Why we can be hopeful

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE simple reason is that Christ has done everything to assure us of our earthly victory so we can enter heaven where we are meant to be. We need to strengthen this truth of our faith so that whatever happens—and there will always be some kind of heavy drama involved in our life regardless of our best intentions and efforts—we can remain confident and hopeful, and focused on what is truly important to achieve in our life.

Let us make as our own these words of St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (8,31-32)

As to our ability to do what we are supposed to do despite the varying and even unfavorable circumstances, let us take these words of St. Paul to heart: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4,13)

We should just strengthen our hope that is based on what God shares with us. This is a crucial virtue to have. Given our condition as a pilgrim here on earth, we should make sure that we are always on the move toward our ultimate, spiritual and supernatural goal. 

We should not get distracted or entangled by our earthly affairs, whether good or bad, for as the Letter to Hebrews would put it: “For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.” (13,14) Thus, we have to always strengthen our hope.

Hope is first of all not just a virtue that we produce, cultivate or keep ourselves. It is first of all a gift of God, given to us in abundance. It is the gift of Christ himself who, by the Holy Spirit, is made present in us through his words, his sacraments, his Church. All we have to do is to correspond to this wonderful reality as vigorously as possible.

That is why we need to be most mindful of the truths of our faith, giving time to meditate on them and to make them sink in our very consciousness. We have to be wary of our tendency to be carried away by our earthly concerns, no matter how legitimate they are. For again, as the gospel would say, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mk 8,36)

It’s important that just like in that management style called MBO (Management by objective), we have to have a clear vision of our ultimate goal and make it the strongest desire of our life, so that we don’t get entangled with the ups and downs and the drama of life.

This, of course, will require some significant effort, because nowadays people are getting too hooked in their earthly, temporal affairs. Some of them who are considered more in the successful side, get so immersed in them that they forget their spiritual and supernatural goal. Others, who are more on the losing side, eventually fall into discouragement and despair. They end up finding no meaning in life.

With this gift and virtue of hope, we are always given a sense of direction. Our goal is made clear. All the means are made available. Every event, whether humanly good or bad, always has a meaning and can be made use of to attain our eternal goal.

Are you on the right track?

 

Blackpink's Lisa, Cher, Tyla ramp up Victoria's Secret 2024 comeback show

FASHION AND BEAUTY

Thai singer Lisa (R) performs during Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Duggal Greenhouse at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York on October 15, 2024. AFP / Angela Weiss

Kathleen A. Llemit - Philstar.com

October 16, 2024 | 2:07pm

MANILA, Philippines — Pop stars Lisa of Blackpink and Cher opened and closed the comebacking Victoria's Secret Fashion show in a dramatic fashion. 

 The almost two-hour fashion and music extravaganza made its return after 2018's last show. 

The K-pop star opened the show via her grand entrance leaning on a bike wearing a two-piece ensemble. She quickly hit the first few notes of her "Rockstar" song released last June. 

She did her a bit of dancing and catwalk to her song, and the first to come out among the returning Angels is supermodel Gigi Hadid in light pink ensemble and her own wings. 

"I'm super excited right now. I've been a big fan, so you know it's like a dream come true. I'm just so happy to be part of this iconic comeback," Lisa said during the pre-show interview. 

The show was divided into five segments, with each models wearing light to dark colors as the show progressed. 

Supermodels spotted on the Victoria's Secret runway included Adriana Lima, Bella Hadid, Kate Moss and Tyra Banks. 

Tyla, meanwhile, went the opposite way in terms of her ensemble — a blinged out lingerie complemented by feathered wings. 

She sang two of her songs, "Push 2 Start" and the popular song "Water." 

Lisa came to dish out her other freshly released song earlier this month, "Moonlit," which interpolates lyrics and melody from Sixpence None The Richer's hit song "Kiss Me." 

The K-pop star, this time, wore her own wings as she sang to her latest single while the models strutted the stage. 

Victoria's Secret aptly ended its all-women show with a mini Cher number, where the icon was given her own choral entrance and back-up dancers. 

An all-women choir lined up the stage vocalizing on Cher's song and then it quickly cut to the icon making her grand entrance with backup dancers as she sang "Strong Enough."

Dressed in a front corset and tight black pants, Cher was given a three-step golden platform where she continued to perform her other iconic song "Believe." 

Supermodels went back on stage, all doing the customary finale catwalk, coming out one after another. 

Supermodel Tyra Banks closed the come backing show, confidently owning the Victoria's Secret 2024 stage. 

Oktoberfest 2024: 'I get knocked down, but I get up again'

 

October 17, 2024 Oktoberfest 2024: 'I get knocked down, but I get up again' After a short stroll past the hectic mix of slot machines, baccarat tables and display cars, I found myself in front of Solaire Resort Entertainment City's Grand Ballroom. It was the first night of Oktoberfest 2024. And if the event banners flanking the entrance doors didn’t make it obvious enough, the welcoming party—a group of ladies in dirndls and a guy in lederhosen—drove the point home. By Allan Policarpio

Immer mehr Rentner über 70 Jahre müssen arbeiten: „Keine freie Entscheidung“

Stand:16.10.2024, 14:20 Uhr

Von: Max Schäfer 

Fast ein Fünftel der Menschen über 70 Jahren arbeitet neben der Rente. Häufig ist das keine freie Entscheidung, sondern der finanziellen Not geschuldet.

Berlin – Immer mehr Rentner arbeiten auch im Ruhestand. Das gilt jedoch nicht nur für Menschen, die gerade so das Rentenalter erreicht haben – sondern weit darüber hinaus. Auch die Zahl der Erwerbstätigen über 70 Jahren ist in den letzten Jahren deutlich angestiegen. 2023 waren es 599.000 Menschen, 2020 waren es noch 469.000. Insgesamt arbeiten etwa 1,4 Millionen Rentner in Deutschland. 

Zahl der arbeitenden Rentner über 70 Jahre steigt deutlich: „Rentenniveau zwingt Hunterttausende zur Arbeit“

Die Zahl der über 70-Jährigen, die neben der Rente arbeiten, steigt dabei überproportional an. 2020 lag ihr Anteil innerhalb der Altersgruppe noch bei 3,7 Prozent. 2023 waren es 17 Prozent. Das berichtete die Bild-Zeitung mit Verweis auf eine Sonderauswertung des Statistischen Bundesamts im Auftrag des Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW). 

Fast ein Fünftel der Menschen über 70 Jahre muss neben der Rente arbeiten. © Dwi Anoraganingrum/Imago

Es sei „erschreckend, weil es in vielen Fällen eben keine freie Entscheidung ist, im Rentenalter weiterzuarbeiten“, sagte Wagenknecht. „Die Wahrheit ist: Das dürftige Rentenniveau zwingt Hunderttausende zur Arbeit.“ Es sei zu begrüßen, wenn Unternehmen Erfahrung und Kompetenz der älteren Generation nutzen, aber die gesetzliche Rente „sichert nicht mehr den Lebensstandard und zwingt deshalb viele Menschen zur Maloche bis zum Lebensende“, erklärte die BSW-Vorsitzende.

Finanzielle Not zwingt viele Menschen zum Arbeiten neben der Rente

Das Problem der Altersarmut in Deutschland wächst. 2023 waren 18,4 Prozent der rund 19 Millionen Rentner armutsgefährdet. Auch bei der Berücksichtigung der Menschen, die weiterhin arbeiten, lag die Quote der Armutsgefährdung mit 18,3 Prozent auf einem ähnlichen Niveau. Immer mehr Rentner sind auch auf Sozialhilfe angewiesen. 

Die finanzielle Not ist deshalb der Hauptgrund, weshalb Menschen neben der Rente arbeiten. Laut einer Zusatzerhebung des Statistischen Bundesamts vom September 2024 gibt ein Drittel der Rentner die finanzielle Notwendigkeit an. Immerhin erklären jedoch auch 29 Prozent, aus Freude an der Arbeit weiterhin erwerbstätig zu sein. Bei den Daten sind Menschen zwischen 65 und 74 Jahren berücksichtigt, also mehr als nur über 70-Jährige.

16 Prozent der Menschen arbeiten dabei mindestens 40 Stunden. Die Mehrheit arbeitet weniger als zehn Stunden in der Woche. Überwiegend sind die Rentner dabei in geringfügigen Beschäftigungsverhältnisse, also etwa Minijobs, angestellt.

PH needs to update its 15-year-old disaster risk reduction law —officials

BY JEL SANTOS

  

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Senator Loren Legarda (left) and DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (right)| JEL SANTOS/ MB PHOTO

The Philippines, which is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Pacific Typhoon Belt, needs to update its 15-year-old disaster risk reduction law, two top officials of the country said during a plenary discussion of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Pasay City on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

“The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, which, upon consultation with DND Secretary Teodoro and his team, we hope to amend and revise to make it more up-to-date since it's a 15-year-old law,” Senator Loren Legarda said in her speech.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said it was also timely to review the disaster risk reduction law which had been enacted 15 years ago.

“Because of changing circumstances, because of experiences in the field, we have been able to identify some gaps that need to be filled, some streamlining that needs to be done,” he said.

“And this is a constant exercise that should happen in most areas of government, but it is critical that it happens in disaster risk reduction in order to optimize and to focus government efforts in all aspects of the topic,” he added.

Teodoro thanked Legarda for being their “partner and champion” in the Senate and for
her advocacy.

Teodoro emphasized the importance of collaboration between policymakers, legislators, and the executive branch in implementing laws effectively. 

He highlighted the lawmaker’s point about the critical role of ongoing feedback between lawmakers and agencies, such as the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in ensuring effective coordination and action.

“Hence, in this interaction between the legislators and us, it prevents the siloing because they are a source of important feedback and vice versa,” he said.

‘Leaving no one behind’

Leaving no one behind, according to Legarda, must drive the renovation of risk governance.

“We must take a look at hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities. Women, girls, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples' communities, marginalized groups must be at the heart of shaping the post-2030 disaster risk governance framework, post-Sendai, ensuring their leadership in building truly resilient and inclusive systems,” the senator said.

From risk assessment to recovery, she said persons with disabilities (PWDs) must be included in all stages of disaster risk management.

“At the same time, disability-inclusive governance is equally critical,” she added.

Legarda said early warning systems, evacuation procedures, recovery plans must be accessible to everyone, especially in an archipelago of 110 million Filipinos in the most far-flung islands and the highest mountains, with inland rivers and lakes.

The lawmaker stressed that resilience cannot be achieved by working in silos, noting that governments sometimes are “very exclusive to each other and not inclusive.”

“Kanya-kanya, in the Tagalog word, to each his own, and that would spell disaster. Governance, the private sector, civil society, local communities, the education sector, all must collaborate to create inclusive and innovative solutions,” she said.

“Most importantly, local communities who are on the frontlines, whether you are in the provincial level, city, municipality, even barangay, purok, and sitio, at the frontlines of preparedness and disaster response in the whole scheme of things.”

Per the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines is situated both the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Typhoon Belt due to its unique geography.

Environment Secretary Loyzaga said this has “perennially bore the brunt of ever-increasing natural disasters due to rapid and slow onset climate and weather-related hazards.”

“Our large growing population and our steady economic growth are factors resulting in the singular distinction of being among the world’s countries at highest risk for several years running,” she said earlier.

She said this distinction underscores the reality that climate hazards are a fact of life for all Filipinos.

Age is not an obstacle to outdoor adventure

 Senior Car Campers defy ‘Julian’

BY PINKY CONCHA-COLMENARES

Oct 16, 2024 06:26 PM

  

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Members of the Senior Car Campers Plus pose for one of the many photos to close the three-day camping celebration of their second anniversary, on Sept. 28-30, 2024. 

At least twice a month, a group who look too old for adventure pack into their vehicles tents, cots, air mattresses, stoves and kitchenware, food to feed a herd – and drive out to a campsite hours away from their comfortable homes.

THE LONG GOODBYE — Members of the Senior Car Campers Plus (SCCP) who were still at River Ranch camp on Day 3 indulge in a long photo session as their 'goodbye ritual' before they finally drive off for home. The seniors celebrated the second anniversary of SCCP.

There, they unload the stuff and set up tents, open awnings attached to vehicles, unfold tables and chairs, and clear space for a kitchen.  In an hour, fully-furnished shelters stand under trees, beside a river, or just under the clear blue sky.

The motions of these people are nothing new at a campsite.  Except that this group is composed of senior citizens, most of them couples.  They do all that by themselves without adult children, household staff or campsite assistants. In fact, many of them have become adept in setting up camping gear so fast, they move on to help the others assemble complicated gear.

SOCIAL MEDIA STARS — Lope and Nida Bernardo, also known as 'Lolo and Lola Camper', pose in front of their camping-partner, a 4x4 pickup truck. Nida's stories on their camping adventures tell of long drives and many river crossings to find the ideal spot to camp for the night.

Soon, a flag flies over a high pole — meticulously erected to withstand the winds and gravity — that proclaims ‘Senior Car Campers Plus’.  The “plus” is for the not-yet-senior members who have joined the group simply because they regularly go camping – oftentimes twice or three times a month!

SITTING HAPPY — George and Josie Coscolluela, two of the new members of the group, have become the game masters of entertainment during camping trips.

“Rain or shine, or “Come hell or high water” are sayings that best describe how the Senior Campers live the outdoor life.  No weather disturbance advisory, except if the campsite declares it is “closed” for the day, can change their plans. In the weekend of Sept. 28-30 when super typhoon Julian barreled toward Northern Luzon, the campers were celebrating their second anniversary at River Ranch in Tanay.  The winds howled and pushed the rains into the gazebo where they had huddled for their meals and games. 

Defining the real meaning of “raining cats and dogs,” Julian tested the meaning of adventure, the waterproof element of tents and jackets, and the skills of the seniors.  Did they tie the ropes securing their tents to the ground properly?  Were the pegs hammered deep into the ground to hold on against the winds?

Senior Car Campers Plus members with Bodjie Rivera (foreground), the patient organizer of the details that make each camping trip successful. 

Nature was merciless in testing the senior campers that day, extending deep into the night and early morning.  (At nearly midnight, I had to transfer to the gazebo because water had entered the tent and I had run out of towels to soak up the water.)

Zaldy and Claire Ramones at their home for the weekend at River Camp in Tanay, during the second anniversary of the Senior Car Campers Plus, Sept. 28-30, 2024. 

And yet, the celebration went on and on.  Games brought the delight of the good old days, raffle prizes kept on coming because friends of friends sent merchandize, laughter from jokes heard before crackled, food from a dozen tent kitchens decked the table — definitely a celebration of the good life!

Roland and Connie Garcia in front of their well-furnished sleeping quarters for the second anniversary camping event of the Senior Car Campers Plus. Beside that is another tent for their fully-functioning kitchen. 

“Didn’t anyone suggest that you go home?” — my daughter asked when I related my experience the next day.  I was speechless.  Breaking camp and going home because of the storm had never crossed my mind, as I’m sure no one among the senior campers ever thought of that.

To all of us, a typhoon is part of nature and if it blows while we are at camp, we get out of its way by securing ourselves from the river or landslide-prone areas.  And yes, by tying our tents and awnings more tightly, and relieving the pressure of rainwater from the tent roofs.

When darkness falls, all lights from the many tents illuminate the camp at River Ranch in Tanay, during the second anniversary of the Senior Car Camoers Plus. 

A now popular story among them is that trip when they had to very hastily break camp at the river bank of a campsite at 9 p.m. because the river water had risen due to the heavy rains. Throwing all gear at the back of their pickup trucks, they drove to higher ground and slept in their vehicles — still wet from the rain!  No one complained; no one caught a cold.

Tabing Ilog: The Musical returns to the PETA stage

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Oct 16, 2024 10:48 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Tabing Ilog: The Musical will happen at Peta Theater, Quezon City, and run from Nov. 8 until Dec. 1.

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The cast of 'Tabing Ilog: The Musical'

After its successful run last November 2023, the beloved 2000s barkadahan is back again on the theater stage! The Tabing Ilog: The Musical rerun had its mediacon at B Hotel, Quezon City on Oct. 9, 2024.

Over two decades have passed since the original Tabing Ilog aired. Loved by Filipino audiences, Tabing Ilog continues to thrive through ABS-CBN's ongoing collaboration with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).

The story, centered on timeless themes of friendship, love, and family, remains relatable across generations, even as it's set in a new era shaped by fast-changing times. 

Tabing Ilog: The Musical was first conceptualized in 2019 but faced delays due to the pandemic.

However, inspired by the success of their first collaboration on Walang Aray, ABS-CBN partnered once again with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) to finally bring the musical to life in 2023.

“Na-witness po ng PETA ang paglunsad, panganganak ng mga bagong thespian mula sa Star Magic. For most of them, it was their first time to do professional theater at natutuwa po kami sa PETA na kasama kami dun. Kasama kami sa kanilang theater journey.” Melvin Lee, PETA Plus Program Director, said.

After its successful run, a rerun was inevitable. Directed by Phil Noble with a script by Eljay Deldoc and musical direction and songs by Vince de Jesus, the musical will once again delve into the Gen Z struggles of Eds, Rovic, Corrine, Fonzy, George, James, Badong, Andoy, and many more with family, dreams, identity, and love, and how they find ways to rise above—despite. 

Star Magic artists who brought the characters to life in the first run are back. Audiences can once again, enjoy performances by Vivoree, Sheena Belarmino, Benedix Ramos, Anji Salvacion, Kobie Brown, Jordan Andrews, Kiara Takahashi, Andi Abaya, Omar Uddin, and BGYO's Akira Morishita.

Group photo with Vince de Jesus and Phil Noble

“Super thankful po ako sa mga kasama namin kasi in a way, na-mold din po ‘yung utak ko po. Kung paano gumawa ng character at kung paano pa palalimin ‘yung paggawa ng character. Definitely nagkaron pa ng new ways kung paano palalimin pa si Rovic [this rerun].” BGYO’s Akira shared.

“Since matagal din kaming hindi nagkakasama or nagkakita-kita, parang nandun din ‘yung longing to perform and work with each other again after a long time. Feeling ko talaga mas magiging passionate kaming lahat this time kasi it’s a rerun. We want to do something better than what we did sa first run,” Vivoree added.

BINI's Jhoanna Robles is also set to return for the rerun, with special performances to watch out for.

“Excited na po akong makasama ang barkada at ang Tabing Ilog: The Musical fam ay nag-effort ng matindi para po maibalik ang magic ng Tabing Ilog this year,” BINI’s Jhoanna said in a video message.

Seasoned theater actors Joann Co, Red Nuestro, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Yeyin Dela Cruz, and Adrian Lindayag will also be part of the cast. 

More of the cast includes Lance Reblando, Vyen Villanueva, Teetin Villanueva, Jude Hindumdum, Vino Mabalot, and Miah Canton.

With a talented artistic team and a gifted cast, Tabing Ilog: The Musical is set for an exceptional rerun. Returning with its heartwarming, relatable, and humor-filled yet touching Filipino narrative, audiences are again in for a delightful watch.

Tabing Ilog: The Musical will happen at Peta Theater, Quezon City, and run from Nov. 8 until Dec. 1. Tickets are available for online purchase via Ticketworld.

Cine Europa 27 kicks off in Manila, celebrating the diverse world of European Cinema

INQUIRER.net BrandRoom / 11:51 AM October 16, 2024

Cine Europa, now in its 27th year, is set to once again captivate Filipino audiences with  a selection of twenty contemporary films from European Union Member States, Alliance  Française de Manille, Goethe Institut, Instituto Cervantes, the Philippine Italian  Association, and guest country Ukraine that showcase the creativity and diversity of the  European cinema. 

The Cine Europa festival promises to deliver cinematic excellence to film enthusiasts  nationwide, from poignant dramas to imaginative comedies and animations. 

Cine Europa 27 will open to the public on 18 October with the Polish film “Dangerous  Gentlemen” at Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong City. Shangri-la Plaza has graciously  hosted the film festival for over two decades. 

The film festival is expected to travel to the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio, the  University of San Agustin in Iloilo, the University of the Philippines Cebu and the  University of St. La Salle in Bacolod from 18 to 27 October 2024.  

BINI reveals official lightstick for Blooms

BINI performing at their sold-out 'BINIverse' concert in New Frontier Theater

Philstar.com / Anjilica Andaya

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

October 15, 2024 | 5:22pm

MANILA, Philippines — P-pop girl group BINI finally unveiled its official lightsticks for Blooms to purchase and use during performances.

The unveiling comes a month before BINI's three-day "Grand BINIverse" concerts in Araneta Coliseum.

The lightstick has a blue handle with "BINI" written near the end and near the yellow flower head with a star in the middle is a vertical infinity sign also with a yellow star.

It costs P2,999 and comes with the lightstick proper, a strap, user manual, package box, and a photocard set inside an envelope.

The set includes one photocard of a singular BINI member and a card of the entire group.

Batteries are not included. The lightstick requires three AAA lithium batteries to operate.

Pre-selling for the lightstick will begin on October 24 exclusively for Grand BINIverse Day 1 ticket holders; October 25 exclusively for Grand BINIverse Day 2 ticket holders; and October 26 exclusively for Grand BINIverse Day 3 ticket holders.

There will be an equal amount of limited quantities to be released on each day as selling is observed from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The general selling of the lightsticks to the public will be on October 27 from noon onwards.

The "Grand BINIverse" concerts will be from November 16 to 18.