Basta LOVELIFE: A Review

Many youth nowadays are full of desire and thrilled to discover new things. Lahat ay gusto nilang malaman at subukan. Kaya naman pati ang lovelife ay nagiging adventure. Nakakalungkot isipin na marami sa mga kabataan ngayon ay kulang sa kaalaman at may maling perspektibo ukol sa pakikipagrelasyon. Damang-dama ito ni Kevin Sanders na isang American Campus Minister dito sa Pilipinas. In his book, Basta Lovelife, he aims to help the Filipino youth make wise relationship decisions. Inamin niyang hindi siya isang "love expert". At the age of 35, when he wrote this book, he is still searching for a lifetime partner. ngayon happily married na siya sa isang Pinay. Nagkaroon rin sya ng struggle with lust, loneliness and all other trials na nararanasan ng single man. Ganumpaman, hindi ito naging "big deal" sa kanya. Si Lord--the greatest love expert--ang naging inspirasyon niya upang maisulat ang libro. In this book, Kuya Kevin shares what he learned as he walked with God. He wants to give his readers a healthy "dose" of biblical principles and common sense.

Kuya Kevin begins his book by discussing the Bible's very first love story between Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:23). He describes the "Eyes and Ears" principle in explaining "love at first sight". This principle states that "man tend to fall in love with their eyes, while women tend to fall in love with their ears." Madaling maakit ng kanilang mga nakikita. Nahu-hook sila sa porn because they are visually wired and are easily aroused by visual stimuli. Sa kabilang banda, women tend to fall in love with their ears. Kaya naman, madali silang mabola. Pilitin man nilang maging pure hanggang huli, nadadala sila sa mga magiliw na pananalita. Idinetalye lalo ni Kuya Kevin ang gender differences sa mga sumunod na chapters ng kanyang libro. Inuna niya ang lahi ni Adan. He talked about good character being the best proof of real manhood. He urged men to be more  respectful, honest, and faithful sa mga kababaihan. Inisa-isa din niya ang mga masasamang epekto ng porn at nagbigay ng practical advices in how to deal with it. With regard to women, inemphasize niya ang purity. Itinuro niya ang proper way on how to be dressed as a woman. In-encourage din niya ang mga kababaihan to take good care of their virgnity as their gift to their future partners. Kuya Kevin also provided practical wisdom such as Love is not a feeling, the right age to enter relationship, taking relationship slowly, avoiding rebound relationships at kung paano mo malalaman kung nahanap mo na ba talaga si Mr. o si Ms. Right. He also dealt with handling dilemmas katulad ng pagkawala ng virginity, rejection, break-up, pag-asa para heartbroken, two-timing, at pagiging martir sa isang relationship. Lastly in his book, in-explain naman ni Kuya Kevin ang iba't ibang lifestyle issues such as online relationships, same-sex relationships, and live-in relationships.

Kung may mga katanungan ka about love, sex and relationships na gusto mong masagot, first consult the greatest book of all--the Bible.  But if you need a practical guide to your lovelife, this book is a good starting point. A light-read, timely, thought-provoking, straight-to-the point and very practical book about resolving relationship issues.

Basta Lovelife by Kuya Kevin is published by Church Strengthening Ministry (CSM) Publishing and is available at all major bookstores nationwide for only Php200.