In Mindanao, religious leaders join hands to promote peace

BY RICHEL V. UMEL

OCTOBER 12, 2024

Bishop Edwin dela Pena of the Catholic Prelature of Marawi (third from left) leads the signing of a declaration to sustain the peace-building initiatives of religious leaders from different faiths in Mindanao. --RICHEL V. UMEL

DAVAO CITY—Leaders of different faiths have come together to strengthen efforts to foster cooperation among the people of Mindanao and address conflicts in some areas on the island.

The religious leaders held a two-day gathering here that concluded on Wednesday during which they “reaffirm our commitment to work for peace and sustainable development” that is “guided by the values of love, justice, harmony, respect, integrity, unity, reconciliation, spirituality and unity.”

The newly formed Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference (MiRLeC) sought to follow in the footsteps of the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) that was organized in 1996 by Catholic Bishop Fernando Capalla, United Church of Christ in the Philippines Bishop Hilario Gomez Jr., and Ulama League of the Philippines president Mahid Mutilan.

Alert: Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is already spreading in Visayas, Mindanao, Palawan, and Southern Luzon!

 

 

According to data from Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), the clouds of sulfur dioxide from the Kanlaon volcano can already be seen in the map that has already reached Mindanao, Palawan, and especially in some parts of Southern Luzon and Visayas.

If you have sulfur dioxide (SO2) around, here are some tips to protect your health:

1. Self-Care: Avoid going outside as much as possible, especially when SO2 levels are high in the surroundings.

2. Wear a Mask: If you need to go outside, allow N95 or higher type of mask to protect yourself from harmful chemicals entering your respiratory system.

3. Close Windows and Doors: Close windows and doors in the house to avoid smoke with SO2.

4. Breathe Clean Air: If possible, use an air purifier or breathe in areas far from the smoke source.

5. Doctor Consult: If you have respiratory symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, consult your doctor immediately.

6. Drink More Water: Drinking enough water helps to flush toxins from your body.

7. Attention Local Authority: Follow instructions from local authority or government agency in your area regarding safety during high levels of SO2.

Precaution and responding appropriately in such situations is important to protect your health and safety.

Source: Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS)/Windy.com

| via Madam Inday Rogin

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Style Weekend: ‘A little dance between warmth and breeze’

As we navigate through different stages in life, the clothes we wear become our armor. These pieces mirror who we are, making us feel cool, calm, and confident.

BY JOHN LEGASPI

Oct 10, 2024 08:39 AM

  

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“What We Wore” is a section that highlights our readers’ outfits, detailing the stories behind how they layer, pair, and accessorize each piece. If you’d like us to feature your unique sense of style, post a photo of your look on social media and use the hashtags #StyleWeekend and #SWWhatWeWore. Don’t forget to tag and follow us @styleweekend.ph on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. We can’t wait to see your looks!

Salve Fabie

My personal style embodies chic and classy, grounded in simplicity. I gravitate toward neutral colors, blending into any setting while maintaining a refined look. I like feeling comfortable in my OOTDs, so I usually pair everything with white sneakers! My #StyleWeekend revolves around hosting and performing at events like children’s parties, weddings, debuts, and teambuilding activities. During the weekdays, I embrace my role as “Teacher Salve,” working as a music and movement teacher for toddlers and tutoring private students. I currently live independently, so I maximize my free days by enjoying time with family, friends, and even myself.—Salve Fabie

Kim Tomacruz Graham

As a mom, my personal style has definitely shifted to prioritize comfort and functionality so I can keep up with my kids (spot the fanny pack!). But I still like to have fun by choosing timeless basics that I can mix and match over and over again. My #StyleWeekend involves hanging out with my family, which means balancing a lot of opinions from my daughters about what to wear so we can match.—Kim Tomacruz Graham

Jonel Revistual

As a writer who only drifts into the office once or twice a week, I find myself crafting an outfit that’s a little dance between warmth and breeze. It’s about layering just right—something that holds up against the office chill but is easy to strip down when I step back into the outside heat.—Jonel Revistual

John Paulo Ondra Caparros

Being 6’2” and a big guy, my top priorities are comfort and style. My style is all about wearing clothes that are easy to move in but still look good, often layering pieces and adding some patterns. Whether I’m in Asia or Europe, I go for a casual look that’s still neat, focusing on jackets and simple, clean outfits. My style is about feeling comfortable and confident, no matter where I am. My #StyleWeekend starts with balancing work and fun. During the week, I’m busy with meetings, events, and work tasks. When the weekend comes, I relax by exploring new places, hanging out with friends, or just taking it easy. My clothes match this mix, giving me options that work well for both weekdays and weekends.—John Paulo Ondra Caparros

LIFE'S QUINTESSENCE

What does quintessence mean? It is the fifth and highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that permeates all nature and is the substance composing the celestial bodies.The essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.

The quintessence of something is its perfect, ideal example. Some people say that the quintessence of American cuisine is the hamburger. Vegetarians may beg to differ. Ancient Greek philosophers claimed there were five elements: earth, water, air, fire, and a fifth substance that made up objects in the heavens. 

Quintessential can also describe a person who is the perfect example of something, like a salesperson or athlete, but the adjective consummate may be a better choice in this context. The noun quintessence refers to the most typical or perfect representation of something.

Almost 40 years ago, a good friend of mine gave me a book written by the establisher and founder of the Scottish Free Church, Thomas Chalmers, who lived from 1780-1847. I resided already in the Philippines for
good and did some marketing work in the former Bishop Thibault Media Center near the San Pablo Church in Juna Subdivision in Davao City, while writing a column for the Catholic Herald and hosting radio shows for the former DXGN 89.9 FM "Good News Radio".

Chalmers treated life's quintessence with plenty  flowering words. Yes, don't be afraid and live for something... !

Human beings live, move and have to pass away - free from worries, but unknown and unnoticed. They live such an irreproachable life - reputable, but so incomprehensible and inscrutable. Chalmers was very right... .

Why do people live like that even knowing they have to leave the platform of life one day? Why are people sometimes afraid to live and allow something or someone to block themselves? Still in my mind is one statement of Brother Francis Castro from the Little Brothers of Jesus. I quoted it several times already and it really became my life's motto: "I feel the burning flame inside me that makes me jump out of the bed ... and hurry to work!"

Life's quintessence can be also this: Kindness, by helping the blind man crossing a street; hospitality, by practicing generous reception of strangers and guests (my very first impression, when I stepped on Philippine soil in June 1976!); helpfulness, by taking care of somebody, who is weak and dependent... .

Believe me: your moment of virtue will never be destroyed by time's storm. Henri Nouwen, a devotional writer and speaker, whom I also admire very much, spent two hours daily bathing, shaving, dressing,
and feeding a man, who was so profoundly  able to speak or walk. Very clear, in that daily act of loving, Nouwen exemplified the compassion and sacrifice of Christ.

Love and merciful actions shared with people, who cross our path -  and nobody will forget us. In our daily life, we do have plenty of situations, where we could show our real calling. Good deeds are shining like stars from heaven. Deeds of love and service may not seem to be an efficient use of time and energy, but they are never wasted. Our life doesn't run clock-counter-wise. The clock's hands are the time dictators of everyone. So: do live for something!