Let’s be like St. John, the Apostle

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

ON the Feast of St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist, on December 27, let’s try to capture his youthful love for Christ that would truly help us in our spiritual life. Like him, we should be both most eager to look for Christ and yet restrained to observe what we may also consider as some legitimate earthly protocols.

Yes, let’s be forceful and eager in our love for God and yet know how to be discreet and natural about it, given our human and earthly conditions.

This was shown in that gospel episode where the apostles were told about the empty tomb of Christ, and Peter and John immediately proceeded to check on it, but it was John who arrived at the tomb first. And yet he waited for Peter, the head of the apostles, to arrive before entering into the tomb. (cfr. Jn 20,1-8)

Here we can clearly see how the youthful John is showing the vigor of his love and fidelity to Christ. It was also this kind of love and fidelity that enabled him to be the first one to recognize Christ in that episode where the risen Christ appeared in the shore where the apostles were fishing. (cfr. Jn 21,7)

When the risen Christ at the shore first asked the apostles whether they had caught some fish, they did not at first recognize him. It was John who, by his youthful love for Christ, immediately recognize him. “It is the Lord,” he said.

We have to see to it that our love for Christ is authentic and not just something that we profess but not supported by our deeds. If there is true love, there is some kind of forcefulness and eagerness to do things, even at great cost, that would be unavoidable.

It’s true that where there is love, there is also some kind of forcefulness, an abiding state of being driven despite the variations of our bodily and other earthly conditions. Where there is love, we can only echo what Christ himself said: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk 12,49)

Where there is love, we would be clear about what the real and ultimate purpose of our life is, we would have a good sense of direction even if we are presented with many alternative options, we would not mind the many difficulties and challenges we can encounter as we go along. In fact, we would find great meaning in them.

This is the ideal condition for all of us. Even if we are endowed only with the most phlegmatic and melancholic temperaments, something must be burning inside our heart that cannot help but burst into a flame, a flame of love, of self-giving, of serving without expecting any return, without counting the cost. If it is not yet there, then let’s enkindle it.

For this Christian instinct to develop in us, we have to learn how to look for Him in everything that we do and handle so we can find him. And finding him, we can be drawn to serve him.  This, I believe, is what loving Christ actually entails.

This should be like a healthy obsession that we have to cultivate. This obviously goes beyond our natural powers. The grace of God is needed, but we should also do our part. Let’s ask the intercession of St. John the Apostle for this intention!

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

“Giving back” this Christmas: DdO extends relief aid in Odette-hit areas

Davao de Oro Province---“Daghang tawo ang mitabang kanato kadtong panahon nga mi-atubang pod kita ug trahedya tuig 2012. Katungdanan nato nga tabangan usab ang atong mga igsoon nga nanginahanglan sa atong pag-alalay. Ang pagtabang mao’y tinuod nga diwa sa Pasko,” said Governor Tyron Uy referring to the time the province was hit by Typhoon Pablo on December 4, 2012.

After making landfall in Visayas and a large portion of Mindanao, Typhoon Odette caused extensive damage to life and properties, and placed survivors in a situation where access to primary needs is scarce.

Right after, the provincial government of Davao de Oro initiated a relief operations movement calling various sectors both public and private for in-kind donations such as food and other necessities for the survivors of Typhoon Odette. The province alone donated close to P3M worth of food and non-food items plus additional in-kind donations coming from various individuals, groups, and businesses who gave their donations at the Provincial Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

On December 23, 2021, Gov. Uy sent off the “Walang Iwanan” team led by PDRRMO head Joseph Randy Loy to give the assistance for the provinces of Dinagat Islands, local government units of Siargao, and Surigao del Norte. The team first arrived in Butuan City and checked in at the RDRRMC EOC and later at the DSWD Regional Office. DSWD Usec. Felicisimo Budiongan and DSWD OIC Regional Director Ramel F. Jam extended their thanks to the province for the assistance. From there, the team went to oversee the unloading of ten (10) heavy trucks carrying the relief goods.

In the afternoon, they arrived at Surigao City to hand in yet another set of donations at their Provincial EOC and proceeded to Brgy. Togbongon to personally visit and distribute the 350 relief goods to the affected families. “Wala gyud mi nagdahum makaabut mo diri, bisan pa sa kalayo sa among lugar. Maayo na lang makapamasko pa gihapon mi sa inyong tabang,” a teary-eyed elderly resident said.

Then and now, DdO’s “bayanihan” way of helping is not only bound for its people, but it also extends its service, and lives through the merit of “Walang Iwanan.”(JA, PAO-IPRD)

Between the years

Many times we are really in too much of a hurry while feeling uncomfortable if we notice how time flies. Yes, my late grandmother was right, when she said: The older you become, the faster time passes by. My late mother told us the same. Yes, I am 68 now. I can only strongly agree with them.

When I was still a teenager, I was longing to be an adult already. Later, I enjoyed listening to my late grandmother (born 1898!) stories such as "Once upon a time" or "When I was young" from her life yesterday's life... .

After a couple of years, especially while observing that time really flies like a racket to the moon, I also have the same question in mind: Are the present hours and days less valuable?

Of course, each day has its own set of happiness and trials. But it also holds very high possibilities of how we take the initiative to do or to move something, if ...! Yes, the luring term IF lets us look into the future  with an overblown "glistening" eye: IF I will finish my studies - IF my children become adults - IF I might become rich and win in the lottery, yes IF! And then?

Christmas is gone, if you might read this. The next turn of the year is just around the corner. For most of us it's time to come to our senses. The future prospects smile at us already. What might the New Year bring us? Is life in the future easier, nicer, more charming and more fulfilled compared to the present or the almost finished 2021? The thoughts fill me with horror, because tragicomic future visions can easily blur away our present day.

A possible topsy-turvy world of a golden youth tries to let us forget that also the past has had its shares of disappointments, pains, tears, darkness, tricky as well as desperate days... yes, lost days, irretrievable time... .We dream our impossible dreams from last year, this 2021 to the future and vice versa. We forget that between yesterday and tomorrow is our valuable presence. Well, now well then - if we know how to fulfill this period.

I will be taking a short break from many tasks and appointments. I will be trusting in God, because He takes care of me and my future.  Don't allow the daily hectic and stress of this season kill your senses. 

Why the long Christmas celebration?

We’ve been in a holiday mood since September, but now that we have about two more weeks to wrap up the party, we can ask ourselves why we celebrate this occasion so long.

By Edgar Timbungco *

ESSENCE OF YULETIDE Christmas Belen

Filipinos take pride in having the longest celebration of Christmas this side of Christendom. Now that that the long wait is over, though we can keep the décor and the Christmas tree up for two more weeks, what benefits has this months-long celebration given us?

A quick crowd sourcing from family members and friends in social media, yielded the following benefits:

Economic gains

The first set of benefits point to the apparent economic gains, now enjoyed by both traditional and online retail outlets. My daughter is quick to point out how the pandemic has prompted consumers to resort to e-commerce for purchasing food and other essential items for their household. This has become part of the “new normal,” a major vehicle for the Filipinos’ Christmas shopping.

A former colleague writes, “The long celebration provides more opportunities for these businesses, in the process stimulating economic activity on and boosting the local economy to go back to pre-pandemic levels.” Certainly, many of us joined the bandwagon in the 9/9, 10/10, 11/11, and the 12/12 sales promos!

The amount of spending is always expected to spike at Christmastime. This year, since the restrictions in some urban centers had been relaxed by government some weeks ago, the economy has been given the chance to take advantage of the Christmas boost.

Emotional boost

Another workmate says, “The four-month celebration gets people into the jolly and generous Christmas mood earlier. If you have kids, it would provide a good incentive to get them to behave themselves before Christmas time.” I am reminded of how my grandson perseveres to do good in school so he could get the Christmas gift he has been praying for.

Meanwhile, a co-teacher describes how “it sort of primes us up that Christmas is coming (as) we need to prepare financially, emotionally, even physically for the long parties and reunions come December.” A photographer friend adds that “it stretches the yearning for a good family holiday and puts one in the mood.”

The long celebration of Christmas in the Philippines will persist, as long as there are kids who are excited to open their presents under the Christmas tree and as long as there are adults who find joy in putting a smile on their loved ones’ faces.

Meanwhile, a friend mentions that “the long Christmas celebration (also) gives us time to plan and think about the gifts we could give to our loved ones or the charitable acts we would like to do.” This is reinforced by a friend who observes that “Pinoys tend to be more generous during Christmas.”

Another thing to plan for are the “get-togethers, reunions, and extended vacations.” These are driven by Pinoys’ love for celebrations, my wife adds, admitting that she is one of those who really get excited the moment the “ber” months begin.

Joyful anticipation

As a Christian nation, we are afforded “greater opportunity to enjoy the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ,” even if the misa de gallos, noche buenas, and kris kringles now have their virtual options because of safety concerns. A team lead says the long-celebration engenders hope as we anticipate the series of joyful events from September to January to see us through these uncertain times.

All these are good for our mental health, a friend states. “An extra opiate for the public (in a good way),” a nephew adds.

But there were also those who question the practice, suggesting that it should be cut short to two months, worried perhaps about the seeming impracticality of the overdrawn celebration. One couldn’t help but be cynical, “are there benefits, to begin with?”

These opposing views notwithstanding, I think the long celebration of Christmas in the Philippines will persist, as long as there are kids who are excited to open their presents under the Christmas tree and as long as there are adults who find joy in putting a smile on their loved ones’ faces when affirmations of love accompany the hearty food that they serve and partake of at the Noche Buena table.

ANALYZING BENEFITS The author, Ed Timbungco

The public relations manager of Mang Inasal, the author is also teaching corporate communication and organizational planning and development at the School of Management and Information Technology of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. He is an accredited public relations practitioner by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines and certified professional marketing educator by the Philippine Marketing Association. He was likewise granted with the crisis communication planner title by the International Consortium for Organizational Resilience.

Why are Filipinos in every corner of the globe?

Ryan Fernandez

History Geek based in Manila

Why shouldn't we be? It's a global marketplace after all. Filipinos like everyone else respond to the law of supply and demand. There's a nursing shortage in the UK? Someone's got to fill it up. Housekeeping vacancies in Italy? Filipinos show up. Skyscrapers being built in Dubai? It's Filipino engineers who lay the foundation. Singaporean or Hongkonger parents too busy to raise their kids? It's Filipina nannies and maids who run the upkeep of their households. Filipino executives work in Indoensian companies; Filipino English teachers work in Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean schools; and Filipino soldiers staff the United States Armed Forces.

With a population of 105 million that's on the young end, the Philippines has a large labor force, but as a developing nation, does not have enough employment opportunities. That's changing because of new industries like the outsourcing sector.

Filipinos going overseas is nothing new. Ilocano farmers were sent to Hawaii in the early 1900s to grow pineapples.

Even earlier, Filipino artists, political thinkers, and liberals were hobnobbing in France, Germany, and Spain the late 19th-century.

Even earlier, so-called Manila Men settled in Louisiana, and Chinos - a catch-all label for all Asians but mostly Filipinos - migrated to Mexico during Spain's 300-yearlong hold on the Philippines.

Even earlier than that, pre-Hispanic ‘Filipinos' were reportedly working as sailors and mercenaries all across Southeast Asia.

Even earlier, their Austronesian ancestors explored the islands of Southeast Asia, reaching as far west as Madagascar and as far east as Easter Island.

Simply put, we get around.