Final Group Article Corruption vs. Education Exorcism: An Overlook Filipinos are fun of ghost stories. In fact, a dozen of horror films were released for the past years that have hit the box office charts. Tales of tikbalang, kapre and manananggal sprouted among provinces and people who are afraid of such tend to rely on paranormal experts to explain their curiosities. How can we see something that cannot be seen? Spirits, ghost, and all that is paranormal can only be discern by opening our sixth sense, said Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia in a forum at the University of the Philippines last January 24. He said our psychic ability has its own capacity that we need to discover and develop. Children and women, who are more intuitive, are prone to demonic attacks, said Fr. Syquia. He said evil spirits can enter into our bodies when we are weak in faith. Fr. Syquia, author of “Exorcism: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult,” is an expert on paranormal studies. He has encountered hundreds of exorcism and his line of work as the Director of the Archdiocese of Manila, Office of Exorcism. “We have to be careful with the entities of our mind,” said Fr. Syquia, because some may attack people’s minds beyond their reasoning. “The real power is in prayer,” said Fr. Syquia as a defense against demonic possessions. The forum was sponspored by the UP Student Catholic Action and was attended by students from different colleges in the university. _______________________________________________ Aquarium Life: Confessions of A Pastor's Kid How beautiful it is to live with freedom: the freedom to choose, freedom to be who you want to be, freedom to get what you want, and freedom from everything that makes your life miserable. When I was a little kid, I really loved watching fish in an aquarium. Every time my father fetched me from school, I made it sure that he would take me to the nearest pet shop. My eyes would glimmer watching the fish as they gracefully swim and magnificently maneuver inside. It was so fascinating watching them. Some of the fish would chase around each other; others would hide behind artificial corals. They looked happy and contented. Being a kid, it was so easy to like those fish. But as I think of it now, I realize that behind what seemed to be a fascinating world for them, was a life full of misery. I am sure they would never want to be in that aquarium if they just had a choice. They would surely love to be out there in the sea. Being a pastor's kid, I could liken me life to that of those fish. I feel like I too am in an aquarium. There may never be glasses that surround me, but there are giant walls of rules, norms, and life standard that I have to consider before making any move. These things beset me even before I was born. What's worst, people expect me to be perfect. I noticed this when I was growing up. My father, who is a pastor, would teach members of the church how to live a holy life... a life pleasing to God... a life that would serve as a good example for others. Naturally, these members also look up to the pastor's family as a model of what the pastor preaches. From then on, I've been living my life in a glass house – a house open for all to see. I remember this one time when my friends and I watched a “sayawan” in our neighborhood. I didn't know one of my neighbors saw me and told my father about it. He was so mad and disappointed. It was one of the things that he kept telling me about... I should never be in a place where worldly people go. He said that it could ruin my witness... that people may not listen to his sermons anymore if his son is seen in questionable places. I could enumerate some of those rules that made me sick. Disco houses, bars, and movie houses are just some of those prohibited places. When it comes to music, I only have to listen to gospel music. I am not allowed to sing other songs aside from Christian songs. I must turn off the television or radio if they are playing those prohibited songs. Dolls, stuffed toys, and graven images are not supposed to be inside the house because they are considered dwelling place or strongholds of Satan. If we ever receive gifts like them, my father would surely burn them. In choosing a lifetime partner, I should not choose a non-Christian girl. What if I fall in love with a non-Christian? All these things made my life miserable. How could I enjoy life when all I have to do is please people? So I tried pretension. Like those fish in the aquarium, I tried to hide my true feelings inside. I pretended to be happy with my life. I followed every rule. I tried to be always right in their eyes. People even praised me for being a blessing to them. But deep inside me, I was just lying. This went on for a long time. When my father noticed that I wasn't happy with my life, He asked me what my problem was. I told him everything... from the lies to the pretensions, and even to the pressure that I felt. I cried to my knees and asked for forgiveness. I admitted that I wasn't pleasing God. I was only pleasing others. He embraced me and told me that it was all right. He said that everybody makes mistakes. I guess that being in an aquarium-like life is not that miserable after all. I realized now that all those rules and standards just shaped me into a better person. It made me stronger to resist temptations. Now that I am away from those people who look up to me as an example, I am free to do what I want. Now it's up for me if I would choose to do things against God's will or I would still succumb to His perfect will and plan for my life. At least I have a choice. |
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