The word conviction has different meaning. It could mean the finding of guilt of an accused of crime. However, conviction as a value means the willingness to heed the dictates of conscience leading to a sense of remorse and repentance from sins. It is the realization of mistakes that will lead a person to turn away from unrighteousness.
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Conviction is very relevant in our days. It is material ingredient in the pursuit for change because it takes personal transformation to achieve national transformation. Indeed, it is true that the imposition of penalties helps as a deterrent to any form of malpractices. Nonetheless, it is not sufficient because an individual may be incorrigible even after serving a sentence unless and until he or she has been transformed internally. Internal transformation is possible if there is conviction for sins with the decision to live a new way of life. The good thing in this manner of change is voluntary rather than forcibly. The person concerned decides to turn away from sin.

The government is taking effort to achieve a genuine change among its personnel and its citizenry. It is investing much on trainings and seminars that reminds everyone the need for change. However, how many of the attendees truly put to heart the lessons learned on those seminars. Without heeding the nuggets of truth, conviction may not be achieved. For conviction to happen, a person’s heart must be open to receive the truth.

Looking into the realities of today, there are some people who seems unfettered by penal laws that even during broad daylight or in the presence of law enforcers, crimes are committed. Others just merely repeating their evil practices over and over again thinking that they will not be caught at any instance. It seems like they had a seared conscience that they cannot recognize their detestable misdeeds. Their wicked lifestyle became a norm.

Indeed, a person is honorable not because he or she holds an honorable position and possesses numerous ideas in mind but because he or she lives honorably. As Winston Churchill once said, “One man with conviction will overwhelm a hundred who have only opinions”. In the Philippines, we have brilliant and intellectually competent leaders. However, to this day, we still keep on fighting against all forms of corruption in governance. It shows that cognitive prowess is insufficient. It takes excellence in the internal configuration coupled with knowledge power among those in authorities and our citizens to achieve a desired national progress.

Let us therefore be led by our conviction. Let us abide with the existing laws and rules and meet the high standard of righteousness as required. We shall remain to be the true Pilipinos. Pili na, pino pa. 

by: Dr Laurence Mascay

​Justice is important in any society, like our country, the Philippines. It is the main thing that helps us get along with each other, solve problems, and protect our rights. Justice means being fair to everyone in a society. It involves giving people their rights and making sure everyone follows the rules. Justice tries to fix things when they go wrong, keep those who need help safe, and make sure society stays peaceful. Justice has two parts: making sure the way things are done is fair, and making sure the results are fair too.
 
In the Philippines, working toward justice involves many different things. It means trying to fix problems in the system, making sure judges are honest, and making sure everyone has the same chance to get justice. The country has some big challenges, but there have been important improvements in making the legal system better, fighting corruption, providing legal help, and supporting human rights. These efforts show that many people are committed to making the justice system fair and following the rules. Such is good news, especially for the majority of Filipinos who are less in life and look up to the fairness of the law.
 
Sadly, many Filipinos complain of injustices here and there. Wherein to them, the rich and powerful are favored and, at times, bend the law to their good while the masses are deprived of justice and experience the full force of the law for petty crimes committed. Such happenings lead some people or victims to distrust the justice system of the land, and some have even put the law in their own hands and become judges themselves. Many others, however, entrust the unfairness and injustices they have been through to the hand of God. Theodore Epp, a writer, said, “If you have been mistreated, cheated, or deceived and if your heart has been right all along, be assured that God knows this. God will eventually vindicate you.”
 
As values advocates and catalysts of change, we hope and look forward to the Philippines as a fairer and just place to live. And each one has a role to play in this noble undertaking and in advocating justice as a pillar of a fair society. Therefore, be a voice to the voiceless, never compromise your values for some valuables, do not stay silent when injustices take place before your eyes, and never take revenge as no evil act goes unpunished. The Scripture says,  “Never take your own revenge, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Justice is a pillar of a fair society, and each one of us has a role to play. 

by: Micah A. Tecne

Did we ever find ourselves so much limited and we thought we can’t accomplish anything? Many times, we face scarcity of manpower, support, finances, resources and the like, and it limit us to accomplish our goals. In order to overcome and survive, we eventually feel the need to do something.  Such pressure can either stop us or challenge us to do something about it. This kind of challenge/s can push us to our limits and do something extraordinary and will allow us to discover our unseen potentials. Resourcefulness is defined as the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

Once upon a time, a young donkey asked his grandpa, “How do I grow up to be just like you?” “Oh, that’s simple,” the elder donkey said. “All you have to do is remember to shake it off and step up.” “What does that mean?” asked the youngster. The grandfather replied, “Let me tell you a story... Once, when I was your age, I was out walking. I wasn’t paying attention and fell deep into an old abandoned well. I started braying and braying. Finally an old farmer came by and saw me. I was scared to death. But then he left. I stayed in that well all night. “The next morning he came back with a whole group of people, and they looked down at me. Then the old farmer said, ‘The well is abandoned and that donkey isn’t worth saving, so let’s get to work.’ And believe it or not, they started to shovel dirt into the well. I was going to be buried alive! “After the first shovels of dirt came down on me, I realized something. Every time dirt landed on my back, I could shake it off and use it to step up a bit higher! They kept shoveling, and I kept shaking the dirt off and stepping up. “‘Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up...’ I kept repeating to myself for encouragement. And it wasn’t long before I stepped out of the well, exhausted but triumphant.” So no matter how difficult the situation .. no matter how bad things get... no matter how much dirt gets dumped on you, just remember — shake it off and step up. You’ll be alright. When you’re out of resources, it’s time to get resourceful.

Resourcefulness is finding the assets that God has already provided. We may think that we lack resources, but God has already provided for us. A Psalmist said who seek the Lord lack no good thing.  All we need to be to look around us and ask for wisdom from Him on how to use those resources, abilities and skills, and people in order for us to accomplish our goals. As God brought success to King Solomon when he asked for wisdom more than anything else. He gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Whenever we find ourselves on a dead end situation in whatever aspects of our lives, let us reminded of our identity that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We are created to be resourceful.

Our independence did not come easy. Our ancestors fought hard for the liberation of the Philippines. Even when their cry for freedom cost their lives, they did not waiver until the fulfillment of their aspirations for the nation. Some did not live to see it happen; but their acts inspired others to continue the fight. We are free because of their sacrifices. As we commemorate the Philippine Independence Day, let us honor them. One of the meaningful ways we can honor them is to ensure that the Philippines remain free. But this leads us to reflect on this question – “Are we really free?”
 
Contemplating on the present situation of our country, the cry for freedom remains to this day. While we are no longer under colonial regime, there is presence of territorial disputes. Neighboring countries are also claiming the areas we claim to have exclusive rights for exploration and use of marine resources. Moreover, we are internally bound by several societal ills (e.g., graft and corruption, substance abuse, etc.) brought about by the detestable misdemeanors of some unscrupulous. We are fighting for freedom outside yet we are in captive on the inside. We created our own confinement. When will this cry for freedom come to an end?
 
Our late hero, Apolinario Mabini, who is known as the brain of the revolution, is the same hero who said, “…ang kailangan natin ay isang rebolusyon, hindi lamang sa panlabas kundi sa panloob”. While he is aware for the need of independence from foreign invasion, he is also aware of the fact that there is a need for inner freedom from ruthless individuals. As early as in the year 1800s, he knew that we also need internal revolution other than the physical or armed revolution.
 
This nationwide internal bondage cannot be addressed unless and until we are free from internal bondage individually. A lot of us are imprisoned internally by our selfish interest nature that drives us to become delinquent or commit misconduct. The good news, however, is that – we had a revolutionary, our Lord Jesus Christ, who set us free from sin and gave us the capacity to live in propriety. By divine intervention, we can now consistently obey the laws and legal orders. 
 
Let us therefore put an end this cry for freedom. Few individuals cannot do it. It can be achieved by joint efforts of every stakeholder of the country. As citizens of this nation, we are all stakeholders of the destiny of the Philippines. It is our mission to liberate our country from impending destruction of economic downturn spawned by seemingly unending acts of graft and corruption and other unlawful activities. It is within our power and we are able. Together, we can. 

The phrase "not everyone is born to be a leader" is frequently heard, and while there is some practical truth to it, can we not choose to pursue the path of leadership instead? Leadership is an inherent aspect of humanity, whether we are aware of it or not. At this very moment, let us examine the first situation that comes to mind—is leadership present or necessary? Consider our family as an example: Is it harmonious or chaotic? Would you agree that the state of our family, whether happy or not, is influenced by effective leadership or its absence? If a father lacks leadership qualities or qualifications but attempts to assert authority as the head of the family, will it not cause conflict? Many families are dysfunctional because fathers assume leadership roles without the necessary character to support them. Conversely, some families are dysfunctional because fathers fail to step up as leaders, leaving mothers or even the eldest child to take charge. It is important to recognize that leaders are shaped within families and their leadership style is significantly influenced by their upbringing.
So, how should we view leadership in light of the above illustration? Let us perceive leadership as an inherent part of our being—an essential value and an internal quality ingrained within us. This kind of leadership is primarily driven not by accomplishments or positions, but by the integrity of our character. Additionally, it is crucial to understand that leadership is not devoid of vision, for without vision, people perish. In the context of our illustration, every family must envision itself as strong, happy, peaceful, and productive to make a positive contribution to society.
This can be quite challenging, considering we live in a world where positions and titles hold significant importance, and leadership is often driven by competition and strategic maneuvers. Such an approach to leadership is destructive and unhealthy. As Values Restoration Officers, our first responsibility is to establish our inner leadership quality. By prioritizing this aspect, external factors like titles will naturally follow. Promotions will inevitably come our way. We should strive to fulfill our positional roles with the necessary elements of true leadership, characterized by integrity, excellence, compassion, and humility. We should avoid using our positions to boast or exert power, as this only creates discomfort and tension for those around us.
While the call to leadership is strong, let us pursue it with the right motivation. Let us take pride in the path we are choosing. The Lord will elevate us to leadership positions, not mediocrity. If we pay attention to the commands of the Lord our God and diligently follow them, we will always be at the top, never at the bottom. The ultimate key to long-term and progressive leadership is to follow the Lord's ways—practicing righteousness in pursuit of a vision that benefits everyone.
Considering these points, we should stop pondering whether we are born to be leaders or not. Such thoughts are restrictive and often used as convenient excuses by those who do not wish to rise to the challenge. The path to leadership is not solely about climbing the ranks; it is about enhancing the integrity of our character and naturally attaining promotion as a result. Our motivation should not stem from a desire for positions and the fear of losing or being demoted. Instead, let us be inspired by the kind of leadership that transforms lives and accomplishes God's purpose. It is a journey we embark on with joy, excitement, and diligence—a path that will leave a lasting legacy.