Celebrating Life Through Gratitude

If I am to make a significant declaration today, I'd say 'Life is beautiful'! That is quite a bold assertion in such woeful circumstances we have in the world. However, I wouldn't let this day pass without acknowledging the grand splendor that is left amidst awful crises.

Today marks the 34th year of my remarkable earthly journey in the eternal scheme of things. I want to look at it that way to remind me that I am plodding through a temporary sojourn. By having this conviction, the purpose of life in general becomes easier to approach and realize. The challenge becomes setting priorities and doing what’s needful. It is a struggle if one has a blurry resolve.

I’ve been around for a long time, yet I have not been able to run around as much as I needed to, to accomplish what one ought to accomplish at this point in life. At my age, some had already pulled off a lot that deems them to be successful. I am still far from the foyer of success. Nevertheless, what I’ve carried out and gone through by far taught me humility in extreme measure. Whether or not I even reach the midmost part of success, I am, nonetheless grateful.

I’m grateful for a beautiful life. What makes it beautiful?

First, it is a beauty because of my knowledge of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ. Appreciation for what I’ve been, what I am now, and what I’ll be, was not as and will not be as splendid if it isn’t for the learning I’ve had and am having about Deity. Knowing that God is my father—despite His being the ruler of the Universes, the most powerful Being, and the Creator of all, makes me live comfortably and with a sense of security in a world of sorrows and trouble. Knowing that Christ is my Redeemer and Savior makes me hopeful in the midst of uncertainty.

Second, life is a beauty because of family and friends. Literally I don’t have my family with me, anymore, but the foundation that was laid by them which is in me now, made my journey more profound than it could ever be. I am what I believe and what I stand for because of my family. I do not drink what most people drink; I do not do what most people do; I do not listen to what most people listen to; I do not watch what most people watch; and I do not believe what most people believe, because my family taught me not to. To have been able to know for myself the validity of those teachings makes life more stunning that I could ever imagine.

I now live practically independent around my friends. They add zest to my life which makes it beautiful. Although they come and go, the memory of these friends makes it all worthwhile. I sometimes feel alone, as that may be a natural feeling for someone who’s detached from family, but these friends compensate for that lack which is supposed to come from “biological” means. For this cause, my friends have become the metaphor for family in my life now.

Albert Schweitzer, an Alsatian theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician, once said:

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us”.

We are products of what we gain and get from each other. What we sometimes lack can be obtained from another. I’m grateful for what I have, both intangible and tangible—for those who have “lighted the flame” within me and are continuing to kindle that flame which keeps me going in this rough course of life.

UAAP Season 71: Count UST in the Battle!

With the most number of overall championships in the UAAP (10 consecutive & 35 overall titles) in its sleeves, UST should not be discounted in this UAAP 71st Season.

Opening rites will be on Saturday & darn I won’t be able to see it. What’s more is that I won’t be around to watch the games. Before I made the decision to move here in Cebu, the UAAP games weighed so much as I had to make the consideration to let go of it.

I’ve been a UAAP-UST fan (‘die hard’ fan at that) since 1994 & I was active through the years as a spectator of the Tigers’ games. It was only in 1996-1998 that I missed the league as I was out of town doing an important work. Nevertheless, I was stained by the glorious blood that was drawn from the De LaSalle Green Archers in those historic season victories of 1994-1996. That was a grand slam of conquest over the Archers!

Through the years, I was an eye-witness of the Tigers’ rise to glory & its decline to the cellar. In 2006, my long awaited championship in 10 years happened before my eyes as UST incredibly outdone the Ateneo Blue Eagles to win its 19th Men’s Basketball Title (the most number of MBB Titles in the UAAP).

Despite that glorious comeback, UST failed to defend the title last season.

As excitement is undeniably felt as the 71st season begins this weekend, I am unfulfilled as I am away from the event, being unable to tangibly witness ‘Tiger Power’ & the ‘Black-Gold-White’ frenzied Thomasian crowd. All these years I’ve been part of that crowd, born of school-spirit, cheering my heart out for the Growling Tigers.

My heart breaks even more knowing that the team brought in good recruits. In contrast, FEU & ADMU has become stronger from last season, while DLSU, as always, is the team to beat. This equate to an exciting season!

As a synopsis, The 15th Parallel website has this to say about UST:

Overview: The 2006 UAAP Basketball Champion UST Tigers came short of their title defense last year by virtue of losing to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the step-ladder format of the semifinals. The Tigers were best remembered last year, especially by the La Salle fans, for the 4th quarter and overtime scare that the Tigers gave to the Archers which La Salle would rather forget. This year, UST again returns to the battleground with their unpredictable and never-say-die attitude of basketball. They return to the hardcourt with their unrelenting resolve and determination. Nothing much will change for UST save for some rookies that will enter in place of the veterans who have departed.Why should you root for them: Jervy Cruz, Pido Jarencio, Japs Cuan's desperate attempt to make a shot that's not a layup and Chester "I almost have no business playing in the UAAP" Taylor.

Roster Changes: Most notable departures for the Tigers will be Espiritu (first name forgotten), June Dizon and Jun Cortez. Two of the additions will be Allen Maliksi from the planet X and the rare recruitment of Jeric Fortuna from DLSZ. Milan Vargas and Chris Camus, whose origins are still unknown, will also both suit up for the black-gold black-white this season. Shooter Clark Bautista will also be one of the up and coming rookies for the Tigers. Despite the influx of youth in to the UST lineup, there will be a lot of incoming senior players this season for UST and most notable of them is incoming senior guard Japs Cuan. Ah, better freethrow shooting for UST. Main fixtures will be people like Jervy Cruz, Dylan Ababou, Khasim Mirza, etc. Coach Pido Jarencio will most likely be fielding the same starting lineup from last year.

Bench: According to research of T15P, the bench of UST will mostly be composed of young and upcoming guns, but do not be deceived as they have a lot of firepower, especially with Bautista, Maliksi, Camus and Fortuna around. It's really hard to figure out the current bench of UST as it is filled with mostly unknowns and rookies who are deceptively good. They have guys who can quickly put points in the board and they also have guys who will be specially tasked to hustle and be the bruisers for the team. All of them are surprises waiting to happen except for Clark Bautista who was a sought-after commodity in the summer recruitment battle, notably pursued by UST and Ateneo. 4th year shooter Dylan Ababou will figure in a leading role with UST's bench, according to the research.

Gameplan: Offensively, their first option will obviously be Jervy Cruz in the middle and Pido Jarencio will just let Jervy beat the hell out of clueless big men in the middle of the shaded lane. This is also the play to get all of those rebounds for Jervy. Japs Cuan will not be allowed to shoot away within 2ft of the basket while Dylan Ababou and Khasim Mirza will be allowed to fire away at their heart's content. Cuan, however, will do the drive and drop at will. His main recipient will be Cruz. Or some other Tiger lost in the shaded lane. Expect that Cuan will also do the drive and draw for the shooters. Even though he can't hit anything that's not a layup.

Go-to-guy: I'm guessing you're thinking Jervy Cruz right now. What? It's not a trick question. Ass. It's really Jervy Cruz. The 3rd year big man will be the focal point of the UST offense while Japs Cuan will be the driving force with his daredevil drives. God forbid that it's his shooting. With a double-double and a MVP season for Jervy Cruz last year, there's no doubt that he is the top tiger for the Tigers this season.

Outlook: Final four contender; can beat anyone in the playing field. One of the upcoming season's dark horses. Playing under the radar will definitely be UST's theme this season.

The Thomasian heart within me is pounding in anticipation for another UST comeback. Nevertheless, because of the number of rookies in the team, yet promising at that, I can take on this season as the building phase in preparation for the 400-yr feat in 2011. If a UST championship can brew from the outskirts, that wouldn’t be bad at all.

Remembering Father

I was reading the paper yesterday and I came across a news article about the USS Mercy’s program with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help eliminate rabies in the country. That’s all about it.

I’m not writing about that program, but about my dad. As father’s day approaches it was timely that I read that article. My father served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Mercy in most of his 20 years of service, as a dentist.

My father was already retired from the Navy when I came in to the family. I was born in 1974. He retired in 1969. I am grateful that throughout my growing up years, he was there to look over and guide me.

I remember when I was little, he used to take me every where he went, especially in his out of town visits. I remember him most, however, in his duties as a church leader. He was the president of our church branch in the town, and eventually became part of the district leadership. The first meetinghouse (chapel) in Zambales, in San Antonio, was of particular interest to him as he donated labor in its construction. When it was time that a meetinghouse needed to be erected in our own town, he was instrumental in exploring and helping acquire the piece of land where it would be constructed.

Ahh, my dad! Church members loved him. He was a very active home teacher and a loving father to all. Who can forget the Monday Family Home Evenings with the entire branch at our home? That was fun. Missionaries would cover the games and neighbors would have a glimpse of what Latter-day Saints are. Member US servicemen & their families from the US Naval Facilities in Subic and San Miguel (San Antonio) would also visit & spend some family nights with us.

My father was hard working and very resourceful. He is the epitome of the church’s program on self reliance. I remember we didn’t have a lot of new appliance in our home. I grew up just using the same electric fans. We only bought a component and a TV once, in replacement of the old ones. From then on, he would have them repaired or he would do it himself. It’s a shame that I didn’t take on my father’s hard working attitude and resourcefulness, although I learned the former later on in my life, and the hard way.

It was him who taught me the principle of the Word of Wisdom—abstinence from coffee, tea, tobacco, liquor, harmful drugs. In connection to this, he also forbade me from drinking Cola drinks. To this I remained true up to the present day.

My mother died early. I was 11. My older sister married when I was 14. My father then became a single parent to me, until he died in 2001.

I went to serve a mission leaving my dad behind for 2 years. I didn’t want to go because I thought he would need me more. Then, I remembered what he wanted me to do. He used to brag about me going on a mission. When it was time to go, he had no second thoughts. He was old and I thought any time in my mission he might pass on, just like what happened to my mother when my sister was on her mission. I was in college then, in Manila. On weekends I go home to my dad in the province. Here is a father who skips dinner just so he can eat together with his son upon arrival. Later he admitted that he had a hard time eating without me. My heart ached even more. I thought how my father could survive without seeing me, or being with me for 2 years. He only had this to say: “This is what the Lord wants you to do, and I want you to go”.

I missed him so much in my first area in the mission field that I became so homesick that I wanted to go home. I wrote to him about my intentions. He wrote back: “You’re already in the Lord’s errand and in His hands. What more do you ask for”? His response was more like Gordon Hinckley’s father’s reply which was “forget yourself and go to work”.

How true it is that if we’re in the Lord’s errand, our families will be kept safe and blessed. I was worrying that I wouldn’t see my father again, but it was him who told me not to worry as I’m in the Lord’s errand and everything would be just fine. I am reminded of the Lord’s promise to Thomas B. Marsh right after he was ordained an Elder in the church, in Doctrine & Covenants 31:5. He was also worried about his family as he was about to leave them for his mission. This is what the Lord said: “Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live”.

I am still amazed at how the Lord took care of my father while I was gone. I found my father ailing when I returned from my mission, but the Lord provided enough time (2yrs) for him to be with me before he would call him home.

My father was my example of faith and hope. I always saw him pray, even unto death. He taught me about prayer by his example. From our family prayers when I was little, to his personal prayers when he was old, he taught me about trusting the Lord. It must have been hard for him during my absence in those 2 years of my mission, but I knew he was prayerful and had an abundant trust in the Lord. The Lord let him live, as promised. That was one of my motivation in the mission—“to thrust in [my] sickle with all [my] soul”, so that my father would live.

He’s been gone for 7 years now, but the legacy of his example lives on in me. Not only does my testimony keep me riveted in the church, but also my father’s example. I am reminded of his life and his love for me in this very season of fathers.

I love you Tatang! (I’ve always called him this way)

Perilous Times

Cyclone in Myanmar.

Earthquake in China.

Global warming.

Rising cost of gas and food.

These were just among the topics we were chitchatting about with my colleagues last week. Just several weeks ago, jeepney and bus fares hiked, as well.

I’ve not been watching TV since October. I know it’s as distressing as it has always been to watch the news. The only gasp of fresh air is when Mark Logan starts his report.

I believe that there are many factors causing global crisis, and it is not caused by government policies alone. There are factors of supply and demand, currencies, and people on every continent feeling the pressure of higher prices. Although we have some drought conditions here in the Philippines, drought in parts of Europe, Australia, and Africa are much worse. These all affect our lifestyle, no matter where on the planet we live.

It’s also daunting to think about the early outpour of rain in the middle of summer here in the country. Rains usually occur towards the end of June and heavy downpour, spanning the months of July to September. What’s happening now is a change in the timing of seasonal patterns—a clear effect of global warming.

We can go on and on chewing over these occurrences from dusk ‘til dawn. I’m afraid to suppose that it’s not going to get better.

Add to these circumstances the nature of man becoming unmanageable. Just last week, a friend and colleague was harassed by a co-worker who claimed that he was undeserving of the evaluation given him. He was scored zero in Quality Assurance for not following policy. That would cost him his monthly monetary incentive. It’s just ironic how people do something wrong and claim to be rewarded, nevertheless. It’s even more unnerving when they become upset because of it.

It is not surprising that these things would occur now than ever before. I remember the insight of Paul regarding our time:

2 Timothy 3:1-7
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We’ve also been warned by none other than our Heavenly Father regarding occurrences in our time:

Doctrine & Covenants 38:28-30
28 And again, I say unto you that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives.
29 Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land.
30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

Doctrine & Covenants 39:21
21 For the time is at hand; the day or the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come.

Zechariah 12:2-3
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
4 In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.

Doctrine & Covenants 88:88-91
88 And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people.
89 For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.
90 And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.
91 And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.

What a resemblance these warnings are to what we are witnessing today. The middle east and the war against terrorism bring special attention. We have seen an enemy in “secret chambers” hiding in a cave as he directs terrorism. Jerusalem has become a “burdensome stone” as Israel have fewer and fewer allies. We see wrath and indignation against followers of Christ. We witness the groanings of earthquakes and thunderings and lightnings (tornadoes) and the waves of the sea heaving beyond their bounds (tsunamis).

I’m not fond of watching cartoons or the like as that part of the child in me at one point waned. Because of the encouragement of friends, we went to see the movie “Horton Hears a Who”. There’s a special lesson in that movie. Remember about the reaction of Whoville’s City Council? "Nothing ever happens here and nothing ever will." These days we need more people like Horton, who recognize that even when others are oblivious to wise counsel, we must not doubt ourselves when it is time to be smart — time to be educated about world conditions and prioritize our preparedness.

The spiritual side of this all is the fact that one day all will end. Permanence will be ushered in as temporariness expires. It’s amazing that the prophets of old saw our time and had cautioned us. Those warnings had been captured in the scriptures and it’s astonishing to read about them as they unequivocally relate to us. It is even more convincing to note that even God warned us about these things.

How then can we be safe & secure in such perilous times? Here is what Job had to say when Zophar questioned him.

Job 11:14-18
11 If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
12 Then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.
13 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
14 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
15 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

To those who are already in righteous paths, it won’t be over until it’s over. Endure to the end. Endure—keeping the commandments of God.

The Paradox of Our Age

This was sent to me by a dear friend, Socki Alcos.
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By Dr. Bob Moorehead

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

Dr. Bob Moorehead is a former pastor of Seattle's Overlake Christian Church. He retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post. The essay appeared in 'Words Aptly Spoken,' Dr. Moorehead's 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts.

My Misty Refuge

Image taken from meridianmagazine.com

Sometimes I dream and see myself in a mist—not in a mist of darkness, but in a mist somewhat similar to the image above. There is an aura of beauty & serenity.

One reason why I was heavily drawn to come live in Cebu is its beauty. That sounds trivial don’t you think? There must be a more profound reason. It sounds literally simple to say that Cebu is beautiful and I want to live there. It is subjective, in a way that in like manner, the same can be said of any other place.

In the Book of Mormon, Alma was a prophet who taught about the Savior—his sacrifice, his promises, his divinity, and most importantly his role in our lives. The people then believed in the teachings of Alma. They have come to know the Savior and decided to follow him. "All this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever". (Mosiah 18:30).

If we think about it, we are inclined to look at places and associate them with events, particularly special/important events that transpired in our life. The place becomes beautiful. People in loved, for instance, consider a certain place beautiful because that’s where a proposal was made for engagement, or even marriage.

Cebu is where I was called by the Lord to serve Him, as a missionary. Here is where I had fully developed my testimony of the Savior and of a loving Heavenly Father. I had come to know them on a personal level because I was literally serving Them. Here is where I learned humility, love, and patience—among other good things. Here is where I made friendships, eternal in nature because of the bond of the Gospel. I can say, as the Nephites of old in Alma’s time, that Cebu is as beautiful as the place called Mormon.

I’ve always looked forward to returning to Cebu and experience afresh its beauty in relation to what occurred in my 2-yr mission. Now that I’m here, it’s different that I no longer find the primary link to my mission—my companions, missionary friends, and my mission president. However, the oasis remained the same. The member-friends I made continue in the friendships borne of my missionary beginnings. I find it conversely distressing that since I set foot in Cebu in October of last year, I have not fully recognized that I’m now in my mist which I deem as refuge. Every day I pass by the same road, & places which we use to traverse as “Elders” of Cebu 1st (my last area in the mission), yet I had not been able to stopover & see how it is now.

Regardless of how Cebu is literally placed in circumstances both good and bad, it is a place of beauty and serenity to me—my beautiful mist, my refuge, my Mormon. I feel good here. However, sooner or later I’d have to get revived & put to life my purpose as to why I’m here, the 2nd time around.

It’s good to imagine myself in a beautiful misty place, and that should be a source of strength as my Lord walks with me in it. Then again, I must reciprocate as I’ve been standing still for a long time.

David A. for AI: Who said I'm biased?

I’m not a big fan of American Idol, but I was drawn to this season’s program because of two contestants who made it to the top 5, who share something common with me. Brooke White and David Archuleta are both LDS.

As the season’s finale approaches, and after browsing through blogs and news about AI, I am disappointed that some people make it controversial as to how producers are manipulating the results.

Another disappointment is on how media obliterate the character of a good man. I’m referring to David’s Archuleta’s dad, Jeff.

Coach Dean Kaelin, David’s vocal coach, had worked closely with Jeff Archuleta for 6 years now. Being labeled as ‘stage father from hell’ does not even closely describe Jeff, being a father and mentor for David. The backstage ban follows tabloid reports that Jeff Archuleta is an overbearing father who has pushed his son to tears and upset people during rehearsals. Coach Kaelin had to speak for Jeff. "I don't think any of this is true," said Kaelin, who noted that in the six years he has coached David, he has never seen Jeff act like a "stage dad." "He can be focused and very intense and very protective of David when he thinks David is being treated unfairly," he said. "But they read into it and say these things . . . he's just trying to do the best thing for David."

One of the reasons why I’m rooting for David A., among other things, is the fact that he is able to put school and American Idol in synthesis. While in American Idol, David still had to put in 4 hours a day for school (which somehow explains why Jeff Archuleta had to look over his son very closely). The other contestants had the luxury of time to rehearse.

Another amazing piece of information about David A is that he only has one functioning eardrum. In connection to that, his surfaced, mature voice that we all admire comes from just one vocal chord. David started singing at age 7. At age 12, he already had won the juniors singers' competition on the televised talent show "Star Search," but in the process, Archuleta lost half his voice when a virus attacked his vocal chord. It left one chord paralyzed. He had to deal with a medical problem that permanently changed his voice. It took months of work and vocal training for Archuleta to heal, but he never fully recovered. Ironically, the damaging illness gave him his unique textured sound, which has been much praised and lauded.

I love David sing because he does it with a soulful touch. I can say that his voice is naturally soulful. Yes, he puts tweaks to his lines as much as any other pop singer does, but when I heard him sing John Lennon’s “Imagine”, I thought this kid has a lot going for in terms of personal touch and from then on I’ve come to realize his charisma.

I’d go for David A because, as a musician myself, I was trained with the traditional rather than the contemporary. I remember one of my professors in college refer to rock music as “noise”. However, I appreciate David Cook’s interpretation of his song choices which has a rock genre that appeal to the rather middle ground of the type of rock music which was alluded to by my college professor as “noise”. If you look at David Cook and if you have come to know him just now because you’re listening to him in American Idol, you would think that he’s just another rock singer. It’s amazing to know that he started to sing when he was in 2nd grade when he was given a solo in a school choir performance. He also performed in musicals. Eventually, Cook became the lead singer and guitarist of the band Axium. His taste and preference for rock was probably influenced by this latter involvement in a band. I can say that he’s a well rounded individual who was also an active baseball player in high school. All of these experiences made him ripe for a finals slot in American Idol, against young and inexperienced David Archuleta.

On a final note, I see David Cook’s music as slow, expressive, yet tedious and undistinguished. Like any other rock singer, he’ll probably just come and go. David Archuleta’s music, on the other hand, is joyful, fun, & soulful. I’d go for the latter as it appeals to my sensitivity.

Part of being an idol is character—the kind of personality one conveys in front of people. That is important because it’s what people see. We come to know American Idol contestants mostly from third party write-ups. We don’t literally know them. How they compose themselves during interviews, performances, and just in their idle moments, say a lot about them.

My say for David Cook—arrogant; for David Archuleta—modest.

Whoever wins the AI title, nevertheless, deserves it. Both Davids already have their careers cut out for them.