Addressing hunger and poverty: A call for comprehensive action

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Jan 30, 2025 00:02 AM

  

---

 

Poverty and hunger. These are pressing issues that remain in our country. Despite the strides in reducing poverty over the past two decades, poverty and hunger remain, and according to a recent SWS survey, have increased. 

A December 2024 survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) shows that the percentage of families who saw themselves as poor reached 63 percent, up 4 points up from 59 percent in September 2024.

"The estimated numbers of Self-Rated Poor families were 17.4 million in December 2024 and 16.3 million in September 2024," which is the highest percentage of self-rated poor families in 21 years.  In November 2003, only 64 percent rated themselves as poor. This number has been rising steadily for the third consecutive quarter since March 2024.

Another SWS survey conducted from Dec. 12 to 18, highlighted the persistent challenge of hunger. More Filipino families have experienced involuntary hunger—being hungry and not having anything to eat—in the last quarter of 2024. The results revealed that 25.9 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger, a three-point increase from 22.9 percent in the third quarter of 2024. This is also the highest hunger rate since the 30.7 percent peak during the Covid-19 lockdowns in September 2020.
SWS added that the 2024 annual hunger average of 20.2 percent was nearly double the 2023 annual average of 10.7 percent and just 0.9 percentage points below the record-high 2020 annual average of 21.1 percent.

The government has implemented several initiatives to combat hunger and poverty. One of them is the “Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program,” launched in collaboration with the United Nations, which aims to provide food assistance to the most vulnerable populations. 

The private sector and local communities have also initiated programs to address these challenges. Dozens of foundations and non-government organizations are involved in livelihood training programs for heads of families and feeding programs for malnourished children.

Despite these efforts, the persistence of hunger indicates the need for more comprehensive strategies. Addressing the root causes of food insecurity requires a multifaceted approach, including managing inflation, improving agricultural productivity, and ensuring equitable access to resources. Food assistance programs, in collaboration with the private sector, are essential in addressing hunger, particularly in regions with the highest levels of food insecurity. 

The government’s commitment to ending poverty by 2040, as outlined in the Ambisyon Natin 2040 vision, is a commendable goal. Achieving this vision will require sustained efforts, policy reforms, and the active participation of all sectors of society. By fostering collaboration between government agencies, private entities, and local communities, the Philippines can work toward a future where every Filipino has access to sufficient, nutritious food and the opportunity to lead a prosperous life.

Meanwhile, the private sector, where funding and implementation will not require many processes, can expand programs or create more innovative and sustainable programs to reduce poverty and hunger.  One way to contribute to these efforts are more scholarship grants to provide education, which has shown to break the cycle of poverty.  Another is to buy local products to support small enterprises and provide more employment.  Volunteering time to teach a skill to members of your barangay can provide livelihood opportunities. These seem like small efforts but when done by a multitude, it can create a difference in the lives of those who rate themselves as poor and hungry.

Songwriting competition honoring Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros SJ launched

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Jan 29, 2025 03:51 PM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• The Jesuit Music Ministry is the music division of Jesuit Communications (JesCom), producer of the celebrated movie “Gomburza” and the media arm of the Philippine province of the Society of Jesus.

---

Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros SJ

In its continuing mission to preserve and renew the vibrant tradition of Filipino liturgical music, the Jesuit Music Ministry (JMM) announced Purihi't Pasalamatan: The Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ Liturgical Music Songwriting Competition. 

The Jesuit Music Ministry is the music division of Jesuit Communications (JesCom), producer of the celebrated movie “Gomburza” and the media arm of the Philippine province of the Society of Jesus.

The landmark competition pays tribute to the trailblazing work of Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ, fondly known as the “Father of Filipino Liturgical Music.” Purihi't Pasalamatan aims to inspire a new generation of composers to create original liturgical music in the vernacular, ensuring that sacred music remains a meaningful bridge between Filipino faith and culture. Winners will receive cash prizes: Php 100,000 for the first prize, Php 50,000 for the second prize and Php 30,000 for the third prize. All the finalists will receive Php 10,000 each. The contest is open to all Filipino composers. Details of the contest mechanics can be found at https://jescom.ph/purihit-pasalamatan/ 

Building on the momentum of the successful Honti@100 year-long celebration and the grand tribute concert, Luwalhati Sa Diyos, JMM is committed to continuing Fr. Honti’s pioneering work. The competition’s objectives are rooted in his belief that liturgical music is a powerful tool for evangelization.

“We envision Purihi't Pasalamatan as a platform for fostering creativity and collaboration while preserving the essence of Filipino worship,” shared Lester Mendiola, JMM Director. “This is our way of encouraging composers and musicians to contribute to the rich tapestry of Filipino liturgical music while bringing fresh perspectives to sacred worship.”

The competition underscores the importance of music in Filipino Catholic faith life, where choirs and music ministries play a vital role in parish communities. By encouraging the creation of new compositions, Purihi't Pasalamatan supports the ongoing renewal of liturgical worship while preserving cultural and artistic traditions. 

“With this competition, we would like to encourage composers to create original liturgical songs in the vernacular, promote Filipino sacred music as a significant part of worship and cultural heritage, and foster collaboration among composers, musicians, and choirs to enrich the liturgical music community,” said Mr. Mendiola.

The competition was unveiled via a media launch on Jan. 28, 2025. The deadline of the submission of entries is on April 19, 2025. Finalists will be announced on June 20, 2025.

The competition will be held biennially, inviting Filipino composers, choirs, and music enthusiasts to participate.

Hence, the Jesuit Music Ministry invites composers, musicians, and choirs nationwide to participate in this meaningful endeavor. For inquiries and updates on competition mechanics, follow JMM on social media (.facebook.com/jesuitmusicministry) or visit the official JesCom website (jescom.ph)

“Through Purihi't Pasalamatan let us unite in faith and music- celebrating the enduring power of sacred song to uplift and inspire Filipino Catholics in the years to come. All for the greater glory of God!” Mr. Mendiola concluded. 

THE 48 LAWS OF POWER

A Book written by Robert Greene that offers a Series of Strategies for Obtaining and Maintaining Power in various situations. Here I leave you a summary of the 48 Laws:

1. Don't Outshine the Boss: Make your Superiors feel Superior. Don't expose your Talent too much or you might Trigger their Insecurity.

2.Don't Trust friends too much, use your Enemies: Friends Betray you more easily, but if you Manage to WIN an Enemy, they will be more Loyal.

3. Hide your Intentions: Keep People Off Balance so they can't anticipate your Actions.

4. Always say Less than Necessary: Silence Breeds Power, and Talking too much Reveals your Plans.

5. Protect your Reputation at all Costs: Reputation is the Cornerstone of Power.

6. Call Attention at all Costs: Be Visible to be Relevant.

7. Make others Work for you and Attribute it: Take Advantage of the Work and Effort of others to your Advantage.

8. Make others come to you: Don't Run after Others, make them Look for you.

9. Win with Actions, Never Arguments: Prove your Point through Actions, Not Words.

10. Avoid Losers and Unhappy: The Misfortune of others is Contagious; stay away from those who Bring you Down.

11. Make People Depend on you: If others Depend on you, you're in Control.

12. Disarm with Sincerity and Selective Generosity: Emotional Disarmament will give you an Edge.

13. When you ask for Help, Appeal to the Interests of Others: Appeal to what Benefits Others, not Gratitude or Compassion.

14. Introduce yourself as a Friend, act as a Spy: Learn to Extract Valuable Information from others without them Noticing.

15. Crush your Enemy Completely: Do not let your Enemy Recover, or he will seek Revenge.

16. Use Absence to Increase Respect: The Value of something Increases with Scarcity..

17. Keep Others in Suspense: Be Unpredictable, you will Confuse Others and Gain Power.

18. Do Not Isolate yourself: Loneliness Weakens you; Engage yourself in the Web of Influence.

19. Know Who You’re Dealing With: Choose Your Opponents And Partners Wisely.

20. Don't compromise with anyone: Maintain your Independence so you don't get Caught up in other People's Affairs.

21. Pretend to be a Fool to Catch the Sly: Let others think they have an Advantage over you.

22. Use the Surrender Tactic: Sometimes giving in at the Right Time gives you the Advantage.

23. Focus your Forces: Keep your Energy Focused on what really Matters.

24. Be a Master at Simulation and Disguise: Don't reveal all your cards.

25. Recreate your own identity: Be the architect of your own destiny.

26. Keep your hands clean: Make sure the responsibility for the problems falls on others.

27. Play with people's needs to create devotion: Satisfy their deep desires to earn you their loyalty.

28. Be bold in acting: Timidity is dangerous, boldness is powerful.

29. Plan everything to the end: Having a detailed plan allows you to avoid unpleasant surprises.

30. Make your accomplishments look easy: Minimize the effort you put in to make others think you have innate talent.

31. Control Other People's Options: Guide the decisions of others by giving them limited options.

32. Play with people's fantasy: Appeal to people's emotions and dreams to gain clout.

33. Discover the weaknesses of others: Identify what drives people to manipulate their actions.

34. Be rule in your behavior: Power lies in the appearance of greatness and dignity.

35. Master the art of timing: Don't rush; everything has its right time.

36. Despise what you can’t have: Don’t obsess over things that are out of your reach.

37. Create engaging spectacles: Theatrics and spectacles capture attention.

38. Think as you wish, but behave like everyone else: Do not openly defy social norms.

39. Stir the waters to catch fish: Destabilize others to make mistakes.

40. Despise free: What is free usually comes with a hidden cost.

41. Avoid imitating great men: Forge your own path instead of following in the footsteps of others.

42. Beat the shepherd and the sheep will scatter: He demolishes leaders to weaken his followers.

43. Work on the hearts and minds of others: Conquer the spirit of people to control them.

44. Disarm and anger with mirror effect: Reflect the actions of others to destabilize them.

45. Preach the need for change, but never reform too much: Radical change can generate resistance.

46. Never look too perfect: Perfection breeds envy and haters.

47. Don't exceed your goal: When you achieve what you want, retire on time.

48. Be amorphous: Be adaptable, don't limit yourself to a rigid form.

These laws are designed to handle situations of power, but it's important to consider context and personal ethics when applying them.

Millionaires' Mind

#ceomindsetmotivation #dailyquotesforyou #ceomindset #motivated #nevergiveup #motivation #motivationalspeaker #trendingpost

#copied

#psthealth #mindsetmatters

All reactions:

111111