Sinulog Festival in Cebu City kicks off

by Calvin Cordova 

A CONTINGENT performs during a parade that kicked off the week-long celebration of Sinulog Festival on Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City on Friday, Jan 6. (Calvin D. Cordova)

CEBU CITY – The Sinulog Festival is officially back after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Top officials of Cebu led by Mayor Michael Rama here and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, on Friday, Jan. 6, led the launching of this year’s Sinulog Festival and the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebu.

This is the first time in two years that a series of physical activities will be held as part of the week-long celebration of the Sinulog.

Last Thursday, Jan. 5, the Augustinian Friars of the Basilica del Santo Niño also launched the 458th Fiesta Señor that kicked off a series of religious activities.

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Activities for Fiesta Señor include novena Masses and fluvial and and foot processions next weekend.

During the launching, Rama and Garcia attended a novena Mass at the Basilica where thousands of devotees also gathered.

Rama and Garcia described this year’s celebration as “One Cebu Island Sinulog” to highlight the unity among local government units in Cebu.

Covid-19 protocols have eased with most of the churchgoers no longer wearing face masks. With thousands of devotees packing the church, physical distancing protocol was also impossible to enforce.

The launching was highlighted by a parade on Osmeña Boulevard participated in by different universities and colleges in the Metro Cebu area.

Contingents donning colorful costumes showcased different festivals in the country and danced to the Sinulog beat. 

The parade ended at the Cebu City Sports Center where students had presentations. The kick-off ceremony ended with a fireworks display.

Another major pre-Sinulog event, the”Sinulog sa Kabataan,” will be held on Jan. 8, participated by different barangays, towns, and cities in Cebu.

The Sinulog Grand Parade will be held on Jan. 15 at the South Road Properties, the first time that it will be held outside the city proper.

ARE YOU THE NEXT BINIBINI? Search on for Binibining Pilipinas 2023

Published January 7, 2023, 8:51 AM

by Robert Requintina

Do you have what it takes to be the next Binibining Pilipinas?

The search is on for the next batch of Binibining Pilipinas queens!

The full announcement on the official Facebook account of Binibining Pilipinas: 

“Binibining Pilipinas is looking for a new batch of empowered women.

“Be part of the 𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐈 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘 

“Download the application form here: https://www.bbpilipinas.com

“Deadline of submission is on January 31, 2023. Stay tuned for we will announce more details real soon.

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The reigning queens are: Nicole Borromeo, Bb. Pilipinas International; Roberta Angela Tamondong, Bb. PIlipinas Grand International; Gabrielle Basiano, Bb. PIlipinas Intercontinental; Chelsea Fernandez, Bb. PIlipinas Globe; Nicole Budol, 1st runner-up; and Stacey Daniella Gabriel, 2nd runner-up. 

Marcos declares Jan. 9 special non-working day in Manila for Feast of the Black Nazarene

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

Despite the absence of the traditional “Traslacion,” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared Jan. 9 a special non-working day in Manila to mark the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

(QUIAPO CHURCH FACEBOOK)

In a Facebook post on Friday afternoon, the Manila Public Information Office uploaded a copy of Proclamation No. 120, declaring the said holiday on Monday, Jan. 9. 

The document, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Jan. 6, was confirmed by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) later.

“It is but fitting and proper that the City of Manila be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” the proclamation read.

The Quiapo Church is set to conduct two main activities starting Saturday, Jan. 7, leading to the actual feast on Monday, Jan. 9. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional “Traslacion” and “Pahalik” will still not be present during this year’s celebration. These will be replaced by the “Pagpupugay” event and the “Walk of Faith” procession.

Images of the Black Nazarene will be displayed for the “Pagpupugay” at the Quirino Grandstand from Saturday until Monday. The event will have separate lanes for persons with disability, senior citizens, and male and female individuals.

Meanwhile, the “Walk of Faith” procession will be held after the midnight mass on Jan. 8. The procession is set to start at 1:30 a.m. from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church.

Quiapo Church adviser Alex Irasga said all “elements” of devotion will still be present as church members will join the event and pray the rosary.

He, however, encouraged the participating faithful to strictly observe minimum public health standards during the two new activities.

The Lord’s Epiphany: its implications

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THE Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany reminds us that Christ is meant for all of us, and not just a few, and like the 3 magi, we should make an effort to look for him, that is, to look for God, in everything in our life—in the persons we meet, in the different situations, conditions and circumstances of our life.

To be sure, God is everywhere. This is how one of the psalms describes this reality: “Whither shall I go from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” (139,7-10)

More than that, God’s presence is not merely passive but active. He is always intervening in the existence of all the creatures, ever applying his wisdom through the ceaseless providence that he exercises over all his creation whose nature he always respects, upholds and defends.

And we should not worry too much about the effort involved here because just like what happened to the magi, we would also be helped and led by a star that is none other than our Christian faith, and the many instrumentalities that the Church provides. 

We may not see its light from time to time for one reason or another, but there is no doubt that it is always there. We just have to learn to live with that condition, unafraid in pursuing God’s will no matter what the cost. We just have to learn how to use the means provided to us.

We obviously have to be wary of the unavoidable villains along the way. The Herod of that time can be our own weaknesses, the intoxicating allurements of the world and the wiles of the devil. But as long as we realize that we need to wage a lifelong process of ascetical struggle, then things would just be all right.

Like the magi too, let us offer the best gifts we can give back to God who actually has given us everything that is good for us. We have to learn to repay love with love. We have been freely given, and so we have to learn how to freely give ourselves to God and to the others.

And the best gift we can give him, far beyond what the magi offered, are our own very selves, our whole heart. God himself wants it that way, as one passage in the Book of Proverbs puts it: “My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.” (23,26) Of course, Christ himself articulated it more directly when he said, “Love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Mt 22,37) 

Lastly, with the celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Christ, we are actually left with an invitation that can very well be a big challenge for us who profess to believe in Christ. This is none other than the duty to show or reveal Christ, as he is, to others.

This is no mean responsibility to be carried out by us who are his disciples. The ideal to aim at is to have those words of Christ to his disciples said of us as well: “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me. He who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Lk 10,16)

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Asia remembers ex-pontiff Benedict as theologian with deep spirituality

Church and political leaders in Asia paid tributes to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, hailing him for his contributions to peace, harmony, and dialogue in the world.

The former pope died of age-related complications on December 31. He was 95.  A prominent theologian and academic, Benedict made history by becoming the first pope to resign in six centuries, leading to a conclave that elected Pope Francis.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pope Benedict will be "remembered for his rich service to society." Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hailed Pope Benedict’s non-violent policy and establishment of universal peace. Pakistan President Arif Alvi praised the late pope for his efforts for peace, harmony, and interfaith dialogue, and for his strong advocacy for refugees and migrants.

Park Jeong-ha, a spokesperson for South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, said Pope Benedict’s resignation was “a symbol of the renovation of the Church” while adding that he led “a life as a pilgrim.” Indonesia’s Minister of Religion Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said Pope Benedict was an example of humility and committed to bridging differences.

Asia remembers ex-pontiff Benedict as theologian with deep spirituality

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI attends a papal mass for elderly people at St Peter's square on September 28, 2014 at the Vatican. (Photo: AFP)

Meanwhile, at least 15 cardinals from Asia attended the funeral of Pope Benedict at the Vatican on Thursday.

It was an unprecedented ceremony in six centuries as a reigning pope led the requiem procedure for his predecessor. Besides the cardinals, most heads of Asia’s national bishops’ conferences also joined the global Catholic hierarchy for the funeral of the late pope.

The body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, on Jan 3. Benedict, a conservative intellectual who in 2013 became the first pontiff in six centuries to resign, died on Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 95. (Photo: Alberto Pizzoli/ AFP)

ZU WARM, ZU NASS, KAUM SCHNEE|

 

Deutschlands traurigste Skipiste

Ein schmaler Streifen Schneematsch: Gestatten - die Skisaison 2023. Die beliebte Talabfahrt am Nebelhorn in Oberstdorf- derzeit vermutlich die traurigste Ski-Piste Deutschlands. Statt Winterwunter ganz viel grün im Allgäu. Statt rasanten Abfahrten unfreiwilliges Slalomfahren um die Erdlöcher, statt Rodelspaß Schlitten mit Handbremse.  Pisten-Tristesse bei Temperaturen im zweistelligen Bereich. Es geht fast nichts für Wintersportfans. Ein Blick auf die Allgäuer Webcams enthüllt die katastrophale Schnee-Situation - bzw. Nicht-Schnee-Situation.  Ausweichen in die Schweiz, nach Österreich oder Frankreich: auch problematisch. Das Ski-Trauerspiel zieht sich länderübergreifend quer durch den ganzen Alpenraum. Schockierende Aufnahmen aus diesem französischen Skigebiet (ORTSMARKE: Morzine, Frankreich). Eine Tempo-Abfahrt und immer wieder reißt die Schneedecke auf. Die Pisten-Schneeverhältnisse zum Skifahren sind nicht nur schlecht, sie sind gefährlich, das Verletzungsrisiko ist groß.  Ohne Schneekanonen lässt sich die Skisaison aktuell kaum retten, doch die verbrauchen viel Energie. Und selbst Nachts ist es z.B. hier in Oberstdorf zu warm zum Beschneien. Also bleiben die Kanonen aus. Das Resultat: Schmal-Spur-Spaß für Winterski-Fans auf der vielleicht traurigsten Skipiste Deutschlands.

Rosi Mittermaier verstorben

 

Mittermaier verliert Kampf gegen Krebs: Weihnachten feierte „Gold-Rosi“ noch mit der Familie. Die Sport-Welt weint. Gold-Rosi ist tot. Ski-Legende Rosi Mittermaier ist am Mittwoch im Alter von 72 Jahren in Garmisch-Partenkirchen an Krebs verstorben.

Maris Racal falls victim to virus ‘who viewed your profile’ link

By

 Jeline Malasig

 -

 January 6, 2023 - 11:35 AM

Maris Racal in this photo from her Instagram on Nov. 22, 2022 (Instagram/mariesteller) 

Actress-singer Maris Racal alerted online users about clicking a link on Twitter that unleashes spam posts on unsuspecting users.

The artist apologized to her 3.8 million followers for “incoming spam tweets” that they might encounter on their Twitter feed since she clicked a link claiming to know users who visited their profile.

“I clicked on this who visits your account thingy and virus pala siya,” she tweeted on Wednesday with an upside-down emoji. 

“Changed my password already. Hope that fixed it,” Maris added in another tweet.

Some Twitter users who read her post warned their mutuals about the spam.

Others claimed of encountering the similar link and spam tweets.

“OMG! Kaya pala may iba pa akong tweets na posted kanina tapos pare-parehas lang. ‘Wag na talagang ma-curious next time. Haha!” a Twitter user said, quote tweeting Maris.

“Kaya pala ‘yung iba sa feed ko [ulit ulit] ‘yung tweets about that who viewed their profile, ganon. Waaaa,” another online user responded.

The link in question has the name “askforme.me” and has the following thumbnail, as recently shared by a Twitter user:

In 2018, a lead malware intelligence analyst warned the public about the spam which lures users into thinking they will get to know who has visited their Twitter profiles.

“At the time of testing, all this [spam link] seemed to do was promote the app across timelines and encourage more installs, so the main aggravation here is the knowledge that you installed something useless, and then started beaming said uselessness to all of your contacts,” Christopher Boyd said.

“No matter how you come across these sites, we’d advise you not to bother giving these apps permission. The ‘See who visited you’ routine has been around for years on Twitter and Tumblr, and going even further back to Myspace. In all cases, none of these things ever seem to work and only serve to annoy, spam ads, or offer surveys,” he added.

Boyd said that users can remove the app by heading over to the Apps and Sessions tab on Twitter via Settings and Support > Settings and Privacy > Security and Account Access.

They can “revoke” an app’s permission through the “Connected Apps” tab.

Half of world’s glaciers expected to vanish by 2100: study

Published January 6, 2023, 8:06 AM

by Agence-France-Presse

WASHINGTON, United States — Half of the Earth’s glaciers, notably smaller ones, are destined to disappear by the end of the century because of climate change, but limiting global warming could save others, according to a new study.

In this file photo taken on September 21, 2021, an ice block drifts after breaking away from the Nordenskiold glacier, near Pyramiden, in Svalbard, a northern Norwegian archipelago. Half of the Earth’s glaciers, especially the smallest ones, are doomed to disappear because of climate change by the end of the century, a new study revealed on january 5, 2023, but limiting global warming to a minimum could still save the others. The work, published in the prestigious journal Science, provides the most accurate projections to date of the future of the world’s 215,000 glaciers. Olivier MORIN / AFP

The findings, published in the journal Science on Thursday, provide the most comprehensive look so far at the future of the world’s 215,000 glaciers. 

The authors emphasized the importance of restricting greenhouse gas emissions to limit the consequences from glacier melt such as sea level rise and depletion of water resources.

To help orient policy makers, the study looked at the impact of four scenarios on glaciers, where global mean temperature change is 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), 2.0C, 3.0C and 4.0C.

“Every degree increase produces more melt and loss,” said Regine Hock of the University of Oslo and University of Alaska Fairbanks, a co-author of the study.

“But that also means if you reduce the temperature increase, you can also reduce that mass loss,” Hock told AFP. “So in that sense, there is also a little bit of hope.”

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Even if global temperature rise is limited to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels — the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement — the researchers estimated that 49 percent of the world’s glaciers would vanish by the year 2100.

That would represent about 26 percent of the world’s glacier mass because the smallest glaciers would be those first impacted.

Global mean temperature is currently estimated to be increasing by 2.7C which would result in a near-complete loss of glaciers in Central Europe, Western Canada and the continental United States and New Zealand.

“Regions with relatively little ice like the European Alps, the Caucasus, the Andes, or the western US, they lose almost all the ice by the end of the century almost no matter what the emission scenario is,” Hock said. “So those glaciers, they’re more or less doomed.”

‘Up to the policy makers’ 

Under the worst-case scenario — global temperature rise of 4.0C — giant glaciers such as those in Alaska would be more affected and 83 percent of glaciers would disappear by the end of the century.

Glacier loss would also exacerbate sea level rise.

“The glaciers that we are studying are only one percent of all ice on Earth,” said Hock, “much less than the Greenland ice sheet and the Antarctic ice sheet.

“But they have contributed to sea level rise almost just as much as the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheet together in the last three decades,” she said.

Warming of 1.5C would lead to an increase in average sea levels of nine centimeters while temperatures 4.0C higher would cause 15 centimeters of sea level rise.

“It doesn’t sound very much, nine centimeters up to 15 centimeters,” Hock said, “but it’s not global sea level that is that much of a concern.

“It’s mostly associated storm surges,” she said, which have the potential to cause “a lot more damage.”

The disappearance of glaciers will also have an impact on water resources because they provide freshwater for some two billion people.

“The glaciers compensate for the loss of water in summer when it’s not raining much and it’s hot,” Hock said.

The study’s projections, which are more pessimistic than those of UN climate experts, were reached through observations of the mass of each glacier through the decades and computer simulations.

Despite the alarming findings, Hock said “it is possible to reduce the mass loss by human action.

BLACKPINK sets record as ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ MV reaches 2 billion views on YouTube

Published January 6, 2023, 8:26 AM

by Jonathan Hicap

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK set a new record with their music video “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du.”

On Jan. 4, “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” reached two billion views on YouTube and set the record of becoming the first music video by a K-pop group to achieve the feat. 

BLACKPINK’s “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” reached two billion views on YouTube on Jan. 4 (YG Entertainment)

The “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” music video was released on YouTube on June 15, 2018 and it first set the record of becoming the first music video by a K-pop group to reach one billion views on Nov. 11, 2019, or one year and five months since its upload.

The two-billion feat for “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” was achieved four years and six months after its release on YouTube.

“Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” is the main track of BLACKPINK’s first mini-album “Square Up” released on June 15, 2018.

According to YG Life, after its release, “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” reached “perfect all-kill” status on music streaming sites in South Korea. It also reached 40th and 55th places, respectively, on Billboard 200 and Hot 100 Chart, and also achieved 500 million streams on Spotify.

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BLACKPINK completed 26 performances in 15 cities under their “Born Pink” world tour and they will head to Asia and Oceania including the Philippines.

Meanwhile, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo will have her solo debut this year.

In YouTube’s most viewed music videos in the first 24 hours of release, BLACKPINK and member Lisa occupy four in the top 10.

YouTube’s All-Time Top 24 Hour Music Debuts as of Jan. 3, 2023:

1. BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Butter’ Official MV – 108.2 million views

2. BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Dynamite’ Official MV – 101.1 million views 

3. BLACKPINK – ‘Pink Venom’ M/V – 90.4 million views

4. BLACKPINK – ‘How You Like That’ M/V – 86.3 million views

5. BLACKPINK – ‘Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez)’ M/V – 79.0 million views

6. BTS (방탄소년단) ‘작은 것들을 위한 시 (Boy With Luv) (feat. Halsey)’ Official MV – 74.6 million views

7. LISA – ‘LALISA’ M/V – 73.6 million views

8. BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Permission to Dance’ Official MV – 72.3 million views

9. BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Life Goes On’ Official MV – 71.6 million views

10. Taylor Swift – ME! (feat. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco) ft. Brendon Urie – 65 million views

 

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