The one with Time Asia's Heroes Poll

Time Asia's Heroes Poll has Philippine boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and former Philippine president Corazon Aquino behind runaway Korean singing sensation Rain. Far be it from me to diss a fellow musician, but since when is it right to consider a pop star, a virtual virtual creation of some recording company, a "hero"? Has he inspired someone to be a better person? Changed the course of history? Literally saved someone's life? United a nation?

Looking at the nominees, it doesn't seem right. Pacquiao, Aquino, the Dalai Lama... all behind some 23-year-old upstart? His first album was titled Evil Man, for heaven's sake.

Far be it from me to define "hero," but this is just wrong. So why don't y'all head on over to the Time Asia's Heroes Poll and set things right, hm?

Three related links:
Corazon Aquino - Wikipedia
Manny Pacquiao Online [Pacland]
Rain bio (It's hard to find decent info on this guy.)

The one with M. Scott Peck (Part 2)

Ganns had recently posted about the death of M. Scott Peck and said that I am a more appropriate blogger for this topic. My husband knows me well. M. Scott Peck wrote one of the books I used to require my general psychology students to read. It's called "The Road Less Travelled". One of the gems I picked up from Peck was when he proposed that love is not a feeling. He discused the difference between falling in love, which has biological and emotional manefestations , and genuine love, which is characterized by conscious choice and commitment. The bestseller, Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman, also cites some ideas from M. Scott Peck. Peck was a one of few psychologists who spearheaded including the element of spirituality in psychology. He will surely be missed.

The one with Ms Philippines winning Miss International 2005

Ms. Philippines Precious Lara Quigaman doles out a smile in her Philippineapple-inspired national costume.

Philippine candidate Precious Lara Quigaman was crowned 2005 Miss International in Tokyo, Japan, Monday night, becoming the fourth Filipina to win the crown and the first Filipina to bag a major international beauty title in more than 25 years. Lara Quigaman becomes the fourth Filipino to be crowned Miss International after Gemma Cruz, Aurora Pijuan and Melanie Marquez (who, incidentally, was also Supermodel of the World second runner-up, and a Mrs. of the World contestant, if I'm not mistaken - truly beautiful woman, Mimilanie Marquez).

Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman, a freelance web designer and model, does us proud in this beauty pageant-crazy nation. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Manila Bulletin, and the Philippine Star devoted generous sections of the front page to crowing about Lara Quigaman's triumph, a surprise for most, as the dusky 5"6 charmer was not even considered a frontrunner, apparently.

Faux Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sent a letter of congratulations, where she's quoted as saying that Ms. Precious Lara Quigaman "...joins a long list of Filipinas who have brought our country honor and prestige, not only for their beauty, but also for their intelligence, charm and grace."

Oh, please. Precious Lara Quigaman Ms. International 2005 deserves all the honor for taking home that title, and she's uniting Filipinos like Pacquiao did a few weeks ago. Faux President Gloria's issuing that statement, however, absolutely soils the moment. Thanks to her cheap press release, Ms. Quigaman's victory is is tainted, stained, dirtied, sullied. GMA's move positively reeks.

There's a second list, though, a long list of Filipinas who have brought our country dishonor and infamy, not only for their preoccupation with their looks, but also for their cunning, sleaze, and disgrace. Thankfully, it's a list that most beauty queens don't fall under (unless y'all remember Sharmaine Gutierrez's involvement in the Metro Manila Filmfest scandal). Lady politicians, however, seem to be privy to making that list. In a way, I'm glad she did issue that release, because it serves to highlight the fact that we have a chance to edify things once that power-hungry Arroyo is no longer Philippine Chief Executive.

Long live people like Ms. International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman!

Three related links:
Quigaman's Ms Philippines bio
Sun Star's Breaking News
Miss International Official Site

The one with M. Scott Peck

I imagine Cathy would be a more appropriate blogger for this one, but I didn't know M. Scott Peck has passed away.

Link Du Jour: The Normz

In the course of gathering Filipino-Christian blogs for Blogs4God, I discovered The Normz, the blog of my old high school buddy Norman Lee.

Norman has been a Christian for less than eight months, and but from the content on his blog, you'd think he was a seasoned believer! Every post is a joyful testimony to God's goodness, and I can't help but be uplifted by every thankful post, every informative digression, every thoughtful discourse.

While I've always known Norman to be an intelligent and creative individual, Normz is a surprising glimpse at a person who has yet to witness the fullest potential of God's greatness. As his walk with God continues, I am sure he will be blessed - no, SUPERblessed! - as you will be when you swing by his blog.

The Normz. Visit Norman today.

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Link Du Jour is Superblessed's recommended site of the day. It appears at least three times a week. When you're linked on the right-hand side of this blog, you're linked because yours is a quality blog that superblesses me in many ways. This is my way of saying "Thank You" for playing an important role in helping me grow and become a better person.

To Superblessed visitors: the Link Du Jour comes highly recommended. Please find time to visit the recommended blog and see how it (and its author) can be of benefit to you too.