Isang Tanong Isang Sagot by Pastor Ed Lapiz

Q - Ano po ang difference ng righteous and self- righteous & judgmental?
A -
Yung righteous (kung meron man nun) ay personally good ---mabuti/malinis.
Young self- righteous and judgmental,
hindi kuntentong mabuti lang sya;
kailangan pa nyang silipin, husgahan, usigin ang ibang taong sa tingin nya'y makasalanan.
*
Luke 18:10-14 (CEV)
10 Two men went into the temple to pray.[a] One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.[b] 11 The Pharisee stood over by himself and prayed,[c] “God, I thank you that I am not greedy, dishonest, and unfaithful in marriage like other people. And I am really glad that I am not like that tax collector over there. 12 I go without eating[d] for two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all I earn.”

13 The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up toward heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, “God, have pity on me! I am such a sinner.”

14 Then Jesus said, “When the two men went home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was pleasing to God. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.”

Q - Anong verse po ang magandang ipa-alala sa mga BIble-based (daw) Christians na laban nang laban sa duly constituted government authority?
A- 
1 Peter 2:13-14 (NIV) 
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Q - Tito gusto ko pong mag pilgrimage sa Jerusalem para malakaran ko ang mga streets na nilakaran ni Jesus at mapuntahan ang Upper Room na pinagdausan ng Lord's Supper.
A -
Pamangkin wala ni isang gusali o bahay sa Jerusalem noong panahon ni Jesus ang nanatiling nakatayo hanggang ngayon, liban SIGURO sa kaprasong bahagi ng western wall ng old temple. (Dapat pang i-verify). Remember sabi ni Jesus walang matitirang bato na nakapatong sa ibang bato pag winasak ang Jerusalem? At ito ay winasak,, sinunog, dinurog ng Romans noong AD 72, very shortly after Jesus was crucified. At ang karamihan sa mga pinakamatatandang gusali sa Jerusalem ngayon ay ginawa noong / mula sa panahon ng Ottoman Empire meaning halos 500 years old lang sila. In all likelihood, walang building or possibly even streets ngayon sa Jerusalem na original from the time of Jesus.
Pag may tourist guide na magsasabi ng ganyang claim, malamang BOLA sa mapaniwalaing turista?!

Ed Lapiz Kung gustong masundan ang mga hakbang ni Jesus, hindi kailangang literal na sa mga kalye ng Jerusalem maglakad. Pag ginagawa mo ang mga turo, utos at halimbawa ni Jesus tulad ng tumulong at magmahal sa kapwa, dyan ka lumalakad / sumusunod sa mga hakbang ni Jesus!

Ed Lapiz A meanigful pilgrimage is not visiting the physical places associated with holy / spiritual persons but in realizing, obeying and living their teachings, especially in caring for, serving and loving others.

Ed Lapiz Do a pilgrimage in reverse: instead of going to places associated with spiritual persons, be an instrument in having their teachings reach your corner of the world though you.

Q - Kung inabandon po ba kaming mag-ina ng daddy ko, nambabae sya at hindi man lang sya nagsupport sa amin mula aking pagkabata hanggang ngayon, isasama ko po ba sya sa wedding march ko?
A -
HINDEEE! NO!!! The march has symbolic value.
To make him march you down the aisle is to imply that he took care of you and now he is transferring that role to the groom.
WALA SYA SA BUHAY NYO, WALA SYA SA MARCH! (Sa April na lang isama?)

Q - Tampo ako Tito kasi a friend unfollowed me?
A -
Magtigil ka pamangkin!
Baka
1. crowded masyado ang posts sa account nya?
2. Irrelevant sa kanya ang posts mo? Nothing personal.
3. Gusto lang nya limitahan ang posts na makikita nya.
4. Naiirita sya sa posts mo?
Tahan na!

Q - Yung pakialamera po naming tiyahin ay nagagalit dahil balak ko pong ibili ng memorial plan ang nanay ko. Para ko raw pong pinapatay na at baka mamatay tuloy ?
A -
Itanong mong kung yung mga ninuno nyong walang memorial plan ay HINDI namatay?

Q - Parang mas gusto ko pa pong mag-suffer sa pagiging mapagbigay kahit sa mga abusero kaysa magpaka “wise” in protecting myself. Ipapasa-Diyos ko na po ang pag protect sa akin?!
A -
Bahala ka!
Pero isipin mo muna kung bakit nagbigay ang Diyos ng brain.

Q - Ano po ang magandang sabihin sa racist Americans na binu-bully at pinapa-alis ang mga colored / asian immigrants?
A -
Hamunin mong lahat ng immigrants aalis at ang iiwan lang ay ang original indigenous people: the native Americans!

Q - Tito what do you think po of the film “Citizen Jake”? Will you recommend na panoorin ng madla?
A -
Parang microcosm of Philippine politics.
Parang genetic slice of the Filipino social cancer.
Parang contemporary NOLI ME TANGERE. 
Very very well crafted.
Salamin ng ating buhay at lipunan.
Magandang panoorin at pag-isipan ang nilalaman, lalu na ang tunggalian ng mga diwa at lakas.
I disagree with some political statements, but all in all, magandang surot sa budhi!
YES, PANOORIN NATIN!
At pag-usapan.

Tanong sa Christians:
Q1 - Gusto nyo bang may prayer sa public school before class begins?
A 1- "YES !!! OF COURSE!"
Q 2- Kahit Muslim / Buddhist / Shintoist / Etc prayer?
A 2-
[Sa palagay nyo, ano ang honest na isasagot ng majority of Christians
(hindi yung tamang isagot kundi ano ang talagang niloloob):
1. "Of course, yes. All prayers are welcome para fair."
2. "Of course, not. Dapat prayer lang namin ang pwede."]

Q - Bakit po pang-mura ang word na “letse”?
Q - Most probably from Spanish “leche” which means milk but evoking sperm. Maraming sex-related words ang ginagamit pang-mura/ curse. Example: “_i_i mo!” atbp.
Ganun din ang “puñe__”, probably from puñal meaning dagger whose shape evokes a sexual symbol.

Q - Ano po ang signs na hindi dapat aniban ang isang religious group?
Q -
1. Nagtuturong sila lang ang kaisa-isang tama at totoo?
2. Gumagamit ng dahas para ipromote ang turo o daigin ang kalaban?
3. Kokontrolin ka/ ang buhay mo?
4. Inaabuso ang members?
5. Puro pera!?
6. Puro bawal at pang-uusig?
7. Puro pananakot tungkol sa future?

Q - May mga nagpapa-uso po ng modern-day Oldism --- yung Christian ka na ay pinasusunod ka pa sa mga Old traditions ? Di po ba pinalaya na nga Jesus ang lahat mula sa mga ganyan?
A -
Galatians 5:4 (CEV)
And if you try to please God by obeying the Law, you have cut yourself off from Christ and his wonderful kindness.

Q - Bakit po may mga tao na pag nag-"thank you" ka ay hindi sumasagot ng "You are welcome" ?
A -
Sa pakiramdam ng iba, pag kasi nagsabi ka ng "you are welcome" ay parang sumang-ayon ka nga na may nagawa kang mabuti sa kapwa ---na may dapat syang ipag-pasalamat o tanawin. AT DAHIL SA KABABAANG-LOOB, dahil ayaw mong malakihin ang mabuti mong nagawa, dahil minamaliit mo ang iyong kabutihan, at para hindi ibaon sa pagkaka-utang na loob yung kapwa, ayaw mong magsabi ng "you are welcome."
Hindi dahil hindi sya welcome kundi dahil ayaw mong idiin ang pagkaka-utang nya.
Kaya nga tayong mga Pilipino, ang sinasabi natin ay
"Walang anuman." Or "Wala yun."

Q - Tito, bakit po hindi kayo mag-accept nang mag-accept ng friends dito?
A -
GInawa na natin yan noon, pamangkin.
Ang result: World War 3!
Kanya-kanyang comments, may mga nag-aaway pa!
Andaming maka-comment lang kahit magulo o walang saysay!
Eeeeeeeeeeee! Crispeeeeeeen! Basiliooooooo!

Q - Bakit po walang word na "WELCOME" sa Tagalog?
A -
Kasi lahat welcome.
Understood na.
BUkas kasi sa outsider ang culture natin.
Inclusive. Naturally open.
Kaya no need for the word "welcome".
Kailangan lang yun sa cultures na may welcome at may hindi.
So yung welcome, sasabihan pa ng "welcome".

Ed Lapiz - FROM RITUAL INTO HAPPINESS (May 27,2018)

Isang Tanong Isang Sagot by Pastor Ed Lapiz 2018

Q - What can you say about spending so much money, time and effort sa pag-tour?
A -
Sa simula, mahalaga yung specific places, especially kung nasa bucket list mo. Yung place is a major factor sa happiness.
Later, what really matters is happiness itself:
yung level of happiness mo, kahit saang lugar ka pa naroon.
So, kung sasaya ka naman sa mas malapit, less costly, less effort na byahe, dun na ?!


Q - Paano po makakapag-pray for the country pero maiwasan na ang prayer ay maging political / politicized rally at maging show of force lang?
A - Sundin ang turo ni Jesus: Pray alone, in private!
Jesus taught and modeled quiet, private, "secret" prayer.
*
Matthew 6:6 (NIV) JESUS: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
*
Mark 1:35 (CEV)
35 Very early the next morning, Jesus got up and went to a place where he could be alone and pray.


Q - Pano po masusunod ang commands sa Bible na "Be holy for I am holy." and "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." ??? Para pong imposible!
A
The words HOLY and PERFECT must be understood in their original, contextual and functional use.
As used in Leviticus and in the gospels, they do not mean sinlessness nor moral perfection!
Holiness in the OT means not being contaminated by what ancient Israelites considered as unclean like unclean foods, objects, diseases, menstruation, etc. Such standards of holiness were time-place-culture and context-bound, meaning hindi universal for all peoples, especially for non-Israelites and not for all times and situations!
Yun namang PERFECTion means loving people, even enemies, as God and Jesus do. Hindi yun tungkol sa sinlessness or moral perfection!
Therefore, possible and doable! 




Q - What activity can expand the mind most quickly ?
A -
TRAVEL!!


Kesa magtiyaga kahit kanino na lang para lang may kasama, mapag-isa na lang!!




May oras na mas mabuti nang sarili mo na lang ang companion mo kesa mamalimos ka pa ng kasama!





10 COMMANDMENTS sa Reunions
1. Wala nang singilan ng dating utang. Wala ring bagong utangan.
2. Walang biruan tungkol sa mga mag-ex, 
except kung sila PAREHO mismo ang magsimula.
3. Repeat Number 2, and add: 
"Especially kung may kasama ang sinuman na current partner!"
4. Walang tanungan / ungkatan "Kung sino talaga ang ama ng bata."
5. Walang ungkatan ng embarrassing anecdotes,
except kung yung sangkot ang magsimula.
6. Walang payabangan, payamanan, pagandahan, etc.
pagalingan ng asawa, anak, apo, etc.
7. Walang tanungan ng beauty secrets,
unless in a genuinely flattering way --- and only among the super close.
8. Walang hugut-hugut from past quarrels, aches, pains, etc.
9. Walang Karakoehan unless 100% kayong kakanta lahat.
At kung magkaraokehan man, walang kakanta ng more than 2 songs.
10. Walang - recruitan sa MLM, - convertan sa relihiyon, - debate sa politika, selling ng kung anu-ano, lalu health products!!!
PS:
10.1 Walang tanungan ng "Kelan ka mag-aasawa?" or "Bakit wala pa kayong anak?"




Q - Lagi po akong niloloko ng mga lalaki. Dahil po kaya gay ako?
A -
Pamangkin, nakaparaming babae, legal wife pa nga at may matriz, na niloloko ng mga lalake.




Yung:
Ikinasal na kayo at lahat,
sumisingit pa ang ang ex ng asawa mo???







Q - Ano po ang gagawin sa ex ng BF ko na gustong maging sponsor sa kasal namin?
A -
Gawin mong cord sponsor! 
Itali mo ng matibay na cord sa malaking puno sa Batanes sa buong linggo ng kasal.




Q - Ano po ang magandang sagot sa mga taklesang kamag-anak na tanung nang tanong kung kelan ako mag-aasawa?
A -
Pag ka mo sila ang sasagot sa lahat ng gastos?




Mga tanong na dapat BUGBUGIN ang nagtatanong:
1. Kelan ka mag-aasawa?
2. Bakit wala pa kayong anak?
3. How old are you? (To anyone who looks above 30)
4. Magkano sweldo mo?
5. Magkano ang bili mo dyan?
6. Sino ang ama ng bata?
7. Sino sya? (Hindi na nga ini-introduce yung kasama, ano!?)
8. Masarap ba ang luto ko?
9. Nag-botox ka ba?
10. Bakit ang taba mo?





Q - Ano po ang magandang pang-bara sa nagtatanong kung bakit ang taba ko?
A -
Una, manlisik muna ang mga mata mo. Tapos:
"Ang taba ko dahil sa katatanong ng mga tulad mo!
Nakaka-taba ang ganyang tanong!!! _)(*&^%!!!"




Q - Tito pano ko po sasagutin with shock value ang mga homophobic conservative kamag-anak na tanung nang tanong kung kelan ako mag-aasawa samantalang obvious na obvious po na gay ako??? Hindi ko na po kailangang mag-out kasi pagkasilang na pagkasilang sa akin ay out na ako!?
A -
Gusto mo talagang i-shock para lang matigil sa pagtatanong? Heto:
"Mag-aasawa po ako agad-agad pag meron nang same-sex marriage sa atin! Kayo po ang Principal Sponsor!"




Any "god" that always asks for money, sacrifice and blind obedience could only be a "god" invented, fashioned and styled by gurus who benefit from the money, sacrifice and blind obedience of misguided and exploited followers.
Acts 17:24-25 (NIV)
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.






Q - Tito allergic po ako sa church or religious leader na hingi nang hingi ng pera? Bad po ba ako?
A -
Matalino ka, pamangkin!



Q - May big business po kaming mag-asawa at magkasama kaming nag-mamanage. Madalas po, sa mga byahe, meal time, and even recreation time ay nagiging topic po namin ang office and business matter at madalas ay napupunta sa argument and stress ang togetherness namin! Nagkakapera nga po kami pero dumadalas naman ang pagtatalo.
A - 
NEVER DISCUSS BUSINESS during family time, meal time, recreation, travel, vacation ,etc unless super urgent ng concern.
SET a definite business meeting between the two of you, maybe once a week, to discuss business, assessment of the past week and plans for the coming week. And do this at the office, not at home. Be professionals!
Discipline yourselves to stick to business matter only when at work.
Para yung personal and family time nyo wag ma-sacrifice.




Q - Bakit po kaya mas mapagduda, mas insecure at mas mapaghabol ang wife kesa sa husband?
A -
Dahil usually ay mas may dahilan ang wife na magduda, ma-insecure at maghabol?
At dahil din sa social privileges and economic strength and overall edge ng husbands,
mas 
- maraming mawawala sa wife
- disadvantaged and wife
pag nasira ang marriage





Q - Tito saan po magandang mag tour?
A - Una sa Pilipinas nating mahal! Tapos sa countries na walang kailangang visa. At kung saan may airline sale?!

Q - Ano po ang difference ng righteous and self- righteous & judgmental?
A -
Yung righteous (kung meron man nun) ay personally good ---mabuti/malinis.
Young self- righteous and judgmental,
hindi kuntentong mabuti lang sya;
kailangan pa nyang silipin, husgahan, usigin ang ibang taong sa tingin nya'y makasalanan.
*
Luke 18:10-14 (CEV)
10 Two men went into the temple to pray.[a] One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.[b] 11 The Pharisee stood over by himself and prayed,[c] “God, I thank you that I am not greedy, dishonest, and unfaithful in marriage like other people. And I am really glad that I am not like that tax collector over there. 12 I go without eating[d] for two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all I earn.”

13 The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up toward heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, “God, have pity on me! I am such a sinner.”

14 Then Jesus said, “When the two men went home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was pleasing to God. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.”

Q - Anong verse po ang magandang ipa-alala sa mga BIble-based (daw) Christians na laban nang laban sa duly constituted government authority?
A- 
1 Peter 2:13-14 (NIV) 
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Q - Tito gusto ko pong mag pilgrimage sa Jerusalem para malakaran ko ang mga streets na nilakaran ni Jesus at mapuntahan ang Upper Room na pinagdausan ng Lord's Supper.
A -
Pamangkin wala ni isang gusali o bahay sa Jerusalem noong panahon ni Jesus ang nanatiling nakatayo hanggang ngayon, liban SIGURO sa kaprasong bahagi ng western wall ng old temple. (Dapat pang i-verify). Remember sabi ni Jesus walang matitirang bato na nakapatong sa ibang bato pag winasak ang Jerusalem? At ito ay winasak,, sinunog, dinurog ng Romans noong AD 72, very shortly after Jesus was crucified. At ang karamihan sa mga pinakamatatandang gusali sa Jerusalem ngayon ay ginawa noong / mula sa panahon ng Ottoman Empire meaning halos 500 years old lang sila. In all likelihood, walang building or possibly even streets ngayon sa Jerusalem na original from the time of Jesus.
Pag may tourist guide na magsasabi ng ganyang claim, malamang BOLA sa mapaniwalaing turista?!

Q - Para pong walang gustong sumama sa akin o isama ako?Lagi po akong alone and sad? Paano ko po maeenjoy ang happy company of many people?
A -
Una, pasayahin mo muna ang sarili mo ---mag-isa.
Pag masaya ka na, dun pa lang gugustuhin ng iba na sumama sa yo o samahan ka!
Siempre ayaw ng marami na bumarkada kay Ms/Mr Kalungkutan!

Ed Lapiz - HOLE IN THE ROOF (May 20,2018)

Isang Tanong Isang Sagot by Pastor Ed Lapiz 2018

Q - What activities can expand the mind most quickly ?
A -
1. Reading intelligent books. Watching / listening to intelligent audio / videos. 
2. TRAVEL!!
3. Intelligent conversation.



Q - Pano po masusunod ang commands sa Bible na "Be holy for I am holy." and "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." ??? Para pong imposible! 
A 
The words HOLY and PERFECT must be understood in their original, contextual and functional use. 
As used in Leviticus and in the gospels, they do not mean sinlessness nor moral perfection! 
Holiness in the OT means not being contaminated by what ancient Israelites considered as unclean like unclean foods, objects, diseases, menstruation, etc. Such standards of holiness were time-place-culture and context-bound, meaning hindi universal for all peoples, especially for non-Israelites and not for all times and situations!
Yun namang PERFECTion means loving people, even enemies, as God and Jesus do. Hindi yun tungkol sa sinlessness or moral perfection!
Therefore, possible and doable! 



Q - Paano po makakapag-pray for the country pero maiwasan na ang prayer ay maging political / politicized rally at maging show of force lang?
A - Sundin ang turo ni Jesus: Pray alone, in private!
Jesus taught and modeled quiet, private, "secret" prayer.
*
Matthew 6:6 (NIV) JESUS: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
*
Mark 1:35 (CEV)
35 Very early the next morning, Jesus got up and went to a place where he could be alone and pray.



Q - What can you say about spending so much money, time and effort sa pag-tour?
A -
Sa simula, mahalaga yung specific places, especially kung nasa bucket list mo. Yung place is a major factor sa happiness.
Later, what really matters is happiness itself:
yung level of happiness mo, kahit saang lugar ka pa naroon.
So, kung sasaya ka naman sa mas malapit, less costly, less effort na byahe, dun na ?!



Q - Tito, how to survive FB?
A -
Everyone has an opinion. No need to hear many, no need to be heard by many.



Q - Pwede po bang patugtugin sa church yung hugot lang, hindi regular member at talagang nandun lang para tumugtog kasi kulang ang instrumentalists? Baka po kasi hindi righteous?
A -
Why not?
Sa katu-tugtog nila baka tablan ng Word, prayer, songs, etc!
So, imbes na hanapin at habulin mo pa sa labas yung iso-soul win, sila pa ang lumapit at pumasok sa church! Consider it an opportunity for sharing Jesus!
And besides, kung RIGHTEOUSNESS ang requirement para mag-serve, baka walang mag-qualify??!!
Romans 3:10 (NIV)
As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;"



Q - Para pong hindi big deal sa Day By Day ang Mothers’ Day?
A -
We believe everyday should be Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day!
This American-invented holiday has been so scandalously commercialized, trivializing its supposed sublime purpose! Nakaka-UTO na. And to boost all kinds of gifts sales, meron pang grandmothers/ fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, in-laws, aunts, uncles, etc days!!! Hindi ba nakaka-UTO?!



Q - Mahirap po yatang ituro ang God's grace, love and cancellation of the Law through and in Jesus dahil baka ABUSUHIN ng iba? Dapat iprotect ang grace of God from abuse?!
A -
The teachings of Jesus, especially on GRACE / the cancellation and reinterpretation of the Law as clearly explained by Paul in Romans and Galatians does not need protection from mere humans like us. Ituro ang dapat ituro and do not act as protector and savior of God's grace.




Q - Paano po makaiiwas na sobrang malugi sa pag-ibig?
A -
Huwag sobrang mamuhunan? Huwag sobrang i-career na maibig ka? O huwag sobrang maniwalang mahal ka. Ang nalulugi ay yung sobrang magtanim in hope na aani o yung naniwalang mahal nga sya at ibinigay tuloy ang lahat lahat.



Q - May mga verses po sa Bible na pag sinunod mo, babagsik at magiging mapanghusga ka. Meron namang nakakapagpa-bait?
A -
Read, interpret and apply all verses through
- Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
- the interpretation, re-interpretation, application and teachings and applications of Jesus which are all filtered in / through LOVE, his new and only command.
The LOVE of Jesus cancels and replaces the many judgmental, unkind, unloving and even cruel elements of the Law.
Huwag paghaluin na parang salad si Jesus and the Law.
Salain lahat kay Jesus ang mga verses and teachings.
JESUSness ang i-apply imbes MOSESness.



Q - Ano po ang top 7 recommended ninyo na unahing basahin at pahalagahan sa mga books in the Bible?
A -
Mark, Matthew, Luke, John, Galatians
Ecclesiastes, Proverbs

Q - Tito pano po mababawasan ang paggawa ng kasalanan at ang guilt na kakambal nito? Mula nang nag-Bible study ako lalu lang akong naguilty at feeling sinful!
A -
Redefine sin!
Jesus already freed people from the Law!
Yung Law ang nagpapataw ng kasalanan pag hindi ito nasunod.
Kung binale-wala na ang napakaraming Law, eh di ang daming "kasalanan" noon ang hindi na kasalanan ngayon dahil sa pagliligtas ni Jesus?!
Jesus frees people not only from the punishment for breaking the Law;
Jesus also frees people from the very oppression of the Law.
Isang Law / Command na lang ang ibinigay ni Jesus at syang umiiral, the Law of Love. Ang tangingf natirang kasalanan ay pag hindi ka loving!
Yung sangkaterbang legalistic, ritualistic and culture and time-specific laws ay pinawalang-bisa na ni Jesus!
Pero yung old laws that teach love, siempre effective pa rin!
*
Romans 7:6 CEV
6 But the Law no longer rules over us. We are like dead people, and it cannot have any power over us. Now we can serve God in a new way by obeying his Spirit, and not in the old way by obeying the written Law.

Romans 7:7-11 CEV
7 … But if it had not been for the Law, I would not have known what sin is really like. …8 It was sin that used this command as a way of making me have all kinds of desires. But without the Law, sin is dead.
9 Before I knew about the Law, I was alive. But as soon as I heard that command, sin came to life, 10 and I died. The very command that was supposed to bring life to me, instead brought death. 11 Sin used this command to trick me, and because of it I died.

Romans 6:2 CEV If we are dead to sin, how can we go on sinning?
=
God's Grace through Jesus invalidates the Law, rendering people "dead to sin" meaning wala nang sin kung invalidated na ang Law na syang nagdedefine ng sin!

Q - Baka po abusuhin ng iba ang grace? At yung marami ang tagal nang Christian lagi pa ring nagkakasala samantalang freed from and empowered na against sin? ........ A - Exactly the point, pamangkin! The "power over sin" that Jesus gives is NOT the capacity to follow 100% of the Law nor the ability to be righteous by following the Law. Jesus voided/ disempowered / REINTERPRETED and REAPPLIED the Law so people are set free from the oppression of having to follow the Law. This gives righteousness HINDI DAHIL nasusunod ang Law kundi DAHIL voided na ang Law except the only /new Law which is LOVE! Romans and Galatians very clearly explain this. ANG confusion ay yung paghaluin ang Law and Grace / Love.

Q - Ano po ang masasabi nyo sa religious leader with strong political opinions?
A -
As a private citizen, entitled sya sa personal political opinion, even private attendance in political activities.
Pero di marapat gamitin ang kanyang church office / ministry / pulpit para i-impose / i-promote sa church members ang personal political stand nya.

Q - Ano po ang ibig sabihin pag ang KALOOB ay "official representative of the Philippines" sa mga performances abroad?
A -
1. The host organization / country invites through our embassy in their country.
2. Our embassy transmits the invitation to our Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila.
3. The DFA transmits the invitation to the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA).
4. The NCCA officially designates KALOOB for the mission.
The Philippine government takes care of all travel-related expenses like airfare, travel tax, visas (payments are usually waived by the inviting country), etc plus a modest honorarium for the troupe.
While KALOOB is in their country, the host government / organization takes care of all surface travel, transfers, board, lodging, local educational tours, local guide/coordinator, etc.
5. At varying degrees, the Philippine Embassy in the host country receives, monitors and assists KALOOB and attends the troupe's performances and other social functions.