God’s invitation to all

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

INDEED, God invites all of us to be with him in heaven which is meant to be our definitive home for all eternity. We should just be prepared to accept that invitation promptly and to be in the proper condition to enter there.

We are reminded of this truth of our faith in a parable Christ told those in a dinner with him. (cfr. Lk 14,15-24) That parable talked about a man who gave a great dinner to which he invited many. And yet, all those invited started to refuse to go to the dinner, offering all sorts of excuses. 

So, the man ordered his servants to go to the streets and alleys of the town and to bring in everyone they would meet, including the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame. And when after this, there was still space in the dinner, the man told his servants to go to the highways and hedgerows and to bring in anyone they would meet, so that his dinner would be filled.

This parable, of course, shows us how much God really wants everyone to be with him in his Kingdom. That’s because heaven is actually where all of us truly belong since we are children of his, made in his image and likeness, sharers of his life and nature. He would even go to the extent of “pressing” us to enter his kingdom (“compelle intrare,” Lk 14,23).

We should sharpen our awareness that God is truly inviting us to be with him, and that he has given us everything so that we can actually be with him. It’s the best deal we can have. And yet, we can dare to refuse that invitation. We should do something to correct this attitude.

Let’s realize more deeply and abidingly that we are meant to be with God for all eternity. Said in another way, we are meant to be like him, that is, to be saints, to be holy. That should be the main and ultimate goal of our life here on earth. Everything in our life should be made as an occasion to pursue that goal.

We have to realize that we are all called to holiness, because everyone is a creature of God, and as such is therefore created in the image and likeness of God, adopted a child of his, and meant to participate in the very life of God.

  

There is a basic and inalienable equality among all of us insofar as we are God’s creatures and children called to holiness. Regardless of our position and state in life, whether we are priests, religious men and women, or ordinary lay faithful, we have the same calling and purpose in life.

      

Corollary to this truth is that there is also a basic and inalienable quality of everything in the world to be an occasion and means for our sanctification. To be holy does not mean that we only spend time praying, going to church, availing of the sacraments, etc.

 

To be sure, prayer, the sacraments, the doctrine of our faith, obedience to the Church hierarchy are important, even indispensable, but these would hang on thin air if they are not supported and made as the goal and expression of a sanctified life that is consistent to the teachings and the spirit of God.

     

To be holy also means that we have to use our ordinary work, all the things of the world, like the sciences, arts, politics, technologies, etc., properly purified, and all the other circumstances that define our daily life as an occasion and means to look for God, then find, love and serve him.

12 signs it’s almost Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas spirit can be found in almost anything: traffic, your inability to wake up early, your “nagpaparamdam” inaanaks, and best of all, in puto bumbong, bibingka, and castañas stalls

Yes, I know that technically Philippine Christmas begins in September. But! Since we also observe All Souls and All Saints Days, and by extension, Halloween, all that yuletide preparation comes to a pause come the last week of October and well into the first few days of November.

This article argues that the real precursors of Christmas in the country are on full, uninterrupted display after Nov. 2. These things are undeniably what constitutes a Paskong Pinoy, for better or worse.

It’s harder to wake up in the morning

Climate change may have messed up our two seasons (dry “not summer” and wet or rainy season) but still, colder mornings prevail during “ber” months, thanks to the onset of Amihan, which started Oct. 20 this year. This makes waking up to your alarms an even bigger undertaking now, a palpable sign that indeed Christmas is here.

It’s hard to get anything done, period

Chalk it up to cooler weather or to a longing to fast forward to holiday vacation but you may find it difficult to do your usual task with energy and gusto. It doesn’t help too that a lot of people are going on vacation this time of the year to beat the Christmas rush.

Balikbayans are everywhere

There’s no place like home, and no Christmas like a Filipino Christmas, which is why many OFWs and immigrants are going home to celebrate with their families as early as now—again to beat skyrocketing airfare and the deluge of merrymakers come December.

Everyone out and shopping

Because bonuses are given out towards the end of the year, you can expect more Filipinos going out to shop as early as now.

Sales, sales, sales everywhere

And because of previous reasons, businesses pounce on this opportunity to rack up more profits by organizing sales at this time of the year, creating special Christmas bundles and deals to lure shoppers.

To go out shopping and to get to the said sales, you would, of course, need to commute. The deluge of Filipinos wanting to take advantage of these sales with the money they just made results in congested roads. Being stuck in traffic? Not very merry if you ask me.

Mariah Carey blasting everywhere

Luckily, you can count on taxi cabs and shopping establishments (among others) to blast “All I Want for Christmas” to make all these inconveniences somehow bearable. Long live, Lambs!

Puto bumbong, bibingka, and castañas stalls are up

Another upside is that seasonal food is upon us, too. If like us you’ve been craving puto bumbong all year, now’s actually the perfect time to get them—straight out of the steamer poles, slathered with butter, and sprinkled with coconut meat and muscovado sugar.

Countdowns everywhere

And as if you need reminding, Christmas countdowns everywhere—on billboards, on TV and radio shows, on the newspaper—will tell you how many days there are left until Dec. 25.

Christmas lights and parol everywhere

This is probably a giveaway but there’s no other more tangible sign that Christmas is upon us than the kumukutikutitap na Christmas lights and bumubusi-busilak na parol.

Inaanaks randomly making their presence felt

Social media savvy godchildren are also making moves, “randomly” liking your photos, replying to your Facebook Stories, and commenting on your posts. Yeah, that too is a sign that it is Christmas time.

Carollers are roaming around

And if all these other sensory signs fail, you can always count on the merry singing of carollers who go door-to-door belting Mariah Carey songs and contemporary and traditional Filipino yuletide tunes to remind you that indeed ‘tis the season to be jolly.

10 years after typhoon, Philippine city rises from the ruins

BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Nov 6, 2023 09:21 PM

  

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TACLOBAN, Philippines - Filipino widow Agatha Ando has learned to laugh again in the decade after Super Typhoon Haiyan smashed into the central Philippines, killing more than 6,000 people and leaving millions homeless.

This combination image of two photographs created on October 24, 2023 shows people walking past rubble and debris near the intersection of Burgos and Real streets in Tacloban city, Leyte province on November 10, 2013 (top) after Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall, and a view of the intersection ten years later on October 12, 2023 (bottom). The Philippines, which endures more than 20 major storms a year, has plenty of experience dealing with disasters. But that did not prepare them for one of the strongest typhoons on record. Haiyan unleashed winds of up to 315 kilometres (195 miles) an hour that flattened towns and cities across a 600-kilometre stretch of central islands.
(Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP) 

Fierce winds tore apart houses and toppled trees as tsunami-like waves whipped up by the storm obliterated mostly poor coastal communities on November 8, 2013.

Ando's husband and three of her siblings refused to leave their homes in Tacloban City that were less than 100 metres (109 yards) from the sea and died along with four children when water and debris crashed over them.

In the aftermath, their mangled bodies were hastily wrapped in wet blankets and a scavenged tarpaulin, and buried a few metres from where Ando's house now stands.

"I am now able to laugh again, but I will never forget them," said Ando, 57, who survived because she heeded official warnings to go inland before the storm hit.

TOPSHOT - This photo taken on October 9, 2023 shows a view of a roadside shelter for people waiting for public transport in Tacloban city, Leyte province. The Philippines, which endures more than 20 major storms a year, has plenty of experience dealing with disasters. But that did not prepare them for one of the strongest typhoons on record. Haiyan unleashed winds of up to 315 kilometres (195 miles) an hour that flattened towns and cities across a 600-kilometre stretch of central islands. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

Ten years on, the family's mass grave is one of the few visible reminders of the devastation in Tacloban, the capital of Leyte province.

Tacloban bore the brunt of Haiyan's fury and had to be rebuilt almost from scratch. 

Now, it looks like any other Filipino city, with traffic-clogged streets and bustling restaurants.

An 18-kilometre (11-mile) seawall has been built along the coast to protect it against future storm surges.

"I think we have fully recovered," Mayor Alfred Romualdez told AFP during a recent visit to the city of around 280,000 people.

As the Philippines prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Haiyan, Romualdez said survivors had "moved on" from the disaster.

"But I don't think they'll ever forget," he said.

 

- 'A lot of lessons learned' -

 

Scientists have long warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world becomes warmer because of human-driven climate change.

The Philippines, which typically endures more than 20 major storms a year, has plenty of experience dealing with disasters.

But that did not prepare the country for one of the strongest typhoons on record.

Haiyan unleashed winds of up to 315 kilometres (195 miles) an hour that flattened towns and cities across a 600-kilometre (370-mile) stretch of central islands.

Coastal houses and buildings thought safe enough to be used as evacuation centres on Leyte and Samar islands were swamped by storm surges up to five metres high.

About 6,300 people were killed and a decade later more than a thousand are still missing.

Over four million people were left homeless.

"I feel in terms of the national government, in terms of the local government, there were a lot of lessons learned," said Romualdez.

"But I would say that there are still many, many more lessons we still have to learn and we have to institutionalise."

Since Haiyan, the country has invested in early warning systems, mass text messaging technology and public apps to identify potential dangerous areas, disaster and weather officials told AFP.

Hazard maps used by government agencies are also updated regularly, weather alerts are issued earlier and in local languages, and pre-emptive evacuations are standard practice.

"The mindset has changed," said Edgar Posadas, a director at the Office of Civil Defense in Manila.

Posadas said local governments now used their own funds, food packs and rescue personnel instead of relying on the national government, enabling them to respond to disasters more quickly.

The changes have been credited for lowering death tolls since Haiyan.

In December 2021, Super Typhoon Rai damaged or destroyed nearly twice as many houses as Haiyan, but the death toll was less than 500, UN and government data show.

"Experience really is the best teacher," weather services chief Juanito Galang said.

 

- Prayers for victims -

 

Many of the people killed in Tacloban were living near the sea in flimsy shacks made of wood and corrugated iron sheets.

The government has since demolished many of the slum areas and moved around 14,000 families to relocation sites out of reach of storm surges.

While the concrete houses are safer than the shanties, some of the sites still lack running water.

Rosie Boaquena, 63, moved to one 13 kilometres (8 miles) from downtown Tacloban, but two of her sons chose to stay in a one-room shack by the sea to be closer to their jobs.

"One of my sons sells fish so he would need to leave (the relocation site) at midnight to pick up the fish, but there is no night-time public transport," she said.

Ando was also allocated a house in a hilly development, but she hasn't spent a single night there.

Instead, she rebuilt her house on the same plot of land near the sea where she has lived all her life and has many memories.

On Wednesday, Ando will mark the anniversary of Haiyan like she does every year, gathering family and neighbours near the mass grave to pray.

Six of her relatives are still missing, presumed dead, and one of her sons was left permanently disabled from the storm.

"We didn't know what a storm surge was back then," she said.

"Now, whenever there's a typhoon, we immediately evacuate."

DOTr eyes Japan, Korea, India ODA for railway projects

BY KHRISCIELLE YALAO

Nov 6, 2023 03:55 PM

  

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After China backtracked on its loan commitments to three major railway projects in the country, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agency is looking at Japan, South Korea, and India as new potential funding sources.

“There are offers from other countries and we are exploring this. For ODA (Official Development Aid), we are looking at Korea, Japan, and India,” Bautista said in a forum "Powering the Economy Through Infrastructure Development" with the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines on Monday, Nov. 6.

He has not disclosed details regarding these offers as of yet, but he noted that if the infrastructure projects will find other lenders, these respective countries’ will bring their own advisors onboard.

“If there is one country who is interested, they want their people to do the technical assistance, management and construction,” he said in a press interview.

Bautista emphasized that he is “open to working with anybody” for the agency’s infrastructure projects.

Previously, the national government entered into partnerships with China to fund three projects namely Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul Railway Project or PNR Bicol, Subic-Clark Railway Project, and the Mindanao Railway Project.

Last January 2022, the national government signed a P142 billion contract with Chinese contractors for PNR Bicol. P51 billion was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Co. in December 2020, and the Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1-Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment was agreed to be funded via ODA worth P83 billion. 

He mentioned that a feasibility study has been conducted for the PNR Bicol build, and all three projects have been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

However last October, Bautista said that China’s interest in financing the railway projects have dissipated, with the agency seeing little to no progression.

Bautista said they have approved a loan worth P14 billion for technical assistance with the planning and implementation of PNR Bicol. “We have drawn P1.4 billion, but perhaps we have to terminate it,” he remarked.

He said the agency may terminate the PNR Bicol contract with China by the end of the year, but he emphasized that the agency is still willing to cooperate with China on other matters.

“[For China], the procedure is they will tell you they will lend you money while the loan is being negotiated, they will give you a list of three contractors who will bid. The bidding has been conducted, but since there’s no loan, we are not required yet to contract,” he explained.

For Bautista, funding is the main hindrance to the progression of the projects since the designs have already been set. The agency cannot also guarantee a timeline for the projects’ delays, he added. 

“Because of the delay, we may need to get NEDA approval for a change in costs because they might have increased. But we’ll study that,” he said.

However, Bautista guaranteed that the railways can be finished and operational within the term of the Marcos administration, noting that the railways can be constructed faster compared to the North-South Commuter Railway because of its existing alignment and its at grade roads and paths.

The agency is also continuing to work on processing the right of way for the roads, he said.

To date, the DOTr has 160 active infrastructure projects, particularly 28 in aviation, 26 in maritime, 59 in railways, and 47 for roads.

It has appropriated P222.607 billion for the first half of 2023, and aims for a proposed budget of P214.296 billion for 2024.

Among its main projects include the 800-km North Long-Haul Project that will connect the National Capital Region (NCR) to Ilocos Norte and Cagayan; the 17-km San Mateo Railway that will connect LRT Line 2 to San Mateo and Rodriguez, Rizal; and the 54.8-km Mindanao Railway Project Phase 3 in Metro Cagayan De Oro (CDO).

It is also pursuing its privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), with the awarding of contract to the qualified bidder slated for early 2024.

The agency has also completed 70 to 75 percent of land development for the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan worth P735 billion.

The anti-anxiety guide

10 ways to live in the present

BY AARON CABEZA

Nov 6, 2023 06:20 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• ‘Constantly thinking about the past and worrying about the future can make it difficult to enjoy the good things.’ 

How often do you find yourself brooding on what happened yesterday or what might occur tomorrow? 

 

Arlin Cuncic, MA, founder of About Social Anxiety, a handy website that offers assistance to individuals with social anxiety disorder, reminds everyone that dwelling on regrets or fears only hinders one to truly experience a happier, more fulfilled life. 

“Constantly thinking about the past and worrying about the future can make it difficult to enjoy the good things,” she says. 

 

The experts from the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde agree. “These are aspects which we are unaware of that might affect our life and wellbeing,” they explain. 

 

Cuncic, who has worked in various mental health and research settings, including the psychology department of the University of Western Ontario in Canada and the cognitive-behavioral therapy unit of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health Multi-Health Systems, highlighted the importance of being in the present. 

 

“Learning how to be more mindful and live in the moment can give you a greater appreciation for your life, help reduce stress, and minimize anxiety,” added The Anxiety Workbook author. 

 

To guide the community to be more aware of themselves and their surroundings, the professionals listed top 10 tips, as shared through the award-winning mental health platform Verywell Mind. 

1. Notice your surroundings.

Take this opportunity to observe your environment. Close your eyes as you take a deep breath. Open them. Take in everything around you.

2. Focus on one thing at a time.

Do not multitask. When your thoughts drift or you check on your phone, stop. Turn that attention back to what’s in front of you. You are more productive when fully engaged.

3. Be grateful for what you have now.

Do not be absorbed in things you do not have. Instill gratitude. List the blessings you are thankful for. Review them on a daily basis. 

 

4. Accept things as they are and not how you want them to be.

Sometimes life is going to be different than how you want it to be. Acknowledge the things that are beyond your control.

5. Practice mindfulness meditation.

It improves your concentration on current tasks. It helps you recognize your thoughts and feelings.

6. Spend time with people who make you feel happy and fulfilled.

Surround yourself with positive and supportive family and friends.

7. Be mindful of everything you do.

Focus on the details of the activities that you are doing. It helps bring more present-moment awareness into your life.

8. Do deep breathing exercises.

Take slow regulated breaths to prevent feelings of negative thoughts or panic. It allows you to be more in control of your current tasks.

9. Take a break from social media and technology.

Continuously checking social media affects your ability to be present. Do not let technology take over. It prevents you from being sensible about what is really going on around you.

10. Get regular exercise.

A stroll in the park or daily yoga can help you stay more focused especially if coupled with meditation. 

How do you say “fingers crossed” in German?

 

Christian Lauw

Chauffeur, gardener, tour guide. Native to Munich, Bavaria.

390 followers

19 following

I‘m a native Bavarian, with Northern-German roots.

Ever since a longer stay in the U.S. around age 16/17, I consider America as my second homeland (the political trajectory of recent decades pains me, and I am wishing America all the best. Who knows - maybe sometimes something bad will ultimately lead to something good?).

Throughout many years, I worked mainly as a professional driver in Munich, and also provide individual sightseeing-tours in the Bavarian capital & vicinity. Other professional work include garden- and house maintenance and, in broad terms, finding solutions to problems.

I find it enjoyable to contribute to people having a better, healthier, more fulfilled life that matches, or surpasses their hopeful expectations. As thus, my hope is that some of my content will be found to be helpful by somebody. (-:

All the best.

Christian

This is a case where there is no direct translation possible.

The way I understand it, in English one can “cross fingers” himself in a difficult situation. In German, all we have that is somewhat similar is the expression “jemandem die Daumen drücken”. It means to fold one´s thumbs into one´s fists and “press them” (to “press thumbs for someone” is the literal translation).

However - that, only someone else can do for your situation, you wouldn´t ever push thumbs on your own, on your own behalf, and for your own situation.

So if someone is about to go on a difficult mission, has an important exam coming up and so on and so forth, a German personally affected by this would then tell someone else: “Drück mir die Daumen!”, “please press thumbs for me!” Which, directly translated, would be the “wish me luck” we know in English.

So there you have it. As close as I can get.

On a side note: Germans are also familiar with “crossing fingers”. But here, this has an entirely different meaning. This gesture is also sometimes referred to as “Blitzableiter” (lightning rod). In the old times, when kids were made to swear something on the Bible, they would covertly do this gesture behind their back to avoid “having to go to hell”, in case they would break their oath.