The Condominium Act (R.A. 4726)

I would rather live in a nice and comfortable Bahay Kubo (nipa hut) than in a condo unit no matter how luxurious and elegant it is because the latter would not permit me to have:
 

1. beautiful and lushy garden (both vegetables and ornamental plants)

 

2. clotheslines :)

 

3. yard or lawn

 

4. koi pond

               
As defined in Section 2 of The Condominium Act (R.A. 4726), a Condominium is an INTEREST in real property consisting of a separate interest in a unit in a residential, industrial or commercial building and an UNDIVIDED INTEREST in common directly or indirectly, in the land of which it is located and in other common areas of the building.

The ownership over the unit is the “separate interest” of the owner which makes him automatically a shareholder in the condominium. The most common types of condominium is referred to as a combination of both perpendicular and horizontal co-ownership. While a horizontal condominium offers the benefits of a townhouse, it is when the various units are in one place - as when one-story units all set on the ground.

The common areas and facilities are “portions of condominium property not included in the units”, whereas, a unit is “a part of the condominium property which is to be subject to private ownership.” The BOUNDARY of the unit granted are the INTERIOR surfaces of the perimeter wall, floors ceilings, windows and door thereof. The common areas are held in common by the holders of units, in equal shares one for each unit. The law mandates that said common areas shall remain UNDIVIDED, and there shall be no judicial partition thereof.

Further, it is mandated that ALL incorporators of a condominium project must be an owner of a condominium unit.

Excerpt Image http://id.tixik.com/image-101742.htm Author: Dan Aquino

Harmful Effects of Fast Food

Many of us are indulged in Fast-Food Habits but personally, I still prefer to ingest natural and organic substance than eating any processed food. My conscience bothers me whenever I am tempted to eat burgers, hotdogs, pizza, fried stuff with cheese, French fries, doughnuts (banana cue), noodles and all such food items that can be prepared and served quickly, otherwise known as Fast Foods.   I understand that they are very delicious and convenient especially when accompanied with cold drinks or soft drinks BUT they can harm our health in the long run.   Thanks to the words of wisdom of our beloved preacher Rev. Butch Conde which I have imbibed many years ago.  He always tells his children to “EAT FOR HEALTH NOT FOR TASTE.”

I am not a nutritionist but I have been constantly attending a Health Forum/Seminar (More Than C-conqueror) conducted by Christian doctors who are engaged in Alternative Medicine and have been faithfully studying and compiling articles about nutrition and healthy living.   Well I can say that I am struggling and trying my hardest to achieve a healthy and fulfilling life in order to serve God longer and efficiently.

Harmful Effects of Eating Fast Food REGULARLY:

1. it contains a high amount of Sodium that contributes to high blood pressure;

2. bad cholesterol in meat-containing fast food leads to clogging or thickening of arteries which can result in heart attack or even heart failure.

3. Trans fat is found abundantly in fast foods and all processed food. It increases the bad cholesterol but reduces the good cholesterol;

4. it is addictive;

5. it leads to obesity;

6. REGULAR consumption of fast food can lead to malnutrition;

7. it increases risks of any chronic disorder.

Statutory Rape

Law school memories flash through my mind whenever I encounter a statutory rape case. My group mates persuaded me to play the role of a victim of a statutory rape in our Trial Practice course because of my youthful look.  Way back in college, nene (child) is my usual role in most theater production. Sometimes, I try to figure out whether it is a compliment or simply a sarcasm.   It reminds me to ponder Psalm 139:

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My heart is inundated with lavish gratitude to God at this moment for sparing me from experiencing such kind of heinous crime in real life and for protecting me from committing sexual immorality throughout my entire life.

So what is a Statutory Rape?

A statutory rape is committed by a man who shall have carnal knowledge (sexual intercourse) with a woman who is younger than that statutory age of consent. In the Philippines, UNDER twelve (12) years old is considered to be below the age required to legally consent to the behavior as provided for by Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code (as amended by R.A. No. 8353) (so now you understand me as to whether it is a compliment or a sarcasm ^_^)

When the offended party is UNDER twelve (12) years of age or demented, Rape is committed even though NONE of the following circumstances are present:

1. through force, threat or intimidation;

2. when the offended party is deprived of reason or is otherwise unconscious;

3. by means of fraudulent machination or grave abuse of authority.

Accordingly, Rape is committed even if the girl UNDER twelve (12) years old is a prostitute.  Further, it is committed although she consented to the sexual act.  The law does not consider that kind of consent voluntary, as the offended party under 12 years old cannot have a will of her own.

  

Is Money-Saving tantamount to the love of money?

Penny bank or money box is my usual gift for the kids, aside from books. My intention is to inculcate the value of saving for the future and that the gateway to knowledge is reading.

It makes me wonder however, why a penny bank is often shaped like a pig. (anyone has an answer? Let me know ^_^) Anyway, I would rather prefer a money box than the piggy bank because of the unpleasant sight of the pig (literally and figuratively) and the potential health risks of its meat. (try to say and listen very carefully to the tagalog word of pig and realize the things it denotes haha)

But is Money-Saving tantamount to the love of money?

The answer is a big NO. It is noteworthy to mention that Money is not evil per se but is considered to be a blessing from God. It is the LOVE of money that the Bible expressly forbids.

1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs”

Hebrews 13:5
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

The Money-Saving shall become the love of money only when we:

1. save/hoard money for security;

2. trust it; and

3. live for it.

It is therefore the money-management that is tantamount to money-saving. We must understand that the primary purpose of saving is for stewardship. Saving for proverbial “rainy day” and to avoid having any debt are secondary only. The way we manage money reveals our character because it is somehow a tool and a test.

Luke 16:11

¹¹So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

Related Article:

Warren Buffet's (and Lorille’s) Advice to Young People