Our true rest only with Christ

By Fr. Roy Cimagala*

THAT’S what Christ clearly said. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” he said. (Mt 11,28) For those who try to follow Christ faithfully and are burdened as can be expected, they should find consolation in these words of his. He also reassured them that they should be unafraid to take Christ’s yoke for as he said, “my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Mt 11,30)

We really need to know what our proper rest really is. Nowadays, people have different and even conflicting ideas about what it is. For some it is purely something physical. For others, it is more on the emotional and psychological side. 

There are those who think that resting is doing what they like to do at the moment, enjoying a peaceful moment, sipping a favorite drink. Still others believe it is having the sensation of letting go of something that weighs heavily on their mind and heart. There still are others who think that is about achieving a goal they had set out for themselves.

All of these, of course, have their valid points. But I believe there is still a higher metric that would best define what our proper rest is and that would somehow integrate all these other ideas about rest. And that is whether we manage to be with God at the end of the day—or of our life.

We have to realize that true rest can be found only in Christ. The rest that he gives us is not only physical. It is the rest that includes all the aspects of our life—emotional, psychological, mental, moral and spiritual. We need to broaden our understanding of rest to go beyond the physical dimension. 

Christ offers us the due rest for our souls that can be harassed by the problems of this world and the requirements of our lifelong pursuit for holiness and apostolate. (cfr. Mt 11,29) This is the real rest that is indeed meant for us. Short of this, our rest would be at best only apparent, and cannot cope with the over-all demands and pressures of our life.

For this he advises us to learn from him, particularly in his meekness and humility. I imagine that these virtues were highlighted because they are the ones that would open the gates of our soul to receive God’s grace, to be guided by faith rather than simply by our senses and emotions and even by our intellectual powers.

We have to see to it that our search for rest should not get stuck in the level of our physical, emotional and intellectual conditions. This is a crucial point because the entry point in our process of knowing is through our senses, instincts and emotions, before things get processed by our intellect. 

And things do not just end there in our intellect. We have to see to it that our intellect, which does not create the truth but can only recognize and express it, be enlightened and inspired by the ultimate source of truth, which is our faith.

Faith is a God-given view of all the truths that we need to know. It is God revealing and sharing his knowledge of things with us. It is God sharing his powers with us. We just should not be guided by our own lights and faculties, but rather by the light God gives us through the gift of faith. With this faith in God as revealed to us in full by Christ, we can find our true rest!

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Our children’s Mother Earth

By Panay News -Thursday, July 14, 2022

BY KLAUS DÖRING

MOTHER Nature (sometimes known as Mother Earth or the Earth Mother) is a personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it, in the form of the mother.

The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction

Yes, it’s again the topic we should really think about. Also here in the Philippines. Ok, here’s a new string of examples, my dear readers. But, don’t expect good news.

Greenland, the great island is being called the Land of Ice being on fire. Why? A recent report says the Arctic may be ice-free by 2040. The Antarctic is also melting, albeit far slower, and in a less regular pattern.

The Arctic is melting much faster than expected, and could even be ice-free in summer by the late 2030’s, a report from the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program suggests. Previous studies had forecast an ice-free North Pole in summer by mid-century. Wow.

While the outlook is bleak for the Arctic, there is a silver lining for the Antarctic: As I said before, the ice is melting at a slower rate than previously thought. Although glacier flow has increased since the 1990’s, scientists from University of Leeds have found the melting rate to be only around a third of what was previously projected.

Operation IceBridge studies the processes that link the polar regions with the Earth’s climate system. Rapidly changing polar ice means researchers need to use highly sophisticated airborne technology to measure annual changes in thickness and movement – onboard a retrofitted 1966 Lockheed P-3 aircraft.

 But the Antarctic is still melting. And a rapidly advancing crack in its fourth-largest ice shelf could soon see one of the largest icebergs ever recorded in human history break off into the sea.Scientists agree that global warming causes both the ice in the North and the South Pole to melt. Air temperatures are climbing, and so are water temperatures. This makes the ice melt faster. The period of winter where the water is actually cold enough to freeze is getting shorter, which means ice floes are getting smaller.

Honestly folks, it really scares me although experts say it is too early to draw firm conclusions linking the fire to climate change because no long-term data is available to put the blaze in context. However, unusually warm and dry conditions this year could have been a factor.

Let’s face this: “It’s unprecedented in the short 18-year observational record,” Jason Box, a climate scientist at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, said in an interview with German TV yesterday. . “We also know that temperatures in Greenland are probably higher [than they have been over] the last 800 years.” Wow again!

Although the origin of the blaze is unclear – with lightning and a stray cigarette as possible suspects – what is clear is how it has been spreading across remote areas of grassland and low shrub. Greenland is indeed getting greener and greener. It conjures images of white, frozen expanses. But Box says global warming means it’s getting greener all the time. “There’s a shorter snow-cover season, and that allows the plant life to expand,” he explained.

The Arctic is heating up around twice as fast as the global average. At the same time, rainfall around the world is also increasing – and that trend as well is more present in the Arctic. “More rain is a widespread symptom of climate change,” Box said. “You get more precipitation – and where you get the biggest increase is in the Arctic.”

For Greenland, warmer, wetter conditions mean more vegetation – which, seemingly paradoxically, could be a factor for the fire. And my next question is: what will be the impact of these fires on the ice sheet and surrounding areas?

Fact is: Greenland’s ice sheets melt, which contributes to sea level rise. And if we add the North- and South Pole and their vanishing ice and snow and all other oceans worldwide?  Yes, also the Philippines are in danger. Not this year or next year. But … !

Paradise reborn’: Boracay is one of world’s greatest places in 2022

by Jaleen Ramos, Manila Bulletin

Boracay Island has been recognized as one of the world’s greatest places by the Time Magazine.

(Photo by Tara Yap/ MANILA BULLETIN/ FILE PHOTO)

Boracay was closed down for rehabilitation for six months in 2018 after it was labeled a “cesspool” by former president Duterte.

“Then the pandemic struck, and the Philippines closed its borders, halting even domestic tourism to Boracay. It took a severe toll on the local economy, but the silver lining was that this 4-sq.-mi. speck in the Visayas island chain had proper time to truly recover,” Time wrote.

Boracay finally reopened after nearly two years of pandemic restrictions. 

“As of February 2022, international visitors can finally revel in this revamped, recuperated, natural playground after what was effectively a three-year convalescence,” Time said.

“Locals report the return of flora and fauna, like sea turtles, and hospitality has come back just as spectacularly,” it added.

Also in the list are Seoul; Bali, Indonesia; Doha, Qatar; Bali, Indonesia; Ahmedabad, India: Trans Bhutan Trail in Bhutan; and Kyushu Island, Japan, among others.

The Time said it “solicited nominations of places from our international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences” to complete the list.

Lea Michele stars in Broadway's 'Funny Girl'

By Associated Press

Lea Michele has been tapped to step in and lead the Broadway revival of the beleaguered ‘Funny Girl.’ AP PHOTO

NEW YORK: Lea Michele has been tapped to step in and lead the Broadway revival of the beleaguered "Funny Girl" this fall, an announcement made just hours after current star Beanie Feldstein revealed she was leaving the musical sooner than anticipated due to the show taking a "different direction."

The high-profile casting change rocked the Broadway community and represents another step toward a return to the spotlight and respectability for Michele after former "Glee" castmates in 2020 accused the actor of behavior that was interpreted as racist and bullying.

Michele, who started her career on Broadway and starred in the original "Spring Awakening" recently returned to the work with the documentary "Spring Awakening: Those You've Known." In many ways, her ascension to playing Ziegfeld Follies comedian Fanny Brice — the role Barbra Streisand famously played on film — was foreshadowed by Michele singing several "Funny Girl" songs during the run of "Glee."

After the show's formal announcement, Michele hailed her next career step, saying "a dream come true is an understatement" on Instagram. She did not mention Feldstein.

Enjoy a double dose with 'Lunch Out Loud' and 'It's Showtime'

By Iza Iglesias, Manila Times

It’s official – Kapamilya Network and TV5 will simultaneously air 'Lunch Out Loud’ and ‘It’s Showtime’ from Monday to Saturday beginning this weekend.

Fans of noontime variety shows no longer need to switch between two out of three existing 12 o'clock sing-dance-and-games programs beginning Saturday, July 16. On Monday, free TV channels A2Z and TV5 and ABS-CBN's cable and online network Kapamilya Channel announced that "Lunch Out Loud" and "It's Showtime" will have back to back airing.

In other words, viewers no longer need to switch channels or platforms during commercial breaks between the respective Brightlights Production and ABS-CBN programs unless they also like check out "Eat Bulaga" on GMA Network in between.

At least for the two shows, ABS-CBN declared in a statement, "The collaboration among ABS-CBN Entertainment, Brightlight Productions, Zoe Broadcasting Network and TV5 [will provide] Filipino viewers with more fun and entertainment and bring an extended and enjoyable midday TV viewing experience."

As such, "Lunch Out Loud" (LOL) will air from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., followed by "It's Showtime" from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday to Saturday, this weekend onwards.

For a look back, "Lunch Out Loud" premiered on October 19, 2020, with then newly-resigned ABS-CBN talents Billy Crawford and Alex Gonzaga. A production of business tycoon and newly elected Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez, LOL quickly became a prominent blocktimer on Manny Pangilinan's TV5. Today, the show also features pioneering and lately added comedians and social media influencers as hosts. They are Bayani Agbayani, K Brosas, KC Montero, Wacky Kiray, Jeff Tam, Jobert Austria and Laboching.

Building a good fanbase in "Tropang LOL" — the hosts' nickname for their viewers —LOL is best known for fun and games. These include the "HOPE" dating game, "Maritest" showbiz quiz, "Beat The 2" battle of wits, "Pera Usog," and "Sagot Mo, Sagot Ko" that fulfills their wishes.

On the other hand, "It's Showtime" is now in its 13th year and still enjoys the support of its loyal audiences – the "Madlang Pipol" – despite the failed renewal of ABS-CBN's free TV franchise.

Quick to find a home on Zoe TV's A2Z before this development, the Vice Ganda- and Anne Curtis-led program is beloved for such segments as "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "Sexy Babe," "ReINA ng Tahanan," "Miss Q and A" and "MiniMe."

However, the move to go back-to-back hardly came as a surprise to the rest of the industry nor the public at the start of the week since many Kapamilya shows have been airing on TV5's Kapatid Network for a good while now. ABS-CBN's Sunday noontime show "ASAP Natin 'To" and its primetime originals have long been airing as block timers on TV5, led by "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano."

Damage to agriculture reaches P17M

 

By Francis Earl Cueto, Manila Times

THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday said estimated damage to agriculture brought by flash floods and landslides in Benguet reached P16.6 million.

NDRRMC spokesman Mark Timbal said at the Laging Handa Public Briefing that the estimated damage to infrastructure is P860,000.

While there were no fatalities due to the flash flood, six people were injured, and 1,054 families were evacuated from 10 affected villages.

As of noon Tuesday, only two families remain at the evacuation centers, with the rest returning home to clean their houses. A total of 1,048 houses were damaged.

Meanwhile, a total of P2.4 million worth of assistance was given to the evacuees.

"The clearing operations are being rushed to allow the residents to return home," he said.

The Philippine National Police reported that a woman died after her house was buried by a landslide due to the incessant rain on Sunday in Abucay, Bataan.

Abucay Police chief Maj. Dennis Duran identified the victim as Roselyn de la Cruz, 27, caretaker of a resort in Abucay.

He said that rescuers found her body under the mud along with a car.

Earlier, the Agriculture department estimated the damage due to the monsoon rains in Ifugao, Benguet at P14.6 million.

The figures came from the devastated rice crops and high-value crops, including vegetables.

Europe swelters as heatwave spreads

A woman fills a bottle of water during a heatwave in Seville on July 12, 2022

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES

Soaring temperatures have gripped parts of Europe, which has barely recovered from its last heatwave.

Droughts and forest fires have hit Spain and Portugal and the scorching heat has spread to France and the UK.

Temperatures are set to peak on Thursday in France and Spain and authorities have cancelled traditional fireworks displays on France's national day to reduce the risk of fires.

Heatwaves have become more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting because of climate change. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began.

This is the picture as seen by our BBC colleagues sweltering on the continent.

Extreme heat in northern Spain

By Guy Hedgecoe, Madrid

The heat sweeping across Spain is unusual in that it is affecting almost the whole of the country.

High temperatures are often registered in the summer months, particularly in southern and central areas of the country.

That is certainly the case during this heatwave, with Andalusia, Castilla La Mancha and Extremadura all seeing temperatures in the low 40s Celsius so far this week. However, northern Spain, which usually avoids extreme temperatures, is also being hit, with the north-western region of Galicia on red alert - the highest category - as it braces itself for temperatures of up to 42C in the Miño valley.

Temperatures are expected to keep rising in many areas over the next two days. The north-eastern city of Zaragoza is forecast to see temperatures of up to 42C, while Badajoz, in the south-west, could register up to 47C on Thursday.

Air quality is poor in many areas across the north because of the heat. That adds to existing health concerns caused by the hot weather, which mean that the streets of towns and villages tend to be much quieter in the afternoon.

With the heatwave expected to continue into the weekend, it could break records in terms of length if it goes on into next week.

Soaring temperatures across Portugal

By Alison Roberts, Lisbon

An unprecedented 80% of mainland Portugal is at "exceptional" risk of fires, according to national meteorological institute IPMA.

The government has put the whole of the mainland under a "state of contingency" until Friday - one notch above "state of alert" and the second-highest of three levels.

That triggers local, regional and national responses, putting police and other forces at the ready, and releasing funds to hire more firefighters.

On Tuesday there were 849 firefighters in action at the scene of 30 fires, only three of which were deemed not under control. That is down from well over 2,000 the day before.

Several major fires burning over the weekend have now been extinguished or brought under control, though not before consuming thousands of hectares of forest.

But conditions are expected to gradually worsen between now and Thursday, as temperatures soar and winds are seen picking up at night in some areas. The IPMA forecasts maximum temperatures as high as 47C in the coming days.

While there may be some thunderstorms, meteorologists warn that any rain may evaporate before reaching the ground.

Tourism is already being affected, even in areas as yet untouched by fires.

In the popular tourist destination of Sintra, near Lisbon, the national palaces, castle and other attractions are closed by government order.

There are also fears that a big music festival scheduled to take place from Thursday to Saturday near the beach at Meco, in Sesimbra, south of Lisbon, and a motorbike rally in the Algarve which is one of Europe's largest will have to be cancelled.

Heatwave hits Bastille Day

By Georgia Goble, Paris

Temperatures in France are set to reach 39C in some areas of the south-west in a heatwave that will last between eight and 10 days, according to Météo France.

While rising temperatures are not predicted to break records as in other European countries, there are concerns about the possible consequences.

With 23 departments placed under a yellow warning, and with orange alerts potentially coming into place from Wednesday, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has urged ministers to take action to minimise health risks, especially for vulnerable groups.

A health plan has also been rolled out by the government in all areas on alert. Meanwhile, Thursday's 14 July Bastille Day will be somewhat less colourful, with fire risks leading to the cancellation of firework displays in some areas of the country.

ALCOHOLISM: A FAMILY SCOURGE

 

"Who was woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long on the wine, those who go in search of mixed wines? Do not look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse words. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one, who lies on top of  the mast, saying: 'They have struck me, but I wasn't hurt; they have beaten me, but I didn't feel it. When I shall awake, that I may seek another drink!'" (Proverbs 23:29-35).

When I recopied this part from my bible I got the idea to write about this topic. The writer of these proverbs expressed very well the effect of alcohol.

Why is alcoholism such a scourge to society? When compared to many other common diseases such as heart disease, alcoholism has a much more devastating social effect — not just on that person, but also their family, who painfully watch for years, helplessly, as their loved one slides into decline. Yes, many diseases are terrible and affect others; smoking can cause secondhand smoke diseases to family members. But alcoholism is a sad disease, and it’s those bad memories that really haunt families of alcoholics — memories of being afraid as we weave across wintry roads as dad drives home tipsy; memories of mom crying as dad refuses to hand over the car keys; memories of watching his belly get bigger and his memory weakening as his liver starts to fail.

Alcohol is, as we all know, a depressant. It slows down the function of all the body's parts. Vital functions can be slowed down to the point of death. Under its influence people choke to death at family picnics, drown at the beach, fall asleep while driving a car, hurt and even kill other people.

The devil's alcohol creates a feeling of freedom without worries and euphoria. Our feelings are really free flowing, everyday worries are replaced with a carefree spirit. Wow, I really feel on top of the world today... .

I joined the circle of many other fellows around, more or less regular social drinking, and/or habitual drinking with meals (beer or wine!). When I stayed in France, I couldn't believe that for many Frenchmen a breakfast consists of bread (baguette), cheese, coffee - and red wine! Anyway, social drinking also means occasional drinks to relieve stress or boredom.

Once we reach the addictive stage we are already in danger. Gulping drinks and secret drinking daily to relieve stress makes one lose control, and being unable to stop drinking creates drinking habits, Danger is with us, if we lose control over when, where and how much we drink. The memory blackouts don't let us remember any more, where we had been or how we got home. We lose our self-respect and the performance of our work is seriously affected. Loss of interest in everything (except in drinking) means loss of jobs, conflicts with the law, mental deterioration, and even death. The sad consequences should let us tremble with fear.

A few people who decide to stop drinking find it easy. Having made the decision, they simply never drink again. And honestly, every time I enjoy a drink in really acceptable measurements I am trying to ask myself, if I could stop drinking right now. And I am pretty sure, the answer is YES. That's how I quit smoking almost 35 years ago... .

Oil firms announce big-time price cut

A motorist gets a fuel refill at a gasoline station in Delpan, Manila on June 13, 2022. PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDEMOR

By Eireene Jairee GomezManila Times

Cleanfuel, Petro Gazz, Pilipinas Shell and Seaoil will lower the cost of gasoline by P5.70 per liter and diesel by P6.10 per liter effective 6 a.m. tomorrow.

The price of kerosene will go down by P6.30 per liter.

ew super contagious Omicron mutant spreads

By Associated Press

THE quickly changing coronavirus has spawned yet another super contagious Omicron mutant that's worrying scientists as it gains ground in India and pops up in numerous other countries, including the United States.

Scientists say the variant — called BA.2.75 — may be able to spread rapidly and get around immunity from vaccines and previous infection. It's unclear whether it could cause more serious disease than other Omicron variants, including the globally prominent BA.5.

"It's still really early on for us to draw too many conclusions," said Matthew Binnicker, director of clinical virology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "But it does look like, especially in India, the rates of transmission are showing kind of that exponential increase." Whether it will outcompete BA.5, he said, is yet to be determined.

Still, the fact that it has already been detected in many parts of the world even with lower levels of viral surveillance "is an early indication it is spreading," said Shishi Luo, head of infectious diseases for Helix, a company that supplies viral sequencing information to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The latest mutant has been spotted in several distant states in India, and appears to be spreading faster than other variants there, said Lipi Thukral, a scientist at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in New Delhi. It's also been detected in about 10 other countries, including Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada. Two cases were recently identified on the West Coast of the US, and Helix identified a third US case last week.

Fueling experts' concerns are a large number of mutations separating this new variant from Omicron predecessors. Some of those mutations are in areas that relate to the spike protein and could allow the virus to bind onto cells more efficiently, Binnicker said.

Another concern is that the genetic tweaks may make it easier for the virus to skirt past antibodies — protective proteins made by the body in response to a vaccine or infection from an earlier variant.

But experts say vaccines and boosters are still the best defense against severe Covid-19. In the fall, it's likely the US will see updated formulations of the vaccine being developed that target more recent Omicron strains.

"Some may say, 'Well, vaccination and boosting hasn't prevented people from getting infected.' And, yes, that is true," he said. "But what we have seen is that the rates of people ending up in the hospital and dying have significantly decreased. As more people have been vaccinated, boosted or naturally infected, we are starting to see the background levels of immunity worldwide creep up."

PH logs first Omicron sub-variant case

It may take several weeks to get a sense of whether the latest Omicron mutant may affect the trajectory of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Dr. Gagandeep Kang, who studies viruses at India's Christian Medical College in Vellore, said the growing concern over the variant underlines the need for more sustained efforts to track and trace viruses that combine genetic efforts with real world information about who is getting sick and how badly. "It is important that surveillance isn't a start-stop strategy," she said.

Luo said BA.2.75 is another reminder that the coronavirus is continually evolving — and spreading.

"We would like to return to pre-pandemic life, but we still need to be careful," she said. "We need to accept that we're now living with a higher level of risk than we used to."