Europe swelters in record-breaking June heatwave

By Agence France-Presse

PARIS: France and other western European nations sweltered over the weekend under a blistering June heatwave that has sparked forest fires and concerns such early summer blasts of hot weather will now become the norm.

The weekend's soaring temperatures were the peak of a June heatwave in line with scientists' predictions that such phenomena will now strike earlier in the year thanks to global warming.

The popular French southwestern seaside resort of Biarritz saw its highest all-time temperature Saturday afternoon of 42.9 degrees Celsius (109.2 degrees Fahrenheit) state forecaster Meteo France said as authorities urged vigilance from the central western coast down to the Spanish border.

Many parts of the region surpassed 40C, although storms were expected on the Atlantic coast on Sunday evening -- the first signs that the stifling temperatures will "gradually regress to concern only the eastern part of the country," the weather service reported.

Queues of hundreds of people and traffic jams formed outside aquatic leisure parks in France, with people seeing water as the only refuge from the devastating heat.

With the River Seine off limits to bathing, scorched Parisians took refuge in the city's fountains.

And at Vincennes Zoo in the capital's outskirts, shaggy-haired lions licked and pawed at frozen blood fed to them by zookeepers, who monitored the enclosure's animals for signs of dehydration under the scorching sun.

"This is the earliest heatwave ever recorded in France" since 1947, said Matthieu Sorel, a climatologist at Meteo France, as June records fell in a dozen areas, leading him to call the weather a "marker of climate change."

Europe braces for blistering June weekend

In a major incident in France, a fire triggered by the firing of an artillery shell in military training in the Var region of southern France was burning some 200 hectares (495 acres) of vegetation, local authorities said.

"There is no threat to anyone except 2,500 sheep who are being evacuated and taken to safety," said local fire brigade chief Olivier Pecot.

The fire came from the Canjeurs military camp, the biggest such training site in Western Europe.

Fire services' work was impeded by the presence of non-exploded munitions in the deserted area, but four Canadair planes were deployed to water bomb the fires.

Daniel Toffaloni, a 60-year-old farmer near the southern city of Perpignan, now only works from "daybreak until 11:30 am" and in the evening, as temperatures in his tomato greenhouses reach a sizzling 55C.

Forest fires in Spain on Saturday had burned nearly 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) of land in the northwest Sierra de la Culebra region.

The flames forced several hundred people from their homes, and 14 villages were evacuated.

Some residents were able to return on Saturday morning, but regional authorities warned the fire "remains active".

Firefighters were still battling blazes in several other regions, including woodlands in Catalonia.

Temperatures above 40C were forecast in parts of the country on Saturday -- with highs of 43C expected in the northeastern city of Zaragoza.

There have also been fires in Germany, where temperatures were forecast to go as high as 40C on Saturday but only reached 36C. A blaze in the Brandenburg region around Berlin had spread over about 60 hectares by Friday evening.

The UK recorded its hottest day of the year on Friday, with temperatures reaching over 30C in the early afternoon, meteorologists said.

"I think at the moment people are just enjoying it being hot but if it gets any hotter than this, which I think it is meant to, then that's a concern," said Claire Moran, an editor in London.

Several towns in northern Italy have announced water rationing and the Lombardy region may declare a state of emergency as a record drought threatens harvests.

Italy's dairy cows were putting out 10 percent less milk, the main agricultural association, Coldiretti, said Saturday.

With temperatures far above the cows' "ideal climate" of 22-24C, animals were drinking up to 140 litres of water per day, double their normal intake, and producing less due to stress, it said.

Experts warned the high temperatures were caused by worrying climate change trends.

"As a result of climate change, heatwaves are starting earlier," said Clare Nullis, a spokeswoman for the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva.

"What we're witnessing today is unfortunately a foretaste of the future" if concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continue to rise and push global warming towards 2C from pre-industrial levels, she added.

New FMR , better living for Tagugpo residents in Pantukan

A newly built Farm-to-market (FMR)  road with a length of 1,260 meters, is now in service to the residents of Brgy. Tagugpo, Pantukan, Davao de Oro after a simple  turnover ceremony held last June 11, 2022.

DILG Davao de Oro Provincial Director Noel Duarte said during the official turn-over ceremony of the project, that FMRs established in the formerly conflict affected areas in the province will bring significant changes to people especially farmers, “Dili lang katawhan ang tumong sa proyekto, kundili ang katawhan ug ang iyang produkto,” said PD Duarte. Tagugpo’s new FMR opens access for farmers going to their respective farming areas much easier than ever.

Brgy. Tagugpo is among the sixty-five (65) barangay beneficiaries of the province under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the NTF-ELCAC. Each barangay beneficiary is granted a twenty (20) million peso budget for the establishment of much-needed services for the people not only limited to FMRs, but also water systems, health centers, electrification, and day-care centers for education.

Last October 2021, PLGU-Davao de Oro through the Bayanihan Sa Paaralan Program, established a Bayanihan school building with two (2) classrooms and complete amenities in a span of thirty (30) days which will cover primary education of the five (5) sitios in Tagugpo. Right after, a Salugpungan school in Sitio Maligaya, whose operation stopped in 2018 was demolished last January this year.

Further, the turn-over ceremony were attended by Governor Tyron Uy, together with  partners from the PNP, AFP, and DILG. “Ang susi sa kalambuan sa atong probinsya mao ang kalinaw,” said Governor Tyron Uy, “Hopefully atong mahimong zero ang insurgency dinhi sa atung probinsya, kay mao na ang akong pangandoy sukad 2016 isip inyung gobernador and that is my commitment sa pagpanerbisyo,” he added.

Davao de Oro has only one (1) remaining guerilla front, from eleven (11) fronts way-back 2016, a major decrease in insurgency as a result of the collective efforts of the provincial government and partner agencies. The series of turn-overs for the BDP funded projects in the province will continue in the upcoming days. (Jasteen Abella, PAO IPRD, photos by G. Mativo and J. Cadiz)

Let’s be responsible of each other

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WHETHER we are aware of it or not, and despite our differences and conflicts, we all share the same humanity, the same status as creatures of God made in his image and likeness. We are one people, forming one body of which each one of us ought to be a living member, doing a specific role for the good of everyone. We have to care, love and help one another!

That is why we need to be living members, as St. Paul once said. “The body is a unit,” he said, “though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.: (1 Cor 12-13)

And the best way to be living and helpful members of the same body is to follow Christ’s indication for each one of us to be “salt and light” to everyone. (cfr. Mt 5,13-16). Christ wants us, like salt, to provide Christian flavor in a world that is fast evolving, as well as help in preserving the true Christian spirit in a world that is so exposed to a lot of changes, many of them with their luggage of dangers even as they also offer a lot of benefits.

We also are meant to give light to the others by giving good examples and by actively doing apostolate, leading people to God along the right if prudent and tortuous and treacherous paths of this world. With rectitude of intention, we have to inspire others to follow us so that with us they can come to Christ.

Let’s make St. Paul’s words ours also: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor 11,1) These words are a corollary to what Christ said about us being light of the world: “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt 5,16)

Let’s try our best so that we too can echo another of St. Paul’s words: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2,20) This is the ideal to aim at, because Christ himself said, “I am the light of the world…the man who follows me will have the light of life.” (Jn 8,12) 

We can only give the true light if we have the light of Christ, if we are with Christ and so identified with him that whoever sees and hears us sees and hears Christ. (cfr. Lk 10,16)

We have to understand that we have a duty to always inspire others. It’s a most important duty that is actually incumbent on everyone of us, and not just on some special people. We know that we are all interrelated, obviously not biologically that only has a limited scope, but definitely to a large extent, politically, economically, socially, etc. The fact that we all live in the same one world somehow makes us all interrelated.

But there’s actually a more radical basis of our interrelation. And that is that we are all creatures of God, children of his, meant to be the people and the family of God. It is a relationship that is spiritual more than material, forged by a supernatural principle and not just something natural. That’s why we have to care for each other, and be responsible for one another.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Another problem, another chance to grow

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

“I HAVE told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn 16,33)

What very reassuring words of Christ for us! That’s why no matter what happens in our life, even if we are drowning with all sorts of problems and troubles, we should remain at peace and confident, since Christ has taken care of everything.

Instead, we should sport that have-a-go attitude that would lead us to even take advantage of these situations, to derive something good from them, in order to grow in our humanity and our Christian life, etc.

Remember St. Paul’s words to the Romans: “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.” (8,28) Yes, even our limitations, our mistakes, our defeats in life, if referred to God, can lead us to something good. These actually are great opportunities to learn new things, to grow and strengthen our virtues, etc.

Yes, if we have faith in God, in his wisdom and mercy, in his unfailing love for us, we know that everything will always work out for the good. If we are with God, we can always dominate whatever suffering can come our way in the same manner that Christ absorbed all his passion and death on the cross.

Let’s always remember that God, in his ineffable ways, can also talk to us through these crosses. In fact, he can convey precious messages and lessons through them. It would be good that we have a theological attitude toward them, and be wary of our tendency to react to them in a purely human way, based only on our senses and feelings and on worldly trends.

In all our affairs and situations in life, we should always go to God to ask for his help and guidance, and to trust his ways and his providence, even if the outcome of our prayers and petitions appears unanswered, if not, contradicted.

We need to trust in God’s providence and mercy. We have to learn to live a spirit of abandonment in the hands of God. If we truly have a deep faith in God, in his wisdom and mercy, in his unfailing love for us, everything will be taken care of and some good can always be derived even from our mistakes and failures.  God always has the last word. He always wins. We just have to make sure we are with him in all situations of our life.

When we are faced with our limitations, let’s just be game and sport about them, and try our best—with the help of God’s grace, of course—to try to go beyond our limits. There is always that possibility since we are not purely a material and natural being, but also a spiritual being capable of entering the supernatural order. With God’s grace, we can go beyond what our nature can only give.

As an old love song would put, let’s have that attitude that whenever we are faced with difficulties, we should be convinced that we can overcome them. And when it is something impossible for us to do, let us also convince ourselves that it may just need a little more time to get it.

The fact is, Christ is always around. He allows some negative things to happen in our life to derive a greater good for us!

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Yassi is ready for ‘Rolling In It Philippines’ Season 2

by Annalyn S. Jusay, Manila Bulletin

Yassi Pressman is on a roll. Her movie “More Than Blue” is consistently No. 1 most streamed on Netflix for weeks now. She’s kept very busy with her various entrepreneurial ventures, and she also confirmed that she’s happily in a relationship with a mystery non-showbiz guy.

Most of all, she reprised her role as the only solo female game show host in the Philippines with the launch of “Rolling In It Philippines Season 2” on TV5 last Saturday, May 28.

As “Rolling In It Philippines” enters its second year, viewers should prepare for more family-friendly action and high-stakes excitement with their favorite stars as playing partners. Award-winning young actress Nadine Lustre will make a special appearance in the first episode, alongside Youtuber Chad Kinis and theater-star Jerald Napoles.

“We’re launching the second season with Nadine who hasn’t been on TV for four or five years, so I was really surprised to hear that she agreed to guest in the show. We’ll also have Zeinab (Harake), Diego Loyzaga,  Marco Gumabao. We will have a lot of the big gamers and a lot of TikTok superstars. I won’t spill the beans completely so people have something to look forward to, but it’s nice to have them all on the show,”  the 27-year-old Yassi announced in a media conference at the TV5 studios in Quezon City. 

Asked about what advice she can give to contestants in the show, Yassi said focus is key. “I would advise players to focus, especially when they reach the last round. If they really don’t know the answer, they should pass and come back later,” she said.

Under the “Rolling In It” mechanics, the regular player and the celebrity partner will each take their turn as they try to collect as many points to win up to P2 million. By rolling the Power Coin on the giant arcade, the players can choose between PLAY to improve their chances of winning or PASS the opportunity to a different pair. Based on the performance of previous winners, it takes teamwork, skill and luck to ace the game and win the prize.

The show’s good ratings during its first season proved that viewers loved taking a look into the off-screen and playful side of the many celebrities and talents that graced the show. This gave them many bonding moments and look forward to weekend nights at home.

Aside from the regular telecast on TV5, catch-up episodes of “Rolling In It Philippines” will be available on Cignal TV CH. 3 and SatLite CH. 30. It can also be watched Live and On-demand via the Cignal Play App, which is FREE to download for Android and iOS users.  

Angat Dam’s water level may no longer hit 180-meter critical mark

JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

Angat Dam’s water level may no longer hit 180-meter critical mark

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, May 25, said the water level in Angat Dam may no longer dip below its 180-meter minimum operating level until the end of June, following the rains in the past few months.

As of 6 a.m., Wednesday, Angat Dam’s water level was at 190.60 meters, down 0.15 meters from Tuesday’s 190.75 meters, but still within the rule curve elevation of 184.14 meters.

PAGASA defines the rule curve as the minimum reservoir elevation needed to be maintained by dam operators to ensure the availability of water for irrigation, power generation, and domestic supply.

“Nilagpasan na niya yung sinasabi nating rule curve so masasabi natin yung water level sa Angat ay safe na na maitatawid natin itong dry season na hindi bumagsak ang water level katulad noong previous years (It has already surpassed the rule curve so we can say that the water level in Angat is safe. We have already passed the dry season without the water level falling like in previous years),” Edgar dela Cruz, weather facilities specialist of the PAGASA’s Hydro-Meteorological Division, said during a forum on Wednesday.

Given the forecast rainfall of 316 millimeters and dam allocation of 75 cubic meters per second, Angat Dam’s water level will be at 188.27 meters by the end of June.

This means that although Angat Dam’s level is below its 210-meter normal high water level, it will be above its 181.90-meter rule curve elevation.

Based on PAGASA’s projection, dela Cruz said the water level in Angat Dam will not be less than 180 meters until the end of June.

PAGASA had earlier projected that the water level in Angat Dam, Angat Dam, which supplies 98 percent of Metro Manila’s water requirements, could breach the 180-meter minimum operating level around May.

Veteran actress Susan Roces passes away, tributes flood social media

By Christina Alpad, Manila Times

THE Queen of Philippine Movies Susan Roces has passed away, her family confirmed. She was 80 years old.

"With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jesusa Sonora Poe, whom many of you know as Susan Roces. She passed away peacefully on a Friday evening, May 20, 2022, surrounded by love and warmth, with her daughter Grace, her nephews Joseph and Jeffrey and many of her family and close friends. She lived life fully and gracefully," a statement from the office of Roces' daughter, Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, read.

"Remember her in her beauty, warmth and kindness. She is now with the Lord and her beloved Ronnie — FPJ. We will miss her sorely but we celebrate a life well lived. Susan Roces — daughter, mother, grandmother, a true Filipina and a national treasure."

Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora-Poe in real life, Roces made her acting debut in the 1952 film "Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan."

She was married to the "King of Philippine movies," Fernando Poe Jr. from 1968 until his death in 2004.

Roces was last seen portraying Lola Flora in the long-running TV series, "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano."

Condolences and tributes from personalities in show business and politics flooded Twitter.

"Susan Roces," "Rest in Peace," and "Lola Flora" — the character Roces last portrayed in the long-running TV series, "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" — quickly reached the top trending topic list of the social media app.

"My sincerest condolences to Sen Grace and the family and loved ones of Ma'am Susan Roces... Rest in peace po Ninang Susan... you will be missed..." Senator-elect Francis "Chiz" Escudero shared via his Twitter account, @SayChiz.

"Rest In Peace Ninang Susan Roces," Senator-elect Jose Victor Ejercito also tweeted.

"Nakakalungkot naman. Isang napakabuting tao ang nagpaalam. Hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang kabaitan mo sa amin mga nakatrabaho mo. RIP Susan Roces," actress Alex Gonzaga tweeted via @Mscathygonzaga.

"Sincerest condolences to the Poe family Rest in peace, Ms. Susan Roces," shared TV host Bianca Gonzales via @iamsuperbianca.

Host, comedian and talent manager Ogie Diaz, who was among the first to share the sad news, simply wrote, "Rest in peace, Tita Susan Roces."

Let’s always feel God’s constant love for us

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

“AS the Father loves me, so I also love you.” (Jn 15,9) Words of Christ that are worth engraving indelibly in our mind and heart. They clearly show us how much God loves us. Imagine, the love that God the Father lavished on God the Son is the same love that is also lavished on us!

This truth of our faith should drive us crazy as well as move us to learn to love God in return and to love everybody else with the same love God has for all of us. And Christ gives us the secret of how we can have such love that, according to him, will give us our complete joy. (cfr. Jn 15,11) 

And that is to keep God’s commandments. “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,” he said, “just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” (Jn 15,10)

Given the way love is understood by many of us, we need to learn to distinguish between what is genuine love and fake love, between what is objectively good and evil and what may just be our own ideas of them that do not conform to the truth.

Nowadays, the ability to distinguish these essential elements in our life is most needed since we are in very complicated times and many people, especially the young, the so-called millennials, are unfortunately thrown into deep confusion and ignorance. Some people have even described such sad phenomenon as invincibly irremediable.

But I believe there’s always hope and that we can still manage to get to the truth. And so, the first thing that we can say with regard to this issue is that to distinguish between truth and falsehood, between good and evil, between genuine love and fake love, we need to have a close, intimate relationship with God.

After all, he is the creator of all things, the first and ultimate lawgiver, the very foundation of reality. Without him, we go out on a limb, and expose ourselves to many dangers. Not that with him, we are free of dangers. In fact, with him, we will always be hounded by temptations from inside us and outside us. But at least with him, we are sure of the path we are taking, and the choice we will be making.

Our love, to be true, can only flow from God who loves himself. And that love is shown to us and is made available to us by Christ who commanded us precisely to love one another as he himself has loved us. (cfr Jn 13,34)

This love that comes from God through Christ in the Holy Spirit will always be in the truth, will always be consistent irrespective of our conditions and circumstances, will always know how to adapt itself to different situations without getting lost.

And given our human condition that is prone to confusion and error, we should realize that we need to always renew and purify our love. That’s simply because of the tension between our nature and our supernatural goal, not to mention our present wounded human condition that is prone to temptation and sin and to all kinds of weaknesses. We unavoidably contend with these conditions in our earthly life. 

We can always start with good intentions and the best of our efforts in anything that we do. But if we do not constantly renew and purify our love for God and neighbour that should inspire all our actions, we simply cannot go the distance.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

HAPPY EASTER!

To die is to live! We are always shocked when in the middle of our surroundings, somebody passes away. Our usual questions are: "Why die so young? Why he, why she? A natural reaction, indeed.

When Jesus finally gave up His spirit on the cross after three hours of bitter agony, the Pharisees said: "Finally, that impostor has gone. He deserved to die that kind of death!"

Let's remember: After the waving of the tree branches by the Jewish crowd and Hosannas of Palm Sunday, the arrest of Jesus betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Olives, the imprisonment and humiliation of Holy Thursday night, the carrying of the cross, crucifixion, and death at Good Friday, - Jesus Christ rose from the tomb on Easter Sunday - glorious and will never and die again!

For Jesus, dying was not the end of everything. It was the beginning of a new life. Symbolically we see the Easter Resurrection of our Lord depicted in various ways, which always point to life after death. Especially in parts of the world where deep winter lets all plants and trees "sleep" for a couple of months, people enjoy the spirit of the new shoots that come out of a big trunk of a tree.

Eggs were usually symbols used in springtime long before Christianity came into existence. The eggs symbolize life, which its causing it to grow. Since Easter usually occurs at spring time (March or April), which is already summer in the Philippines, this egg-symbol was still in use among the pagans of early times when Christian were celebrating Easter.

A blessed Easter to all of you, my dear readers. Walk this day with great confidence in your heart, mind and soul.

And, enjoy your egg hunting with your loved ones...!

All Fools Day in the age of fake news

by Manila Bulletin

Are you sure you’re reading this right? It’s April Fools’ Day.

It’s celebrated around the world in many different ways, but in any way it is observed, someone has to play the fool.

In the Philippines, as in Spain and Mexico, there is a Yuletide version of April Fools’ Day — Niños Inocentes, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, as we call it, or Dia de los Santos Inocentes as it is for the Spanish and the Mexicans. It’s celebrated every year on Dec. 28 in remembrance of the massacre of the newborns and the firstborns in Bethlehem by order of King Herod of Judea in reaction to a prophecy that, the King of the Jews thus born, one of those children could oust him.

Through the years, the commemoration of this biblical tragedy has not been as grim, being part of a festive season. An angel warned Joseph, who brought his family, the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus, to safety in Egypt before the massacre took place, so the joke was on Herod. He played the fool and so the day, much like its April counterpart, has since become a day of pranks, the day revelers try to find someone, a friend or family member, to play Herod, the fool.

Niños Inocentes is All Fools Day in December, replete with spoof reports and lots of humor in the newspapers and the news channels in most Spanish-speaking countries, where the jokes are called “inocentadas.” Until the 1980s, Filipinos would avoid lending anything, especially money, on Dec. 28 because chances were they would never get it back.

Today is All Fools’ Day in April and in most countries, this is the day to play pranks on unsuspecting folk. No one knows exactly where it originated. There have been suggestions that it might have been prompted by reactions to the Edict of Rousillon, promulgated by Charles IX in 1564, to change the date of the New Year from Easter to Jan. 1 throughout Christendom. Those who failed to see that Easter was lunar — meaning falling on “the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox” — and therefore a moveable feast were subsequently called poisson d’avril or April fools.

Once upon a time, All Fools Day was a big deal.

In 1957, the BBC played a spoof documentary of a family in Ticino in Switzerland harvesting strands of spaghetti from a tree, like grape from a vine, to which Americans reacted with as much incredulity as with great interest, wanting, as the BBC has put it, “to find out where they could purchase their very own spaghetti bush.”

In the mid-1990s, Taco Bell took out full-page ads in seven leading American newspapers to announce that, in the hope of helping the US reduce its debt, it had purchased the Liberty Bell and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell, eliciting thousands of calls, many from irate citizens, for both Taco Bell and the National Park Service, before it was revealed at noon on April 1, 1996 that it was all a hoax. The ad won many awards.

Those days are gone. Nowadays, we potentially play the fool every time news on the web astounds us. The internet has ruined All Fools Day — or made it every day.

We need faith for miracles to happen

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

GIVEN the precarious and wounded condition of our human life, plus the fact that we are meant to live a supernatural life, one that is simply beyond our human powers to attain without the help of God’s grace, we have to understand that many times we need to ask for miracles, those extraordinary interventions we ask of God for the simple reason that we would just find ourselves in some situations to be helpless and hopeless.

In fact, in the world today, we can detect an increasing number of predicaments that often reduce us to helplessness. This can be brought about by the new technologies that, while giving us a lot of advantages, can also cause great harm. Yes, these new technologies are a double-edged sword.

This truth about our need for faith for miracles to happen was illustrated many times in the gospel where all sorts of people approached Christ asking for some miracles. In the gospel of St. John (4,43-54) for example, we are given that episode of a royal official who begged Christ to heal his ill son. And the main factor that made that miracle take place was the faith that officials had.

“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe,” Christ said. But the royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” And since that official believed, his son was cured.

We have to have a strong faith for miracles to happen. If we have this kind of faith, we know that we always need to go to Christ, like those many helpless characters in the gospel who approached him for a cure. In other words, we cannot anymore rely on our human natural and human powers alone to handle our extraordinary predicaments. We have to beg for miracles!

Miracles are certainly part of what God has made available for our problems. When St. Paul said: “God will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it,” (1 Cor 10,13) he must have included this extraordinary recourse to miracles as one of God’s ways for us to endure any temptation or predicament.

And so let us go to Christ like the blind man Bartimaeus (Mk 10,46-52), the woman with the flow of blood (Mk 5,25), the 10 lepers (Lk 17,11-19), the man born blind (Jn 9,1-12), the man possessed by a legion of devils (Mk 5,1-10), and many others. Let’s go to him without delay, without hesitation.

We can also help others go to Christ if they themselves cannot do it, like what the father of a possessed boy did (Mk 9,17-24), those who brought a paralytic to Christ (Mk 2,4), the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant (Lk 7,1-10), etc. We can do a lot of good to others if we do this.

What is important is that we approach Christ with deep faith. In those miraculous cures Christ did, he always referred to the great faith of those who asked for those miracles.

Let us humble ourselves so that that faith can grow and show itself in deeds, like intense prayers and sacrifice. Remember what Christ told his disciples why they could not cure an epileptic boy. It was because of their little faith. (cfr. Mt 17,20)

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

God will always forgive us

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

NEVER doubt this truth of our Christian faith. As illustrated in that beautiful parable of the prodigal son (cfr. Lk 15,11-32), God is always ready to forgive us, no matter what sin we commit. All we have to do is just to go back to him in repentance, just like what the prodigal son did.

In life, anything can happen. We try to do what is good, but sometimes our idea of what is good can actually be bad. We just have to remember that even in our worst possible scenario, we can always count on God’s ever-ready mercy as long as we decide to come home to him.

We should always strengthen our faith in God’s mercy and compassion. Of course. We should also try not to abuse God’s goodness, even if we know that despite our best efforts we may end up abusing it just the same. But whatever happens, we should come home. Just come home to our Father God. That’s what matters in the end.

We need to strengthen our spirit of divine filiation—that God is our father who is all merciful and compassionate, who is all willing to do anything for us just to get us back to him. He knows that even if he has made us to be his image and likeness, that dignity often spoils us, and so we get into trouble.

This truth about our divine filiation is worth reiterating. It is what truly grounds us to the foundation of our life and nature, giving us the meaning and purpose of our existence. It’s a source of joy, confidence and serenity. It tells us what our filial rights and duties are.

More importantly, it tells us who we are and gives us an abiding sense that we are never alone, or worse, just on our own. It fills us with the conviction that we are children of God, that no matter what happens, God will always be with us and for us unless we reject him.

We have to be wary of our tendency to think that we are just on our own. That would be an attitude that can be suggested only by the devil who will always tell lies. Sad to say, many people are succumbing to this trick of the devil. That’s why many now fall into some deep despair when misfortune comes their way. They feel there’s no one else to run to anymore. We should do everything to strengthen our spirit of divine filiation.

Let’s always remember that God “takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they return from their ways and live.” (Ez 33,11) And as shown by Christ, God does not wait for man to turn back to him. He takes the initiative to reach out to us, sinners.

In all the miracles that he performed, Christ was more interested in forgiving the sins of those involved than in healing them of their infirmities and predicaments. His love and compassion went beyond the concern for the bodily health of those characters. He focused more on their spiritual recovery. 

We have to see to it that in proclaiming the gospel to the others, in our effort to present Christ to the others, we should not simply talk about the strictness of God’s demands and expectations from us, the high standard that he is setting for us. This will scare people more than attract them to Christ. We should always include God’s mercy in all our preaching and counseling.

 God will always forgive us.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

ASSERTIONS TO BEAR

We love to complain! Many times we don't have reasons at all to do so - but, we love to complain. Especially nowadays. Our world is full of mess - isn't it? Of course, somehow it is indeed if you look around.

We bring many more assertions to bear: first, in the past we have been thriftier and economical, more religious and devout, more patriotic, industrious, more hard-working, keen and obedient. And, second, above everything and all: in the past we had more idealists. Third, nowadays we have (mostly?) material things in mind - what a disgrace. 

Materialists or idealists? Materialism or Idealism? Whom or what do you love? Love most?

I just quoted Vox Populi... .

A "materialist" has indeed become a swear word. I don't mean with "material" the accumulated data out of which a writer creates a work of literary, historical, or scientific value. A materialist is being easily described as someone with an attitude, who ignores spiritual values, compared with an idealist, who has the tendency to seek the highest spiritual perfection.

Idealism means the doctrine that appearance is purely the perception, the idea of subjects, and that the world is to be regarded as consisting of mind. The coquetry of higher philosophy makes it difficult to bear the ups and downs in our daily life.

Sure, we all know that "our last earthly dress has no pockets  any more". Striving for earthly and terrestrial possession, property and estate might be the hit-man of idealism. That's how we have been taught. "Wine, women and song", having the unpleasant feeling of fullness, egoism and bragging as well as showing-off - are these the materialist's real attitudes?

Is the idealist, many times not being able to stand on earth with both feet, the only one who occupies himself with religion and virtuousness - so to speak, with celestial and heavenly things? Is that really so? Can we make such a distinction? Sure, it's easy to do so: it's manageable and comfortable. But well, why is the enjoyment of having a tasty meal BAD, and listening to a recital composed by Johann Sebastian Bach BETTER? Why should art be better than roasted pork and a bottle of wine? Value judgements and moral concepts... .

Owning a house and lot and a car  - or even more then one - are earthly properties, as well as bank saving accounts, profitable insurances, and invest advantageously in stocks. Is a terrible underpaid nurse or a book author an idealist, because he or she doesn't work for the filthy lure but for higher values? 

Has Jesus been an idealist, because He accepted renunciation and died without terrestrial possession? Has Jesus been a materialist, because He fed thousands of people on the breadline? Are we idealists, if we bequeath nothing to our families and might die without a single centavo, because earthly things are bad?

Worth to think about it ... .

𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬

Only a few Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) are left to be established with a DepEd school according to Governor Tyron Uy during his message on the turn-over ceremony of the newly constructed one (1) unit, two (2) classroom buildings at Sitio Tagbawi, Brgy. Rizal, Monkayo, Davao de Oro on March 16, 2022.

The deterioration of red strongholds in the province is instrumental for government interventions to reach even the farthest corners of the valleys. From farm-to-market roads, health centers, water systems, sitio electrification, solar dryers, daycare centers, and integrated schools accredited by DepEd, government services now provide ease for the uplands.

Barely after a month of “Bayanihan” construction, the newly constructed building with complete amenities from school chairs, tables, boards, and comfort rooms can readily be used by two more neighboring sitios of Tagbawi; Sitio Little Depot and Upper Pasian.

Traversing the kilometers-long path down to the barangay proper of Rizal will no longer be a burden for the children as the school was now accessible and only a few meters away from their homes.

Sitio Tagbawi was once a guerilla-infested sitio in Brgy. Rizal, and in the year 2017, the community fully withdrew from supporting the communist group and became a beneficiary of the Oplan Pagbabago Program of the provincial government of Davao de Oro. 

Further, a Solar Dryer project of the provincial government can now be used by the residents as a pavement for drying farm produce such as corn and coffee. The project was funded by the development fund of the province, and it's multi-purpose. A road-concreting project is also underway in Tagbawi. In no time, Tagbawi can be a whole new Sitio like no other.

The turnover ceremony was attended by Governor Tyron Uy, Vice Governor Maricar Zamora, Congressman Manuel Zamora, LTC Michael Aquino of the 25th Infantry Battalion, Rommel Jandayan OIC-SDS DepEd DdO, SGOD Ruben Reponte, Barangay Functionaries of Rizal, teachers, and staff of Rizal Memorial Elementary School, and Provincial employees. (JA, PAO-IPRD, photos by J. Cadiz)

𝐁𝐃𝐏 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐮𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 ...

 

... 𝐠𝐢 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧-𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐠𝐲. 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧

Duna nay sementadong “Farm to Market Road (FMR)” ug “Solar Street Lights” ang Brgy.Bagong Silang, Maragusan nga gi turn-over dayon sa mga katawhan sa barangay pipila ka adlaw human ang Construction and Installations mismo nila ni Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy  ug Mayor Maricel Colina-Vendiola.

Kining mga proyektoha apil sa gatusang mga proyektong imprastraktura nga gipaspasan pagpatrabaho sa probinsya gamit ang dakong pundo nga gihatag sa Davao de Oro ni Pang. Rodrigo Roa Duterte pinaagi sa National Task Force (NTF) – ELCAC ug Oplan Pagabago ELCAC.

Sa milabayng Huwebes (Marso 10,2022) nag-uban sila si Gov. Tyron Uy ug Mayor Maricel  Colina-Vendiola ug mga kauban nga sila si 66th IB Commander Julius Munar, RPSB Team Leader Police Master Sergeant Leonilo Vicere, ug ang  Municipal ug Brgy. Officials pagtunol sa bag-o lang nahumang sementado nang “Farm to Market Road (FMR)” ug “Solar Street Lights” ngadto sa mga katawhan sa Brgy. Bagong Silang.

Human niini gi turn-over sad nila dayon niadto gihapong adlawa ang laing tulo ka mga BDP Funded Projects nga sementadong karsada, Solar Street Lights, ug School Building sa Brgy.Coronobe nga sakop gihapon sa lungsod sa Maragusan.

Ilalom sa maayong pagdumala ni Gov. Tyron Uy ug SP Members sa pagpanguna nila ni Vice Gov Maricar Zamora ug Papa Gov Senior BM Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy ang PLGU Davao de Oro nakapangayo sa kauluhan og P1.3 Bilyones pundo sa BDP para sa 65 deklarado nang insurgency free barangays sa probinsya nga nakabahin og tag P20 Milyones diin kasagaran niini gigamit sa probinsya pagpatrabaho sa mga proyektong imprastraktura nga sa pagkakaron aduna nay ubay-ubayng nahuman. (Gilbert M. Cabahug PAO-IPRD DdO)

Traffic jams back in Manila as restrictions ease

MANILA. People walk as traffic builds up as the government places the capital on the lowest rung of a five-step pandemic alert system on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Quezon City, Philippines. (AP)

TRAFFIC jams and outdoor crowds are back in the Philippine capital and 38 other cities and provinces Tuesday, March 1, 2022, after officials allowed businesses and public transport, including shopping malls, movie houses and restaurants, to operate at full capacity as Covid-19 cases continued to drop with more vaccinations, officials said.

In a bid to further boost the pandemic-battered economy, authorities placed metropolitan Manila and 38 other regions under the lowest rung of a five-step pandemic alert system from Tuesday, March 1, to March 15 and lifted most health restrictions, but still required the full vaccination of residents 18 and older against the coronavirus and the wearing of face masks outdoors and in indoor establishments.

Social distancing is no longer required in Manila and the other specified areas, restaurants can now remove plastic barriers on tables, and public gatherings — such as birthday parties, weddings, sport events and family reunions — can fully resume. All government employees have been ordered to return to office for work.

“Now everything is open,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said. “We’re happy seeing the traffic again, it means there’s really economic activity and people are going out.”

The Philippines imposed one of the longest lockdowns and police-enforced quarantines two years ago when successive Covid-19 outbreaks hit and sparked the worst economic recession in 2020 and pushed unemployment and hunger to record levels.

Economic growth has resumed since then and could return to pre-pandemic levels this year unless external turbulence like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine worsens, Lopez said.

Daily Covid-19 cases dropped from over 37,000 during the most recent peak in January to below 1,000. The 951 cases reported Monday bring the total number of confirmed infections to more than 3.6 million with 56,451 deaths, the second-highest totals in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. (AP)

“𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐧”, 𝐃𝐝𝐎 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟒!

 

A golden season awaits Dabawenyos as the province will celebrate its 24th Founding Anniversary on March 5-8, 2022.

The past 2 years might be heavy, but Davao de Oro sees opportunities behind difficulties, and continuously turns towards greener sides and hope for its people. Depicted on this year’s founding anniversary theme, “Davao de Oro 24k: Walang Iwanan sa Tanang Panahon”, DdO will celebrate 24 years of golden victories which made significant changes in the lives of Dabawenyos.

As the province continues to rise and push forward in the new normal, the celebration is not only be intended for leisure. The celebration will commemorate DdO's years of unified strength and promote new openings to restore the losses brought by the pandemic. 

The fun-filled week-long celebration will open opportunities for all participants. On the first two (2) days, March 5 to 6, local athletes will shine for the Golden Football Tournament to be held on New Bataan Football field. The competition promotes local sports activity towards the goal of developing good leadership, discipline, and camaraderie for the athletes. Competing teams are required to be vaccinated as a protocol to participate in the tournament.

Also, on the first day is “Sikad ta Uy! PadyaKapayapaan,” the first-ever biking competition and fun ride for all bikers in the province that intends to advocate for peace and unity, and promote a healthy lifestyle for a sound mind and body amidst the pandemic.

The celebration will also be made much more engaging for the youth as the founding anniversary features the “Battle of the Legends-Mobile Legends Tournament.”  In the course of the pandemic, technology was used as a tool to continue essential services and provide leisure during lockdown periods widening social connections in the new normal.  As part of the celebration, the online tournament aims to develop teamwork among the youth and improve 21st-century skills as a pathway for industry jobs.

On the second day will be the “Al’law ng Kalumonan”, a celebration of diversity and rich culture of Davao de Oro’s six tribes namely: Mansaka, Mandaya, Manobo, Mangguangan, Dibabawon, and Kagan. “Al-law ng Kalumonan” is a day dedicated for the ICCs/IPs to be given the spotlight to showcase how culture depicts the original Filipino values (Customary Law), its relationship to nature (Ancestral Domain), and how it contributes to the economic (Indigenous Craftsmanship and Arts) gains in the province, especially in the tourism industry.

Davao de Oro will also lead to an opening of more than two thousand (2,000) job vacancies  which will recruit qualified applicants during the “Mega Jobs Fair.” Many have lost their jobs at the onset of the pandemic and as part of the celebration, the jobs fair will help alleviate unemployment incidence province-wide, promote entrepreneurial opportunities and strengthen the public-private partnership in the delivery of employment services.

Skills in performing arts of Davao de Oro’s youth will now be showcased through the “Dance for Gold: an Interpretative Dance Competition.” Stage performance has never been the same since the outbreak of the pandemic and through the competition, dancers and choreographers will again express their creative and expressive potentials, thereby enhancing personal, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical communication.

On the last day, March 8, Davao de Oro will celebrate “Babayinihan: Women's Day Celebration”, to recognize the countless achievements of women in various fields and uphold their significant contributions to society. The event will be participated by more than 3,000 women coming from the 11 Municipal Local Councils of Women and 9 women sectoral organizations in Davao de Oro. The event will also have 'ZumBayinihan', and the groundbreaking ceremony of the first-ever International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Peace Monument. The monument will be installed in Davao de Oro and will stand as a marker of the province’s desire for peace and harmony.

Finally, commencing the 24th Founding Anniversary celebration is the 24k Golden Concert and Fireworks Display, a celebration of unity and thanksgiving where for 24 years, the province remains steadfast in providing unfaltering services all for the people of Davao de Oro. (JA, PAO-IPRD)

Miss World finalist Tracy Perez shocked with rice supply from Pinoys in Puerto Rico

By: Earl D.C. Bracamonte - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Filipino migration to countries across the globe not only serves as an important source for the national coffers, but also serves another very important factor in international pageants - their very presence!

The last time I checked, Filipinos live in, at least, 66 countries and territories worldwide: from as far north in Nuuk, Denmark (in Greenland) to the southernmost confines of the Antarctica, where research teams are granted access.

Pageant fans would readily agree that whenever a Filipina entrant makes it to the final round, especially in the "Big Five" competitions - Universe, World, International, Earth, and Supranational - the show's host would usually remark that half of the Philippines is "in the house."

A case in point would be the recent Miss Universe edition in Eilat, Israel. Host Steve Harvey had to call the attention of Filipinos in the crowd, at least three times, for them to bring their cheers to a minimum when Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez was called as one of the 16 semifinalists. Pandemonium ensued when she was called in the top 5!

But there were other similar instances when Pinoy cheering would break the house down - notably in 2015 when Pia Alonzo Wurtzback was, after four-and-a-half minutes, proclaimed the rightful winner. And so were the moments when Megan Young won Miss World 2013 in Indonesia, or Catriona Gray's victory in Bangkok as Miss Universe 2018, or even Venus Raj's Top 5 placement in 2010 in Las Vegas.

Yet, when you come to think of it, while Pinoys may seem to come in droves, they're not actually that many. But what makes them noticeable is because they stick together and really pour their hearts out. In Albania, for example, Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne related that there were only about 139 Filipinos in the entire state, but they all rallied behind her.

There is a big difference between a small number actually present in the pageant venue and a populous horde who are some place else. And when the Pinoys cheer, they don't do it quietly!

So when Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico the first time, she was surprised to know that a sizeable Filipino community lived and worked in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean nation. And so when their meals did not include rice, she got hungry and homesick most of the time. That's when Pinoys would send home-cooked meals for her. And her hunger pangs and homesickness were assuaged. With San Juan having an identical climate with the Philippines, she felt at home again.

So you see, Pinoys will always look out for their own - especially in a foreign land. They instantly warm up to new arrivals, most especially our beauty queens. The next time you watch an international pageant, make sure you notice the Filipinos in the crowd - and you'll never take them for granted again.

Travelers should remain cautious amid COVID-19 threat —WHO rep

by Analou de Vera, Manila Bulletin

An official of the World Health Organization (WHO) urged the public to be responsible and still follow the health protocols to avoid possible rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

WHO Acting Country Representative Dr. Rajendra Yadav made the statement as the Philippines already reopened its borders for fully vaccinated international tourists.

“We encourage de-risking travel which means that we have to take necessary steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection during the travel and after the travel. Blanket travel bans can give a false sense of security and destroy economies,” said Yadav during a public briefing on Friday, Feb. 11.

“However, we must be cautious about interpreting these easy travel restrictions and quarantine requirements,” he added.

Yadav emphasized the importance of maintaining adherence to minimum public health standards.

“Easing travel restrictions and quarantine requirements does not mean that anyone can travel anytime, anywhere they want,” he said.

“We need to follow the minimum public health standards like masking and physical distancing while traveling. Travel only when necessary and keep our safe travels as small as possible,” he added.

The supernatural dimension of our life

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

LET’S always remember that our life is not simply a natural, human life. It is also meant to be supernatural since it is supposed to be a life with God, involved in his work of creation and redemption of mankind, and in the over-all providence he exercises over all his creation.

No wonder then that we can find ourselves at wit’s end as to what and how to do what Christ would ask of us, since there will always be things that would be beyond our powers to carry out.

Remember that episode of Christ telling Peter to go to the deep (duc in altum)? (cfr. Lk 5,1-11) Peter was astounded. “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,” he at first said, but rectifying himself because of his faith, Peter said, “but at your command I will lower the nets.” And the miraculous catch took place.

Because of the supernatural dimension of our life, we should see to it that we are always guided by our Christian faith, and not just by our senses and our spiritual powers of intelligence and will, though all these are also indispensable.

We should just go along with what God through Christ and through the different instrumentalities God communicates with us would ask of us, no matter how impossible for us to do, because what is impossible for us is always possible with him.

Like Mary who just said, “Be it done to me according to your word,” when the archangel Gabriel told her she would become the mother of the son of God, we should just believe and accept what is told and given to us, even if we don’t understand the things being asked of us.

That is faith in faith in action, faith which “moves us to believe because of the authority of God himself who reveals them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.” (CCC 156)

We need to work on our faith in order to keep it alive, vibrant and functional, especially in some difficult if not impossible occasions. We should not be surprised that life and all the challenges and trials we are going to face in it will always demand from us things beyond our powers and resources. And that’s simply because we are meant to go to God for all our needs, without neglecting any effort we can give along the way.

With God, we have everything. As St. Teresa de Avila would put it, “Solo Dios basta!” What we lack in our humanity, we can always make up by relying always and completely on God. 

But, alas, this can happen only when we have faith, for faith is our best resource. As St. John puts it in his first letter, “This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.” (Jn 5,4) Without faith, we are left with a big problem right from the start.

As Christians, we should readily realize that our life should not just be our own life, but rather always a life with God. And since God is supernatural, then our life also ought to be supernatural without, of course, compromising what is natural to us. Thus, there is a need for us to develop a desire, a liking, an appetite for the supernatural life, i.e., a life with God. And this means we have to have faith, that brings with it hope and charity.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com