The Pig in the Prodigal Son's Story

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) in the Bible is very familiar to most of us, but the emphasis has always been on the father, the son, and sometimes, the elder brother (and understandably so). But today, as we went through this passage at church, it occurred to me that there is yet another character in this story.

How did the prodigal son finally see that it is better in his father's presence? He met a pig.

In this story, the pigs could represent the children of God:

• They were fed even during the famine. God provided for their needs, and so does God provide for the needs of His children.
• They were considered animals of the lowly kind. We must be willing to put ourselves in a position of humility and let God use us.
• They made the prodigal son realize that life would be better if he returns to his father. Ultimately, they led the son back to his dad, just as God's children should also lead people back to Him.

Do you want God to use you so His lost children could be found again? If so, be a pig.

OPC10: Avril Lavigne, "Here's to Never Growing Up"

Avril Lavigne's music video for her upcoming fifth album's lead single has now been released! Featuring a throwback to her debut hit "Complicated", it shows the Canadian singer-songwriter giving life to a boring prom night. Currently with more than seven million views as of press time, check out "Here's to Never Growing Up", which stays at #1 for the 5th consecutive week:

OPC10 Overall Picks
May 12-18, 2013

1. Avril Lavigne - Here's to Never Growing Up
2. Kari Jobe - Find You on My Knees
3. Mikeschair - All I Can Do (Thank You)
4. Jewel Villaflores - Duyog
5. Mika - Popular Song (feat. Ariana Grande)
6. Yeng Constantino - Chinito
7. Kesha - Crazy Kids (feat. Pitbull)
8. Skillet - American Noise
9. Hideaki Takatori - Minna Atsumare Kyoryuger
10. Austin Mahone - Heart in My Hand (Piano Version)

Popout Tracks

1. Marie Salvaleon - Papictura Ko Nimo, Guapo
2. Chai Fonacier - Laylay
3. Marina and the Diamonds - Just Desserts (with Charlie XCX)

Pinoy Tracks

1. Jewel Villaflores - Duyog
2. Yeng Constantino - Chinito
3. Marie Salvaleon - Papictura Ko Nimo, Guapo
4. Chai Fonacier - Laylay
5. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind
6. Martina San Diego - Balay ni Mayang (with Kyle Wong)
7. Uly Tenchavez - Hinaut
8. Alphecca Perpetua - Historias
9. 1:43 - Halika Na
10. Vice Ganda - Karakaraka (feat. Smugglaz)

Mika & A. Grande, "Popular Song" [OPC10 2013.05.05]

Avril Lavigne continues to stay at the #1 spot on the Overall Picks chart, while four new entries flock from #3 to #6. Jewel Villaflores leads all debuts this week with her song "Duyog", off the Top 6 of VISPOP, the first Visayan Pop Songwriting Campaign. On the spotlight this week is British singer-songwriter Mika, who collaborates with Nickelodeon star Ariana Grande for "Popular Song" which debuts at #4 on this week's OPC10.

OPC10 Overall Picks
May 5-11, 2013

1. Avril Lavigne - Here's to Never Growing Up
2. Mikeschair - All I Can Do (Thank You)
3. Jewel Villaflores - Duyog
4. Mika - Popular Song (feat. Ariana Grande)
5. Yeng Constantino - Chinito
6. Kesha - Crazy Kids (feat. Pitbull)
7. Hideaki Takatori - Minna Atsumare Kyoryuger
8. Austin Mahone - Heart in My Hand (Piano Version)
9. Bridge Music - Alive in Him
10. Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails

Popout Tracks

1. Marie Salvaleon - Papictura Ko Nimo, Guapo
2. Chai Fonacier - Laylay
3. Marina and the Diamonds - Just Desserts (with Charlie XCX)

Pinoy Picks

1. Jewel Villaflores - Duyog
2. Yeng Constantino - Chinito
3. Marie Salvaleon - Papictura Ko Nimo, Guapo
4. Chai Fonacier - Laylay
5. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind
6. Martina San Diego - Balay ni Mayang (with Kyle Wong)
7. Uly Tenchavez - Hinaut
8. Alphecca Perpetua - Historias
9. 1:43 - Halika Na
10. Vice Ganda - Karakaraka (feat. Smugglaz)

Nokia Lumia 720 on Test Drive

Thanks to the Nokia Test Drive program that I participated in, I was recently able to have a first-hand experience on the Nokia Lumia 720. Basically, I signed up at the Nokia Philippines Facebook page, received a confirmation email and picked up the device at a Nokia Store in my area. Read on as I share my five-day get-to-know session with this Windows 8 phone.

Callalily, "HKM" [OPC10 April 2013]

Callalily has once again topped the local charts with their second single off their 2012 album Flower Power. "HKM", which stands for "Hindi Kita Malilimutan", topped the Pinoy MYX Countdown as well as this blog's weekly Pinoy Picks in March. A month later, they manage to stay on the charts and finish at #3 on OPC's April 2013 tally:

OPC10 Overall Picks
April 2013

1. Bridge Music - Alive in Him
2. Blessid Union of Souls - Die for You
3. Building 429 - We Won't Be Shaken
4. Avril Lavigne - Here's to Never Growing Up
5. Mikeschair - All I Can Do (Thank You)
6. Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails
7. Plain White T's - Should've Gone to Bed
8. Eve - Make It Out This Town (feat. Gabe Saporta)
9. Hideaki Takatori - Minna Atsumare Kyoryuger
10. We Are Leo - Oxygen

Pinoy Picks

1. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind
2. 1:43 - Halika Na
3. Callalily - HKM
4. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
5. Rivermaya - Pilipinas, Kailan Ka Magigising
6. Jessa Zaragoza - Nasaan
7. Daniel Padilla - Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat
8. Krista K - Feels So Good
9. Vice Ganda - Karakaraka (feat. Smugglaz)
10. Rommel Tuico - Dili Tanan