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Saturday, January 7, 2023
Sinulog Festival in Cebu City kicks off
by Calvin Cordova
CEBU CITY – The Sinulog Festival is officially back after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Top officials of Cebu led by Mayor Michael Rama here and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, on Friday, Jan. 6, led the launching of this year’s Sinulog Festival and the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebu.
This is the first time in two years that a series of physical activities will be held as part of the week-long celebration of the Sinulog.
Last Thursday, Jan. 5, the Augustinian Friars of the Basilica del Santo Niño also launched the 458th Fiesta Señor that kicked off a series of religious activities.
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Activities for Fiesta Señor include novena Masses and fluvial and and foot processions next weekend.
During the launching, Rama and Garcia attended a novena Mass at the Basilica where thousands of devotees also gathered.
Rama and Garcia described this year’s celebration as “One Cebu Island Sinulog” to highlight the unity among local government units in Cebu.
Covid-19 protocols have eased with most of the churchgoers no longer wearing face masks. With thousands of devotees packing the church, physical distancing protocol was also impossible to enforce.
The launching was highlighted by a parade on Osmeña Boulevard participated in by different universities and colleges in the Metro Cebu area.
Contingents donning colorful costumes showcased different festivals in the country and danced to the Sinulog beat.
The parade ended at the Cebu City Sports Center where students had presentations. The kick-off ceremony ended with a fireworks display.
Another major pre-Sinulog event, the”Sinulog sa Kabataan,” will be held on Jan. 8, participated by different barangays, towns, and cities in Cebu.
The Sinulog Grand Parade will be held on Jan. 15 at the South Road Properties, the first time that it will be held outside the city proper.
ARE YOU THE NEXT BINIBINI? Search on for Binibining Pilipinas 2023
Published January 7, 2023, 8:51 AM
Do you have what it takes to be the next Binibining Pilipinas?
The search is on for the next batch of Binibining Pilipinas queens!
The full announcement on the official Facebook account of Binibining Pilipinas:
“Binibining Pilipinas is looking for a new batch of empowered women.
“Be part of the 𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐈 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘 
“Download the application form here: https://www.bbpilipinas.com
“Deadline of submission is on January 31, 2023. Stay tuned for we will announce more details real soon.
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The reigning queens are: Nicole Borromeo, Bb. Pilipinas International; Roberta Angela Tamondong, Bb. PIlipinas Grand International; Gabrielle Basiano, Bb. PIlipinas Intercontinental; Chelsea Fernandez, Bb. PIlipinas Globe; Nicole Budol, 1st runner-up; and Stacey Daniella Gabriel, 2nd runner-up.
Marcos declares Jan. 9 special non-working day in Manila for Feast of the Black Nazarene
by Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Despite the absence of the traditional “Traslacion,” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared Jan. 9 a special non-working day in Manila to mark the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
In a Facebook post on Friday afternoon, the Manila Public Information Office uploaded a copy of Proclamation No. 120, declaring the said holiday on Monday, Jan. 9.
The document, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Jan. 6, was confirmed by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) later.
“It is but fitting and proper that the City of Manila be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” the proclamation read.
The Quiapo Church is set to conduct two main activities starting Saturday, Jan. 7, leading to the actual feast on Monday, Jan. 9. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional “Traslacion” and “Pahalik” will still not be present during this year’s celebration. These will be replaced by the “Pagpupugay” event and the “Walk of Faith” procession.
Images of the Black Nazarene will be displayed for the “Pagpupugay” at the Quirino Grandstand from Saturday until Monday. The event will have separate lanes for persons with disability, senior citizens, and male and female individuals.
Meanwhile, the “Walk of Faith” procession will be held after the midnight mass on Jan. 8. The procession is set to start at 1:30 a.m. from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church.
Quiapo Church adviser Alex Irasga said all “elements” of devotion will still be present as church members will join the event and pray the rosary.
He, however, encouraged the participating faithful to strictly observe minimum public health standards during the two new activities.
The Lord’s Epiphany: its implications
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By Fr. Roy Cimagala *
THE Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany reminds us that Christ is meant for all of us, and not just a few, and like the 3 magi, we should make an effort to look for him, that is, to look for God, in everything in our life—in the persons we meet, in the different situations, conditions and circumstances of our life.
To be sure, God is everywhere. This is how one of the psalms describes this reality: “Whither shall I go from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” (139,7-10)
More than that, God’s presence is not merely passive but active. He is always intervening in the existence of all the creatures, ever applying his wisdom through the ceaseless providence that he exercises over all his creation whose nature he always respects, upholds and defends.
And we should not worry too much about the effort involved here because just like what happened to the magi, we would also be helped and led by a star that is none other than our Christian faith, and the many instrumentalities that the Church provides.
We may not see its light from time to time for one reason or another, but there is no doubt that it is always there. We just have to learn to live with that condition, unafraid in pursuing God’s will no matter what the cost. We just have to learn how to use the means provided to us.
We obviously have to be wary of the unavoidable villains along the way. The Herod of that time can be our own weaknesses, the intoxicating allurements of the world and the wiles of the devil. But as long as we realize that we need to wage a lifelong process of ascetical struggle, then things would just be all right.
Like the magi too, let us offer the best gifts we can give back to God who actually has given us everything that is good for us. We have to learn to repay love with love. We have been freely given, and so we have to learn how to freely give ourselves to God and to the others.
And the best gift we can give him, far beyond what the magi offered, are our own very selves, our whole heart. God himself wants it that way, as one passage in the Book of Proverbs puts it: “My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.” (23,26) Of course, Christ himself articulated it more directly when he said, “Love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Mt 22,37)
Lastly, with the celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Christ, we are actually left with an invitation that can very well be a big challenge for us who profess to believe in Christ. This is none other than the duty to show or reveal Christ, as he is, to others.
This is no mean responsibility to be carried out by us who are his disciples. The ideal to aim at is to have those words of Christ to his disciples said of us as well: “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me. He who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Lk 10,16)
* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
Asia remembers ex-pontiff Benedict as theologian with deep spirituality
Church and political leaders in Asia paid tributes to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, hailing him for his contributions to peace, harmony, and dialogue in the world.
The former pope died of age-related complications on December 31. He was 95. A prominent theologian and academic, Benedict made history by becoming the first pope to resign in six centuries, leading to a conclave that elected Pope Francis.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pope Benedict will be "remembered for his rich service to society." Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hailed Pope Benedict’s non-violent policy and establishment of universal peace. Pakistan President Arif Alvi praised the late pope for his efforts for peace, harmony, and interfaith dialogue, and for his strong advocacy for refugees and migrants.
Park Jeong-ha, a spokesperson for South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, said Pope Benedict’s resignation was “a symbol of the renovation of the Church” while adding that he led “a life as a pilgrim.” Indonesia’s Minister of Religion Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said Pope Benedict was an example of humility and committed to bridging differences.
Asia remembers ex-pontiff Benedict as theologian with deep spirituality
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI attends a papal mass for elderly people at St Peter's square on September 28, 2014 at the Vatican. (Photo: AFP)
Meanwhile, at least 15 cardinals from Asia attended the funeral of Pope Benedict at the Vatican on Thursday.
It was an unprecedented ceremony in six centuries as a reigning pope led the requiem procedure for his predecessor. Besides the cardinals, most heads of Asia’s national bishops’ conferences also joined the global Catholic hierarchy for the funeral of the late pope.
The body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, on Jan 3. Benedict, a conservative intellectual who in 2013 became the first pontiff in six centuries to resign, died on Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 95. (Photo: Alberto Pizzoli/ AFP)
ZU WARM, ZU NASS, KAUM SCHNEE|
Deutschlands traurigste Skipiste
Ein schmaler Streifen Schneematsch: Gestatten - die Skisaison 2023. Die beliebte Talabfahrt am Nebelhorn in Oberstdorf- derzeit vermutlich die traurigste Ski-Piste Deutschlands. Statt Winterwunter ganz viel grün im Allgäu. Statt rasanten Abfahrten unfreiwilliges Slalomfahren um die Erdlöcher, statt Rodelspaß Schlitten mit Handbremse. Pisten-Tristesse bei Temperaturen im zweistelligen Bereich. Es geht fast nichts für Wintersportfans. Ein Blick auf die Allgäuer Webcams enthüllt die katastrophale Schnee-Situation - bzw. Nicht-Schnee-Situation. Ausweichen in die Schweiz, nach Österreich oder Frankreich: auch problematisch. Das Ski-Trauerspiel zieht sich länderübergreifend quer durch den ganzen Alpenraum. Schockierende Aufnahmen aus diesem französischen Skigebiet (ORTSMARKE: Morzine, Frankreich). Eine Tempo-Abfahrt und immer wieder reißt die Schneedecke auf. Die Pisten-Schneeverhältnisse zum Skifahren sind nicht nur schlecht, sie sind gefährlich, das Verletzungsrisiko ist groß. Ohne Schneekanonen lässt sich die Skisaison aktuell kaum retten, doch die verbrauchen viel Energie. Und selbst Nachts ist es z.B. hier in Oberstdorf zu warm zum Beschneien. Also bleiben die Kanonen aus. Das Resultat: Schmal-Spur-Spaß für Winterski-Fans auf der vielleicht traurigsten Skipiste Deutschlands.