Pantone announces its 2026 Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer

 

By John Legaspi

Published Dec 4, 2025 10:28 pm

Every December, the Pantone Color Institute leads the way in predicting the trending hue for the coming year. For 2026, it veers away from deep and vibrant tones as it announces Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer as its top pick.

A lofty white described as “a symbol of calming influence in a society,” Cloud Dancer promotes deep calm and concentration, giving the mind space to drift and creativity to flourish, opening the door to new ideas.

“At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute. “The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences."

According to the Color Institute, Cloud Dancer “invites a space where function and feeling intertwine to build atmospheres of serenity and spaciousness, providing a refuge of visual cleanliness that inspires well-being and lightness.”

In selecting the Color of the Year, Pantone’s global team of experts studies color influences from various fields such as the film and fashion industries, travel destinations, design trends, and socio-economic conditions. More recently, they have also considered new technologies, materials, textures, and social media, among other factors, to determine the perfect hue for each year.

Yearender: YouTube reveals top 10 music videos in PH for 2025

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Dec 4, 2025 09:27 am

YouTube revealed the top 10 music videos in the Philippines in 2025, showcasing diverse songs that captured the country’s attention throughout the year. 

Filipino rapper Skusta Clee earned the No. 1 spot with his viral song “Kalimutan Ka,” which was uploaded on YouTube on Feb. 14 this year. The music video has garnered 126.99 million views on YouTube as of this writing.

Other OPM songs also made it to the top 10.  Earl Agustin’s “Tibok” ranked No. 4; Nateman’s “IMMA FLIRT” ft. Lucky at No. 5; Ryouji’s “b4 i let u go” ft. CK YG at No. 6; Guddhist Gunatita’s “Sulitin” at No. 9; and Supafly’s “Puff Me Up” at No. 10.   

"KPop Demon Hunters" (Netflix)

YouTube released its Global Culture & Trends Report for 2025 (YouTube blog)

Skusta Clee (Screenshot from YouTube)

The unique trend this year is the massive success of Sony Pictures Animation's “KPop Demon Hunters.”

Four videos from the film ranked in the top 10 in the Philippines, indicating a rising interest in music connected to animated narratives and the global appeal of K-pop-inspired sounds.

“Golden” (826.18 million views on YouTube to date) garnered second place while “Soda Pop” is at No. 3; “How It's Done” at No. 7; and “Your Idol” at No. 8.

The ranking is “based on in-country views of official music videos that debuted in 2025. Excluding live performance videos and art track videos,” according to the YouTube Global Culture & Trends Report 2025.   

The Top 10 Music Videos on YouTube in the Philippines in 2025: 

1. Kalimutan Ka - Skusta Clee

2. Golden (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation          

3. Soda Pop (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation

4. Tibok - Earl Agustin

5. IMMA FLIRT - Nateman ft. Lucky

6. b4 i let u go - Ryouji ft. CK YG

7. How It's Done (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation          

8. Your Idol (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation          

9. SULITIN - Guddhist Gunatita          

10. PUFF ME UP - SUPAFLY ft. Gat Putch, Gaspari, OG Cry, Ghoti scale, Sica

Davao City councilor warns vs fake resort social media pages

By Ivy Tejano

Published Dec 3, 2025 10:24 pm

BONGUYAN (FB)

DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor has warned over a growing number of fraudulent Facebook pages posing as legitimate resorts, rest houses, and function venues and urged the people to be more cautious during the holidays.

Public Works and Highways Committee chairperson Jessica Bonguyan said scammers are exploiting the holiday rush by creating fake pages that imitate well-known resorts and event venues.

She noted that these Facebook pages used copied photos, branding, and enticing “holiday promos” to lure victims into sending payments to personal bank accounts.

“These scams are getting more advanced, made to look real, updated, and believable.”

Bonguyan revealed that she herself encountered an attempted scam involving a resort promotion that initially appeared legitimate.

She said she decided to verify the offer through the resort’s official page, where she learned that the account she had been interacting with was fake.

“Had I not taken that extra step, I would have been another victim,” she said, encouraging Davaoeños and tourists to observe strict precautions when making online reservations.

Bonguyan stressed that no one is immune to these scams, emphasizing that fraudsters are strategic and highly skilled at imitating real businesses. “When in doubt, stop and verify,” she added.

She reminded everyone to verify the authenticity of pages, contact establishments through their official websites or verified phone numbers, be wary of offers that seem “too good to be true,” and scrutinize payment instructions, mainly when deposits are directed to personal accounts.

The councilor called on the public to stay alert throughout the Christmas season, saying that scammers often thrive when people are rushing to secure bookings for their families.

“Awareness is our strongest defense,” she said. “We must encourage our constituents to be discerning and deliberate when engaging in online transactions.”

Bonguyan moved to pass a resolution urging heightened public vigilance against online resort booking scams.

Here's what went down during Blackpink's 'Deadline' concert in Bulacan

From high-energy anthems to intimate solos, Blackpink delivered a show that showcased both growth and gratitude

By John Legaspi

Published Dec 1, 2025 05:25 pm

It started with a countdown. And as the numbers came close to the end, all I could think about was: after years of listening to their songs and writing about their journey, I’m about to witness Blackpink perform live. When Rosé, Lisa, Jisoo, and Jennie emerged onstage with their anthem “Kill This Love” in the background, the Philippine Arena wasn’t just filled with pink twinkling lights, but with pure joy and a celebration of how music moves people and transcends language—and I couldn’t believe I was part of that moment.

Blackpink members Rosé, Lisa, Jisoo, and Jennie send hearts to Blinks.

Pre-concert excitement

This is the third time South Korean girl group Blackpink has included the Philippines as one of its stops for their world tour, the first one in 2019 with “In Your Area,” followed by “Born Pink” in 2023. Like their last show, the “Deadline” World Tour was a two-day event, much to the delight of Filipino Blinks. I was lucky enough to be part of the first day of the concert on Nov. 22, 2025.

That day, the Philippine Arena in Bulacan was dressed in pink and black courtesy of the creative ensembles of fans. Despite the heat, everyone was all smiles, checking out their looks and applying makeup while sitting on the grassy lawns. Their giddiness was hard to hide, which eased my nerves as it was my first time attending their concert—and doing it alone.

Purchasing Blackpink merch made easier with Maya Black Visa Credit Card and Pink Glitter Edition Maya Visa Card

Visa and Maya’s photobooths

Visa and Maya’s photobooths

When the gates opened, some ran as fast as they could to get into the arena. Others, like myself, took time to check out the different booths in the venue. Visa and Maya set up various booths where Blinks could take snaps of their “Deadline” weekend and score a Vee bag charm after. I also made sure to visit the merchandise stall outside the arena and got a shirt, which I easily purchased with my Maya Visa card.

An ocean of pink hearts lit up the Philippine Arena.

Inside the arena, fans gathered to take photos and share stories and laughter. The perfect pregame, of course, was listening to Blackpink’s hits, which were played in the arena, hyping up everyone’s energy. Come 6 p.m., everyone in my section was seated, phones ready, and light sticks glowing, creating a sea of pink hearts. Then the lights dimmed and the countdown began.

Special moments on stage

Blackpink kicked off the concert’s Act 1 on a high note with hits such as “Kill This Love,” “Pink Venom,” and “How You Like That.” Flames, pyrotechnics, smoke machines, graphic backgrounds, and laser lights added spectacle to their performance.

Act 1 of the ‘Deadline’ concert featured many of Blackpink’s iconic anthems.

Act 2 put the spotlight on Jisoo and Lisa, as they performed their solo hits like “Earthquake” and “Your Love” for the former, and “Thunder” and “When I'm With You” for the latter.

The girls gathered again onstage for Act 3. It started with some of Blackpink’s fiercer, high-energy hits. But for me, the highlight of the act was their performance of “Stay” and “Lovesick Girls,” which presented a softer side of the members, somehow setting the tone for the upcoming moments.

Blackpink members sharing a moment onstage.

Jennie took the stage on her own to begin Act 4 with her “Starlight” and “Like Jennie” performances. Rosé’s solo set was more stripped down. Before taking the stage, she tried a Filipino snack, turon, and gave it a thumbs up. Perhaps the most vulnerable part of the concert was when Rosé powered through her “Number One Girl” with the help of Filipino Blinks. The singer confessed to being sick the night before and not having the confidence to be onstage.

“We took a little break, but now we are back,” Rosé said. “I must say, sometimes, I forget how to do things live. Some days, I don’t feel like Blackpink… But as we are rising, and you guys are cheering for us, it reminded me. You guys made me feel like Blackpink.”

Act 5 brought the girls back to the stage to perform their latest hits.

That was one of the many moments of the evening when Filipino Blinks were able to show love and support to Blackpink. Sometimes, it is not about them hitting every note or executing every move flawlessly onstage. Rosé, Jisoo, Lisa, and Jennie have touched their hearts beyond music, inspiring fans with their authenticity, resilience, and passion.

Act 5 was a party with their “Jump” song. In these last moments, the members took time to acknowledge the crowd, looking at the unique and quirky signboards, getting closer to fans, and waving as high as they could to make everyone feel seen. And when everyone thought it was over, the girls returned to the stage to give everyone a proper goodbye and thank you with “See U Later.”

Back together, stronger than ever

The “Deadline” World Tour was a special moment for Blinks as it marked the reunion of the four members after briefly pursuing solo paths. Each act of the concert was woven together with short videos of the girls on a road trip, from the urban jungle and Las Vegas to the Wild West. Throughout the concert, Blackpink also took fans on an emotional ride—one that reminded everyone of the power of music and coming together, no matter the situation.

Jennie, Rosé, Lisa, and Jisoo taking a bow and bidding Blinks farewell.

The Philippine Arena glowed in pink to celebrate the success of the ‘Deadline’ concert’s Day 1.

The concert’s first show in Bulacan was a shared space and moment filled with cheers, chants, and moments of pure bliss, proving that the bond between Blackpink and their fans remains unshakable—and I’m sure nobody can kill that love.

National Reading Month: Put a book in a child's hand

By Manila Bulletin

Published Nov 20, 2025 12:01 am | Updated Nov 19, 2025 05:24 pm

Reading is not just a classroom requirement. It is the bedrock of learning, the gateway to knowledge, and the spark that ignites imagination and critical thinking. Every child who learns to read gains the power to understand the world—and the confidence to shape it. Without this skill, everything else in education collapses.

Yet in the Philippines, reading has quietly slipped into the background of daily life. In buses, parks, terminals, or even in the comfort of our homes, it is rare to see someone absorbed in a book or magazine. We scroll endlessly, but seldom read deeply. We absorb fragments of information, but rarely seek understanding. Ask a friend what book they last finished, and the silence that follows is not just awkward—it's alarming.

Because while we look away, a crisis is unfolding.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 18.9 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are classified as functionally illiterate – they can read, write, and compute but struggle with comprehension, regardless of their educational attainment. That is not a statistic—it is a national emergency. Add to that the sobering findings of PISA 2022 and a World Bank study: over 75 percent of Filipino students are low performers in reading, math, science, and creative thinking. And that 91 percent of our 10-year-olds cannot understand age-appropriate text.

These are children sitting in our classrooms, dreaming our dreams for them—yet struggling to read the very words meant to help them succeed.

The government is racing against time. DepEd has rolled out targeted interventions: the Bawat Bata Makababasa program, the nationwide Literacy Remediation Program, and the ARAL initiative. It has called for full and sustained funding to repair the foundations of learning. The Tara, Basa! tutoring program, now benefitting more than 348,000 Filipinos, brings college students into classrooms to rescue struggling readers—while giving the youth a chance to serve and earn. The DSWD is even pushing for legislation to secure the program’s long-term future.

There are bright spots—proof that change is possible. In Norzagaray, Bulacan, a community refused to accept that poor reading outcomes were inevitable. With Project BRIGHT, the town attacked illiteracy head-on. Today, 60.73 percent of their early graders read at grade level, compared to the national average of 47.74 percent. Teachers used play, storytelling, one-on-one tutoring, and consistent monitoring. The local government invested in books, incentives, and materials. They showed what can be achieved when a community believes that every child must—and can—learn to read.

But if we are honest, the problem goes deeper than government programs.

The truth is painful: many Filipino adults do not read either. We cannot expect children to love reading when the adults in their lives do not model that love. A child who never sees a parent pick up a book will grow up thinking books do not matter. And when adults stop reading, they stop growing—intellectually, emotionally, and professionally. We lose our ability to question, to innovate, to dream bigger dreams.

This National Reading Month, we must confront this crisis with courage and conviction. Reading is not the responsibility of teachers alone. It is a collective task—of families, communities, and leaders. Read to your child. Give them books. Bring them to libraries. Ask them what stories they love. And most of all, let them see you reading.

We owe it to our children to build a culture where reading is not a chore but a cherished habit, not an afterthought but a daily act of hope.

If we want a future where Filipino children can dream boldly and achieve fully, we must start with the simplest, most powerful act: Put a book in a child’s hand. And put the love of reading in their heart.

They will smash you to the ground

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Nov 20, 2025 12:01 am | Updated Nov 19, 2025 05:29 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Arriving at the spot where he has a beautiful sight of the city of Jerusalem, Jesus cries instead of rejoicing. He laments over the destruction of the city, for not recognizing the time of his visitation.

His presence there is his visitation. He is there to announce the good news of salvation, but the residents would not listen. Instead, they will kill him, as he predicted three times. He also predicts that the city will severely be punished.

Historically, it happened in AD 70 when the Romans besieged the city and destroyed the Temple for harboring the rebels. There was no way to rebuild it and to return to its pristine beauty. In Hebrew, the word “visitation” is paqad.

When God visits his people or some individuals, it is either to announce that something good will happen, like in the case of Sarah, who was soon to conceive a son, or to announce destruction, like God visiting the iniquities… up to the fourth generation (Ex 34:7).

We, Christians, must be attentive to God’s coming into our lives. He comes to us as a poor man, through the events of daily life, through his Word and the sacraments. Let us not ignore his presence when we encounter him. To us who welcome him and ask for mercy, he brings salvation; to the unresponsive and indifferent, destruction.

First Reading • 1 Mc 2:15-29

The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices. Many of Israel joined them, but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart. Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:

“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kin. Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends, and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.” But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:

“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”

As he finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order. When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.

At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus he showed his zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.

Then Mattathias went through the city shouting, “Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow after me!” Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons, leaving behind in the city all their possessions. Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom went out into the desert to settle there.

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 50

“To the upright I will show the saving power of God.”

Gospel • Luke 19:41-44

or Matthew 12:46-50]

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.

They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

A lesson from the super typhoon: Protect our mountain ranges

By Manila Bulletin

Published Nov 13, 2025 12:01 am | Updated Nov 12, 2025 05:25 pm

Tributes to the Sierra Madre Mountain Range — stretching more than 500 kilometers from Cagayan in the north to Quezon in the south — filled social media after Super typhoon Uwan’s feared devastation turned out to be less severe than expected.

Nearly 1.5 million people were evacuated ahead of Uwan’s landfall. Schools and offices were closed, homes secured, and disaster teams placed on full alert. As Uwan’s rainbands, spanning nearly a thousand kilometers, swept across the country, the nation braced for another catastrophic storm.

But once again, the Sierra Madre — long regarded as the “backbone of Luzon” — stood as our natural defense. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Uwan weakened from a super typhoon to a typhoon after making landfall over Aurora and crossing the mountain range.

Scientists, however, remind us to view this protection with measured understanding. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), citing a 2023 study by Drs. Gerry Bagtasa and Bernard Alan Racoma, found that the Sierra Madre can reduce typhoon wind strength by about one to 13 percent, particularly in Northeastern Luzon. While this may seem modest, it can make the difference between life and death in vulnerable communities.

The same study noted that the mountain range can also increase rainfall on the western side of Luzon, including Metro Manila, by up to 55 percent. In other words, while the Sierra Madre slows down wind speeds, it also redistributes rainfall — lessening destruction in some areas but worsening floods in others.

Even so, its presence matters. Compared with Typhoon Tino’s 232 deaths in the Visayas and Mindanao weeks earlier, Uwan’s 27 fatalities — mostly due to landslides — show how early evacuations and natural barriers combined to save lives. The Sierra Madre’s forest cover helps absorb rainfall, stabilize slopes, and lessen the fury of incoming storms.

Environmental groups, church leaders, and scientists have long warned, however, that this protection is being eroded. Illegal logging, mining, and large-scale infrastructure projects continue to degrade the Sierra Madre’s forests. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines put it simply: “Faith must move us from gratitude to responsibility. If God continues to save us through creation, then the least we can do is protect creation in return.”

The Sierra Madre shelters around 40 percent of the country’s remaining forest cover and 3,500 plant species — 58 percent found nowhere else. It spans 10 provinces and serves as a vital carbon sink covering 1.4 million hectares. Beyond being a natural barrier against typhoons, it regulates temperature, prevents floods and landslides, and supports countless communities and ecosystems.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recognized its vital role and promised to strengthen conservation efforts. Existing measures, such as the Sierra Madre Natural Park and reforestation programs under the National Greening Program, are important beginnings — but much remains to be done to curb destructive human activities.

Science tells us that the Sierra Madre weakens storms, though imperfectly. Faith tells us it is a symbol of hope and protection. Both truths lead us to one call: We must protect what protects us.

The Sierra Madre can only continue to shield Luzon if its forests remain intact. Every illegal tree cut, every mountain mined, every forest cleared weakens not just the Sierra Madre, but us — the people it has long defended.

Are we doing enough to take care of the mountain that has taken care of us?

Vilma Santos at 60 years in showbiz

 

By Annalyn S. Jusay

Published Oct 27, 2025 06:42 am

Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto thanks everyone for her awards (Facebook)

Star For All Seasons and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, fondly called "Ate Vi" by most, has been in the showbiz limelight since she was 10. After six decades and counting, she shows no signs of slowing down.

Last Saturday, Oct. 25, Ate Vi was honored with the Best Actress recognition for "Uninvited" at the 27th Gawad PASADO Awards given by the Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro - a national organization of film educators, teachers, and academics from various schools and universities in the Philippines.

In the event held at Manila Tytana Colleges, she was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for being recognized as Best Actress by Gawad Pasado five times. She was previously cited for her performances in "Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?" (1998), "Anak" (2000), "Dekada ’70" (2002), and "Everything About Her" (2016).

Asked what keeps her relevant after more than six decades in the business, Ate Vi attributes her attitude and work ethic.

“Hindi ako natakot to reinvent myself, to learn more. Just because I won Best Actress, does that mean I'm the best? Of course not. You're only as good as your last film. After that, there's someone better than you," she pondered.

Ate Vi pointed out that the lessons she would like to impart to others in the industry are the following: "non-stop learning, willing to take the risk, love your career because it will love you back. The same people you meet on the way up are the same people you will meet on the way down, so learn to be grateful to everyone around you."

Even after playing nearly every imaginable character in six decades of acting, the veteran actress still has dreams to fulfill.

“May dream pa ako na gusto kong gumanap na isang Muslim,” she shared. “‘Yung ginagawang kultura ng isang Muslim. At ‘yung pagiging mentally challenged, although baka mukha ng awkward sa edad ko. (I still dream of playing a Muslim woman and portraying their culture, and maybe a mentally challenged person, though that might look awkward at my age.)"

Although her focus now is serving the province of Batangas, Ate Vi admitted to always missing her first love.

Ate Vi with officers of Gawad Pasado, composed of film educators from leading universities.

“I will be serving Batangas for three years, pero sana kahit maka isang pelikula, ipapakiusap ko sa mga Batangueño. Nami-miss ko rin, hinahanap ng katawan ko talaga. (I’ll be serving Batangas for three years, but I hope to make at least one film. I miss it; it’s something my body really longs for)," she said.

Now in her second term as governor, Ate Vi said she has learned to impart a modern style of governance.

“Sa trabaho namin ngayon, there’s no such thing as ‘tomorrow is another day,’ kasi yesterday is the deadline,” she explained. “With technology now, pag babagal-bagal ka, walang mangyayari. Lahat dapat fast-track (In our work now, there’s no such thing as ‘tomorrow is another day,’ because yesterday is already the deadline. With today’s technology, if you’re slow, nothing gets done. Everything must be fast-track.)"

One of her major initiatives is "Capitol on Wheels," a mobile government office that brings public services directly to the people. “Kami na ang lumalapit sa tao. Hindi na sila pipila at magugutom para sa ayuda. Enough of that,” she said proudly.

(We’re the ones going to the people now. They no longer have to queue and go hungry just to receive assistance. Enough of that.)

Ate Vi on corruption

Addressing the corruption scandals that plague Philippine politics, Ate Vi stated that the issues make her feel bad.

"At the end of the day, ang nahihirapan ay ‘yung tao. Pero dapat resolbahan. I am not being self-righteous here, okay? Pero since naging public servant ako, ang isang natutunan ko, up to this day, ang sinusunod ko lang ay tatlo. Unang-unang, follow the law. Secondly, be accountable to your people. And third, be transparent. No shortcuts. Yan lang yan. (At the end of the day, it’s the people who suffer. But it must be resolved. Since I became a public servant, I’ve followed only three rules: follow the law, be accountable to your people, and be transparent. No shortcuts. That's it.)

And her advice to fellow leaders? “Lessen the greed. Enough.”

What foreigners can teach us

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Oct 12, 2025 12:05 am | Updated Oct 11, 2025 04:59 pm   REFLECTIONS TODAY

Luke 17:11-19

Today’s Gospel reading underscores the importance of gratitude and faith in our journey of discipleship. Luke uses the story of the ten lepers who call out to Jesus to have pity on them. Trusting in Jesus’ word and his command to show themselves to the priests, they find themselves cleansed on their way.

The nine, who are Jews, proceed to Jerusalem to be examined by priests who certify that they are clean and so can join their community. The Samaritan, whose people do not worship in Jerusalem, instead returns to Jesus to do him homage and thank him. It is his faith in Jesus as the prophet of God, even as the Taheb (essentially the Samaritan equivalent of the Jewish Messiah) that saves him, which is more than being cleansed of his leprosy.

The cure of the Samaritan, a foreigner among the Jews, is introduced by the story of the cure of the leprous general Naaman in the First Reading. After being cleansed of leprosy through the prophet Elisha, Naaman realizes that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Knowing that he has to be at the side of the king of Aram when this worships in the temple of Rimmon, Naaman asks for forgiveness if he, too, bows with his master.

Elisha understands his situation and allows him to carry loads of earth to be taken to Aram. Worship of the Lord is associated with the soil of Israel, where the Lord is present. He can therefore worship God in Syria. The Word of God underscores the significance of gratitude.

We often find ourselves asking for God’s blessings, for healing, for guidance. But how often do we return to offer thanks when our prayers are answered?

The Samaritan leper returns to Jesus to give thanks. The Syrian Naaman brings with him soil from Israel as “sacrament” of his faith and worship of the Lord, the true God. The cure of the two lepers who are foreigners likewise shows that God’s blessing is open to all. While Israel may have the priority as God’s elect, Jesus opens the Kingdom of heaven to everyone. God’s love transcends boundaries, prejudices, and differences.

As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace this truth and extend our love and compassion to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. Pope Francis invites us to nurture fraternity and friendship among peoples.

He writes, “It is my desire that, in this our time, by acknowledging the dignity of each human person, we can contribute to the rebirth of a universal aspiration to fraternity. Fraternity between all men and women. ‘Here we have a splendid secret that shows us how to dream and to turn our life into a wonderful adventure.

No one can face life in isolation… We need a community that supports and helps us, in which we can help one another to keep looking ahead. How important it is to dream together… By ourselves, we risk seeing mirages, things that are not there. Dreams, on the other hand, are built together.’

Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all (Fratelli Tutti, 8).

Bayanihan in action: Now is the time to step up, not step back

 By Manila Bulletin

Published Oct 12, 2025 12:05 am

In the wake of last week’s calamitous earthquakes — first a magnitude-7.4 quake off Davao Oriental then a magnitude 6.8 in the same area Oct. 10, following closely after the magnitude 6.9 quake in Cebu island on Sept. 30 — the Philippines is once again confronted with the raw power of nature and the fragility of our built environment. In Cebu alone, more than 70 lives were lost, hundreds were injured, and thousands of homes and public infrastructure were severely damaged or destroyed. In Davao and surrounding provinces, the quake triggered landslides, damaged roads and schools, and left communities reeling.

These earthquakes come on top of a long season of calamities — protracted flooding in recent months, coming from monsoon surges and tropical storms, has already battered provinces and displaced many families. Barangay, local government units’, and government agencies’ volunteers and community groups have already been stretched thin managing evacuation centers, distributing food, and doing frontline relief work.

The Philippine Red Cross, too, has proven how indispensable volunteer networks are in such times. Even when their own homes were threatened, their volunteers persisted in search-and-rescue missions, medical outreach, health education, and managing relief distribution. In the Davao earthquakes, Red Cross volunteers responded swiftly to affected municipalities, joining the front lines of relief and damage assessment.

It is telling: in every recent Philippine disaster, professional responders—government, police, military, NGOs—cannot reach every barangay immediately. The gap between disaster onset and formal assistance is precisely where volunteerism matters most.

There is much room for volunteer work. If you live near or can travel to affected areas—Cebu, Davao Oriental, or intermediate provinces—join official volunteer corps (Red Cross, local NGOs) rather than simply showing up uncoordinated. These organizations have protocols for safety, logistics, and working with local disaster risk reduction offices.

Those who cannot go to the affected areas, or are not fit to do volunteer work, can donate cash or goods to trusted organizations (Philippine Red Cross chapters, accredited foundations, or local NGOs).

Beyond monetary support, volunteer your time and skills: Help pack relief goods, hygiene kits, and medical supplies. Help manage or staff evacuation or distribution centers. Assist in logistics, transportation, communications, or data registration. Help in fundraising, awareness campaigns, or coordination efforts.

Ask, don’t wait to be asked. In devastated areas, resources may be overwhelmed, and official volunteer recruitment slow. Reach out to your local disaster risk reduction management council, or to the non-government organizations (NGOs), to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (Dswd) through their websites. They have issued calls for volunteers. Ask, “How can I help?” Even small tasks multiply when many hands answer the call.

Some might argue that disaster response should be left to professionals. True, technical decisions (search & rescue, medical triage, infrastructure assessment) require expertise. But the recovery and relief process depends on sustained community involvement. The debris must be cleared, relief packages must be sorted and delivered, centers must be run, and emotional wounds must be tended. All of these demand manpower, care, and consistency.

Moreover, volunteerism sends a message: victims are not alone. The presence of volunteers restores dignity, nurtures hope, and strengthens social fabric when it is most frayed. This is the heart of bayanihan—not heroism for media headlines but quiet, selfless service.

In this moment of suffering and uncertainty, each Filipino has a role to play. Let our bayanihan not be a cliché, but a living force. Let us answer with solidarity, courage, and compassion. Because in disasters, we must always choose to stand with our fellow Filipinos—not with empty words, but with hands and hearts.

In crises, the Filipino spirit of bayanihan must now move beyond symbolism and become visible action.