The Good News about suffering

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THE fact that Christ immediately talked about his impending passion and death after being rightly identified by Peter as the “the Christ” (cfr. Mk 8,27-33) tells us that suffering and death, which are unavoidable in our life here on earth, are actually good news to all of us. If understood and experienced properly, they identify us with Christ and attain for us our own eternal salvation.

This gospel episode, of course, tells us that if we truly follow Christ, then like him, we should not only expect suffering and death but also welcome them. That’s because in the first place we cannot avoid suffering and death in this life, no matter how much we try. But more importantly, if we have the same attitude Christ had toward his suffering and death, we know that our own would have a positive and redemptive value.

This is what Christian suffering and death is all about. It is a consequence of all our sins but is now converted into a means of our salvation, that is, if we suffer and die with Christ.

We need to understand this basic truth of our faith so that we can avoid suffering unduly or suffering more than we ought. In other words, this truth of our faith enables us to suffer and die properly.

We all need to be reminded that all our suffering has a positive and favorable aspect. It’s not all entirely bad and negative, though in itself it will always be bad. But if viewed and lived through our Christian faith, that is, with Christ, there is something in it that can give us a greater good. 

Our pains and suffering are always the result of sin, ours and those of others. They are the necessary consequence of our separation, whether temporary or permanent, from God from whom all good things come. (cfr. Ps 16,2; James 1,17) We may not be the direct cause of our own suffering, but in this world, we cannot escape the effects of sin, and so we must be ready for them just the same.

We have to remind ourselves that we are not meant to suffer. Our original as well as our ideal definitive state in heaven excludes suffering. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were in the state of original justice, where everything was in order and in harmony. No pain and suffering touched them, until they fell into sin.

We have to remind everyone that when we suffer, we should see to it that we avoid suffering by our own lonesome. That would make our suffering, whatever may be its cause, whether it is self-inflicted or caused by others, a useless and purely negative event.

Truth is our suffering can have tremendous meaning and positive effect on us if we go through it always with Christ. If we go by our Christian faith, we are sure that Christ is ever willing to suffer for us and with us, and to convert our suffering into the very means of our salvation, in fact.

There is no human suffering that Christ is not willing to make also as his own. And he does it because he loves us, he wants to save us, he wants to bring us back to him. Let’s remember that his love is first of all gratuitous. He loves us first before we can learn to love him in return. 

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Covid: Austria and Germany decide to ease rules

 

Covid restrictions have meant limited attendances in Germany's Bundesliga but that will gradually change.

Austria and Germany have both announced plans to relax Covid-19 measures, weeks after pushing for compulsory vaccinations to curb infections.

Although unvaccinated people will still face restrictions, Germans are being promised a "freedom day" on 20 March while most measures will be dropped in Austria on 5 March.

The Omicron variant has not led to a feared surge in hospital admissions.

However, Germany's chancellor still aims to make vaccinations mandatory.

"The pandemic isn't over," said Olaf Scholz after a summit with Germany's 16 states. Legislation on compulsory jabs has been left for parliament to decide but the chancellor said it remained important especially ahead of next autumn and winter.

Austria passed a law earlier this month that made vaccination against Covid-19 mandatory, the first country in Europe to do so.

However, no-one will be penalised for breaking the law until 16 March, and the government has until then to decide whether to suspend the requirement. Chancellor Karl Nehammer said an advisory commission would recommend how best to proceed.

Much of Europe has already announced plans to loosen Covid restrictions as infections fall. Switzerland has announced that from Thursday Covid certificates are not needed to enter bars, restaurants or other indoor venues.

The Netherlands is to lift most measures by 25 February, with bars returning to normal hours and masks no longer compulsory in most settings

France has already scrapped mask requirements outdoors and aims to drop the measure indoors from mid-March if conditions allow

Norway lifted its last measures on 12 February, declaring coronavirus "no longer a major health threat to most of us"

Most restrictions have been lifted in England and some measures remain in Scotland and Wales.

Germany's leaders agreed on Wednesday to a three-step plan, starting with a raising of numbers of vaccinated and recovered people allowed to hold private indoor meetings, as well as Covid checks in non-essential shops.

From 4 March, anyone who has been vaccinated or who has recovered from Covid will be allowed into bars and hotels without a test while unvaccinated people will be let in with a test.

Then from 20 March most other restrictions will be scrapped, apart from rules on masks. Attendances at major outdoor events will go up from 10,000 to up to 25,000 (or 75% capacity) on 4 March, with the prospect of full stadiums on 20 March.

Chancellor Scholz said it was a "very special day" and Germany could look to the future with greater confidence than before. Although case numbers on Wednesday were still almost 220,000 over 24 hours, the seven-day rate of infection has fallen.

In Austria, only highly vulnerable settings such as nursing homes and hospitals will retain Covid restrictions from 5 March. Catering will be allowed overnight and Covid passes will not be needed, although masks will be needed on public transport and in essential shops.

As early as Saturday, anyone who has not been vaccinated will be allowed to enter places limited in recent months to those showing proof of vaccination or recovery.

Palace institutionalizes acceptance of PhilID in all transactions

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, Manila Bulletin

Malacañang has ordered the acceptance of the Philippine Identification (PhilID) or Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Number (PSN) as sufficient proof of identity and age in all government and private transactions.

File Photo of President Duterte giving the thumbs up after checking one of the printed national Identification cards following his submission in the registration process for the National Identification System administered by the Philippine Statistics Authority at the Malacañang Palace on January 21, 2021. (Malacañang photo)

Executive Order (EO) No. 162 was signed, by the authority of President Duterte, by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Feb. 14, 2022.

In issuing the EO, Duterte cited the urgent need to institutionalize the acceptance of the PhilID or PSN, as authenticated, as sufficient proof of identity and age in all government and private transactions, to improve efficiency in the delivery of social services, strengthen financial inclusion, and promote the ease of doing business.

 

PhilSys is the single national identification system for citizens and resident aliens of the country. Republic Act (RA) 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act provides that the PSN shall be honored and accepted in print, electronic, or any other authenticated form as sufficient proof of identity for transacting business with any government agency or private sector.

As per EO 162, the PhilID shall serve as the official government-issued identification document and official proof of identity of cardholders in dealing with all government and private sector identities.

Meanwhile, the PSN or an authenticated PSN Derivative of an individual shall be honored and accepted in transactions with the government and private sector entities, notwithstanding the non-presentation of the PhilID.

Duterte said in his EO that the presentation of the PhilID, PSN, or authenticated PSN Derivative, shall be sufficient proof of identification and of all other personal details stated therein, without the need for presentation of other identification documents.

The EO allows the PhilID, PSN, or PSN Derivative to be presented in lieu of a birth certificate for transactions that require individuals to establish their age, including but not limited to:

Applications for a marriage license

Applications for student driver’s permit or conductor’s license with the Land Transportation Office (LTO)

Enrollment of students in public and private schools or registration for the Philippine Educational Placement Test

Applications with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

Applications relative to voter’s registration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec)

With this, no additional proof of identity or age shall be required upon the presentation of the PhilID, PhilSys, or authenticated PSN Derivative.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shall ensure that no cardholders or PSN holders shall be prejudiced if authentication cannot be performed through no fault on the part of the said persons. The EO also does not foreclose the recognition and acceptance of other government-issued IDs.

Government agencies are likewise tasked to amend their Citizen’s Charters to integrate the PhilSys Components and accommodate its features. The transacting public shall be informed of these amendments and private sector entities are enjoined to do the same.

On the other hand, banks and other financial institutions shall comply with the relevant issuances of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and other government regulatory agencies, and communicate to the public such policies and guidelines on the use of the PhilID, PSN, or PSN Derivative.

Das Auswärtiges Amt gibt bekannt

www.auswaertiges-amt.de

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

15.02.2022

Letzte Änderung:
Aktuelles – COVID-19 (Einreise, Reiseverbindungen, Beschränkungen im Land, Hygieneregeln, Empfehlungen),

Einreise und Zoll (Visum)


Lagen können sich schnell verändern und entwickeln. Insbesondere die COVID-19-Bestimmungen unterliegen laufenden Änderungen.
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

- Erkundigen Sie sich vorab bei den Behörden/Botschaften Ihres Reiselandes https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/vertretungen-anderer-staaten zu den aktuell geltenden, verbindlichen Einreisebestimmungen sowie bei Flug- und Bahngesellschaften nach den geltenden Beförderungsbestimmungen

.
- Beachten Sie unseren Haftungsausschluss https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/haftungsausschluss/2500954 und den Hinweis zu Inhalten anderweitiger Anbieter. https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/inhalte-anderweitiger-anbieter/2500956

Aktuelles
COVID-19

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 gewarnt.

Epidemiologische Lage

Die Philippinen sind von COVID-19 stark betroffen und 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://doh.gov.ph und die Weltgesundheitsorganisation WHO https://covid19.who.int/region/wpro/country/ph.

Einreise

Die Einreise für vollständig geimpfte Ausländer ist für touristische Aufenthalte und Geschäftsreisen bis zu längstens 30 Tagen möglich, wenn sie unter Executive Order No. 408 (s. 1960) https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa fallen und durch diese von der Visumspflicht befreit, sowie bei Einreise im Besitz eines noch sechs Monate gültigen Reisepasses sind und einen Flugschein über einen Rück- oder Weiterflug (hiervon ausgenommen sind ausländische Ehepartner und Kinder philippinischer Staatsangehöriger sowie ehemalige philippinische Staatsangehörige mit „Balikbayan Privileg“ und deren mitreisende ausländische Ehepartner und Kinder) sowie eine in den Philippinen anerkannte Reisekrankenversicherung mit Mindestdeckungsschutz in Höhe von 35.000 USD für den vorgesehenen Aufenthaltszeitraum vorlegen können. Die Staatenliste kann auf der Webseite der philippinischen Botschaft in Berlin http://philippine-embassy.de/visas/ abgerufen werden. Deutschland gehört derzeit zu diesen Ländern. Ausländische Kinder unter 12 Jahre müssen nicht voll geimpft sein und auch keinen Nachweis über ihren Impfstatus vorlegen, wenn sie ihre vollständig geimpften Eltern begleiten.

Für länger als 30 Tage geplante nicht-touristische oder nicht-geschäftliche Aufenthalte der Visumskategorie 9 (a) ist ein „Entry Exemption Document (EED)“ erforderlich.

Die Einreise für vollständig geimpfte Inhaber von Langzeitvisa anderer Kategorien ist unter den unten genannten Bedingungen ebenfalls möglich.

Nicht vollständig geimpften ausländischen Reisenden wird die Einreise verweigert.

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 werden anerkannt. Kreuzimpfungen werden akzeptiert, eine einfache Impfung nach einem durchgemachten Infekt ist hingegen nicht ausreichend.

Die Quarantänevorgaben richten sich nach dem Nachweis des Impfstatus der Reisenden:
• Vollständig geimpft mit anerkanntem Impfnachweis, negativer PCR-Test nicht älter als 48 Stunden vor Abflug → keine Quarantäne, Selbstbeobachtung auf Symptome für sieben Tage. Verpflichtende Kontaktaufnahme mit den lokalen Gesundheitsbehörden bei Auftreten von Symptomen.
• Vollständig geimpft, aber kein anerkannter Impfnachweis, negativer PCR-Test nicht älter als 48 Stunden vor Abflug → Quarantäne in Quarantäne-Einrichtung, Buchung muss bei Abflug vorliegen, PCR-Test am fünften Tag, nach negativem Ergebnis Entlassung und Heimquarantäne bis zum 14. Tag.
• Die Quarantänevorgaben für Kinder unter 12 Jahre, die nicht geimpft werden können, richten sich nach den Vorgaben für begleitende Sorgeberechtigte/Eltern.
Nähere Informationen können bei der philippinischen Botschaft http://philippine-embassy.de/ erfragt werden.

Alle Reisenden (ausgenommen Diplomaten) 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 Nutzung öffentlicher Verkehrsmittel ist zunehmend nur noch für geimpfte Personen erlaubt. Dies betrifft auch Inlandsflug- und Fährverbindungen.

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. 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.
• Erkundigen Sie sich bei den philippinischen Behörden, in Deutschland z.B. bei der Philippinischen Botschaft, über die aktuellen Einreisevorschriften.
• 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.

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐧𝐢 𝐆𝐨𝐯. 𝐉𝐚𝐲𝐯𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐲 𝐬𝐚 𝐦𝐠𝐚 𝐏𝐆 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐮𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐏 𝐃𝐝𝐎

Concurred na kon giuyonan sa SP DdO sa pagpanguna nila ni Vice Gov. Maricar Zamora ug Papa Gov Senior BM Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy ang appointment ni Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy sa mga reappointed, newly appointed/promoted nga mga Provincial Government Department Heads sa PLGU Davao de Oro nga maoy resulta sa “Newly Concluded Total Reorganization of the Provincial Government”.

Ang Concurrence sa ilang appointments nahitabo kagahapong adlawa(Pebrero 14,2022) atol sa 136th Regular Session nga gipanguluhan mismo ni Vice Gov. Maricar Zamora diha sa SP Session Hall sa kapitolyo.

Sa mga reappointed concurred ang mga appointments nila PA Virgila S Allones, PHRMDO Head Lara Zaphire Kristy N Bermejo, PGSO Head Arceli Timogtimog, PBO Head Eva Jean Licayan, PASSO Head Engr.Abenir Labja, PLO Head Atty. Neil John Villarico, PHO Head Dr.Antonio Ybiernas Jr., PSWDO Head Josephine Frasco, PVO Head Dr. Rolando Simene, PEO Head Engr. Rhoderick Digamon, PDRRMO Head Joseph  Randy Loy, ug PEEMO Head Dr.John Edward Coloma.

Concurred sad ang appointments sa mga Newly Appointed PG Department Heads nga sila PPDO Head Raymundo Pajarito, PACCO Head Ariel Mandawe, PAGRO Head Jaime Anter, PICTO Head Joyzel Odi, PIAO Head Placido Alcomendras Jr., ug PLGU PENRO Marilyn Perlas. (Gilbert Magadan Cabahug PAO-IPRD DdO, Photos from Sangguniang Panlalawigan Davao de Oro)

What is the difference between Mexican and Filipino adobo?

 

Dayang C Marikit

My Quora account is mainly focused on promoting and educating people about the pre-colonial period. Below are some of my articles and as well as some informative videos.

I would like to inform people that “nothing is set in stone” because we are constantly gathering information and learning about our history, somethings may change in the future, but for now the things that I publish are the things that we currently “know about.”

Other than their name there’s nothing the same about them.

• “Filipino Adobo” is of pre-colonial origin. When the Spaniards encountered the dish, it reminded them of a similar method of preparing food back home, so they dubbed the indigenous dish “Adobo de los Naturales” which translates to “Adobo of the Native Peoples.” Eventually the name of the dish was shortened to “Adobo.”

Basically, Filipino Adobo is an independent development before Spanish contact.

• The pre-colonial name of the dish could have been “Kilaw” because the primary ingredients were vinegar, salt, peppercorns, and garlic where various meats would be stewed for preservation… eventually Chinese influence introduced soy sauce as an additional ingredient to the dish.

Variety without soy sauce

Variety with soy sauce

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NCR retains Alert Level 2 status; Alert Level 3 in 7 areas from Feb. 16-28

 

The government’s pandemic task force has decided to keep the National Capital Region (NCR) under the coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert Level 2 while it placed seven other areas under Alert Level 3 from February 16 to 28, 2022.

In a statement, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that the following areas will be under Alert Level 3:

Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, Guimaras, Zamboanga City, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, South Cotabato.

Christian leaven and the Metaverse

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE have a tremendous challenge with the coming of the new digital platform called the Metaverse. It is supposed to be the internet’s next frontier focusing on virtual and augmented reality, which is really quite a development. Like any development in the world, Metaverse offers us tremendous advantages, but we should also be most wary of the huge dangers it can give us.

Are we ready for it? And by “we,” what is meant is everybody, of course, but especially the young who are easily seduced by its immediate conveniences without knowing how to make good use of these advantages and conveniences.

Do we exactly know what to do with it to help us achieve what is truly in good in us? In the first place, do we know what is truly good for us? Do we have a clear idea of what would comprise dangers arising from its use?

Somehow this kind of wariness was expressed by Christ when he warned his apostles about the leaven of the Pharisees. (cfr. Mk 8,14-21) At first, the apostles did not get what Christ meant, something that can also happen to us due to our poor understanding of Christ’s will and words. But when they did, they knew they had to be most faithful to the teachings of Christ which is what is truly good for all of us.

We have to realize that any development, especially in the technologies, would require an upgrade in the virtues, especially of prudence that helps us to judge and make choices and decisions properly. We just cannot enter into a new phase of development without the proper preparation, not only in terms of skills, but also and most importantly, in terms of the virtue of prudence.

Otherwise, there is no other way but to be swallowed up by the very strong pressure to fall into self-indulgence and into simply making knee-jerk reactions that can only satisfy our immediate but shallow needs while undermining our more important needs, especially our moral, spiritual and supernatural goals in life.

We need to see to it that the use of the Metaverse, as in any development in the world, should fuel our duty to be more coherent in our Christian identity and our duty to be Christian leaven, consistently radiating the Christian spirit all over.

In other words, for the Metaverse to be of real use to us, it should bring us closer to God and to everybody else. It should foster greater love which in the end should make us all a better person. If, on the other hand, it would make us more self-indulgent, self-centered, vain, arrogant, etc., then it is nothing but a sweet poison, a replication of the Tower of Babel.

We have to institute ways of educating everyone on the proper use of this new technology. I wonder what is being done in this direction. While it’s nice to hear that in many centers of education and formation, there is concern for up-skilling people, we should have more concern regarding how to prepare everyone to be consistent in his Christian identity as he immerses himself in this new technology.

The Metaverse can be a tremendous means for us to be true Christian leaven in the middle of the world if we only know how to use it properly.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Travelers should remain cautious amid COVID-19 threat —WHO rep

by Analou de Vera, Manila Bulletin

An official of the World Health Organization (WHO) urged the public to be responsible and still follow the health protocols to avoid possible rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

WHO Acting Country Representative Dr. Rajendra Yadav made the statement as the Philippines already reopened its borders for fully vaccinated international tourists.

“We encourage de-risking travel which means that we have to take necessary steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection during the travel and after the travel. Blanket travel bans can give a false sense of security and destroy economies,” said Yadav during a public briefing on Friday, Feb. 11.

“However, we must be cautious about interpreting these easy travel restrictions and quarantine requirements,” he added.

Yadav emphasized the importance of maintaining adherence to minimum public health standards.

“Easing travel restrictions and quarantine requirements does not mean that anyone can travel anytime, anywhere they want,” he said.

“We need to follow the minimum public health standards like masking and physical distancing while traveling. Travel only when necessary and keep our safe travels as small as possible,” he added.

Ridiculous Facts

With around 200 countries and more than 7.8 billion people (plus plants, animals, and other organisms), the world is full of interesting, fun, and fascinating facts. In the land of the Kiwis, for instance, you'll find the highest concentration of pet owners on the planet. And over in Nicaragua, you'll find one of the only two flags in the world to feature the color purple.

A mistaken belief accompanies us each and every second of our life. Incorrect decisions and wrong doings are part of our daily life.

It is almost a ridiculous fact that man wants to know certain truths about mundane things. But really, he seems least interested in even mundane truths as can be read many times in our daily newspapers or online for example. There seem to be too many rash judgments, and the readers absorb these and make these their own. A fatal attraction!

This is sometimes referred to as journalistic mentality wherein accusations are generously made without proof. Evolution started this trend, when scientists stated for example that man evolved from the apes -  without proof. The only proof they had was the missing link, and, if I am not mistaken, it's still a missing proof until now.

To look for proofs is a mental activity, which is no longer a common thing nowadays, because it takes really time, effort and is too serious to think about. Yet in Christian education, thinking right is very important.That's why Philosophy is important in Christian life. To avoid error in thinking, the rules of right reasoning must be studied and mastered. Is it really totally neglected in today's modern education?

Thinking is actually an enjoyable activity but when one is pressured to get a good job for one's sustenance, then the other more mundane becomes attractive. After all, great thinkers often do not get (good?) jobs... .

Spiritual writers like the British Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) noticed that mankind had stopped thinking even two centuries ago. Wow. That was during his age.

Man probably stopped thinking even earlier. He has ceased many times to search for the truth. It's easier to listen to gossip and believe in it. What a sign of weak minds!

Too often we are blind to the truth. As a consequence, we easily believe in lies; we only have to like it. Too bad, if people always like to close their eyes and ears especially while experiencing the delusion of error.