Through the Pages of “Real Men Are POGI”: Getting Ready for My POGI Man Of My Life

At first glance, Ardy Roberto’s “Real Men Are POGI” is obviously written for men. With its tag line below it, “How to be Handsome in God’s Eyes para maging Ready for your God’s best”, it serves as a man’s handbook guide for Christian living. But no book lying on our living room table would be spared from my book-hungry eyes. Once I sat down flipping through page one, this lady bookworm enters a heart-to-heart talk for real men. 

I’m not used in reading taglish (short for Tagalog-English) books. But Ardy’s conversational tone caught me staying up to the last page (though I wasn’t able to finish it in one sitting). Reading this book is like listening to an interesting, light, lively talk on stage. Peppered with humor and anecdotes, Ardy puts his point that goes straight to the heart.

Without giving much away, I’d give you an idea what POGI means. In Tagalog, pogi means handsome. But the POGI Ardy is talking about here is a man whose character is approved before God’s own eyes: Pure, Obedient, Gentleman, Intense in his love for God, his lifetime partner, and his family. Wow! This is what a single woman would love to ask for!

Sounds too good to be true, right? Especially, when the world says to go with “what everybody does”. But the testimonies in this book encouraged me. Even the writer’s very own story of intense love for his late wife (how he stayed up with her to her last breath) and his newfound love touched my heart. (Oops…I’ll try not to give spoilers :P). As he breaks down the characteristics of a real POGI, I totally nod and agree that this is what I want…

And while reading, I was praying while reading the book: “This is the kind of man that I want God!!”

Although the book is addressed to men, I began checking on my character too. Being given a partner, I should also be a good steward in loving him. I should learn to be responsible in things, emotions, and thoughts. I should also learn to take care of myself so as to take care of him, too. The book serves as an encouragement that yes, there is that POGI man out there that God is grooming for me and that I am also being groomed for God’s best for me. I am also encouraged to pray more for his coming and to be prepared when he comes…in surprise!

This book goes like a checklist to the kind of man that God wants for me. Also, I’d recommend all my bros and my male friends to read this. 

It’s true that our character cannot be perfected especially by our own. But only by God’s grace we would be able to be changed from glory to glory. “Real Men Are POGI” is just one of the books worth reading, not only to men but also to ladies waiting for their God’s best.

Learning From the Power of the Pen and Paper

I once thought I could eliminate the use of pen and paper after school. Being a reporter for more than three years already, I’ve been used in jotting down my notes on my phone or laptop. But it’s just recently that I have to rely on the classic way of recording notes.

When I started to cover court hearings for the pork barrel scam case at the Sandiganbayan (the courts when public officials are tried for cases like graft and plunder), they required the media not to bring phones into the court room. Thus, I have to bring a pen and notebook. So, while I listen and take down notes, I wonder how I get to understand my writing which has turned steno.

But then, I realized there are more advantages in taking down notes by hand.

Taking aside the odd handwriting, having a hard copy of words is safer than those being recorded in electronic. There were a few times that my phone would delete all my notes before an ambush interview ends or my laptop shutting down at the end of the press briefing. Now, such instances devastates me…literally.

When writing down by hand, it’s easy to review the past notes and leave markings as I rewrite my story. Adding markings to my past notes in electric gadgets only complicates them and adds more time. Besides, I tend to remember them better by hand. I realized that by marking notes, I can remember more the significant words from a coverage.

Now compared to touch screens, I can get the right spelling of words when writing on paper. Oh, yes, I can get the words correct when I type on my laptop, but I can’t write there all the time when we run after interviewees in the middle of the street, right? Now when I thumb in the words unto the screen, I’d get 40% of the words wrong in spelling. This only confuses me. But when I take down my notes on paper, I tend to understand the words better.

It’s amazing how I understand my own handwriting when I review my notes. Maybe because my brain can remember what was discussed better when my hand writes them down.

I learned never to discriminate the power of the pen and paper. Our high-tech gadgets can help us in our everyday routines, but sometimes, it is the traditional way that saves us from the odd-balls of innovation.

Well, not unless the ink of your pen vanishes even before the court hearing has ended. O.o

To the Old Leaders (and the Leaders After)

Dear ex-politician.
We’re through with your speeches. It’s not yet 2016 but you sound like resonating it. Are you haunted by the ghosts of your guilt in office that’s why you keep on ranting your past achievements? Or are you scared that we not convinced enough of your contributions? Besides, you did not run to be famous. This lame motion had driven most to a misconception that politics is part-time showbiz. If only I can move the motion for the seperation of entertainment and state.
What I have heard from you is maddening for a sane person like me. What did I get from your fancy buildings and weird structures? Did it lessen the poulation of the poor and isolated? Did it brought up exposure to who’s guilty of corruption? We’re not asking for gods in the pillars of government. We’re looking for fathers and compassionate leaders ready to sacrifice their self-worth for the good of his people.
Your so-called achievements can only come for a season, but it is the meaningful legacy that lasts forever. Your name can be erased from the etches of time. But the sacrificial love you leave to the people you serve matters most. It is through this selflessness that changes a generation. This can make an impact to the next and can enrich the values of the generation after.
New politicians are emerging. I’m searching for the ones who would be kind enough to think of the people around them. Making robust speeches won’t work. We’re through with gimmick. If you have had been selfless enough when you we’re in position, I wonder how much had been changed in my generation today.
Sincerely,
Watching Citizen

From Selfies to Frontpages

I was caught in a surprise this morning when a fellow reporter tagged me with this frontpage photo from a prominent newspaper.

This was when I was attempting to take my own selfie with Sen. Miriam Santiago. Right after her press conference, the reporters flocked around her for pictures. I thought of taking a chance to have my own memoir. Pushing through the crowd, I did not mind the photogs and the other journos who flocked for her attention (and were taking our photos!).

I have always looked up to Sen. Santiago as a respected, outspoken politician. Fearless, she’s never hesitant to criticize or to be criticized. And she made sure to remain as sharp as iron in mind and heart despite of her condition. Her announcement that she had stage 4 lung cancer was a shock to most. But despite of this, she appeared undaunted as she took her time to pose for a smile with the media.

I have always been careful to take pictures with popular personalities. I don’t usually ask for a pic with them though I personally interview them. I try to be discreet much as I can. Though it is not against ethics, I as a journalist should remain my distance to ensure that the image of fairness is not discredited. Pictures can betray even a group pic has no deep, background story.

But there are times when we journos can sense that taking pictures with them is ok. For me, it is to remember them, the respectable and interesting people who earned a reputation for who they are.

And one of them is this brave senator. She has made very rare public appearances nowadays. Right after the reporter in her left finished her own selfie with her, I took the chance to have my own selfie with the senator.

It’s a bit blurred though, but I’ll cherish it. I tried to take another but I became too shy because the other reporters wanted to take their turn.

Yes, even reporters can become shy when taking pictures. 🙂