What does Pentecost mean?

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

EVEN if Christ already died and ascended into heaven, his presence and mission continues to be with us, this time through the Holy Spirit. “I will not leave you as orphans,” he said. “I will come to you.” (Jn 14,18) It is the Holy Spirit who will make Christ present in us and who will involve us in the continuing redemptive work of Christ.

We have to understand that the Holy Spirit perpetuates the presence and redemptive action of Christ all throughout time, with all the drama, vagaries, ups and downs that we men make in our history.

It has been prophesied that God will pour out his Spirit upon all men. The Holy Spirit is intended for all of us. We are all meant to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But this divine will obviously has to contend with the way we receive and do things, and that is, that we take to this reality in stages involving a whole range of human means of teaching, evangelizing, etc.

We need the Holy Spirit because only in him can we truly recognize Christ. Only in him will we be able to have Christ in our life, to remember all his words and even to develop them to attune them to current needs and situations.

Only in him can we see things properly. Especially these days when truth, justice and charity have become very slippery, and people are left confused and vulnerable to fall into scepticism and cynicism, we need to be in the Holy Spirit to be able to sort things out and stay away from the mess.

We need the Holy Spirit to be able to read the signs of the times properly. The world is getting very complicated, and we definitely need the Holy Spirit to guide us. We cannot rely anymore on our politicians and other leaders. We, including politicians and especially them, actually always need the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit acts on each one of us in different ways but always for the common good. St. Cyril has this to say about how the Holy Spirit comes to us:

“The Spirit comes gently and makes himself known by his fragrance. He is not felt as a burden, for he is light, very light. Rays of light and knowledge stream before him as he approaches.

“The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console. The Spirit comes to enlighten the mind first of the one who receives him, and then, through him, the minds of others as well.”

We have to understand that Christ’s redemptive mission is very much an ongoing affair, and he involves all of us actually in this business. Those words that he addressed to his apostles, giving them their mission, can be considered as addressed to us also. And we can carry out that mission because of the abiding work of the Holy Spirit in us. All we have to do is to correspond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

We need to be familiar with this Christian duty. We have to do apostolate, and we need to see to it that the zeal for it is always nourished, stoked and fanned to its most intense degree.

Yes, we are all meant to be “another Christ” through the Holy Spirit, with the lifelong concern for our sanctification and apostolate, taking advantage of all the occasions and situations in life to pursue those goals!

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

PH reopens borders to foreign visitors, shows the world how

by Manila Bulletin

The Philippines has shown the international community it can be decisive and brave enough to lead in the reopening of borders, even as bigger and more prepared economies chose to continue shutting down theirs.

But the reopening is not without safeguards, the government calibrates this move, initially allowing only the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from 157 visa-free countries.

This move augurs well for the devastated tourism industry, the hardest hit in the country. Tourism was just starting to flourish in the country and foreign tourists were just discovering our unique features when the pandemic hit and put the Philippines in a constant balancing act between health and livelihood.

The government has also ramped up vaccination drives. In fact, the tourism industry boasted of high vaccination rate of its frontliners.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that as of the first week this month, 92.51 percent or 317,892 out of 349,534 tourism workers have received their COVID-19 jabs.

Tourism destinations with 100 percent vaccination rate among its tourism workers include: Baguio City; Aurora; Palawan towns Coron, El Nido and San Vicente; Puerto Princesa City, and Camiguin island. The DOT offices are also facilitating the roll-out of booster shots for eligible tourism workers.

On a regional basis, the National Capital Region (NCR) registered the highest coverage for tourism workers with 99.91 percent vaccination rate.

In addition, the number of infections in the country has been on a declining trend. Projections showed, COVID-19 cases could further go down to a very manageable level 1,000 to 2,000 cases by the end of this month and less than 500 in the NCR by Valentine’s Day. Remember, we came from an alarming rate of over 30,000 daily cases in the first month this year.

Indeed, the number looks good.

The private sector has also thrown its full support for the government decision despite admitting that it takes a lot of effort to get their engines running again after almost two years of dormancy. Already, some sectors in the industry are shooting for government financing lifeline.

During the pandemic, most hotels had been tapped as quarantine facilities for long staying guests, OFWs, and BPO workers. With the lifting of quarantine restrictions, hotels are gearing to shift to their primary business operations and cater to leisure tourists.

Although tourism players do not expect immediate return of foreign tourists in at least the next two months, they, too, declared their readiness to welcome visitors. But, definitely, tourists are sure to come back within the year.

Tourism facilities, including events venues, are cooperating by not raising their rates. All they want is to bring the volume back to the pre-COVID level in 2019, revenues can wait.

What is important is to build the confidence that we can reopen safely by strictly enforcing health and safety protocols because the virus is here to stay. We have to live with the virus.

By being able to build the confidence means continued reopening that should translate to more jobs and more revenues.

Ask an expert: Philippines

Last updated 10:29, April 3 2018

• 0

123RF

Palawan often makes "world's most beautiful island" lists.

Q. I'd like to visit the Philippines but, with so many islands to choose from, am not sure where to start with planning a trip. Can you help? 

A. You're quite right – with more than 7000 islands in the Philippine archipelago it can be very confusing to know which ones are the more interesting and accessible islands to visit. The following are islands proving very popular with visitors, each with their own unique charms:

Boracay is well-known among tourists and is not to be missed. Boracay has stunning white, sandy beaches, great hotels and restaurants and a wide variety of water sports for the more active. 

Palawan is often in the running for the "most beautiful island in the world" title so I'm sure you can picture the scenery already. Palawan is the ultimate tropical escape with crystal clear waters, dense jungles, mountains and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is a must-see. 

Mindoro is within easy reach of Manila and one of the top diving spots in the Philippines, which is saying something given the multitude of excellent diving locations in the country.

Bohol is famous for its "Chocolate Hills" which are actually huge conical mounds that turn brown during the summer and look like giant chocolate buttons. For the best view of this amazing landscape visit Chocolate Hills Adventure Park.  

Lastly, Cebu is as energetic as Manila if you are seeking a good dose of city fever with lively bars and eateries. There are also plenty of picturesque beaches to escape to and snorkelling spots to explore after you've been on the go. 

With Philippine Airlines now flying direct to Manila from Auckland it makes it even easier to access this increasingly popular country in Southeast Asia.  

 - Craig Hopley, Owner Operator, House of Travel St Heliers 

Taza Joins List of Top Dining Destinations in Tagaytay

By: Margaux Salcedo, Philippie Daily Inquirer

OLIVE oil ice cream and French toast with bacon are popular items on Taza’s menu

How do you make a restaurant stand out when you are in a high density, much sought-after location like Tagaytay?

For Chef Jayme Natividad of Taza Fresh Table, it’s simple. You just have to keep improving the menu.

Natividad drew raves last year when Taza opened with his alugbati salad with the signature dalandan and lemon vinaigrette and salted egg dressing; a papardelle inspired by a 100-year-old recipe shared by one of his mentors; and his medley of sourdough pizzas.

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For the longest time, though, Taza was open only for dinner, serving breakfast only on weekends.

Finally, Taza now serves breakfast starting at 7 a.m. every day.

I’m actually surprised they did not do this earlier, knowing the success of breakfast places in Tagaytay such as Antonio’s Breakfast and Bag of Beans. I surmise it is because the hotel has a breakfast buffet, making breakfast at Taza redundant.

But the standalone gourmet restaurant in the sprawling Taal Vista Hotel has its own charm. I’m just glad it now has its own breakfast menu, too.

Breakfast at Taza

Natividad, who lived in New York for 13 years, is serving his favorite New York brunch dishes: The usual suspects—eggs benedict and salmon —but with the rustic touch that New York brasseries offer.

He did work at Balthazar, after all.

Start your breakfast with four thick slices of French toast served with a pile of perfectly crisp bacon.

The kind of toast you need after a sleepless night due to partying or buddy bonding. Call it the Hangover Special.

Then have a piece of Southern fried chicken.

Just a piece because Taza literally just serves one piece per order, hehe! But it is quite a hefty chunk that is flavorful on the crisp outside and juicy on the inside.

They also have homemade corned beef—slices of lovingly cured Batangas beef. But the best item on the menu is the homemade smoked bacon.

A thick slab of probiotic pork belly marinated for at least 12 days before being smoked for 4 to 6 hours.

When I visited six months ago, this was already one of the best items on the menu. Today, it remains as delicious as I remember it to be.

French toast with bacon

Organic

Health-conscious eaters will be pleased to know that Taza is committed to sourcing locally-produced organic produce. The chicken, for instance, is organic chicken from a farm in Laguna. They also have sole from Quezon, beef from both Batangas and Bukidnon, prawns from Iloilo, and greens from their own garden.

“The biggest challenge is consistency,” Natividad admits, “Whether it be beef, tomatoes, or herbs, it is still difficult to find consistency from suppliers and farmers. That is why I’ve made it a point to develop relationships with our local farmers. With constant communication and feedback on the products we get, we are able to maintain our desired quality consistently.”

In fact, 95 percent of Taza’s menu is sourced from local farmers or suppliers and the vegetables are sourced from within a 15 to 20 kilometer radius.

Like Tagaytay institutions Antonio’s and Sonya’s Garden, Taza at Taal Vista Hotel also has its own garden for a steady supply of greens, herbs and organic vegetables.

This is in fact one of the reasons behind the success of restaurants in Tagaytay: Not only is the weather great, the salads are also superb because of the freshness of the greens on the menu and every dish is given an extra oomph with the fresh herbs from their gardens.

The view

Of course, Taza has the advantage of the unbeatable view of the volcano that only Taal Vista can offer. So make sure to get a window seat facing the volcano when you visit.

Then take a stroll on the grand terrace of the hotel after your meal to get the obligatory “day off” shot, with or without the fog. It is, after all, Tagaytay.

Taza Fresh Table. Taal Vista Hotel, Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City. Call +6329178225 for reservations. Wheelchair accessible. Now open daily for breakfast starting at 7 a.m. Major credit cards accepted. Visit taalvistahotel.com or Facebook.com/TaalVistaHotel.

Follow the author @margauxsalcedo on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Visit margauxsalcedo.com.

Mindanao – Time To Talk About It

November 29, 2015/in becomingfilipino /by kyle

It didn’t take long. Within hours of an article being posted by a National Newspaper in New Zealand about a beauty queen (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/74332702/kiwi-beauty-pageant-contestant-flees-philippines), Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao became a national talking point in the Philippines. Articles with most major national news sites and Facebook pages in the Philippines popped up pretty quick, discussing and highlighting the negative thoughts. The article and its stereotyping of Cagayan de Oro as being “worse then Afghanistan” and the negative experiences of a foreign beauty queen quickly escalated Filipinos to start to judge, debate, defend and get to the bottom of the statements made. It was a hot topic all over the country and of course here in Cagayan de Oro City, the place I call home in Northern Mindanao.

Yes, I am a foreigner living here in Cagayan de Oro. Although to be honest I don’t feel foreign here at all. I have lived here now on and off for over two years. I have become close with this community and am proud to call this city my home. Since day one I have always been aware of the advisories, negative issues and stereotypes that face the people here in Northern Mindanao and Mindanao in general. At first they definitely put a little bit of fear into my life. I was a little more cautious and fearful then my usual self. There are so many negative thoughts thrown around about Mindanao on a daily basis, through media, internet and in general chit-chat that it would be hard not to have a little fear when you hear that word.

So where am I going with this?

Well the more I read articles and comments about this beauty queen, and the article written overseas. The more I see Filipinos take uproar about how ridiculous and overly negative the statements about Cagayan de Oro City and Mindanao were… The more I started thinking about it all.

It is a fact that Filipinos are interested in foreign opinions. Most of the time if there is an article of praise or criticism about the Philippines involving a foreigner they will be more popular. In fact I am living proof of that. I am aware that many people are probably intrigued about my opinions because I am Canadian and have no Filipino background. It provides a different insight.   Knowing this, I also have to be careful whenever I write or post and remember the effect it could have.

But when it comes to this “Mindanao Issue” and stereotypes. I have developed a strong belief on the topic. It is a homegrown issue that needs to be addressed in the Philippines first and foremost. What do I mean by “addressed in the Philippines?”

Let me share with you what happens often when I am outside of Mindanao travelling:

Filipino: “Hey Man! Where are you from.”

Me: “I am from Canada but I live in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao (I will share this in Bisaya/Tagalog).

Filipino: “What! Abu Sayaff! Aren’t you afraid of the bombs! You shouldn’t be there! You will be kidnapped!

Me: “Excuse me. I have lived there for two years and driven around every province in Northern Mindanao on a scooter exploring. It is beautiful and I love living there.”

Filipino: “No it is too dangerous.”

Me: “Have you been there?”

Filipino: “No I wouldn’t go! Like I said, it is too dangerous, the people there are bad and Abu Sayaff and terrorists are there.”

I didn’t over-exaggerate this conversation what so ever. I have been to 32 provinces now all over the country on a scooter, including every one in Northern Mindanao. This is very common and something that happens all the time when the word “Mindanao” is mentioned and discussed with Filipinos from outside of Mindanao. Now I am not taking away from the fact that yes Abu Sayaff exists, yes bombs have gone off, and yes there are areas that are very tense, dangerous and best be avoided by people who are not local. But, those things are not representative of Mindanao as a whole. If you have lived here for a long time and travelled around you will soon understand that Mindanao is massive, diverse and home to many beautiful, safe and happy places to explore! Just like anywhere in the world, you just need to do a bit of research and take the necessary precautions.

I have written articles about this before. But this New Zealand beauty queen issue really opened my eyes to something else…

I am completely convinced that the first thing that needs to be tackled is this negative perception at home in the Philippines. To me, when someone responds to Cagayan de Oro, or Mindanao with the words “Abu Sayaff, kidnappings and bombings” that is the ultimate in extreme talk. That is the kind of talk that doesn’t educate, is very extreme, is unproductive and simply put… is dangerous.

Why is it dangerous?

Because it is preaching negativity without experience, discussion and knowledge.

Millions of foreigners will come to the Philippines every year for travel, adventure, and holidays. A vast majority of them will go to places outside of Mindanao due to advisories and safety concerns. Even though I personally believe that Northern Mindanao is no different then travelling other areas of the Philippines, I completely respect and understand how others can be deterred from coming here. I would never take offence to that. The travel advisories that exist have their purpose and I don’t take offence to making people aware.

But what I do take offence to…

The thought that if these millions of foreigners mention “Mindanao” during their holidays outside of Mindanao, there is a high probability that they are being responded to in such an extreme way.

Earlier I said:

“It is a fact that Filipinos are interested in foreign opinions. Most of the time if there is an article of praise or criticism about the Philippines involving a foreigner they will be more popular.”

Well with the newspaper article in New Zealand. That was the case. It was negative extreme talk about an area in the Philippines. It had to be addressed. But what hit me the most about it? Negative talk about Mindanao is already everywhere in the Philippines. It is incredibly common from Filipinos all over the country and world. That type of extreme stereotyping and generalizing happens all the time on a local basis. Filipinos do it everyday.

I strongly believe the only way it is ever going to change in a positive way is if Filipino media and Filipino people around the country start to discuss it, interact about it, and challenge it more. I’d love to see more headlines challenging perception and Mindanao, discussing it, educating and interacting about it. Not just when it has foreigner perception.

Yes I am a foreigner and it may sound ridiculous that I am writing about Filipinos, challenging Filipinos without foreigner perception. But in regards to Mindanao…

This country needs more of it.

I believe it is more damaging how Filipinos view Mindanao. Not how a national Newspaper in New Zealand does. I believe the only way to truly stop the blunt negativity is by Filipinos making it a national talking point not just when foreigners are involved.