Aicelle Santos takes final bow as Gigi Van Tranh

By: Regina Mae Parungao

After a year of “grand holiday,” the “Miss Saigon” curtain has come down on Aicelle Santos.

On Instagram, the Filipina actress-singer bid farewell her character Gigi Van Tranh as the musical’s global tour concluded. “Miss Saigon’s” last show was held Sunday in Cologne, Germany.

“And just like that we are down to our last day in Miss Saigon! What?! Thanks for an awesome year Gigi!” she wrote. “I believe I am braver because of you! You allowed me to dance crazy like no one’s watching and be as creative and entertaining as I can (at least to myself), 8 shows a week!”

Aicelle said that her “Miss Saigon” stint gave her peace and learning solitude. It also allowed her have a “grand holiday to places I never knew I’d see in this lifetime.”

“ I made new friends and discovered diverse cultures. You are worth every note sung, every tear shed and body pains endured,” said she, who bagged the role of Gigi in March 2018.

Prior to her, Rachelle Ann Go played the same role in the London West End revival of the musical, while Isay Alvarez held the role in the original West End Production.

A message from the official “Miss Saigon” Instagram account read: “…Since July 2017 we’ve visited 14 cities and wish to thank all of YOU who have joined us on our journey.”

In past Instagram posts, Aicelle said she feels “humbled and blessed” to be part of the show’s UK tour.

“‘Whatever He wills, I will follow,’” she said. “This has been my guiding mantra through the highs and lows of life. And with this new direction I’m taking, I couldn’t thank you enough, Lord.”

Other Filipino artists in “Miss Saigon” UK were Red Concepcion and Gerald Santos, who were earlier cast as The Engineer and Thuy, respectively, with Joreen Bautista, who alternates as Kim.

“Our Filipino flag stands tall and proud. Honored to represent!” the 34-year-old “Pinoy Pop Superstar” runner-up added.

Aicelle is also known for her roles as Aileen in “Rak Of Aegis,” and as Perla in “Maynila Sa Kuko Ng Liwanag,” for which she won Best Actress at the 30th Aliw Awards in 2017.

She got engaged to boyfriend GMA reporter Mark Zambrano days after she bagged the “Miss Saigon” role.

Holy Eucharist not Church Invention

By Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD



An elderly lady, accompanied by a young doctor, was being wheeled into a room in preparation for her surgery. Visibly nervous, she blurted out, “Doc, please be gentle with me. This is my first time to be operated on.”

The youthful surgeon glanced at her and said, “Don’t worry, madam. This, this… is also my first time to do an operation.”

* * *

When a doctor tells you not to worry — even though it’s his first time to do an operation — and you believe, that’s making a leap of faith, a human faith.

In the Last Supper after Jesus prayed over and blessed the bread and wine, He told His apostles to believe that the bread and wine were turned into His Body and Blood even though they did not understand how they became life-giving food and nourishing drink. That’s spiritual faith. Jesus said further: “Do this in memory of  Me” (Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:25).

* * *

REAL PRESENCE. That’s what the Lord commanded and that’s why Holy  Thursday is called Maundy  Thursday because it commemorates the “commands” (mandata in Latin) which Jesus gave us.

Thus, the Holy Eucharist was instituted by Jesus Himself before He died. The Mass, therefore, is not an invention of the Church nor an idea of the popes.



But  Christ  wanted to remain present, too, to  be  with  us PHYSICALLY and not  just  to be remembered.

* * *

WASHING OF THE FEET. The other command of Jesus is expressed by His dramatic, moving, and puzzling  act of washing the feet of His disciples. “But  if  I washed  your feet — I who am Teacher and Lord — then you must  wash each other’s feet.”

* * *

Christ’s dramatic act illustrates humble service which should be exemplified by  all, but especially those who are vested with authority like  government  officials, heads of firms and  organizations, parents, bishops and priests.

* * *

EFFECT OF EUCHARIST NOT AUTOMATIC. How  come that some people receive the Body and Blood  of  Christ in Holy Communion regularly  and  nothing  happens?  Why is there no progress in their conduct and spiritual lives?

We have to remember that the  effect  of the Eucharist does not  work  automatically.  We are  people,  not robots.  God respects our FREE  WILL,  albeit distorted  at  times.

* * *

During Christ’s time, many  people  turned away, unaffected by His presence.  A classic example is Judas Iscariot, one of His closest followers. Jesus, His master, let Him go even if He knew he would betray Him.

* * *

This explains why, despite Christ’s redemptive act for us, there are unscrupulous people like murderers, terrorists, drug pushers, human traffickers and hardened criminals.

* * *

GUARANTEE OF ETERNAL LIFE. Finally, the reception of Christ’s Body and Blood in Holy Communion guarantees eternal life.

Jesus declared: “He who eats My flesh and  drinks My  blood  has life eternal and I will raise him up on  the  last day” (Jn 6:53).



If Jesus’ Flesh and Blood guarantee eternal life after death, wouldn’t you do everything to seek it in order to achieve eternal life?

* * *

PRACTICE: Appreciate the Holy Mass by faithfully, regularly attending it, thus making efforts to become better Christians.

* * *

‘7 LAST WORDS.’ The SVD Mission Communications Foundation, Inc. will telecast live on ABS-CBN Channel 2 the “7 Last Words” tomorrow, Good Friday, March 30 at 12-3 p.m. from the Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Word, at Christ the King Seminary compound, E. Rodriguez Blvd., QC. It will be SIMULCAST on DZMM teleradyo Channel 26 in Metro Manila and TFC (The Filipino Channel) abroad.

Everybody is invited to attend the presentation or watch on TV.

Bulawan fest showcases 'Kasikas sa Kapitolyo'

Compostela valley Province--- Spectators are shouting and dancing with the beat of the drums while watching the colorful costumes of the participants for the “Kasikas sa kapitolyo” even under the heat of the sun, as the province celebrates its 12^th Bulawan festival and 21^st Founding Anniversary of Compostela Valley Province held at the Provincial Capitol Compound, Cabidianan, Nabunturan Compostela Valley Province on March 3, 2019.

This year’s festival’s theme: “The Gold One. Ang Bulawan sa Tanan.”

“Kasikas sa Kapitolyo” is a Drum and Bugle Competition participated by both elementary schools and high schools in the entire province.

There were six entries for high school category and five entries for elementary level who competed on the feast day. For high school winners, Manat National High School of the Nabunturan bagged the first place and won Php75,000.00 cash prize while Gabi National High School of Compostela town placed second received Php60,000.00 . The third place went to Laak National High School of Laak and won Php50,000.00.

The special awards for high school category were also given including the Best Production Design of Php10,000.00 cash prize and Best Synchronization of Php7,000.00 awarded to Manat National High School, and the Best Majorettes of Php5,000.00 to Andili National High School of Mawab, and; for the Best Band Major of Php3,000.00 to Gabi National High School.

For the elementary level, the Mawab Elementary School of Mawab made their way to earn the first place and won Php75,000.00 cash prize. Second place is Kao National High School of Nabunturan won Php60,000.00 while for the third is Cogonon Elementary School of the municipality of New Bataan won Php50,000.00.

Mawab represented by Mawab National High School also got the Best Production Design and won Php10,000.00 and Best Synchronization of Php7,000.00. Best Majorette of Php5,000.00 cash and Best Band Major of Php3,000.00 were awarded to Kao National High School.

The non-winning entries also received a total of Php30,000.00 as consolation prize.

The awarding ceremony was held during the closing program at the event area. All awards and plaques of appreciation were given by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Antonio P. Ybiernas Jr. and assisted by his assistant Dr. Mary Cryrill Pasaol and the working committee of the PHO.

This year’s festivity highlights the private-public partnership with big and reputable companies as well as officials supporting the event:  Co-presenters  Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, Senior Board Member Arturo T. Uy, Congressman Maricar S. Zamora and Vice-Governor Manuel Zamora, Congressman Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga, Apex Mining Company Inc., Torre Lorenzo Development Corp, MARINO Party List, HUGPONG NG PAGBABAGO, and Beautederm. For Diamond Sponsorship: Krishaels while for Gold Sponsorship, SUMIFRU Philippines, Phoenix Fuels Inc., and HEXAT Mining Co., Inc.(Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

Lebende Schildkröten in herrenlosen Koffern in Manila

PANORAMA

Quelle: WELT

AUTOPLAY

VIDEOFLUGHAFEN MANILA

Zoll entdeckt 1500 lebende Schildkröten in herrenlosen Koffern

• Stand: 04.03.2019 
• Dauer 44 Sek

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In Manila haben Flughafen-Zollbeamte mehr als 1500 lebende Schildkröten in Koffern entdeckt. Auf den Philippinen kann der illegale Handel mit Wildtieren mit bis zu zwei Jahren Gefängnis geahndet werden.

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Araw ng Davao 2019

Impressions from the 82nd Araw ng Davao opening ceremony and the Mutya ng Davao Coronation event 2019. My thanks to Indonesian Consul Endah R. Yuliarti Farry and photographer Sir Geovani Mocodompis (photo courtesy).