IS LIFE REALLY JUST A LOAN?

“My life is on loan, like money borrowed from a bank. God is the lender, and He retains the right to call in the loan any time. Though I am responsible for taking care of it, I do not own this life; it is borrowed. Why should I fear its loss or the loss of anything else in this world when I must surrender it all anyway?” I love this quotation by James Dillehay,  author of the book "Overcoming the 7 Devils That Ruin Success".

Can you borrow against life? You can typically take out loans against permanent life insurance policies, but not term life insurance policies. Life insurance loans use cash value accounts as collateral. Term life insurance policies do not come with a cash value account, so policyholders can't borrow money from their insurer against these policies.

Sweet words are easy to say; nice things are easy to buy; but good people are different to find. Life ends, when you stop dreaming; hope ends, when you stop believing; friendship stops, when you stop sharing. A good friend of mine sent me this quotation. I commented back: So very true and very well said!

Our life is borrowed - from God. No rental charges are collected from us. Many of us have forgotten this and live life to the fullest. Our life is equal to a book from a library that lends one. But how insatiable and unbearable are we in disdainful acting towards life and therefore to ourselves?

Life seems to be nothing, just being ready to riddle one with bullets. Life seems to be nothing, just being broken through indifference and unreliable and immoral behavior. Life seems to be nothing for those people who don't understand cries from the heart of other people around them - cries for their hearts and families, for justice and for many other things.

Life with all its ups and downs, is just a loan, but for many of our fellow creatures it just seems to be nonsense to be littered like a dump. And, if people try to survive, especially during these days, and if they just experienced (once more!) indifference, arrogance, ignorance or cheating by whomever - they will give up!

I can assure you that every one of us can at first help in prayers and in reading the bible. "Proverbs" is the probably most down-to-earth book in the bible. Its teachings prepare you for daily life, the street and the market place. The book offers warm pieces of advice you get; practical guidance for making your way on earth. 

Proverbs covers any kinds of questions you might have right now. Anybody can relate to the generalities of Proverbs, because this book simply tells how life works most of the time.

New FMR , better living for Tagugpo residents in Pantukan

A newly built Farm-to-market (FMR)  road with a length of 1,260 meters, is now in service to the residents of Brgy. Tagugpo, Pantukan, Davao de Oro after a simple  turnover ceremony held last June 11, 2022.

DILG Davao de Oro Provincial Director Noel Duarte said during the official turn-over ceremony of the project, that FMRs established in the formerly conflict affected areas in the province will bring significant changes to people especially farmers, “Dili lang katawhan ang tumong sa proyekto, kundili ang katawhan ug ang iyang produkto,” said PD Duarte. Tagugpo’s new FMR opens access for farmers going to their respective farming areas much easier than ever.

Brgy. Tagugpo is among the sixty-five (65) barangay beneficiaries of the province under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the NTF-ELCAC. Each barangay beneficiary is granted a twenty (20) million peso budget for the establishment of much-needed services for the people not only limited to FMRs, but also water systems, health centers, electrification, and day-care centers for education.

Last October 2021, PLGU-Davao de Oro through the Bayanihan Sa Paaralan Program, established a Bayanihan school building with two (2) classrooms and complete amenities in a span of thirty (30) days which will cover primary education of the five (5) sitios in Tagugpo. Right after, a Salugpungan school in Sitio Maligaya, whose operation stopped in 2018 was demolished last January this year.

Further, the turn-over ceremony were attended by Governor Tyron Uy, together with  partners from the PNP, AFP, and DILG. “Ang susi sa kalambuan sa atong probinsya mao ang kalinaw,” said Governor Tyron Uy, “Hopefully atong mahimong zero ang insurgency dinhi sa atung probinsya, kay mao na ang akong pangandoy sukad 2016 isip inyung gobernador and that is my commitment sa pagpanerbisyo,” he added.

Davao de Oro has only one (1) remaining guerilla front, from eleven (11) fronts way-back 2016, a major decrease in insurgency as a result of the collective efforts of the provincial government and partner agencies. The series of turn-overs for the BDP funded projects in the province will continue in the upcoming days. (Jasteen Abella, PAO IPRD, photos by G. Mativo and J. Cadiz)

Alert Level 2 in NCR possible if Covid-19 cases continue to go up, says Vergeire

DOH UNDERSECRETARY MARIA ROSARIO VERGEIRE (Manila Bulletin File Photo)

by Jel Santos, Manila Bulletin

Should the Covid-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) continue to rise, the quarantine level may be raised to the more restrictive Alert Level 2.

This was according to Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Usec. Maria Rosario S. Vergeire during a radio interview on Monday, June 13.

The NCR is currently under Alert Level 1.

“The possibility would always be there kapag nagtuloy-tuloy po ang mga kaso pero ang kailangan pong maintindihan ng ating mga kababayan ay (when the cases continue to rise but what we need to understand is) we are learning to live with the virus,” she said when asked if it is possible to place the NCR under Alert Level 2

Based on the DOH’s Covid-19 trend monitoring in the NCR, the health department observed a positive two-week growth rate from 14 out of 17 cities and municipality last week.

Vergeire said currently 13 out of the 17 NCR areas have been observed with uptick in Covid-19 cases.

The DOH spokesperson said the slight rise in cases could be attributed to the public’s mobility, the entry of more transmissible Covid-19 sub-variants (BA.4, BA.5, BA 2.12.1), and the waning immunity due to low booster update.

“All of these factors contribute dito sa ating nakikita nating (in what we see as) slight increases in the areas in the country, pero hindi pa natin masabi kung mag-tutuloy-tuloy (but we don’t know if this would continue),” she said.

Vergeire said the increases in Covid-19 cases are still insignificant as they don’t affect hospital admissions.

“Kapag tiningnan po natin ang kanilang average attack rate at mga kaso na tinatala bawat area (When we look at their average attack rate and cases logged in each area), nakikita naman ho natin na (we see that) it is still not significant because it is not affecting the admissions in the hospitals,” she stressed.

Although the rise in Covid-19 cases in the metropolis is still insignificant, Vergeire reminded the public to always observe minimum health and safety protocols, and “always be aware and precautious.”

KC Concepcion's fundraising to finish movie gathers $10K

KC Concepcion on the set of ‘Asian Persuasion.’ INSTAGRAM PHOTO/KRISTINACONCEPCION

By Shennah Romanillos, Manila Times

KC Concepcion and her team from "Asian Persuasion" have yet to reach their goal to raise $50,000 to finish their Hollywood film.

Over the weekend, donations reached $10,748 or 21 percent of the goal.

The actress earlier appealed to her fans for financial help to finish her film after encountering financial problems during its filming.

One of the film's main stars contracted Covid-19, pausing production for 12 days. The delay cost them $100,000.

"We are asking for your help to recover the funds lost during our one-week pause. While we are actively continuing to fundraise throughout the post-production period, we currently need $100,000 to supplement our ongoing private fundraising efforts to complete this movie," the team said in a statement.

"Asian Persuasion" is a romantic-comedy about chef Mickey (Dante Bosco) who sets up a scheme to marry off his ex-wife, KC, to avoid his alimony obligations. It is directed by three-time Tony-Award and Grammy-winning producer Jhett Tolentino.

On Instagram, the 37-year-old actress appealed, "The filming is done, now the hard work begins. And YOU can help bring our movie to the FINISH LINE."

The actress also shared why she agreed to do the movie — more than getting an acting job in America, Asian Persuasion presents an opportunity for Concepcion to represent Asians and Filipinos.

"I think I speak for so many Asian actors who grew up wishing and waiting for this time to come for us to be seen, heard, and represented, in all our different skin tones, body shapes, and backgrounds. This movie is about family, relationships, love, failures, resilience, success, and fighting for what you love. That's why this story is YOURS, as much as it is mine."

Closed season seen to increase prices of fish in Davao Region

by Antonio Colina IV, Manila Bulletin

DAVAO CITY – Prices of fish in the Davao Region will likely increase due to the implementation of the three-month closed fishing season at Davao Gulf, an official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Davao said.BFAR-Davao Region Director Raul Millana said that the prohibited fishing activities would affect the local supply of fish that would result in higher prices.

He added that aquaculture might help cushion the inflationary effect of the fishing ban, prompting the agency to support small fisherfolk in setting up marine fish cages, including even the inland waters.

Millana said production of fresh water fish, including tilapia and catfish, would help abate the increase in the prices of fish.

The implementation of the ban, which is now in its ninth year, must be enforced to allow pelagic fish to reproduce since the period from June 1 to August 31 has been established as their spawning season, according to Millana.

The Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Interior and Local Government (DILG)-issued Joint Administrative Circular No. 2 in 2014 established a three-month closed fishing season in the Davao Gulf to “conserve marine resources, to secure the spawning period of pelagic fishes in the Gulf, and continuously implement measures to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.”

The order bans small-scale to large-scale commercial fishing vessels from 3.1 to 150 gross tons and the use of bag nets and ring nets in the Gulf, which the BFAR identified as a spawning ground for tuna and other fish species and one of the 10 major fishing grounds in the Philippines. The protected species include big-eyed scad, mackerel, and moonfish.

He said the ban gives small pelagic fish time to regrow its population, emphasizing that extractive fishing activities would have long-term effect on the supply of fish.

Davao villages monitored for chikungunya virus

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

THE Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Unit (TDPCU) of the Davao City Health Office is closely monitoring the signs and symptoms of the chikungunya virus in two villages in the city.

Chikungunya virus is caused by Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquito family spreading dengue fever.

Melodina Babante, pest control worker at TDPCU, said Davaoeños should not only be cautioned about the dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes since Aedes mosquitoes can also spread the chikungunya virus.

Babante said these villages include Panacan and Ilang.

"We need to explain the diseases caused by Aedes mosquitoes. It has not been confirmed yet but in Panacan and Ilang, our team found signs and symptoms that are still being confirmed if it's chikungunya," she said.

The public must be aware that chikungunya is unlike dengue that you would only have a fever.

"With chikungunya, aside from fever, you would experience joint pains and rashes. Rashes that seem like measles. If you have symptoms such as these, report immediately to your health centers," she said.

She said that Barangay Ilang experienced a chikungunya outbreak before. This is why confirmatory tests are currently being done to determine the new symptoms found in the barangay (village), as well as in Panacan, to properly address the problem.

Babante underscored the need for Davaoeños to observe the 4S campaign, which stands for "search and destroy" mosquito breeding places, "secure self-protection" from a mosquito bite, "seek early consultation" when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and "say yes to fogging" as a last resort when there is an impending outbreak.

Dengue cases rise in CAR

Virus-carrying mosquitoes, according to her, have a peak biting time from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., that's why she urged parents not to let their children leave the house at this time without protection.

"Don't let them wear shorts but let them wear pajamas or long pants. They should wear long sleeves. Apply mosquito repellent. Don't let them wear dark colors like black which is attractive to mosquitoes," she said.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection.

Lorenzana faints during Rizal Park rites

By Kristina Maralit  and Francis Earl Cueto, Manila Times

(UPDATED) DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was rushed to hospital after he collapsed during the Independence Day rites at Rizal Park on Sunday.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, who was at the flag-raising ceremony, told reporters he heard what he believed was Lorenzana's head hitting the pavement.

"When we talked to him, he said he got dizzy," the senator said.

An ambulance took Lorenzana to an undisclosed hospital.

Go said the Defense chief was able to talk.

"I hope he's stable. I think he lacks sleep; he just came from a trip. It's really difficult when you haven't slept and the weather is quite hot," he said.

The 73-year-old outgoing secretary was among the top government officials who joined President Rodrigo Duterte during the flag-raising and wreath-laying at Rizal Park. Defense department spokesman Arsenio Andolong later said in a statement that Lorenzana fainted but is in "stable condition." Lorenzana "has been advised to rest" by his doctors, Andolong added.

He said that during the past weeks, the secretary went through a "hectic schedule," and was made to endure the hot weather on Sunday morning.

Lorenzana arrived from Singapore early Sunday where he attended a dialogue with his regional counterparts, he said.

"The Secretary also traveled recently to South Korea and other parts of the Philippines, while overseeing the defense operations of the country and transition to a new administration," Andolong said.

Lorenzana is now back in high spirits and is able to talk, Andolong said.

The Defense chief wanted to go home, but his doctors urged him to stay in the hospital for further observation, he said.

Another phreatic eruption detected in Bulusan

By Kaithreen Cruz, Manila Times

THE Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon in the Bicol Region had another phreatic eruption on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

The eruption occurred at 3:37 a.m. and lasted 18 minutes based on seismic records.

Phivolcs, however, said the eruption plume was not visible on its camera monitors.

Bulusan remained at Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest, meaning that it is currently in an abnormal condition.

In its 24-hour observation from 5 a.m. on June 11 to 5 a.m. on June 12, Phivolcs recorded 136 volcanic earthquakes, with plumes 150 meters high in moderate emissions drifting west-northwest and northwest.

As of June 10, the recorded sulfur dioxide flux in the volcano was at 613 tons per day.

Phivolcs reminded concerned local government units and the public that entry into the 4-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited and that vigilance in the 2-kilometer extended danger zone on the southeast sector should be exercised because of increased possibility of sudden and hazardous phreatic eruptions.

"People living within valleys and along river/stream channels, especially on the southeast, southwest and northwest sectors of the edifice should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall should [a] phreatic eruption occur," the agency said.

It also advised civil aviation authorities to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to an aircraft.

Last week, June 5, Bulusan also had a phreatic eruption that lasted 17 minutes, which placed the volcano from Alert Level 0 (normal) to Alert Level 1.

SHOPPING OR LOVE AND CARE?

Plastic money (or better known as credit cards), loneliness, and advertising - that's a dangerous mixture, owing to more and more people falling straight into shopping ecstasy.

Yesterday was Thursday again, the sunbeam touched us too much outside, the heat maybe too much too.  We were on the way to a shopping mall. Yes, they are really tempting us with their offers. The credit cards of many people glowed - everyone is all right for the money.

We don't need decent clothes any more! Our shoes make us a laughing-stock. Top stylish or even the latest fashion for a few pesos, sure, we can afford it!

Women especially (really?) arrange to meet very often for substantial shopping sprees. It's just fun, but sometimes it becomes a competition: Who gets hold of the most stylish and best special offers? It's paradoxical; actually they are not able to afford it. In spite of their strained financial situation, many people do unnecessary free-living shopping. They feel happy, content, satisfied, and relaxed.

Is shopping a substitutive or vicarious satisfaction because of less love and care? Yes, for a short moment shopping satisfies and eases mostly unfulfilled longings for love, appreciation, receiving attention and affection.

The shopping ecstasy will be followed by a happiness-intoxication. The new dress becomes a four-leaf clover and a lucky break. But, we became addicted... .

Disastrous, unlucky and awkward in shopping is that the special offers are not really needed. That's the point: it's just a kick-down which can be felt while shopping for useless things. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, or cosmetics will be used just once or once in a while, they will be cleared or concealed and hidden from other people. Our conscience is pricking us. Depression follows, an empty inwardness causes pain - up to the next ecstasy!

It's a dangerous vicious circle, which can bring us to a financial precipice. For a long time experts have warned: "The limits between pleasure, desire, frustration, and ecstasy shopping are fluent and fluid." I remember the lady yesterday "trying" to pay an amazing amount with three credit cards - always getting the cashier's "Excuse Ma-am, there is a problem with your credit card!". The lady went away by saying the wonderful sentence: "Okay lang, actually I don't need all this stuff!". Wow... .

Let me anticipate this: I don't want to mess up anybody's  shopping mall stroll. Not everybody buys a lot and is at the same time shopping-addicted. Boisterous and superfluous "reward-shopping" can be absolutely normal. Only a permanent recurring irresistible shopping compulsion needs an immediate action.

By the way: Love and care are emotions inherent in human beings. They are crucial in every relationship.  Care refers to a feeling of concern or interest or the act of attending to someone or something. Love, on the other hand, bears broader meaning.

The pursuit for truth

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE have to realize that the pursuit for truth is a very tricky one. To be sure, truth is not just a matter of citing facts and data. Though these are important and even indispensable, they are useless unless they are animated by the true spirit of truth.

We need to be familiar with the Spirit of Truth. He is the one who will show us the whole truth and not just some aspects of it. If we really want to be in the truth and not confused and lost in the many appearances of truth, we need to get in touch with the Spirit of Truth.

Christ himself said: “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own. He will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (Jn 16,13)

We have to take note that this business of getting to the whole truth involves a process. It’s not a one-shot deal. It involves some kind of journey. No one can ever say he has the whole truth until he reaches where the Spirit of truth would finally lead him, and that is when God becomes “all in all.” (cfr. 1 Cor 15,28)

We have to remember that everything that exists has something of the truth, since by merely existing, that something is already true. But as to whether it has the whole truth, it would depend whether it has the Spirit of truth or not.

The most important thing is to see if something that we consider to be true is in conformity with the Spirit of truth. Otherwise, we will be deceived and trapped by the many appearances of truth that do not bring us to the real thing which, in the end, can only be God.

Thus, we can say that even the devil, who is a liar and is the father of lies (cfr. Jn 8,44), has some truth in him. That he exists is already an indication that he is true and real. And everything that he says to tempt us certainly contains a lot of truth, otherwise we would not be tempted.

We really need to know what the truth is. That was the question Pilate asked Christ. (cfr Jn 18,38) But Christ already answered that question before it was asked. “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice,” he said.

There we have a clear answer as to what the truth is. It’s when we hear the voice of Christ, this time in the Holy Spirit. It’s a voice that is full of charity, understanding and compassion on others, patience and mercy. It’s also a voice that knows how to be strong and implement the requirements of justice.

Truth therefore is not just cold facts that we observe, nor some objective data that we derive from our studies and researches. Much less is it simply a matter of political opinion or some ideological bias or things of that sort. While giving us some aspects of truth, these do not have the last word. And as such, they are incomplete and can easily be manipulated.

That is why right now with everyone trying to say the truth without God, we are practically sinking in an ocean of fake news, hoaxes, disinformation, urban legends, propaganda, inane trivias, superstitions, biased opinions that seek to absolutize the relative and relativize the absolute, etc. As a consequence, we generate a very toxic atmosphere where conflicts, anger and hatred dominate.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com