Always with God while in the midst of the world

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THIS is the ideal condition for us to be in. Given the way we are, as willed by God himself, our Creator and Father, we need to be always with him all the time even as we go through our earthly and temporal affairs. To acquire the art and skill for this is definitely a very important, if not an indispensable, requirement of our life. More than that, to have the very spirit of God is the bottom line of our life here on earth.

This does not mean that we have to stay away from the things of the world. Rather, we have to learn to love the world without being worldly, trapped in its ways without leading us to God. 

The secret for this is to see to it that our mind and heart are always with God. We should not allow ourselves to be fully taken by the charms and deceiving allurements of the world. A certain sense of vigilance and detachment is needed so that we avoid ignoring God as we engage in our worldly affairs. 

But yes, we need to love the world and the things in it the way God loves them. After all, God created them and all he created is good. We just have to understand the true nature and purpose of the world. It has been created for us to be tested whether what God wants us to be—that is, to be his image and likeness, children of his, sharers of his life and nature—is also what we want ourselves to be.

We have to be wary when we get swallowed up by our earthly and temporal affairs, making them the main objective in our life rather than a mere occasion and means for us to achieve our real goal as defined for us by our Creator. The world is supposed to be only a pathway to heaven where we truly belong. The proper attitude we should have toward the world is to love it without becoming worldly.

That is the challenge! So, the question to ask is: How does God love it so we can also love it the way he does? We just cannot rely on our ideas and ways of loving the world, because without God, that loving would be suspicious at best. 

Let’s remember that as Creator, God has given everything in the world its proper nature and laws whose purpose is nothing other than to give glory to himself. We on our part can only use and develop the world properly when we respect the God-given nature and laws of everything that is in it. More than that, we should try to discern how each thing in the world becomes a living part of the abiding providence of God over all of us.

We have to be wary of our tendency to ignore the designs of God in the world and to simply pursue our own personal interests, leading us to fall into self-indulgence. Rather, what we should try to do is act as a Christian leaven that infuses the Christian spirit in all our worldly and temporal affairs.

This duty to be a leaven for the world is actually very doable, because what is needed first of all is the intention to do so. We may not be doing something with big public significance or some external manifestation, but with the little ordinary things that we do everyday and done with faith and love for God and for others, we can already effectively leaven the world.

Alas Women eye upset win vs Vietnam in SEA V.League Leg 2 opener

 

Alas Women take center stage once against when they compete in Leg 2 of the 5th SEA Women’s V.League in Vietnam.

By Mark Rey Montejo

Published Aug 7, 2025 01:40 pm

Alas Pilipinas aims for redemption when it tries to pull off an upset against fancied host Vietnam on the opening day of the 5th SEA Women’s V.League Leg 2 at the Ninh Bình Gymnasium Friday, Aug. 8.

Coming from a four-day break from their third straight bronze-medal win in the first leg, the Nationals are ready to aim for a better finish as well as to strike back at the Vietnamese in their 7 p.m. clash.

Regional powerhouse Thailand raises the curtain when it squares off with Indonesia at 4 p.m.

Armed with an inspired lineup composed of young and experienced hitters, the Nationals seek to end their losing streak to Vietnam, which they last defeated in the 2019 edition of the regional tiff.

But since then, Vietnam has regained its bearings, even essaying a 25-13, 25-21, 23-25, 25-9 victory over the Jorge de Brito-mentored squad in their recent meeting in Leg 1.

Angel Canino, who was named one of the Best Outside Hitters in the first leg, is expected to lead the Nationals anew with veterans Jia De Guzman, Dawn Catindig, Maddie Madayag, Dell Palomata, Vanie Gandler, and Eya Laure.

Also leading their way are Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, Justine Nazareno, and Mars Alba, as well as collegiate stars Shai Nitura and Cla Loresco.

Vietnam, meanwhile, banks on seasoned spiker Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who has been a thorn in the PH side in various international competitions, along with Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen.

The Filipinas are coming off a bronze-medal finish in the four-team first leg with a 1-2 win-loss record -- its lone triumph coming at the expense of Indonesia.

FINIX: Ready for big time

 

FINIX, a dynamic ensemble of seven exceptionally gifted young Filipino girls, is poised to make a dazzling entrance into the vibrant music scene. 

By Robert Requintina

Published Aug 8, 2025 09:08 am

With their unique talents and captivating energy, they are ready to share their voices and stories, promising an exhilarating musical journey that will enchant fans and listeners alike.

The Philippines is brimming with talent, but it lacks the necessary infrastructure to support it. GKD Records aims to fill this gap.

With the introduction of its pre-debut act, FINIX, the independent label is making a bold statement: Philippine pop culture deserves a place on the global stage. 

Instead of chasing trends, GKD Records is committed to building sustainable systems that emphasize longevity, equity, and cultural pride.

“We didn’t build GKD Records to play the game. We built it to redesign the board,” said Josh Stephany, CEO and Founder of GKD Records. “Our job is to make sure artists don’t just survive, they lead. And FINIX is the living testament of that belief in motion.”

A group forged by vision, not by accident

FINIX is a group consisting of Aki, Rikka, Zia, R-Lo, Tris, Cole, and Minhea. The formation of this group stemmed from a thorough, values-driven process. The members were chosen through various audition stages, including "Finding FINIX," a survival-style audition program aimed at identifying not only talent but also purpose.

Over a span of two years, the selected members underwent extensive training in multiple areas, including vocal performance, choreography, stage presence, language immersion, and mental conditioning. This training was modeled after both K-pop and American systems, all while being rooted in Filipino sensibility.

The goal was never replication. It was elevated.

“What impressed us wasn’t just their skill. It was their clarity,” said Stephany. “They knew who they were, and why it mattered. We didn’t shape that. We protected it.”

During this pre-debut phase, anticipation for FINIX has surged both online and offline. They have a growing fanbase, significant chart placements, and in-depth discussions about their message and representation.

FINIX’s first pre-debut offering, the “Thirsty” EP, serves as both a musical introduction and a mission statement. This four-track project highlights their diverse sound, ranging from the upbeat synth-pop of "Thirsty" to the cinematic drama of "Sumugal Sa Akin," and the confident swagger of "Click Click Boom." The EP concludes with "Rise Again," a powerful anthem about resilience that reflects the group’s phoenix-inspired name and spirit.

The impact has been immediate: over 1.7 million streams across platforms,

ranked Top 10 on Spotify and Top 6 on YouTube among P-Pop groups, and charted on four iTunes rankings, including two #1s.

Beyond the numbers, Thirsty reveals what FINIX stands for: boldness, vulnerability, and a refusal to dilute identity to be seen.

GKD’s vision goes beyond mere performance and production. In collaboration with the fan engagement platform Hey Roomie, the label is creating a digital space that allows fans to become part of the movement. 

This includes exclusive interactions, early content releases, polls, and live chats. For artists like FINIX, this platform provides a way to gauge their audience's real-time reactions and test new ideas before sharing them with a broader audience.

“Hey Roomie extends our mission,” said Stephany. “It’s not just about releasing music. It’s about reimagining the systems and communities that support it.”

The start of something built to last

For GKD, FINIX is not just a group; it is a signal. A signal that the Philippines doesn't need to wait for global recognition. It needs to continue building systems that reflect its power, creativity, and pride.

“This isn’t a launch. It’s a look at what’s coming,” said Aki, FINIX’s leader. “We’re still in training, still growing, still dreaming. But we know what we carry, and we know where we’re going.”

Philippine economy grows 5.5% in Q2 2025

 

A view of Makati City (Photo from ayaland.com)

Trailing behind Southeast Asian region’s best performer, Vietnam with an eight-percent growth, the Philippine economy expanded by 5.5 percent in the second quarter of 2025, one percentage point (ppt) slower than the 6.5 percent recorded in the same period last year. Read more

What kind of people will not succeed in life?

 

Sean Lana

 

Studied History & German (language) at University of Hamburg

What kind of people will not succeed in life?

1. People that do not have any priority or plan and are just lazy. They are called dreamers. They have dreams, but they do not know how to get there. Their goals are usually unrealistic.
2. The ones that don’t want to struggle and are always looking for a shortcut. The journey is too far for them. Honestly, there is no shortcut to success.
3. Those that are afraid of making mistakes. Mistake or failure is not bad because you can always learn from it. However, nobody is perfect.
4. The ones that find it difficult to leave their past behind and move on. If you cannot let go of your past, it is going to affect your present and your future.’’ The past is a grave and it makes no sense to live your entire life in a grave ‘’
5. The ones that put blame on everybody and things around them. They will never accept blame for themselves and find solutions. They also complain a lot. They will even blame God for being their creator.
6. People that believe in opportunity but are never prepared to grab the opportunity.
7. Those that enjoy their comfort zones so much. They lack adaptation, creativity, and interpersonal skills. They are usually not good at taking risks.
8. The ones that derive joy in taking little coins/money from others. The beggar’s hand is always below the giver's hand. Go and build your own wealth.
9. The Mission Impossible ones. Nothing seems to be possible in their sights. Tell them that you can become the next president of India or America. Their response is always ‘’ It's not possible’’.
10. The ones that lack persistence. This reminds me of the ‘’fifty cent lesson of persistence ‘’Napoleon Hill. You might want to google the meaning of the lesson up if you haven’t heard of it before.
11. Procrastination: Honestly, time waits for nobody. Sadly, people think they still got plenty of time. Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone..(Pablo).

#Kadayawan Festival 2025

 #KadayawanFestival2025: Nagpabiling mahal ang presyo sa Durian sa Ramon Magsaysay, Davao City dungan sa selebrasyon Kadayawan Festival.

Mapalit kini sa ₱300 ang matag kilo.

Una na nga gikumpirma sa Davao City Agriculture Office nga gamay lang ang suplay sa durian og ubang prutas atol sa selebrasyon sa Kadayawan.

Kini tungod apektado kini sa taas nga panahon sa ting-ulan hinungdan nga apektado ang pagpamulak sa prutas.

via | John Ryan Calonia, GMA Super Radyo Davao

Was, wenn der Rentenbescheid nicht stimmt?

Stand:07.08.2025, 15:28 Uhr

Rentenbescheide können Fehler enthalten, meist aber liegt es daran, dass Informationen fehlen. © Christin Klose/dpa-tmn

Rentenbescheide können Fehler enthalten. Wer unsicher ist, sollte genau prüfen und bei Bedarf Widerspruch einlegen. Wo und wie das geht.

Berlin - Wer seinen Rentenbescheid bekommt, schaut ihn oft nur flüchtig durch – schließlich wirkt das Schreiben amtlich, korrekt und kompliziert. Doch Fehler kommen vor, es lohnt sich also, genau hinzusehen. Wer einen entdeckt, kann und sollte aktiv werden.  

Was kann ich tun, wenn ich glaube, einen Fehler im Rentenbescheid gefunden zu haben?

Innerhalb eines Monats nach Bekanntgabe des Rentenbescheides kann schriftlich Widerspruch gegen den Bescheid eingelegt werden.   

Nach dieser Vier-Wochen-Frist „besteht jederzeit die Möglichkeit, einen Überprüfungsantrag zu stellen“, heißt es von der Deutschen Rentenversicherung. Wichtig: In beiden Fällen sind eine Begründung und gegebenenfalls Nachweise beizufügen.

Wenn die Deutsche Rentenversicherung selbst einen Fehler in einem Rentenbescheid feststellt, korrigiert sie diesen von Amts wegen, so die DRV.

Welche Gründe gibt es für fehlerhafte Rentenbescheide?

Fehlerhafte Rentenbescheide sind laut der Deutschen Rentenversicherung meist auf fehlende Informationen zurückzuführen. Versicherte sollten daher grundsätzlich darauf achten, dass keine Lücken in ihrem Versicherungsverlauf enthalten sind.  

Schon vor dem Rentenantrag bekommt man seinen Versicherungsverlauf mehrfach zugeschickt. Ein Blick hinein lohnt sich, so die DRV. Denn zwar werden die meisten Versicherungszeiten automatisch gemeldet, es gibt aber auch relevante Zeiten, die man selbst beantragen und durch Belege nachweisen muss, etwa Schulzeiten, Studienzeiten und Kindererziehungszeiten.

Wo kann ich mich zum Thema Rentenbescheid beraten lassen?

Fragen zu Versicherungsverlauf und Rentenbescheid kann man in Auskunfts- und Beratungsstellen der Deutschen Rentenversicherung klären, persönlich oder schriftlich. Außerdem gibt es ehrenamtlich tätige Versichertenälteste und Versichertenberater, die behilflich sein können. Die Adressen der Beratungsstellen und Versichertenältesten findet man bei der Beratungsstellensuche der DRV. Telefonische Informationen gibt es unter der Service-Nummer 0800 1000 4800.  Auch Sozialverbände informieren und beraten zu Rentenfragen, etwa der SoVD oder der VdK. Es gibt auch Rentenberater, die man auf Honorarbasis bezahlt. Sie sind im Bundesverband der Rentenberater organisiert.

Hintergrund:

Zum 1. Januar 2025 wurde der Beitragssatz zur Pflegeversicherung per Verordnung um 0,2 Prozentpunkte angehoben. 

Während dies für Arbeitnehmende sofort wirksam war, wurde die Erhöhung für Rentnerinnen und Rentner erst ab Juli 2025 berücksichtigt, sodass im Juli einmalig ein Nachzahlungsbeitrag von zusätzlich 1,2 Prozent auf die Monatsrente veranschlagt wurde.

„Bild“ hatte jüngst berichtet, dass bei der Berechnung der konkreten Nachzahlung ein Fehler passiert und der erhöhte Rentenbeitrag vom Juli zugrunde gelegt worden sei, der in der ersten Jahreshälfte noch nicht galt. In Summe habe die DRV so rund elf Millionen Euro „zu viel“ an Nachzahlungen erhalten.  

Die Deutsche Rentenversicherung wies das zurück. Die Berechnung sei korrekt und entspreche den Vorgaben der entsprechenden Verordnung, sagte eine Sprecherin.

Eine Erstattung ist Bundessozialministerin Bärbel Bas zufolge nicht vorgesehen.

Der Betrag für den Einzelnen ist auch sehr überschaubar, es handelt sich teilweise um Centbeträge, wie Thomas Neumann, Präsident des Bundesverbands der Rentenberater sagt. Er weist darauf hin, dass wer erst innerhalb des 1. Halbjahres 2025 in Rente gegangen ist, ebenfalls die vollen 1,2 Prozent Nachzahlung zahlen musste - obwohl schon im Rahmen des Arbeitsverhältnisses der Aufschlag gezahlt wurde.   

Ob man dagegen vorgehen möchte, müsse jeder für sich überlegen. dpa

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The sleeping Giant

 

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Turismo Central Luzon

enposStrodfi25l56fh6012a979cl7mcu2h8321h03a2fc10gth34f464l18 ·

THE SLEEPING GIANT OF THE PHILIPPINES: MOUNT APO’S HIDDEN DANGER

Mount Apo, the country’s tallest peak, hasn’t erupted since 1640 — but make no mistake, it’s dormant, not extinct. This massive stratovolcano still breathes, with a line of sulfur vents (solfataras) stretching nearly a kilometer along its southeast slope — a clear sign of ongoing geological activity.

The unsettling truth? Millions live in its shadow, including 1.8 million people in Davao City, just 32 kilometers away. Experts warn that if Mount Apo were to erupt, the human and environmental toll could be catastrophic.

Despite this risk, discussions and monitoring of this sleeping giant remain limited — leaving questions about the country’s readiness if it ever awakens.

#MountApo #VolcanoAlert #PhilippineGeology #Davao #DisasterPreparedness #DormantNotExtinct #SleepingGiantPH