Toast to the newly wedded couple

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Business Class Podcast

What you are about to read is my message to the newly wedded couple. The information I have gathered came from my mother, who apparently, according to her have only heard the story to the mother and father of bride.

I was asked to do this but declined because it should have been the brother of the bide. When I was asked to speak I declined 3x, they insisted.

A bit of context. After the wedding my mother has been telling relatives and people that the the groom bought a unit in Florence McKinley, she even shared a photo of the place to us. Which is impossible because the groom is a bellboy. This is not looking down but stating fact. The house does not exist at all, only for show, to cover up for what should not be known. Of course, in due time and diligence, I am sure that they can surpass that. On the opening of the business, she said that the groom open up a business. How can that be when she was the one who provided for the accountant and contractor, I was also a witness when the contractor called her. In one Chirstmas party, I was seated beside someone who is connected to someone who is there and recognized me and told me that my mother said that she has a share – big or small does not matter, what matters is that she denies having a share there. All stories she told people and my family where not asked but she volunteered.

She said those lies even to me and to the rest out of shame. In fact, she even fought my wife for their sake. She did not want out business to be known, she told my wife to send boxes of bread without our logo. Any sane person will not do that. We did not offer our bread, she was trying to buy. It is like telling Mary Grace to put it in a plastic bag without any logo. So much more happened in my diary. Sounds petty? No, this is not petty at all.

So all these are only an illusion. In 6 months, she gave birth. She got impregnated. Why do I even put this here? My mother has been telling everyone even without proof how good the guy is and here is the proof of irresponsible sharing. The guy is unknown to the family and was only seen on the wedding day.

All of the above was written after 2 years.

Clink the glass. Remember that the clinking of glass is a call to kiss each other. Tomorrow Japhet Gulmatico that is a call to wash the dishes and iron the clothes.

Good evening everyone. Are you all enjoying? I hope all of you are enjoying the night and the great food. Of course food is always delicious when free. Thanks to the groom and bride for serving us great food.

I’m Jeff cua Kyra’s eldest cousin from her mother side, tita jing. Kyra was the flower girl in my wedding when she was 7. She’s also a favorite photo subject when I was actively doing photography.

I have been married for almost 20 years and it’s truly a wonderful ride. The feeling is More like a war survivor. There are joys and challenges along the way but the bond gets stronger as you get through them. For the sake of those who don’t know It was my wife who made me say yes to her and until now, the only thing I can say to her is yes. The first time I saw her I knew i found the right one. Yes, she is The one who is always right. This also explains why I teach at the university level dun lang ako pwedeng maging tama. marriage at the end of the day is just 2 people who decided to Annoy each other for the rest of their lives. My tip: Japhet say sorry when you are wrong and when Kyra is wrong, you are still wrong.

I have a confession to make. I’m just trying to be calm because there was a misunderstanding. In the briefing earlier I was told that I’ll do the toast. All the while i thought I’ll be doing a roast. I had to rewrite my Speech.

4 days ago tito Brian called me and asked me, Jeff can you do the roast. I was confused and even wondered why I was asked to do the roast when it’s normally the role of the best man or the brother of the bride. Bakit mga hindi kayo nagtratabaho Dito? But judging by the way they look, they look drunk and busog. But since I love roasting people specially a groom, whom I just met today, I said yes.

I’ll be nice.

First an observation. You know I have been to many weddings but this is the first time I’ve been to a wedding where the couple decided to serve Redhorse extra strong. -lakas niyan ah, gusto ba nilang umuwi ng gumagapang yung tao? Then I thought, This is probably Japheth reminding Kyra of his extra strong love for her and knowing Kyra,this is her telling Japheth na malakas Ang Sipa niya.

If you haven’t heard yet, nung elementary siya binagsakan niya yung classmate niyang lalaki na nangloloko sa kanya ng bookshelf lang naman. I heard you love reading books Japhet. If I were you I’d stay away from bookshelves.

Often the family members especially kuyas of the bride would warn the groom. Wag mong sasaktan kapatid ko kungdi….but in this case Brad knows Kyra can defend herself dahil nung bata pa Sila, bugbog sarado si Brad. Ngayon si Erica na bubugbog sa iyo.

During Kyra’s debut sabi niya Ang gusto ko sa lalaki yung kamukha ni daddy. I looked at Tito Brian, naluluha. Ako din naluluha, pano na lang kung itake ni lord literally. buti na lang nilinaw ni Kyra, na ibig niyang Sabihin na kasing patient, prayerful, bait, sipag at respectful ni Tito Brian. Those are the things that I hear about Japhet. Palakpakan natin Ang mga magulang na nagpalaki kay Japheth. God loves you Kyra so he gave you what you wished for and probably more.

But Seriously Kyra i think you are in the arms of someone who truly loves you especially after I learned that Japhet has a devotion to mama Mary. Anyone who has a devotion to our mother is always close to Christ, respectful to mothers and women. I am sure, us, your family and everyone who loves you, we are assured that you married a Christ centered family man. (look at Japhet and tell him wag kang papahiyain Ang gaganda ng sinasabi ko sa iyo) –This was hyped to us by my mother.

Furthermore, Your lives don’t belong to yourselves anymore but to your spouse and children to be. This means you have to take care of your names dahil I-google lang nila Ang pangalan niyo at malalaman Ang pagkatao mo.

Now, on to my toast, please stand and raise your glasses. Let us all wish Japhet and Kyra a happy and fruitful marriage, May you bear and raise, healthy and god fearing children. May you both persevere in love. May you both put Christ in the center of your family. May you both, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, love and honor each other all the days of your life. And May your ups and downs be only in the bedroom.

Cheers!

The lasting impact of this MILO BEST commercial

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Business Class Podcast

I was 10 or 11, fat and tall, when I first saw this commercial, and boy, I envied how he, Louie, dribbled that ball. I would make sure to watch that commercial every time it shows. I would have recorded it if only I could. I was already playing basketball but knew that I could still be better by learning how to dribble, so I asked to be enrolled in MILO Best E. Rodriguez, where Waltermart is now, with my cousin. When I got there on the first day, I was intimidated by the big coach who welcomed everyone, Mr. Jorge. He was huge, and his voice boomed when he spoke. He scared me to death. Nonetheless, I went through the drills and practiced at home. What I did not know was that we will be judged on how we do with the drills. On the day of the exam, I did not go out of fear. He personally called our house to look for me. I got scared and did not return. What does a 10 year old fat kid know, anyway?

I chickened out. I did not know any better at 10. No one told me to go back and show up. Later in life, I realized that the most basic thing in any endeavor is showing up no matter what. And it is more than just trying; it is committing and persevering. This is where I think the role of sports parenting comes in. But first, I have no bad feelings toward my parents because, to them, sports were more of leisure than character development. In my case, I see it as a path to learning discipline and fortitude while liking what we do. In other words, whether you like what you do or not, nothing is easy, so keep on doing.

This realization helped me apply such lessons to my children. I just encourage them to join competitions and be there no matter what the results are as long as they put forth their best effort. But of course, every best should be better than the previous best, and this is achieved through practice and perseverance. I sign them up and make them go through the struggle, with us on the sidelines as cheerleaders. Because the lesson is not about winning or losing; the lesson is in the process, the struggle, the people who are there to support, and the opponents who are also friends outside the arena. The winning comes later.

Forty years later, the lessons brought by this commercial still live: show up, and never give up.

The Agony and Victory of Tennis Tryouts: A Parent’s Perspective

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Business Class Podcast

It is that time of the year again, Iuri’s tennis tryouts. This is causing me so much anxiety, but I am sure it is causing Iuri even more.

After not making it 2017 and 2018, Iuri finally became part of the school elementary varsity team in 2019. Since there were no tryouts for two years because of the pandemic, tryouts resumed in 2022. That year was such a nail-biting tryout season. Iuri had little practice that year, was just getting back into playing tennis, and had just recovered from COVID-19 two weeks before the tryouts. He was still weak and had only played twice before the tryouts, so his confidence was low.

The night before the tryout, he woke up in the middle of the night crying and having a nightmare. It was hard for us to see him that way, but we couldn’t let him avoid trying and let fear take over. On the day of the tryout, he lost all his matches and afterward complained that he had poor eyesight. I told him not to make excuses and to play better the following day. The next day, he won a match against a senior student yet still complained about his eyesight. I then took him to an optometrist. To our surprise, his prescription was above 300. My bad.

On the second day of tryouts, I went to Starbucks in Missouri to get myself a coffee. As soon as I parked the car, I got out, still thinking of the tryouts. I walked maybe 7 to 10 steps, about to go up the stairs, when I noticed my car was moving. I looked again, and yes, it was moving. I rushed back, clicked the unlock button on my remote, opened the passenger side door, jumped in, and stepped over my left leg to hit the brakes. Good thing I did not get into an accident. At least, he got in Team A of junior high school team.

The following year, 2023, it was the same case but under different circumstances. We came from a three-week trip and Iuri was only able to play once during the trip. He only had two weeks to prepare and get his groove back, but it was not enough because classes were about to start in three days by the time we arrived in Manila. So he was only able to train five times before the tryouts. During the tryouts, he almost won the first match, except that at match point, his opponent returned a backhand that hit the net and fell in the service box, which Iuri was not able to reach. He won the second match, lost the third, and zeroed a senior high school player in the last match, earning him a slot in Team A.

This year, 2024, Iuri prepared better. He played more match plays, joined more tournaments, and did more strengthening. A player confidently told him that he will barely get in, but it did not crush his confidence. On the first day of tryouts, he did well. He beat an older opponent who played decent tennis. He told me that he was stiff during the first few games of the tiebreaker but was able to recover in the 5th game. There are 13 players left and only 8 will be selected. To prepare for the second day of tryouts, he played several tiebreakers, practiced his serve, and worked on his strategy. He entered the tryouts confidently. He won 2 matches with a convincing lead, making it into the team with ease this year.

Every parent navigates stress while their child is in a match differently. Some pray, others coach their child, and others do not watch. In my case, I avoid watching and just send someone with Iuri unless there is no choice. I do pray, too, a lot while he is playing.

Handling defeat is another case. I used to process his game as soon as it ended. I learned that I should first allow him to understand everything that happened in the game. For him to personally assess and analyze his game, but it would be tricky for someone who is still developing his game sense.

It was a relief for me and Ingrid knowing that he got into the team this year with no drama. For me, the biggest takeaway from this experience is that hard work, perseverance, and persistence yield positive results, but there’s always more to strive for and no room for complacency.

Jaime, my eldest, is also into sports, specifically bouldering. He recently got into it and has already competed. The results were not bad, considering it was his first time joining. Since I have gained some experience as a parent of an athlete, I am now able to apply lessons learned to him. One example is allowing him to process his performance so that he can be more open to talk about it, and also asking him about his goals and areas where he wants to improve.

Every parent wants to see their young athlete successfully make it in their match, but that is impossible in sports or in any serious activity; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But it is the journey through the ups and downs of victory and defeat that make the sports journey meaningful.

The 3 Gentlemen’s Podcasts for Intellectual Growth and Relaxation

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Business Class Podcast

I love listening to podcasts before going to sleep. It is a habit I developed during the lockdown, which was also when I started my own podcast called Business Class, where I talked about business and entrepreneurship. I listen to podcasts mainly to get information and to help me fall asleep. Podcasts are my alternative to watching YouTube videos and reading books.

Getting myself hooked on listening to podcasts was an accident. I was trying to learn about philosophy during the pandemic to use as part of my patter in my conjuring hobby. I started reading more books on philosophy and even enrolled in online courses to get better in the topic. Then one time, around 9 PM, I was already tired from reading but still eager to learn. The idea of listening to podcasts popped into my head. I searched “philosophy” on my podcast app and started scrolling to check which was the most interesting to me. Then I accidentally found an episode that looked interesting and started listening. Since then, I got hooked. This was in 2020.

Listening to a podcast is like tuning into your AM radio, except that you can pause and continue at another time. Compared to videos, podcasts require more focus and concentration, which I think makes them superior to TV or video as a tool for improving one’s listening and learning skills.

The podcasts I listen to most are those related to liberal arts and the Catholic religion. I think it’s the result of the training I got from my university.

My top podcast choice is Word on Fire, a podcast by Bishop Barron that has been on air for several years. They had an interesting start-up phase, with Bishop Barron creating long-format content despite the conventional wisdom that content needs to be short because of people’s limited attention spans. However, Bishop Barron did not want to oversimplify or dumb down faith, so he continued with his erudite and intelligent content. Today, he has millions of subscribers, and I am one of them.

My favorite podcast episodes are those that discuss philosophy, especially his series called “Ideas Have Consequences” and “Understanding the Present Moment.” In this series, he talks about different philosophers like Marx, Russell, and Nietzsche, and how their ideas have affected our society and people today.

The next podcast I listen to mostly is called The Art of Manliness. It covers topics such as style, fitness, parenting, and humanities, with episodes that are relevant to the modern gentleman. I’ve bookmarked several episodes, including “7 Journaling Techniques that Can Change Your Life,” which discusses how daily writing can provide solutions to problems, create clarity of thought, and ease anxiety. Another notable episode is “Tiny Habits that Change Everything.” In this episode, Dr. BJ Fogg suggests breaking down habits into smaller chunks to avoid being overwhelmed by impossible goals. I appreciated the discussion on the relationship between habits and motivation and the importance of celebrating small successes.

Finally, there’s a local podcast, The Jay Aruga Show, the first conservative podcast in the Philippines. I discovered it during the pandemic. This podcast reminds me of The Ben Shapiro Show and Trent Horn’s podcast for its anti-woke content. I enjoy listening to his episodes because Jay tackles challenging topics like gender ideology, religion, and other issues often ignored by mainstream media. I also listen to his debates on different podcasts where he discusses the SOGIE Bill.

As a bonus, I am adding the podcast of Dr. Jordan Peterson. Dr. Peterson is a controversial figure because of the video where he has a heated argument with some woke student activists that became viral. An episode of his podcast lasts beyond an hour and sometimes reaches almost three hours. This is the type of podcast that you cannot finish in a day. His podcasts are more of a dialogue between him and his guests on different topics ranging from psychology to religion. If you are into deep and meaningful conversations, I suggest you listen to his podcast.

If you want to build a habit of listening to podcasts, I suggest you choose a time that works best for you or simply commit to a specific time of day. In my case, it is before going to sleep. Other good times to listen to a podcast are during commutes or office break time. You can also try catching yourself when you mostly do your doom scrolling, and I suggest you use that time.

By listening to these types of podcasts, gentlemen can expose themselves to relevant social issues, religion, and humanities. Immersing themselves in liberal arts and culture has an impact on a man’s perspective, which can positively influence the people around him by fostering deeper empathy, critical thinking, and a broader understanding of societal and ethical issues. This enriched perspective often leads to more meaningful discussions, stronger values, and a shared appreciation for diverse perspectives within his circle.

These podcasts not only entertain but also educate, making them an invaluable part of my routine.

Celebrating the Feast Day of St. Escriva: Insights from Father Bong’s Homily

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Business Class Podcast

Today, Ingrid and I went to Mass to celebrate the feast day of St. Escriva. The priest, Father Bong, delivered a compelling homily. He connected today’s gospel to the philosophy of Opus Dei, which is the sanctification of work or making work holy.

My Journey with Opus Dei

I am familiar with Opus Dei because I graduated from the University of Asia and the Pacific, an Opus Dei school. There, I learned and understood how work, our tasks, and our jobs are to be viewed, but it was only ten years ago that I became active in joining Opus Dei prayer circles, where we meet once a month. Recently, I became a cooperator, and our task is to pray for the “work” of Opus Dei or share some financial blessings.

Transforming Work Through Opus Dei Philosophy

Trying to live the philosophy helped change my perspective toward my work. I used to always avoid seemingly unnecessary tasks and long processes, such as filing documents and thorough preparation, which require attention to detail. While I have not perfected the grace of doing these tasks, I am now more patient and virtuous when it comes to little tasks and “useless matters.”

The Long Journey to Sanctification of Work

The transformation towards the sanctification of work did not happen overnight. It was a long process of application, trial and error, and the constant reminder to offer every work as a service to others. This effort is never perfected. I realized that these works, big and small, can be a venue to show our love for others and be holy. Yes, holiness is what we aim for, and it is not a dirty word, nor is it about being self-righteous. Trying to be holy means admitting that we have struggles and need God to conquer our weaknesses.

Connecting Father Bong’s Homily to Luke 5:1-11

Father Bong’s homily and today’s gospel, Luke 5:1-11, best explain how we can make our work a way to show our love to others. The gospel is the story of the call of Simon the Fisherman. In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus is teaching by the Lake of Gennesaret when He sees two boats at the water’s edge. He gets into Simon Peter’s boat and teaches the crowd from there. After speaking, Jesus instructs Simon to let down his nets for a catch, resulting in an overwhelming haul of fish that fills two boats to the point of sinking. Amazed, Simon Peter falls at Jesus’ knees, expressing his unworthiness, but Jesus tells him not to be afraid and that he will now catch people instead of fish. Simon Peter, along with James and John, leaves everything behind to follow Jesus.

Move to time stamp 29:30 to see homily: Homily

Key Points from Father Bong’s Homily

Jesus used the boat of Simon Peter as a platform to teach, the same way we can use our work and our jobs as a way to bring people closer to Christ. How? By doing it with care and by making sure that it is close to perfection.
Jesus asked Simon to cast the net to catch fish, but Simon said that they had been doing it the night before and failed to catch fish. However, when they followed Jesus’ instructions, they caught loads of fish. Father Bong said that when Jesus tells us to do something, have faith; it means that it is the right time. In other words, if it is God’s will, it’s on God’s bill so we need to learn to listen to God’s voice and have faith.
Finally, Jesus told Simon that moving forward, he would no longer just catch fish; he would now catch men. This is the same way Jesus calls us to use us for His glory. This one takes the acceptance of God’s will and not our will.

Final Thoughts

I will end this with a quote from St. Escriva: “You must realize now, more clearly than ever, that God is calling you to serve Him in and from the ordinary, secular, and civil activities of human life. He waits for us every day in the laboratory, in the operating theatre, in the army barracks, in the university chair, in the factory, in the workshop, in the fields, in the home, and in all the immense panorama of work.”

Happy Feast Day!