A traditional jeepney is pictured beside an air-conditioned minibus, often referred to as modern jeepney, along EDSA-Taft on Sunday. Drivers of the traditional jeepneys will join the week-long transport strike that will start on Monday to show their opposition to the phase out of traditional jeepneys. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
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By Fr. Roy Cimagala *
THAT’S a clear mark of a true Christian. Christ has told us clearly: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6,36) There are no ifs and buts in these words. In fact, Christ continued to say: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you…For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (37-38)
Christ was and continues to be always merciful. How? Well, first of all, being the son of God, he emptied himself to become man. That way, he already adapted himself to our wounded, sinful condition. He identified himself with us so that we would have a way to identify ourselves with him. He preached the truth about God and about ourselves.
He gave preferential attention to the sick, that is, the sinners. He was always ready to forgive, his mercy and compassion having no limits—“not only seven times, but seventy times seven times.” (Mt 18,22) He taught about loving the enemy and living it. He did not mind all the insults and mockeries that were poured on him just to accomplish his mission of saving us.
Even while hanging on the cross, he offered forgiveness to those who crucified him. And in the end, he assumed all our sins without committing sin by dying on the cross. In that way, he dealt death to all our sins, and with his resurrection he offered us a way for our own salvation and reconciliation with our Father God. He was thoroughly magnanimous. Yes, mercy is a clear mark of magnanimity.
We need to train our faculties—our intelligence, will, emotions, passions, memory, urges, appetites—to have this spirit of Christ of always being merciful. For this, of course, we need time, effort and a certain discipline to acquire this indispensable quality of a true Christian life.
Especially when we become a victim of some offense by someone, we really have to learn to forgive and to move on, focused on doing what we are supposed to do. We should avoid getting stuck with the offense, wallowing in anguish, complaints and hatred, and keeping resentments, grudges and desires for revenge. That’s why we need to deny ourselves, and carry Christ’s cross as Christ himself told us, to be able to do this.
Let’s remember that all of us have sins that need to be forgiven also. And as Christ said it clearly, we can only be forgiven if we also forgive others. “If you will forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offenses,” he said. “But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offenses.” (Mt 6,14-15)
Other relevant gospel passages are the following: “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” (Mk 11,25) “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Lk 6,37)
What would be helpful here also is to develop a sporting spirit, so that even if we encounter failures, defeats, injustices, unfairness, etc., we would just go on with the game of life where we know God is always in control. With him, everything will work out for the good. (cfr. Rom 8,28)
* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
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Subay sa umaabot na selebrasyon sa Bulawan Festival 2023 ug 25th Founding Anniversary sa Davao de Oro, gipabati pag-usab sa panggamhanang probinsyal sa pagpangulo ni Governor Dorothy Gonzaga ang bulawanong selebrasyon niini sa mga hilit nga lugar sa probinsya.
Karung adlawa, March 4, 2023, ubay-ubay nga mga probisyon ug serbisyo, mapa pang-edukasyon, panglawas, pang-agrikultura ug uban pa, ang nadawat sa katawhan sa Sitio Estabillo, Brgy. Andili sa Mawab.
Lakip niini ang libreng medical check-ups, gupit, tuli, alis bukol, vaccination, dental, maternal health services, animal health services, legal services, ug ang pagpanghatag sa mga school/hygiene supplies, tanom, tambal, food packs ug uban pa.
Namulong sa maong kalihokan si Governor Gonzaga diin mihatag og gibug-aton sa kamahinungdanon sa maong lakang ug pagsiguro nga ang matag lugar adunay access sa mga batakang serbisyo, bisan asa pa ang lokasyon niini. Gipasiugda usab niya ang papel sa security sector sa ilang presensya, hinungdan sa paghatag sa usa ka luwas nga probinsya ug arun mahatud ang mga angay nga serbisyo sa katawhan.
Mapasalamaton ug malipayon gayud si Brgy. Tribal Chieftain Angel Tabid sanglit nadungog gayud sa gobyerno ang ilang mga hanyu ug naghinaot usab sila sa dugang pa nga programa nga muabot kanila sama sa dugang dalan arun hapsay ang pagbiyahe sa ilang mga produktong uma ngadto sa sentro.
Dugang pa, gipakita sa katawhan ang ilang mainitong pagpasalamat pinaagi sa usa ka Cultural Dance Presentation nga nagtanyag usab sa dato nga kultura sa kumunidad.
Nakigtimbaya usab sila 2nd District Rep. Congressman Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, BM Teodoro Arancon, Mayor Ruperto Gonzaga III, 28IB Commander Ronilo Desingaño, PSWDO head Josephine Frasco kauban ang mga local nga opisyales, kapulisan ug kasundaluhan.
Sa musunod nga mga semana, pagahitabuon usab ang parehong serbisyo caravan sa Brgy. Ngan, Compostela, Brgy. San Vicente, Montevista, ug Brgy. Ampawid, Laak sa umaabot nga March 11, 18 ug 25.
Ang Bulawanong Hatud Serbisyo kabahin sa mas dako nga inisyatibo sa gobyerno, kauban ang security sector, nga gitumong sa pagdala og kalambuan sa mga lugar ilabina sa mga kanhing conflict affected o vulnerable areas sa probinsya. (Jaynus Fernandez, Photos by Jonie Cadiz)
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Fans and the audience can expect to hear some of his greatest hits sung and interpreted by his guest artists.
Together with David, show-goers will also hear singer and actress Katharine McPhee, Pia Toscano and Daniel Emmet.
"David Foster and Friends, Live at The Theatre at Solaire" will also feature some of the most prolific Filipino voices showcasing the distinct and world recognized Pinoy showmanship to an already incredible performance lineup.
The Philippines' Concert King Martin Nievera will join the hitmaker on stage every show, while Asia's Phoenix Morissette enchants with her voice from March 21 to 22 and March 24 to 26 at the 8 p.m. shows.
Foster's career has spanned over four decades which has garnered him the title of "The Hitman," having written and produced many chart-topping songs that have propelled several artists to star status and have gone down the music industry's history as legends, such as Whitney Houston, Madonna, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand and Michael Bublé.
He has created culture-defining soundtracks for blockbuster films and the genius behind timeless holiday tunes that have become the anthem of the season like Josh Groban's "Noel", Michael Bublé's "Christmas", Celine Dion's "These Are Special Times", Rod Stewart's "Merry Christmas Baby", and Andrea Bocelli's "My Christmas."
His record-breaking work in the industry awarded him 16 Grammy Awards, an Emmy, and Golden Globe award, three Oscar nominations, and the famous star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame to state a few. Foster's popularity in Asia proves to be unmatched with sold-out shows at every stop of his David Foster & Friends Asia Tour.
In recent years, the world-renowned entertainer has toured across the United States to stage various performances of his show "An Intimate Evening with David Foster" some of which have been broadcasted on television across the country.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –- The National Confederation of Transport Union (NCTU) Northern Mindanao has decided not to join the scheduled weeklong nationwide transport strike starting on Monday, March 6.
The NCTU has earlier said it would join the nationwide transport strike as its way to express their opposition to franchise consolidation and traditional jeepney phaseout.
In a sudden change of heart, the transport group decided not to join anymore but did not cite reasons for its decision.
However, NCTU Northern Mindanao coordinator Joel Gabatan said in a phone interview on Saturday, March 4, that despite their nonparticipation, the NCTU Northern Mindanao still called on the national government to address various concerns of the jeepney operators pertaining to the franchise consolidation that is part of the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) extended the franchise consolidation deadline until the end of this year.
Gabatan said there were jeepney operators who are also cooperative members who voiced concerns because of the expensive fees and the fear to raise concerns due to the possible consequences.
“Pagmureklamo sila ignon dayon nga i-drop imong franchise ilabi na nga naka-consolidate naka; kay paghuman consolidate, ang tag-iya ana ang coop na (If they complained, they would say they will drop the franchise, especially that they were already consolidated; because after consolidation, the owner will be the cooperative),” Gabatan said.
The NTCU regional coordinator said this could be the reason why there were still several jeepney drivers and operators who were not in favor of the consolidation.
Aminoden Guro, LTFRB Region 10 director, advised members of transport cooperatives to directly report their concerns or complaints about their management to the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
“Para and CDA na ang musita ana nga ccoperaive nga ngano dili mo gasunod sa inyong balaod (So that the CDA would be the one to call out that cooperative asking why you’re not following your rules),” Guro said in a separate phone interview with the Manila Bulletin on Saturday.
Guro underscored the importance of consolidating the individual jeepney operators in order to have better fleet management in the transportation system.
The LTFRB-10 director said 98% of the PUVs in the region have already formed into cooperatives and consolidated their franchises.
Despite the extension of the franchise consolidation deadline, the planned transport strike next week will still continue, said Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena.
During the public hearing Thursday, March 2, the Senate Committee on Public Services chaired by Senator Grace Poe urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTFRB to fix their problem first before providing a deadline.
The LTFRB previously set a March deadline for the traditional jeepney consolidation, but it was extended on June 30 as many transport groups objected.
Meanwhile, the Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Service Cooperative (NOMFEDTRASCO) also expressed opposition towards nationwide transport strikes.
The NOMFEDTRASCO said its members already consolidated their franchises and voiced support for the public utility vehicle modernization program of the government.
“There were 20 transport service cooperative members that already have operational modernized units that is 45 percent of the total membership,” it said in a statement released on March 1.
The group stressed that the implementation of nationwide transport strike could prejudice the right of the riding public to access public transportation and could deplete the purpose of the PUVMP.
The said transport federation has almost fifty (50) transport cooperatives from the five provinces in the Northern Mindanao region.
Just in case there is transportation paralysis, the LTFRB regional office 10 secured its contingency plans by coordinating with the transport groups and transport corporations to have their buses offer ‘Libreng Sakay’ to government employees, barangay workers, and students, among others.
“This office assures the public that in case of strike, it is ready to fill the routes affected by the said strike and is prepared to cushion the effects of the strikes of transport groups,” the LTFRB-10 said.
Published March 3, 2023, 12:05 AM
A couple of days ago, power transmission operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) warned of thin power supply during the coming summer months.
It cited the forecast of the Department of Energy (DOE) that total peak demand this year will hover over 13,125 megawatts (MW) for Luzon — an 8.35 percent increase from the peak load of 12,113MW logged on May 12, 2022.
“Thin operating margins (power in excess of demand) from where ancillary services (power used to manage and balance the grid) are taken, are forecast for this year,” NGCP said.
For the Luzon grid, the NGCP said “these are forecast from April to June due to the historically high demand during the summer months” — the period when households as well as commercial and industrial establishments will use their air-conditioning or cooling systems for longer durations.
With the projected power outlook for the coming summer months, the power sector — the government energy agencies and the power generating and distribution firms — should sit down and come up with contingency measures so it could be set in motion in the event of an outage.
Power generators and distributors should also heed the grid operator’s call to rationalize maintenance schedules, which are mandated under the Grid Operating and Maintenance Program (GOMP), to ensure steady power supply. The DOE approved the 2023 GOMP in December last year.
Likewise, “unplanned shutdowns,” which are outside the ambit of the GOMP, should also be taken into consideration.
Despite the warning, there is no reason to press the alarm button right now.
As the NGCP said, “while base case projections show no occurrence of yellow or red alerts, there are weeks between March and April where operating margins are below required levels due to higher demand and planned outages of plants.”
Earlier DOE projection also showed no “red alert” or extreme thinning of power reserves although it plotted possible 12 yellow alerts, precipitated by insufficiency of system reserves, to occur between March and November this year. A yellow alert is issued when operating margin or the power in excess of demand is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s regulating and contingency requirement. A red alert, on the other hand, is issued when power supplies are insufficient to meet consumer demand and the regulating requirement of the transmission grid.
Whether the projection becomes a reality or not, it’s better to be prepared rather than be caught flat-footed. It is necessary that consumers practice electricity conservation at all times, including unplugging appliances not being used.
Let’s learn from past experiences.
If I only knew how! A friend of mine contacted me yesterday. Another said, "This is hardly the time to do so." Understandable, if I consider his very personal situation. Anyway, it seems we have no more time and no reason for laughter. That can wait until tomorrow or better until the day after tomorrow. Anticipation is better... .
Ask yourself: Are you still in a laughing mood? Maybe you are just ready to give a forced and embarrassed laugh. Sure, if we look around the whole globe, we must indeed ask the question: What's so funny about it? Refugee problems - mostly in Europe nowadays? War and killings all over the world?
Roar with laughter? Our enemies laugh up their sleeves, and most of the time we miss to recognize the fortune still smiling at us. But hold on: he who laughs last laughs longest. Remember?
American neurologist Henri Rubenstein says, laughter lowers high blood pressure while aiding digestion and fostering sleep. Well, give me even a simple smile and believe in what experts say: "Good humor can help the gravely or terminally ill to hear their ordeal".
Of course, if we look around us these days, we might really not roar with laughter or split our sides laughing. Or even more than this! Have you heard about the incident at the Danish Imperial Theatre in Copenhagen/Denmark sometime during the 1980s, when a spectator died of a heart attack while watching the movie "A Fish Called Wanda" starring John Cheese of my favorite Great Britain's Monty Python Comedy Team? Sure, a heart attack is indeed not funny, and honestly, I still love to watch this movie on VHS.
Well, even if we think we don't have reasons to laugh,we should try to express mirth spontaneously, and we should try to be merry or gay. We still have reasons to start with the softest form of audible laughter - the vocalized smile. This is what I learned and experienced from the first moment on while travelling in Asia since 1978, and being an expat living in the Philippines since 1999 for good. Keep smiling - even you are overloaded with huge problems.
Experts also say good humor works because it helps people feel easier in mind. The French psychotherapist Sylvie Tenenbaum stressed that, in her patients, laughter often signals the dawning of a wholesome awakening to reality. Gallow humor might be dubious in the eyes of others. But try to sing out loud, try to cry, but try to laugh!
As a devout Christian I love reading the bible. Ecclessiastes 3:1-4 say: "There is a time for everything ... a time to be born and a time to die ,,, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh!"
THE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI) shared a positive growth outlook of their region and survived inflation only through strengthening agricultural productivity.
During the roundtable interview with The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante Francis "Klink" Ang 2nd on Wednesday, DCCCI President John Tria said that their region performed better despite high inflation due to rich agricultural productivity that sustained them.
"Mindanao economy, as a whole, performed better than the national economy, both during the pandemic and immediately after," said Tria.
"During the pandemic, the... contraction... is only 7.5 percent compared to the country at 9.5 [percent] in 2020. Then in the year after, we grew at 6.1 percent, which is higher than the nation's 5.7 [percent]," he added.
Regarding energy, the country is considered to be a consumer-based nation. Therefore, what really needs to be considered is that energy is not cheap, and needs further expansion and investment, which will harbor competition for a cheaper cost.
"I think the long term is really to electrify our... or commit or source it from renewable resources, electrify our homes and our mobility," Tria stressed.
Investment
Tria said that in Mindanao, there is an increase of investments in which he said, "Maybe many countries like India see Mindanao as a good market."
According to him, it is probably because Mindanao is the source of many raw materials such as food, which amounts to a total of 40 percent of the country's source. In addition, it is also rich in mineral resources.
Furthermore, Tria underscored the region's advantages for future possible investments based on geographic advantage.
"In terms of Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), we are actually a port city that is very close... compared to other countries... we are very close to Shanghai, Yokohama, and of course, the continental United States," he explained.
by Manila Bulletin Entertainment
The gorgeous candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2023 visited on Feb. 27 the equally-beautiful Art In Island: The Media Square, which recently reopened to the public after undergoing renovation.
The girls took a break from the usual pageant events to immerse in the breathtaking state-of-the-art attractions in the largest mixed media museum in the Philippines.
Upon entering the museum, the candidates were welcomed by the sight of a beguiling virtual waterfall and a floor-to-ceiling display of breathtaking light scenery. The ladies were in awe of the projected images that overlay highly detailed hand paintings of the natural topography, which range from under the seascape to the wonders of the jungle.
The Binibinis also enjoyed the array of interactive wall paintings, where they took fun and playful photos for their social media feeds.
“The competition is long and challenging, so we give the Binibinis some time to have fun and loosen up through this experience. This break is also an opportunity for them to bond more with their Binibini sisters,” BPCI Head Gines Enriquez said.
The revamped The Art In Island: The Media Square, located along 15th Avenue in Quezon City, reopened in December 2022. Its latest offerings were made in collaboration with renowned artists and digital experts from South Korea.
