In a town square just days ago, two tricycle drivers almost clashed with each other, bitterly cursing the other’s candidate as if his life were at stake. These are not unusual scenes all over the country, but are increasingly happening. Political competition, the downfall of politicians, has filtered down to the veins of ordinary citizens, making supporters street and social media fighters.

We are becoming a nation where political allegiance now dominates reason, decency, and even long-standing friendships. Neighbors fight each other, families are torn apart, and barangay chat groups are time bombs set to detonate. One tweet, one meme, one off-hand comment on a candidate can set off a snowballing of abuses. And the most tragic part? The candidates whom they campaign for sit idly by and watch with amusement, or calculatingly, but never intervene to end the madness. These fans bleed for individuals who would never bleed back.

The candidates are usually out-spoken by their supporters. Their fists do the punching, their mouths do the mudslinging, and their hard-earned, small, limited cash goes to tarpaulins, gas, and logistics that only the mighty benefit from. They lose sleep and their peace of mind for names who might not even know they exist. All this while the politicians they so revere are comfortably ensconced behind tinted glass and armed escorts, rehearsing for photo opportunities and press releases. There’s something tragic about not being repaid in loyalty, and that’s much of what all this is: misplaced, unilateral loyalty.

Part of the cause of this increased hostility is how politics has been politicized into emotional theater in this country. We’ve learned to be team players like fans at a basketball game—our team vs. their team. Reasons, platforms, records, and even criminal records are thrown out the window, replaced with color-coded placards and sloganized campaign mantras. The instant the fever breaks out, all criticism is a personal grudge, and all opposing views are a call to war. It’s not democracy at work—it’s fanaticism masquerading as patriotism.

Social media makes the disease worse. It pays for the loudest, not the brightest. It makes every political debate a scream-a-thon, where control, not clarity, is the aim. Algorithms reward individuals with more of what they already have, and everyone is now the hero of his or her own echo chamber. Mix in a dash of arrogance, some disinformation, and a keyboard’s anonymity, and what do we have? Thousands of small tyrannical bullies, each only caring about their own candidate being able to save the country, each wanting to destroy anyone who disagrees.

But don’t act like it’s all just meaningless noise. Actual harm is being done. School teachers are targeted. Public officials are bullied. Campaigns are disrupted. Physical violence isn’t just threatened—it’s real. Blood has been shed in the name of loyalty, as if casting a vote were stabbing too. These wars are not arguments; they are toxic strains in a delicate democracy already. They distract from real issues, shut out meaningful conversation, and turn elections into a time of fear instead of excitement.

What is more disturbing is how little the masses appear to learn from history. We’ve experienced decades of electoral disillusionment—politicians reneging on promises, stealing money, and vanishing after an election win—yet with each election cycle, the disciples reappear, angrier and more militant than ever. Their memory is short, but their wrath is long-term. And yet, somehow, the cycle continues: wounds not licked, lessons not learned.

This nation requires more rational heads and fewer blind fury. Political allegiance needs to be reflective, critical, and driven by a conscience that prioritizes the common good. If only individuals would take a step back and realize that they are tearing themselves apart for individuals who might never return the favor in the future, then possibly they would hesitate before screaming, punching, or tweeting. Loyalty must be earned, not dispensed like sweets from campaign caravans. And no politician, however well-liked, is worth a damaged friendship, a battered face, or a lost life.

Goal-setting is a fundamental skill for anyone seeking to achieve personal and professional success It offers a structured plan to turn your dreams into reality. But setting effective goals is more than just writing down a wish list; it requires a strategic approach that ensures your ambitions are aligned with your actions and that you’re consistently moving towards your desired outcomes.

Here are ten essential steps to master the art of goal-setting, empowering you to transform your aspirations into tangible achievements.

1. Define Your Vision:

The formulation of specific goals necessitates a well-defined vision of desired outcomes. What is your ultimate aspiration? How do you want to make a difference in the world? This vision will serve as your guiding star, providing a sense of purpose and direction for your goals.

2. Identify Your Values:

Your values are the core principles that guide your choices and actions. What is important to you? What kind of impact do you want to have on the world? Aligning your goals with your values ensures that you’re pursuing aspirations that are meaningful and fulfilling.

3. Set SMART Goals:

SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This framework ensures that your goals are well-defined, actionable, and trackable.
Specific: Define your desired outcome clearly and unambiguously.

Measurable: Track progress with quantifiable metrics. Know your success criteria.
Achievable: Set challenging yet realistic goals; avoid extremes.

Relevant: Align goals with your vision and values; prioritize what matters.
Time-bound: Set deadlines to maintain focus and urgency.

4. Prioritize Your Goals:

Not all goals are created equal. Order your goals according to a matrix of importance and urgency. Focus on the most critical goals first and work your way down the list. This is one technique on how you can achieve the goals you have set. Know which needs to be on the top list, categorize then identify which can be done later.

5. Break Down Large Goals:

Large, complex goals can feel overwhelming. Divide large goals into smaller, manageable steps. This makes the process less overwhelming, fostering a sense of progress and increasing the likelihood of success. This makes the journey to achieving your goals feel less daunting and more achievable. If you primarily focus on the big goals, it will leave you the feeling of not having enough time to do the rest.

6. Create an Action Plan:

Develop a detailed action plan for each goal, outlining the specific steps needed for its achievement. This structured approach provides clarity, direction, and a roadmap to success. This plan should include deadlines, resources, and potential obstacles. You can never lose track when you train yourself organizing and setting a time frame for every task that needs to be done.

7. Seek Support and Accountability:

Enlist support by sharing your goals with trusted friends, family, or mentors. Their encouragement and accountability can significantly boost your motivation and chances of success. Their support and encouragement can be invaluable in helping you stay motivated and on track. Consider finding an accountability partner who can help you stay focused and make progress.

8. Track Your Progress:

Regularly track your progress towards your goals. This maintains motivation, allows for course correction, and provides opportunities to celebrate progress.

9. Adapt and Adjust:

Life is unpredictable, and your goals may need to evolve as you gain new insights or encounter unexpected challenges. Maintain flexibility; adapt your goals and plans as circumstances change. Openness to adjustments ensures you stay on track toward your ultimate objectives, even amidst unforeseen challenges.

10. Celebrate Your Successes:

Celebrate every accomplishment, big or small. Acknowledging progress reinforces commitment and sustains motivation throughout your journey. You deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Conclusion:

Mastering goal-setting is a journey, not a destination. It requires commitment, discipline, and a willingness to learn and adapt. By following these ten steps, you can transform your aspirations into tangible achievements, creating a life and career that is both fulfilling and successful. Remember, the power to achieve your dreams lies within you. Start setting effective goals today, and watch your potential unfold.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

The lady senator further questioned why the police general released the former executive secretary by removing the handcuffs. Very clearly to any layman, removing the handcuffs while the subject person is under control could not be considered as releasing the person from custody. The line of questions which was supported by senators Ronald “Bato” Marapon dela Rosa and Robinhood Ferdinand “Robin” Cariño Padilla, mainly that the former and now detained president is too old to be in prison are not convincing.

Senator de la Rosa had the temerity to question police general Nicolas Deloso Torre III if it did not cross his mind that what he is doing is illegal as it violated the constitution, particularly the bill of rights. The police general held his ground that what he did was within the ambit of the law and he did everything in the presence of the police director general and the counsel from the justice department. It was his discretion to perform his task in accordance with the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

The police general further explained that his actions were within the ambit of the law, citing the principle of force continuum which is a linear-progressive decision-making process, displaying police responses commensurate with a suspect’s resistance level to ensure compliance, arrest, and other law enforcement actions, while upholding human rights and maintaining professional conduct. At the time of the arrest, there was actual obstruction by the former executive secretary which obstruction was repelled when the police officers handcuffed the former executive secretary, who being a lawyer, submitted and cooperated with the arresting team.

The lawyer from the justice department in the person of General State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Donayre Fadullon explained that the police officers under Police General Nicolas Deloso Torre III actually followed the standards in arresting a suspect by requesting first the cooperation of the former executive secretary, giving them enough time to cooperated with the arresting team. It was only when the obstruction to the arrest remained that the police officers that the former executive secretary was handcuffed.

As repeatedly discussed by the resource persons, chiefly by the justice secretary that the Philippines as a state may not be bound by the International Criminal Court but individuals are. Even the opinion of retired Associate Justice Adolfo Sevilla Azcuna that the International Humanitarian Law are applicable during wartime as well as peacetime. The ICC exercised its complementary jurisdiction based on its findings that the Philippine government failed to genuinely prosecute the former and now detained president. Despite all the explanation, the lady senator who chairs the senate foreign relations committee insists on her unconvinced confusion, an indication exposing daftness.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

WE should just firm up our conviction about how Christ is always caring for us. His ways may be mysterious and can escape our notice, but we should not forget that there is no moment in our life when Christ would be absent or indifferent to our needs.

We are reminded of this truth of our faith in that gospel episode about the third appearance of Christ to his disciples after his resurrection. (cfr. Jn 21,1-19) At first, they did not realize it was Christ who was asking them something from the shore when they were fishing at sea. It took some time before they would finally recognize him.

In our life, we should be wary of our tendency to feel that we are just on our own, grappling with our own things and that Christ has hardly anything to do with us. We have to correct that understanding. Christ always cares for us and he is precisely in everything that we get involved in, giving us the proper direction, guidance and support.

We should always remember that Christ takes care of everything. And even from evil, he would know how to derive some good. With him, everything, including our failures and sins, would always work for the good. His wisdom, his omnipotence, his mercy, etc. would take care of all that.

The crucial thing to do is to be with Christ, which definitely will require some discipline from us. And so, even if especially at the beginning, we would find it hard, if not almost impossible to be with him, we just have to do what we can to achieve that ideal condition for us. In time, and with faith and our unrelenting effort, to be with Christ is not only achievable, but something that can become a stable state of life for us. Again, let’s remember that we are actually meant for that state of life.

We can be sure that on the part of Christ, everything is made available, so that whatever difficulty and problem we have in this life, we would know how to leverage them to our real and lasting advantage, and not just some false and passing advantage.

Obviously, we have to do our part. In fact, we have to exhaust all human means to resolve whatever difficulties and problems we have. But knowing that our best would never be enough, we should never forget that there is God, our Father, our Creator, who began something good in us and who will also be the one to finish, complete and perfect everything in us. (cfr. Phil 1,6)

We have to strengthen our conviction on this wonderful truth of our faith. We should not allow ourselves to be dominated by sadness, much less, despair over some weakness, mistakes, failures, blunders and sins that can mark our earthly sojourn.

While it’s true that our initial reaction to these negative things can unavoidably be one of sadness, let us not stay long there. We have to immediately recover our true dignity as children of God. Being a father, God would always understand and forgive us.

God will never give up on us. He will do everything to help and save us. As St. Paul would put it in his Letter to the Romans: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (8,32)