Advent is a call for conversion and penance

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THE gospel of the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A, celebrated this year on December 4, presents us with these words of St. John the Baptist that have to be taken seriously: “REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 3,1)

Conversion and penance are actually what we have to do all the time. It’s quite clear that we need it, given our weakened, wounded and sinful condition in the entirety of our earthly sojourn. But it has its more intense moments, one of which is precisely the period of Advent.

The spirit of conversion and penance is not actually something that is dark, negative, painful, etc. It’s not something we should run away from. In fact, it’s not something that we should just bear and tolerate since we cannot avoid it.

We need to develop and live this spirit of continuing conversion and penance because it is clear that sin continues to dominate us in this life. In fact, it is quite clear that things are getting worse. There are now powerful and well-established structures of sin in our midst before which we are simply an easy prey.

The networks of corruption, pornography, godless and worldly ideologies, etc. are proliferating, taking advantage of the powerful technologies and the easy vulnerability of many people, especially the young ones, who are not yet prepared to properly handle these networks.

We know that the sense of sin itself is largely disappearing. Pope Francis and the previous Popes have pointed that out and are warning us of this condition. They are strongly encouraging us to truly develop the spirit of conversion and penance.

Advent is indeed a time to give special attention to our conscience, if only to clean, polish and fine-tune it, so it can more correctly and punctually hear the voice of God who is the only one to tell us what is truly right and wrong, moral and immoral, etc., in these very confusing times.

This spirit of continuing conversion and penance can only be developed if we truly have the love that comes from God. With this love, we will realize that there is no limit to our need for conversion and penance. Love will continue to make new demands on us, because life itself will also make new challenges and trials on us. Let’s never forget that our life will always be some kind of warfare.

With every conversion we make, we get closer to God, we grow in his divine wisdom and goodness. No doubt, we get to gain a lot more than what we seem to lose every time we make a conversion.

We should put our faith in this personal testimony of St. Paul: “Whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” (Phil 3,7-8)

The mark of true saints is precisely this hunger and thirst for repentance and conversion. Whatever good they did humbled them instead of leaving them proud. They knew who and what was behind all the accomplishments they made, and were more keenly aware of their inadequacies, their mistakes, faults, infidelities, etc.

It’s not that they led a miserable life of having a dark outlook in life and a negative attitude toward their own selves. They were a happy lot, whose joy sprang from their faithful union with God, their father, but also aware of their total dependence on G.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Christmas is about love, forgiveness — VP Sara

by Joseph Pedrajas

It is not important if the Christmas celebration is big or fancy because the season is, in fact, about spending time with your loved ones and giving forgiveness, Vice President Sara Duterte said.

At the ceremonial lighting of a 42-foot Christmas tree in Laguna on Thursday night, Duterte also said what is important in celebrating Christmas is that “we, our loved ones and our family are happy and we forgive those who have wronged us.” 

Photo courtesy of VP Sara Duterte

“Yan talaga yung tema ng pasko— pagmamahal, pagpapatawad, pagbibigay, (That’s the theme of Christmas—love, forgiveness, giving) kindness,” she said.

“‘Yan din yung message natin sa ating mga kababayan dahil ang pananawagan natin ay unity kaya meron ding kalakip yon ng pagpapatawad hindi lang sa pulitika but even sa personal lives natin (That’s also my message to my fellow: the call for unity because it also entails forgiveness not only in the area of politics but also in our personal lives)— working together with our neighbors, with our officemates, with our family,” she added in an eventual interview with reporters.

The Vice President then thanked Laguna residents for supporting her and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the elections as well as for supporting her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

As chief of the Department of Education, she also called on the parents to instill the value of education to their children.

Marcos tells ambassadors: Make PH’s position known to the world

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

As he highlighted the different tasks of ambassadors, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. encouraged the country’s newly appointed and confirmed envoys to make the Philippines’ position on all aspects to the rest of the world, especially amid present challenges.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

Marcos said this during his meeting with newly appointed and confirmed Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Malacañang on December 1. 

In his speech, the President said the ambassadors are now on a “different kind of mission” as they advance the interest of the Philippines, particularly as the world grapples with multiple challenges, including moving out of the pandemic.

“You no longer are concerned solely with the diplomatic contact and the diplomatic exchanges. We are no longer limited by distance, by geographical and physical positioning,” he said.

“We look to our envoys to be able to achieve to– one, consistently make known to all our friends, all our own partners, the position of the Philippines on all the aspects of the world discussion that we are all part of,” he added.

According to the President, the country’s envoys must continuously talk to people, corporations, and entities and look for opportunities and programs that could benefit the Philippines. 

For instance, Marcos said they have to look for ideas and partnerships with other countries offering assistance on climate change and other things that can be helpful to the Philippines.

“That probably is the newest feature of an envoy’s duties. It is a new world out there; we must adjust,” he said.

“I believe that for the Philippines, for the national interest, that this is the way to adjust,” he added.

The President also pointed out that the country benefits from a government-to-government level of negotiation and mediating with the private sector in terms of investment tie-up with foreign investors.

Marcos said Filipino ambassadors must keep these things in mind so the country can maximize its resources and partnerships to manage the economy effectively. He added that this would help Filipinos have a better life as the nation slowly emerges from all of its present challenges.

 

Giacomo Puccini’s ‘Turandot’ live at the CCP

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Live opera returns at the CCP Main Theater with Puccini’s monumental opera, Turandot. This production is part of the celebration of the 60th year of the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA) and the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Italy and the Philippines.

Turandot will see Manila audiences watching the pomp and pageantry in ancient China as imagined by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. Filipino opera fans will once more hear the world’s most famous tenor aria – “Nessun dorma” – complete with amazing stage sets and local choirs.

This staging features soprano Lilla Lee as Princess Turandot; bass Jinsu Lee as Timur, the exiled Tartar King; our very own soprano Rachelle Gerodias as Liu, a young slave; baritone Byeong In Park as Ping, Grand Chancellor; tenor Ivan Nery as Pong, Grand Intendant; tenor Nomher Nival as Emperor Altoum; and baritone Greg De Leon as Mandarino. It will be directed by Italian director Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini. 

Tickets are available at premier.ticketworld.com.ph or you may contact CCP box office at 88323704 or 88321125 loc 1409 for more details.

 

Beauty queen wants to be ‘contravida

Published December 2, 2022, 7:15 AM

by Annalyn S. Jusay

Dr. Riza Oben Dormiendo was crowned Mrs Face of Beauty International 2019

Dr. Riza Oben Dormiendo was the multi-awarded CEO of a top manpower placement firm in the Philippines when she realized that there’s more to life than working nonstop. She then retired and pursued her most-treasured dreams and passions.

The mid-50s might seem like a very old age to most people, but Riza was strong enough to climb the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo, in four days. Riza also travelled a lot and even joined the National Geographic Marathon, finishing her 21K run in 3.5 hours . She was also proclaimed the grand champion in a competition on Argentine tango organized by the Dance Sport Council of the Philippines.

Judging from her track record, one can see that Riza is trained to excel in everything she does. At the age of 56, she achieved her dream of being a beauty queen by being named Mrs. Face of Beauty International 2019. She likewise married a man younger than her, which shows she is an empowered woman with a mind of her own and determined to enjoy life to the fullest. 

 Dr. Riza was hailed Star of the Night, Female -Fame Awards 2022 led by Atty. Maggie Garduque (left) and designer John Guarnes

The latest feather in Riza’s cap is the Best Actress award she received at the first Manila International Fashion Film Competition for her performance in “The Power Of An Icon” directed by Anthony Brillantes.

“The international board of judges, even those coming from Hollywood and Cannes, were unanimous in choosing Riza as Best Actress. We are now working for the showing of her short film in Cannes Film Festival,” announced Bench Bello of the organizer, Ganap International

The film shows Riza in elegant black outfits designed by Nash Leeho. There are other attention-grabbing details like her shoes, hairstyle and jewelry. But we think what’s most riveting is the way Riza uses her eyes to convey a whole lot of different emotions. They’re very expressive.

Dr Riza Dormiendo with her award

Riza said “The Power of An Icon is really about me.” She pointed out that the film’s tagline, which she utters towards the end, “It takes courage to be me,” is very suited to her life story. 

Riza noted that winning an acting award is a dream come true because “I really wanted to be an actress since I was a little girl.”

She said she treasured the recognition because ” this award is something new and something different from all the other awards I received.”

“I want to be in a movie, kahit extra lang muna. My dream role is to be a contravida. Why? Ang bida namimili ng pelikula pero ang contravida, hindi nawawala sa limelight,” she observed.

Knowing how she means and what she says and strives to attain her goals, it looks like we will be seeing more of Riza more – in films and other projects.

Palanca Awards returns, honors nearly 60 writers

By Alvin I. Dacanay

December 2, 2022 120

WINNING WRITERS (Foreground, from left) The Carlos Palanca Foundation’s Carlos Palanca 4th, Sylvia Palanca-Quirino, Criselda ‘Dang’ Cecilio-Palanca, Carl Anthony Palanca and Nemesia Bermejo pose for photos with the winners of the 70th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (background) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDEMOR

THE Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature ended its two-year hiatus on Wednesday night with its 70th edition honoring nearly 60 writers, including a broadcast journalist, a prize-winning independent filmmaker and a Bacolod-based poet-lawyer.

On the sidelines of the awarding ceremony in Taguig City, Criselda "Dang" Cecilio-Palanca of awards sponsor Carlos Palanca Foundation told The Manila Times that seeing Filipino writers at the annual literary gathering "happy to be here, to see each other again" was "really heartwarming."

"We were just waiting" for the coronavirus pandemic to end, she said of the foundation's "big decision" to not hold the awards in 2020 and 2021 — when state-mandated quarantines and physical distancing measures were enforced to limit Covid-19's spread — "because we knew that the writers always looked forward to this."

"Thank God that [the awards are] back," she added.

In her speech, Cecilio-Palanca said that out of 1,455 literary works submitted this year, 56 received prizes, and of the 59 writers who won, 28 were first-timers. One of them was television journalist Atom Araullo, who clinched first prize for his essay "Letter from Tawi-Tawi," which was first published on GMA News Online on August 5.

The essay is the text version of a documentary he and his colleagues made earlier this year, about an educator who visits children in their homes to teach them — and by extension, their parents — in a province where illiteracy is high and the residents are prone to manipulation and misinformation.

He told reporters he had almost finished writing the essay — partly out of a worry it would soon lose currency, especially after the May 2022 elections — when the Palanca Awards announced its return this year. He said he submitted it as a "personal challenge," adding that he "never imagined in a hundred years that I would make it to the awards."

Like most new recipients of the prize, Araullo, who counts journalist and novelist Ernest Hemingway as an inspiration, considers his win a "great validation."

Also big winners this year were Khavn and Raymundo T. Pandan Jr., whose "ANTIMARCOS" and "Bittersweetland" nabbed the grand prize in the Novel in Filipino and English categories, respectively.

A previous winner for poetry in 1997 and futuristic fiction in 2001, Khavn scored his third Palanca for a work described in Filipino in a blurb from one category judge, performance poet Victor Emmanuel Carmelo "Vim" Nadera Jr., as "a prolonged cry of opposition to the return of the Marcoses in the Philippine government."

Upon accepting his prize, the maverick director of the Gawad Urian-winning "Balangiga: Howling Wilderness" gave an impromptu, rap-style acceptance speech that paid tribute to Ericson Acosta, the activist-author reportedly killed in a military operation in Negros Occidental province earlier on Wednesday.

Pandan, who earlier won for poetry in 2006 and poetry for children in 2012, dedicated his latest work on an October 31 Facebook post "for Negros, for its people, for the crop which sustains us, and which we must sustain to endure but also to find joy in our bittersweet lives."

The former law dean of University of Saint La Salle in Bacolod said he first began writing the first draft in 1984, completed it the following year and edited it for this year's competition almost at the last minute.

The ceremony's guest of honor was University of the Philippines professor emeritus and scholar Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson, who, in his speech, urged his fellow writers to create works that fearlessly expose wrongdoing and oppose abuse of power.

"Tandaan na ang mga akda na ginagawa natin ay makakatulong para mapalaya ang ating mga kababayan ang kanilang sarili sa bakal na kamay ng mga kawal ng kasinungalingan (Remember that the works we create would help free our countrymen from the iron hand of the forces of falsehood)," Tiongson said.

"At sa kanilang paglaya, unti-unting maglalaho ang buwang ng kamangmangahan na naghahati sa atin at ating mga kapatid, at sama-sama nating mabubuo ang gintong lipunan ng pakikipagkapwa sa tinubuang lupa (And once they're free, the ignorance dividing us from our brethren would gradually vanish and we'll form together that golden society of fellowship in our homeland)," he continued.

Regarded as the country's counterpart of the United States' Pulitzer Prize, the Palanca Awards was named after business and philanthropist Carlos Palanca Sr., and established in 1951. It aims to cultivate Philippine literature by providing incentives for writers and serving as a treasury of their works.

Here is the full list of winners:

KABATAAN DIVISION

KABATAAN SANAYSAY. First prize: Glorious Zavannah Exylin C. Alesna, "Pamimintana." Second prize: Hansly Kendrich C. Saw, "Ang Larong Naipanalo Ko." Third prize: John Clarence D. Espedido, "Mga Bantas ang Nagsilbi kong Guro."

KABATAAN ESSAY. First prize: Glorious Zahara Exylin C. Alesna, "Home is a Bowl of Warm Soup." Second prize: Jenine A. Santos, "Covid-19 is My Alter Ego." Third prize: Gavin Micah T. Herrera, "The Social Pandemic."

FILIPINO DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO. First prize: Charmaine M. Lasar, "Ang Value ng X Kapag Choppy si Mam." Second prize: Abegail E. Pariente, "Barangay Alitaptap." Third prize: Alec Joshua B. Paradeza, "Kung sa Bawat Pagtawag ay Pagtawid sa Dagat."

MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA. First prize: Mark Norman S. Boquiren, "Si VeRaptor1 Laban kay Trolakuz." Second prize: Wilfredo Farrales Sarangaya, "Balong Batsit, ang Bidang Bulilit at Bayaning Bulinggit." Third prize: Benedick N. Damaso, "Mirasol para kay Lola Sol."

SANAYSAY. First prize: Venice Kayla Dacanay Delica, "Kung Magkapalad Ka't Mangmang." Second prize: Jhon Lester P. Sandigan, "Tatlong Pancit Canton." Third prize: Nathaniel R. Alcantara, "Isang Dekadang Kontrata sa Piling ng mga Mikrobyo."

TULA. First prize: Ralph Lorenz G. Fonte, M.D., "Uyayi ng mga Patay na Buwan." Second prize: Enrique S. Villasis, "Pintula." Third prize: Sonny C. Sendon, "Mga Anino sa Guho at iba pang mga tula."

TULA PARA SA MGA BATA. First prize: Christian R. Vallez, "Tula, Tula, Paano ka Ginawa?" Second prize: Rebecca T. Añonuevo, "Ang Bangbang." Third prize: Ninia H. dela Cruz, "Mga Pahina sa Alaala ng Nanay."

DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO. First prize: Andrew Bonifacio L. Clete, "Punks Not Dead." Second prize: Layeta P. Bucoy, "Dance of the Foolies." Third prize: Ryan Machado, "Huling Haraya nina Ischia at Emeteria."

DULANG GANAP ANG HABA. First prize: Joshua Lim So, "Mga Silid ng Unos: Tomo Uno." Second prize: Rodolfo C. Vera, "Anak Datu." Third prize: Steven Prince C. Fernandez, "Badung."

DULANG PAMPELIKULA. First prize: Avelino Mark C. Balmes Jr., "Amoy Pulbos." Second prize: Noreen Besmar Capili, "DOS." Third prize: Ehdison M. Dimen, "Ang Pananalangin sa Getsemani."

NOBELA. Grand prize: Khavn, "ANTIMARCOS." Special prize: Edgar Calabia Samar, "Teorya ng Unang Panahon."

REGIONAL DIVISION

SHORT STORY, CEBUANO. First prize: Noel P. Tuazon, "Barang." Second prize: Manu Avenido, "Ikigal." Third prize: Januar E. Yap, "John Wayne ug ang Goldfish kong Inahan."

SHORT STORY, HILIGAYNAN. First prize: Peter Solis Nery, "Ang Macatol Kag Ang 'Queen of Relief.'" Second prize: Early Sol A. Gadong, "Malipayon nga Katapusan." Third prize: Ritchie D. Pagunsan, "Esperanza."

SHORT STORY, ILOKANO. First prize: Oswald Ancheta Valente, "Ti Kimat Ken Ti Silag." Second prize: Remedios S. Tabelisma-Aguillon, "Ti Ubing." Third prize: Rodolfo D. Agatep Jr., "Karton."

ENGLISH DIVISION

SHORT STORY. First prize: Ian Rosales Casocot, "Ceferina in Apartment 2G." Second prize: Exie Abola, "Ardor." Third prize: Hammed Bolotaolo, "The Money Changer."

SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN. First prize: No winner. Second prize: Elyrah L. Salanga-Torralba, "Cloud Keeper." Third prize: Heather Ann Ferrer Pulido, "My Grandma Who Lives in Half a House."

ESSAY. First prize: Alfonso Tomas P. Araullo, "Letter from Tawi-Tawi." Second prize: Michaela Sarah de Leon, "Filipino Millennial Monomyth." Third prize: Alexandra Francesca A. Bichara, "The Helmsman's Daughter."

POETRY. First prize: Ramil Digal Gulle, "Bol-anon Prodigal." Second prize: Soleil David, "A Few Dawns from now, A Sunfish." Third prize: Lawrence Anthony R. Bernabe, "The Blueline."

POETRY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN. First prize: Elyrah L. Salanga-Torralba, "An Empty Chair in the Corner." Second prize: Peter Solis Nery, "Picnic, Symphony and other concepts of a 4th Grader needs to know." Third prize: No winner.

ONE-ACT PLAY. First prize: Ronald S. Covar, "The Cave Dwellers." Second prize: Bonifacio P. Ilagan, "Salvaged Eman." Third prize: Maria Kristine B. Roxas-Miller, "Agencia Feliz."

FULL-LENGTH PLAY. First prize: Layeta P. Bucoy, "Orgullo Compound." Second prize: Jay Mariano Crisostomo 4th, "Black Bordello." Third prize: Dustin Edward D. Celestino, "The Lost Filipino Patriots of America."

NOVEL. Grand prize: Raymundo T. Pandan Jr., "Bittersweetland." Special prize: Alvin dela Serna Lopez, "1762.

Yes, Friendster is back

by Art Samaniego, MB

This week, the internet was abuzz with talks about the return of once the most favorite social media platform of many Filipinos — Friendster.

Many immediately noticed, including me, that it’s not the original Friendster because it’s using a .click and not the .com domain. My first reaction upon knowing it from my friend Azrael Coladilla was to warn my friends, but after thoroughly checking the site with inputs from Rodel Plasabas of the DICT, I found NO evidence of phishing or scamming. Still, many were not convinced and accused the site of doing illegal online activities, even telling people to stay away from www.friendster.click because a supporter of the Philippine president Bongbong Marcos shared it.

The new Friendster is a fan site of the original Friendster of 2003. Running on the WordPress platform and using BuddyPress plugin, it never claimed to be a part of or affiliated with the original social networking site.

I sent a message to the admin of the page and found out that the owner is Bram Gumilang from Indonesia. A web developer who used to work in IT industry and now builds houses and designs surfboards. 

I found Bram easy to talk with and straightforward when I asked him about Friendster. click. Here’s what we talked about:

Art: Why did you create the “new’ Friendster?

Bram: Friendster always has that kind of nostalgic and sentimental value to me.

Around 2005/2006, when Friendster started implementing its CSS customization feature, I got heavily involved in Friendster-related groups and communities. In 2006 I launched the website Friendster -layouts.com and a community forum friendstertalk.com, which had quite an active userbase until Friendster started losing it’s traction in the social media world. 

So last year when I had a bit of free time I decided to start friendster.click and build it with free/open source platform, because why not. It’s fun to build something, even more fun to see that people are also having fun with it.

Art: What data are you collecting and how will you protect these data?

Bram: Basically the same kind of data collected by websites like facebook, twitter, etc. in order for these kind of sites to operate, but in a much smaller scale. More about this can be read in the site’s privacy policy page.

I’m not a security expert, but I do what any web administrator does to protect websites and databases from intruders, including making sure the web server secure and the systems up to date.

Friendster.click database doesn’t store any sensitive financial information (we don’t ask users to fill in their bank or credit card information or anything like that).

Passwords are stored not in plain text but encrypted with certain hash (that kind of one way encryption is pretty standard in modern web these days), so even if someone has access to the database, the person can never decrypt it. 

Bram, the developer and owner of Friendster.click

Art: Are you planning to sell the data that you have collected?

Bram: No. When the data is stuff like aB0uT mE, zodiac, favorite music, etc., the possibility/value of selling it is not substantial enough that makes it worth ruining your reputation as a web admin.

Art: Many people with no security background claim that the site is collecting data that could be used for phishing attacks. What can you say about this?

Bram: Just like any other site, by default, the site collects data. Browser information, geolocation, cookies, those kind of stuff. For other data that is more specific in nature (including email address, comments, personal information, etc.) it’s up to the users, the way they engage with the site, and how much they want to share about themselves.

I’ve never done any phishing for my personal/financial gain, not at Friendster.click or other sites I manage. I never created a website with that kind of intention.

Art: What do you want to tell the people who accused you of using Friendster to scam users?

Bram: While having a certain resemblance to the original Friendster, it’s quite obvious that the site is fan-made. The site is definitely not being used to run a scam operation, financial fraud, or anything like that.

Art: The site is now becoming popular. What are your future plans for this?

Bram: I have yet to make any future plans for this.

Art: Are you planning to make Friendster.click a complete social media network? Will your future moves include giving Friendster its old glory?

Bram: As long as the site can stay online and grow within a reasonable scale, that would be good enough.

Art: People criticizing your site are concerned about security. Can you assure them that data will be secure and safe?

Bram: No one can actually assure anyone 100% security and safety. Even websites run by corporations and governments can be hacked.

Never post any sensitive/financial information online. No one can steal from you if you don’t make valuable/important data accessible to begin with.

Art: Do you have any message to Friendster.click users?

Bram: I just wanna say thank you for the support and the enthusiasm. It’s a pleasure to see you all around, having fun, making connections, showing off the background pictures and music/video on your profiles, and so on. Let’s keep the Friendster experiences and memories alive.

Art: Thank you, Bram, and I hope to connect with you at Friendster.click.

Bram: Thank you Art.

I checked Friendster.click and it never claimed or pretended to be the Friendster of 2003. It is obviously a fan site that aims to give a nostalgic experience to the former users of the real Friendster. Is Friendster back? Yes, it is back because it never left the hearts of every user. It may not be the real Friendster that we used to love, but it makes us feel again the connection it created among the millions of users all over the world.

So what are you waiting for? Go check www.friendster.click and get those testimonials from friends that we all missed.

Davao opens center for 'the abused'

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

December 1, 2022 2

THE Davao City government opened a Tele-Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) center that houses a medical facility and two city government offices in seven villages here.

The project is in partnership with the Child Protection Network, United Nations Children's Fund, and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

The Tele-WCPU centers will bring free comprehensive medical, psychosocial, and legal services closer to women and children who are victims of abuse with the use of modern technology.

 

The Tele-WCPU centers are located in Barangay Buhangin, Calinan, Marilog, Matina Crossing, Talomo, Tibungco, SPMC-Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Integrated Gender and Development Division, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

The Tele-WCPU centers will connect abuse victims to SPMC-WCPU — a multidisciplinary team of trained child protection doctors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, developmental pediatric doctors, police officers, and lawyers that will render services such as medical follow-ups, mental health follow-ups, legal and social services, and a child helpline that provides consultation on child abuse.

The audio and video consultation at the Tele-WCPU centers are offered for free.

In a report from the City Information Office, Dr. Marie Aimee Hyacinth Bretaña, coordinator of the SPMC-WCPU, said that with the teleconsultation program, the abused women or children no longer need to go to SPMC for follow-up consultations.

"There are villages in Davao City that have high cases of abuse. Through this teleconsultation program the follow-up of cases can be done online but the first consultation still needs to be conducted here at WCPU. Our goal here is really to reach out to our communities," Bretaña said.

She added that after the first consultation at SPMC-WCPU, patients or victims of abuse opt not to return due to distance, financial difficulties, or fear of getting infected with Covid-19. This teleconsultation addresses these concerns.

"Through this teleconsultation program, they can do the teleconsultation in their villages where they are provided a designated room for the teleconsultation because we still need to exercise confidentiality for the patients," she said.

Gladys Manit, a kagawad (officer) of Barangay Buhangin Proper, said that the villages selected were provided with computers by the Unicef for the teleconsultation and as counterparts, they provided the designated venue where the teleconsultations are to be conducted.

"We provided the venue, which is very conducive for the clients for direct consultation," Manit said.

She said that the trained Gender and Development clerk of their village and the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, Violence and Against Women and Children record officer will help entertain the clients.

She said that residents should not hesitate to go to their barangay to connect with SPMC-WCPU.

"This is very important to lessen cases of abused women and children and it could help in the intervention programs for the victims of abuse," she added.

This is what the future of modeling in the Philippines looks like

 Published December 1, 2022, 8:39 AM

by John Legaspi

The Professional Models Association of the Philippines celebrates 35 years of elevating, celebrating, and empowering Filipino models

Gone are the days when fashion models are seen as walking mannequins. They are no longer just muses donning designers’ latest visions. Models are now the face of the shift in today’s fashion industry. From the pages of magazines to ad campaigns online, people can of different sizes, ages, races, and gender can see themselves represented. And It is just right, because, as they say, beauty is not a one size fits all. While this change is definitely a step forward in the global modeling industry, there are more things to be done to help the modeling community thrive, especially in the Philippines. 

Phoemela Baranda, Angelita Agustin, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Rissa Mananquil Trillo, Apples Aberin (Photo courtesy of @metrophotoforbrands)

Since its inception in 1987, the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) has been on a mission to elevate, celebrate, and empower Filipino models here and abroad. As it toasts its 35th anniversary this year, that goal remains the same, perhaps, bigger. Last Nov. 22, the local modeling organization welcomed the country’s fashion crowd to an event celebrating its legacy. It presented its iconic members and new faces all dressed in the stunning couture creations of Filipino fashion designer Mark Bumgarner. But the event wasn’t just a celebration of style, it is also a testament to the organization’s role in taking the local modeling scene to newer heights and in breaking more barriers.

“Run by models for models, we put our all into building a safe space where Filipino models can grow and thrive,” said its newly-elected president of Margarita Gutierrez. “We have never been the type of people to simply stagnate and rest on our laurels. Even though we’ve already reached amazing feats, we are not stopping.” 

Margarita Gutierrez (Photo courtesy of @metrophotoforbrands)

During the event, Margarita laid out her visions for PMAP, the dreams she cannot wait to fulfill with her army of Filipino models. During her leadership, she sees a modeling industry that is inclusive, an industry that is open to all types of models. While it is apparent now in the industry, she thinks that more is to be done to break industry norms and stereotypes.

“Modeling is about feeling confident and beautiful in your own skin,” she said. “I want every single person to be able to open a magazine or watch a fashion show and see someone to whom they can relate. Someone who makes them feel seen.”

The second thing on her agenda is to make it possible for Filipino models to work internationally. For them to be able to walk the runways of the fashion capitals of the world, star in global campaigns, and put the Philippine flag on the international modeling scene. Her plan is to foster collaborations with foreign partners in giving Filipino models the opportunity they truly deserve. 

Lastly, to make Filipino models more than just models. Using herself as an example, Margarita, a model and a public servant, believes that models can also pursue other dreams. She wants to see models also become doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and other roles they have been dreaming of. 

With all these on her to-do list, Margarita, together with her team in the PMAP, paints a future for models where their roles are not limited to just strutting and posing but being as catalysts for change. They deserve it, and as fashion consumers, we deserve it. 

“Gone are the days when models strictly fit a certain stereotype,” Margarita said. “The PMAP now will be our battle cry for a more inclusive, diverse, and compassionate modeling community. Now is the time to unite. Now is the time to evolve—to change.”

Doers of God’s will

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

“NOT everyone that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 7,21)

It’s very clear that with these words of Christ we should do everything to live by God’s will and ways. Given the many distractions we have these days, we really need to exert the appropriate effort to be able to do just that.

In this regard, it is indeed advisable that we pause from time to time to check on how we are taking things in general, on how things are developing and on how our intentions are. We know quite well that things can change in the process. What may be good at the beginning can start to stray somewhere along the way.

Indeed, we may start by looking for God in the things that we do, giving him glory and conforming ourselves to his will and ways. But along the way, we can start giving in to our own desires, our own will and ways. From loving God, we can easily slide to loving self. We are very notorious for this tendency. 

That’s why we really need to pause and check ourselves often. We have to see to it that we manage to keep our proper spiritual and supernatural bearing. In other words, we have to realize that whatever we do, whatever the situation is, we somehow would still be in contact with God. Somehow everything should be a form of prayer.

This will require us to develop the skill of knowing what truly comes from God and what simply is a matter of self-indulgence. We need to be very discerning and discriminating in this regard. Not everything that presents itself before our mind comes from God. It can come from other sources—our weakened flesh or concupiscence, the world and the devil himself.

We should not be naïve and just accept things as they come. We need to check if the spirit behind anything that involves us comes from God or not. We cannot deny that there are many things that can look good but actually are dangerous to us.

In this, we have received enough warnings from Sacred Scripture. “Beloved,” St. John, for example, in his first letter tells us, “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (4,1)

There are many kinds of spirits roaming around the world, and we have to learn how to discern them. There is the spirit of God, the spirit of Christ as opposed to the anti-christ. There is also the evil spirit, and the spirit of the world that is dominated by the evil one. There is also the spirit of the flesh.

For this to take place, we certainly need a kind of plan or program to keep our spiritual life alive and vibrant even as we go through the drudgery of routine things or the excitement of new and challenging things.

But we need to discipline ourselves to follow that plan, knowing that no matter how good that plan is, if we fail to deny ourselves and carry the cross, as Christ himself told us, (cfr. Mt 16,24) we cannot keep our proper spiritual and supernatural bearing, and thus become prone to a distraction that can lead us to our destruction!

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com