


They're opening two Jollibee stores in Riyadh middle of this year.

I've something to look forward to in Alkhobar this weekend: Jollibee will be opening in Al Rahmaniya Mall! Jolliyippeee!

It's actually a re-opening because someone opened a Jollibee store in Alkhobar more than five years ago. They were an instant hit but only for a short period. After some time, they begun serving RTE meals which are not a standard of Jollibee (vegetable toppings with fried chicken, pansit, adobo, etc). Plus their chicken sometimes tasted stale. A friend quipped: They should change their menu to Chicken Sad because it honestly tasted bad. The first Jollibee (I think they're not really a legally franchised Jolibee store) folded up after a few months.

And now this...


I hope they last because there's quite a competition here in Alkhobar when it comes to chicken menu. There's an Andok's Lechon Manok store which competes with Golden Broasted and Al Fawaz Broast. (My uber favorite is Golden Broasted -- always crisp, freshly-cooked and the chicken pieces decently sized). There are also other restaurants here that offer grilled chicken (far healthier than deep-fried chicken) like Al Tazzaj, Tandoor, Baba Habbas, etc.

Good luck, Jollibee! Albeit the competition, I hope they become 'bida sa sarap' here in Alkhobar.

(I checked Jollibee's website. So far they only listed the three Jollibee Jeddah stores as their international chain here in Saudi. I wonder how they are competing with the famous Al Baik in Jeddah...

I'm looking forward to seeing Alkhobar in Jolibee's international map soon!)


Here are some of the photos I took this afternoon of Jollibee's soon-to-open store in Rahmaniyah. (The kabayan who's standing there is a Jollibee service crew. He's the one who told me of their opening day).

My cellphone was on an alarm at 6:30 am because of the Friday's annular eclipse. Plus there's a seminar I promised to attend to the same morning related to basic teachings of the Catholic Church.

We departed from home at around 7:30 am but the sun was too bright in Alkhobar that I thought we will not catch a glimpse of the eclipse.

When we arrived at a seminar's venue (some twenty minute-drive from Alkhobar City), the area was covered by a thin fog.



Only then did we manage to get a glimpse of the eclipse.





The sight was divine (although the photos did not do justice to the beauty of that occurence)!


The series of talks that I attended to was sort of a reminder of what Catholicism is about, the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the composition of Apostle's Creed, etc.



The speakers were all good although the whole seminar was quite lengthy. It was supposed to finish before six in the afternoon but at eight, we were still midway the Seven Sacraments.

Here's a page of my scribble about the topic.



Boredom also took over one of the attendees who gave me these caricatures: One of the speakers, the back of one attendee (wearing a hooded jacket), and I. Hehe.




Throughout the seminar, I kept thinking of that line from Angels and Demons that says: "Religion is flawed...only because man is flawed."

Why? Because I personally thought the seminar tried hard to justify why some of Catholic Church's traditions and practices are not bible-based. Maybe because it was necessary for the speakers to explain the claims of other sects about the apparent fallibility of the Catholic Church.

But really, is it necessary to reply back to rhetorics of other sects claiming that their faith is better than mine?

What religion is not flawed?, I asked myself.

Isn't religion merely our vessel towards God?

There were philosophical exchange of ideas during the seminar. The Q&A portion was a bit distracting and, in the end, I went home entertaining more questions than answers.

This is my honest take on the subject: I am a Catholic. I believe in every word of the Apostle's Creed. And because God's Words are in the Holy Bible, then His Words must be a part of my life -- that and the good teachings of my Holy Church.

I will constantly plead God to continously give me His gifts of faith. And hope. And love.

Amen.