Be aware of the power God shares with us

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

OUR Christian faith tells us that we are meant to share the same life and nature of God in whose image and likeness we have been created. That is why we are all called to be holy as God is holy, as well as to love everybody as God is all love. This love for everybody is expressed in doing apostolate which we have to understand as meant for all of us. Yes, we are all meant to be apostles also in our own way.

We are somehow reminded of these truths of our faith in that gospel episode where Christ, after choosing his apostles in some random way, gave the tremendous powers, a sharing in the powers of Christ himself. “Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Lk 9,1)

We have to be most aware of what we all have in our hands. We may feel unworthy of all this, as we should, but the undeniable truth is that Christ is sharing his powers with us. Let us do our part in corresponding to this stupendous truth of our faith.

And the only way to do that is give our all to God. Let us be generous and magnanimous as God is overwhelmingly generous and magnanimous to all of us. There has to be that mutual dynamic of love and self-giving that has been initiated by God himself. God loves us first, and we have to learn to love him in return, a love that is also expressed in loving everybody just as God loves everybody irrespective of how they are!

This is a call to generosity. “Without cost you have received, without cost you are to give,” Christ told us. (Mt 10,8) Christ himself embodied this principle when he, being God, became man, and not contented with that, he went to the extent of offering his life to conquer all our sins. He finally gave himself to us in the sacraments, especially in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which is a real madness of love.

Everyday, let us grow in our identification with Christ. Let’s hope that slowly but steadily we can feel the conviction that we are becoming “other Christ” (alter Christus), if not “Christ himself” (ipse Christus).

Let’s not be afraid of the effort and the sacrifices involved in this process. It will all be worthwhile. If we truly try to identify ourselves with Christ, we would be confident that Christ himself would give us the same peace and joy that he had as he went through his own passion and death on the cross.

We are, of course, aware of our limitations and many times we have to say enough. And that’s good to do. It shows we are humble and realistic enough to acknowledge them.

But there’s one area in our life where we should never say enough. And that’s in our spiritual life, in our duty to love God and others as Christ himself has loved us, that is, all the way to death on the cross.

The duty itself of loving knows no bounds. As St. Francis de Sales said, “The measure of love is to love without measure.” And we might ask, is this possible, is this doable?

The answer, of course, is yes. In the first place, there is in us a spiritual capacity that would lead us to the world of the spiritual and supernatural, the world of the infinite.

Cayetano to DFA: Leverage Filipino arts, culture to increase PH’s soft power

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday encouraged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to come up with a budget for next year that will harness the potential of Philippine arts and culture to increase the country’s “soft power.”

 In an interpellation during the Senate briefing on the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Cayetano said being a country of relatively less military and economic power, the Philippines can gain power by increasing its influence in the field of arts, culture, and sports.

“Kapag sinabi mong power, it’s basically the ability to get someone else to act the way you want them to act,” he said, adding it is manifested through different ways such as “authority, legitimacy, influence.”

“If you talk about visual artists, paintings, sculptures, grabe ang potential natin,” he said.

 Cayetano cited South Korea’s elevated and world-renowned culture and performing arts, which led it to quickly become a “soft power.”

 In love na in love ang marami sa kultura ng Korea. Therefore, for example, if their pop stars come here and advocate against teenage pregnancy or better immigration status for Koreans, [people support it],” he said.

The senator said the DFA can look into creating ”Filipino towns” in other countries to increase the exposure of Filipino arts and culture, similar to what South Korea did.

To further prove the potential of Filipino culture in increasing the Philippines’ influence, Cayetano cited how East Timor became a friend and ally of the Philippines after the latter’s successful hosting of the Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

 “We welcomed them [warmly]. Syempre, mahirap din na bansa so lahat ng accommodations ginawa natin [para sa kanila] noong SEA Games. Hindi daw nila makalimutan ‘yan,” he said.

“For such small things that we would do for anyone – kasi hospitable naman ang Pilipino – it’s such a lasting impression,” he said.###

WTFu by MR. FU: A telebabe’s tale

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Faye tried to start radio training, but she had to prioritize income-generating jobs.(ay kahit ako naman, money muna!)

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Faye Covarrubias

Graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Adamson University is one of the most significant achievements of Faye Covarrubias for this year.  (at least hindi inuna ang pakikipaglandian!)

“I chose the program because I wanted to take anything inclined with communication way back in high school. I was thinking of being a flight attendant, so I would like to improve my communication skills as I move to college. Gusto ko din maging DJ and reporter," Faye says. (ay pwede mo nako maging lola!)

Faye tried to start radio training, but she had to prioritize income-generating jobs. (ay kahit ako naman, money muna!) 

Mr. Fu and Faye Covarrubias

 "Noong college nag audition ako sa loob lang ng campus namin pero that time I can't commit sa school being DJ kasi may mga naging opportunities and offer ako outside the university na pwede na akong kumita, mga raket outside school, part time like modeling, etc pinili ko muna yung mga raket than being a DJ inside school na walang kikitain, kasi kailangan ko din ng income talaga for the medicine of my mom na na-depress na ‘til now nag me-med," Faye recalls. (go girl!)

Modeling was her first venture, eventually allowing her to become a talent in teleseryes. (at least may talent si ate mo!)

“Noong nag start ako mag model, with the use of it na market or na-advertise ko ang sarili ko ng hindi sadya in a wide range of network, and with the use of that lumawak connections at nahahanap ako ng mga direktor, ng mga talent coordinators at sila ang lumapit at nag offer saakin. Na-discover nila ako sa pamamagitan ng modeling. Pero noon pa pag nasa mall ako kasama mga kaklase may mga lumalapit sakin para mag alok ng mga teleserye," Faye shares. (ako pag nasa mall, inaalok ng water purifier!)

 

Aside from her television gigs, she also plays sexy characters online via TBON Productions.  (may mga ibon bang ipinapakita dyan?!)

“Madalas na role ko sa TBON ay mistress role or mga pa-akit role. Naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit pa-sexy mga na-ooffer sa akin kaya okay lang sakin at super thankful and appreciated ko naman, I believe naman na yun din kasi ang isa sa perfect role saakin as they see me physically fit. Tsaka I understand kasi ganun naman yun, I understand na pinipili ng Direktor kung ano ang bagay sayo. Pero hindi puro ganun na role, flexible ako at gusto ko rin lahat ng roles na hindi pa-sexy. Pero hindi yung all out. kaya ko magpa-sexy, pero hindi bold. Sexy sexy talaga, pero hindi nude," Faye explains. (ako rin pasexy lang kaya ko po!)

The 24-year-old bachelorette is also one of my regular telebabes on our online news program. “Masaya pagiging telebabe ko, kasi para na rin akong naging DJ na nag aadvice sa mga viewers or commenters at the same time reporter. Super aliw ako at achieve ko yung mga gusto kong gawin na mag advice, mag entertain at maghatid ng balita. Kada-show may natutunan ako sa mga co-workers tulad kay Direk at siempre sayo, Mr.Fu. You inspire me to do better. Na-gaguide mo ko how to improve the way I talk, paano maging spontaneous, paano tayo magkakaroon ng chemistry at paano maging maganda kalalabasan ng show." (pwes, chinacharot lang kita! hahaha!)

For now, Faye balances her schedule as an actress and host. She hopes to make a mark in the entertainment industry. “Natutunan ko, kailangan with “pleasing personality” ka talaga dapat, mabait ka at marunong makisama at hindi ka mapag mataas. Dahil hindi ka din naman aanggat kung may attitude. Kailangan hindi mayabang at dapat matibay din loob against basher." (dahil dyan, i-bash mo din sila! Chos!)

(Youtube/FB: WTFu. Twitter/IG/Tiktok: @mrfu_mayganon. 

FB: mr.fu tagabulabog ng buong universe. Patreon: www.patreon.com/wtfu website: www.channelfu.com )

Why do people in the Philippines start celebrating Christmas in September?

 

Josh

Food Technologist & Political Economist | MSc.

668 followers

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I am the Managing Editor of Manila Bay Morning Post - A Country Development Perspective. I believe that if humans focused on business and economic history, they would better understand who they are as a nation beyond the obsolescence of racism, nationalism, and boundaries that created wars and human division.

Visit us at https://www.manilabaymorningpost.com

Why do people in the Philippines start celebrating Christmas in September? It is beyond all reason and the exact opposite of tradition in the rest of the world. What is wrong with Filipinos? Almost everything there is contrary to common sense.

There are a couple of possible reasons:

1. Some 95% are Roman Catholics and it's deeply embedded not just in tradition but politics. During Spanish rule, the Philippines was a theocracy wherein the Church played a signifacnt role in ruling the islands, sometimes even more powerful than the governor-general himself. This was probably an overflow from Spain where the Pope is very influential over the King of Spain and who often also is the Holy Roman Emperor. This said, the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines often dictated traditions, including the infamous indulgences.
2. Traditionally, Christmas is celebrated December 8 (Immaculate Conception) up to Three Kings in January. The Misa de Gallo begins On December 8
3. Christmas is the most colourful season in the Philippines, even surpassing Independence Day or any national heroes’ days. While Europe has become ecumenical and religiously tolerant, Philippines remain Fundamentalis Catholic, sometimes even bordering Shariah Law. You can get into trouble mocking Jesus Christ in the Philippines, not just from trial by publicity but as in the government even taking legal actions. A poor example is Luca Vega, who is now banned in many municipalities, ironically in his own country.
4. The Roman Catholic Church never had an issue with Christmas celebrated as early as September. In fact, they may have even encouraged it to reinforce Roman Catholicism in the country. Since American Rule, Protestantism has been a threat in the country. De La Salle University, began by Irish-Americans, was mandated by the Pope to defend Catholicism in the country from Protestants. Ateneo de Manila and Xavier School were mandated to focus on keeping Manila High Society Catholic (because the masses will follow the ways of the elite).
5. Santa Clause used to be the central figure of Philippine Christmas. During the 1990s, I remember the Roman Catholic Church's media campaign to bring back Jesus Christ as the central figure. The more prevalent Santa Clause and elves at that time were replaced by the Belen or Manger Scene. Today, Santa Clause is shill a prominent figure but Filipinos are now mostly centered on the manger scene, misa de gallo, and noche buena.
6. Ber months has probably something to do with it. I have a bleak memory of childhood but I remember Christmas not beginning in September. Companies began celebrating Christmas by September, often malls and real estate developers. We can assume that the Christmas celebrated as early as September is a product of commercialization. However, the Church did not make an issue of it and may even have encouraged it.

In any case, I don't agree that Christmas is celebrated the same in the rest of the world. In America, the nation is decorative and celebrates Christmas Eve. In Australia, you barely notice Christmas with the absence of decorations and they celebrate Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve. Australians sleep early on Chriatmas Eve and alive on Christmas Day. And fo think that Australia is Roman Catholic while America is Protestant. I am not sure anbout Europe because I have never been there but I heard they barely celebrate Christmas there too and the Churches are empty, treated only like museums. That is probanly because they bore the gruntbof the Inquisition.

What is it like to live in Davao City?

Freddie Lore

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A digital nomad currently living in Davao City. A pure Davaeño.

Living in Davao City is like living in other parts of the country except that you get to enjoy more of:

• Fresh air. You won't see smokers in sidewalks and other public places. Hefty fines to those who violate. Firecrackers are banned during holidays.
• Clean water. I don't buy purified bottled water. I drink water straight from faucet.
• Security. You can walk in the middle of the night while holding your brand new shiny iPhone without getting mobbed. Police visibility in key areas is also comforting to note.
• Less litters. The city has strict implementation of Solid Waste Management. You can only throw your household trash if properly segregated and you can't throw it anytime. There's scheduled garbage collection (6:00 PM -9:00 PM every Thursday in our village.
• Disciplined drivers. If you're from Cebu, CDO or Manila, you'll appreciate how disciplined drivers here in Davao, most notably the PUVs. It's rare.
• Affordable foods. You can get a decent meal for $1 or less.
• White sand beaches are just an hour away from city, or less.

If nightlife, partying is your thing, then, Davao City is no good place for you. If you want to settle for good like build family, have kids or retire, then, Davao City is a great place to live.