Never let go of our faith

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

TO be guided by our Christian faith should always be an abiding thing for us. We should never just rely on our own intelligence and the many ways and forms of human estimation. These can only do so much, but without faith, they cannot reach the ultimate goal meant for us.

We are somehow reminded of this reality in that gospel episode where some leading Jews approached Christ asking for a sign of who he really was. (cfr. Mt 12,38-42) That was when Christ told them about the many signs in the past that should answer their question. He told them about Jonah, the men of Nineveh, the Queen of the South and Solomon.

Faith, of course, is a difficult thing to deal with. And that’s mainly because it is something supernatural that contains truths that simply are mysterious to us. What makes us accept it is explained in the Catechism as follows:

“156 What moves us to believe is not the fact that revealed truths appear as true and intelligible in the light of our natural reason: we believe "because of the authority of God himself who reveals them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived". 

And it continues: “So that the submission of our faith might nevertheless be in accordance with reason, God willed that external proofs of his Revelation should be joined to the internal helps of the Holy Spirit.’

“Thus, the miracles of Christ and the saints, prophecies, the Church's growth and holiness, and her fruitfulness and stability ‘are the most certain signs of divine Revelation, adapted to the intelligence of all’; they are ‘motives of credibility’ (motiva credibilitatis), which show that the assent of faith is ‘by no means a blind impulse of the mind’.”

We should really be concerned about developing an operative faith. Our faith should not remain only at the theoretical, intellectual level. It has to be a functioning one, giving shape and direction to our thoughts and intentions, our words and deeds. In fact, it should shape our whole life. 

The ideal is that we feel it immediately and continually. Indeed, it should be like an instinct such that whatever we think, say or do, or whenever we have to react to something, it is our faith that should guide us before anything else.

We have to understand that it is our faith that gives us the global picture of things, since it is God’s gift to us, a gratuitous sharing of what God knows about himself and about the whole of creation. It is meant for our own good, for us to live out our true dignity as children of God.

It is a kind of knowledge that will lead us to our eternal life. It will make us relate everything in our earthly life, both the good and the bad, to this ultimate goal in life which is to be in heaven with God, a state that is supernatural. But it is a divine gift that we need to take care of. It is like a seed that has to grow until it becomes a big tree and bears fruit.

For this, we really need to have a living contact with Christ who is the fullness of God’s revelation to us. He is the substance, the content and the spirit of our faith. So, the first thing that we have to do is to always look for him in whatever thing we are thinking, saying or doing.

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Quinn Carillo recalls first time she wrote a memorable story

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Jul 23, 2023 00:44 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Asked about her goals in showbiz, Quinn said: "Siguro I want to write something that would elevate the Philippine cinema na tipong hindi na natin kailangan sumunod sa formula. I think we're ready na. Marami ang nanonood kung ito ay something different pero yun nga lang marami ring matatakot kasi baka hindi bumenta sa cinema."

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Quinn Carillo (Images courtesy of Facebook)

Talented actress and writer Quinn Carillo recently unveiled the story behind her journey of literary creation. It all began during her high school years, when a jolt of inspiration struck her, igniting her passion to craft her very own captivating tale.

"Noong first year high school ako we had this activity na we had to write a very sad story na kailangan mapaiyak daw namin yung teacher ko," said Quinn, during a press conference for her latest movie "Litrato" under 3:16 Media Network recently. 

(In my first year high school we had this activity where we had to write a very sad story that we had to make my teacher cry.) 

Quinn added: "Sabi ng teacher ko, you know you have a bright future in writing. Ang ganda-ganda ng sinulat mo. Sobrang naiyak daw siya. At that time siyempre bata palang ako. Feeling ko nakatsamba lang ako nun eh. Pero sabi niya ituloy mo yang pagsusulat kasi ang ganda ngh nabuo mong story. I never would have thought na isang bata na tulad mo ang nagsulat nito."

(My teacher said, you know you have a bright future in writing. What you wrote was beautiful. She said she cried a lot. And at that time, of course, I was just a child. I feel like I was just overwhelmed by it. But she said keep writing because the story you created is beautiful. I never would have thought that a child like you wrote this.) Since then, Quinn was inspired to write anything.

"Nagsusulat na ako noon pero hindi ko pa naman sineseryoso. I think mga Grade 5 or Grade 6 ako nun. Mahilig talaga ako sa anime. I have a Japanese friend who taught me how to draw at gumagawa kami ng mga manga, drawings," she said.

(I used to write but I didn't take it seriously. I think I was in Grade 5 or Grade 6. I really like anime. I have a Japanese friend who taught me how to draw and we make manga, drawings.) 

Quinn said that she has been writing professionally for two years now. Her very first screenplay was the movie "Tahan" which starred Jaclyn Jose. In December 2022, Quinn wrote the Metro Manila Film Festival official entry "My Father, Myself" starring Jake Cuenca, Sean De Guzman, and Dimples Romana.

She gets the inspiration to write from people around her.

"Minsan may magku-kuwento sa akin at bigla akong makakakuha ng idea. I would ask permission kung pwede ko ba isulat yun sa film.

"Marami na rin ang lumalapit sa akin dahil nakapagsimula na rin naman ako like yung 'My Father, Myself' for 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival. Sila na rin talaga yung lumalapit para magkwento at doon ako nakakakuha ng inspiration," Quinn said.

Quinn also said that her favorite genre is psycho-thriller.

"Genre ko talaga is psycho thriller. Nakita naman natin yun sa 'Tahan.' Pero ngayon okay din naman yung drama. Pero mas gusto ko rin talaga ang psycho thriller (movies)," she added. 

Asked about her goals in showbiz, Quinn said: "Siguro I want to write something that would elevate the Philippine cinema na tipong hindi na natin kailangan sumunod sa formula. I think we're ready na. Marami ang nanonood kung ito ay something different pero yun nga lang marami ring matatakot kasi baka hindi bumenta sa cinema."

Quinn shared her unsolicited advice on writing a screenplay.

"The same advice that Direk Dennis Marasigan had given me, which is magsulat ka lang. Huwag kang matakot. Bata pa lang kasi ako talagang nagsusulat na ako. Isulat mo lang. Yun ang sabi niya sa akin. And then saka mo na i-try kung may makakagusto patra gawing pelikula. My professors would always tell me to take criticisms or rejections with a grain of salt. As an artist, you know your work than anyone. Alam mo yung potential ng gawa mo or lakas ng gawa mo. So kung ayaw nila, it's okay. Meron naman dyang iba na same or align kayo ng vision," she added.

(The same advice that Direk Dennis Marasigan had given me, which is just to write. Don't be afraid. I have been writing since I was young. Just write. That's what he told me. And then consider later your work for the movies. My professors would always tell me to take criticisms or rejections with a grain of salt. As an artist, you know your work more than anyone. You know the potential of your work or the power of your work. So if they don't like it, it's okay. Someday you will meet people with the same or aligned vision.)

Aside from screenplay, Quinn also loves acting.

"Sobrang nag-enjoy ako sa acting. Noong una hindi ko ine-expect na mag-eenjoy ako kasi I've always been behind the stage," she said. (I really enjoy acting. At first, I didn't expect to enjoy it because I've always been behind the stage.)

In the latest movie "Litrato," Quinn said that she cherished her scenes with AiAi Delas who's very supportive and caring on the set.

"Marami kaming eksena ni Ms AiAi. Halos buong movie nakasama ko po siya. Story conference pa lang na-starstruck na po ako kay Ms Ai. Noong bata pa ako napapanood ko lang sila. Now kasama ko na sila. Hindi po siya nakaka-pressure kasi like everyone, she's very supportive. Sobrang maalaga po siya at ramdam ko na hindi niya ako pinababayaan sa mga eksena," she said.

(Ms. AiAi and I had many scenes. I was with her almost the entire movie. I was already starstruck by Ms. Ai at the story conference. When I was young I could only watch her. Now I am with her. She's very supportive. She's very caring on the set.)

Quinn goes to college at the Meridian International Center, where's she taking up multimedia arts. "Doon ko rin natutunan yung pag-scriptwriting." (That's also where I learned scriptwriting).

Directed by Louie Ignacio, "Litrato" also stars Ara Mina and Liza Lorena. The movie opens in local cinemas on July 26.

Go hopes Marcos admin will prioritize proposed Department of Disaster Resilience

BY MARIO CASAYURAN

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go is hopeful that President Ferdinand ‘’Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. will also prioritize the establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) especially amid recent calamities and natural disasters experienced by Filipinos in various parts of the country.

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(MANILA BULLETIN)

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go is hopeful that President Ferdinand ‘’Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. will also prioritize the establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) especially amid recent calamities and natural disasters experienced by Filipinos in various parts of the country.

Drawing attention to the country's vulnerability to natural calamities, Go advocated for a strengthened national framework on disaster preparedness, response, and resiliency.  

He expressed hopes that his legislative proposal for a DDR would be included in the priority legislative agenda of the Marcos administration. 

"Nasa committee level po ito ng Defense Committee sa Senate (The DDR bill is already with the defense committee of the Senate). Bilang vice chairman, ay hinihikayat ko po 'yung mga kasamahan ko sa Senado na sana po ay maipasa natin ito (As vice chairman of the defense committee, I ask my fellow s senators to pass the measure),” he said.

In his visit to Bohol, Go cited the province’s susceptibility to typhoons and other natural disasters, illustrating the necessity for a preemptive, responsive, and well-coordinated system.

In 2013, Bohol experienced a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2, centered near the municipality of Sagbayan. The event was catastrophic, causing at least 222 fatalities. Eight people were reported missing.

The total damage wrought by this disaster was estimated to exceed $53 million (P2.9 billion). 

Go further outlined the key responsibilities of the proposed department.

Challenging the existing practice of forming task forces whenever a new administration comes into power, Go argued that a dedicated department would provide consistency and a focused approach to disaster management.

Senate Bill (SB) 188, authored by Go, proposes the establishment of the DDR to centralize disaster management efforts, streamline coordination among different agencies, and ensure a more swift and effective response to emergencies.

The core objective of the bill is to concentrate on three key result areas: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better.

The establishment of this Cabinet secretary-level department will allow the government to better allocate resources, improve disaster risk reduction strategies, and provide prompt assistance to affected communities, particularly those belonging to the marginalized sectors.

The Office of Civil Defense has recently voiced its support for the establishment of the DDR, emphasizing the importance of such institution in improving operations in managing and responding to future crises.