The faith of the centurion

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          REMEMBER that beautiful gospel episode of a centurion whose

faith was praised by Christ? (cfr. Mt 8,5-11) He asked Christ to cure

his sick servant and did not want to bother him by going to his place.

“Only say the word, and my servant will be healed,” he said.

          So impressed was Christ by this expression of faith that he

could not help but also say, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel

have I found such faith.” And the servant was healed.

          That story should teach us the precious lesson that we

should not hesitate to go to Christ to ask for some special and even

urgent and big favor, no matter how unworthy we feel we are. We should

never doubt Christ’s ever-ready response to attend to our needs. He is

always all there for us! We are always special to Christ, even if we

have committed some sins. Never forget that he came to save and not to

condemn.

          We just have to take care of our faith. We cannot deny that

in our life we will always be hounded by all sorts of problems and

troubles. But Christ always offers us a way to deal with them properly

and gainfully. Yes, with him, we can even take advantage of these

problems and troubles.

          We need to understand that as the very beginning of our life

with God, our life in the Spirit which is a supernatural life more

than just a natural life, our Christian faith has to be taken care of,

nourished and developed to full maturity.

          We need to be more aware of this duty and develop the

appropriate attitude and skill to carry out this responsibility

effectively. We have to go beyond mere good intentions or being merely

theoretical in order to be truly practical and vitally engaged with

this obligation.

          There is certainly a need to know the content of our faith.

We have to study and meditate on the gospel, the catechism and other

sources. We have to be attentive to the teachings of the Church

magisterium who is empowered and guaranteed by Christ to teach the

faith with authority and with infallibility.

          We need to see to it that our thinking and reasoning, our

intentions, words and deeds, should be guided by faith more than just

by our reason, much less by our common sense alone. These latter

sources of knowledge cannot capture the whole of reality, most

especially the spiritual and supernatural aspects of reality.

          We should be eager to ask for more faith, and to make many

acts of faith. This is a fundamental attitude to have. Let’s follow

the example of the apostles who said: “Lord, increase our faith.” (Lk

17,5) Also the father of a possessed boy who said: “I do believe,

Lord. Help my unbelief.” (Mk 9,24)

          Let’s also remember that to grow in faith we have to be

willing to exert a lot of effort and to make sacrifices. We have to

understand that with faith we are dealing with spiritual and

supernatural realities that do not come easy when we simply rely on

our senses and feelings. Discipline and self-denial are required.

          Of course, faith can take root deeply in our life if we

don’t just study it, but also act on it. Our faith should be converted

into action, into life itself!

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

What is your insight about the Filipino culture based on your experience?

 

Bisaya

Barok and Takya Blog | Bisaya Podcast

My experience is that Filipinos are highly family-oriented, sacrificing their desires for the needs of others. They are great at celebrating life. They love life! And living in the Philippines would make anyone look forward to each day at work because you meet many wonderful friends there--people who are always ready to share a laugh or a good meal with you. The country has natural beauty. I found it interesting how Filipinos will go out of their way to give foreigners directions when asked, even if they may not have understood what was being said most times. Filipinos also think that visitors need no time whatsoever to feel welcome here - which I believe may be an inherent characteristic foreign nationals cannot leave the country without.

The Filipino culture[1] has taught me to live my life fully, enjoy it as much as possible, and make the most of each day. To always be grateful for whatever comes my way because whatever I am going through now will eventually pass. And no matter how many challenges come to my path in life, if I remain steadfast and focused, I will undoubtedly enjoy a happy and peaceful life.

Footnotes

[1] 8 Best Filipino Pastimes of All Time

Who can travel to Germany now that COVID restrictions are being tightened again?

• Author Felix Schlagwein, DW

Coronavirus infections are surging in Germany. What does this mean for tourists? Here are the answers to some of the most pressing questions.

The fourth coronavirus wave is currently resulting in record infections in many European countries — including Germany. In some places, the situation is so dramatic that public events and fairs have been canceled and contact restrictions introduced.

Tourist travel has also been banned in parts of Germany. On Tuesday, the US once more issued a warning against visiting Germany, although vaccinated tourists can still enter. What do these developments mean for anyone wishing to enter Germany? What quarantine rules apply? And what do German holidaymakers need to bear in mind when returning home? Here are answers to some of the most important questions.

Who can enter Germany?

Despite soaring infections, conditions for entering Germany are in some cases more relaxed than they were a year ago. Nevertheless, all arrivals from the age of 12 must present proof of vaccination, recovery, or an approved negative COVID-19 test, regardless of where they are coming from and by what means of transport. This requirement will remain in force until January 15, 2022. Entry is possible from all EU countries as well as the Schengen-associated states of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Before traveling to Germany, make sure to get an overview of the latest developments and rules. Travelers can find detailed information on the websites of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Interior and the Foreign Office.

Are people from third countries allowed to travel to Germany?

Entry from third countries is possible again, albeit only under certain conditions. Residents from a list of "safe" third countries, which includes Australia and Canada, may enter Germany for any purpose, subject to the above-mentioned documentation requirement. Travelers from other third countries, including the US, must either be fully vaccinated or put forward pressing grounds for their trip. 

Only vaccines approved by Germany's Paul Ehrlich Institute are recognized, which currently comprises vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Licensed foreign versions of these vaccines are recognized as equivalent. A person is considered fully vaccinated if 14 days have passed since the second shot. For those who have recovered from a coronavirus infection, a single dose is sufficient. Also, only one vaccination is required for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Who needs to quarantine?

All arrivals failing to present proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test must self-isolate. Likewise, arrivals from high-risk and virus variant countries must quarantine in Germany.

Travelers from high-risk countries must spend ten days in self-isolation, whereas those from virus variant countries must self-isolate for two weeks.

Individuals from high-risk countries may cease self-isolating if they can present a negative test result on day five. This option is not available for people from virus variant destinations.

Germany's disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, currently classifies a spate of EU member states high-risk countries, among them Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Austria and Croatia. Anyone wishing to travel to Germany from there must complete a digital passenger locator form. At the moment, Germany does not list any virus variant countries.

Before planning your journey, be sure to check whether Germany deems your country a high-risk and virus variant destination.

Do I need to take a coronavirus test before arriving?

Not necessarily. Provided travelers can prove they are fully vaccinated, or have recovered from a coronavirus infection, no test is needed. Some airlines and train operators, however, ask passengers to take an additional COVID-19 test.

In Germany, PCR tests are accepted only if taken within the past 72 hours, rapid tests may be no older than 48 hours.

I'm a German tourist and contracted the coronavirus on holiday. May I return to Germany?

The Ministry of Health urges anyone who has fallen ill with COVID-19 to quarantine abroad, instead of returning home and potentially infecting others. Even so, authorities may not refuse entry to Germany. If you do make your way back, be sure to self-isolate the moment to step foot on German soil.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is barred from air travel. Likewise, infected individuals from high-risk or virus variant destinations are also banned from traveling to Germany.

I want to travel to Germany with my children. Which rules apply?

The rules set out above apply to children aged 12 and above. Those below this age are exempt from proving they are vaccinated, have recovered, or tested negative. Moreover, they are required to quarantine only for five days when returning from a high-risk country.

I have a stopover at a German airport. Which rules apply to me?

Persons changing flights at a German airport without entering the country can disregard Germany's travel rules. The same applies to persons who are transiting through Germany without stopping. In this case, travelers are not required to go into quarantine, nor complete a passenger locator form. It is advisable, however, to become acquainted with the entry rules of your final destination. If en route to another EU country, be sure to consult Re-open EU, a platform with detailed information on travel rules and coronavirus rules in all EU member states.

May I travel freely inside Germany after my arrival?

In principle, yes. But as all 16 of Germany's federal states have the power to pass individual coronavirus regulations, you should carefully check where you are planning to go. Saxony, which has recorded a dramatic spike in coronavirus cases, has severely restricted public life to contain the outbreak. Tourists are temporarily banned from visiting the state. Business travelers, meanwhile, are still welcome. Bavaria has instituted similarly strict rules.

May tourists visit cinemas, museums and restaurants in Germany?

Rules can vary from state to state, and sometimes even by region. Many federal states such as Berlin, Hamburg, Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia have instituted the so-called "2G" ("geimpft oder genesen" — vaccinated or recovered) rule for many venues and public events. It means only persons who can prove they are vaccinated or have recovered may enter restaurants, museums and attend certain events. Unvaccinated guests will find it challenging to go about touristic activities.

Germany's epidemiological situation is in flux. States and regions may adapt or even intensify measures aimed at curbing the recent infection surge. Some have even called for the "2G" rule to be rolled out nationwide.

In any case, tourists are well-advised to research the latest rules applicable in the parts of Germany they wish to visit.

What must I do if I contract the coronavirus during my stay in Germany?

Go into quarantine as fast as possible and inform the health authority in question. To find out which agency to contact, consult this website. If you are having severe COVID-19 symptoms, call a doctor or ring the following number: 116 117. In an emergency, dial 112 or go to your nearest hospital.

Advent time for planning and strategizing

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          IT’S the season of Advent again, opening a new liturgical

year. There can be many things that can come to mind with this season

of Advent. For one, it’s a time of expecting and preparing for the

birth of Christ on Christmas. That is in the short run. In the long

run, it is also a time of expecting and preparing for the second and

glorious coming of Christ, the Parousia.

          Advent also means that since it marks the beginning of

another liturgical year, we need to re-enliven our sense of making a

new beginning in our spiritual life that is the very foundation of our

whole life, since it is what relates us to God, our Father and

Creator, our be-all and end-all, as well as to everybody else. There,

therefore, is a great need to make some serious and effective plans

and strategies to pursue that most important goal of our life.

          We have to remember that our life here on earth is like a

divine project that has a beginning and an end, and a very concrete

purpose. But it’s a project that we also take active part in, since as

an intelligent and free creature of God capable of knowing and loving

God and others, we are meant to knowingly and lovingly correspond to

God’s plans for us individually and collectively. We are not passive

materials in this project.

          And this divine project takes the form of a yearly cycle,

what we call as the liturgical year, where the working of the whole

economy of salvation that God has for us, takes place. God’s

interventions in our life are actually constant and abiding.

          This yearly cycle of the divine project is meant to prepare

us for our ultimate eternal destination. It would be good if we make

ourselves most aware of this truth of our faith, so that we know what

we ought to do in this earthly life of ours.

          For this, a prayer that can be helpful is the Glory Be,

where we find the words, “As it was in the beginning, is now, and will

be forever.” Let’s put our mind and heart into these words if only to

remind ourselves strongly that we need to have a good sense of

continuity and consistency between our beginning and end, between the

past, present and future, and between time and eternity.

          Let us foster the awareness of this basic truth about

ourselves and about our life here on earth. We need to encourage

everyone to have a clear and strong sense of purpose, and to know how

to pursue it given our human condition and all the means that God has

given us.

          We therefore cannot overemphasize this basic need of ours to

make plans and strategies. If we have to develop ourselves as we

should, if we have to be truly productive and fruitful, if we have to

take advantage of everything in life, whether good or bad, to attain

our ultimate goal, then we have to plan and strategize our moves.

          Making plans and strategies may require some time and

effort, but it’s an investment that is all worth it. The little time

and effort required can actually multiply our time and make our

efforts more productive at the end of the day. It’s like the little

rudder that St. James talked about in his letter. (cfr. 3,4) Our plans

and strategies can have the power to accomplish great things, like a

little rudder giving direction to a big boat.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Bag-ong opisyales sa “Provincial Coffee Association of Davao de Oro” ug “Cacao de Oro Provincial Council” nanumpa

 

Opisyal na nga nanumpa aron pagtuman sa mga tahas ug buluhaton nga gisalig kanila sa mga katawhan ang bag-o napiling mga opisyales sa Provincial Coffee Association of Davao de Oro (PCADDO) ug Cacao de Oro Provincial Council, sa atubangan mismo ni Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy nga maoy nag administer sa ilang Oath-Taking sa milabayng semana diha sa Davao de Oro Capitol Ground.

 

Ang ilang paghural nahitabo niadtong Nobyembre 19, 2021 atol sa giusang mga dagkong kalihokan nga gipasiugdahan sa D.A. Regional Office XI, sa opisina ni Sen. Cynthia Villar, ug sa PLGU-DdO ilalom sa pagdumala ni Gov. Tyron Uy ug SP Members sa pagpanguna nila ni Vice Gov. Maricar Zamora ug Senior BM Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy.

 

Atubangan mismo sa Gobernador dungan nga nanumpa ang mga napiling opisyales sa Provincial Coffee Association of Davao de Oro nga sila si Arcadio Sabella sa MAGROW Maragusan-ilang Chairman; si Delio Cesar sa Pine Valley Maragusan- ilang Vice Chair; si Jesilyn Calanao sa Life Brew Nabunturan-ilang Secretary; si Alma Custodio sa LAFARMCO Pantukan-ilang Treasurer; ug ilang BODs nga sila Cipriano Ellaga, Jr. sa New Leyte Maco, Remelito Amabao sa Mabini (MAFAASO), Merelyn L. Sinon sa Montevista, ug Doming Guilabtan sa New Bataan.

 

Samtang, ang mga napiling opisyales sa Cacao de Oro Provincial Council nga dungan sad nga nanumpa niadtong adlawa atubangan ni Gov. Tyron Uy sila Juanito Aquino sa Monkayo-ilang Chairman; Armando Esquadro sa Maragusan-ilang Vice Chair; Norma Panarez sa Maragusan-ilang Treasurer; Noel Molijon sa Montevista-ilang Auditor; ug BODs nga sila Mercedes Sabanal sa New Bataan, Rodel Balingcos sa Compostela, Noel Molijon sa Montevista, Francisco Benaro sa Maco; Jerry Ellaga, Jr. sa Masara line Maco, Jerry Bacote sa Mabini, Wilfredo Alfante sa Pantukan, Feliciano Cal sa Laak, Ethel Angco sa Nabunturan, Armando Esquadro sa Maragusan, ug Ricardo Ramos sa Mawab.

 

Human sa ilang Oath Taking gipangunahan sad dayon sa Gobernador ang pagtunol sa mga farm toolkits ngadto sa pampublikong mga eskwelahan sa DdO nga nagpartisipar sa Gulayan sa Paaralan, ug ang pagtunol sad nila ngadto sa mga rice-based farmer’s and irrigators association sa Davao de Oro sa mga Agricultural Machineries nga gipalit sa DA pinaagi sa Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) gamit ang P35.2 Milyones nga Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) sa palasyo. (Gilbert Magadan Cabahug PAO-ID DdO)

What really is God’s word?

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          “HEAVEN and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass

away.” (Lk 21,33)

          With these words of Christ, we should feel the need to know

what exactly is God’s word. Why will it not pass away?

          The simple answer is that God’s word is not just an idea, a

doctrine, an ideology. It’s not just a strategy, a culture or a

lifestyle. Of course, God’s word involves all these, but unless we

understand God’s word as Christ himself, the God who became man to

reveal to us all that we need to know, all that we need to do to be

God’s image and likeness as God wants us to be, we will miss the real

essence and character of God’s word.

          We have to realize that the word of God cannot be separated

from God himself. That’s because God is so perfect as to be in

absolute simplicity. As such, God has no parts, no aspects, no quality

or property that are distinct from his very being. His word and his

being are just one. There is no distinction at all in him.

          Of course, from our point of view, we cannot help but to

describe God according to our own terms and ways that cannot help but

make distinctions between the essence of a being and its properties

and qualities. But in himself, God does not have distinction between

his essence and the properties that we attribute to him.

          Of course, this is a mystery, a supernatural truth that our

reason cannot fully fathom. That is why we need to have a strong faith

to be able to accept this truth. And once we accept by faith the

absolute unity between God and his word, then we will realize that

reading and meditating on the gospel is actually having a living

encounter with God through Christ.

          Thus, St. Jerome, a father of the Church, once said that to

read the Scripture is to converse with God—“If you pray, you speak

with the Spouse. If you read, it is he who speaks to you,” he said.

          Only when we realize that God’s word is Christ himself and

that reading it is like having an encounter with Christ can God’s word

truly be as the Letter to the Hebrews described it: “Alive and active.

Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing

soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and

attitudes of the heart.” (4,12)

          Of course, we have to be that good, rich soil referred to in

that parable for God’s word to take root in us and be fruitful.

Otherwise, no matter how powerfully effective God’s word is, if the

reader of that word does not have the right condition, that word would

have no effect. It would fail to produce fruit, “thirty, sixty and

even a hundredfold,” as Christ assured us.

          That means that we should handle the word of God with great

faith and piety. We should not just treat it as some literary or

historical or cultural reading. We have to realize that we are

listening to Christ and that what we hear from him should be taken

very seriously.

          That means that we have to involve our whole being when

reading God’s word. It should not just be an intellectual affair,

though we have to make full use of our intelligence and all our other

faculties when reading and meditating on it.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

IN TOTAL DARKNESS

When I was still hosting my radio shows with classical music  on different radio stations, I really got surprised how many people tried to come in touch with me after listening to not only the (wonderful?) classical music as well as my inspirational thoughts in between. Yes, I really felt glad and honored to be on air and getting the chance to share my passion for classical music with a really great listener ship. Once upon a time -  already several years ago.

In total darkness are many people right now because of the pandemic and the number of cases increasing to astronomical heights all over the world. Strategies against darkness?  "Why am I so sad? What am I so troubled about?" (Psalm 42,11).

If it's becoming dark, we usually turn on our lights. But, it's still daylight. It's a magnificent and wonderful day! The sun shines with might in the sky. The flowers are ablaze with amazing colors; the birds are chirping cheerfully. - "Yet, why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled?"

We experience feelings, as if darkness lies onto our souls, and light cannot get through any more. Yes, we make head or tail of it, because some really bad things happened since a couple of  months in many of our life and surroundings:

Several good friends passed away unforeseen; a wish, carried with us in our hearts never became true; all doors seem to be locked forever; financial problems because of Covid-19 bother us and don't allow the chance for three daily meals; and arduous illness seems to become incurable.

Why are we so sad? Why are we so troubled? The psalm's poet voices out innermost feelings and emotions during those times.

A very good friend ( a really very good one!) asked the following question: "How can you praise and worship this God, who allowed me always to get into a never-ending darkness?" Is my friend a dyed-in-the-wool-atheist", who underpinned his opinion with even the Psalm: "Day and night I cry and tears are my only food; all the time my enemies ask me, "Where is YOUR "God"?""

I was trained how to survive such periods of life. Even in this pandemic situation. Be patient and pray. Yes, pray! Or: "Quarrel with your soul!" No, it's not nonsense, it really works.

"Don't make such a fuss; get out of your dump and be happy!"

Or, read Psalm 103: "The Love of God".

Philippinen: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Teilreisewarnung und COVID-19-bedingte Reisewarnung)

 

Das Auswärtige Amt gibt am 23.11.2021 bekannt:

Letzte Änderung: Aktuelles - COVID-19 (Einreise, Durch- und Weiterreise, Reiseverbindungen, Beschränkungen im Land, Hygieneregeln)


Lagen können sich schnell verändern und entwickeln. Wir empfehlen Ihnen:

- Verfolgen Sie Nachrichten und Wetterberichte

- Achten Sie auf einen ausreichenden Reisekrankenversicherungsschutz https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-gesundheit/-/350944

- Abonnieren Sie unseren Newsletter https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/newsroom/newsletter/bestellen-node oder nutzen Sie unsere App „Sicher Reisen“ https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/app-sicher-reisen/350382
- Folgen Sie uns auf Twitter: AA_SicherReisen https://twitter.com/AA_SicherReisen
- Registrieren Sie sich in unserer Krisenvorsorgeliste https://krisenvorsorgeliste.diplo.de 

Aktuelles

Die Ausbreitung von COVID-19 https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-gesundheit/gesundheit-fachinformationen/reisemedizinische-hinweise/Coronavirus/-/2309820 kann weiterhin zu Einschränkungen im internationalen Luft- und Reiseverkehr und Beeinträchtigungen des öffentlichen Lebens führen.

Vor nicht notwendigen, touristischen Reisen in die Philippinen wird derzeit gewarnt.

Die Philippinen sind von COVID-19 stark betroffen, wobei von einer hohen Dunkelziffer bei den Infektionszahlen auszugehen ist. Das Gesundheitssystem ist sehr belastet. Regionaler Schwerpunkt ist die Hauptstadtregion Metro Manila. Die Philippinen sind als Hochrisikogebiet https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebiete_neu.html eingestuft.

Aktuelle und detaillierte Zahlen bieten das philippinische Gesundheitsministerium https://www.doh.gov.ph/ und die Weltgesundheitsorganisation WHO https://covid19.who.int/region/wpro/country/ph.

Einreise

Bis auf weiteres ist Ausländern die Einreise für touristische Zwecke in die Philippinen verboten. Erteilte philippinische Einreise-Visa wurden für ungültig erklärt, neue touristische Visa werden derzeit grundsätzlich nicht ausgestellt. Ausnahmen gelten ausschließlich für Flugzeug- und Schiffsbesatzungen, für Familienangehörige (Ehegatten, Kinder, Eltern) von philippinischen Staatsangehörigen, für Diplomaten und Angehörige internationaler Organisationen, die in den Philippinen akkreditiert sind, sowie für Ausländer, die bereits im Besitz von Langzeitvisa sind. Die Quarantänevorgaben richten sich nach dem Aufenthalt in den letzten 14 Tagen vor Einreise aus einem der vom Gesundheitsministerium definierten Länder der „Green“ oder „Yellow List" und dem Impfstatus. https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/?page_id=77

Als vollständig geimpft gilt, wer einen Impfnachweis über eine in den Philippinen erfolgte vollständige Impfung oder einen von den Philippinen anerkannten ausländischen Impfnachweis vorlegt. Deutsche Impfnachweise in Form des gelben WHO-Impfbuches oder das Digitale COVID-Zertifikat der EU https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_de werden anerkannt. Kreuzimpfungen werden akzeptiert, eine einfache Impfung nach einem durchgemachten Infekt ist hingegen nicht ausreichend.

Green List:

• Vollgeimpft, PCR-Test nicht älter als 72 Stunden vor Abflug → keine Quarantäne, 14 Tage Selbstbeobachtung auf Symptome.

• Ungeimpft, nicht vollständig geimpft, Impfstatus nicht feststellbar oder vollgeimpft, aber kein PCR-Test vor Abreise → Quarantäne in Quarantäne-Einrichtung, Buchung muss bei Abflug vorliegen, PCR-Test am fünften Tag, nach negativem Ergebnis Entlassung und Selbstbeobachtung auf Symptome bis zum 14. Tag.

Yellow List:

• Vollgeimpft, PCR-Test nicht älter als 72 Stunden vor Abflug → Quarantäne in Quarantäne-Einrichtung, Buchung muss bei Abflug vorliegen, PCR-Test am dritten Tag, nach negativem Ergebnis Entlassung und Selbstbeobachtung auf Symptome bis zum 14. Tag.

• Vollgeimpft, ohne PCR-Test vor Abflug → Quarantäne in Quarantäne-Einrichtung, Buchung muss bei Abflug vorliegen, PCR-Test am fünften Tag, nach negativem Ergebnis Entlassung und Selbstbeobachtung auf Symptome bis zum zehnten Tag.

• Ungeimpft, nicht vollständig geimpft, Impfstatus nicht feststellbar → Quarantäne in Quarantäne-Einrichtung, Buchung muss bei Abflug vorliegen, PCR-Test am siebten Tag, nach negativem Ergebnis Entlassung und Heimquarantäne bis zum 14. Tag.

Die Quarantänevorgaben für Minderjährige richten sich nach den Vorgaben für begleitende Sorgeberechtigte/Eltern, unabhängig von ihrem eigenen Impfstatus oder Herkunftsland.

Vollständig geimpfte Diplomaten und Angehörige internationaler Organisationen müssen bei Einreise aus einem Land der „Green List“ einen negativen PCR-Test vorlegen, der nicht älter als 72 Stunden ist. Die Quarantäne entfällt, an deren Stelle tritt 14-tägige Selbstbeobachtung auf Symptome. Bei Einreise aus einem Land der „Yellow List“ sind Heimquarantäne und am fünften Tag ein PCR-Test zu absolvieren. Nach negativem Ergebnis endet die Heimquarantäne und es erfolgt Selbstbeobachtung auf Symptome bis zum zehnten Tag.

Reisende müssen sich vor Einreise über das Portal „One Health Pass https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/“ registrieren. Der Nachweis in Form eines QR Codes ist den Fluggesellschaften beim Einchecken vorzulegen.

Durch- und Weiterreise

Reisen zwischen den Provinzen sind eingeschränkt möglich. Es müssen Gesundheitszeugnisse, gegebenenfalls ein negativer PCR-Test oder philippinische/anerkannte ausländische Impfnachweise vorgelegt und in der Zielprovinz im Einzelfall Quarantäne abgeleistet werden.

Die Ausreise ist Ausländern, die sich im Land aufhalten, jederzeit erlaubt. Viele Fluggesellschaften verlangen für den Reiseantritt in den Philippinen einen negativen PCR-Test oder einen Impfnachweis.

Reiseverbindungen

Für die Einreise über die Flughäfen in Manila, Clark und Cebu bestehen Kontingente. Fluggesellschaften erhalten ihre Kontingente mit geringem zeitlichen Vorlauf, was zu kurzfristigen Umbuchungen oder Flugstornierungen führen kann.

Beschränkungen im Land

Die Quarantänemaßnahmen sind regional unterschiedlich. Derzeit gilt im Großraum Manila eine Quarantänestufe mit Einschränkungen in der Versorgung und der Bewegungsfreiheit sowie eine nächtliche Ausgangssperre für Minderjährige. Stadtbezirke können diese Einschränkungen eigenständig verschärfen.

Die zwischenzeitlich unterbrochenen regulären Verkehrsverbindungen zwischen den Inseln des Landes wurden wieder aufgenommen, können jedoch jederzeit kurzfristig wiedereingestellt werden.

Die touristische Infrastruktur ist eingeschränkt, zahlreiche Hotels und Resorts sind geschlossen.

Hygieneregeln

Im öffentlichen Raum (in Gebäuden, aber auch im Freien) gilt die Pflicht, einen Mund-Nasen-Schutz zu tragen, in medizinischen Einrichtungen zusätzlich einen Gesichtsschutz (face-shield). Es gibt das Gebot, sozialen Abstand zu wahren. Massenansammlungen sind verboten. Verstöße sind mit Geld- bis hin zu Gefängnisstrafen bewehrt. Im Fall einer Infektion erfolgt die Isolierung grundsätzlich in staatlicher Unterbringung.

Empfehlungen

• Seien Sie bei allen Reisen weiterhin besonders vorsichtig und beachten Sie unsere fortlaufend aktualisierte Infobox zu COVID-19/Coronavirus.
• Achten Sie bei Einreise nach Deutschland auf die geltenden Einreisevoraussetzungen zu Anmelde-, Quarantäne- und Nachweisregelungen (vollständige Impfung oder Genesenennachweis oder aktueller negativer COVID-19-Test).
• Achten Sie auf die Einhaltung der AHA-Vorschriften und befolgen Sie zusätzlich die Hinweise lokaler Behörden. Bei Verstößen gegen die Hygienevorschriften können hohe Geldstrafen oder Gefängnisstrafen verhängt werden.
• Informieren Sie sich über detaillierte Maßnahmen und ergänzende Informationen der philippinischen Regierung.
• Falls Sie im Besitz eines Langzeitvisums sind oder eine Sondereinreisegenehmigung mit Touristenvisum beantragen möchten, erkundigen Sie sich bei den philippinischen Behörden, in Deutschland z.B. bei der Philippinischen Botschaft, ob Sie zur Gruppe derjenigen gehören, für die eine Einreise möglich ist.
• Erkundigen Sie sich bei Ihrer Fluggesellschaft über die genauen Vorgaben.
• Bei COVID-19 Symptomen oder Kontakt mit Infizierten kontaktieren Sie das lokale Gesundheitsamt.

Sicherheit - Teilreisewarnung

Vor Reisen in folgende Regionen oder Gebiete wird gewarnt:
- Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)
- Northern Mindanao (Region X)
- Davao-Region (Region XI) mit Ausnahme des Stadtgebietes von Davao City
- Soccsksargen (Region XII)
- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
- Inseln des Sulu-Archipels
- Süd-Palawan mit Ausnahme von Puerto Princesa
Von nicht erforderlichen Reisen in andere Regionen von Mindanao und in der Mindanao-See wird abgeraten

Some eschatological considerations

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          WE should not be surprised that as we end the liturgical

year, the readings of the Mass these days focus on the end times. They

are not meant to scare us but rather to encourage us to be properly

prepared and to really lock our attention on what are truly essential

in our life. This is when we have to make what we can refer to as some

eschatological considerations.

          We have to examine ourselves on how prepared we are to meet

our death, which some saints have affectionately called as “Sister

Death,” because if we go by our Christian faith, death is actually

just a transition from our earthly life of being created and redeemed

by God to our definitive eternal life with God who wants to share his

life with us, we being his image and likeness, his children.

Talking about proper preparation, we have to realize that this is none

other our spiritual preparedness. It is what gives us the full picture

of our life and destiny, opening ourselves to a supernatural life with

God. We are no mere creatures of nature. We have been made in the

image and likeness of God, elevated to be children of his in Christ.

          Our spiritual preparedness takes us to a higher ground,

giving us a glimpse of what is beyond our human horizons and natural

limits. This is not to mention the corrections it will make to our

inadequate if not erroneous understanding of our life here on earth.

          It affords us an apocalyptic worldview, because it unveils

and reveals, which is what apocalypse means, the true meaning and

purpose of our life. In other words, with this kind of preparedness,

anything can happen in the world, and we can still manage to come out

safe and sound, in the ultimate sense of the words.

          As a consequence of pursuing our spiritual preparation, we

need to learn how we can relate our earthly and temporal concerns to

our ultimate spiritual and supernatural goal. In short, we have to

know how to connect time with eternity.

          We have to overcome our narrow-mindedness or blindness with

respect to the spiritual and supernatural goal of our life, because no

matter how much we ignore it, we cannot deny the fact that the full

dimensions of our life go beyond the temporal, the material and

natural. We are also meant for the eternal, spiritual and

supernatural.

         And the way to do that is simply to live as fully as

possible, in the richness of their practical implications, those

divine gifts of faith, hope and charity. All the other human virtues

and values that we pursue in our life here on earth should be animated

by these theological virtues.

          It is through these gifts of faith, hope and charity that we

get connected with God who actually always intervenes in our life

since he is still creating and redeeming us. We are still a work in

progress. We are not yet a finished product. Our correspondence to

God’s abiding interventions in our life is through these virtues of

faith, hope and charity. This is how we can connect our time with the

eternity of God.

          The fact that we can think and reason out, wish and desire,

choose or not, love or not, are clear indications that we are not

meant only for the here and now, the tangible and the worldly. We go

beyond them.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

NPC says global syndicate behind scam text surge

by Gabriela Baron, Manila Bulletin

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Tuesday, Nov. 23, said the recent scam text surge offering dubious jobs are run by a global crime syndicate.

In a statement, NPC Commissioner Raymund “Mon” Liboro clarified that it is not run by a group that has gained unauthorized access to contact tracing forms, which was one of the first suspicions.

“If our initial findings prove true, that personal data is being exploited by criminals abroad, then this also becomes a matter of national security, which should compel government, the private sector, and advocate groups to work hand in hand and take more urgent and concrete action to safeguard,” Liboro said.

The NPC also summoned the data protection officers of Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, Dito Telecommunity, Shopee, and several banks to report on their spam prevention measures and further steps to combat the spate of scam text messages.

“We have summoned them to detail their current and future measures to combat smishing. Ultimately, we want to secure their commitment and focus in fighting these fraudulent practices so we can best strategize how to block these messages and protect our data subjects,” Liboro reiterated.

In meeting with industry players, the NPC aims to be kept abreast with the scam trends and discuss potential coordination in exchanging crucial information to prevent the unlawful collection and misuse of personal data.

“We hope to find areas where the NPC and these industry players can establish a more proactive approach in fighting smishing and other scams, moving forward,” Liboro added.

He reminded data subjects to remain vigilant and not open suspicious links.

Liboro also told the public to always scrutinize the messages they receive and not easily believe its lofty promises of easy, passive income opportunities and high-paying jobs.

“If from an unknown number, and with an offer that is too good to be true, it is most probably not true and is a scam,” he added.

Liboro assured that the NPC will continue to monitor the situation and encouraged victims to immediately file a report against the malicious senders, especially if they think their personal data has been compromised.