The Epic History of the Chinese and Roman Empires

When people think of the greatest empires of the ancient world, they think of the Roman Empire and the Chinese Han Dynasty. The history of the Roman Empire and of the Han Dynasty is epic. Both of these empires ruled over vast numbers of people, and both ruled for approximately four centuries. The Roman Empire was known for its unstoppable military. The Roman military literally changed the way that war in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of northern Africa was fought. The Han Dynasty had a similar effect on the way that war was fought in the Orient.

Both the Roman Empire and the Chinese Empire were known for trade. Rome created trade routes that covered the globe. There are many accounts in history where the Roman Empire and the Chinese Empire interacted for economic trade. The Roman Empire caused Latin to be the primary language that was spoken throughout Europe. For centuries, Latin was the language of the people, and then it became a language that was closely linked to Christianity. The growth of the Roman Empire had a powerful effect on the religion that was practiced by people who lived under the Roman domain. The Han Dynasty had the same effect.

ARTURO A. TOLENTINO: Thou Art a Good Shepherd

Bro. Tolentino and his wife

The old sinful ways of this blogger were left to oblivion when he was converted to the true Church of Jesus Christ here on earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, popularly known as "Mormons."

The blogger's interest to know more about the true doctrine of Jesus Christ was held in abeyance for almost a period of six years till he was ultimately proselyted, baptized and confirmed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in La Carlota City Branch, Bacolod Philippines Stake sometime in 1980.

Elder Arturo A. Tolentino, a soft-spoken full-time missionary of the aforementioned Church was able to track this blogger's residence at San Agustin Street, La Carlota City sometime in May 1980. Elder Tolentino with his foreign companion, Elder Wagner started teaching him the basic missionary discussions on the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, which may include faith, repentance, baptism, words of wisdom, the Prophets among others.

5 Factors for Effective Values Education and Transformation

The ills of society are properly resolved and are well acted upon for the better if not the best solutions when every member of the society is helping each other. Everyone is doing their moral, educational, temporal and spiritual duties and responsibilities.

The pupils of Cubay Elementary School seemed to be benefited with these opportunities to grow and to strengthen their well-being as a law-abiding citizen, as strong faith believer and as a well-educated or well-informed members of the community.

These efforts were facilitated by the concerned representative of the police department, the religious sector, and the health team of the division of La Carlota City, Department of Education.

Everything was facilitated and every pupil was assisted, fed, and motivated to be a better citizen of his community where he lives.

My Personal and Family Commitment for Exaltation

Commitment, according to dictionary it may be referred to a dedication to one's work. It could be an obligation to fulfill one's promise. It may be an allegiance to one's group or organization. In my case, this is how I regard commitment as far as my membership in the Church is concerned.

In the first place, I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1980, that is, 34 years ago. However, it took me 4 years to be converted in this Church. The missionaries were able to visit and taught me the essentials of the gospel of Jesus Christ sometime in 1976 but it was stopped after we had our first lesson.

When the missionaries were in a hurry to leave for their next appointment for it was about late in the evening. a Samoan missionary, very big one, stepped down our bamboo stair attached to our improvised "pantaw" and accidentally destroyed it. Our "banga" (jar) full of water went down with it and was broken. They didn’t look back or mind it at all.

Completed Two-Year Mission With Honor

Completed his 2-year missionary work, our youngest son, Elder Gilbor D. Camporazo prepared himself to go home after serving in the Butuan Philippines Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) of all trials, challenges while doing the proselyting, Gospel teaching and baptizing converts.

“Welcome back Tito,” quips Toto Bryan, one of Elder Camporazo’s favorite nephews, when I asked him if what is his reaction when his uncle Toto Jun comes home.

“Your son is about to leave the mission and (will) join you in a happy reunion,” wrote Butuan Philippines Mission President Mernard P. Donato to us as Elder Camporazo’s parents.

“You can be proud of the service he has rendered as a missionary,” concluded President Donato's letter sent to us through a postpaid mail.

This Man Influences Me and My Family

This man whom I met in the temple of God in Manila has made me realized how important is the family. I am fully convinced then that family could be together forever after I performed the temple ordinance for my wife and me, and my children.

This greatest experience is a part and parcel of my spiritual being for 33 years of my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I have strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and even the truthfulness of this Church as I stay close to the Church and nurture my faith together with my family all-out support.Because of our faithfulness to the Church and as we keep our covenant too, we have received many blessings which are beyond measure so to speak. They take several forms. We know that God really loves us. He wouldn't forsake us especially when we are in our dire needs. He really answers our prayers. He wants us to follow His plan of salvation for our redemption from the Fall.

Are You Ready in December 21

Where are you going when Doomsday comes? Whatever faith do you have, when the end of the world comes in December 21 all of us will perish. Believe it or not?

December 21

What will be scenario of those believers, non-Christians, atheists, or whatever at Doomsday?

I'm not convincing you to believe what I perceive, to accept and adapt what I share here. You may read them for whatever purpose you have. Christians believe that their God will save them for He is loving, merciful and caring. He doesn't want his followers to perish.

The non-Christians do believe too that they have their own supreme being to protect them and save for any eventualities may be brought by the end of the world.

November 1 : 'ALL SALES DAY'

In the Philippines, every November 1 is All Saints Day. The Filipino devout observe it by visiting the departed member of their family in cemetery, or in a memorial park. But for the small vendors, they observe it too as "All Sales Day".

Man buying candles from the vendor along the road

Small businesses are sprouting near the entrance of the cemetery, and even along the road adjacent to the cemetery to sell candles of all sizes; can, basket or bouquet of flowers. They also sell candies, cigarettes, junk foods, and soft drinks, handy fans, hats, hand towels or anything which a small retail stores can offer.

Saving The Dead

All Saints Day is a national religious holiday all over here in the Philippines. And it is celebrated every November 1.

This is not only a day to remember the dearly family treasured ones that died, but this is one of the special days where hundreds and thousands of families all over the country gather once again in their native towns or cities not only to pay homage to their lost loved ones, but to renew their families ties among themselves until New Year comes.

The living are paying a visit to their departed loved ones at the cemetery, or in the memorial park by bringing flowers, lighting a candle or holding a mass through a paid Church minister or priest.

People every year in All Saints Day keep on coming home, keep on visiting and decorating their dead one's tomb with something of great values for their dead. And they keep on doing this as a tradition. Are they not thinking of situation or condition of their dead who aren't capable of saving themselves?

'Family Is Important'

The week-long family week celebration of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) as inspired by its theme: "Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion" was concluded yesterday.

The success of the said activities could be attributed as being obedient to LDS Church leaders' advice "to support the government's initiative to strengthen the Filipino family."

"Strengthening family ties, communication and values within the family is important in reducing cases of violence among family members," likewise the local news said.

Filipinos, Are Really Worth Dying For?

Abad Santos Family

The Filipino is worth dying for the Mormon Filipinos. They believe that Christ died for them for "the worth of the souls is great"!

It is just, however, by coincidence that 28 years ago today, former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. was shot by a lone gunman Rolando Galman while Ninoy was disembarking from a China Airlines plane upon arriving from America at the then Manila International Airport (now renamed as Ninoy Aquino International Airport).

Home is the Most Secured Place

"Homes are the most secured places for our family," said President Avelino N. Santillan, First Counselor of Bacolod Philippines Mission.

A. Santillan

President Santillan is one of the speakers in the Sunday semi-annual conference of La Carlota District of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presided by Elder Ramon Nobleza of the Seventy.

He illustrated his talk by citing from the children story book, the "Camel's Nose". It is about the camel and his master, the merchant who were stranded in the middle of the desert at night. The master put up his tent and stayed inside. While the camel was outside. While the night was getting high, it was very cool outside. The camel beg and wanted its nose to get inside the tent and his master allowed it. Until it bid his master to let its whole body placed inside the tent and finally kicked his master out from the tent.

Reading Scriptures Profits Man

Elder R. Nobleza

Elder Ramon Nobleza of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this morning addressed the 470 saints of La Carlota Philippines District in their semi-annual Church conference at La Carlota City, Philippines.

"Learn the scriptures to verify the truthfulness of the words of the Lord," Elder Nobleza opened up.

In their recent meeting with the members of the Philippines Area Presidency in Manila, he informed that the Brethren have noticed that Filipinos are not voracious readers, but rather prefer to listen to moral stories and teaching.

Mideo Cruz's "Polytheism" - a Devil's Works?

Mideo Cruz, the artist in hot water!

"Polytheism" or "Poleteismo" in Filipino is an artwork of 37-year-old visual and performance artist, Mideo Cruz. It is about the worship of relics and how idolatry evolves through history and modern culture, which is recently the subject of critics furor for being "sacrilegious and blasphemous".

This is not new, the Cultural Center of the Philippines said. This had been featured in exhibits in Ateneo de Manila, UP Vargas Museum and Kulay Diwa since 2002.

Back To Where We Belong

Where did I come from? This question puzzled me in late 70s. However in early 80s I found the right answer to this life-strengthening query.

A group of Latter-day Saints here in our place, La Carlota City has come up an activity which to increase "an astronomical numbers of investigators, recent converts, and returning members by providing a low key social environment that will promote fellow-shipping and retention" of those aforementioned.

No Fear When Death Comes

Late in the afternoon today, I attended the funeral service of my wife's aunt, Consuelo R. Demabildo, 80. As I observed, aunt Consoleng's eldest daughter, Marlyn who was about to give words of thanks to those who condoled and sympathized with them, couldn't utter a word. She just kept on sobbing.

Why? What kept her mouth unable to express things? Is it because her beloved mother had left them? Whatever?

Cebu City - 10th ASEAN City of Culture Among PHL Cities

Cebu City was declared as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) City of Culture in lavish ceremonies held on July 15 at various areas around the city of Cebu.

Source: MyPhilately.com

Executive Director Olivia Palala of DFA Office of ASEAN Affairs supported claims why Cebu City was named as an ASEAN City of Culture.

“From the historic Magellan’s cross planted in the heart of the city, to the city’s magnificent hotels, pristine beaches and diving spots, colorful religious and tourist festivals and vibrant industries—you name it, Cebu has it,” she said.

PHL Prexy: 'No Apology'

PHL President Aquino

Manila Bulletin, one of the major national newspaper dailies in the Philippines, banners today PHL President Aquino's reactions to the embroiled Catholic prelates' request to apologize to them: "No Apology"

Why should the Philippine President Noynoy Aquino be sorry to the prelates whose names were dragged to the infamous scandal of "unauthorized" Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) luxurious sports utility vehicles (SUVs) donations?

PNoy stood firm in his decision not to apologize to those seven involved Catholic Bishops in PCSO vehicles irregularities. He had not done anything wrong with them, he said in an ambush interview of the media yesterday. The alleged "Pajero" anomaly in the state-lottery agency did not transpire in his present administration. It did occur in 2008 and 2009 as to the findings of the Commission on Audit (CoA).

PHL Prelates: 'We Are Sorry'

Sports Utility Vehicle

The "embroiled" Roman Catholic Bishops on the scandal of receiving donations of luxury vehicles from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) had clarified the issue and cleared themselves peaceably in a Senate hearing called for to investigate the matter yesterday.

They said those donated vehicles they received from PCSO are "intended to help the poor". They're firm to their words that those donations had "no malice" at all.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in a statement said, “we are sorry for the pain and sadness that these events have brought upon you [Catholic faithfuls].”

God Forgive Him

Losing my cellphone while riding on a passenger jeepney to a snatcher who sat beside me seems ti be unwanted and a hateful moment, but yet I never condemned him and curse him. Instead I was considerate and forgiving though I didn't recover it.

Zandiv, Gilbor junior and I were in a hurry to catch a transportation from La Carlota going to Bacolod early this morning to attend a technology training conducted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Upon arriving in Bacolod near the old Airport in Araneta, we alighted from the nonstop bus and transferred to a round-trip jeep going to our destination. Zandiv requested  to drop by at a Union Bank branch in a corner of Araneta and  Rosario Streets. While we're waiting for Zandiv who's inside an ATM to come out, I noticed my leather receptacle on my right side where I placed my more-than-a-year old mobile phone, was empty. Though I was a bit disturbed, but not panicky. I might misplace my phone at home, I thought.