ABS-CBN, GMA Network sign historic deal

(Top row from left) Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., Felipe S. Yalong, Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Jose Mari R. Abacan. (Bottom row from left) ABS-CBN’s Mark Lopez, Carlo L. Katigbak, Cory V. Vidanes, Ricardo B. Tan Jr., and Olivia Lamasan

by Stephanie Bernardino, Manila Bulletin

GMA Network hosted a historic contract signing with ABS-CBN to license some of Star Cinema’s most popular and well-loved movies.

The news was confirmed by the two media giants via simultaneous reports on “TV Patrol” and “24 Oras” on April 5.

Present during the virtual event were GMA Network President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit Jr.; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong; GMA Network Films, Inc. President and Programming Consultant to the Chairman and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes; First Vice President for Program Management Department Jose Mari R. Abacan; Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Javier-Cruz; Assistant Vice President For Program Management Department Mitzi Garcia; and Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Jojo Aquio.

In attendance from ABS-CBN were Chairman Mark Lopez; President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo L. Katigbak; Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast Cory V. Vidanes; Group Chief Financial Officer Ricardo B. Tan, Jr.; Managing Director of ABS-CBN Films Productions Olivia Lamasan; Head of International Sales and Distribution Pia B. Laurel; Vice President of Corporate Communications Kane Errol C. Choa; PR Director Christelle Belmonte; and PR Manager Tonichi Tataro.

“Every storyteller’s dream is to have as many people as possible experience their creations. And now, because of the kindness of our friends at GMA, we have the special opportunity to bring our Kapamilya stories to a new audience. We hope the Kapuso find joy and inspiration in viewing our Star Cinema movies, and we also look forward to a new era of friendship and cooperation within our small industry,” said Katigbak.

Duavit said: “Because the significance of our partnership today ushers in the possibility of a far broader set of conversations, potential partnership, and cooperation that will have the benefit not only neutrally to GMA and ABS-CBN but as importantly, if not, perhaps, more importantly to the benefit of the public we both serve, the Filipino viewer. Looking forward since we have, as they say, broken the ice. There’s great optimism that these conversations will continue or start and continue, and we look forward to the possibility of this type of opportunity again, moving forward.”

Some of the notable movies that will air on GMA-7 include “Alone/Together,” “How to Be Yours,” “Till My Heartaches End,” “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” “Ang Cute ng Ina Mo!,” “It Takes a Man and a Woman,” “Just The Way You Are,” “Fantastica,” “Can We Still Be Friends?,” “Finally Found Someone,” “No Other Woman,” “Won’t Last A Day Without You,” “Must Be…Love,” “The Panti Sisters,” “Isa Pa With Feelings,” “James & Pat & Dave,” “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,” “Feng Shui,” “Suddenly It’s Magic,” and “I Love You, Hater.”

Prior, GMA teased about the historic collaboration.

“Ang mga pelikulang napapanuod sa GMA, madadagdagan. Dahil ang dating impossible, mangyayari. Abangan ngayong Abril,” said the voice-over, while the logos of GMA Pictures, Regal Entertainment, Viva Films, and OctoArts Films were being flashed on screen. “The START of new age of television,” this text also appeared,  emphasizing the word “STAR.”

This is not the first time that GMA and ABS-CBN have joined forces.

In 2020, Kapamilya star Kathryn Bernardo worked with Kapuso actor Alden Richards on the highest-grossing Filipino film “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and produced by Star Cinema.

Judging and being merciful

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

“BE merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged…For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Lk 9,36-38)

We need to process these words of Christ slowly if only to conform ourselves to them, something that given our human condition is most likely very difficult if not impossible for us to do.

More than processing them slowly, we first have to pray, asking for grace, for definitely the possibility of us following this divine indication can only take place if we have God’s grace. If we simply depend on our good intentions and best human effort, forget it! We can never give life to these words.

We have to understand that our ability to forgive and to judge properly can only take place when we are with God. For this we have to follow as closely as possible the example of Christ who, out of love for us and in spite of our grave sins, was and continues to be willing to bear our sins and to offer forgiveness.

We have to remember that if we truly have to be ‘another Christ’ as we ought to be, we have to know how to be merciful the way Christ, the fullness of God’s revelation to us, was and continues to be merciful to all of us.

And how was Christ merciful to all of us? First of all, being the son of God, he emptied himself to become man. That way, he already adapted himself to our wounded, sinful condition. He identified himself with us so that we would have a way to identify ourselves with him. He preached the truth about God and about ourselves. 

He gave preferential attention to the sick, that is, the sinners. He was always ready to forgive, his mercy and compassion having no limits—“not only seven times, but seventy times seven times.” (Mt 18,22) He taught about loving the enemy and living it. He did not mind all the insults and mockeries that were poured on him just to accomplish his mission of saving us.

And in the end, he assumed all our sins without committing sin by dying on the cross. In that way, he dealt death to all our sins, and with his resurrection he offered us a way for our own salvation and reconciliation with our Father God. He was thoroughly magnanimous.

And so, we just have to learn to forgive and move on. This is what we should do if ever we become a victim of some offense by someone. We should be quick to forgive and then move on, focused on doing what we are supposed to do. We should avoid getting stuck with the offense, wallowing in anguish, complaints and hatred, and keeping resentments, grudges and desires for revenge.

Let’s remember that all of us have sins that need to be forgiven also. And as Christ said it clearly, we can only be forgiven if we also forgive others. “If you will forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offenses,” he said. “But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you for your offenses.” (Mt 6,14-15)

We have to develop the proper attitude in this particular issue because, truth to tell, we cannot avoid being offended by others just as neither can we avoid offending others also. That’s part of our human condition here on earth.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Inbound travelers may present negative COVID-19 antigen results — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Foreigners and returning Filipinos may now present negative laboratory-based antigen results to enter the country, Malacañang announced Friday.

Filipino and foreign nationals arriving from abroad may present a negative laboratory-based antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin, said acting deputy presidential spokesperson Michel Kristian Ablan.  

“Previously, they have to show negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours. Now, it is either of the two: RT-PCR or antigen,” he said.

Ablan also announced that Hong Kong or Macau passport holders are allowed to enter the Philippines without visa provided they stay for a period not exceeding 14 days.

The Philippines has been progressively easing entry rules and scrapping pandemic restrictions after a sharp drop in COVID-19 cases. The country reopened its borders to foreign tourists in February.

Metro Manila and 39 other areas are under Alert Level 1—or the “new normal”—until March 15.

The virus has infected more than 3.6 million people in the country, with over 57,000 deaths, according to latest government data. — Gaea Katreena Cabico

Olympic champ Hidilyn Diaz gets double treat

by Manila Bulletin Sports

Olympic gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz gets a double treat in the March 14 staging of the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel.

The 31-year-old history maker from Zamboanga City will be the first ever recipient of the MILO Champion of Grit and Glory award for winning the country’s first ever Olympic gold.

 

The trophy is apart from the prestigious Athlete of the Year award to be bestowed on the Filipina weightlifter during the two-hour affair presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Cignal TV.

“MILO Philippines presents the award to Hidilyn Diaz in recognition of her historic Olympic triumph, borne of her unwavering spirit, dedication, and grit that serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the nation,” MILO said in a statement regarding the choice of Diaz as the deserving recipient of the special award.

As part of the package, Diaz will also receive a year’s supply of MILO products.

MILO officials led by Veronica Cruz, Senior Vice President, Business Executive Officer, MILO Philippines, and Lester P. Castillo, Assistant Vice President, Head of MILO Sports, MILO Philippine, will be on hand to award the trophy to the country’s maiden Olympic gold medalist.

Diaz leads the compact list of 38 awardees to be feted by the country’s oldest media organization in the traditional gala night backed by MILO (official choco milk), 1Pacman, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Philracom, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, Chooks To Go, Smart, and MVP Sports Foundation.

The Filipina weightlifter will be receiving her third Athlete of the Year trophy to add to her previous award in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

Three Filipina queens eye global crowns

by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin

Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez and two other Filipino beauty queens are ready to shine on the international stage as they represent the country in prestigious global pageants in the coming weeks.

Perez flies back to San Juan, Puerto Rico in the hope of continuing her winning streak on the coronation night of the 70th edition of the Miss World 2021 pageant scheduled on March 16 (March 17, 8:00 am, Manila time).

 It will be remembered that the Miss World Organization issued its last-minute decision to reschedule the pageant just a few hours before the Dec. 16 coronation night, due to the alarming and unforeseen surge of Covid-19 cases in Puerto Rico at that time.

To keen pageant watchers, the decision seemed anti-climactic for Tracy, who was then clearly ahead of her game—having just assured herself of a Top 40 spot after winning the Head-to-Head and Beauty With A Purpose challenges.

“It could be frustrating for some, but I tried my best to compose and calm myself because it’s something I couldn’t control. I’ll just take it as a blessing that I’ll have more time to prepare,” said Tracy, during a grand official send-off at the luxurious B Hotel in Quezon City last Saturday, March 5, for the three queens.

Miss Eco Philippines 2021 Kathleen Paton also flew to Cairo, Egypt last March 6 to compete in the 7th edition of the Miss Eco International 2021 pageant, to be held from March 6-18, with the coronation night slated for March 16 (March 17, 12:30 a.m. Manila time).

Miss Environment Philippines 2021 Michelle Arceo feels more than ready to compete in the 1st edition of the Miss Environment International pageant scheduled from March 21-April 2 in Mumbai, India, with pageant proper scheduled on April 2, 5 pm IST/April 2, 7:30 pm Manila time.

Miss World Philippines National Director Arnold Vegafria is optimistic about the trio’s impending global conquest.

“With the normalization of the global health situation, I am very confident that Tracy, Kathleen, and Michelle can wave our flag proudly and outperform their competitors every step of the way. In Tracy’s case, the odds are already in her favor, based on her very impressive pre-pageant performance, so we can only hope and pray that she remains in top fighting form,” said Vegafria.

The MWPO also revealed a teaser for its revitalized slogan, “Exceptionally Empowered Filipina.”

“The past pandemic has given us ample time to rethink our strategies, and we feel that a rebranding can do so much to heighten our imaging and marketing potentials, and I’m very proud that our team has churned out a creative synergy that should take us to even unprecedented heights this year,” Vegafria said.

Taking its cue from Miss World Organization founder Julia Morley’s inspiring precedent, the Miss World Philippines Organization hopes to further its noble cause for women empowerment by writing its own unique narrative for its revitalized brand campaign.

The organization’s auspicious rebranding comes close on the heels of its recent announcement for the search for this year’s batch of aspiring queens, with final screening scheduled for April 19 and coronation night on May 29.

More than just being a celebration of exceptional beauty, substance, and purpose, the Miss World Philippines pageant has stood out for championing more relevant advocacies, which have empowered its winning queens to harness their collective energies in furthering their advocacies, which have so far included such relevant issues as cyberbullying, mental health, suicide prevention, gender equality, environmental awareness, and many others.

To date, the brand makeover has already captured the attention of keen pageant fans and netizens online. As evinced by its eye-catching fashion templates on its social media pages, the Miss World PH organization has obviously rewritten its style bible, utilizing slicker layouts and more engaging content.

Always be sincere in prayer

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE have to be wary of the danger to turn our prayer into mere babble of words. Christ pointed this out when he said: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.” (Mt 6,7)

To be sincere in our prayers, we need to review the crucial relationship between God and our capacity to stick to the truth or to be sincere. Nowadays, with the plethora of data and information, we have to remind ourselves constantly that truthfulness or sincerity is not a matter of simply confirming these data and pieces of information to our own designs. We need to process these raw data to leaven them with the love of God and submit them to God’s will.

To put it bluntly, we can only be in the truth when we are with God. Outside of him, let’s wish ourselves sheer luck, because the most likely thing to happen is to slip from the truth. It's like chasing the wind. For all the excitement and advantages a Godless pursuit of truth gives, everything will just turn out to be vanity.

And so, prayer is a must. It’s what vitally, existentially unites us with God. Without it, we will just be on our own, an easy prey to our own weaknesses, let alone, the temptations around.

Very vulnerable to the temptation to distort the truth and to fall into the tricks of hypocrisy and pretension are persons endowed and favored with all sorts of talents, intelligence, position, power and who may already have attained a good level of sanctity. That’s because their situation attracts all sorts of temptations.

We have to be more aware of this phenomenon and be able to handle it. Even Christ himself was tempted by the devil to deviate from his Father’s will. And the devil employed the subtlest of tricks, even quoting Scripture, to bend Christ to the devil’s will. The devil will always reserve the worst strategy to those who dare to get close to God.

Thus, those of us who try our best to follow God should not be surprised when the most “irresistible” temptations come to us not only from time to time, but even persistently. We somehow should expect this thing to happen, and be ready for it.

One gauge that can tell us that we have a good prayer, one where we truly have an intimate encounter with God, is when we come out of it burning with zeal for love and concern for the others. Somehow we would catch the fire behind these words of Christ: “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Lk 12,49)

Yes, real prayer has that effect. If, on the contrary, we come out of it just thinking of our own selves, or worse, feeling low and dry, then we are not actually praying. Prayer will always sharpen our mindfulness and thoughtfulness of others. We would be willing to suffer for them, helping them bear their burdens.

Prayer is by definition an act of love. And love in turn is always self-perpetuating. It never stops giving itself to God. As St. Francis de Sales would put it, “The measure of love is to love without measure.”

And because of our love for God, then our prayer which is an act of love for God will always lead us to love others. That is always the trajectory of a true, love-inspired prayer. Its vertical aspect never leaves behind the horizontal aspect.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

LIFE BRIDGES

 "If you are good at building bridges, you will never fall into the abyss!" said Mehmet Murat Ildan. Understanding is the bridge between two minds; love is the bridge between two souls.

We are all bridge builders during our whole life. I am not talking about the raised platform on a ship or a bridge mounting for false teeth or, as in the bony part of the nose. I am talking about spiritual bridges establishing connections between us and other people - or, between God and us.

Another elementary example is the "birthday bridge" or the turn to the year, that takes us from the old into a new period of life. A very important bridge in life takes people to me and me to people. It does not matter if our skin is black or white, if we are rich or poor, man or woman, being sad or happy.

So obvious our daily life is that we might even forget simple things easily. Self-esteem, respect and freedom from anxiety are the necessary and conclusive foundations for this kind of bridge.

Earl Nightingale discussed topics with regards to human character development and behaviors. He was known for his deep voice and clear diction. He was the voice of 'Sky King', which was a radio adventure series.

Nightingale also co-authored a book called 'The Strangest Secret' which is considered to be one of the greatest motivational books of all time. Earl Nightingale's 'Our Changing World’ was a five-minute radio commentary program which spoke about personal development.

Every person experiences a struggling period in their lives where they learn, and understand the wonders of life precisely.

“Your problem is to bridge the gap which exists between where you are now and the goal you intend to reach”, Earl Nightingale describes the significance of the bridge and how it helps one to travel through the hard phase of our lives. The bridge is a path and a direction that motivates us to move towards enlightened life.

What comes out from dark times is a whole new person who has risen up and has crossed the bridge for a brighter world. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.

Small but important bridges every daily - how easily are they to be built: gestures of love - like a medicine; a handshake together with commendation and praise, encouraging words, a warm smile, instead of a superficial "How are you?" and the expected "Fine" or "OKAY LANG!".

Allow me to say it clearly and directly to the point: Separations result from crumbled or fit for demolition bridges. Destroyed spiritual bridges can be found at any corner. Look into your neighbourhood or, don't drive away and repress this topic in your family. Insignificant trifling matters, minor arguing, misinterpretations, results in silence - and after the destroyed bridge follows an invincible wall not only between estates but also in the hearts and minds of stubborn human beings. Men as well as women build too many walls and not enough bridges.

I was born and grew up together with my parents in a parish house. Up to the time of my active performances - among many other things - I did learn this: 

"Build your own bridge to God and never doubt in Him. Always remember His promise. When a rainbow appears, it confirms His proximity and neighbourhood and His faith. God's unique bridge, a rainbow, is always there and durable, long lasting and solid. The main bridge, which affords passage to God, is the institution "church".

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

Back to school: This time, it’s for real

Published March 3, 2022, 12:05 AM

by Manila Bulletin

Don’t let the title of this editorial fool you. Online classes, of course, are real — as real as the virtual world would allow. But after almost two years of classes conducted in front of a screen, with students digitally participating, it comes as a breath of fresh, COVID-free air that the Department of Education (DepEd) is now considering more schools for face-to-face classes. 

Since November 2021, the DepEd has given permission for a number of schools to welcome students back into the four walls of a classroom. This setup was briefly halted in January of this year by the unexpected surge in COVID cases brought by the virus’ omicron variant. As of February, however, there have been around 1,700 schools implementing a face-to-face setup, according to the DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones. She added that some 6,213 schools all over the Philippines are now ready to conduct in-person classes now that an Alert Level 1 status has been implemented in the National Capital Region as well as in other parts of the country. Moreover, the ongoing vaccination of children ages five to 11 has definitely contributed to the more relaxed attitude toward schools and the conduct of classes. 

It truly is the way to go. In many other countries around the world, face-to-face classes have since been conducted as early as the first couple of quarters in 2021. While that, in itself, was experimental at best—an adjective one would not have considered to describe face-to-face classes prior to the pandemic—there is no denying that a year or so of classes behind screens has had detrimental effects on learners, particularly on children who are in their more formative years. There is no replacing actual physical interaction among students, although many schools have tried quite hard to remedy the situation. Some resorted to creativity with their Physical Education classes and others even considered creating a semblance of normalcy by encouraging their students to digitally interact with their classmates. 

After almost two years of living in a pandemic, one that some experts are saying is already on the verge of dying down, it is safe to assume that face-to-face classes can no longer be put on the backburner. This, of course, does not mean that every precaution that is necessary to ensure the safety of both educators and learners should be neglected. Despite the high vaccination rate among the DepEd personnel and teachers, and now with more students getting inoculated, a degree of safety should still be practiced—the wearing of face masks, for example, should be strictly enforced.

As parents welcome this move to a new normal in education, it is perhaps the students, especially the younger learners, who are most excited to see their friends again, this time for real. After all, if guidelines allow for children to go out to malls and restaurants, why shouldn’t they be given the chance to learn at the comfort of a classroom once again? 

Philippines accepts COVID-19 vax certificates of more countries

 Image from the website of the city government of Davao.

BY Helen Flores - The Philippine Star 

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the COVID-19 vaccination certificates of more countries and territories since reopening the country to foreign tourists last Feb. 10.

Acting presidential spokesman and IATF co-chairman Karlo Nograles said the country recognizes the vaccination certificates of Argentina, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Indonesia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Azerbaijan, Macau SAR and Syria.

He said this is in addition to other countries/territories/jurisdictions whose proofs of vaccination the IATF has already approved for recognition in the Philippines.

Nograles said the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), Department of Transportation (DOTr)’s One-Stop-Shop and Bureau of Immigration (BI) are directed to recognize all proofs of vaccination approved by the IATF.

Earlier, Nograles said all foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism may enter the country without visas as long as they are fully vaccinated and present the required COVID-19 proof of inoculation and testing documents.

He also expressed confidence that the updated protocols would not lead to a spike in infections as long as all health protocols are observed.

Flight crew protocols

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has adjusted quarantine protocols for flight and cabin crew members returning to the Philippines, including those with layovers in the country, to mitigate personnel shortages and avoid significant disruptions to workforce and operations.

Under the adjusted protocols issued by CAAP in its Memorandum Circulars 06-2022 and 07-2022 last Feb. 7, flight and crew members are no longer required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine, but shall self-monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

Transportation must be arranged by the air operator between the aircraft and the crew’s hotel rooms, if needed, while ensuring the observance of physical distancing and other health protocols.

At accommodation, only one crew member will be allowed to stay per hotel room and contact with other crew members is prohibited. Use of hotel common areas is also not allowed.

Suspected COVID-19 positive crew members and those experiencing symptoms during layover or in transit are mandated to immediately report to the air operator and seek medical assessment for monitoring.

They shall be repatriated by appropriate mode of transportation to their residence.

For crew members who have been found COVID-19 negative through evaluation in accordance with procedures, the air operator may arrange transportation to their residence.

CAAP requires air operators to ensure compliance with the relevant public health regulations, policies and established measures.

CAAP director-general Jim Sydiongco said the protocols have been established in response to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade’s directive to address the current insufficiency of manpower faced by local air operators due to the possibility of flight crew being exposed to COVID-19 positive individuals requiring quarantine. – Richmond Mercurio

The Good News about suffering

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THE fact that Christ immediately talked about his impending passion and death after being rightly identified by Peter as the “the Christ” (cfr. Mk 8,27-33) tells us that suffering and death, which are unavoidable in our life here on earth, are actually good news to all of us. If understood and experienced properly, they identify us with Christ and attain for us our own eternal salvation.

This gospel episode, of course, tells us that if we truly follow Christ, then like him, we should not only expect suffering and death but also welcome them. That’s because in the first place we cannot avoid suffering and death in this life, no matter how much we try. But more importantly, if we have the same attitude Christ had toward his suffering and death, we know that our own would have a positive and redemptive value.

This is what Christian suffering and death is all about. It is a consequence of all our sins but is now converted into a means of our salvation, that is, if we suffer and die with Christ.

We need to understand this basic truth of our faith so that we can avoid suffering unduly or suffering more than we ought. In other words, this truth of our faith enables us to suffer and die properly.

We all need to be reminded that all our suffering has a positive and favorable aspect. It’s not all entirely bad and negative, though in itself it will always be bad. But if viewed and lived through our Christian faith, that is, with Christ, there is something in it that can give us a greater good. 

Our pains and suffering are always the result of sin, ours and those of others. They are the necessary consequence of our separation, whether temporary or permanent, from God from whom all good things come. (cfr. Ps 16,2; James 1,17) We may not be the direct cause of our own suffering, but in this world, we cannot escape the effects of sin, and so we must be ready for them just the same.

We have to remind ourselves that we are not meant to suffer. Our original as well as our ideal definitive state in heaven excludes suffering. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were in the state of original justice, where everything was in order and in harmony. No pain and suffering touched them, until they fell into sin.

We have to remind everyone that when we suffer, we should see to it that we avoid suffering by our own lonesome. That would make our suffering, whatever may be its cause, whether it is self-inflicted or caused by others, a useless and purely negative event.

Truth is our suffering can have tremendous meaning and positive effect on us if we go through it always with Christ. If we go by our Christian faith, we are sure that Christ is ever willing to suffer for us and with us, and to convert our suffering into the very means of our salvation, in fact.

There is no human suffering that Christ is not willing to make also as his own. And he does it because he loves us, he wants to save us, he wants to bring us back to him. Let’s remember that his love is first of all gratuitous. He loves us first before we can learn to love him in return. 

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Covid: Austria and Germany decide to ease rules

 

Covid restrictions have meant limited attendances in Germany's Bundesliga but that will gradually change.

Austria and Germany have both announced plans to relax Covid-19 measures, weeks after pushing for compulsory vaccinations to curb infections.

Although unvaccinated people will still face restrictions, Germans are being promised a "freedom day" on 20 March while most measures will be dropped in Austria on 5 March.

The Omicron variant has not led to a feared surge in hospital admissions.

However, Germany's chancellor still aims to make vaccinations mandatory.

"The pandemic isn't over," said Olaf Scholz after a summit with Germany's 16 states. Legislation on compulsory jabs has been left for parliament to decide but the chancellor said it remained important especially ahead of next autumn and winter.

Austria passed a law earlier this month that made vaccination against Covid-19 mandatory, the first country in Europe to do so.

However, no-one will be penalised for breaking the law until 16 March, and the government has until then to decide whether to suspend the requirement. Chancellor Karl Nehammer said an advisory commission would recommend how best to proceed.

Much of Europe has already announced plans to loosen Covid restrictions as infections fall. Switzerland has announced that from Thursday Covid certificates are not needed to enter bars, restaurants or other indoor venues.

The Netherlands is to lift most measures by 25 February, with bars returning to normal hours and masks no longer compulsory in most settings

France has already scrapped mask requirements outdoors and aims to drop the measure indoors from mid-March if conditions allow

Norway lifted its last measures on 12 February, declaring coronavirus "no longer a major health threat to most of us"

Most restrictions have been lifted in England and some measures remain in Scotland and Wales.

Germany's leaders agreed on Wednesday to a three-step plan, starting with a raising of numbers of vaccinated and recovered people allowed to hold private indoor meetings, as well as Covid checks in non-essential shops.

From 4 March, anyone who has been vaccinated or who has recovered from Covid will be allowed into bars and hotels without a test while unvaccinated people will be let in with a test.

Then from 20 March most other restrictions will be scrapped, apart from rules on masks. Attendances at major outdoor events will go up from 10,000 to up to 25,000 (or 75% capacity) on 4 March, with the prospect of full stadiums on 20 March.

Chancellor Scholz said it was a "very special day" and Germany could look to the future with greater confidence than before. Although case numbers on Wednesday were still almost 220,000 over 24 hours, the seven-day rate of infection has fallen.

In Austria, only highly vulnerable settings such as nursing homes and hospitals will retain Covid restrictions from 5 March. Catering will be allowed overnight and Covid passes will not be needed, although masks will be needed on public transport and in essential shops.

As early as Saturday, anyone who has not been vaccinated will be allowed to enter places limited in recent months to those showing proof of vaccination or recovery.

Our work reflects who we really are

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

CHRIST was performing so many amazing miracles that the people could not help but exclaim: “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mk 7,37) Eventually through these miracles, among many other things, people were convinced that Christ indeed was the promised redeemer, the Son of God who became man.

Again, if we are to be like Christ as we ought, since Christ is the pattern of our humanity, then we somehow should show that the way we work should reflect that we are children of God in Christ. Our work should not only show the kind and the amount of talents and human powers we have. It should show that we are like Christ. To a certain extent, we can share the praise accorded to Christ that “he has done all things well.”

But first of all, we need to have a proper understanding of the true value of work in our life. As it is, the common understanding of work needs to be clarified and redeemed, because it has strayed from the proper path it is supposed to tread. We need to put it back to where it belongs in our life.

In the first place, our work is part of our human nature. As such, we are meant to work. Work is not a punishment or merely a heavy activity that we should try to avoid. Escaping work is definitely against our humanity.

And so, we need to correct the attitude, regrettably rampant these days, that considers work as something that has to be avoided as much as possible, or that regards it as an unavoidable evil that simply has to be tolerated. 

Our work, in fact, perfects us, since it actualizes the potencies that we have. It is what brings us toward our proper development and fulfillment, individually and socially. It enables us to achieve what God has meant for us—that we be his image and likeness.

In the second place, our work, even if humanly speaking is deemed insignificant, will always be part of the abiding providence of God over all his creation. It is what relates us to God and to others, what enables us to attain the ultimate goal of our life—full communion with God and with others. 

We need to understand then that our work is a vital part of God’s abiding providence over all his creation, especially over us. Since God’s providence now involves itself in the salvation of man, after we have alienated ourselves from him through sin, both the original and personal, we have to understand that our work ought to be involved too in our own salvation

It therefore has an eminently redemptive character. It just cannot be stuck with purely worldly objectives, no matter how valuable, recommendable and legitimate these worldly objectives are. It just cannot be pursued simply following personal or worldly purposes.

This is where we have to feel the duty to redeem our work from its merely worldly context. It just cannot be wasted on brilliant technicalities, or on some advantageous, profitable and most tempting and irresistible earthly motives and worldly pursuits.

We have to be more aware of the ultimate value and purpose of our work, no matter how small and humanly insignificant it may look. We need to sanctify it, offering it to God and doing our best in carrying it out, and always trying to see how our work at the moment plays in the overall plan of divine providence.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Stricter and holier than God?

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

YES, we have to be wary of our tendency to be stricter and holier than God himself. This happened among many of the Pharisees in the gospel who made laws, and interpreted and applied these laws according to their own understanding, without referring them to God. (cfr. Mk 7,1-13)

Of course, in their case, some excuse can be made since they could not believe that Christ was the God who became man precisely to show us “the way, the truth and the life” proper for us.

As a consequence, they became rigid in the application of their laws which, by the way, cannot fully capture what is truly good and proper for us, since we are governed not only by human laws but also by a supernatural law.

Remember Christ asking the Pharisees about the sabbath law: “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy?” (Mk 3,4) In another instance, Christ was asked why his disciples did not follow the tradition of the elders…” (cfr. Mk 7,5)

To which Christ responded by saying, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” (Mk 7,6-8)

We have to be wary of this danger which we may call as the new pharisaism that is manifested in many ways—like the tendency to legalism and formalism, developing a legal system that is animated by what is called legal positivism, etc.

There is also what is called as the pharisaical conscience where grave sins are minimized while matters of little importance are magnified. Such conscience tends to be very judgmental and leads one to assume a “holier-than-thou” attitude. Even in the area of psychology, this tendency is shown in what is called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) where rigidity reigns supreme.

Pharisaism drips with sanctimoniousness and self-righteousness, a funny caricature of authentic holiness. It is an ugly bag of all violations of charity, often disguised as defense of justice and human rights. 

It is a collection of false reasons and rationalizations not based on faith, hope and charity. It’s more interested in pursuing one’s self-interest than in a genuine concern for the common good, and much less, in giving glory to God. It thrives in an environment of gossips, rumor-mongering and mob rule.

We have to be most wary of the dangers of pharisaism that can come to us anytime and in very subtle ways. When in our pursuit for truth, justice and beauty, we become judgmental and rigid, less patient, understanding and merciful towards others, we can be sure we are falling into the hands of a new pharisaism.

When in our legitimate pursuit for greater knowledge, power and fame, we do not make the corresponding conversions of heart and are unwilling to suffer for others, this new pharisaism is setting in.

Now that we are in an election campaign season, these manifestations of pharisaism come aplenty. Candidates and their followers are often pictured in black-and-white. They are portrayed either as saints and angels who cannot do any evil, or the devil personified who cannot do any good at all. There is so much mudslinging and bashing, creating a very toxic environment among us.

We need to have God always in our mind and heart to avoid this common danger of pharisaism.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

A step closer to a better Sitio Tagbawi

Monkayo, Davao de Oro---Education has always been a priority of Governor Tyron Uy’s leadership in Davao de Oro, and for the next few days, another one (1) unit, two (2) classroom buildings will rise in the far-flung Sitio Tagbawi, in Brgy. Rizal, Monkayo.

Schools in highly urbanized areas are typical institutions, but for people in far-flung communities, it's an opening for more opportunities. The eradication of insurgency also brought major changes in the hinterlands, and for Sitio Tagbawi, it will be a game-changer.

Situated in higher grounds, four tribes reside in Tagbawi and its neighboring communities; the Mangguwangan, Dibabawon, Manobo, and Mandaya tribes.

In the year 2017, Sitio Tagbawi withdraws from supporting the communist group and was one of the pilot communities to benefit from the Oplan Pagbabago Program of the provincial government of Davao de Oro. Now that the presence of communists were totally banished from their area, development began to spur. 

Schoolchildren will no longer traverse kilometers as the learning institution will be brought closer to them. Two (2) more sitios; Little Depot, and Upper Pasian will also benefit from the project; a product of  PLGU-Davao de Oro’s culture of ‘bayanihan’ through “Bayanihan Sa Paaralan Program”, wherein volunteers from the Department of Education, 25th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, employees of the provincial government and other private partners go hand-in-hand for its completion.

A total of eighty (80) students are currently enrolled in the school, all from the three sitios with more or less three-hundred (300) households.

More projects are underway for Tagbawi. Sooner, a solar dryer and a water system project will be utilized by local farmers in the area, and transportation of local produce will be of comfort after the completion of a farm-to-market road. The provincial government initially targets to accomplish and turn over the school building with complete facilities on March 4, 2022. (JA, PAO-IPRD, photos by J. Cadiz)

EJ Obiena jumpstarts indoor season in Berlin

Photo from EJ Obiena’s Facebook page

by Kristel Satumbaga-Villar, Manila Bulletin-

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena returns to competition Friday amid his rift with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) by seeing action in the ISTAF Indoor Berlin tournament in Germany.

The competition is expected to jumpstart Obiena’s indoor season campaign where he is scheduled to compete in four more events this month after the Berlin meet.

Obiena, who holds the national and Asian record of 5.93 meters, will be up against a stacked field led by reigning world record holder and Olympic champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden.

Duplantis opened his 2022 season last week with a gold medal at the Indoor Meeting Karlsruhe in Germany after vaulting a new meet record of 6.02m.

Also in the lineup are fellow Tokyo Olympians KC Lightfoot of the United States, Germany’s Oleg Zernikel, Torben Blech and Bo Kanda Lita Baehre, and Poland’s Piotr Lisek.

Rutger Koppelaar of the Netherlands, who competed in the 2019 world championships, will also see action.

After the Berlin meet, Obiena will head to Uppsala, Sweden for the International Pole Vault Invitational on Feb. 9, followed by the Orlen Cup in Loz, Poland.

He will then head to Lievin, France for the Meeting Hauts-De-France on Feb. 17, followed by the Orlen Copernicus Cup in Torun, Poland on Feb. 22.

4 Visayas cities very high risk for COVID-19

Vendors and other individuals working at the night market queue for their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Divisoria, Manila during the night vaccination program of the local government on Aug. 2, 2021.

The STAR / Miguel de Guzman

By: Janvic Mateo - The Philippine Star 

MANILA, Philippines — Four highly urbanized cities in the Visayas are still considered “very high risk” for COVID-19, according to a member of the OCTA Research Group.

OCTA fellow Guido David said the average daily attack rate (ADAR) or the number of infections per 100,000 people remains “very high” in Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu and Mandaue.

Iloilo recorded the highest ADAR as of Tuesday with 64.06 followed by Cebu with 40.32; Mandaue, 29.99, and Bacolod, 27.26.

The four cities also have high reproduction numbers of over 1.0 and very high positivity rates of more than 20 percent.

In terms of health care utilization, Mandaue logged a high 78 percent. The three other cities are now at moderate levels.

David said Lapu-Lapu, Ormoc and Tacloban are classified as ”high risk” for COVID-19.

He said Lapu-Lapu recorded a very high ADAR of 39.83, but its health care utilization rate was below 50 percent, which is considered low based on the metric used by OCTA.

Ormoc had a moderate ADAR of 9.12 while Tacloban recorded a high 15.62 daily new infections per 100,000 people in the past week.

Positivity rates in the three cities remain very high. Ormoc logged the highest at 75 percent.

Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Ormoc and Tacloban were placed under Alert Level 3 until Feb. 15 due to a surge in COVID cases fueled by the Omicron variant.

OCTA on COVID-19 surge: The 'worst is over' in most parts of PH

(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

by Charie Mae F. Abarca, Manila Bulletin

Now that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases have peaked in several parts of the country, an OCTA research fellow said that “the worst is probably over in most parts of the Philippines” in terms of the COVID-19 surge.

“The good news is, and I want to emphasize, is that we could imagine that the worst is probably over for most of the country because cases have peaked or peaking,” said OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David during a virtual forum on Monday, Jan. 31.

However, David reiterated that this does not mean that the viral transmission is over.

“It doesn’t mean that it’s all clear. We should still follow health protocols as we go out because there is still a significant number of cases, especially in many parts of the country,” he added.

David said that among the provinces which are still seeing a significant increase in new COVID-19 infections were Bukidnon, Camiguin, Cotabato, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Maguindanao, Negros Oriental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

“Except for Negros Oriental which is in Visayas, most of the provinces are in Mindanao. What happened was that the surge happened later in these provinces, that’s why they’re still at an accelerating stage, whereas the surge has already matured and is now on a downward trend in Visayas and Luzon,” said David.

The OCTA research group previously stated that the Omicron-driven surge of COVID-19 is less likely to return in Metro Manila, but provinces outside the region should brace for the rise in infections.

Meanwhile, David still urged the public to continue adhering to the minimum public health standards such as the proper wearing of mask and observing physical distancing to further prevent the transmission of the disease.

Let’s complicate our life

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

        WHETHER we like it or not, or when we try to do everything to avoid it, our life will always get complicated, one way or another, sooner or later. There are just too many things for us to manage, and many of them are beyond our control. We just have to be prepared for it.

In the life of Christ, the pattern of our humanity and savior of our damaged humanity, we can see very well how this reality of life’s complications can come about. He went around preaching and doing a lot of good, and all sorts of difficulties, challenges, requests, etc. hounded him. If this happened to him, we have no reason to think that our life would be exempted from complications.

One time, Christ started to preach to many people who followed him, and a centurion approached him with an urgent request. Could Christ come to the centurion’s house to cure his dying daughter. He readily went, and along the way, a woman secretly touched his garment, convinced that she would be cured of her ailment. (cfr. Mk 5,21-43)

Things like this happened to Christ, and also to his disciples who tried to be with him. It is said, for example, that Christ had to wake up early in the morning and go to a deserted place to do his prayer. And Christ sometimes would ask his disciples to rest a while, since with all the things they were doing with him, they hardly had time to eat.

Yes, our life, indeed, if it has to reflect the life of Christ, cannot help but get complicated. But as long as we keep our faith strong and continue to be close to Christ, we can always manage, and avoid making a big issue out of this predicament. We can even find fulfillment in it.

We should not be afraid when our life gets complicated. As long as we are with Christ, we even would be willing to complicate our life. I think that is the proper attitude to develop in ourselves. We should not just wait for our life to get complicated. We somehow should complicate by truly involving ourselves in the mission of Christ and in the lives of others.

Obviously, we should try our best to be properly prepared for this unavoidable condition in our life. Let’s prepare ourselves for this physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and morally. For this, we need to avail of all possible and appropriate means.

We certainly need to develop virtues, like order, fortitude, optimism, cheerfulness, prudence, etc. We have to avail of the spiritual means of prayer, sacrifice and recourse to the sacraments. Let’s always remember that we are always guided by some supernatural forces that can only come from God. That way, we would also be ready to tackle the strong and subtle infra natural forces that come from some evil spirits around.

It would be good to devise a variety of plans to address our different concerns. We should be making daily, weekly plans, etc., to guide us in all our needs, from the physical and the most material, to the moral, spiritual and our ultimate supernatural goal. 

Obviously, we also have to learn how to be flexible, because no matter how much we plan, we will always encounter surprises and spoilers along the way. We have to learn how to be game in all this. The most important thing is that whatever happens, we should always go to Christ.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

 

Phivolcs: 'Very weak' phreatomagmatic bursts recorded in Taal Volcano

(MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO)

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

Eight “very weak” phreatomagmatic bursts have been recorded in Taal Volcano on Saturday, Jan. 29, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In its advisory late Saturday night, Phivolcs said short phreatomagmatic bursts, which lasted only 10 seconds to two minutes, occurred between 3:50 p.m. and 9:57 p.m.

 

Phreatomagmatic burst occurs when hot magma comes into contact with groundwater.

Phivolcs said the “very short-lived” bursts “produced only traces in the seismic record but were accompanied by distinct infrasound signals.”

However, the events generated steam-rich plumes between 400 meters and 900 meters high as detected by visual and thermal cameras around Taal Lake.

“Sulfur dioxide flux since the beginning of 2022 has averaged 10,668 tons per day, with the highest average emission at 18,705 tons per day on January 27, 2022,” Phivolcs said.

Meanwhile, “almost no volcanic earthquake activity has been recorded since Dec. 19,” it pointed out, adding that the volcano island has been deflating since October 2021.

Phivolcs said that Taal Volcano remains under alert level 2, which means that the volcano continues to manifest “increased unrest.” The volcano has been under alert level 2 since July 23, 2021.

It warned that gas-driven explosions and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and affect areas within and around the Taal Volcano Island.

Phivolcs reiterated that entry into the Taal Volcano Island, which is a permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, is strictly prohibited.

Boating and other activities on Taal Lake are also prohibited, Phivolcs said.

“Local government officials are advised to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest,” it added.

DA and Philrice grant agricultural assistance to DdO Farmers

Davao de Oro Province--- More farmers in Davao de Oro recently received agricultural grants from the Department of Agriculture and PhilRice to lessen their cost of production since weather conditions in the province affected their farming in the past few weeks.

DA-RFO XI provided a total of 853 bags of certified rice seeds (40 kg per bag), while PhilRice also provided 3,000 bags (20 kg per bag). Rice farmers from the municipalities of Nabunturan, Montevista, Compostela, Mawab, and Laak received the said assistance through the Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO) of DdO.

Further, another set of farmers’ associations all from insurgency-free and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the province received another batch of Abaca seedlings (35,000) from DA’s SAAD Program (Special Area for Agricultural Development Program). 

The distribution of the assistance was initiated by PAGRO on January 24-28, 2022 to Tagbaros Integrated Farmers Association (TIFA) in Tagbaros, Maco, Sitio Estabillo Rural Association of Farmers (SEAFA) in Andili, Mawab, Golden Valley Upland Farmers Association, Brgy. Golden Valley, Mabini, Anitapan Improvement Community Farmers Association, Brgy. Anitapan, Maragusan, Parasanon Multipurpose Cooperative, Brgy. Parasanon, Maragusan,  Tugunan Cadan Farmers Association, in Brgy. Katipunan, Nabunturan, and Camlon Buhay Association, Brgy. Camanlangan, New Bataan. 

(JA, PAO-IPRD, photos by PAGRO)