Learn to love the cross

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

IF there’s any message or lesson the celebration of Good Friday is imparting in us, it is that we should learn to love the cross the way Christ loved it. He knew from the beginning of his earthly life how his redemptive mission would end. But that did not deter him from carrying out the will of his Father and his own will that actually are just one, since the will of the Son is the same as the will of the Father.

In that way, loving the cross the way Christ loved it is the ultimate expression of love to which we are also called to live, since we are God’s image and likeness. That’s why Christ gave that new commandment that summarizes all the previous commandments given to us—and that is, that we love one another as Christ himself has loved us.

So little by little, let us take away the usual obstacles we have in pursuing that love for the cross. We all know that we have a natural aversion to the cross and everything that it connotes. We have to overcome that aversion by identifying ourselves more and more with Christ, activating our faith and availing ourselves of certain practices that would help us understand and love the true value of the cross as shown to us by Christ.

This will obviously involve constant prayer, having recourse to the sacraments, growing in the virtues, waging a life-long ascetical struggle, and doing certain mortifications and other practices of self-denial, etc. We have to live a certain detachment from the things of this world, to guard our senses, practicing temperance, restraint and moderation in the use of things.

We need to know the true value of the cross because the cross, through Christ’s passion, death and resurrection, is where everything in our life is resolved. Christ’s passion, death and resurrection is the culmination of Christ’s redemptive mission on earth.

Yes, Christ preached. He performed miracles. But in the end, he had to offer his life on the cross because no matter what he did, our sins are such that they simply cannot be undone and forgiven through the preaching of the truths of our faith and the tremendous effects of the miracles. Christ has to offer his life on the cross!

We might ask, if Christ is God, why did he have to go through all that suffering and death? Why not just say, “Everything is now all right, guys.” After all, for God, nothing is impossible with him. With the movement of his will, with a flick of his hand, everything would be as it should be.

I must say, it is a good question to ask. Indeed, nothing is impossible with God. He does not have to do anything spectacular to repair what was damaged. A word from him, and everything would be as he wants it to be.

Be that as it may, the fact is that Christ chose the way the Father wanted it. “Not my will, but yours be done,” Christ said. (Lk 22,42) And I imagine the reason behind this is because God respects our human nature as it is, as it has been created by him, capable of loving and hating, and also capable of being faithful and unfaithful and faithful again after some conversion, and some consequences that would follow.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Preparing for the worst and for death

 Preparing for the worst and for death

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

“AMEN, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (Mt 26,21) With these words of Christ, let us be warned about the worst things that can come to us in life. So, with Christ, let us prepare ourselves for the worst scenario in our life and for death itself.

By preparing for the worst scenario, we would be imitating Christ himself who, in redeeming us, prepared himself for the worst. In fact, he already knew about his death and how it was going to be. “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him,” he told his disciples, “and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” (Mk 9,31)

Preparing for the worst scenario may mean that we come out with various alternative plans so that we can move on. This is always recommendable. But we have to remember that the most important way to prepare for the worst is just to be with God. It is always possible that even our alternative plans may fail. Yet what cannot fail is when we stick with God no matter what.

This point was highlighted in that episode of the sisters, Martha and Mary, welcoming Christ in their house. (cfr. Lk 10,38-42) Martha was busy doing the chores of hospitality, while Mary simply sat at the foot of Christ, listening to him. 

When Martha complained to Christ that her sister was not helping her, Christ reminded her that while what she was doing were good, there was only one thing that was necessary, and Mary, her sister, chose it, and it would not be taken away from her.

We have to be clear about this point. Yes, we will try our best, stretching ourselves to the limit, to make all our projects and endeavors succeed. Still things can turn out the opposite. Due to this possibility we make some alternative plans to move on. But still, these may fail. The last resort, and in fact, what should always be with us, should be the conviction that we are with God whatever be the outcome of our efforts.

St. Paul in his letter to the Romans assures us that as long as we are with God, everything will work out for the good. “We know that in all things,” he said, “God works for the good of those who love him…” (8,28)

And neither should we be afraid of death. And that’s because the truth about death, according to our Christian faith, is actually so beautiful that, in a manner of speaking, we should be dying for it to come. No wonder, saints like St. Francis called death Sister Death, and they heartily welcomed it even if it came through martyrdom.

For a Christian believer, death is actually the final liberation, the entrance to eternal and definitive life for us. While it came as a result of sin, its sting has been removed with the redemptive passion and death of Christ. “Where, O death, is your victory?,” exults St. Paul. “Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15,55)

For a Christian believer, death comes at the most appropriate time and in the most appropriate manner. Obviously, this has to be seen from the point of view of faith, because death will always appear as untimely and unwelcome by our human standards alone.

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐨

Another set of heavy duty infrastructure equipment was recently acquired by the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro in a blessing and turn-over ceremony held on April 11, 2022.

The provision of high quality, heavy duty equipment is salient for Davao de Oro’s on-going infrastructure developments such as the opening and maintenance of farm-to-market roads, construction of health centers, water systems, integrated schools, solar dryers, muti-purpose buildings, and evacuation centers. These newly acquired equipment can also be used when the need arise especially on disaster response in times of calamities.

Governor Tyron Uy graced the blessing and turn-over ceremony, together with Provincial Engineering’s Department Head Engr. Roderick Digamon, Asst. Provincial Administrator Raul Villocino, and employees of the provincial capitol. 

A total of six (6) units Dump Trucks were officially acquired by the provincial government following the turn over of other twenty (20) heavy duty equipment last January this year. (JA PAO-IPRD, photos by G. Mativo )

10 New Mega Projects in the Philippines | Build Build Build

MB Daily News Update: ‘Basyang’ out, ‘Agaton’ stays

Published April 13, 2022, 7:30 AM

by Manila Bulletin

Typhoon Basyang had a brief foray into the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) before veering away, and will no longer affect the country’s weather condition. But tropical depression Agaton remained almost stationary over Llorente town in Eastern Samar.

The wrath of “Agaton” continued to be felt as authorities reported the increase of the number of fatalities to 33 on Tuesday night, April 12, 2022. Reports on damage caused to infrastructure and agriculture are also expected to be released on Wednesday.

Why do most Tagalogs not understand Bisaya?

 By: 

Ryan Fernandez

B.A. in Visual Arts, Fordham University (Graduated 2006)

Bisaya is the colloquial term for Cebuano, a Philippine language originally spoken in Cebu, but now used as a lingua franca in Central Visayas and many parts of Mindanao. As such, speaking Bisaya/Cebuano and being an ethnic Cebuano are not mutually exclusive. Nearly 20 million or 1 out of 5 Filipinos speaking Bisaya as their first language.

A bit confusing is that Bisaya/Cebuano also belongs to a wider family of languages known as Visayan languages which includes Hiligaynon, Waray, Capizon, Aklanon, Boholano, Surigaonon, Tausug, and many more. The archipelagic (island) nature of the Philippines is responsible for the variety of forms.

Bisaya and other Visayan languages are still sometimes erroneously labeled as dialects with the root language being Tagalog. This is false. Bisaya and Tagalog are sister Philippine languages.

Most Tagalog native speakers don’t comprehend or use Bisaya for the simple reason that there’s no compelling reason to learn it. The Tagalog homeland consists of Southern Luzon, parts of Central Luzon, and the National Capital Region or Metro Manila. Combined they contribute to more than 50% of the Philippines’ GDP in 2019[1]. The business and finance sectors, heavy industries, shipping, top universities, media networks and seat of government are all in Metro Manila. Tagalog is the dominant language of business, governance, and education. The bulk of the population leans heavily towards these regions as well[2].

A close parallel would be the role of English in the world today. People from Anglophone countries like the UK, US, and Australia often speak a single language - English. The universality and prominence of English globally means Anglophones don’t need to master French or Spanish or Mandarin or Hindi. Rather, it’s the other way around.

Footnotes

[1] Dissecting Data: What 2019 Regional GDP tells us about the pandemic, PH economic resilience

[2] https://psa.gov.ph/population-and-housing/node/120080

PH to host Mister and Miss Runway Model Universe 2022 Competition

Organizers of Mister and Miss Runway Model Universe 2022 and representatives pose during the press conference held in Quezon City recently. (Carissa Alcantara)

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

The Philippines is set to host the Mister and Miss Runway Model Universe 2022 Competition.

This was announced by the Prime Event Productions Philippines during a press conference held at the B Hotel in Quezon City recently.

In attendance were Marianne Galang (Mister RMU Philippines national director), Christel Bulabon (Miss RMU Philippines national director), Shai Mejia (assistant national director), Mailyn Gocomon (president, May Precious Skincare Clinic), and Philip Tiongson (Stemcell expert formulator), Fiel Ferdinand (CEO, RMU), Fedelina Legaspi (RMU-CFO); fashion designer Paul Semira; and crown designer Manny Halasan.

Vergilio Cabilan, founder of RMU, said he was inspired to continue this pageant journey under the new normal.

“I am here to continue our dream, our core, our mission, to bring world-class free education to our beneficiaries,” Cabilan said.  

Junichi Yabushita and Maria Regina Rose Navajas who will represent the Philippines in the competition shared their preparations and advocacies for the upcoming modeling competition.

“I want to showcase what else I can bring to the people. I’m not here just to become a model, but I am also here to help other people to showcase my advocacy, which is sustainable education for children.” Navajas said.

The delegates from other countries are scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on May 23. The grand coronation will be held on May 28. (Carissa Alcantara)

Cebu City, Cebu province placed under state of calamity

by Calvin Cordova, Manila Bulletin

CEBU CITY — Cebu City has been placed under a state of calamity due to the effects of typhoon Agaton.

Mayor Michael Rama made the declaration on Sunday afternoon as the city was still experiencing incessant rains.

Rama said landslides have been reported in barangays Pamutan, Toong, Sinsin, Budlaan and Busay.

Rama said residents living near rivers and coastal areas had been evacuated.

Upon Rama’s order, classes and government works were suspended on Monday (April 11)

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has also ordered the suspension of classes in all levels on Monday.

The Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas (PCG-7) reported that at least 300 passengers were stranded in various Cebu ports after several trips were cancelled.

The PCG 7 reported that a roll-on-roll-off (roro) vessel of Jomalia shipping submerged while docked in Consuelo Port, San Francisco town, Camotes Island.

The PCG said the vessel’s 14 crew members escaped unharmed after they decided to abandon the ship when huge waves started battering it.

PCG 7 said the submerged ferry had 5,430 liters of diesel oil and 68 liters of lube oil on board.

“Per latest info reveals that risk of oil spill is yet to be determined while inspection or monitoring is still in progress,” the PCG 7 said.

'Agaton' leaves 23 dead in Eastern Visayas, Davao region

by Aaron Recuenco, Manila Bulletin

At least 20 people died while six others were reported missing in Eastern Visayas due to the massive flooding and several; landslides triggered by the onslaught of tropical depression “Agaton”.

Based on the report from the Police Regional Office 8, almost all of the fatalities were from Baybay City when at least three residential areas were buried in a landslide.

In Barangay Mailhi, a total of 16 residents were confirmed to have died of the landslide while three more were recovered in Barangay Kantagnos. Another cadaver was recovered in Barangay Bunga.

The reported deaths in Eastern Visayas brought to 23 the death toll from “Agaton” as the local police also reported that two people died in Monkayo, Davao de Oro and another one in Cateel, Davao Oriental.

Photo: PNP-PIO

Six more people were reported missing in Eastern Visayas.

Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, director of the Police Regional Office 8, said he had already ordered the deployment of more policemen and equipment to assist in the search, rescue and retrieval operations in areas affected by landslides and flash floods.

“We already deployed rubber boats,vehicles and other equipment that include handheld radios for these operations,” Banac said.

He said the deployment of policemen also include the assistance in the evacuation of residents.

Based on the latest data, a total of 1,515 families or 5,703 individuals that were moved to various evacuation centers.

HAPPY EASTER!

To die is to live! We are always shocked when in the middle of our surroundings, somebody passes away. Our usual questions are: "Why die so young? Why he, why she? A natural reaction, indeed.

When Jesus finally gave up His spirit on the cross after three hours of bitter agony, the Pharisees said: "Finally, that impostor has gone. He deserved to die that kind of death!"

Let's remember: After the waving of the tree branches by the Jewish crowd and Hosannas of Palm Sunday, the arrest of Jesus betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Olives, the imprisonment and humiliation of Holy Thursday night, the carrying of the cross, crucifixion, and death at Good Friday, - Jesus Christ rose from the tomb on Easter Sunday - glorious and will never and die again!

For Jesus, dying was not the end of everything. It was the beginning of a new life. Symbolically we see the Easter Resurrection of our Lord depicted in various ways, which always point to life after death. Especially in parts of the world where deep winter lets all plants and trees "sleep" for a couple of months, people enjoy the spirit of the new shoots that come out of a big trunk of a tree.

Eggs were usually symbols used in springtime long before Christianity came into existence. The eggs symbolize life, which its causing it to grow. Since Easter usually occurs at spring time (March or April), which is already summer in the Philippines, this egg-symbol was still in use among the pagans of early times when Christian were celebrating Easter.

A blessed Easter to all of you, my dear readers. Walk this day with great confidence in your heart, mind and soul.

And, enjoy your egg hunting with your loved ones...!