CHICAGO IS IT! (Click on image to enlarge)

CHICAGO TRIENNIAL PACKET (Click on page to enlarge)

What is a Father?

Our Brother Franklin F. is ever-mindful of his bretheren, whether they are members of his home church or his classmates at City High. He shares with us, this wonderful essay on: What is a Father?

Daddy's home he can fix it!" Johnny exclaims. "Wait till your father gets home you are going to get it then!" Mother warns. If you are like most fathers, you have put in a long, hard day before you walk through the front door and may not be mentally prepared to be a fix-it man or a mean bear. The role of a father has changed a lot in our society since the beginning of this century. Once the aloof, autocratic provider, a father now finds he has a full-time job at home as well as at work. Your position in your home is vital to the stability and well-being of your wife and children. If you are fortunate, you have a job that you like, one that pays well and gives you time with your family. Many men are not that fortunate and must learn to meet their family's needs in less than ideal situations.

Your Job Begins at Home!

The Bible reminds us: "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him" (Psalm 103:13). Throughout Scripture, a father's responsibility to his family is continually emphasized. Of Abraham, God said: "For I know him, that he will command his children . . . after him" (Genesis 18:19). Jacob was commended for "blessing" his children (Hebrews 11:21). Joshua declared: ". . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

During the wilderness journey, Moses became overwhelmed with the responsibilities of leading the nation of Israel and meeting the needs of Israel and meeting the needs of each of its families. Therefore, God gave him a workable plan to expedite his leadership on every level. Moses was instructed to select a group of leaders (elders) whom he was to instruct. They, in turn, were to instruct the fathers, who then were to teach their own families. Thus, Moses was able to communicate his concepts, which were transferred down to every member of every family through the father's leadership.

Watch Out for the Enemies of Successful Fatherhood

Solomon observed: "A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother" (Proverbs 10:1). Fulfilling your parental responsibilities will bless you and failing them will curse you. Watch out for the "enemies" of your family:

Occupation Blues: Failure at work will tend to carry over into your family life. If you are under pressure all day and are not handling it properly, you will often take out your frustrations on your family. This is the reason a Christian father must look upon his job as part of God's will and purpose for his life. Working is not an end in itself. Nor should it become little more than a means of income. Our labor should be done unto the Lord, so that even our everyday tasks take on a spiritual significance. We are to accept our place in life and do all things heartily as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23).

Television Blahs: Beware of television; it will wreck you as a father. It is too tempting at the end of a rough day, when you are mentally exhausted, to just flop in front of the tube and turn off your brain! Television will rob you of vital creative communication with your family.

Devotional Bores: Keep your family devotions fresh and alive. Get out of boring ruts. Make sure that you are prepared. Read the passage in advance. Learn to study the Scriptures for yourself and then teach it to your family. Become a real man of God to your family and give them the leadership they need. Remember, "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart" (Proverbs 11:29). The very next verse declares: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."

How is your "family tree" doing? Troubling your own house by failing to be a father who leads will result in a whirlwind of conflict. By contrast, producing the "fruits of righteousness" in your life will enable you to win your own children to Christ. Your children should want to become Christians because of the quality and character of your Christian life. They should not follow the Lord in spite of you, but because of you. To fail with your children is to fail at one of life's greatest opportunities.

There are basically four types of fathers:

Neglectful: Low in love, low in discipline. He avoids his children and flees all responsibility.

Permissive: High in love, low in discipline. He actually fears his children, who lead him.

Authoritarian: Low in love, high in discipline. He fights with his children and forces obedience.

Authoritative: High in love, high in discipline. He leads his children and fellowships with them.

A well-balanced father does more than just "bring home the bacon." He is a leader and a teacher who motivates his children to effective decision making of their own. He is not afraid to correct them when they are wrong, nor does he demand behavior of them that he himself is not willing to give. The authoritative father loves his children enough to give them what they need, not just what they want. He enjoys listening to them and helping them with their special projects. He is in fellowship with God and shares that fellowship with his children. This kind of father may claim the promise of Scripture found in Psalm 103:17: "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children."

http://www.godsacres.org/msg.124.html

Father's Day

Fathers provide friendship, fiendship, lessons, strength, lots of humor, love and all mushy things on earth.

They taught us how to use a bolo safely, hold the ladder firmly when picking fruit, yell at us for not cleaning the yard thoroughly, criticize our driving, vehemently oppose our first boyfriend because of his hair, ethnic/ tribal background or the first girlfriend because she had on too much makeup or funny skirt, know about our “secret trip” but did not report it to the Boss (Mother), took us downtown to see the wonders of the Christmas décor, always seemed to have some emergency funds available when the Boss says there's none, poke us hard at the side to keep us from swaying at the pew while half-listening to the sermon.

To our fathers who have gone on to the Great Place in the Sky, we honor them with prayers and re-telling the good memories to our kids. To those who are fathers, we are grateful that our kids remember and put in a time slot in their buzzzzy lives to have dinner with, have a drink or two or three with, send an e-Card, clear their calendars to be home for a few hours/days. For these, we are truly, truly blessed and grateful.

Yo kids out there: wouldn’t it be nice if everyday was like Father’s Day?

Dad's Day: Let's see what Rudy the Dad has to tell us, clearing out his appointments for the day.

The Rhovia clan will take me out to dinner. I hope she made reservations. She always wants to treat me to a fancy place, without calling a-head of time. I have to butt in with the maitre'd before they let us in. She thinks she can buy her way in anytime.

Yesterday, Vincent took me out - exclusive "father-and-son" lunch - mom, gf, siblings and women not allowed. We seldom have the chance to talk one-on-one. It was a five-hour ordeal, though, before we parted ways. He got me home "dead-drunk" and straight to bed - naturally I skipped dinner. The first restaurant we went to, just had one waiter and a bus boy, serving 6 tables. So he walks out of there, anticipating the lack of service he wants. We went to another restaurant - he looks at the menu - and again, we walk! Not enough menu selection that caters to his taste. So I told him that this is not the "city." Lunch on a Saturday, small laid-back town and catering to a few brunchers: these restaurants don't provide fancy menus and a staff full of waiters. They reserve this kind of service for dinner. Now, he realizes the truth to this. Is he ADD, or just plain stupid.

He talked about his new business ventures; and how he can turn it around in a few years. . . and some other topics, I cannot recall . . and . . . yaddi, yaddi, yadda. I was quietly, sipping the wine with an empty stomach , not really listening - but constantly nodding . That whole time, I was eagerly waiting for him to come out with his punchline - "Are you interested in investing . . . . . your money?" That was a miracle it didn't come up.

Several days ago, Victoria called to wish me H. Father's Day. I said, "It's only Tuesday, how come you're calling sooooo early in the week????" She jokingly replied, "Can I not call you any time to wish you a happy ..F&%#.. father's day!?" What a smart ass! She tried to rationalize her call from North Carolina to ask me if I could use a gift card to use in the"city" or a check in the mail? She added that I would not have time for a conversation on Father's Day with all the activities going on. She's afraid I'll not be available to answer the land-line at home, and that I don't carry a mobile phone.

I doubt if I get a call from Rhodora!

Gotta go . . . . . . this correspondence may throw me off my day's schedule. Talk to you soon.

GUESSING GAME 16. Guess Who?

Link to Donation Form: Michael Dichoso

BCHS61 TAMBAYAN: How to Send Funds to Michael Dichoso: "http://sanjose2010.livestrong.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=330111&supid=287463732"

How to Send Funds to Michael Dichoso

Please open the website below. It will lead you to a donation form, by check or by credit card. At the bottom of the form is the name and number assigned to Michael.
If you feel uncomfortable about sending through the form, kindly contact Gloria or Larry for options on how to send funds.If you don't have their email address, please contact me.

Many, many thanks for your help.

http://sanjose2010.livestrong.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=330111&supid=287463732

"Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
Deuteronomy 15:10"

LIVESTRONG, Michael!!

Letter from Gloria Ramos-Dichoso’s son, Michael:

Join Team LIVESTRONG with me and fight cancer!

Dear Family & Friends,

This summer I’m joining the LIVESTRONG Challenge in San Jose, CA. LIVESTRONG seeks to inspire and empower people affected by cancer and through the LIVESTRONG Challenge, I’m picking a fight with cancer and uniting with others who are interested in making cancer a global priority. On July 11, 2010, I’m going to ride my bike for 100+ miles. In addition to this, I’m hoping to raise $500 for the fight against cancer.

With your help and support, I know I can accomplish both. Cancer crossed the line. Now, I’m riding to stand up for the 28 million people living with cancer worldwide. I’d like to thank you in advance for your donation. Every penny counts! If you can’t donate, please think about joining me by registering @ www.livestrong.org/team so we can ride, have fun and drink (post ride, of course!) together.

Thanks and LIVESTRONG!

Dearest Class61mates, Let us all pool in and support Michael. Any amount will do, to help reach and inspire his goal of $500. We are all proud that he is doing this effort to battle his cancer. And your prayers and good wishes will be much appreciated too.

http://sanjose2010.livestrong.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=330111&supid=287463732

Aling Pilar, Aling Loleng, Salamat Po!

Nasiyahan ako sa pakatagpo ng isang retrato, sa Facebook. Sa retrato, sa kabutihang-loob ni Ginoong Cesar Rulloda (Klase ng BCHS 1970) matatagpuan natin ang dalawa sa mga tanyag na guro ng City High, si Bb. Pilar de Leon at si Bb. Dolores Valdez. Napaligiran sila ng mga iba pang nasa Klase ng 1970. Sa kabutihang-palad, Si Bb. De Leon ang naging guro namin noong ika- tatlong anyo. Siya ay mabait at matalinong guro, ngunit ang kanyang mga iksamen ay napakahaba: pagkaraan nga isang oras, hindi pa namin maubos sagutin ang mga tanong! Bakit napakahaba ng mga eksamen? Dahil sa nais niyang mapabuhos-loob kami sa pagsulat ng mga sagot at nang mawala ang oportunidad na makipag-kuwentohan o kopiahan sa mga ka-klase o kaya’y magtanungan ng mga tamang sagot.

Hindi nagtagal, nakalipas ang aming ikatlong taon.

And then we had Miss Dolores Valdez as our English teacher at fourth year. In her years of experience, she knew exactly how to appreciate and guide our natural initiative and enthusiasm. How she was so instrumental to expand our vocabularies, is next to magic. Reading became an exciting event, never a chore. Our average English writing skills went from mediocre to a higher plane.

I think part of it was theaterics: she kept us engaged and entertained in some way also: they way she would pronounce a “new” word emphatically and advise us to use it as often as possible to stretch the young imaginations, the finger-wagging when some “hard” accent crept into spoken English by anyone of us, the appreciative stretch of the neck when someone excels in reading a paragraph, such as would be read by Diana B-C or Eduardo B, the rolling up the left and right long sleeves of her twin-set cardigan to her elbows and accompanied by furrowed brows when there is a serious breach of grammar.

We are truly grateful for all our fine teachers. How we express our gratefulness, we do so in many ways, some are done consciously, some not. The motivation and caring we had those four growing-up wonderful years from such devoted teachers, will remain part of us. Always.

Aling Loleng, Aling Pilar, at sa mga iba pang nakaraan naming mga guro, maraming, maraming salamat po!