From abandonment to apostolic zeal

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          IT’S intriguing to note that when Christ sent out his

disciples in pairs to prepare his coming to the different towns, he

commanded them to “carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals, and to

greet no one along the way.” (cfr. Lk 10,1-9) He is actually telling

them not to worry so much about these items because in the end he will

take care of them.

          Such words of Christ can only remind us that we should

always be trusting of the ever powerful and merciful providence of God

who governs all of his creation with absolute effectiveness no matter

how much we mess up things.

          Yes, we may experience some privations, some losses, etc.,

in our life, but if we stick with God, we know that everything will

always work out for the good. (cfr. Rom 8,28)

          With all the things that we have to contend with in this

life, we certainly need to have a healthy sense of trust in God’s

loving and wise providence, abandoning ourselves in his will and ways

that often are mysterious to us and can appear to be contrary to what

we would like to have.

          A healthy spirit of abandonment in God’s hands is necessary

even as we exhaust all possible human means to achieve our goals or

simply to tackle all the challenges, trials and predicaments of our

life. We should never forget this truth of our faith.

          In this life, we need to acquire a good, healthy sporting

spirit, because life is actually like a game. Yes, life is like a

game. We set out to pursue a goal, we have to follow certain rules, we

are given some means, tools and instruments, we are primed to win and

we do our best, but losses can come, and yet, we just have to move on.

          Woe to us when we get stuck with our defeats and failures,

developing a loser’s mentality. That would be the epic fail that puts

a period and a finis in a hanging narrative, when a comma, a colon or

semi-colon would have sufficed.

          We need a sporting spirit because life’s true failure can

come only when we choose not to have hope. That happens when our

vision and understanding of things is narrow and limited, confined

only to the here and now and ignorant of the transcendent reality of

the spiritual and supernatural world.

          It’s only when we are properly detached from the things of

this world and trust in the powerful providence of God that we can

develop the ideal apostolic zeal. To develop our zealous apostolic

concern surely entails sacrifice. We should not be surprised if in

pursuing it we are challenged, faced with difficulties and asked to do

self-denials and other forms of sacrifice.

          We just have to hold firm on our Christian conviction,

together with the continuing petition for God’s grace and the generous

discharge of our human effort, that to do apostolate is the will of

God. He is bent in accomplishing it. It’s his first concern to contend

with the difficulties. Ours is simply to cooperate.

          We have to continually ask ourselves if our thoughts and

desires bear an eminently apostolic character. If not, let’s

immediately do the necessary adjustments and corrections.

          We have to embark also on a life-long effort to acquire

apostolic skills—how to make friends and deepen that friendship, how

to pursue full blast the supernatural apostolic goal of our life while

respecting our natural conditions, etc.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines thanks IATF for reopening cinemas

by Jonathan Hicap, Manila Bulletin

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP) thanked the Inter-Agency Task Force for allowing cinemas to reopen in Metro Manila under COVID-19 Alert Level 3. 

Metro Manila will be under Alert Level 3 from Oct. 16 to 31 after the IATF approved the recommendation. 

Under the updated guidelines issued by the IATF on Oct. 13, cinemas and movie houses are included in the list of establishments “allowed to operate or be undertaken at a maximum of 30% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50% outdoor venue capacity.”

“Provided, that all workers/employees of these establishments are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and MPHS [minimum public health standards] shall be strictly maintained. Provided further, that there is no objection from the LGU where these activities may take place,” according to the guidelines. 

In its statement CEAP noted that “it has been over a year and a half that we had to close our cinema doors to our dear moviegoers.”

“The entire film industry is extremely grateful to the IATF for finally allowing us to reopen under Alert Level 3. Sincerest gratitude goes to those who guided and supported us – Go Negosyo Team for paving the way to be recognized as an industry appealing for its reopening, the MMDA for the much-needed guidance, the DTI for always assisting the film industry and the LGUs for their utmost support,” said CEAP. 

It added, “It also pays to recognize the cinema workers and employees who stood by us on this journey. We know that you are all excited as we are to watch on the big screen.”

“However, we must do our due diligence by coordinating with the LGUs where our cinemas are located. This is to ensure that we comply with their detailed guidelines. We are also coordinating with the other stakeholders as they prepare content for the cinemas,” it said. 

According to CEAP, “As we get ready to open our doors, please know that we are doing so with the highest dedication to the health and safety of all our patrons and employees as we bring back the cinematic viewing experience you have all been waiting for.” 

We will be seeing each other again very soon to enjoy the latest movies and blockbusters that we may have missed,” it said. 

What our intention should be

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          WE have to be most careful with our intentions because they

play a crucial role in our moral life. Our intentions can determine

the state of our life in relation to God and to the others. Together

with the matter or object, and the circumstances surrounding our acts,

our intention can referee whether our human acts are good or bad.

          That gospel episode about the brothers James and John

wanting to be seated at the sides of God in his kingdom (cfr. Mk

10,35-45) reminds us that while it’s good to desire what is best for

us, we have to make sure that we are ready to do what it takes to

achieve such intention, desire or ambition.

          Again, while it’s nice to hear from the brothers that they

were willing to “drink the cup” that Christ would drink, and to be

“baptized with the baptism” with which Christ would be baptized, that

is to say, that they were willing to suffer with Christ with their

bold response of “We can,” Christ somehow corrected or purified their

intention by telling them they should rather have the intention of

serving and not to be served. That way, they can share in the glory of

Christ himself.

          Reinforcing this point, Christ told them clearly that

“whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever

wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of

Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a

ransom for many.”

          I believe that these words are most relevant to us today,

since we need to be reminded of a basic attitude we ought to have if

we want to be truly human and Christian, with love supposedly the

driving principle of our life.

          To serve is the language and the action of love. It

authenticates any affirmation of love we do, converting it from

intention to tangible reality.

          This is the attitude meant for us, with Christ himself as

the exemplar. Imagine, Christ served us by dying on the cross. Before

that, he shocked his apostles when he insisted that he be allowed to

wash their feet. That was to give example to them, and us, so that

what he did we would also do.

          The angels too, superior to us in nature, are made to serve

us, following a divine law articulated by Christ himself when he said:

“Let him who is greatest among you become as the youngest, and him who

is the chief as the servant.” (Lk 22,26)

          We need to be more keenly aware of this law. This is truly

what is good for us, providing us with the basic source of strength

and consistency we need as we grapple with life’s endless challenges.

          Before we worry about the big and destructive enemies of our

soul, we have to realize that our most insidious foe is right within

us, when this attitude of serving others is not firmly established in

our mind and heart.

          This eagerness to serve really has to be worked out, because

with our fallen and wounded nature, every pore of our being tends to

go against the law of love expressed in service that God meant for us.

We need to come out with some strategies for this attitude of wanting

to serve to be incorporated into our lifestyle.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

What do non-Filipinos dislike or hate about the Filipino people?

By David C. Maness

In my experience, there are many funny and quirky things about Filipinos. They point with their lips. They sing karaoke like superstars. They start Christmas at Labor Day. They tend to be warm, talented, hard-working, studious, and down-to-earth practical people who are loyal to their friends and devoted to faith and family. When times are tough, you want to be around Filipinos. When times are good, you want to be around Filipinos.

Filipinos operate well in a hierarchy. They are respectful, even obsequious to authority. They are cabable of extraordinary sacrifice and suffering. They are quick to forgive, even when abused and exploited.

One negative manifestation of these virtues is the generation-after-generation reelection of the same traditional politicians from the same families, over and over and OVER. These oligarchs steal everything they can from the other 99.99% of Filipinos, especially opportunity. Then Filipinos thank their oppressors for the chance to be used.

The need for transparency and sincerity

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor

secret that will not be known.” (Lk 12,2) With these words, Christ is

clearly telling us that there is no point hiding things from God since

he knows everything. Neither should we be hiding things from others,

unless due to proper discretion we may have to withhold certain

things.

          To be sure, our life would be much lighter and happier that

way. We would unload ourselves from unnecessary burdens. What is more,

we would keep our good relations with God and with others. Our life

would be much simpler and properly focused on its true ultimate

purpose.

          We should really work on our need for transparency and

sincerity. We cannot deny that many are the elements nowadays that can

undermine that need. Signs and even structures of hypocrisy, deceit,

corruption and the like are all around us. Sad to say, they seem to be

the mainstream culture today.

          Consider again what benefits a good sense of transparency

can give us. It will help us develop and sustain our integrity in

life. It means that everything that we do is good, that is, morally

good. Of course, this sense of transparency can only take root when it

is based on our faith in God who sets all the laws in our life, and

therefore, all that is good for us.

          We have to realize more deeply that before God, nothing can

be hidden. We therefore have to adapt a lifestyle that would make us

do everything in his presence. In fact, we are not simply meant to do

things in his presence. It is more to do everything for God’s glory.

Thus, when we do things without God in mind, let us be warned that we

are already doing things wrongly.

          We should not base our sense of transparency on human,

natural and worldly criteria alone. These latter standards do not

capture all the good that is proper to us. At best, they may just be

silent about the finer nuances and consequences of what is generally

good for us. We have to remember that many mysteries shroud our

understanding of things.

          But what is bad nowadays is that our human laws and worldly

standards have started to go against God’s will. This, of course, can

be due to our limitations in truly understanding God’s law. But it can

also be due to our sinfulness and malice. Nowadays, I believe it is

the latter that has led us to make laws that are openly against God’s

law. We need to do something drastic about this predicament.

          And we can start by being sincere in our confessions and

spiritual direction. It is indeed necessary that we be brutally

sincere when we go to confession and to spiritual direction. We have

to learn to lay all our cards on the table so that the human

instruments used by God to help us in our spiritual life, can truly

help us.

          We should not be afraid or ashamed to do so, because in

these occasions, it is indeed God who is acting through the human

instrumentalities. We have to approach confession and spiritual

direction with a strong supernatural outlook, because it is only then

that we can deal with our misplaced sense of fear and shame.      To

be truly sincere is not only to say facts and data. It is to probe

into the motives of all our actions, especially our sins and misdeeds.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Is Manila really dangerous when you go to crowded places?

 

By Michael Burden

lives in Nottingham in the East Midlands of England

Being British but married to a Filipina for over 20 years I must have been to Manila about fourteen times now, and walked around the crowded streets, the busy markets, and ridden on the Jeepneys and LRT and MRT trains, but I have never had anything stolen in this enormous city where there is so much poverty. However I am always very aware of my surroundings in the streets and public places, and I always keep my wallet and money well out of sight.

Whenever I visit a new place anywhere in the world there are two things that forewarn me to be careful and watch my belongings and my step. One of these is when I see people, especially youths and young men, just aimlessly loitering around and looking as though they are doing nothing except watching passers by in an unwelcome kind of way and seemingly scoping them out. Although I have encountered this in some places I have visited, and experienced an unpleasant feeling because of it, I always notice that in Manila everyone seems to be going about their business or at least trying to earn an honest living of one sort or another, and are therefore not paying so much attention to passers by, even though I am sure they must be curious about a foreigner like me.

The second thing that I have experienced in some places other than the Philippines which tells me to be careful is when I am approached or accosted by fit and able bodied youths and young men, who are begging in an aggressive or even intimidating manner or who claim to be selling drugs or able to procure women, etc. By contrast in Manila, the beggars are relatively few in number despite the poverty there. And then if you do encounter any beggars in Manila, they are not young men, but invariably only children, frail and infirm elderly people or visibly disabled people who are blind or have limbs missing. I do not mind being approached by people like that as opposed to the “sturdy beggars” (to use an Old English term) that are part of the street life in some other places. I am happy to give these inoffensive beggars some change, though of course I always have a bit of change in my pocket for this purpose and would certainly never take out a wallet full of cash and flash it in front of them.

For these reasons Manila does have a reasonably "safe" feel to me, indeed a safer feel than you would expect of a city like it, though of course you are more at risk of being pickpocketed whenever you are in a crowd, however "safe" the crowd feels.

This brings me on to my final point, because when I last visited the Philippines (in August 2017) I was the victim of a theft for the first time in the country, though not in Manila. I visited Antipolo Cathedral, pictured above, just about 25 kilometres or 15 miles out of Manila, where I had just a cheap digital camera taken from my pocket inside the cathedral, though fortunately my wallet, cards and cash were safely in a securely fastened pocket elsewhere on my person. Actually the big churches and pilgrimage churches in and around Manila, such as Quiapo and Antipolo, are often crowded and you should be especially careful here. You are probably much more risk of being pick-pocketed in a busy or crowded church than any other public place because of your diminished "situational awareness" - that is to say, you are or at least should always be in a state of relaxed alertness in crowded markets or public transport to reduce the risk of theft, whereas when you leave the hectic streets to walk into the supposed sanctuary of a church, you tend to "switch off" so to speak, and your head and your senses are then in a different place that makes you much more vulnerable. So I am not at all surprised that the only place I have ever had something stolen in the Philippines is inside a church.

Fighting self-righteousness

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          THOSE gospel episodes where Christ bewailed the

self-righteousness of the leading Jews of his time remind us that we

really need to be aware of this common anomaly, called

self-righteousness, and do everything to fight it.

          Self-righteousness is a common disease, since all of us have

our share of pride and arrogance. We may not acknowledge it—a more

insidious situation to be in, since pride has a tremendous blinding

power—but we can fall into it from time to time, especially when we

make rash judgments, easily jump to conclusions, stereotype people,

making a habit of finding fault at others, etc.

          What is worse is when it is not only quiet and secretive,

but rather open and loud, and can even get physical, or when it

defines the very character of a person. It is shown in the way he

carries himself, how he looks at others, how he speaks and reacts to

things. He oozes with over-self-confidence, with a tone of voice that

cannot be other than bossy and strident.

          The source of their problem are the gifts given to us, when

we would not know how to handle them properly. Instead of being

humbled by them and always aware that the gifts are meant for God’s

glory and the good of others, we make these endowments a source of our

pride. We become highly opinionated. We like to dominate any

discussion. We would want always to have the last word.

          We have to be most careful of this spiritual virus. The

moment we see the slightest signs of its onset in us, we have to react

immediately and strongly, deepening our humility and strengthening our

desire to always glorify God and to be at the service of others.

          We should reflect the attitude of Christ who said that “the

Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his

life as a ransom for many.” (Mt 20,28) We have to learn how to pass

unnoticed even as we are determined in carrying out our tasks and

duties in life.

          The awareness of our gifts or special charisms should also

intensify the awareness of the great responsibility we have to fulfill

because of them. Because of this, we should always feel the need to go

to God, convinced that it can only be with him that we can do things

properly. We should never think we can simply rely on our own powers.

          And then let’s start to figure out how to reach out to

others and serve them the way God wants them served through those

God-given gifts. When we see a self-righteous bully, let’s pray for

him and offer sacrifices for him, and do everything to help him

discover his proper place and use his gifts rightly.

          We should never think that our talents, gifts, blessings and

other privileges and advantages we can have in life are a right to

lord it over others, or to be proud and vain, or to expect more

privileges. They are never meant to make us feel superior to others,

turning us into conceited persons.

          If ever, these things should only make us more aware of the

greater responsibility we have to contribute to the common good. That

consideration, which we should try to be with us always, should sober

us and stop us from making fantastic, baseless ideas of ourselves.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Is it possible to live cheap in the Philippines?

 

By Kenneth Meredith

Retired (2019–present). Lives in General Trias, Cavite.

It really depends on lifestyle and what you consider cheap. We live near General Trias Cavite and do well on under 1000 usd a month. We rent a very decent up and down for only 4500php a month (around 88usd) no aircon but elec fans do OK. Our elec is around 1500php a month (about 30usd) and water is average 250php or less a month. (about 6usd) We don't eat out much. We have gas stove and refrigerator. We also have a Filipino washing machine (common washer and spinner here). We do prepaid Wi-Fi at 1500php every month. We have tile floors and a shower in the tiled bathroom but still a Filipino toilet (flush with a bucket). Our food however can range from 8,000 to 12,000php a month.(150 to250usd) We have a market street right here in the barangay 5 minutes walk. You can buy pretty much any meat or veg you want as well as a lot of other stuff. We also have a pure gold supermarket in walking distance for all the stuff not in the market. We can catch a jeepney or tricycle to all home or to Robinson and SM mall in Dasmariñas for about 60php round trip. Takes about 25 or 30 minutes depending on traffic. There is a BI (Immigration) office at Robinson and that's where I go to do my extensions and such. We are only about 2hr drive to Manila. We don't own a car because I see no need and use public trans. So for me nice no stress living is easily obtained.

Once again depends on your lifestyle and where you want to live. If you choose Manila or Cebu you will pay much more just for basic needs. But further away for metro areas it's a bit less. There are plenty of new construction homes in communities going up everywhere for decent prices if you want to buy. If you eat out a lot you will spend more than what you think even though the prices seem low. It adds up.

I say if you can live a simple life as a couple or even single you can easily do it on 1000usd or less a month but you have to do your homework and set yourself up for success. Having a guaranteed income will also help.

Angeline Quinto makes history as first artist to stage concert at restored MET Theater

by Robert Requintina Manila Bulletin

From being named the next female pop superstar in “Star Power” to becoming the country’s Power Diva, Angeline Quinto has truly come a long way in establishing herself as one of the most important and most bankable musical artists of her generation.

To celebrate her decade in the industry, Angeline is set to hold a 10-part concert series titled “10Q” at the new and improved MET Theater (formerly the Metropolitan Theater) from Oct. 29, 2021 to Feb. 19, 2022.

“There is no stopping me from giving a grand concert experience for my fans and to everyone who supported me since day one. The pandemic may not allow us to do live events but thanks to our streaming partners, we can still make this happen,” Angeline said.

Angeline will be the first music artist in history to hold a concert at the newly renovated and still iconic MET Theater.

“I am very happy to have been given this honor and privilege to perform at the MET Theater. Back in the days, my mama Bob and I would pass by the then Metropolitan Theater and I remember telling her that one day I’ll be performing there before a huge crowd,” Angeline recounted.

Fans are in for a treat because Angeline will have not just one but 10 concert dates with more than 10 celebrity guest stars to join her on stage.

Asked about megastar Sharon Cuneta, Angeline said: “We’re still not sure if Sharon Cuneta will appear in one of the 10 shows because of her prior commitments here and abroad. Sana.”

Angeline was a known “contesera” before she rose to fame in 2011 after winning “Star Power: Sharon’s Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar.” Prior to winning, Angeline was a finalist in “Star for a Night” where she competed with Mark Bautista and Sarah Geronimo.

Since then, Angeline conquered the music scene and in 2012, she debuted her career in acting as she top-billed the romantic drama movie “Born to Love You” opposite Coco Martin. A year after, she also starred in her first primetime teleserye “Kahit Konting Pagtingin” where she’s entangled in a love triangle with Sam Milby and Paulo Avelino.

On her secrets to success, Angeline said: “Kung hindi man nila makamit ang gusto nila, sana huwag silang sumuko or panghinaan ng loob. Hindi naman sa unang sali mo andiyan na agad eh. Suwerte mo kung manalo ka sa unang pagkakataon. Mas masarap sa pakiramdam yung pinaghihirapan mo ang isang bagay bago mo ito makuha. Yan ang natutunan ko sa buhay. Mas na e-enjoy mo yung mga pangarap mo kapag pinaghihirapan mo. I’m sure sa pagkatalo nila, mas marami silang natututunan na technique sa sairli nila at sa pagkanta nila.”

She was later on dubbed the Queen of Teleserye Theme Songs after performing the theme songs of some of the biggest teleserye on ABS-CBN such as “Kunin Mo Na Ang Lahat Sa Akin” from “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin,” “Pangarap na Bituin” from “Princess and I,” “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon,” from a teleserye with the same title, “Ikaw Lamang” from “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,” and “Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin” from “The Legal Wives.”

Angeline was also recognized by different award-giving bodies, both for her music and her acting. This includes the PMPC Star Awards, Awit Awards, Catholic Mass Media Awards, Golden Screen Awards, Box Office Entertainment Awards, and the Asia Pacific Luminare Awards.

Tickets for “10Q” are now available via www.ktx.ph for only P499 (single ticket) or P3,499 (10Q pass). Concert dates are as follows: Oct. 29 and 30; Nov 26 and 27; Dec 25 and 26; Jan. 28 and 29; and Feb. 18 and 19. The show will be directed by Dido Camara with Marvin Querido as musical producer.

Beware of legalism, formalism and political correctness

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          WE have to be wary of this common tendency of ours. We are

always prone to show externally what we actually are not internally.

We easily fall into some kind of political or social correctness

without the proper spirit animating it.

          We easily fall into forms of legalism and formalism. Often,

we just want to see things around out of idle curiosity and be seen

and appreciated by others out of vanity. We fail to connect the

material to the spirit, the little things with the big, essential

things, etc.

          All these were somehow bewailed by Christ. “Woe to you

Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb,

but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you

should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you

Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in

marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people

unknowingly walk.” (Lk 11,42-44)

          We should always be on guard against all these forms of

inconsistency, always rectifying our intentions and also regularly

editing our life, much like what writers do with their work before

they are submitted for publication. That way, we can monitor how

things are going and can have the chance to make appropriate

corrections, improvements, revisions, etc.

          In anything that we do, let’s see to it that our intentions

are pure. That is to say, that we have to be motivated always by love

for God and neighbor. And by love, we mean that we follow God’s

commandments as clearly articulated by Christ himself: “If you love

me, keep my commandments.” (Jn 14,15)

          And the epitome of this obedience to God’s commandments is

Christ himself, who said: “I have come down from heaven, not to do my

own will, but to do the will of him who sent me.” (Jn 6,38) The secret

therefore of love, which is obeying God’s will, is to have the mind

and heart of Christ. That is to say, to be ‘another Christ’ which we

can always attain because Christ himself has given us all the means.

          We should be most careful nowadays because it is now easy to

stray from God’s commandments and feel convinced that we are still ok.

With our man-made laws that are supposed to reflect the spirit of

God’s will and ways but often fail, at least partially if not

completely, it is now easy for us to hide and justify such anomalies

as greed, pride, vanity, envy, corruption, etc.

          We have to learn how to do a lot of good while passing

unnoticed. Also, while it’s true that we have to take care of the

little things in our life, we should not forget that we are not meant

to get detained there. We should always relate the little ordinary

things in our life to the big and ultimate purpose of our life.

          Christ himself somehow referred to this point when he said,

“Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much,

and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with

much.” (Lk 16,10)

          With those words, Christ somehow was relating and connecting

the little with the big things in life. That is what we should always

do. We should avoid getting entangled and lost in the little things

and forgetting the big and more important things in our life.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com