All Fools Day in the age of fake news

by Manila Bulletin

Are you sure you’re reading this right? It’s April Fools’ Day.

It’s celebrated around the world in many different ways, but in any way it is observed, someone has to play the fool.

In the Philippines, as in Spain and Mexico, there is a Yuletide version of April Fools’ Day — Niños Inocentes, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, as we call it, or Dia de los Santos Inocentes as it is for the Spanish and the Mexicans. It’s celebrated every year on Dec. 28 in remembrance of the massacre of the newborns and the firstborns in Bethlehem by order of King Herod of Judea in reaction to a prophecy that, the King of the Jews thus born, one of those children could oust him.

Through the years, the commemoration of this biblical tragedy has not been as grim, being part of a festive season. An angel warned Joseph, who brought his family, the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus, to safety in Egypt before the massacre took place, so the joke was on Herod. He played the fool and so the day, much like its April counterpart, has since become a day of pranks, the day revelers try to find someone, a friend or family member, to play Herod, the fool.

Niños Inocentes is All Fools Day in December, replete with spoof reports and lots of humor in the newspapers and the news channels in most Spanish-speaking countries, where the jokes are called “inocentadas.” Until the 1980s, Filipinos would avoid lending anything, especially money, on Dec. 28 because chances were they would never get it back.

Today is All Fools’ Day in April and in most countries, this is the day to play pranks on unsuspecting folk. No one knows exactly where it originated. There have been suggestions that it might have been prompted by reactions to the Edict of Rousillon, promulgated by Charles IX in 1564, to change the date of the New Year from Easter to Jan. 1 throughout Christendom. Those who failed to see that Easter was lunar — meaning falling on “the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox” — and therefore a moveable feast were subsequently called poisson d’avril or April fools.

Once upon a time, All Fools Day was a big deal.

In 1957, the BBC played a spoof documentary of a family in Ticino in Switzerland harvesting strands of spaghetti from a tree, like grape from a vine, to which Americans reacted with as much incredulity as with great interest, wanting, as the BBC has put it, “to find out where they could purchase their very own spaghetti bush.”

In the mid-1990s, Taco Bell took out full-page ads in seven leading American newspapers to announce that, in the hope of helping the US reduce its debt, it had purchased the Liberty Bell and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell, eliciting thousands of calls, many from irate citizens, for both Taco Bell and the National Park Service, before it was revealed at noon on April 1, 1996 that it was all a hoax. The ad won many awards.

Those days are gone. Nowadays, we potentially play the fool every time news on the web astounds us. The internet has ruined All Fools Day — or made it every day.

DA declares bird flu outbreak in the Philippines

The Department of Agriculture (DA) declared on Wednesday, March 30, an outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) or H5N1 in the country.

This, as the DA reported an increasing number of avian flu cases mostly in Central Luzon.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said duck and quail farms in Central Luzon farms are mostly affected by bird flu, which he reiterated, was caused by migratory birds visiting the country.

We need faith for miracles to happen

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

GIVEN the precarious and wounded condition of our human life, plus the fact that we are meant to live a supernatural life, one that is simply beyond our human powers to attain without the help of God’s grace, we have to understand that many times we need to ask for miracles, those extraordinary interventions we ask of God for the simple reason that we would just find ourselves in some situations to be helpless and hopeless.

In fact, in the world today, we can detect an increasing number of predicaments that often reduce us to helplessness. This can be brought about by the new technologies that, while giving us a lot of advantages, can also cause great harm. Yes, these new technologies are a double-edged sword.

This truth about our need for faith for miracles to happen was illustrated many times in the gospel where all sorts of people approached Christ asking for some miracles. In the gospel of St. John (4,43-54) for example, we are given that episode of a royal official who begged Christ to heal his ill son. And the main factor that made that miracle take place was the faith that officials had.

“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe,” Christ said. But the royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” And since that official believed, his son was cured.

We have to have a strong faith for miracles to happen. If we have this kind of faith, we know that we always need to go to Christ, like those many helpless characters in the gospel who approached him for a cure. In other words, we cannot anymore rely on our human natural and human powers alone to handle our extraordinary predicaments. We have to beg for miracles!

Miracles are certainly part of what God has made available for our problems. When St. Paul said: “God will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it,” (1 Cor 10,13) he must have included this extraordinary recourse to miracles as one of God’s ways for us to endure any temptation or predicament.

And so let us go to Christ like the blind man Bartimaeus (Mk 10,46-52), the woman with the flow of blood (Mk 5,25), the 10 lepers (Lk 17,11-19), the man born blind (Jn 9,1-12), the man possessed by a legion of devils (Mk 5,1-10), and many others. Let’s go to him without delay, without hesitation.

We can also help others go to Christ if they themselves cannot do it, like what the father of a possessed boy did (Mk 9,17-24), those who brought a paralytic to Christ (Mk 2,4), the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant (Lk 7,1-10), etc. We can do a lot of good to others if we do this.

What is important is that we approach Christ with deep faith. In those miraculous cures Christ did, he always referred to the great faith of those who asked for those miracles.

Let us humble ourselves so that that faith can grow and show itself in deeds, like intense prayers and sacrifice. Remember what Christ told his disciples why they could not cure an epileptic boy. It was because of their little faith. (cfr. Mt 17,20)

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

How will you preserve the traditional dances in the Philippines?

 

Ben Haryo

12+ years of working in International sports

2,431 followers

84 following

Not a historian, not a vegetarian, not cultured and not known for having high IQ.

The preservation of traditional dancing in ALL Southeast Asian countries will follow the same pattern. Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand etc is the same.

Most important is to raise the awareness and interests of the young generation of the dances, and get them to learn and enjoy such activities. With a new generation of dancers, the art will survive to the next era.

To achieve this, The Government should actively promote Filipino traditional dances. These folk dances should be performed on every opportunities such as community events and in every cultural program.

Regional and National competition should be organized which helps to preserve and promote traditional dances.

It is very advantageous to recruit popular young celebrities to become the ambassador of traditional dances. They will inspire children and teenagers to take up traditional dancing. Or at least to appreciate the culture and not seeing these traditions as “not worth my time”.

Here is an interesting article in a scientific journal about traditional filipino dancing.

Strengthening and Preserving Practices of Philippine Folk Dances in Relation to Cultural Awareness of Secondary Students of Davao City

Cultural awareness is the foundation of literate national communication. It involves one’s ability to stand back from where he or she is to become more aware of cultural values, beliefs and perceptions. Strengthening and preserving these values, beliefs, and traditions can pose a great challenge especially today when culture has become vulnerable because of globalization. It is on this ground that this study was conducted to determine the levels of practices in strengthening and preserving Philippine folk dances and general knowledge of folkdances as a measure of cultural awareness of secondary students of Davao City. The respondents of the study were the 37 MAPEH teachers and 1,896 secondary school students of School Year 2011-12 teaching or enrolled, respectively, in public high schools in three congressional districts of Davao City. The mean was used to describe the levels of practices concerning the strengthening and preserving of Philippines folk dances and Pearson-r was employed to test the relationship between each of these variables and cultural awareness. A researcher-made survey questionnaire was constructed and tested for validity and reliability. A 20-item multiple choice test was also administered to the student respondents of the study. Findings revealed that there is a high level of strengthening and preserving practices for Philippine folk dances with an overall mean of 3.69 and 3.64, respectively, and level of cultural awareness of students is good as quantified by a mean score of 11.03. Further, strengthening practices, such as being careful but allowing students to explore Philippine folk dance, was encouraged while preserving practices, such as resisting any alteration of folk dances and reading literature before the dance, are also prevalent among MAPEH teachers. On the other hand, students are more knowledgeable of the dance literature than about folk dances. However, strengthening and preserving practices by the MAPEH teachers have no significant relationship with the general knowledge as a measure of cultural awareness of the student of Philippine folk dances.

https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=2151

I hope this answers your question!

God will always forgive us

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

NEVER doubt this truth of our Christian faith. As illustrated in that beautiful parable of the prodigal son (cfr. Lk 15,11-32), God is always ready to forgive us, no matter what sin we commit. All we have to do is just to go back to him in repentance, just like what the prodigal son did.

In life, anything can happen. We try to do what is good, but sometimes our idea of what is good can actually be bad. We just have to remember that even in our worst possible scenario, we can always count on God’s ever-ready mercy as long as we decide to come home to him.

We should always strengthen our faith in God’s mercy and compassion. Of course. We should also try not to abuse God’s goodness, even if we know that despite our best efforts we may end up abusing it just the same. But whatever happens, we should come home. Just come home to our Father God. That’s what matters in the end.

We need to strengthen our spirit of divine filiation—that God is our father who is all merciful and compassionate, who is all willing to do anything for us just to get us back to him. He knows that even if he has made us to be his image and likeness, that dignity often spoils us, and so we get into trouble.

This truth about our divine filiation is worth reiterating. It is what truly grounds us to the foundation of our life and nature, giving us the meaning and purpose of our existence. It’s a source of joy, confidence and serenity. It tells us what our filial rights and duties are.

More importantly, it tells us who we are and gives us an abiding sense that we are never alone, or worse, just on our own. It fills us with the conviction that we are children of God, that no matter what happens, God will always be with us and for us unless we reject him.

We have to be wary of our tendency to think that we are just on our own. That would be an attitude that can be suggested only by the devil who will always tell lies. Sad to say, many people are succumbing to this trick of the devil. That’s why many now fall into some deep despair when misfortune comes their way. They feel there’s no one else to run to anymore. We should do everything to strengthen our spirit of divine filiation.

Let’s always remember that God “takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they return from their ways and live.” (Ez 33,11) And as shown by Christ, God does not wait for man to turn back to him. He takes the initiative to reach out to us, sinners.

In all the miracles that he performed, Christ was more interested in forgiving the sins of those involved than in healing them of their infirmities and predicaments. His love and compassion went beyond the concern for the bodily health of those characters. He focused more on their spiritual recovery. 

We have to see to it that in proclaiming the gospel to the others, in our effort to present Christ to the others, we should not simply talk about the strictness of God’s demands and expectations from us, the high standard that he is setting for us. This will scare people more than attract them to Christ. We should always include God’s mercy in all our preaching and counseling.

 God will always forgive us.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Deutschland – ein Frühlings-Märchen! Germany - a spring fairy tail

 

Deutschland – ein Frühlings-Märchen!

Endlich! Auch wenn der Wind noch vielerorts kalt ist – der Frühling lässt sich nicht mehr aufhalten. Überall in Deutschland blühen wie hier im Düsseldorfer Hofgarten schon Bäume und Blumen. Am Wochenende erwartet uns allerdings ein Mix aus Sonne und Regenschauern. Die Temperaturen reichen von neun Grad im Erzgebirge bis zu 22 Grad am Oberrhein.

(C) 2022 BILD

ASSERTIONS TO BEAR

We love to complain! Many times we don't have reasons at all to do so - but, we love to complain. Especially nowadays. Our world is full of mess - isn't it? Of course, somehow it is indeed if you look around.

We bring many more assertions to bear: first, in the past we have been thriftier and economical, more religious and devout, more patriotic, industrious, more hard-working, keen and obedient. And, second, above everything and all: in the past we had more idealists. Third, nowadays we have (mostly?) material things in mind - what a disgrace. 

Materialists or idealists? Materialism or Idealism? Whom or what do you love? Love most?

I just quoted Vox Populi... .

A "materialist" has indeed become a swear word. I don't mean with "material" the accumulated data out of which a writer creates a work of literary, historical, or scientific value. A materialist is being easily described as someone with an attitude, who ignores spiritual values, compared with an idealist, who has the tendency to seek the highest spiritual perfection.

Idealism means the doctrine that appearance is purely the perception, the idea of subjects, and that the world is to be regarded as consisting of mind. The coquetry of higher philosophy makes it difficult to bear the ups and downs in our daily life.

Sure, we all know that "our last earthly dress has no pockets  any more". Striving for earthly and terrestrial possession, property and estate might be the hit-man of idealism. That's how we have been taught. "Wine, women and song", having the unpleasant feeling of fullness, egoism and bragging as well as showing-off - are these the materialist's real attitudes?

Is the idealist, many times not being able to stand on earth with both feet, the only one who occupies himself with religion and virtuousness - so to speak, with celestial and heavenly things? Is that really so? Can we make such a distinction? Sure, it's easy to do so: it's manageable and comfortable. But well, why is the enjoyment of having a tasty meal BAD, and listening to a recital composed by Johann Sebastian Bach BETTER? Why should art be better than roasted pork and a bottle of wine? Value judgements and moral concepts... .

Owning a house and lot and a car  - or even more then one - are earthly properties, as well as bank saving accounts, profitable insurances, and invest advantageously in stocks. Is a terrible underpaid nurse or a book author an idealist, because he or she doesn't work for the filthy lure but for higher values? 

Has Jesus been an idealist, because He accepted renunciation and died without terrestrial possession? Has Jesus been a materialist, because He fed thousands of people on the breadline? Are we idealists, if we bequeath nothing to our families and might die without a single centavo, because earthly things are bad?

Worth to think about it ... .

Ms. Eco Int’l 2022 Kathleen Paton stuns at homecoming bash

by Annalyn S. Jusay, Manila Bulletin

She is an achiever-beauty queen who has managed to snag two international beauty titles within the last five years. Yesterday, 24-year-old Kathleen Paton faced the media fresh from being crowned Miss Eco International 2022  in Cairo, Egypt.

It was another proud moment for the Philippines as Kathleen bested 40 other candidates from all over the world. Beauty watchers were quick to point out that her win heralds an auspicious start for the country in the competitive pageant circuit.

The new Miss Eco International was a vision in pink as she made her entrance at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom in an elegant gown specially made for her by young designer Ryan A. Uson.

“There were a lot of expectations from everyone and I can just say I gave it my 110%,” Kathleen said in reply to the question on what she thought was the factor that made her win. She added that “being honest, being kind and being approachable mattered a lot. Aside from this, I made sure my behavior and  attitude were  up to par as a beauty queen.”

“Winning Miss Eco International is an honor and also a responsibility for me. I don’t see it as a dream that I just get the crown. I see it as a career and a purpose for me because I love to help people. I know that with this crown, am given an even  bigger platform to reach a wider community.  I am able to voice my advocacies related to mental health awareness, education and water conservation,” she pointed out.

As a woman in a very high profile field, Kathleen feels strongly about mental health issues. She revealed that she had to battle her own demons after encountering some people online who criticized her physical appearance and some other personal matters.

The beauty queen has advice for people who are mean and can’t control themselves on social media.

“We need to just learn to be nice, to be kind. You have to look within yourself and ask if the  things you are saying are going to affect other people or not. Because if it’s not nice  or kind, what’s the point of saying it in the first place? Ask yourself: are you treating other people the way you want to be treated? Are the words you are writing online the words you want to hear other people being said to you? If it’s not, there’s no point in your writing that,” she remarked.

Kathleen also gave valuable advice to young girls who want to join beauty contests. “If you want to become a candidate, just join and try. There will always be people to help you out. Joining a pageant is the perfect platform for when you want to live for a purpose and a cause. You will reach a wide community in being able to change something in society.”

The half-Aussie beauty revealed that she is enthusiastic to join showbiz after her reign but admitted that she has to improve her Tagalog. Kathleen is presently in a relationship with model Kirk Bondad who was adjudged Mr. Supranational Philippines 2021.

𝟖.𝟕𝐌 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐤𝐚𝐧

The full access of interventions for the agricultural sector has always been a part of Governor Tyron Uy's leadership in Davao de Oro.

On March 22, 2022, the Cocolife Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CMPC) in Pantukan officially received 8.7 million pesos worth of machinery and a new facility in support of the cooperatives' production of quality coconut products such as virgin coconut oil, desiccated coconut, and coconut milk. The intervention is also a close support for coconut farmers through marketing local coconut produce as one of the high-valued crops in the market. 

CMPC officially received two (2) units of Hauling Trucks, and one (1) unit Warehouse with Wastewater Management Facility equipped also with other machinery and equipment worth 8.7 million pesos from the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in the coordination of the province’s Agriculturist’s Office.

Rudy Ang, CMPC Chairman thanked the working team behind the grants given to them which will directly help the production capabilities of the cooperative to supply products not only in the local market but also on an export scale. 

The realization of the intervention for the cooperative is very timely as the demand for coconut products in the market is increasing. Governor Tyron Uy also said that the provincial government continues to foresee interventions for local farmers with positive aftermath.

The ceremonial blessing and turn-over ceremony were attended by Governor Tyron Uy, Deputy Director PRDP Region XI Marila Corpuz, Dr. Ronald Sibayan of PAGRO, Municipal Agriculture Office of Pantukan, and members and officials of CMPC.

The coexistence of green and golden opportunities has brought Davao de Oro to where it is today. Being the second most competitive province in the whole Davao Region, and ranked 11th in the National Competitiveness Index, the province already set an edge among others.

Not only did its unified people give victory in the province for years, but also its rich agricultural lands that were made even stronger with the right interventions and programs from the best leaders. (JA, PAO IPRD, photo by J. Cadiz)

What would you never want to change about the Philippines?

 

Allan Daniel Serrano

Hi! I’m Allan Daniel Serrano, I’m a Filipino with good understanding of our culture, politics, religion, history, geography and everything related to our archipelago and our relationship with neighboring countries and other foreign nations.

My genetic makeup is native Austronesian with a dash of indeginous Papuan of course, plus the bloodlines of the Sangley traders and the Iberian conquerors.

I am nationalistic, but not to the point that I would berate and belittle other countries just to flag my pride, because I’m also globalist. I wouldn’t tolerate any condescending attitude towards my people and my nation.

Thanks for the A2A. The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands that is full of color and contrast. It is considered as the “ Pearl of the Orient Seas,” had once been labeled as “. The Sick Man of Asia,” now bouncing its way to be an economic power again. Its people is one of the most hospitable in the world. Here are some of the things that I never wanted to change about the Philippines:

• Our respect towards the elderly.

Filipinos are very courteous when addressing their grandparents and other people of a much matured age. Whenever visiting our grannies, we bow a little and we place their hands on our foreheads as a sign of respect. The said custom is called pagmamano in Filipino.

Aside from this, we are also constantly using the honorary po/opo whenever we talk to them. It is a sign that they are being honored and respected by the youngsters.

Lastly, we are country that strictly adheres to the concept of Filial Piety. We are expected to give back the same love and sacrifices made by our parents to make our lives better. We are expected to take good care of them till their dying breath. That's why a Filipino who is negligent of his/her parents would receive criticisms from the eyes of the public.

• Spirit of Camaraderie (Bayanihan)

In the early times, whenever a house made of nipa and bamboo are going to be transferred from a rural area to the city or pueblo, every neighboring men in the town would help the owner of the house to carry it until they've reached their destination. This practice is called bayanihan. It bonds the community towards a certain aim and goal and it helps local communities to foster trust and understanding on one another.

This practice may have decreased a bit because houses nowadays are primarily made of permanent materials such as stone and brick. Although the spirit of camaraderie can still be seen amongst us. Whenever there is a calamity or emergency of sorts, always expect someone in the community to extend a helping hand on you.

• Our resilience. Filipinos would seem abnormal and weird in the eyes of foreigners, because it is one of the few countries wherein happiness and contentment can be seen in midst of calamity and poverty. For us, life still goes on, no matter how hard it is. It doesn't matter if we only have a piece of dried fish and salted egg in the table, as long as our families are bonded, we are happy and still have the highest hopes in our hearts. A photograph below shows a Filipino couple who still proceeded with their wedding vows in spite of heavy flooding and volcanic eruption. Pictures below also shows children in the slums posing happily. Only in the Philippines:

• Our lush, verdant fields.

I don't like the idea that the entirety of my country will be transformed into a metropolis and laid with asphalt, with erected concrete matchboxes spread across the archipelago. We don't want the entire Philippines to be like this:

I'm happy that God had blessed our land with fertile farmlands and greeneries. I am hoping it will be preserved by the future generations:

Wide open rice fields of Nueva Ecija, the “ Rice Granary of the Philippines”

Lush, golden rice fields of Quezon Province

Coffee plantation of Amadeo, Cavite, our Coffee Capital

Vast, open corn fields of Isabela Province, “ The Corn Capital of the Philippines”

A scenic photograph of Iloilo's sugar plantations, extending to the horizon.

Vast tracks of Banana plantation in Davao Region

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, one of the UNESCO heritage sites. This terraces had been curved in the mountainside by our Igorot ancestors, using only their bare hands and very crude tools. If the steps are going to be laid together jointly, it can cover half the surface of our world.

• Lastly, our strong belief in God Almighty:

Filipino Catholic devotees, during the parade of the Black Nazarene

Filipino Evangelicals/Protestants, raising their hands in worship

Chinese Filipinos, lighting incenses inside a Buddhist Temple

Filipina Moslems, gathering in prayer marking the end of Ramadan

Our country had been frequently devastated by natural calamities and troublesome political uprisings. I believe it is our strong dependence in an Almighty that keeps us alive and flourishing in the midst of harsh circumstances.

These are some of the things that I want to be preserved for my country. :)

(C) Quora