Love, broadly given: Strengthening the social fabric that binds generations

By Manila Bulletin

Published Feb 14, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Feb 13, 2026 05:52 pm

For many, Valentine’s Day arrives wrapped in predictable gestures — roses, ribbons and restaurant reservations. It is a welcome ritual to celebrate romance and devotion. Yet for a nation navigating anxious times, perhaps the truest observance of the day calls us to something broader and more enduring than candlelight and confections.

Love, at its best, is not confined to romance. It is a virtue — steady, generous and quietly transformative. It is found in the daily decision to place another’s well-being alongside our own. Today, Valentine’s Day, we might consider reclaiming the holiday not by diminishing its traditions, but by enlarging them.

For 126 years, Manila Bulletin has chronicled the story of our people and one truth appears again and again in our archives: Filipinos endure not by sentiment alone, but by sacrifice, solidarity and service.

Love, in our tradition, has never been confined to courtship.

It is found in the quiet heroism of mothers and fathers who leave for overseas work so their children may have opportunities they themselves did not.

It is seen in neighbors who arrive unasked when a typhoon floods a barangay, bringing food, blankets and steady hands.

It is present in parish volunteers who organize relief drives, in jeepney drivers who extend kindness to a struggling passenger, and in teachers who dig into their own modest resources so their pupils can learn with dignity.

The need for such quiet acts has not diminished. If anything, it has grown. We live in an age of speed and distraction, when disagreement too often drowns out decency. Public discourse can feel sharp-edged. Loneliness, though seldom visible, is widespread. Under such conditions, a single act of kindness can carry significant weight.

What might it look like to honor Valentine’s Day in this spirit?

It may be as simple as writing a note of gratitude to a teacher who shaped a life long ago, or to a colleague whose diligence often goes unremarked. It may mean checking in on an elderly neighbor, or extending patience in a long queue when tempers run thin. It may be choosing civility in conversation where disagreement would be easier.

For congregations and civic groups, Valentine’s Day offers an occasion to reaffirm bonds of fellowship. A community meal, a blood drive, a coordinated effort to assist a struggling household — these are expressions of love that ripple outward. They strengthen the social fabric that binds town to town and generation to generation.

Even within marriage and romance, the most meaningful tokens are rarely the most extravagant. A faithful presence through hardship, a willingness to forgive, a shared commitment to weather life’s uncertainties — these are the foundations upon which lasting affection rests.

To broaden our understanding of Valentine’s Day is not to scorn its sentiment, but to deepen it. Romance remains a worthy and beautiful expression of love. Yet if the holiday begins and ends at the dinner table, we have missed an opportunity.

In a world inclined toward self-interest, choosing kindness is a quiet act of courage. It affirms that we belong to one another. It declares that courtesy and compassion are not antiquated virtues but living necessities.

Today, let us celebrate love in all its forms: in romance, certainly, but also in responsibility; in affection, but also in action. Let us give generously of our time, our patience and our goodwill.

Love, broadly given, remains the surest foundation of a strong and decent society.

Creation needs protection, love, justice and peace

 

By Fr. Shay Cullen, Founder since 1974

The Philippines has been battered by devastating storms in recent weeks. We endure around 20 powerful typhoons a year, and occasionally experience earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Recently, in Liloan, Cebu, several families were caught in floods rising as high as their rooftops. They had to climb mango trees to escape. Entire homes were flattened, and all properties were lost. They have nothing, not even extra clothes. That is how destructive typhoons can be. Filipinos remain resilient as climate change tightens its grip on the weather, affecting their lives. They have the determination and strength to recover and continue surviving day by day. Inexplicably, many take these all with grim humor, even joking about their plight. But it is no joke for the poor when their humble houses are obliterated and survive, despite having nothing left for their families. Those involved in the massive corruption in flood control projects that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. first exposed in July have a lot to answer for. Meanwhile, world leaders who have gathered at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil have to continue serious efforts in bringing global warming under control. Yet, we know that the climate is changing for the worse, and stronger, more intense weather is affecting many people all over the world. Like in previous editions, COP30 reminds us of the historic Paris Agreement signed 10 years ago. This pact binds countries to limit global temperatures to “well below” 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, in parts of the globe, temperatures have exceeded 1.5 C, and scientists say it is likely to rise higher. This could lead to catastrophic consequences, and our climate could reach a tipping point of no return. The good news is that in the European Union, renewable energy (RE) produced by wind turbines and solar plants, as well as geothermal, hydropower and biomass facilities, has just overtaken fossil fuel as the main source of electricity. This is the ongoing struggle at COP30: the efforts to mitigate the negative effects of climate change are being thwarted by the fossil fuel industry, and some powerful nations, like the United States under President Donald Trump — who is not at the conference — want fossil fuel as their power source. However, many US states are going with renewables and working to hold global temperatures under 1.5 C. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said the “sun is rising on a clean energy age,” as 90 percent of RE projects are cheaper than fossil fuels. He has called on every major tech company to switch all of their data centers to run on 100-percent renewables by 2030. Guterres has also said fossil fuels threaten the planet. Renewable sources of energy are the only way to go, and they’re much cheaper and safer. “The greatest threat to energy security today is fossil fuels. They leave economies and people at the mercy of price shocks, supply disruptions and geopolitical turmoil,” he said. “There are no price spikes for sunlight. No embargoes on wind. Renewable energy sources are cost-effective, too,” he said. Solar power is about 41 percent cheaper than the cheapest fossil fuel alternative, and onshore wind generation is less than half the price of fossil fuels, according to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency. The late pope Francis was outspoken about the dangers of climate change, as well as solutions to it. He said it was a matter of deep faith to do good and protect Creation and oppose the evil forces destroying it, as these are rooted in our “deepest convictions about love, justice and peace.” When he was still alive, he called for a global “ecological conversion” and a radical change in lifestyles, production and consumption to “save the planet.” His core message, detailed primarily in his 2015 encyclical “Laudato si’” and 2023 apostolic exhortation “Laudate Deum,” is that the environmental crisis is a moral and ethical issue inextricably linked to social injustice and “throwaway culture.” He urged the “progressive replacement without delay” of highly polluting fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) with RE sources, of which the Philippines and the developing world have great capacity. This is the heart of the Christian commitment: to care for Creation and challenge the powerful economic and political forces blocking renewables and increasing global warming. What we can do is challenge the multinational power and mining corporations involved in extracting coal, oil and gas and persuade them, for the sake of humanity and Creation, to desist. This is what Francis seemed to have called for. The massive amount of carbon and methane gases in the atmosphere are causing the planet to overheat. Stopping the burning of fossil fuels is the only way to halt global warming. In the Philippines, power corporations have to phase out coal and oil-powered generation plants sooner to meet our international obligations and save the country from more natural and manmade disasters. The government must cancel all new applications for coal plants and improve tax benefits for solar and wind farms. More home-based solar panels are essential, but they are very expensive, despite low import taxes. Corporations supplying and installing panels are out to maximize profit. It seems Francis’ words and actions have had some impact on COP30. Greater attention will be given to the so-called Global Ethical Stocktake. It will focus on the moral, ethical and cultural impacts of climate change. This will be focused especially on the poor, the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups to help women, children and Indigenous people. A large group of Indigenous people broke into the conference center to present their demands. Brazil is starting an international fund to pay developing nations to preserve their rainforests. Sadly, in the Philippines, there is only 3 percent, or 861,000 hectares, of primary rainforest left and an estimated 5 million ha of secondary growth forest. The overall remaining forest is about 24 percent of its total land area, government statistics show. However, Global Forest Watch estimates a higher total of natural forest area of around 13 million ha, or 45 percent of the land area. Denuded forests can recover and regenerate, if given the chance. In the Philippines, many brave environmentalists are being persecuted for protecting them. They need our support and protection.

Jisoo in PH: Lights, love, and a lot of laughs

BY ALLAN POLICARPIO

MARCH 22, 2025

Jisoo —@SOOYAA__/INSTAGRAM

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Who knew that watching a mini crafting session could be so nerve-wracking? Well, leave it to Jisoo to make a rather uneventful activity feel like a roller coaster of emotions.

In the “Love” segment of her recent “Lights, Love, Action!” fan meeting at the Araneta Coliseum, the South Korean pop star—and one-fourth of the girl group Blackpink—was tasked to decorate an acrylic frame holding a photo card and a CD of her debut solo EP “Amortage”—a one-of-a kind gift for a lucky fan.

“You guys all know about the album-decorating skills of Jisoo, right?” the event host Jessica Lee asked the crowd.

Jisoo kicks off ‘Lights, Love, Action!’ Asia fan tour in Manila: ‘Mahal ko kayo’

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Mar 18, 2025 10:12 AM

  

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K-pop star Jisoo, a member of girl group BLACKPINK, kicked off her solo Asia fan tour in Manila. 

The singer and actress, who is currently starring in Prime Video’s zombie series “Newtopia,” held her “Lights, Love, Action!” fan meeting in Manila on March 14 at the Araneta Coliseum. 

The fun-filled night saw Jisoo performing before Filipino fans, decorating a gift, playing games, and going to the audience area.  

Manila was the first stop in her “Lights, Love, Action!” Asia fan tour. For the whole March, she will be in Bangkok, Tokyo, Macau, Taipei, Hong Kong and Hanoi. 

K-pop star and actress Jisoo at her fan meeting in Manila on March 14 (Photos provided by Collective Touring Philippines)

K-pop star and actress Jisoo at her fan meeting in Manila on March 14 (Instagram)

Before the Asia fan tour, Jisoo released his first solo mini-album “Amortage” on Feb. 14, a fusion of the words “amor” (love) and "montage."   

“Amortage” sold 523,971 copies by the end of March, based on Hanteo Chart data. 

In Manila, Jisoo started the fan meeting by performing “Earthquake,” the main track from “Amortage”  followed by “Your Love,” “Tears,” “Hugs & Kisses,” “Flower” and “All Eyes on Me.” 

“Long time no see,” Jisoo greeted the crowd. “At first I was very nervous but as I came up the stage and I saw all my Blinks, it felt like a really good sign and I really gained strength. 

Jisoo came back to the Philippines after two years since BLACKPINK’s “Born Pink” world tour held in the country in March 2023. 

“Even though it's been a long time since I've been here, they hung up banners like this outside and welcomed me so warmly and cheered me on so I really gained strength. It was good from the very beginning,” she said. 

Outside the Araneta Coliseum, banners featuring Jisoo were put up in different areas. 

When asked which is the most meaningful song for her, Jisoo chose “Your Love,” saying, “The lyrics of this is actually my message to Blinks so every time I see this, I feel like I show all my love.”

On Korean food that she would like to recommend to her Filipino fans, she said, “I really like Korean pancakes like  ‘pajeon’ or ‘kimchijeon.’” 

Jisoo also picked the words "tough," "cool" and "cute" to describe her personality. 

If she could relive one moment in her career, Jisoo said, “The memories of performing are really precious to me so I think this moment of our first fan concert today will be memorable for a long time.”

In one segment, Jisoo decorated an album that was given to a lucky fan and signed it with “mahal kita (I love you).” She also gave away a Polaroid photo with the words “mahal kita.” 

In another segment, Jisoo learned Filipino phrases including “mahal ko kayo” (I love you), “masaya ba kayo? (Are you happy?) and “charot” (a Fiipino slang which means “just kidding”). 

Jisoo also played charades with fans acting the keywords, including “The Matrix,” “Aladdin,” “Harry Potter,” pencil, computer, bag, clock, cell phone, sticker, glasses, tie, calendar, soccer, doctor and singer. 

During her performance of “All Eyes on Me,” Jisoo roamed around the audience area to be close to her fans. 

As she wrapped up her fan meeting, Jisoo said she is happy to spend time with fans. 

K-pop star and actress Jisoo in Manila on March 14 (Instagram)

K-pop star and actress Jisoo's photo outside the Araneta Coliseum on March 14 (Jonathan Hicap)

“This is my first time doing my first solo tour fan meet. I was actually very much looking forward to it but also worried. But right now even having this time, I guess, it was so much fun that the time just flew and spending time with my Blinks, I really want to just tell you how much happier I am,” said Jisoo. 

She added, “And also, of course, I really want to extend my gratitude to everyone, all the staff who have really worked hard to make this performance, to make this happen.”

In an Instagram post, Jisoo wrote, “Thank you for be part of my very first solo fan meeting! Happy to started with big cheers of BLINK Manila. So grateful you made me lovely AMORTAGE. Can‘t wait to see you again! MAHAL KO KAYO, XOXO.”

Jisoo’s “Lights, Love, Action!” Asia fan tour was produced by Paradise E&A, Monday Morning Creative Lab, Askara Nation, and Collective Touring Philippines.

Feast of the Three Kings: The enduring values of kindness, generosity, love

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Jan 5, 2025 03:12 AM 

 

Today, Filipinos mark the culmination of the Christmas season with the celebration of the Feast of the Three Kings, also known as the Epiphany. It is a day of symbolism, tradition, and spiritual meaning. It invites us not only to honor the journey of the Magi but also to reflect on the enduring values of kindness, generosity, and love. 

The Feast of the Three Kings recalls the journey of the wise men—Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar—who followed the Star of Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were not mere tokens of wealth but deeply symbolic offerings. Gold represented Jesus’ kingship, frankincense His divinity and His willingness to sacrifice Himself, and myrrh His mortality and the promise of eternal life. The Magi’s journey signifies humanity’s recognition of Jesus as the universal Savior, transcending boundaries of culture, race, and status.

Historically, Jan. 6 marks the 12th day of Christmas, traditionally ending the season. Known as the “Epiphany” (from the Greek word epipháneia, meaning “manifestation”), it celebrates the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, first to the Magi and, by extension, to the world.

In many Christian traditions, the Feast of the Three Kings officially concludes the Christmas season. For Filipino Catholics, this marks the end of a months-long festive period that began in September. Also known as Pasko ng Matatanda (Feast of the Elderly), it is a time to honor senior citizens, acknowledging their wisdom and contributions to society.

While the Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated on Jan. 6 in other countries, the Philippines had adjusted the feast day to Sunday to ensure that more people could attend Mass and partake in the celebrations, according to the reforms in the liturgical calendar promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969. 

Around the country, the observance of the feast will include parades featuring men dressed as the Magi, gift-giving to children, and family feasts. Many families still practice the hanging of stockings for the Three Kings to fill with small gifts on their way to visit the infant Jesus.

Beyond its historical and religious context, the Feast of the Three Kings carries timeless lessons. The Magi is a reminder of the importance of seeking truth and offering our best to others. Their journey was one of faith, courage, and selflessness—qualities we are called to emulate.

While the day signifies the end of the Christmas season, it should mark the beginning of another year of commitment to the values of kindness, generosity, and love in our lives. The spirit of the Magi—welcoming strangers, giving selflessly, and honoring the sacred—can inspire us to make a difference in our communities throughout the year.  There are many opportunities to make a difference – start by attending community events, volunteer to teach new skills, help a neighbor. 

Let us not turn off the spirit of Christmas when we turn off the thousands of lights that have lighted the streets, churches, houses and buildings.  Let us carry forward the light of Christmas to ensure that its message of hope and compassion continues to guide our journey. Just as the Magi followed the star, may we follow our own guiding lights toward acts of goodness and unity.

As one anonymous reflection puts it: “May the wisdom that guided the Magi guide you to your own light.”

Happy Feast of the Three Kings!

'Hello, Love, Again' becomes the first Filipino film to hit P1 B, earns P1.068 B in worldwide box office

The highest-grossing Filipino movie continues to make new records

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Nov 24, 2024 02:34 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Now on its second week in cinemas worldwide, “Hello, Love, Again” has also started screening in Hong Kong and Macau. 

The record-breaking “Hello, Love, Again” movie led by Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards has earned P1.06 billion as of Nov. 23, becoming the first Filipino film to surpass the P1 billion mark at worldwide box office.

This latest milestone follows the film’s series of box office achievements, earning the biggest first-day ticket sales of P85 million last Nov. 13, achieving the highest single-day gross of P131 million last Nov. 16, breaking into the US Top 10 box office at no. 8, and becoming the highest-grossing Filipino movie of all time as of Nov. 22. 

Apart from its box office feats, the movie directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana and produced by ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema and GMA Pictures also served as the closing film at the recently concluded Asian World Film Festival held in Los Angeles, California.

Now on its second week in cinemas worldwide, “Hello, Love, Again” has also started screening in Hong Kong and Macau.

It also has ongoing screenings in more European territories, including Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Spain, The Netherlands, and the UK.

“Hello, Love, Again” is exclusively available in cinemas worldwide. For more details, follow Star Cinema on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

'Hello, Love, Again' sets single day box office record, to donate some proceeds to typhoon victim

Kathryn Bernardo, Cathy Garcia-Sampana and Alden Richards during the red carpet premiere of "Hello Love Again" on Nov. 12, 2024 in SM Megamall

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

November 20, 2024 | 9:51am

MANILA, Philippines — "Hello, Love, Again" starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, continue to break box office records less than a week since its global premiere.

The sequel initially set the record for the biggest opening day by a Filipino film at P85 million then became the highest-grossing for a Filipino film in North America with $2.4 million (almost P141 million).

For comparison, the 2019 original also directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana earned $1.99 million (P116.7 million) during its entire North American run.

The film earned P245 million on its first three days in the Philippines en route to earning P566 million as of November 18.

The current box office earnings include P131 million from Saturday alone, yet another box office record.

It is on track to become the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, currently held by last year's "Rewind" starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, which claimed the title from the 2019 original "Hello, Love, Goodbye."

"We're so blessed because binigyan ng mga tao ng chance 'yung pelikula namin at lahat ng nare-receive namin. Wala na kaming mahihiling pa," said Kathryn.

Alden added as he expressed his thanks to supporters, "No words can express how grateful we are for the turnout and we're very happy na maraming naka-appreciate nito."

Part of the proceeds of "Hello, Love, Again" will go toward helping the victims of Typhoon Pepito, which passed through the Philippines over the weekend.

Kathryn and Alden will also represent the film as it closes the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles.

"Hello, Love Again" continues to screen in the Philippines and North America, and later this week opens in five countries in the Middle East — where a huge population of Filipino migrant workers may boost ticket sales even further.

Love, commandments, truth

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE need to know the intimate relation among this triad. Christ said it very clearly, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jn 14,15) And more than that, he also said that it is when we love him by following his commandments that the Spirit of truth would be with us and would lead us to the truth.

This is what he said: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. (Jn 14,16-17)

It is important that we meditate on these words of Christ very closely if only to understand the relation of how love of Christ is achieved by keeping his commandments and how that love can lead us to the truth that nowadays is being twisted and distorted according to one’s whims and caprices, one’s biases and prejudices, creating all sorts of spins and narratives to suit one’s interest at the expense of truth itself.

This distortion of truth is most especially noticed nowadays in the fields of politics, journalism, and even in the sciences, philosophies and ideologies. Even open, unmitigated lies are peddled, and done with so much self-confidence and aplomb that it would seem that the devil, the father of lies, is having a heyday.

Many people nowadays just say and write, opine and claim or proclaim something with hardly any regard to our duty to check things with Christ first. They seem convinced that God has nothing to do with whatever they would be saying or claiming.

As a result, in spite of the powerful means of communication we are having, what we are having are more and worsening differences and conflicts. Instead of unity, we have graver division. Instead of generating more understanding and charity, we have growing cases of anger and hatred.

We need to remind ourselves strongly that we can only manage to achieve real love for God and for one another, and to be in the truth, when we truly follow and love Christ. We should dismiss any thought that tells us that we can manage to have them outside of Christ.

These days, it’s clear that the pressure to just say and write with hardly any reference to Christ is quite strong and seemingly irresistible. But we should just fight against that tendency.

With Christ, not only would we be in the truth. We would also be charitable, knowing when and how to say or assert anything. We have to be reminded that for truth to be real truth, it has to be charitable. Truth and charity always go together, though we should not understand charity as simply being sugary and always pleasing. Charity can have a bitter taste too.

And to be in the truth does not mean that we only use facts and data. Christ used many literary devices like parables, similes, metaphors, hyperboles and oxymorons to proclaim the truth. These literary devices were not meant to deceive us. They were not lies.

We too can use these literary devices but they should always be inspired by the spirit of Christ, for that can only assure us that these devices would point us to the truth. Again, let us realize more deeply the close and indispensable relation among love, the commandments of Christ, and the Spirit of truth.

Let love prevail this Christmas — Marcos

Published December 25, 2022, 5:00 AM

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

“I wish everyone a Christmas full of love, compassion, and hopeful beginnings.”

As Christians worldwide celebrate Christmas, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. hoped that Filipinos would let love, compassion, and hope prevail during this festive celebration despite the obstacles they faced over the past few years. 

Malacañang photo

In his Christmas message, the President said that the celebration of Christmas may have evolved over the years, but love remains the essence of the said holiday.

“The story of Christ’s birth has become an integral part of our culture, and every year, we have become more accustomed to commemorating this day with gatherings, thanksgiving, and merrymaking,” he said.

“No matter the evolution of its observance, it is imperative that we emphasize the true essence of this holiday—love,” he added.

According to Marcos, love is the one that makes Christmas more than just a tradition, not only for Christians but for other beliefs as well.

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“It is this pure and simple love that Christmas represents—the same one that we constantly desire and need—that allows it to be more than just a Christian tradition,” he said.

“Across beliefs, all the generosity and goodwill stirred in this season are welcomed. Surely, embracing these will help us overcome the difficulties brought [on] by the pandemic and other challenges,” he added.

President Marcos hoped that all Filipinos could celebrate Christmas, even in their own little ways.

“Let our spirits not dwell on the adornments that we display, on the buzz and activities we create, nor the lack thereof. Instead, let us partake in this holiday with the same simplicity, sense, and meaning that we got from it,” he said.

“Let us freely offer our smiles, share a conversation, or impart wisdom to our peers, our loved ones, and even strangers. Let our affection be known and felt in the simplest of ways so that the eternal message of the Nativity of Christ may again spark hope for a brighter future in the hearts of all,” he added.