“Peace be with you”

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

AFTER the two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus recognized Christ at the breaking of bread, they hastily went back to Jerusalem to report what they experienced to the apostles and the others with them. 

You can just imagine how these people felt when suddenly Christ appeared to them and greeted them, “Peace be with you!” (cfr. Lk 24,35-48) As the gospel narrates, they were startled and terrified at that greeting, and thought they were seeing a ghost.

That reaction of the apostles was, of course, very understandable. They were witnessing something that purely went beyond the human and natural ways. It is something that we should always expect in our life. There will always be things, being spiritual and supernatural, that will leave us somehow startled and terrified also.

But let’s always remember that Christ always offers peace. So, at the end of the day, when we would be able to take a hold of our all-too-human reactions to supernatural realities, we should be at peace, a peace that Christ himself gives us.

Of course, with that Christ-given peace comes joy also. The two always go together. They cannot be separated, although their expressions may not tally with the worldly standards of joy and peace.

The joy and peace that come from God are always a fruit of a continuing spiritual battle to keep God’s love burning in us. It’s a joy and peace that is compatible with the cross. It is not afraid of suffering which also has an important role to play in our life and in the redemption of mankind.

It’s a joy and peace that comes as a consequence of faith and a growing identification with Christ who bore all the sins of men and the evils of this world and conquered them with his resurrection. In short, it’s a joy and peace that expresses a guaranteed victory even if at the moment we are still fighting and suffering. It’s an all-weather kind of joy and peace.

We need to examine ourselves to see if we have such joy and peace. It is actually offered to us for free. We just have to find a way of having and keeping it.

And one important way of doing so is to learn to pray, since prayer is our basic way of connecting with God that hopefully would lead us to a growing identification with him as we are meant to be. Remember that we are God’s image and likeness. With God’s grace we are supposed to do our part, free beings as we are, in realizing this divine plan for us.

Learning to pray would obviously need some plan. We have to go by stages. First, would be to learn the vocal prayers, which are already very important as they are inspired prayers given to us if not by Christ himself like the Our Father then by many holy men and women down the ages. 

As such, these prayers are very enlightening and would teach us what to say, how to say it, and the kind of attitude or disposition we ought to have. Going through them slowly, trying to figure out what they mean, would certainly help us connect with God.

Then we should just spend some moments everyday doing nothing other than meditating on God’s word as found in the gospel, and on the life and teachings of Christ as reflected in the lives and writings of the saints. This is how we can always have the peace and joy of God and with God!

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Help boost the Philippine economy by supporting domestic tourism

by Manila Bulletin

After the two-year ordeal brought about by the pandemic, Filipinos are once again traveling as seen in airports that are full of passengers, roads that are full of vehicles, and restaurants that are full of customers. Last week, hotels and resorts enjoyed high occupancy rates, something they haven’t experienced for a long time. 

Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) President Arthur Lopez said that feedback from their members was very “encouraging.”  “The high demand is a welcome development for the accommodation sector, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic in the last two years. The return to pre-pandemic levels will take a while but at least we are seeing stronger demand across different traveler segments,” Lopez said.

As the summer season rolls in, Filipino families are now taking advantage of the ease of travel, which only requires visitors to present proof of vaccination. The rise in the number of domestic tourists also complements the rise in foreign tourist arrivals in the country, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT). The agency said that as of April 7, 2022, arrivals reached a high of 202,700. 

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat expressed “satisfaction with the latest figures, noting such to be a welcome development following the sustained reopening of borders and loosening of travel restrictions.” “The sustained influx of tourists in the Philippines is a good measure of the industry’s success in its preparations to welcome foreign tourists in the new normal. Our high vaccination rate among tourism workers and reportedly low cases around the country have helped restore the confidence of travelers to visit the Philippines during the summer season,” Puyat said.

The continued growth, she stressed, shall aid stakeholders as well as the economy in recovering from the effects caused by the pandemic. 

As the number of Filipinos traveling to countries with more relaxed restrictions such as Singapore, Thailand, or Malaysia increases, there is a clamor for more support for local tourism. It is not enough to only visit popular destinations such as Boracay, Baguio, Cebu, Palawan, or Davao as the country has more than enough attractions for any preference or taste. For history, there is Bulacan or Quezon; for watersports, try Aurora or La Union; for nature, explore Romblon or Marinduque; for extreme adventure, drop by Bukidnon or Agusan. The list is endless. 

This is probably the best time to rediscover these places as your family will not only have a good time, but also help the hospitality workers in that town or city — the guides, the handicraft makers, the resort workers, the waiters, the drivers, to the small businesses that are keeping the area alive and authentic.  

Amid the bright news hangs a cloud of uneasiness. The world is not yet “out of the woods” and we are still officially in a pandemic.  This calls for vigilance in light of the Alert Level 1 classification in almost all provinces and the NCR.   The PHOA, for one, still encourages its members to strictly implement health and safety protocols. There is also a call from the government for Filipinos to take booster shots amid low compliance.  

We all have to remember this — what we do now will have an impact in the long run; so if there is less adherence to health protocols today, there may be more infections come the month of May.  And this, again, is the last thing that our recovering tourism industry needs.

Ausmaß des Meereises in Antarktis erreicht rätselhaften Tiefstand

Eisberge in der Antarktis

Die Ausdehnung des Antarktis-Eises hat wider Erwarten deutlich abgenommen.

Durch die Erderwärmung schmilzt das Eis am Nordpol rasant, während es am Südpol seit Jahrzehnten tendenziell leicht zunimmt – zumindest bislang. Chinesische Forscher registrierten nun auch in der Antarktis einen außergewöhnlich starken Rückgang des Meereises. Die Schmelze stellt sie vor Rätsel.

Das Ausmaß des Meereises in der Antarktis ist in diesem Jahr auf den niedrigsten Stand seit Beginn der Aufzeichnungen Ende der 70er-Jahre gefallen. Der Rekord vom 25. Februar sei schon der zweite starke Rückgang der Eisfläche in nur fünf Jahren, berichten chinesische Forscher der Sun Yat-sen Universität in Guangzhou und des Labors für südliche Meereskunde in Zhuhai im Journal „Advances in Atmospheric Sciences“. Sie sind Meeresströmungen und Wetterphänomenen hinter der Schmelze zwar nachgegangen, stehen aber noch vor Rätseln.

Während das Eis in der Arktis durch die Erderwärmung rapide zurückgeht, legt das Eis in der Antarktis seit Messbeginn jedes Jahrzehnt leicht um ein Prozent zu – wenn auch regional und von Jahr zu Jahr unterschiedlich. Nachdem schon 2017 ein starker Rückgang festgestellt worden war, registrierten Forscher diese Anomalie am Ende des Sommers auf der Südhalbkugel Ende Februar erneut: Erstmals seit Beginn der Satellitenaufzeichnungen 1978 fiel die Ausdehnung des antarktischen Eises sogar auf weniger als zwei Millionen Quadratkilometer. Sie war rund 30 Prozent geringer als im Durchschnitt zwischen 1981 und 2010.

Auch gab es eine ungewöhnlich dünne Eisdecke unter anderem in der Amundsen- und Bellinghausensee sowie im Weddellmeer. In ihrem Bemühen, diese komplizierten Veränderungen zu verstehen, analysierten die Wissenschaftler das Verhalten des Meereises zwischen 1979 und 2022. Unter anderem untersuchten sie die Dynamik des Strömungstransports und thermodynamische Prozesse wie das Einfrieren und Schmelzen im Meer.

Tiefstand des Meereises fiel mit Wetterphänomen „La Niña“ zusammen.

Die Analysen führten die Wissenschaftler besonders zur Amundsensee. „Alle diese atmosphärischen Auswirkungen haben ihren Ursprung in der Intensität und Position des Tiefdruckgebiets der Amundsensee (ASL) und der Meereserwärmung“, stellt das Team mit Blick auf dieses Zentrum atmosphärischen Tiefdrucks über dem tiefen Süden des Pazifischen Ozeans fest.

Der Tiefstand des Meereises in diesem Februar fiel zudem mit dem Wetterphänomen La Niña zusammen. Bei La Niña schieben starke Winde unter anderem warmes Oberflächenwasser von Südamerika nach Indonesien. Das hat in vielen Regionen der Welt Auswirkungen. Eine Rolle habe auch der Zustand eines Gürtels aus starken Westwinden gespielt. Beide Phänomene verstärken das Tiefdruckgebiet in der Amundsen See (ASL). Die Folgen solcher Ereignisse für die Antarktis müssten noch weiter erforscht werden, schreiben die Wissenschaftler.

Auch der Klimawandeldienst des EU-Programms Copernicus hatte bereits berichtet, die täglich gemessene Ausdehnung des antarktischen Meereises habe im Februar den niedrigsten Stand seit Beginn der Aufzeichnungen erreicht.

(C) 2022 by WELT-TV

Magnitude 6.2 quake hits Davao Oriental — Phivolcs

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of Davao Oriental at around 9:23 a.m., Tuesday, April 19, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs traced the epicenter of the earthquake at 57 kilometers (km) southeast of Manay, Davao Oriental and was shallow at a depth of 18 km.

It was initially measured at magnitude 5.9, but Phivolcs later revised it to magnitude 6.2.

The quake was felt as a “moderately strong” tremor at Intensity IV in Manay, Tarragona, and Lupon, Davao Oriental; Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur; Mati City; and Bislig City.

Meanwhile, it was “weak” at Intensity III in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; Cateel and Baganga, Davao Oriental; Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur; and Davao City.

It was “slightly felt” at Intensity II in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, while it was “scarcely perceptible” at Intensity I in Matalam, Cotabato.

Phivolcs said the earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.

It said damage and aftershocks are expected due to this earthquake.

Congratulations!!!

 

Companies to implement oil price hike anew

By THIRD ANNE PERALTA-MALONZO, SunStar 

PETROLEUM companies announced on Monday, April 18, 2022, another increase in fuel prices.

Companies will implement an additional P0.45 per liter for gasoline and kerosene and P1.70 per liter for diesel.

Caltex Petroleum Corporation will implement the price adjustments at 12:01 a.m. of April 19, while Shell Philippines and Seaoil will have it effective 6 a.m.

The Cleanfuel price increase will be effective at 4:01 p.m. Tuesday, April 19.

The Philippines is experiencing a series of oil price hikes due to low supply as an effect of the ongoing invasion of Russia in Ukraine.

This has also resulted in the price increase of basic commodities.Last March, the National Government started with the distribution of fuel subsidy for the transportation and agriculture sectors, which are badly affected by the looming crisis.

To cushion the impact especially to the poor families, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the distribution of additional P500 monthly cash aid to selected families.

The government earlier said it is coming up with a more solid and long-term response to the fuel crisis that will benefit the people, especially the poor.

The Department of Energy said that in the event that Dubai crude reaches $120 per barrel, gasoline prices may reach P78.33 per liter, while diesel may increase to up to P68.97 per liter. (SunStar Philippines)

Prayer is a powerful weapon

God always listens and often provides the specific answers and guidance we seek. Even when He chooses not to answer immediately or in the way we might have hoped, prayer itself is a way to find peace.

Prayer also energizes the heart of a believer through the power of the Spirit. Consistent prayer also releases the power of God's blessing on your life and circumstances. Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

When tragedy strikes, it's easy to harden our hearts and cry out, "God, why did you let this happen?" Maybe then, we started praying. Before, when everything went smoothly, we would not even think a minute about praying... .

"To be a Christian without prayer, "said Martin Luther, "is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Prayer is the only way of becoming what God wants us to be. This is the reason why Jesus spent many hours praying.

Unquestionable, our needs bring us to a place of prayer. Confronted with danger or tragedies, as I mentioned earlier, we look for God's help. Difficult times always cause the hearts of men to turn to God into prayer.

Let me ask you: How long has it been since you've brought your burdens to God? Since you asked His forgiveness for your shortcomings?

In his very interesting book "People in Prayer", Dr. John White reminds us that prayer is a divine-human interaction and it is always God who takes the initiative. White writes: "God speaks and we respond. God is always speaking. To hear his voice is not usually a mystical experience. It consists merely of a willingness to pay heed to God who lays a claim to our lives."

Yes, God always speaks. It is up to us whether we will listen and respond to Him. Many think we are the ones who initiate prayer. But prayers begin and end with God.

There was a time, I wasn't in the mood to pray any more. It seemed that God didn't listen to my prayer any more. I didn't get what I prayed for. Of course, not... ! That's not the meaning of praying to God. Will all my wishes be granted? Heaven forbid!

Sometimes, after we have prayed, God's answers may puzzle us. But as time goes by and as events unfold we see God's purpose in his answers. We might get a larger vision, what HE likes. Not what WE like... .

Think about it for a moment" How does the idea that prayer begins and ends with God affect me now? Do I have the habit of listening to God? How do I respond to Him? How do I usually pray?

Nowadays I live a wonderful life in my second and last home, the Philippines. I never regretted moving here for good. I have everything I could ask for. I can do everything I wish to do. Thank you Lord.

Happy Easter! Frohe Ostern!

 

Deception always boomerangs

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE have to be duly warned about this fact of life. When we deceive others, we may succeed to a certain extent to attain the purpose of such deception. But never forget that deception will always come back and will inflict greater damage on the deceiver.

A quote from St. Augustine’s Confession expresses this well: “They love truth when she shines on them; and hate her when she rebukes them. And since they are not willing to be deceived, but do wish to deceive, they love the truth when she reveals herself and hate her when she reveals them. 

“On this account, she will repay them so that those who are unwilling to be exposed by her she will indeed expose against their will, and yet will not disclose herself to them.”

St. Paul already made reference to the grave consequences of deception. “Evil men and impostors,” he said, “will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Tim 3,13)

The Book of Proverbs more or less say the same point: “His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin.” (5,22)

In the gospel reading for Monday within the octave of Easter, a sample of deception is made. (cfr. Jn 28,8-15) “They gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’” 

Because of this deception, many of these people who did it and their descendants could not accept the full truth about Christ. Deception always has a boomerang effect. It’s about time we review the crucial relationship between God and our capacity to stick to the truth or to distort it.

Nowadays, with the plethora of data and information, we have to remind ourselves constantly that truthfulness is not a matter of simply confirming these data and pieces of information to our own designs. We need to process these raw data by leavening them with the love of God and submitting them to God’s will and designs.

To put it bluntly, we can only be in the truth when we are with God. Outside of him, let’s wish ourselves sheer luck, because the most likely thing to happen is to slip from the truth. It's like chasing the wind. For all the excitement and advantages a Godless pursuit of truth gives, everything will just turn out to be vanity.

With this new phenomenon about the so-called fake news, which is actually a rehash of the old evil tactics of disinformation and misinformation, of giving partisan spins to issues, we should feel the urgent need to be united to God to be really truthful and fair in resolving our problems.

Truthfulness therefore starts with our relationship with God, and with how well we maintain that relationship. This is something we have to realize more deeply, since very often we get contented with mere human criteria for truthfulness, that are often subjective, incomplete, imperfect, and vulnerable to be maneuvered and manipulated.

When we are not with God, then we can very easily play around with the facts and data, and pass them around as truth, but serving some self-interest instead of the common good, for example. 

We justify such behaviour as a privilege of our freedom. But would that be freedom when one is plunging himself to the bondage of untruth and deception? Would that be freedom when it is exercised to violate the will of God who is the giver, the pattern and end of freedom?

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Boyet Sison, ‘TV Patrol’ segment host, passes away

by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin

Radio and TV veteran personality Boyet Javelona Sison passed away on Black Saturday, April 16. He was 58.

Sison had undergone surgery on April 14. Hours before his surgery, Sison went live on social media to ask for prayers from his friends and followers. “I am nervous and scared.”

On April 13, Sison wrote on Facebook that his large intestine was blocked based on CT scan.

Prior, Sison was one of the segment hosts of the revamped “TV Patrol ” in November 2021.

Sison replaced Kim Atienza in the Kapamilya news program, where he hosted “Alam N’yo Ba?”

But Sison was more popular in sports after he became the longtime former anchor of “Fastbreak” on DZMM and “Hardball” on ANC.

“With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved friend, Boyet Sison, who has been the voice of URCC for a long time. You will always be in our hearts and be beautifully remembered. We ask the URCC family and everyone to please include Boyet Javelona Sison and his family in your prayers,” the URCC Global wrote on Facebook.

Gretchen Ho thanked Sison for his encouraging messages, adding that she will miss him.

“I can’t believe it. Today is another reminder of how short & passing life is. You were always one of the kindest in the newsroom, Papa B, even when I was new, most especially as I was new.

“You always talked so passionately about sports, food and music. I remember you sharing stories about your weekend escapades in the Salcedo Market, and how you’d sneak in a DJ gig from time to time. I’m glad you had the chance to show more of this side of you to the world before you passed on, even if it was mostly via FB live during the pandemic.

“Thank you for all your advice, for all the encouraging messages & for inspiring us with your different passions. You always made sure people knew you cared. Rest in power, Papa B. We will miss you. Play music for us up there,” she said.

Hours before his surgery, Sison gave his friends and followers an update on his health.

Sison said the thought of undergoing a major operation made him really scared.