My life in the Philippines is really awesome and wonderful

 

Even Christ needed to pray

By Fr. Roy Cimagala*

“JESUS made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.” (Mt 14,22-23)

As can be clearly seen in this gospel passage, even Christ had need to pray. As God, we can say that he had no need to pray. As a man, of course, he had to. But Christ is one divine person. When he prayed, we have to understand that he prayed both as God and man.

This consideration can only mean that prayer is an essential and indispensable element in God and man who has been created in God’s image and likeness. We need to realize that prayer is an essential and indispensable element in our life. Without prayer, we would actually violate our humanity.

We need to understand that we need prayer more than we need air or water or food. Prayer is what connects us and likens us to God. Prayer is what makes our life a life with God as it should be. We should, therefore, cultivate a life of prayer, making prayer like an instinct, such that whatever we are doing, whatever situation we may be in, we should be praying.

To be sure, prayer can be done anytime, anywhere. Praying is not simply a matter of reciting some vocal prayers or participating in liturgical prayers. It is not only a matter of meditating on some truths of our faith. All of these are very important, of course, and highly recommended. They are the basics to learn if we wish to develop a working life of prayer.

The ultimate prayer is when our very consciousness always has God in Christ through the Holy Spirit as its core. This may be described as contemplative prayer which will have its definitive state in heaven when we see God face to face and when our identification with him becomes perfect. This is when we will have a beautiful vision.

We have to understand that it’s when we pray, that is, when we truly pray and not just going through the motions of praying, that we would be engaging ourselves with the most important person in our life, God himself. He is absolutely our everything, without whom nothing and no one has any importance.

It’s when we pray that we manage to relate who we are, what we have, what we do, etc. to our ultimate end which, to be sure, is not something only natural but is also supernatural. Nothing therefore can rival the importance of prayer. In other words, prayer is irreplaceable, unsubstitutable, indispensable. It’s never optional, though it has to be done freely if we want our prayer to be real prayer.

The absolutely important thing that makes prayer real prayer is when we manage to give all our mind and heart to God in whatever thing we do or in whatever situation we may find ourselves in. That’s why St. Paul once said, “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thes 5,17) That’s simply because our whole life has to be a prayer, since it is meant to be in constant and intimate relationship with God.

So, even our work and all our earthly concerns can be made into prayer as long as we have the proper motive and frame of mind. 

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

BDO income up 12% to P23.9B

 

NEW FUNDS A view of BDO Unibank Inc.’s main office building in Makati City. According to the lender, it has raised P52.7 billion in new funds through fixed-rate Asean Sustainability Bonds. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) posted a 12-percent increase in its net income for the first half of 2022 to P23.9 billion on the back of strong results across its core businesses.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday, BDO said its customer loan portfolio grew by 9 percent, bolstered by an 11-percent increase in its current account savings accounts (CASA) deposits, which now comprise 85 percent of total deposits.

The company said noninterest income was up to P34.3 billion, lifted by the increased volume of transactions, translating into an increase in fees and insurance premiums.

Pre-provision operating profit also increased up to P39.2 billion, reflecting the strength of core income sources amid a tempered increase in operating expenditures.

Asset quality sustained its improvement as the nonperforming loan ratio went down further to 2.39 percent, as against 2.72 percent a quarter ago and 3.12 percent year on year.

BDO continues to roll out new digital capabilities and self-service technologies across branches to make banking services more accessible, easier to use and operationally efficient. These branch innovations include paperless straight through processing capability, covering 80 percent of branch transactions and card-less automated teller machine transactions using biometrics, facial recognition and QR codes.

BDO is now also offering its mobile wallet, BDO Pay, to non-BDO account holders. BDO Pay does not require any initial deposit nor maintaining balance, and currently allows fund transfers to other bank accounts without transaction fees.

BDO's established business franchise, healthy capital position and sustainable earnings performance reinforce the bank's resilience against prevailing macroeconomic headwinds and puts it in a good position to capitalize on the country's opportunities for sustained long-term growth.

Marcos declares 10-day national mourning for FVR

Former president Fidel V. Ramos (REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco / MANILA BULLETIN)

by Betheena Unite, Manila Bulletin

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared a 10-day period of national mourning over the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos.

The signed proclamation stated that with the contributions of Ramos, who is also known for his initials FVR, “it is fitting to devote a period of national mourning to pay tribute to an esteemed leader who has dedicated his life to public service and has left a lasting mark on our country.”

 

During the Period of National Mourning, the Philippine flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all buildings and places it is displayed as stated under Chapter 1 of Republic Act No. 8491 or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.”

Ramos was the country’s 12th president from 1992 to 1998.

Prior to his presidency, he served as the chief of Philippine Constabulary from 1972 to 1986, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from 1986 to 1988, and Secretary of National Defense from 1988 to 1991.

He was named as Military Hero of the Peaceful People Revolution for his paramount role in returning democracy to the Philippines.

On Sunday, the Palace extended sympathy to the loved ones of FVR, who passed away at the age of 94.

“Our family shares the Filipino people’s grief on this sad day. We did not only lose a good leader but also a member of the family,” the President said in his statement.

He also called on the citizenry to pray for the eternal repose of the former president.

God’s providence and our little contribution

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

“HE said to them, ‘There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.’ But they said to him, ‘Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.’ Then he said, ‘Bring them here to me,’ and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.” (Mt 14,16-19)

And so the story goes that led to the great astonishment of Christ’s disciples when at the end, in spite of what little the disciples contributed in the feeding of the people, there was a great amount of excess of the bread—12 baskets full—that was given to the crowd that followed Christ.

This gospel episode simply shows us that God always provides for our needs, no matter how helpless we may be in certain situations in our life. We should just trust in God’s almighty providence even as we do our part in resolving whatever problems and predicaments we can find ourselves in.

In this regard, Christ himself reassures us with these words: “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Mt 6,26)

And he continues: “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [c]arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Mt 6,28-30)

Yes, with a little help from us, the full wonder of God’s grace and providence would be revealed to us. This was articulated by Christ himself during the multiplication of the bread.

It is very moving to realize that what God is asking of us is actually very little in comparison to what he will be giving and doing for us. Another gospel episode that highlights this point is that of the miraculous catch of fish. (cfr. Lk 5,1-11)

Christ asked Peter to go to the deep and lower the nets for a catch. Peter at first was hesitant because he was fishing the previous night and caught nothing. But to Peter’s credit, he just obeyed Christ. And lo and behold, Peter caught such a large quantity of fish that he had to ask help to bring the enormous catch of fish to the shore.

It is indeed very reassuring that this is actually what happens in our relationship with God. All that we need to do are just the little duties we have, and God’s grace will come to us in abundance.

We simply have to do things in good faith, in obedience to God’s will, though sometimes God’s will would require extraordinary effort and sacrifice. But then again, whatever investment we have to give, even if in our own estimation it is already quite sizable, is nothing compared to what God will give us in return.

Corresponding to God’s will in our own small way is the highest yielding investment we can make. Let us remember that God can never be outdone in generosity. Christ himself said: “Whoever has (referring to one’s faith and trust in God) will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” (Mt 13,12)

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Mixed oil price adjustments next week

by Myrna M. Velasco, Manila Bulletin

For the fifth time in a series of cost adjustments in the past two months, the pockets of consumers will be eased partly with the anticipated rollback in diesel and kerosene prices next week, but motorists using gasoline are not as lucky because the cost of this commodity will go up.

Industry players estimated that the price of diesel will be reduced by P0.45 to P0.65 per liter; and kerosene prices will be slashed by P0.50 to P0.70 per liter, while gasoline prices will climb by P0.55 to P0.75 per liter for RON92 products; and P0.65 to P0.85 per liter for RON95 gasoline commodities.

Oil firms will implement the calculated price adjustments on Tuesday, Aug. 2, as part of their routine when it comes to cost movements in the deregulated downstream oil industry.

The pricing adjustment reference is anchored on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), and they also factor in foreign exchange (forex) rate fluctuations as well as market premiums, biofuel costs and other charges.

An added price relief in consumer-budgets will be the projected price reductions for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to the tune of more than P2.00 per kilogram; which is the preferred cooking fuel in Filipino households.

LPG prices are adjusted based on the cost swings of international contract prices (CP) that are benchmarked on Saudi Aramco, the pricing reference for Asian markets.

Prior to the next round of oil price swings at the pumps, a monitoring report of the Department of Energy (DOE) showed that domestic oil prices still incurred net increases of P32.95 per liter for diesel; P28.05 per liter for kerosene; and P18.90 per liter for gasoline products.

The general price trend in the world market last week had been cost downtrend, but as of Friday (July 29) trading, international benchmark Brent crude significantly climbed back to $110 per barrel; while Dubai crude jumped to $102 per barrel anew – manifesting then that price hikes may reign at the pumps again in the weeks ahead.

Filipino consumers are still left without choice given the heavy reliance of the country on importation in meeting its oil needs – and the only assurance coming from the government would be grant of targeted subsidy to the marginalized sectors – such as the transport and agriculture sectors – if surging prices will dominate pricing trends again.

The Marcos administration is still figuring out its policy when it comes to volatile oil pricing. There is no definitive commitment yet from the new leadership at the DOE if proposed measures, like fuel cost unbundling, will be strongly supported by Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo M. Lotilla.

There have been proposals for the country to seriously study the setting up of strategic petroleum reserve (SPR), but the only policy pronouncement from the Marcos administration for now is to whet the appetite of investors in oil and gas exploration so this could usher in long-desired energy security for the country.

Davao City to outsource durian

By Richy Nalagon

The government of Davao City, through the City Agriculturist's Office (Cagro), said it will deliver its commitment to have an abundant supply of durian during the Kadayawan season by outsourcing the "smelly but inviting" fruit from neighboring regions.

The unusual weather patterns caused by climate change have affected the cyclic production of durian in the city, resulting in a supply deficit.

Typically, the annual volume of durian that Davao City produces can reach over 12,000 metric tons (MT).

Davao City recorded 15,485 MT of durian in 2019, over 17,000 MT in 2020 and 12,930 MT in 2021. However, only over 3,000 MT of durian were harvested for the first half of this year.

During the I-Speak media forum on Thursday, Cagro head Edgardo Haspe said that because of the unusual weather patterns felt in the city's highlands early this year, a significant number of durian trees did not bear fruit in time for the Kadayawan season.

He said in order to respond to the high demand for the fruit during Kadayawan season, the Cagro is currently in talks with durian consolidators from other regions to import durian into the city.

"We are now discussing with the Durian Industry Council Association of Davao City, if, based on their monitoring, there is available supply from neighboring provinces and regions, just like North Cotabato, Kidapawan, Makilala, to supply the need for durian during that period," Haspe said.

Although there is still durian left to be harvested from the city's highlands, this will still not be enough to supply the market and the estimated 50,000 tourists who are expected to come during the Kadayawan season.

"As we have observed based on our monitoring, naa pa'y nabilin na portion in Toril, Sibulan, Catigan, portions of Marilog and Baguio, Calinan. Siguro dili na ni kaabot og 5,000 tons (As we have observed based on our monitoring, there are still some left in some parts of Toril, portions of Marilog and Baguio, Calinan. Maybe that will no longer reach 5,000 tons)," Haspe added.

Although Haspe admitted that this Kadayawan season's durian harvest in the city is proving to be underwhelming, he said the industry remains lucrative.

He added that more and more farmers are engaged in durian production due to its favorable prices in the global market.

In 2019, the total land area for durian farming in Davao City was recorded at 3,222 hectares.

This had since increased to 3,389 hectares in 2021. Haspe said the city's durian processors have also been increasing in number.

"Our durian processors here in the city are increasing.

There is one in Calinan, here in Tibungco; they come to our office to ask where they can find supply," Haspe said.

On top of this, Davao City is also eyeing building a direct link to the Chinese market.

The Cagro head said that the city's durian usually has to go through consolidators in other countries, such as Thailand, before ending up in mainland China.

He said exporting directly to China will increase the profit margin of Davao City's durian farmers as well as the city's visibility in the global market.

Our favorite wet market once a week.

 

Rossana Balcom-Döring is feeling thankful at Agdao Public Market.

DA provides livelihood assistance to People’s Organization in Laak

Davao de Oro --- To ensure food security and alleviate the poverty of local farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) provided livelihood assistance to the People’s Organization in Laak, Davao de Oro, named Conception Alternative Learners Livelihood Organization (CALLO).

A total of 8,330 hills of Banana Lakatan, 15 sacks of feeds, and 30 packs of 8 in-1 vegetable seeds were distributed to the CALLO in Barangay Conception, Laak, Davao de Oro, on July 22, 22, 2022. 

The assistance is part of the Banana Production, Mallard Duck Production, and Gulayan sa Barangay project under the DA’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, which aims to support the farmers and fisherfolk through the provision of intervention programs.

Mayor Antonio L. Libuangan expressed gratitude for the agency’s support by providing income-generating opportunities that will sustain their daily needs and help it become a self-sustaining organization in town. He also stressed that the local government will continue to monitor the recipients to ensure the success and development of the project. 

Association Chairman Dominador Clarion Jr. said in response that the whole association is thankful for the assistance poured into their association that will help them get through in life, particularly in recovering from the effects of the current pandemic.

SAAD Area Coordinator, Anna Marie Malabarbas, leads the distribution of assistance together with Municipal SAAD Coordinator Ramil C. Madayag and in collaboration with the Civil-Military Operation of the 60th Infantry MEDIATOR Battalion. (Rheafe Hortizano –Information Office, Photos by LGU Laak)

Senior citizens warned against social pension scams

By Moises Cruz

SENIOR Citizen Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes reminded the elderly and their families to exercise caution and to avoid people promising financial assistance and other benefits that are authorized for release by government agencies.

"My advice to my older peers is to not trust anyone or any organization that asks for money in exchange for a social pension or other government assistance," Ordanes said.

"It is obvious that this is a scam, because the government is providing free financial aid," he added.

A concerned individual contacted the Senior Citizen Party-list about a supposed senior citizens' organization that has been recruiting members, collecting dues, and soliciting with promises of social pension for the underprivileged seniors.

Ordanes asked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to look into the scam.