I believe

Just a few weeks ago, the Tony Awards for Best Musical for 2011 was awarded to The Book of Mormon, a religious satire which tells the tale of two Mormon missionaries bound to Uganda to share their scriptures.

During the Tony Awards, Andrew Rannells, who played the role of missionary Kevin Price, performed "I believe". In this song, Price reconfirms his mission, commits to God what he needs to achieve and confronts the General, a local warlord and talks him into converting to the religion.

While at one point, the musical somehow ridicules the religion, it also serves a perspective on faith and doubt that even non-Mormons could appreciate. "I believe" in itself already has a lot to offer.

Here's part of the lyrics that really touched me: (Access full lyrics here)

I must trust that my Lord is mightier

And always has my back.

Now I must be completely devout

I can't have even one shred of doubt...

You cannot just believe part way,

You have to believe in it all.

The problem is doubting the Lord's will

Instead of standing tall.

I believe that God has a plan for all of us.

I believe that plan involves me getting my own planet.

The Scriptures say that if you ask anything,

If you ask God Himself he'll know.

But you must ask Him without any doubt

And let your spirit grow...

At a time when God asks you to just believe in Him and in His plans for you, this is somehow a good song to contemplate with.

Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

walang natira (no one left)

A few months ago, while I was doing my report on the media coverage of the Middle East and North African protests, I stumbled upon one of Gloc9's music videos titled Walang Natira, a social criticism packaged as a rap song.

The song talks about labor migration in the Philippines. About 1.5 million Filipinos left in 2009 alone to work abroad. Remittances from overseas Filipino workers have been the driving force of the Philippine economy for years. But it has always been a question if the government can actually take care of every Filipino they send abroad.

More than the OFW's welfare abroad, the song also pointed out the very important outcome of this labor migration.

Napakaraming guro dito sa amin ngunit
Bakit tila walang natira
Napakaraming nurse dito sa amin
Ngunit bakit tila walang natira
Nagaabroad sila
(Gusto kong yumaman)

Brain drain, which refers to the large-scale emigration of technically skilled people from one country to another. As more nurses, doctors, teachers and engineers from the Philippines move to other countries in pursuit of greener pastures, the more incompetent ones are left here, allowing the deterioration of knowledge of the field in this country.

As the last line of the song goes, "Napakaraming tama dito sa atin ngunit bakit tila walang natira."

movie week

I've had a pretty good share of movies this week. Last Sunday, I saw Kung Fu Panda 2 with my family. I went to the movie house alone Monday to watch Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Friday for X-Men First Class. What was even more interesting was how God had talked to me in these two latest movies.

After watching On Stranger Tides, there was a storyline I could not get out of my head. The story of Philip, a missionary, and Syrena, a mermaid, really struck me.

Philip was introduced in the movie as a captive and kept alive from one of Blackbeard's raid in a remote island. Blackbeard's daughter, Angelica, tried her best to keep him alive as Philip always believed that there is redemption for everyone. Since Blackbeard has been prophesied to be killed in a few days, he has embarked in a journey to find the fountain of youth to evade his death.

In order for the fountain of youth to work, they must collect a tear from a mermaid and this is where Syrena comes in. As Blackbeard's crew were being attacked by mermaids, a mermaid seemingly tried to grab Philip's foot. As he fell down, he was somehow saved from the boulders that fell from an exploding light tower. A boulder fell onto this mermaid's fins and this led to her capture.

The mermaid was placed in a glass casket. Philip had tried to keep her alive as long as they can and Blackbeard usually gave in as he has a need of her. Note that he was the only one kind enough to treat her with dignity and even gave her the name Syrena.

"Such beauty. Surely you are one of God's own creations...and not a descendant of those dark creatures who found no refuge on the Ark. Such beauty and yet deadly."
"Deadly. No."
"You attacked me."
"No. You are different."
"Different?"
"Are you not? You protect."

When First Class opened last Thursday, I could not get it off my mind. I have been waiting for the movie to come out ever since James McAvoy was announced to play Charles Xavier. (And besides, I am a Marvel aficionado). When it was already showing, I know I just had to see it no matter what.

First Class focused much on the tagline "Mutant and proud" to describe the early life of Raven Darkholme and Hank McCoy (Mystique and Beast). Both, as everyone knows, have had the most difficult time accepting their being different as their mutation has affected their physical being.

Raven had the talent to imitate anybody she desires and this has given her the chance to fit in. With the help of her surrogate brother, Charles Xavier, she had her own taste of the society. But when Erik Lensherr (Magneto) became friends with Charles, Erik kept pointing out that she should be appreciated for who she is.

"If you're using half your concentration to look normal, then you're only half paying attention to whatever else you're doing. Just pointing out something that could save your life."

Just a little background here. About two weeks ago, a Canadian lady joined in one of the teams that came to the Philippines. She mostly taught about inner beauty and how to appreciate yourself for who you are rather than looking at beauty through the world's eyes. While I'd have to admit that this has been a constant topic between me and God, it seemed like a very wide area of discussion which usually makes me feel like there is always something new to learn.

Since last year's turn of events, I've been having questions about myself and how I knew God had called me to be different. Different does not always mean being great. Sometimes, in fact more often, I can't seem to fit the standards of excellence the world has for everyone else. If I am different, how is it that even the man God chose me couldn't even see that beauty God has set upon me for being "different".

But I know God tells me not to fear for being "different" was never my insult. Rather, God is showing me that this will one of my strongest assets. The same way that Philip was thought to be different by the world (as a very religious man) and by the mermaid (as someone worthy to be loved), God is telling me to be proud of how He has called me for this will be seen by others. My service to God is what will make me worthy to be loved.