9-day ‘Simbang Gabi’ begins on Dec. 16; anticipated masses to begin tonight

by Christina Hermoso, MB

(CATHOLIC YOUTH ONLINE)

With the ease in Covid-19 restrictions and with more people vaccinated against the coronavirus, more parishioners are expected to attend the nine-day “Simbang Gabi” votive masses, which begin on Friday, Dec. 16.

As in the pre-pandemic years, devout Catholics are expected to attend physically on Friday instead of joining online the first of the nine-day “Simbang Gabi” dawn masses, which will be held at dawn in all Catholic churches across the country and in many parts of the world. 

Church leaders are encouraging the faithful to attend the “Simbang Gabi” masses in churches this year while still being mindful of the safety health protocols.

Considered as one of the oldest but well observed Christmas traditions in the Philippines, church bells will peal before the break of dawn for the duration of the ‘Simbang Gabi’ which are held at 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. with the final mass, the Misa de Gallo (rooster’s mass) on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, traditionally held shortly before midnight.

In recent years, to accommodate the needs of the faithful on different work schedules, anticipated ‘Simbang Gabi’ masses will be held starting on Thursday, December 15, at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. in many parishes and chapels.

Also known as Misa de Aguinaldo (gift mass), churchgoers offer the gift of sacrifice in waking up before the break of dawn for nine consecutive days to attend the dawn masses for different intentions: in thanksgiving, as a form of worship, or for a petition.

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Others, in traditional Filipino belief, attend to obtain special graces upon completing the nine-day masses.

The Simbang Gabi is an old tradition with deep roots in the country’s religious culture, dating back to 1565 when Spanish “conquistador” Miguel Lopez de Legazpi celebrated the first Feast of the Nativity.

The practice originated in Mexico when in 1587, Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the Convent of San Agustin Acolman, asked permission from the Holy Father to hold Christmas masses for the farmers who wake up very early to work.

During the 16th century, Pope Sixtus V decreed that the dawn masses should also be held in the Philippines every 16th of December.

At that time, it gave the farmers a chance to hear mass before working in the fields.

Kim Chiu energized for the holiday season

Published December 15, 2022, 7:25 AM

by Robert Requintina, MB

KIm Chiu

The holiday season is one of Kim Chiu’s most favorite times of the year because it’s when she
starts decorating her house, including her much awaited Christmas tree. Growing up not having
a tree has made her want to go all out and personally put one up every year.

Her theme previously was white Christmas and decked her 12-foot tree with white ornaments because for her, the color white symbolized hope and she missed traveling to wherever there was snow.

This Christmas will be extra special because this will be the first time since the pandemic when we can all finally get together with minimal restrictions. “This holiday season is the time for get together, more reason to meet up and celebrate with friends and family, get together, exchange gifts and a lot of food!” says Kim. “Plus, I get to have my holiday vacation! Feeling excited and body must be ready for all the happenings!” 

The holidays are also Kim’s busiest time because of work commitments and projects she has to attend to. “I am doing series of projects now and that’s what makes me busy these days plus I have just started my bag business and I am very happy with the result. I can’t wait for the restock and people want more of house of little bunny bags! “she adds. “I need to spark up my energy and be prepared for the coming holiday season! Feeling good! Feeling excited!

To carry herself through all this, she makes it a point to drink Berocca to help spark her energy. Berocca boasts a unique combination of vitamins and essential minerals, like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, that work in synergy to improve your mental performance and physical energy throughout the day.

“Even if I lack sleep or have an early call time, I make sure I always have some Berocca,” Kim shared enthusiastically. “I get all the vitamins and nutrients my body needs, and it tastes great too.”

Like Kim, you can spark your energy to help you stay energized and focused throughout the holiday season.

EU-based firm renews commitment to build shipyard in PH—Marcos

by Betheena Unite, MB

A French shipbuilding firm has renewed its commitment to pursue a P1.5-billion shipyard development in the Philippines.

(Malacañang Photo)

Malacañang said shipbuilding firm OCEA S.A. made the pledge during a meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday, Dec. 14. 

According to OCEA, the planned investment will create 500 to 600 direct and indirect jobs in the Philippines, as it eyes to build 15 to 120-meter boats for several markets intended for maritime safety and security, transportation and fisheries.

OCEA initially made the investment pledge for a shipyard project in the Philippines during the 9th Philippine-France Joint Economic Committee (JEC) meeting held in July last year.

The commitment was supported by the company’s letter of intent sent to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regarding the creation of OCEA Shipbuilding Philippines Inc.

The French firm also has ongoing discussions with potential associates and partners in the Philippines. 

The company has so far identified several locations for the planned shipyard, including Mariveles, Bataan; Batangas; Sual, Pangasinan; and Subic.

Currently, OCEA has new contracts under negotiation to build vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA).

Marcos thanked the company for its commitment as he expressed hope that it could contribute in the training of potential Filipino seafarers.

“Our seafarers are very important to us, especially as we start to recover and the training ship is going to be critical for the continuing [training] because I keep hearing now about the new technologies,” Marcos said.

“And the training ship is very necessary so that they can get the proper credentials from whatever maritime academy they are attending, the potential seafarers. So that is going to be a big help,” the President pointed out.

OCEA S.A., the builder of PCG’s BRP Gabriela Silang, is today’s French leader in aluminium shipbuilding, specializing in the design, building and support of aluminium vessels.

P10-M worth of Provincial Medicine Warehouse to rise in DdO capitol complex

Davao de Oro - Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga, on Monday, December 12, 2022, led the groundbreaking ceremony to officially start the construction of the P10-M worth of 1-storey Provincial Medicine Warehouse located at the Provincial Capitol Complex, Nabunturan.

Governor Gonzaga, in her speech, expressed gratitude to the Department of Health (DOH) through the Davao Center for Health Development (DCHD) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) for the support provided in the realization of the building, as well as her plans to extend aid so that the construction will be finished on time.

PHO head Dr. Antonio P. Ybiernas said in his message that the building will serve as a satellite office that will improve the day-to-day operations of PHO as well as a storage facility for commodities including medicines and vaccines. 

"Duna pud ni syay gamay opisina para sa atoang supply officer para ila gyung mabantayan ang atoang mga commodities... para pud ang atong katawhan dili na magproblema kung unsay mga tambal o vaccines nga gikinahanglanon" Dr. Ybiernas said. 

Meanwhile, DCHD Regional Director Dr. Annabelle P. Yumang was also present during the ceremony emphasizing in her message the necessity for a warehouse in times of emergencies.

"Remember during the Bagyong Pablo, there are lot of people na gusto mu-donate sa atoa but wala tay mabutangan, we only have tents. We should not wait for another calamity that we come to realize nga need nato ang warehouse" Dr. Yumang said.

Dr. Yumang added that a series of training will be given to the supply officers who will look after the supplies including proper temperature requirements to avoid contamination from pests. She also hopes for support from the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) for the maintenance and monitoring of the building.

Further, in a one-on-one interview with Dr. Ybiernas, he also stressed that more projects await the constituents including the construction of Super Health Centers from DOH that are set to rise in strategic locations of the province providing specialized health services at the local scale. Such provisions may include an outpatient department, laboratory, x-ray, ultrasound, birthing services, diagnostic, blood chemistry, and dental services, among others. 

Present also at the ceremony were Acting Provincial Administrator Fatima Montejo, DMO-DOH Representative Dr. Annie Larosa, Asst. PHO PG Heads Dr. Mary Cyrel Pasaol and Dr. Abigail Amores, Engr. Moises John Fortulazo of Heavy John Engineering Consultancy and other PG Heads of the provincial government, together with the PHO, PDOHO, and PEO staff, where they showed their support in strengthening the healthcare delivery in the province. (J. Fernandez, Photos by A. Dayao)

How does the Filipino people celebrate Christmas in the Philippines?

Philippine Deep Dive

 · 

Following

Answered by 

Ronna Lou

 

We celebrate it the Filipino way. Let me explain.

As soon as the “-ber months” start (September), we start putting up our Christmas decorations. At the same time, Christmas songs and tunes start to play on TV and radio channels. The most popular ones are from Jose Mari Chan – the king of Filipino Christmas songs.

One fun online tradition we do every year is posting memes of Jose Mari Chan peeking or saying psst! and hello, to remind everyone that the much anticipated Christmas season is coming and that you will soon hear his songs, including the ever famous Christmas in Our Hearts everywhere – in every mall, street, and household in the Philippines.

Aside from this, Filipinos will attend Simbang Gabi, which is the series of nine masses preceding Christmas. Most of us believe that if we complete the nine days, our wish for Christmas will come true.

Lastly, the ever famous Filipino Christmas Feast. Every Christmas Eve, Filipinos will prepare a festive meal, which includes lumpia, lechon, queso de bola, and fruit salad, to name a few. Then, they will gather along with their friends, families, and neighbors to stay until 12 midnight for Christmas Day. This tradition is called Noche Buena.

The Filipino Christmas is one of the most exciting and memorable events, hence why people from all over the world travel to the country to witness and participate in it.

To know more about Filipino Christmas traditions, read about it here: How Filipinos Celebrate Christmas

What are the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Philippines?

Philippine Deep Dive

Everything about the country

• Traveling only by taxicabs - While taxis are convenient, they aren’t the best transportation option if you’re on a budget, given the country's notoriously bad traffic.
• Not interacting with the locals - Some foreigners don’t communicate with the locals because of the language barrier. But, Filipinos generally know how to speak basic English. They are used to foreigners coming in and out, so there’s really no problem communicating with them.
• Not knowing Filipinos’ customs and culture - You don’t have to know everything about their culture, but it pays to do at least a quick research about it.

You’ll avoid offending them and will even have a more meaningful trip

given you have a deeper understanding of the country you’re visiting.

Related read: Travel Hacks You’ll Need Traveling to the Philippines

Diesel prices down by P3.40/liter; gasoline by P1.70/liter

by Myrna M. Velasco

Filipino motorists can tick off fuel budget as one less worry for them this week, primarily diesel for public transport, as the price of this commodity will be on a hefty rollback of P3.40 per liter by Tuesday, Dec. 13. 

Additionally, the industry players have reduced the price of gasoline products by P1.70 per liter, while kerosene prices will go down by P4.40 per liter.

As of this writing, five oil firms that already sent notices on their price cuts. These include Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Seaoil, Cleanfuel, PetroGazz and Chevron, while their competitor firms are all expected to follow. 

Players in the domestic deregulated downstream oil industry have been adjusting their prices weekly based on the costs swing of the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), a pricing index anchored on the outcome of petroleum commodities trading in the regional market.

Softer fuel prices in the thick of the traffic-stricken Christmas season will be highly beneficial to the consumers, especially so since most are now trooping to the malls or parties as part of the long holiday celebrations.

As of Monday, Dec. 12 trading, international benchmark Brent crude was roughly steady at $76 per barrel – and there are not much significant geopolitical events being anticipated yet to be exerting pressure on prices in the days ahead. 

Last week, even signals of easing of Covid restrictions in China failed to lift market sentiments, hence, the overall pricing trend for spot-traded fuel commodities tracked downward trajectories.

There were also concerns of delayed oil shipments via Turkish Strait; as well as an oil spill dilemma that halted the operation of a US oil pipeline delivering oil from Canada; but those incidents were not able to ignite rally in prices.

At this stage, there are projections that prices may stay longer in the $75 to $76 per barrel range, unless, major global events would erupt and disturb market fundamentals anew – similar to what happened in the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in February this year.

For a heavily import-dependent economy like the Philippines, crashing prices come off as a gainful advantage, particularly at this time when Filipino consumers are reeling hard from the whip of soaring prices of basic commodities.

NTC releases rules and regulations of SIM Registration Law

by Charie Mae F. Abarca

The implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act No. 11934, otherwise known as the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act was released by the National Telecommunications Commission on Monday, Dec. 12.

RA 11934 aims to make end users accountable for their usage of mobile communications by mandating SIM registration. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed the controversial measure into law on Oct. 10, 2022.

Now that the IRR was released by the NTC, the measure will take full effect 15 days after its publication or on Dec. 27, 2022. 

SIM Cards (Pixabay)

Guidelines

Under the published IRR, all end users will be required to register their SIMs with their respective public telecommunication entities.

“All existing SIM subscribers shall register within 180 days from the effectivity of the Act. The registration may be extended for a period not exceeding 120 days,” the IRR read. 

Failure to comply with the said registration will result in the deactivation of a user’s SIM. A SIM may only be reactivated after registration, provided that it will be made not later than five days of “such automatic deactivation.”

Registration

The registration process, as previously mentioned by the NTC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be accomplished virtually through platforms that will be provided by respective SIM providers.

Individual registrants will be required to submit their full name, date or birth, sex, present or official address, type of identification card, and identification card number presented.

Government-issued identification cards that will be accepted include passport, Philippine Identification Card, Social Security Service ID, Government Service Insurance System e-Card, Driver’s License, National Bureau of Investigation Clearance, Police Clearance, Firearms’ License to Own and Possess ID, Professional Regulation Commission ID, Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ID, Bureau of Internal Revenue ID, Voter’s ID, Senior Citizens card, Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card, Persons with Disabilities Card, and other valid government-issued IDs with photo.

Minor SIM users must provide any of the IDs previously mentioned along with consent of the minor’s parent or guardian to register the SIM. 

Juridical entity end-users, on the other hand, will be asked to submit their business name, business address, as well as full name and authorized signatory.

Unlike individual users, juridical entity subscribers must submit a certificate of registration. In the case of corporations, they must submit a duly adopted resolution designating the authorized representative, while in the case of juridical entities, a special power of attorney.

Meanwhile, foreign national end-users will be tasked to submit the following data: full name, nationality, date of birth, passport, address in the Philippines, ID number.

Penalties

Along with the guidelines, penalties were likewise highlighted under the published IRR.

Provision of false information or usage of fake identity to register a SIM may result in imprisonment ranging from six months to two years or a fine not less than P300,000 or both.

RA 11934’s IRR also prohibits the sale of a registered SIM. It has a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months to six years, or a fine of P100,000 to P300,000 or both.

“Any public telecommunication entity, its agents, resellers, or entity that shall engage in the sale of stolen SIMs shall be criminally liable under the Act,” the IRR read. This will result in a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months to two years, or a fine not less than P100,000 but not more than P300,000.

A fine of not less than P500,000 but not more than P4,000,000 will likewise be imposed upon public telecommunication entities, its agents, or employees if a breach of confidentiality occurs.

PINOY PRIDE! Dolly De Leon gets 2023 Golden Globes nod

by Robert Requintina

Dolly de Leon (Photo by Utoy Lorenzo)

The nominations for the 2023 Golden Globe Awards are here!

And for the first time, a Filipino actor was nominated in the acting category.

Filipino actress Dolly de Leon continued to shine in the entertainment scene abroad as she was nominated for best supporting actress in the movie “Triangle of Sadness” at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards in the US. 

The Golden Globe Awards are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The nominations were announced by actresses Mayan Lopez and Selenis Leyva during NBC’s “Today” show.

De Leon will compete against Angela Basset (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All At Once), and Carrey Mulligan (She Said) in the best supporting actress – motion picture category.

Earlier, De Leon already won the best supporting actress award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. She has been nominated for Satellite Awards in the same category also in the US.

The winners of the 80th Golden Globe Awards will be announced at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Jan. 10, 2023. 

 

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Sachsen kämpft mit Schnee – Eiseskälte in Baden-Württemberg

Die kalte Luft aus dem Norden und Osten Europas hat sich über Deutschland ausgebreitet. Vielerorts bleibt es dauerfrostig. Ende der Woche droht extreme Glätte durch gefrierenden Regen, wie Wettermoderatorin Maira Rothe erklärt.

Zu Wochenbeginn ist es in Deutschland frostig kalt. In Sachsen blockieren nach anhaltendem Schneefall mehrere Lkw die Straßen. Besonders in Bayern kam es zu Glätteunfällen mit teils Schwerverletzten, im Allgäu sank die Temperatur auf minus 19 Grad.

Schnee und Eis haben am Montagmorgen in Sachsen den Straßenverkehr ins Stocken gebracht. Der Verkehrswarndienst der Polizei warnte vor winterlichen Verhältnissen im gesamten Freistaat. Probleme gab es laut Polizei vor allem in Ostsachsen. Auf der Autobahn 4 etwa wurden mehrere Unfälle mit Lastwagen gemeldet. Stau und stockender Verkehr waren die Folge. „Es geht nicht weiter“, sagte eine Sprecherin des Verkehrswarndienstes am Morgen.

Zwischen dem Dreieck Nossen und Siebenleben standen drei Lkw quer. Bei Salzenforst rutschte ein Lastwagen in den Straßengraben, die Fahrbahn Richtung Dresden wurde wegen der Bergungsarbeiten gesperrt. Auch weiter westlich bei Hohenstein-Ernstthal wurden mehrere Unfälle auf der A4 gemeldet. Probleme gab es auch auf Landstraßen. Auf der B98 stellte sich zwischen Steinigtwolmsdorf und Wehrsdorf (Landkreis Bautzen) ein Lastwagen quer, auf der B101 blieben im Landkreis Meißen mehrere Lastwagen zwischen Görna und Löthain liegen.

Die Winterdienste waren wegen des Schneefalls bis ins Flachland im Dauereinsatz. Die Landeshauptstadt Dresden teilte mit, dass alle verfügbaren Kräfte und Fahrzeuge aktiviert worden seien. Allein in der Nacht seien in Dresden zwölf Zentimeter Schnee gefallen, seitdem schneite es weiterhin. Die Einsatzkräfte würden sich zunächst auf die Hauptstrecken konzentrieren. In Leipzig fuhr der Winterdienst nach Angaben der Stadt seit Sonntagabend.

Laut Deutschem Wetterdienst (DWD) bleibt es in den nächsten Tagen in ganz Deutschland frostig. In einigen Lagen können bis Donnerstag sogar zweistellige Minusgrade erreicht werden – zum Beispiel in Sachsen in Höhenlagen, aber auch in Baden-Württemberg. Hier warnt der DWD im südlichen Schwarzwald, auf der Alb und in Teilen Oberschwabens vor Temperaturen bis minus 17 Grad Celsius.

Örtlich sei am Montag schon mit Glätte durch Reif, überfrierende Nässe oder Schnee und Nebel zu rechnen. Im Verlauf der Woche sollen die Temperaturen tagsüber nur am Mittwoch über null Grad steigen, sagte ein Sprecher des DWD.

Bereits in der Nacht zum Montag war es im Südwesten eiskalt: In Leutkirch im Allgäu (Landkreis Ravensburg) wurden den Angaben des Sprechers zufolge minus 19 Grad gemessen. In Meßstetten (Zollernalbkreis) waren es minus 17 Grad, in Geisingen (Landkreis Tuttlingen), Pfullendorf (Landkreis Sigmaringen) und Villingen-Schwenningen fielen die Temperaturen auf minus 16 Grad.

In Nordrhein-Westfalen meldete der DWD Frost mit minus eins bis minus fünf, im Bergland bis minus acht Grad. Örtlich sei es durch gefrierende Nässe oder leichten Schneefall glatt. Der WDR meldete im Berufsverkehr bis 7.59 Uhr landesweit 119 Kilometer Stau. Besonders lange mussten Autofahrer auf der A2 bei Dortmund in Richtung Oberhausen in einem Zehn-Kilometer-Stau warten.

Winterglatte Straßen führten auch in Bayern zu teils schweren Unfällen mit Verletzten. Wie Polizeisprecher sagten, ereigneten sich vor allem in Schwaben, Oberbayern sowie Oberfranken fünf Glätteunfälle mit teils Schwerverletzten.

Wetterdienst warnt vor Eisregen

„Kalt ist es geworden. Und kalt wird es auch noch einige Zeit bleiben“, hatte DWD-Meteorologe Felix Dietzsch am Sonntag mitgeteilt. „Mit einer nördlichen bis nordöstlichen Strömung ist polare Kaltluft nach Deutschland geflossen und bleibt uns in der kommenden Woche erhalten.“ Ein „Hauch von Milderung“ zeichne sich frühestens Mitte der Woche ab.

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Mit Spannung blicken die Meteorologen auf den Mittwoch. Eisregen könnte dann manche Regionen treffen. Mit einem durchziehenden Randtief komme es in der südlichen Hälfte Deutschlands verbreitet zu Niederschlägen, erklärte Dietzsch. Demnach fallen die Niederschläge auf der nördlichen Seite einer sich ausbildenden Luftmassengrenze meist als Schnee, nach Stand vom Sonntag wohl vor allem zwischen Donau und Thüringen beziehungsweise Sachsen. „Südlich davon gehen die Niederschläge in Regen über. Das könnte bei der frostigen Vorgeschichte für größere Probleme in Form von Eisregen sorgen.“

Selbst unwetterartige Zustände durch Glatteis vor allem vom Allgäu bis ins südliche Oberbayern seien nicht auszuschließen, berichtete Dietzsch. Für genauere Angaben sei es aber noch zu früh.