The forcefulness of love

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          IT’S true! Where there is love, there is also some kind of

forcefulness, an abiding state of being driven despite the variations

of our bodily and other earthly conditions. Where there is love, we

can only echo what Christ himself said: “I have come to set the earth

on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk 12,49)

          Where there is love, we would be clear about what the real

and ultimate purpose of our life is, we would have a good sense of

direction even if we are presented with many alternative options, we

would not mind the many difficulties and challenges we can encounter

as we go along. In fact, we would find great meaning in them.

          This is the ideal condition for all of us. Even if we are

endowed only with the most phlegmatic and melancholic temperaments,

something must be burning inside our heart that cannot help but burst

into a flame, a flame of love, of self-giving, of serving without

expecting any return, without counting the cost. If it is not yet

there, then let’s enkindle it.

          The secret is always that vital identification with Christ.

Of course, this condition, this requirement is quite tough to meet,

but if we would just try and try again as often as necessary,

certainly the ideal effect would just come about. On the part of

Christ, we cannot doubt that he is all there for us, all there for the

taking.

          What can always help is that we avoid getting imprisoned in

our own world and allow ourselves to simply be at the mercy of the

state of our physical, emotional and mental condition. With our

spiritual faculties of intelligence and will, plus of course God’s

grace that will always be made abundantly available, we can transcend

beyond these constraining elements.

          So we just have to use everything within our power to attain

that ideal state of being always on the go, dynamic, eager to serve

and to do things for everyone. We may have our limitations, and we can

commit mistakes, yet we cannot deny that everything is already given

for us to be how we should be in our earthly life. And that is to be

like Christ, whose only desire is to love all of us.

          We actually cannot avoid using some forcefulness. Even with

our own selves, we have to use it, because if not then we would be

totally dominated by our laziness, softness, fears, doubts. Right at

the start of the day, when we have to get up, we have to use force,

and that little daily task can require heroic efforts, both mental and

physical.

          It´s true that as we age, our physical strength can wane,

but not the power of the mind nor of the will. In these latter two

faculties, which are our spiritual powers, there´s no such thing as

aging, unless we entirely submit them to the law of our physical life.

Especially with the grace of God, they can go on gaining strength,

scope and depth.

          So in theory, because of our spiritual nature, we can go on

living and loving. This is the natural basis for our immortality, that

capacity to continue living even after our death. But since we are a

unity of body and soul, of something material and spiritual, we always

experience a certain tension within ourselves which we try to bear by

using some forcefulness.

          But when we have true love, we can handle that predicament

well. Love has its inherent forcefulness.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

ALONE?

Studies show the ability to tolerate alone time has been linked to increased happiness, better life satisfaction, and improved stress management. People who enjoy alone time experience less depression.

Short-term tips to get you started to avoid comparing yourself to others are easy to be said: 

Take a step back from social media. …
Take a phone break. …
Carve out time to let your mind wander. …
Take yourself on a date. …
Get physical. …
Spend time with nature. …
Lean into the perks of being alone.

I can be a reluctant socializer. I’m sometimes secretly pleased when social plans are called off. I get restless a few hours into a hangout. Maybe, I’ll not be invited any more. Or not so often… . I even once went on a free 10-day silent meditation retreat – not for the meditation, but for the silence.

So I can relate to author Anneli Rufus, who recounted in Party of One: The Loners’ Manifesto: “When parents on TV shows punished their kids by ordering them to go to their rooms, I was confused. I loved my room. Being there behind a locked door was a treat. To me a punishment was being ordered to play Yahtzee with my cousin Louis.”
Several years ago in one of my write-ups, I wrote about loneliness or in other words splendid isolation.

Asocial tendencies like these are often far from ideal. Abundant research shows the harms of social isolation, considered a serious public health problem in countries that have rapidly ageing populations (though talk of a ‘loneliness epidemic’ may be overblown). In the UK, the Royal College of General Practitioners says that loneliness has the same risk level for premature death as diabetes. Strong social connections are important for cognitive functioning, motor function and a smoothly running immune system.

This is especially clear from cases of extreme social isolation. Examples of people kept in captivity, children kept isolated in abusive orphanages, and prisoners kept in solitary confinement all show how prolonged solitude can lead to hallucinations and other forms of mental instability.

But these are severe and involuntary cases of loneliness. For those of us who just prefer plenty of alone time, emerging research suggests some good news: there are upsides to being reclusive – for both our work lives and our emotional well-being.
Social anxiety is the single most common psychological problem according to innumerable survey results worldwide. The magnificent, gorgeous and excellent isolation, resulting from being nervous when meeting people is really the opposite. The state of being isolated reminds me of being in a hospital with an infectious disease.

Does the project of giving a speech or going to a social gathering give you the willies?
Relax, there are always ways and solutions to help you but teaching you “never to be nervous again”. 

I have always been the most silent pupil in elementary and high school. I was ashamed even to talk to or with my teachers. Several terrible school records have been the result. But, I wanted to become a journalist. I am still one.

During college times and while writing my first articles, I learned from my first boss, a daily news publisher, to avoid being nervous while meeting people. I was always prepared. Preparation for any communicating situation is a must. I have been invited to many parties and gatherings. I always asked for the guest list. I scanned all the newspapers and browsed the net. 

One key benefit is improved creativity. Gregory Feist, who focuses on the psychology of creativity at California’s San Jose State University, has defined creativity as thinking or activity with two key elements: originality and usefulness. He has found that personality traits commonly associated with creativity are openness (receptiveness to new thoughts and experiences), self-efficacy (confidence), and autonomy (independence) – which may include “a lack of concern for social norms” and “a preference for being alone”. In fact, Feist’s research on both artists and scientists shows that one of the most prominent features of creative folks is their lesser interest in socializing.

One reason for this is that such people are likely to spend sustained time alone working on their craft. Plus, Feist says, many artists “are trying to make sense of their internal world and a lot of internal personal experiences that they’re trying to give expression to and meaning to through their art.” Solitude allows for the reflection and observation necessary for that creative process.

A recent vindication of these ideas came from University at Buffalo psychologist Julie Bowker, who researches social withdrawal. Social withdrawal usually is categorized into three types: shyness caused by fear or anxiety; avoidance, from a dislike of socializing; and insociability, from a preference for solitude.

There is gender and cultural variation, of course. For instance, some research suggests that unsociable children in China have more interpersonal and academic problems than unsociable kids in the West. Bowker says that these differences are narrowing as the world becomes more globalized.

Still, it turns out that solitude is important for more than creativity. Since ancient times, meanwhile, people have been aware of a link between isolation and mental focus. After all, cultures with traditions of religious hermits believe that solitude is important for enlightenment.

Recent research has given us a better understanding of why. One benefit of unsociability is the brain’s state of active mental rest, which goes hand-in-hand with the stillness of being alone. When another person is present, your brain can’t help but pay some attention. This can be a positive distraction. But it’s still a distraction.
Daydreaming in the absence of such distractions activates the brain’s default-mode network. Among other functions, this network helps to consolidate memory and understand others’ emotions. Giving free rein to a wandering mind not only helps with focus in the long term but strengthens your sense of both yourself and others. Paradoxically, therefore, periods of solitude actually help when it comes time to socialize once more. And the occasional absence of focus ultimately helps concentration in the long run.

I learned, if your personality tends toward insociability, you shouldn’t feel the need to change. Of course, that comes with caveats. But as long as you have regular social contact, you are choosing solitude rather than being forced into it, you have at least a few good friends and your solitude is good for your well-being or productivity, there’s no point agonizing over how to fit a square personality into a round hole.

So feel free to de-clutter your social calendar. It’s psychologist-approved.

+++

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or wwww.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .

Our accountability of our stewardship

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          WE should be profoundly aware of our accountability of our

stewardship of the many things God has given us. We have to do

everything to keep that awareness active and functional, supported by

the appropriate means that first of all are spiritual in nature before

they are material.

          We are reminded of this duty when in the gospel Christ said,

“Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when

the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son

of Man will come.” (Lk 12,39-40)

          Since God has made us stewards of our own life, we need to

learn how to manage the many resources entrusted to us so that we can

be fruitful and productive in this life. Let’s remember that God will

always ask us to account for what he has given us.

          We have to be really good in managing our life, being clear

about the proper motives, priorities and standards, especially in the

use of our time. The motives should be none other than love of God and

others. The priorities should always be God first, then others, then

ourselves.

          And the standards should be such that at the end of the day

we can ‘harvest’ a good crop that at bottom is a matter of growth in

sanctity and apostolic zeal. We should be clever enough that we do not

get too entangled with the technicalities involved in the pursuit of

our earthly and temporal concerns, though they have their objective

value.

          In this regard, I suppose having daily plans and strategies

would greatly help us. We always need some structure to guide us and

facilitate things. This way we minimize getting distracted along the

way.

          For this, we have to sharpen our sense of accountability.

Yes, we should all have an abiding concern for accounting everything

that we are and that we have. We just cannot go on with our life as if

we are not answerable to anybody, especially to God, from whom we all

come and to whom we all belong.

          This is an indispensable part of our life, an

unrelinquishable duty to perform. Our problem is that many still are

ignorant of this duty, and of those who already know about this, the

tendency is to take it for granted or to do it badly or to avoid it if

given the chance.

          We need to find a way of instilling this duty in everyone,

starting with oneself and then encouraging others to do the same, in

the context of the families, schools, parishes, offices, etc.

          We always have to remember that what we are and what we have

are not self-generated but are always given to us one way or another,

if not by someone or by some other institution and authority, then by

God ultimately.

          Yes, we are always answerable to some people in varying ways

and degrees. These people can be our parents, teachers, friends,

neighbors, public officials, etc. In the end, we are all answerable to

God who has given us everything, starting with our life and all the

endowments that go with our life.

          We need to smash the thought that what we are and what we

have are just our own. That is a thinking that is completely false,

that stands on no objective foundation.  It needs to be corrected

drastically and urgently.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Always ready to meet Christ

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          “BE like servants who await their master’s return from a

wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” (Lk

12,36)

          With these words, it is quite clear that we need to be

always ready for our meeting with our Creator who can actually call us

anytime. We came from him and we are supposed to go back to him who

wants us to be his image and likeness and sharers of his divine life.

          We should never be distracted, much less, forget the real

and ultimate purpose of our life. We are here on earth still being

created and redeemed by God, and we have to do our part in that divine

project. We are here on earth to be trained to be what God wants us to

be, as well as to be tested whether what he wants us to be is also

what we would want to be.

          Thus, we need to be vigilant always, both in good times and

in bad times, and most especially in ordinary times which we still

would not know whether it is good or bad. We should never let our

guard down.

          This is simply because we have enemies to contend with all

the time. First of all, it is our own selves, our own weakened flesh

that will always lure us to do things against God’s will and against

what is truly good for us.

          Then we have the world with all its sinful attractions and

temptations. And, of course, the devil himself. Never discount him.

He’s always around, prowling like a lion looking for someone to

devour. (cfr 1 Pt 5,8)

          In what may seem to be good times, when things are more or

less ok, let us thank God and do our best to make use of all the

blessings and good opportunities made available for us.

          But let’s not forget that the good things can also occasion

dangers for us if we are not careful. We should know where those

dangers lie in the good things that we may enjoy at the moment. In

that way, we avoid falling into complacency that will practically

spoil us, and take away the goodness of the blessings we are enjoying.

          And in what may seem to be bad times, let us never forget to

look for the one good thing in those situations. There will always be

one or two or even more good things on these occasions and turn them

into the vehicles for redemption.

          This can happen if we turn to God in the first place. He

will always forgive us and He knows what to do with whatever mess we

make. In that way, we avoid falling into sadness and bitterness, and

can remain calm and hopeful in spite of the suffering and pain we may

be undergoing at the moment.

          We really need to upgrade our vigilance skills especially

these days when we are living in an increasingly complex world. We

should not take this need for granted. Remember Christ telling his

disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from

carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life…Be vigilant

at all times.” (Lk 21,34.36)

          Let us strengthen our hope that is firmly anchored on our

faith and trust in the ever-wise and omnipotent providence of God. We

should remember that it was God who started everything and it will

also be he who will end, complete and perfect everything. Ours is

simply to go along with him.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

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.