THE WORRIER TAKES IT ALL

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 Mindanao Daily News

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April 18, 2026

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“The warrior takes it all” reflects a mindset of total commitment, where a warrior (or a “Warrior of Light”) embraces every challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and act, rather than acting as a victim of fate. This perspective emphasizes living with absolute discipline, turning obstacles into stepping stones, and accepting one’s life—challenges and all—with humility and purpose.

Worries, doubts, and anxieties are a normal part of life. It’s natural to worry about an unpaid bill, an upcoming job interview, or a first date. But “normal” worry becomes excessive when it’s persistent and uncontrollable. You worry every day about “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios, you can’t get anxious thoughts out of your head, and it interferes with your daily life.

Constant worrying, negative thinking, and always expecting the worst can take a toll on your emotional and physical health. It can sap your emotional strength, leave you feeling restless and jumpy, cause insomnia, headaches, stomach problems, and muscle tension, and make it difficult to concentrate at work or school. You may take your negative feelings out on the people closest to you, self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, or try to distract yourself by zoning out in front of screens. Chronic worrying can also be a major symptom of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), a common anxiety disorder that involves tension, nervousness, and a general feeling of unease that colors your whole life.

If you’re plagued by exaggerated worry and tension, there are steps you can take to turn off anxious thoughts. Chronic worrying is a mental habit that can be broken. You can train your brain to stay calm and look at life from a more balanced, less fearful perspective.

Really? Do you let the worrier take over your life and your present situation? A pessimist, a worrier, an alarmist, a license dodger, name it whomever you like. Call some, they are all between us. Maybe her or she or even you?

We hardly count our blessings. We enjoy counting our crosses. Instead of gains, we count our losses. We don’t have to do all that counting – computers do it for us. Information is easily had. Especially during these terrible times of pandemic.

Just remember this: Opportunity doesn’t just knock – it jiggles the door-knob. and “your friend” – the worrier, is with you day and night, at every corner, following your every step. Complaining and grumbling are good excuses, right? We have time and opportunities to do almost anything. So why haven’t we done it? We have the freedom of bondage or restraint, every one of us in his or her very special unique way – but, we’re still our old inferior selves.

The job is boring. Even at the present home office. I don’t get a good job. The house is an unpleasant mixture of tidy and dirty things. It’s a mess. I’m not in the mood to arrange my garden. I can’t afford a gardener. That’s life. How sad. No, it’s not my fault; or course not.

The whole world is an awful place filled with dreadful and horrible negativism. Right now because of the pandemic. Yes, I confess, I’m also surrounded by many worriers who put their fears into me. Politicians, i.e., many times love to search for some grave alarm that will cause individuals to abandon their separate concerns and act in concert, so that politicians can wield the baton. Calls to fatal struggles and fights are forever being sounded.

The overbearing person, who tyrannizes the weak, who wants to dominate and to bluster, is simply nothing else than a worrier, who claims to be a friend. But he or she isn’t. Really not! The bullying of fellow citizens by means of dread and fright has been going on since Paleolithic times. The night wolf is eating the moon. Give me silver and I’ll make him spit out.

Well, when will we start counting our courage and not our fears, or enjoy instead of our woe? Worrying itself is pointless. Of course, no society has achieved perfect rules of law, never-ending education or unique responsible governments. Let’s seek out the worries but avoid the warriors, because they try to avoid liberty.

If you are still worrying right now about something, try to read Jeremiah 29:10-14 or Revelation 21:1-8, just to mention these two. It works. And in my opinion: Let Jesus take over.

It is important to note that while this phrase can describe an intense, focused, and disciplined life, it is sometimes confused with the lyric “The winner takes it all” from the ABBA song. 

No, I don’t give up… .And you shouldn’t give up too!

 

The quintessence of life

By

 Mindanao Daily News

 -

April 18, 2026

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150

The quintessence of life refers to the purest, most essential, or perfect example of existence, often focusing on intrinsic value rather than material success. Examples include simple joys (a sunrise, coffee), authentic connections, passionate creation, and finding purpose through resilience. It represents the “fifth element” (aether)—the spiritual spark animating the material world.

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.

Originating from Latin quinta essentia, it refers to the spiritual, intangible spark within all things—a “fifth element” (beyond earth, fire, water, air) often deemed the “ether” or the divine spark.

Almost 46 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.

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 step 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!

 It is defined as something that is the perfect embodiment of something. It is the richest and best example of something. This got me thinking.

As crucial as can be

 

BY LANCE AGCAOILI

APRIL 18, 2026

Fhei Sagaysay (left) and Shaina Nitura seek to write women’s volleyball history to the only school they have played for. —UAAP MEDIA

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The sophomore duo of Shaina Nitura and Fhei Sagaysay will be spearheading the Adamson charge against Far Eastern on Saturday as the Soaring Falcons try to seal a place in postelimination round play in Season 88 of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Teammates since high school and the big reasons why the Baby Falcons won the girls’ crown two seasons ago, Nitura and Sagaysay are hoping to weave their magic once again as this team, which they now headline, will try to make it back to the semifinals for the first time in three seasons.

“I think if you really want something, you’ll find ways to go after it,” Nitura, last season’s top rookie, said in Filipino in the lead-up to their 5 p.m. clash with the Lady Tamaraws. “With the guidance of my coaches, the people around me and God, I’ve learned that if things don’t go my way, maybe there’s a better plan.

“So I just respond well and trust God’s will. That’s what our team believes in,” she added. “If it’s not meant to happen now, then we just have to be patient and wait for the right time.”

The Falcons were in the semifinals the last time in 2023, when Trisha Tubu, now a bona fide PVL star, played her only year in the UAAP.

Running third with an 8-5 record, the Falcons can also push the 7-5 Tamaraws closer to elimination with a win. Far Eastern is tied with idle University of Santo Tomas for fourth spot, with the Growling Tigresses seeing action on Sunday against depleted University of the Philippines.

“It really comes down to who wants it more and who responds better in (pressure) situations,” Nitura added. “For us, what matters is how we respond as a team. We set aside individual goals and focus on helping the team reach the Final Four.”

Sagaysay has been very much a part of Nitura’s dominant UAAP career, being the prolific spiker’s setter since their girls’ division days.

“I’m grateful because we’ve been together since high school. Of course, no relationship is perfect. We’ve had misunderstandings, too,” Sagaysay said. “But we always try to fix things and keep fighting, not just for ourselves but for Adamson and for everyone who supports us.”

To clinch a sweep

Far Eastern, on the other hand, can secure at least a playoff for a semifinals berth with a win, even if the format for the semifinals lies on unbeaten La Salle’s final elimination game on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Spikers seek to complete a 14-match sweep for an outright Finals berth against the National University Lady Bulldogs (9-3), which would trigger a step-ladder format.

The Lady Tamaraws need to win their last two matches, including their final match against the also-ran Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, to secure a Final Four berth. A split in those games would most likely push FEU into a playoff for the No. 4 spot.

Coach Tina Salak tries to steer her Tamaraws to a third straight Final Four berth with a squad built around Faida Bakanke, Gerz Petallo, Tin Ubaldo and Cla Loresco, who is set to face her Alas teammate Nitura.

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“I feel like in our past games, I wasn’t really at my best yet,” said Loresco after scoring a personal season-high 17 points in the Tamaraws’ 25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 25-22 win over the University of the Philippines last Sunday. “I even watched my old games. How I timed my hits, how I served and how I blocked.

“Now, I just need to keep asking guidance from God because He’s always there,” she went on. “But at the same time, I also need to do my part so we can meet halfway.”

“It really comes down to who wants it more and who responds better in those situations. For us, what matters is how we respond as a team. We set aside individual goals and focus on helping the team reach the Final Four, same with the coaching staff,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ateneo and the University of the East clash in a duel of also-ran squads at 11 a.m.

Olive May reflects on body image and finding balance beyond P-pop

 

BY ALLAN POLICARPIO

APRIL 18, 2026

Olive May | Photo from Olive May/Facebook

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In one particularly telling scene in “Born to Shine,” a musical drama series that explores the realities of the idol industry, an aspiring girl group member is asked to lose six pounds and is put on a strict diet plan if she’s to secure her spot in the lineup.

That hits close to home for Olive May, a former member of the P-pop group Calista. While she didn’t face the same direct expectations, the beauty standards and the inherent pressure to always look her best inevitably got to her. Before she knew it, the chicken inasal-loving, “extra-rice-kind of girl” had become overly mindful of her eating habits.

“Umabot sa point na na-co-conscious na ‘ko sa mga photo shoots. Or kapag masikip ang damit, parang ‘di ako makahinga, or naiisip ko baka may makitang kung ano. So, nag-diet ako,” she tells Lifestyle Inquirer.

Olive May | Photo from Olive May/Facebook

Not about being skinny

At one point, she limited herself to one meal a day. And some days would pass—after rigorous rehearsals and juggling her studies—only for her to realize it was already 10 p.m., and she had only had coffee. “It was unhealthy,” Olive admits. That became more apparent during the group’s workout sessions, where she would often end up completely spent.

Yes, she did lose weight, but the result wasn’t quite what she had envisioned for herself. The people around her couldn’t help but notice. “Pinagsabihan rin ako na, ‘Huy, tama na,’” says Olive, who was then also pursuing pageantry—yet another field where appearance is constantly judged.

It was one of the moments that made her realize that things didn’t have to be that way. While she believes that an idol must always look “presentable,” it shouldn’t come at the cost of health. “Being an idol isn’t about being skinny. Kailangan ding makita ng tao na healthy ka, or else, susundan ka nila.”

Olive didn’t want to set that kind of example. “Just appreciate kung paano ‘yung body mo,” she says, adding that she’s thankful that P-pop isn’t as rigid about body image as other counterparts abroad. “And if you must go on a diet and work out, do it with proper guidance. Most importantly, it should never reach the point where it starts making you feel sad or burned out.”

That’s exactly her outlook these days toward health and fitness. “Na-e-enjoy ko na mag-workout. Dapat hindi burden ‘yun; it should be something na excited kang gawin,” she says. “Sa food, ‘di naman kailangan na hindian mo lahat. In moderation lang talaga dapat.”

Olive May | Photo courtesy of GMA Entertainment

No regrets

Now, two years after her departure from Calista to pursue a solo career, she couldn’t be happier to be fulfilling her original dream of acting. On top of that, she gets to be part of a GMA 7 afternoon series that allows her to continue showcasing her singing and dancing talents. “Ayokong pabayaan ang performing,” she says.

As Megan Halari, an idol hopeful determined to prove her worth while living in the shadow of her superstar mother, all her extensive P-pop training came into full play. Scenes that required performance numbers felt second nature. The way you move onstage, the facial expressions, the aura you project—she already had them down pat.

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“You need stamina for it. Hindi madali kumanta at sayaw nang sabay,” says the 21-year-old singer-actress, who has also appeared in such shows as “Maka” and “Forever Young.” “But thanks to my training, it’s now more manageable.”

In fact, her knowledge comes in handy when working with creative staff or co-stars who aren’t as well-versed in pop group dynamics. “I get to help them with execution and blocking,” says Olive. “I’m aware of other genres like hip-hop and dancehall, too.”

Clearly, her idol career, however short-lived it was, has been an instructive and foundational part of her career. And while she’s incredibly grateful for it, she has no regrets about going solo—as it has blown the doors wide open for her career. “Ang daming opportunities at ang dami kong nakilala,” she says. “I’m happier now because I get to do the three things I love most.”

And this time, without the pressure to be anything other than the well-rounded artist she wants to become.

Rebuilt and recharged: Cignal's journey bears fruit as it eyes breakthrough PVL title

 

Cignal's journey is far from over. (PVL Images)

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

Published Apr 16, 2026 01:50 pm

But the job is far from finished. While the Super Spikers have already showcased their resilience and growth, they are now setting their sights on a long-awaited breakthrough title.

Two years into its rebuilding stage, Cignal has returned to familiar territory after securing a finals berth in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

But the job is far from finished. While the Super Spikers have already showcased their resilience and growth, they are now setting their sights on a long-awaited breakthrough title.

“It’s hard for us to answer kasi parang, we can’t explain how deep this is for us,” said Vanie Gandler, who has been instrumental in Cignal’s run including in their 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16 victory over fancied Creamline a few days back that sealed their spot in the championship round.

“Kasi we know how hard we worked for this. I just have so much gratitude for the team kasi we just want the best for each other,” added the feisty spiker, who erupted for 24 points in that match.

The road to this stage has been far from easy, marked by adjustments and transitions that proved challenging to navigate. After a runner-up finish in the 2024 Invitational, the team saw the departure of several core players, forcing them to rebuild and reinvent around a refreshed lineup.

They failed to replicate that finals run in the following conference, slipping to ninth place in the 2024-25 All-Filipino before briefly bouncing back with a fourth-place finish in the PVL On Tour.

They failed to sustain that semis run in the next two conferences, though, finishing fifth in the Invitational, and seventh in the Reinforced.

But the Super Spikers have shown that patience and perseverance can go a long way, and those efforts are now starting to pay off.

“Sobrang dami ng sakit na naramdaman namin, siguro for how many years and conferences talagang hindi kami nainip. Tinanggap lang namin yung mga bagay na kailangan nating matanggap and sobrang natuto kami dun,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos.

“Good thing kasi di kami nag-give up and yeah, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na papasok kami sa finals,” he added.

With Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos, Roselyn Doria, Tin Tiamzon, and Gel Cayuna forming the core, Cignal now awaits its finals opponent, as Creamline and Farm Fresh battle for the other berth at press time.

In the meantime, the Super Spikers aim to sustain their momentum as they take on PLDT, also as of press time.

Teachers, the hands that shape a nation

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Apr 17, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Apr 16, 2026 06:15 pm

When President Marcos described the decades-long wait for teacher promotions as “unfair,” he did more than acknowledge a bureaucratic flaw. He was underscoring a deeper reality about how the nation has long undervalued those who build its future. The passage of Republic Act No. 12288, "Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, signals a step in the right direction. But reforms on paper are only the beginning. Sustained support for teachers must remain a national priority, not a passing policy trend.

Teachers are not merely employees within our education system. They are, in fact, the architects of society itself. Every engineer who designs bridges, every doctor who saves lives, every entrepreneur who drives economic growth, and every leader who shapes policy begins their journey under the guidance of a teacher. Remove teachers from the equation, and the entire structure of national development collapses. Their influence is not confined to classrooms, it ripples across industries, institutions, and generations.

Yet for all their importance, teachers have often been asked to give more than they receive. Behind every lesson delivered is a quiet, unseen labor: hours spent crafting lesson plans, nights dedicated to mastering new teaching methods, and weekends sacrificed to ensure students do not fall behind. In many parts of the country, teaching is not just intellectually demanding, it is physically taxing. Some educators travel long distances, trekking through rough terrain or crossing rivers, just to reach remote schools where their presence can mean the difference between opportunity and neglect.

The Expanded Career Progression system recognizes that teachers deserve more than gratitude. They equally deserve growth. By offering clearer pathways—whether in classroom instruction or school administration—it addresses a long-standing frustration: the stagnation that has driven many talented educators away from the profession. A system that rewards competence, dedication, and innovation is essential not only for retaining teachers but for attracting the next generation to the field.

But career progression alone cannot carry the weight of reform. Support must be holistic. Competitive compensation, continuous professional development, access to modern resources, and improved working conditions are necessities they so deserved. If the nation expects teachers to produce globally competitive graduates, it must also provide them with the tools and environment to succeed.

There is also a cultural dimension that policy cannot legislate; it is respect for teachers that must be deeply ingrained in society. Too often, their contributions are acknowledged only during ceremonies or commemorations, while their daily struggles remain overlooked. A genuine culture of respect means listening to their concerns, involving them in decision-making, and recognizing their expertise as professionals.

The stakes are high. Education is not a short-term investment; it is a generational one. The quality of today’s teaching will determine the competence of tomorrow’s workforce and the integrity of future leadership. In this sense, supporting teachers is not simply about improving schools; it is about securing the nation’s trajectory.

It is easy to celebrate innovation, infrastructure, and economic growth. These are outcomes of a foundation that was developed. But at the root of every national achievement is a teacher who once stood before a student and made learning possible.

If the country is serious about shaping its future, it must remain equally serious about those who shape its people. Policies like the ECP system are promising, but they must be sustained, expanded, and matched with unwavering commitment. Because in the end, nation-building does not begin in boardrooms or government halls; it begins in classrooms, in the steady hands of teachers who carry the weight of tomorrow.

This is why we have to honor our teachers by equipping and supporting them every step of the way.

Actress Sue Prado dies at 44

 

By Carissa Alcantara

Published Apr 16, 2026 07:21 am

Actress Sue Prado has passed away.

She was 44.

Her death was confirmed by her sister, May Shereen, in a Facebook post on Apr. 15. The cause of her death was not revealed. 

The post read: 

"Our dearest Sue M. Prado has become a constant star in the night sky.

It is with profound pain that we share Sue’s passing. Sue brought light to anyone’s path throughout her life. A life lived for others, for the craft she nourished, and for those whom she loved most.

Please celebrate her in any way you know how, and honor her memory through kindness.

Viewing details will follow."

Some of the projects Sue has done include “Barber’s Tales,” “Oro,” “Area,” “Himpapawid,” “Dagsin,” “Thelma,” “Ilustrado,” and “Madrasta.”

She also appeared in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” 

Apart from that, she was also part of the series “Gameboys,” “Abot Kamay na Pangarap,” “Prinsesa ng City Jail,” and “My Father’s Wife.”

The actress was also part of the jury for the 3rd Sharm El Sheikh Asian Film Festival (SAFF) in 2019.

The actress was supposed to celebrate her 45th birthday on May 18.

Freedom of spirit

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

LET’S hope that more and more of us get familiar with this freedom of spirit which is actually the true freedom meant for us. It’s not a freedom that is guided only by our own estimation that is steered only by our reason, by some social trends and ideologies, and much less by our animal instincts and urges.

To arrive at this knowledge about our true freedom which is the freedom of spirit, we need to ask ourselves the existential questions of where we came from, what the meaning and purpose of our life are, etc. For this, we just have to go from the natural and social sciences and to launch into the philosophical, metaphysical and theological.

This freedom of spirit is where we act in accord with God’s truth and goodness. It is exercised at the instance of the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Our freedom is not simply the power to act or not to act, and so to perform deliberate acts of our own. Our freedom attains its perfection when directed toward God, the sovereign Good, from whom we come and to whom we are destined to share in his very life and nature.

This is the freedom that was won for us by Christ who redeemed us from the bondage of sin. That is why St. Paul said: “For freedom Christ has set us free.” (Gal 5,1) And it is in Christ that we share in the truth that would set us free, as again articulated by St. Paul in his Second Letter to the Corinthians where he said: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (3,17)

This is the kind of freedom that springs from an inner habit of virtue and not merely from some external command. This is when we do things under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and do it willingly, with our whole heart.

This can only mean that our true freedom is the result of our docility to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the promptings of the grace of God, making us free and effective collaborators in God’s continuing work of human redemption that would complete our creation by him. Our freedom is not meant only to achieve an earthly and temporal goal.

In other words, this freedom of spirit enables us to grow in docility to God’s grace, and to collaborate freely with God, serving others with love and building a society on the basis of truth, justice and charity. It also protects us from the slavery of sin, from worldly pressures and false liberties that lead to license.

We can have this freedom of spirit if we live by faith in God. It is made alive especially through the sacraments—Baptism, Penance and the Holy Eucharist. It is nurtured in prayer and the continuous growth of the virtues.

The role of prayer is crucial because that is where we can discern and embrace  God’s will. St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, said in effect in this regard that we must pray to be able truly to know what God wants. (cfr. 8,27)

It’s clear that this freedom of spirit is a matter of being docile to the promptings of grace. It is what perfects our natural freedom, aligning it with the will and the ways of God. It’s important that we form our conscience according to the truths of our faith. For this, a lifelong formation of conscience is needed. Our freedom of conscience should be the freedom of spirit!