Be truly poor to be truly rich

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE have to understand this point very well. We need to be truly poor so we can be truly rich in God, attaining the fullness of our dignity as God’s image and likeness, children of his, sharers of his divine life and nature. This is how we can be truly rich.

To be truly poor is to acknowledge that we depend on God for everything. To be truly poor is not about how much one has or does not have. That is a very poor description of what is to be truly poor. And that’s because one can have a lot of things and yet know that everything comes from God and is for God and for everybody else.

A truly poor person knows that he is not the absolute owner of whatever he has, even if he is entitled to the right of private ownership. He is at best only a steward tasked to make use of whatever he has to start building the kingdom of God here on earth. A truly poor person has an abiding awareness that he is only a caretaker of the goods of the earth and that he is answerable to God and to everyone for that duty.

In a certain sense, our earthly life can be described as a matter of emptying and filling. That is, emptying of our own selves, our own egos, so we can be filled with God, with love, which is what is proper to us.

In whatever we do, let’s see to it that this business of emptying and filling is the underlying law and principle that is being followed. Failing in that can only mean failing in our ultimate purpose in life, no matter how successful we may appear to be in our work or social and political life, and in the other aspects of life.

We need to adapt and develop the relevant attitude and skills so we can turn this ideal into a working lifestyle. We should not forget that Christ clearly said: ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Mt 16,24) That, in a nutshell, is the biblical basis for this business of emptying and filling.

Christ himself, our way, truth and life, lived this principle perfectly by emptying himself so he can be filled with the will of his Father. 

St. Paul expressed this fact in this way: “Christ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2,5-8)

Christ’s self-emptying cannot be overemphasized. Being the son of God with whom nothing is impossible, he chose to be born poor in a manger and led an austere life all throughout. Even in his impressive moments of preaching and making miracles, he did not want to be treated as a king or some kind of celebrity.

He preached about meekness and humility and lived what he preached. “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart,” he said. (Mt 11,29) In the Last Supper, he shocked his apostles when he began to wash their feet and insisted on doing so, despite the protestation of Peter, to give an example for them to follow.

We need to be truly poor to be truly rich in God!

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

𝐇𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐨

A significant step up in the agriculture sector in Davao de Oro came into light right after the successful harvest of the Community Hybrid Rice Model Farm: a community model of hybrid rice variety established in selected barangays in the municipalities of Compostela and Nabunturan ranging up to 200 hectares of land area.

The model farms are an initiative through the collaboration of the Department of Agriculture Region XI, Provincial Government of Davao de Oro headed by Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga,  Provincial Agriculturist's Office of DdO, Municipal Agriculture Offices of Compostela and Nabuturan, and private seed companies; Syngenta Philippines, Inc., SL Agritech Corporation, and Bayer Crop Science.

The project yields a significant rack-up in the province's rice sector by using four (4) hybrid rice varieties: Bigante Plus, NK5017, SL 20H, and M20. These hybrid rice varieties showed the potential to adapt to climate changes and generate a higher income for the local farmers.

The involved agencies and private partners also pushed for the concept of farm clustering, a method utilizing two cropping seasons, both wet and dry cropping irrigated areas, to fully maximize space, time, and effort. In total, the municipality of Compostela involves Brgy. Gabi, Tamia, Lagab, San, Jose, and Siocon has 100 hectares of rice model farm site with 66 farmer-cooperators, while Brgy. Magading, Libasan (LIPRIMCO), Libasan (PNIA), and Pangutusan comprised Nabunturan with 100 hectares of rice model farm site and 78 farmer-cooperators.

Further, both Compostela and Nabunturan received 25 bags of rice seeds for each hybrid variety of rice for their model farm, including loads of fertilizers (urea, complete, and MOP) per hectare of the model farm.

In partnership with DA and private companies, this initiative of the provincial government is a blueprint for modern, efficient, and effective rice-farming techniques that will soon be adopted by the other farmers province-wide.

PAGRO Head Dr. Jaime Anter, in his message to the farmers during the harvest, conveyed that the government will continue to support them through subsidies, lowering their production costs and increasing their income. 

According to PAGRO-DdO, more or less 400 bags of rice (65 kilograms per bag) were harvested yesterday (September 21, 2022) in two (2) model farms located in Brgy. Magading and Pangutusan. The remaining unharvested hybrid rice model farm sites will follow in the last week of September and the first week of October this year. (J. Abella, PAO-IPRD DdO, photos by J. Cadiz)

Great music, fun memories at GDay festivities

 

Thousands gathered over the weekend for fun and exciting activities Globe held for its highly anticipated "917 #ExtraGDayEveryday," the biggest GDay celebration yet.

Events were held at the Circuit Events Ground Makati and the Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa City on September 17 or "917 day," without adverse incident except for apparent attempts to jam mobile signals at both venues.

"Our 917 GDay this year marked the first time we had many on-ground events, and we are glad that our customers went out to participate in them. We really wanted to pursue face to face events which we have been missing since the pandemic. We are only too happy that our customers found time to enjoy the festivities," said Jerome Patalud, head of Globe Rewards.

The GMusic Fest drew thousands of spectators at Circuit Events Ground Makati for a day of great music and fun at experiential booths, bringing home Globe freebies along with new memories.

Over 6,000 spectators came for the half-day event, staying throughout the show to enjoy the lineup of world-class artists Globe brought together to regale its valued customers.

Enjoying the GMusic Fest was Kathlyn Guinto, a Globe customer for 15 years now. On Twitter, she raved about seeing Thai singer Phum Viphurit and the "queens" from Drag Race Philippines.

"It was my first time watching Phum Viphurit perform live. Finally! WOW. WOW. WOW.... Thank you for bringing them here, Globe!" she said in her post.

G Music Fest also featured K-Pop group bugAboo, whose G Music Fest appearance was their first time performing live in the Philippines, and top Filipino acts such as KAIA, Matthaios, The Juans, Unique Salonga, and I Belong to the Zoo.

Festival goers were also safely ferried in and out of the venue through free rides on GET electric buses deployed for the event.

2-day Tourism Job Fair in Davao City set

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, Manila Bulletin

DAVAO CITY – A total of 2,541 vacancies are available to job applicants during the two-day Tourism Job Fair from Sept. 22 to 23 at the Abreeza Mall, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Davao said Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Paul Cruz, chief of technical services and support division of DOLE-Davao, said during an interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that the job fair would be participated by 35 companies, including hotels and other tourism-related establishments.

 The two-day event dubbed “Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso” is a nationwide simultaneous event in Manila, Cebu, and Davao organized by the DOLE, Department of Tourism, and Public Employment Service Office to help workers find employment after being displaced by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Cruz said that all vacancies in the two-day job fair are for local employment, particularly within the region, as the newly-established Department of Migrant Workers will take charge of the recruitment for overseas employment.

 He said job offerings include, among others, housekeepers, butlers, front office personnel, kitchen staff, customer service representatives, planning personnel, and warehouse helpers.

 Cruz said they target at least 10 to 15 percent of the job applicants to be hired on the spot.

 He said onsite pre-registration is available for applicants starting Wednesday, Sept. 21. Online preregistration is also available via the Facebook pages of the regional offices of DOLE and DOT.

Ryan D. Roldan, regional employment focal person of DOLE-Davao, encouraged applicants to avail of the preregistration to preselect the jobs they wish to apply to enable them to skip long queues for walk-in applicants.

 “We have invited a lot of hotels to join the fair because this job fair is all about tourism. The hotels and restaurants were severely affected by the pandemic,” he said.

 He said the event is intended to fill the job losses as a result of permanent and temporary closures due to the pandemic.

LPA east of Central Luzon now tropical depression Karding

Tropical Depression Karding (Photo courtesy of PAGASA)

by Charie Mae F. Abarca, Manila Bulletin

The low pressure area (LPA) east of Central Luzon has developed into tropical depression Karding, the 11th tropical cyclone to enter and form in the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in 2022.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather disturbance developed at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22. Bulletins for this tropical cyclone will be issued beginning Thursday at 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, apart from Karding, the southwest monsoon, locally called “habagat,” is also being monitored. This weather system, according to PAGASA, may bring partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers in various parts of the country. In a public weather forecast, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said that the southwest monsoon will particularly affect the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon in the next 24 hours.

Sara calls for end to 'culture of racism' for lasting peace

By Kaithreen Cruz

September 22, 2022

IN observance of the United Nations International Day of Peace, Vice President Sara Duterte emphasized the need to end the pervading culture of racism for meaningful and lasting peace for all.

She explained that racism "carves painful words that linger through generations — resulting in a cycle of violence inflamed by raging hate of a race against another race."

She pointed out the universality of the fight to be recognized, respected, and accorded equal rights as a nation with diverse cultures, traditions, and religions.

"We have a moral obligation to end racism and address the web of violence interlocking around the culture of hate that threatens to overcome us, injure us, and break us apart as a community," Duterte emphasized in her message.

She said that hate should not be allowed to poison people's differences, nor allow it to overpower unity as a community that respects each other.

Rather, she urged people to tap on those differences to ensure that everyone can freely exercise their cultural and other fundamental rights recognized by international laws.

"May we be unrelenting in our mission of engaging all groups and sectors in all our endeavors — ensuring that we build an inclusive society. I trust that Filipinos will support the campaign against racism in the spirit of unity, peace, and progress for our country," Duterte added.

Christian faith on life and death

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala*

“THE Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Lk 9,22)

These words of Christ show us the general trajectory of our life here on earth. Like Christ, we have to expect all sorts of suffering and death. But we should never forget that there is also the resurrection. This is what our Christian faith tells us about our life and death here on earth.

Thus, St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans stressed this truth of our faith by saying, “If we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” (6,8) How important, therefore, for us to carve these words of Christ and St. Paul in our mind and heart, so that we can have the proper understanding and appreciation of everything in our life, including our sufferings and death!

In short, as long as we are with Christ, we can expect the resurrection, the victory over sin and death, if we suffer and die also with Christ. We need to do everything to live by this truth of our faith so we can go through the drama of our life in peace, joy and confidence. We can avoid unnecessary worries.

Let us also remember that the best condition we can enjoy in our earthly life is when we are with Christ. We would know how to handle any situation properly. And as St. Paul again said it in his Letter to the Romans, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8,28)

This should strongly motivate us to know, love and serve God who has revealed himself fully in Christ. And as far as Christ is concerned, he has left us with the beautiful story of his life, his teaching, his Church and the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist where he makes himself entirely available to us, even making himself the Bread of Life for us to eat and achieve the highest communion we can have with him here on earth.

We really do not have any excuse why we cannot go through our life, with all its ups and down, in a manner that would always be marked by joy, peace and hope. We should try our best to be always guided by our Christian faith in our general attitude toward life and death.

With this Christian faith, we will always feel reassured and can echo what St. Paul once said: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?...But thanks to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15,55.57)

We should spread this Good News about our Christian faith on life and death. We know that many of us are still ignorant about it, or worse, not convinced by it, and thus we unnecessarily suffer the consequences. Where there is supposed to be only joy and peace, we are often hounded by fear, worries, sadness and the like.

Let us always strengthen the conviction that the best condition for us to be in 

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

GMA Pinoy TV mounts major US concert

(Left) Bea Alonzo and Dingdong Dantes

This September 24 and 25, GMA Pinoy TV — GMA's flagship international channel — brings its biggest 17th-anniversary treat via "Together Again: A GMA Pinoy TV @ 17 Concert."

The two-night concert features a powerhouse cast headlined by multi-awarded actress and box office icon Bea Alonzo, Kapuso Comedy Concert Queen Aiai Delas Alas, Asia's Nightingale Lani Misalucha, Asia's Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose, Kapuso Total Heartthrob Rayver Cruz, and Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes.

The two consecutive nights will be filled with vibrant musical performances sprinkled with laughter and games for the Filipino Kapuso abroad. The first show is booked at the Pechanga Theater, Pechanga Resort Casino, in Temecula, California.

The show starts at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m. Alonzo, who gladly celebrates many firsts as a Kapuso, shared how excited she is to join the concert. "I will be on the GMA Pinoy TV with my fellow Kapuso stars, and excited ako kasi I want to give the Pinoys abroad the entertainment and the joy that they so deserve dahil ang dami nating pinagdaanan this past year."

"Mga Kapuso abroad, ito na po ang hinihintay ninyo na concert. Malapit na malapit na po at sana'y manood kayo," delas Alas, who is now waiting for the rest of the Philippine contingent, added.

"I am overjoyed because GMA Pinoy TV is going to have a concert once again here in the US," said Misalucha, who is also residing in the States right now.

"I am going to be performing with my kumare and my co-judge in 'The Clash,' Ms. Aiai delas Alas. Not only that, I will also be performing with this very adorable couple, Rayver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose.

Kasama rin po natin dito sa GMA Pinoy TV concert in the US ang napakaguwapong si Dingdong Dantes at ang very beautiful na si Bea Alonzo."

San Jose is sure to give her limitless talent in performing for her kababayan, saying, "We're very excited to show to everyone kung ano 'yung mga inihinanda naming prod numbers. It's also a great opportunity for all of us kasi makikita namin ulit 'yung mga Kapuso natin abroad after a very long time."

"Sobrang excited kasi ang tagal na nga na panahon after New York, ilang years ago 'yun, so excited na kami makita 'yung mga Kapuso namin d'yan sa Amerika," Cruz added.

Dantes, who was last in the US in 2018 with GMA Pinoy TV, says he is looking forward to be together again with the Kapuso abroad. "Ang saya kasi iba talaga 'yung pakiramdam na makita mo at makausap mo sila nang harapan. Iba rin kasi kapag online."

Together Again: A GMA Pinoy TV @ 17 Concert is presented by Pechanga Resort Casino in association with GMA Pinoy TV, Starmedia Entertainment, and GMA Synergy. Tickets are on sale now at the following websites: www.pechanga.com, www.ticketmaster.com, and www.starmediaentertainment.com.

PH is 'next big thing in Asia'

By Catherine S. Valente

NEW YORK: The country's business group believes that the Philippines is "the next big thing in Asia," assuring American investors that the Philippine economy has a "massive" potential under the "inclusive and collaborative leadership" of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

In his address at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), businessman Sabin Aboitiz, lead convenor of the President's Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), underscored Marcos' efforts "to assure you of the integrity, stability and solidarity of his administration and of the Philippine economic system... and to unlock the massive economic potential our country has to offer, with the help of good friends like you."

"So, we are here today to support our President and his genuine efforts to revitalize this relationship and remind you of our commitment. We support his efforts to assure you of the integrity, of the stability, and the solidarity of his administration and the Philippine economic system, which is not without wounds but neither without the determination to heal them," Aboitiz said.

Busy day President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Boeing officials. Contributed photo

"We live in uncertain times. But in our corner of the world, the Philippines remains one of Asia's fastest growing economies," he added.

Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Aboitiz Equity Ventures, told American investors that with the pandemic now largely out of the way, "we're back on the fast track accelerating out of recovery mode and on to the promising possibilities of the future."

"Now more than ever, with the dawn of a new era of digital progress and an environment that has never been more enabling and conducive for business, the Philippines is right for investment," he said.

With the average Filipino being 23 years old, Aboitiz said that the country has a large pool of young, competent and reliable human resources.

"Our workforce is educated, English proficient, strongly customer-oriented, highly trainable and adaptable to different cultures," he said.

Being a critical entry point for over 600 million people in the Asean region, the Philippines, he added, "has easy access to key markets which is a gateway to the East Asian economies and is at the crossroads of international shipping lanes and airline routes."

'Manila, Jakarta deals to build Asean peace'

"Our numerous operating economic zones and IT parks around the country are fully equipped with support capabilities that make it easy for companies of any size and from any part of the world to set up shop and conduct business with convenience and effectivity," he said.

The country also has "bountiful and beautiful natural resources that provide investment opportunities in our agriculture and tourism industries."

"Our business process outsourcing, electronics, manufacturing, creative, maritime resources and export industries have similar potential with track records of success. And with a strong private public partnership, we are aggressively building the critical infrastructure needed to support all our industries and enable businesses to grow and thrive on a globally competitive scale," he said.

"But most importantly, we have a strong leader with a compelling vision and a political will to realize it. With a unified support of our Congress and the Filipino people, the new Marcos administration is taking a whole-of-government and -nation approach to deliver on its promise to transform our economy."

NYSE exec sees strong PH-US markets

He cited Marcos' success in getting "30 of our country's busiest CEOs to voluntarily work for him and for our country."

"This is why we work for him — because he listens to reason and gets things done. Because he has the humility to seek the help of those who know more in order to provide help to those who need more," Aboitiz said.

Among the high-level businessmen who joined Marcos in his US trip are Enrique Razon, chairman and president of International Container Terminal Services Inc.; Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman and president of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; Ramon S. Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corp.; Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman of Ayala Corp.; Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of JG Summit Holdings; Hans Sy, director of SM Prime Holdings; and Doris Magsaysay-Ho, president and CEO of Magsaysay Group, among others.

Binibining Pilipinas sends off three queens for international pageants

From left: Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2022 Gabrielle Camille Basiano, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2022 Roberta Angela Tamondong

by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin

Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) held an exclusive send-off program for its three reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens at the Monet Ballroom 3 of Novotel Manila Araneta City on Monday, Sept. 19.

Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Gabrielle Camille Basiano, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Chelsea Fernandez, and Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Roberta Tamondong were feted with this celebration as they are just weeks before their flight to their respective international pageants.

The gathering brought together friends, family, and pageant media in a show of support for our country’s latest representatives. During the send-off, the queens thanked their fans and supporters, and asked for continued support as they try to bring honor to the country internationally.

Basiano, Eastern Samar’s pride, will be the first to compete at the Miss Intercontinental beauty pageant in Sharm El Sheik in Egypt on Oct. 14 (Oct. 15 in Manila). She aims to follow the footsteps of reigning Miss Intercontinental 2021 Cinderella Obenita through a back-to-back win for the country.

Fernandez, the Tacloban beauty, follows suit as she will compete at The Miss Globe pageant in Tirana, Albania on Oct. 15 (Oct. 16 in Manila). She also aims for a back-to-back win for the country after Maureen Montagne clinched the Miss Globe title in 2021.

Hailing from Laguna, Tamondong will vie for the Miss Grand International crown on October 25 in Bali, Indonesia. She aims to bring home the very first MGI crown for the Philippines.

The send-off program was also attended by Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold, Binibining Pilipinas International 2022 Nicole Borromeo, Binibining Pilipinas 1st runner-up Herlene Budol and Binibining Pilipinas 2nd runner-up Stacey Gabriel who expressed their message of support to their queen sisters. BPCI Chairperson Stella Araneta also relayed a message to the queens through BPCI Executive Committee member Irene Jose.