President Duterte visited the final resting place of his late parents–Vicente Duterte and Soledad Duterte–at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Davao City on Monday, Nov. 8.
Accompanying the Chief Executive was his longtime friend and aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. Go is the vice presidential bet of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in the May 2022 elections.
By Fr. Roy Cimagala *
THAT gospel episode about the 10 lepers who were cleansed of
their leprosy (cfr. Lk 17,11-19) reminds us that God always expects us
to be thankful to him. To be sure, it’s not because God just wants to
be thanked always for the many favors he gives us. It is more for our
own benefit.
God does not need anything from us. What he wants is that by
being thankful to him, we learn to be with him always since we are his
children, created in his image and likeness. He wants to share his
life with us. God loses nothing if we choose not to be with him. But
without him, we are the ones who would lose everything.
A thankful heart will never be alone and sad. It recognizes
the many blessings and good things that it continues to receive. And
it knows where they come from, and also for what purpose they are
given. It will always be happy heart.
To be grateful is a necessity for us. It does us a lot of
good. It keeps alive the reality that we depend on God and others for
everything. It strengthens our intimacy with him, and our awareness
that whatever happens in our life, God is always in control.
It makes us keenly aware of the all-powerful and merciful
providence of God. With that providence, we would know that even the
dark, negative things in life have meaning and purpose. They, at
least, give excitement and beauty in life, because life, without these
elements and when it only has all things bright and rosy, would be
boring.
It keeps us humble and simple, otherwise we start inventing
things and distorting reality. It keeps our feet on the ground even as
we let our mind and heart soar to high heavens.
Gratitude forms an essential part of our relation with God.
It is the adequate response we give upon seeing the continuous
attention and care God gives us. It makes us stick to the reality of
our life. It keeps us from inventing a world unhinged from its Creator
and from others.
In short, it keeps us to be with God, which is what is
proper to us. To be ungrateful can only make the many good things God
has given us to turn sour and dangerous. It will only be a matter of
time before these blessings would spoil us.
To be always grateful should be a basic attitude to have. It
corresponds to the radical reality that we all depend on God for
everything, and in a relative way, also on others. We have to be wary
of the many things that can undermine this truth.
Let’s hope that we can take this business of being always
grateful seriously. Let’s not allow any opportunity to say ‘thank you’
to pass. And let’s see to it that we do it sincerely, coming from the
heart, avoiding the pitfall of doing it mechanically.
For this, we need to train our heart to be truly thankful,
quick to realize its basis and purpose. For sure, we would be making a
very beautiful world if we manage to be consistently grateful. We
would have an environment that is healthy and vibrant, quite immunized
to the evils of this world.
We would know how to be at home with God while we explore the world!
* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
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By Fr. Roy Cimagala *
THAT gospel episode where Christ drove away those who
converted the temple area into a market place (cfr. Jn 2,13-22)
reminds us of what is known as righteous anger and of our duty to love
the Church, not only as a physical building but most especially as the
very People of God, the very Mystical Body of Christ of whom we are
members.
Yes, there is such thing as righteous anger which we have to
understand well since it is a very delicate emotion or passion that
can easily turn bad if we are not careful. Remember St. Paul saying,
“Be angry but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger,
and do not make room for the devil.” (Eph 4,26)
Anger is one of our God-given emotions, locked into our
nature as persons. It has its legitimate use. But precisely because of
our precarious human condition here on earth, we have to be wary of
it. In fact, anger is also considered one of the capital sins, along
with pride, envy, greed, lust, gluttony, sloth, that can beget many
other sins.
If ever we have to be angry, let’s try our best to be angry
in the spirit of Christ who showed anger over the self-righteous
Pharisees and scribes, and over those who turned the temple area into
a market place. Christ’s anger is what is called righteous anger, one
that is done always in charity and in the truth, and not just due to
opinions and biases. It’s an anger that is meant to correct, purify,
heal.
Besides, Christ’s anger is only momentary. It does not last
long. As a psalm would put it, “his anger lasts only a moment, but his
favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing
comes in the morning.” (30,5) He is slow to anger, and quick to
forgive. We need to have a strong grip over this particular emotion.
But more importantly, the gospel episode referred to here
reminds us that we should develop a great love for the Church not only
in her physical dimension as in her buildings and all the materials
used in her liturgical celebration, which is already a tall order, but
more so in her real essence as the very Mystical Body of Christ and
the very People of God.
We need to be more conscious and skillful in our Christian
duty to love the Church. This cannot be taken for granted anymore,
especially these days when the world is developing in a very rapid
pace that often leaves behind our spiritual and religious
responsibilities.
The Church is nothing other than the people of the God,
gathered together at the cost of his own life on the cross by Christ.
This is because we from the beginning are meant to be God’s people,
members of his family, partakers of his divine life.
We have to understand that this gathering of the people of
God is not achieved merely by some political, social or economic
maneuverings. It is a gathering that is described as “communion,”
where our heart and mind work in sync with the mind and will of God.
It is a communion where the love of God for us is
corresponded to by our love for him. And this is done not only
individually by each one of us, but also collectively, all of us
together in an organic way. Thus, we need to help one another in this
common, universal concern.
* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
By Fr. Roy Cimagala *
IN the gospel, Christ told us clearly that scandals cannot
be avoided in this world. “Things that cause sin will inevitably
occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur,” he said. “It would
be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be
thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to
sin.” (Lk 17,1-2)
We need to be prepared to properly handle this unavoidable
condition in our life. We should try our best not to scandalize
others. Instead, we should do all we can to give good example and
edify others. And since we cannot avoid scandals, we should learn how
to toughen ourselves so as not to be scandalized by them. Instead, we
should see how we can correct and help those who cause scandals.
We have to be most careful about the danger of scandal, both
in its active and passive aspects, since this danger is now rampant.
In fact, we can say that the danger has become part of the world
culture, promoted not only by individuals, but also by big and
powerful institutions like the media, and in the fields of politics,
business, entertainment, sports, etc.
For this, we truly need to have the very love that God has
for all of us. It’s a love that is not scandalized by anything. It, of
course, continues to maintain that what is wrong is wrong, what is
sinful and evil is sinful and evil. It does not compromise the truth
of things.
But that fact should not take away one’s love for the person
who happens to be wrong not only in some matters of opinion but also
in some very serious matters, like matters of faith, hope and charity.
It’s a love that clearly shows one is with God and is
following the new commandment Christ gave us—that we love one another
as he himself has loved us. (cfr. Jn 13,34) It’s a love that was
clearly described by St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians:
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things.” (13,7)
To avoid scandalizing others, we should focus more on giving
good example. That way, we would be most sensitive to our duty not to
scandalize others. We would be aware that we are following Christ’s
command and will, and not just pursuing our own agenda in life.
Let us hope that we can echo sincerely in our heart what St.
Paul once said: “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor 11,1)
This should be the motive and the attitude we have in desiring to give
good example to others. It is to imitate Christ, to have his mind, to
identify ourselves with his will and ways.
Everyday, we have to come out with a concrete plan to
fulfill this duty of giving good example to others. It may just be as
little as smiling, or reacting calmly when some disappointment comes
our way, or saying something nice about somebody whose faults and
mistakes are obvious, or showing compassion to those in difficulty and
offering mercy to those who may have done us wrong, etc.
Part of our sense of accountability at the end of the day
should be to present to God in our examination of conscience the
concrete things we have done to give good example to others.
* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
Our globe and its population bear innumerable strange facts. Following many people's opinion, this world shows mostly worried characteristics and symptoms nowadays. No wonder. Just try to consume and digest today's headlines and news from all around the globe.
The stranger whom we meet for the first time during a business meeting, for example, maybe an uncommon, odd and extraordinary guy. He may be someone from a foreign country, who speaks another language and whose skin is of another color. He may be a migrant, a restless hiker or the expatriate in our neighbourhood.
The foreigner beside you and me can become a provocation or a challenge. Strangeness can become exoticism. Maybe that's why my family and I decided to move to the Philippines. On the other hand - going abroad can open other and even better horizons. We must not feel as "a stranger in paradise". By the way, I never did since I have been touring around the globe many times. The pandemic with its ups and downs thwarted the bill.
However, a migrant bears a juxtaposition of optimism (even calculated optimism!), confused feelings, nostalgia, and homesickness. Yes guys, during the first two years of my expat's life in the Philippines, the round trip ticket was always in my mind, because no one among us can escape his native roots.
But, I am really a lucky guy. I experienced an amazing tolerance in the Philippines. A real practicing tolerance. Already, during my first business meetings, I met supportive, forbearing and broad minded people. A wonderful mix of different cultures without giving up their own identity... .
Every new challenge in a strange country means a change. Changes in life are necessary and important. Let's alter or make a difference; let's put one thing for another; let's shift; let's quit one state for another; let's take fresh clothing. Let's burn the "lock fat" away. And remember: nothing comes from anything.
Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make change. ... Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference.
Phra Nang Beach, Krabi, Thailand (Sumit Chinchane/ Unsplash)
by Ellson Quismorio, Manila Bulletin
The Philippine government will try to learn from its neighbor Thailand as the latter opens up to fully vaccinated foreign tourists for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic last year.
“Tinitingnan din po natin ang magiging karanasan ng Thailand dahil isa siya sa pinakauna na nagbukas ng turismo (We will look at the experience of Thailand because it is among the first to reopen its tourism industry)?” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press conference Friday, Nov. 5.
Roque noted that the economy of Philippines, like Thailand, is dependent on its revenues from tourism, which took a big hit the world over due to the emergence of the deadly COVID-19 early last year.
“Kaya lang mas dependent talaga sila sa tourism ‘no kung ikukumpara sa atin (But compared to us, they’re really more dependent on their tourism),” he said.
Still, stakes are high for Philippine tourism to get back on its feet as soon as possible, especially with the local hosting of the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit in March 2022.
Asked by a reporter if the Philippine government plans to reopen to international tourists in time for next year’s event, Roque replied: “Tama po kayo, pupuwedeng mangyari iyan ‘no. Pero kaya nga po, kinakailangan ma-achieve natin ang population protection by December (Yes you’re correct, that could happen. But that’s why we need to achieve population protection by December).”
The nationwide vaccination rate against COVID-19 stands at around 37 percent (full vaccination).
Over in the National Capital Region (NCR), nearly 89 percent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated. This high rate of vaccination along with the plummeting daily new cases have allow the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to de-escalate the region’s status from alert level 3 to alert level 2.
“So in due time po. We will open tourism in due time ‘no. At ngayon nga po na alert level 2 (And now that we’re under alert level 2), that’s very encouraging,” Roque said.
By Fr. Roy Cimagala *
THIS is what Christ is telling us and is doing so with his
own example. Being God, he emptied himself to become man and to bear
all the sins of men by dying on the cross, all for the purpose of
saving mankind. (cfr. Phil 2,7)
He reiterated this point when he lamented about the
domineering sense of entitlement of some of the leading Jews of his
time while praising the poor widow who put all that she had into the
temple treasury. (cfr. Mk 12,38-44)
While it’s true that we obviously are entitled to our
rights, we should not feel entitled to privileges and favors that are
above our rights and needs. If they come and we cannot avoid them,
then let’s be thankful.
But let’s be reminded that these privileges, favors and
blessings are meant for us to strengthen our desire to serve and not
to be served. But as it is, we should try to avoid them, since they
tend only to spoil and corrupt us.
We have to be most wary when we happen to enjoy some
privileged positions or status in life because we tend to think that
we deserve more entitlements. And not only would we expect them. We
may even demand them for us.
We should banish this temptation as soon as it makes its
appearance felt in us. On the contrary, we should follow the example
of Christ who, in spite of who he was, just wanted to serve.
Remember what Christ said once: “Be careful not to practice
your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do,
you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Mt 6,1)
We need to acquire the mentality of a servant which is
actually the mentality of Christ himself. Let us readjust our human
standards to conform to what is actually proper to us as taught and
lived by Christ. We usually look down on the status of servants. This
has to change! We should be convinced that by becoming a servant we
would be making ourselves like Christ. Let’s say NO to entitlements.
In the meantime, let’s learn the precious lesson Christ
wants to impart to us in that episode where he praised the poor widow
who gave two small coins to the temple treasury more than the rich
ones who put a lot of money.
The lesson to learn is that generosity is not a matter of
how much we give but rather of total detachment from the things of
this world so that our heart can only be for God. We therefore have to
be wary of our strong, if often subtle, attachment to the things of
this world such that our heart would at best be a divided heart, which
is actually an impossibility.
That’s because in our relation with God, there is no middle
ground. It is either we are with him completely or not at all. We have
to overcome that strong tendency to think that we can be partly with
God and partly with our own selves, even if we can say that we are
giving God 99% of what we have and keep only 1% for us.
We have to give all. In fact, with God we have to give our
very own selves, and not only things, not only some possessions.
Remember Christ telling us that we have to love God with “all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Mt 22,37)
* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
Ah, a delightfully serene place. You can hear the call of the howler monkeys from the top of any one of those hundred tiny islands from my bamboo bridge with no interruption from all, but your soft footfall stirs the leaves and rustling trees. The water is always so clean, especially after it's been rained on, or perhaps after a gentle morning haze has recently risen to meet you there. Taste it if you like! Bubbling freshness made available to all without cost should be expensive indeed! Truly this must be paradise... But alas, I fear not enough for some it could be challenging to coexist alongside its neighboring islands which each feel entitled share in this bounty; Yet should that strife reflect upon you?
I dare say not! One can easily ignore the inconvenience of others from a comfortable distance, but so long as you accept everyone and show kindness in return, you will never be disappointed. My recommendation: Learn to swim! As there is no shortage of food nor means to happiness here. And nothing could ever go wrong with that attitude!
Oh, I do apologize. Dear reader, it appears I must depart. The call of the sea is ever so strong on this refreshing day! Perhaps see you again some other time! Adieu.
The people are resilient, funny, usually kind to us poor foreigners. That is if you make an effort to treat them like people. Get out and eat and drink with people, dance and sing karaokke… don’t hang out with only your fellow countrymen, make an effort. I’ve been to more funerals, weddings, christenings, and birthdays in the last 10 years than in the first 50 in the States. Gatherings of friends and family are a very important part of social life here.
Oh, and, as long as you are living in a tropical paradise, with over 7000 islands and beaches, enjoy swimming, scuba, snorkeling, eating seafood, drinking cheap beer. Go to some of the clubs and music venues and enjoy the local music. Get out and golf at the dozen golf courses within 100 km of central Manila. And the dozens more in Cebu, Davao and elsewhere. Go up into the mountain provinces and enjoy the forests, cool air, different food and the coffee that’s grown there.
Marry a Filipina, grow a family, build a house on a hill overlooking the sea. Enjoy life.
