The battle for purity of intention

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE cannot overemphasize the importance of this concern. We have to do our best to see to it that we always have purity of intention in everything that we do, so that we only love and serve God, and because of that, we can properly love and serve everybody else.

This concern was somehow referred to in that gospel episode where Christ lamented over the hypocrisy and inconsistency of the leading Jews at that time. (cfr. Mt 23,13-22) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter,” he said.

When our intentions are not pure, when they are contaminated with ulterior motives, there is no way but for us to fall into some form of inconsistencies and improper priorities.

We should be very careful with our intentions. Since they are hidden, we can easily play around with them. We can appear good outside but bad inside. Our deeds may be considered as acts of generosity and compassion, but the intentions may be those of envy, conceit and the like.

             In determining the morality of our human acts, intention plays a very crucial role. Together with the matter or object, and the circumstances surrounding our acts, our intention can determine whether they are good or bad.

             

             With our intention, we can direct our acts to God, following what was once indicated by St. Paul, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10,31) That’s how our acts become good, or moral. Otherwise, they are bad, or at least dangerous.

       

             This is so, since God, being the Creator, is the standard for everything. And more than the standard, he is, in fact, the very substance of what is good, true and beautiful, what is fair and just, what is perfection itself.

             

             Nothing is good, true and beautiful, nothing is fair and just, nothing is perfect if it is not done with God and for God. In short, we need to refer all our acts to God. We have to make this affirmation very clear in our mind and do everything to make that ideal a reality.

We have to be most careful in handling our intentions. They play a strategic role in our life, for how and where we direct them would determine whether we want to be with God and simply with our own selves.

         Our intentions express who and where in the end we want to be. Do we choose God, or do we simply choose ourselves, or the world in general? It’s actually a choice between good and evil.

       

           Even if we are not aware, or refuse to be aware, of this choice, which is usually the case, the choice between God and us, between good and evil is always made with every human act we do.

For us to have purity of intention, we should be humble enough to ask for it from God first. We should not dare to think that we can have purity of intention by simply relying on our own efforts. We need God’s grace first of all. Our usual problem is that we think we can have purity of intention by our own efforts alone.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE?

Do you live for something? Do live for something! Admittedly, this sounds like a very easy request. Already, Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847), establishment and founder of the Scottish Free Church, treated that topic with plenty flowering words. Innumerable human beings live, move and have to pass away - free from worries but unknown and unnoticed. Incomprehensible and inscrutable: no line written and no word talk by themselves are still in the memories of their bereaved. Their gleams of light switched out in night's darkness.

Not every individual can have a beautiful life in which he/she can live successfully. But to live, to love, and to laugh can make this possible. * L I V E * As the saying goes, “Live life to the fullest!" Always live each day as if it were your last. Enjoy every moment of your life and have everything you wish.

Who do people like to live like this? Still in my mind is the one question of Brother Francis Castro of the Little Brothers of Jesus about the "burning flame inside him that makes him jump out of the bed ... and hurry to work...".

As I journey through life's pathways, one of the most important lessons I have learned is that life is filled with seasons and contrasts. Life is indeed an interplay of light and darkness. So, let's live for something!

Kindness, hospitality, helpfulness, obligingness, ready to do favors - and your moment of virtue will not be destroyed by time's storm. Love and mercifulness from the bottom of your heart are shared with people who will cross your pathways, and nobody will forget you. In our daily life, we have plenty of situations where we could show our real calling. Thomas Chalmers describes it as follows: "Good deeds are shining like stars from heaven".

Understand what life should feel like. Tap into your calling within.Trust yourself and forget what others think. Feel the fear and take the first step anyway.Rethink your to-do list. Check in with yourself daily.Recognize that you have everything you need.

So, do live for something. For your beloved fellow creatures and for yourself. Do it now, because time is always limited.

Davao de Oro’s tourist destinations to the world

Two well-known personalities in the mainstream media recently visited Davao de Oro’s highland adventure as part of the province’s tourism wellness loop, and featured the province’s rich tourism destinations on Metro Channel’s travel show “Beached” Episode.

Marc Nelson and Christi McGarry visited the highland adventures in the province accompanied by the team from the Tourism Division of PLGU-DdO headed by Senior Tourism Officer Christine Dompor, in collaboration with the local government units, and private individuals who manage top tourist sites in the province.

Marc Nelson is a television host and model credited for being one of the most visible and prominent personality in Philippine television, while Christi McGarry is a former beauty queen, part of the Batch of Binibining Pilipinas 2015 led by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and won first runner-up in Miss Intercontinental 2015.

The duo visited and featured Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation in Mabini, Bilawa Mainit Hot Waterfalls, New Barili Heights and Sights, Lake Leonard in Maco, Tagbibinta Falls, and Ayuste Nature Park in Maragusan and Salvosa Falls in Pantukan. Metro’s “Beached” episode is streamed on Metro’s Youtube Channel, Skycable channel, Cignal Channel and GSAT channel.

In a statement, Dompor thanked the partners of PLGU-Davao de Oro headed by Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga for the successful conduct and accommodation of the well-known personalities, “Daghan kaayong salamat sa tanan namong partners. Above all, thankful to God and the universe for the safe travel, good weather and the mystifying experience with the natural world. Truly we have captured golden memories,” said Dompor.

Marc Nelson on his official Instagram account posted that he was hooked with Davao de Oro's therapeutic and steaming Bilawa Hot Waterfalls, and was amazed with the spectacular view of the Sea of Clouds in Maragusan, "Such a pleasant surprise here in Davao de Oro," Nelson said. 

Data from the tourism office of DdO reveals that the province’s tourism returns are still high even in the midst of the pandemic. This is due to the collaborative efforts of the province with the LGUs and private partners who prioritized the vaccination roll-out of the tourism workforce. 

Davao de Oro has a total number of 3.4 million tourist visits from January 2020 to June this year. (PAO-IPRD DdO, photos by PAO-Tourism)

Senate locked down after 8 members catch Covid

By Javier Joe Ismael, Manila Times

THE entire Senate building has been locked down until Monday after eight senators tested positive for Covid-19.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri issued the lockdown order to check the spread of the virus.

Catching the virus were Senate Majority Leader Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Mary Grace Poe, Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Maria Lourdes "Nancy" Binay.

The latest to be infected were Ejercito, Villanueva and Binay.

In a text message to reporters, Ejercito said his RT-PCR test was positive.

Villanueva said he, too, tested positive and sent a copy of his medical certificate to the Senate media Viber group.

Binay said she was going into self-isolation after being tested positive for Covid.

"I am currently at home in isolation, and strictly following recommended protocols, including health and safety procedures," said Binay.

Zubiri instructed the chamber's secretariat to conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection of all Senate offices.

"For this reason, there will be a total lockdown of our Senate building and all Senate employees shall work from home and need not report to the Senate on Monday," he said.

Senate sessions will resume on August 23, he said.

"Please stay safe and healthy everyone. Together we shall fight this virus and continue to deliver government service as efficiently as possible. Maraming salamat po (Thank you very much)," Zubiri said in an advisory released on Friday.

Earlier in the week, Poe said she was experiencing mild symptoms, "mostly headaches," after her antigen test came out positive.

Escudero has been attending sessions online after being exposed to a person with Covid.

Marcos has scrapped her trip to Dubai this weekend, where she was scheduled to greet her countrymen who will watch the film "Maid in Malacañang" during the weekend.

"Unfortunately, her RT-PCR test result yesterday is still positive so she was advised to continue quarantine and therefore cannot travel," a statement from Viva Films said.

The Senate has imposed stricter anti-Covid measures, banning visitors for the next three weeks and requiring negative antigen or RT-PCR tests for government officials and resource persons required for committee proceedings.

'Sitio Diablo' comes to Vivamax

Home is commonly defined as a place where one lives and feels most safe and secure. It is supposed to be a haven and a comfort zone.

But in a place called Sitio Diablo, home is defined a little differently. It becomes a place of riot and anger. A place not for rest but for endless chaos.

A Vivamax Original Movie, "Sitio Diablo" premieres August 26, streaming exclusively on Vivamax.

Gang wars and an unending list of crimes — this is the everyday life in Sitio Diablo, the kind of life Aina (AJ Raval) is used to. Growing up in a family of gang leaders, Aina is no stranger to dealing with drugs, robbery, illegal firearms, and even murder. She is deeply influenced by her late father and her incarcerated brother, Tonix (Benz Sangalang), who were the leaders of their town's most notorious gang, the Los Hijos Diablos.

After Tonix is behind bars, the Los Hijos Diablos loses its members and brings the gang to a downfall. It paves the way for the town to form other gangs with strong and notorious members, one of which is the Illustrado, led by Bullet (Kiko Estrada), who is also the partner of Aina. Together, they become the leaders of the Illustrado gang and the king and queen who rules around Sitio Diablo.

But their short reign immediately faces trouble when they learn that Tonix has been released from prison and plans to reclaim his seat as their town's most notorious gang leader. This awaits a gang war that is yet to be the most brutal and bloodiest battle Sitio Diablo will ever witness.

Sitio Diablo is a sexy-action film starring one of the most talked about actresses today, and Vivamax's Maximum Crush, AJ Raval together with young and talented actors Kiko Estrada in his first Vivamax movie and Benz Sangalang. The movie also stars talented hiphop artists like Pio Balbuena, Cean Jr., Ace Raval, Just Hush and Because.

From Viva Films and the Cult director, Roman Perez, Jr., prepare for the deadliest riot y and watch as their little town becomes a war zone.

The last word

The last word is the best news of all. A happy ending after all? Really?

"The Last Word" is an offbeat romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Geoffrey Haley. It stars Winona Ryder and Wes Bentley. It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, and it had a wider release in 2008.

We sense it at rare moments. We see the good, the beauty in new crops, in flowers, in sunshine, and even in rain. Last night's thunderstorm in Davao City scarred me a lot. Lightning, flood… wow.

This world may be full of pollution, war, crime, and hate. But inside us, all of us, linger remnants that remind us of what the world could be like – of what we could be like.

The Old Testament prophets dreamed of “that day”, when creation would be made new. And those sensations, following a dismal monotone of predicted catastrophes, burst out of the last few chapters of Revelation. That perfect world is not merely a dream. Yes, I am pretty sure, it will come true.

I really enjoy reading Revelation again and again. Revelation shows us a new world at last. There will be no more tears then nor pain.

Revelation ends on a note of great triumph. Somehow, out of all the bad news augured here, good news emerges-spectacular Good News. I remember my radio show hosting on a Good News Radio FM-station in Davao City more than 20 years ago. Yes, good news.

To those who believe, Revelation becomes a book not of fear, but of hope. God will prevail. All will be made new.

The Bible began, remember, back in Genesis, with a tragic defeat, when humanity, made in the image of God, rebelled. It ends with a reunion – a marriage, Revelation calls it. A happy ending after all…

A perfect world? How could you design it? What would it look like? I am really waiting for your comments and suggestions.

SPOTLIGHT 12 DAVAO ARTISTS

SPOTLIGHT 12 DAVAO ARTISTS. This much-awaited art exhibit by Azalea Cove big condo projects here at Lanang, Davao City is finally here from August 21 to September 5. Its formal launching and cutting ribbon is set on August 20 at 3pm at the Azalea Cove Showroom. It's a synergy of art exhibit and condo marketing blended together in one single event, cooked up by creative minds of Tabula Rasa artist group and Ayala's Azalea marketing team. They did it before and it worked---sold both condos and paintings. The idea behind this synergy is that buyers of paintings may also be buyers of condos---or vice versa. Although this venue is not as accessible as Abreeza Ayala during its first TR art exhibit, both groups are pushing hard to bring in art viewers, condo buyers, art buyers who won't mind the distance coming to Azalea Cove.......

Davao City composer explains what is popular Kadayawan song ‘Bahaghari Tayo’ all about

LANDERO (Keith Bacongco)

by Keith Bacongco, Manila Bulletin

DAVAO CITY – For almost 20 years, the iconic song “Bahaghari Tayo” composed by local music legend Popong Landero is always associated with the annual Kadayawan Festival every August.

Aside from Davaoeños, this festive song is also familiar among those who are frequent visitors of this city not just during the Kadayawan Festival but also the Araw ng Davao celebration.

The song is usually played in public places during festivities.

But what is really the inspiration behind the making of this festive song?

Unknown to many, Bahaghari Tayo does not simply depict festivity but it is more about the recovery from fear, pain, and suffering from terrorist attacks in this city, Landero admitted to the Manila Bulletin.

“When I heard that a bomb exploded at the airport, I was very worried because my wife was working there. Although she was safe because they were inside,” he recalled, referring to the bomb attack on March 4, 2003 that killed 21 people and injured hundreds here.

The incident, the musician added, reminded him of a grenade blast during college days at the University of Mindanao in the 1980s that injured several people. “The explosion was quite close to the spot where we were playing guitar. We saw some people injured and the debris even hit our heads. We were shocked and a lot of people panicked.”

Based on this experience, Landero added, he tried making a song but it never materialized. “So I just tried to forget that experience.”

And the 2003 twin bombings happened.

Aside from the airport bombing, another bomb went off ear the gate of the Sasa International Seaport on April 2 that killed 16 persons and injured 45 others.

These incidents fueled him once again to write the song, Landero recalled. But he also wanted to the song to be his entry to the Huni sa Dabaw, a songwriting contest, which was a part of the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations in 2004.

Released in 2004, the song is part of a locally-produced album with the same title that contains nine other tracks that talk about love, abundance in harvest, peace, and harmony.

While the song is based on the pain and suffering, Landero further disclosed that he wanted to write the song the opposite way.

“I thought of writing the song that would not touch on fear and loneliness. So that explains the lyrics that talks about recovery from sufferings, sustained development amid the adversities, as well as to urge the Davaoeños to unite for peace,” the seasoned musician explained.

In 2008, Landero added, the city council adopted the song as the official theme song of the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations.

The song’s festive melody has inspired various local artists and school-based drum and bugle corps to play it with their own renditions during their performances in different events.

The entire album is now available on Spotify.

Magnitude 5.0 quake hits Surigao del Norte

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded a 5.0-magnitude earthquake in Surigao del Norte on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 17.

It was initially measured as a magnitude 5.1 quake but Phivolcs later revised it to magnitude 5.0.

Phivolcs said the quake struck 5 kilometers (km) northwest of the municipality of Socorro in Surigao del Norte province at around 5:35 p.m.

It was felt at Intensity II (slightly felt) in Carrascal and Tandag City in Surigao del Sur.

Phivolcs’ instruments also recorded the earthquake at Intensity I in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte and Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte.

It noted that the earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.

However, Phivolcs does not expect damage or aftershocks because of this earthquake.

Six PH hospitals given international awards

Philippine Heart Center. File Photo

By Red Mendoza, Manila Times

SIX Philippine hospitals, including the Philippine Heart Center (PHC), were recognized by the World Stroke Organization and the Accreditation Canada International for their "exemplary performance" in providing quality medical services.

The Department of Health said that five of its hospitals were recognized. They include the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Bohol, Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City and Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila. They all received the World Stroke Organization Angels Award for the second quarter of 2022.

The World Stroke Organization is a global organization focused on stroke, with a membership of 3,000 individuals and 90 societies worldwide and representing over 55,000 stroke specialists in clinical, research and community settings.

The Angels Award is an award-giving body organized by the WSO together with the Angels Initiative, an organization that centers on building a global community of stroke centers and stroke-ready hospitals to improve the quality of life of every stroke patient.

The award uses a tiering system based on a hospital's performance against various measures using the Registry of Stroke Care Quality, or RES-Q, and Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke, or SITS-QR, protocol by the European Stroke Organization.

They are awarded the Gold, Platinum, or Diamond-level award based on data of 30 consecutive stroke patients using the two protocols.

The Quirino Memorial Medical Center and the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center were given the Diamond status award, while the other hospitals were given Gold status awards.

Separately, the Philippine Heart Center was given the Diamond Level award by Accreditation Canada International for the third time for its "exemplary performance in providing quality medical services."

The Diamond Level award accreditation is the highest award given by ACI. It measures health care facilities based on quality, safety, risk management and ethics of medical support services.

The PHC is the only medical facility in the country given the Diamond Level accreditation award by the independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit organization.

Other hospitals and health facilities in the Philippines that received accreditation include all branches of the Asian Eye Institute, which were given Platinum accreditation; Cardinal Santos Medical Center; Davao Doctors Hospital and the Manila Doctors Hospital, which were given Gold accreditation.

Health Officer in Charge Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the awards prove that these hospitals offer world-class services and top-notch care and dedication.

"This further proves the commitment of the Department, together with its partner hospitals to provide quality health care to the people. We thank our homegrown institutions and health-care workers for their exemplary delivery of service and care," Vergeire added.

She added that the certification of the hospitals marks the realization of free universal health care services under the Universal Health Care Act.