Once bullied for being black, Alexie Brooks finds her place in Philippines pageantry

Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star 

January 29, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Newly-crowned Miss Iloilo 2024 Alexie Brooks is poised to represent Iloilo City in this year’s Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) pageant competition. But as early as now, her name is already popular among pageant enthusiasts following her stunning win at the local pageant.

The Ilongga athlete and LGBTQ member, who dreamed of becoming a beauty queen since she was 12, felt “great and amazing” after her recent feat in Philippine pageantry.

Speaking to The STAR in an exclusive Zoom chat, she said, “I feel really grateful that I won knowing that at the same time, I put in so much effort and sacrifices into winning the crown. And not just only me, my team, the people around me, even my family and friends, they put in all so much effort to help me win the crown (Miss Iloilo 2024).”

Alexie, a student, athlete, and LGBTQ member, has dreamed of becoming a beauty queen since she was 12. — Photo from Alexie’s Facebook page

At 10, she was exposed to the world of sports. “Boyish” and labeled by some as “tomboy,” no one expected her to join pageantry until she was 12.

“I had these two friends, they were part of my team when I was 12 years old, they pushed me to join this local pageant (Mutya ng Buga). They would go to my house, where I was literally wearing a jersey, basketball shirt, and basketball shorts, and push me to join the pageantry. I kept saying no, ‘I don’t wanna join because look at me, do I look like a pageant girl to you?’” she asked them.

Newly-crowned Miss Iloilo 2024 Alexie Brooks is poised to represent Iloilo City in this year’s Miss Universe Philippines competition.

“I don’t know what they saw until they convinced me and I actually did join when I was 12 and won my first-ever pageant. It started there.”

The first beauty queen she saw on TV was Venus Raj. “(Seeing) someone close to the skin tone that I have, it gives you this power or hope knowing that where I came from, I’m the only black kid in (school)… I’ve often been bullied for being black.

“So seeing someone as a representation of who you are, it gives you a hope that if she can do that, ‘Why can’t I?’”

The Ilongga beauty celebrates her win with her grandmother who raised her.

She started dreaming big, she said. “And God knows what happened next… I joined four times in pageants but ever since I was 12, the dream was there. It has always been there,” she said.

“That’s why when people compared me to Zozibini, it kinda makes me feel bad because I started the dream ever since even (before) I joined the pageant. I’m not trying to be a nobody. I’m not trying to be somebody. I just wanna be my own self and express myself in my own ways.”

Alexie was referring to Zozibini Tunzi, a model-actress who won the Miss Universe crown in 2019. She was likened by some netizens to the black, South African beauty queen.

“(It’s) good because people saw a potential in you and compared you to someone you know is exceptional. They compared you to someone who did something in their lives. Obviously, who wouldn’t like that you know. Someone compared you to all those big people, that feels great. It feels amazing,” Alexie reacted.

“And at the same time, it is also not good in the sense that I’m doing my very best (to be) my own person and to be authentic.

“I am an athlete, I am a student, (and) I have my own struggles in life. So basically if you wanna be someone one day, you don’t wanna be a copycat of something. You wanna be authentic. You wanna be your own person. I mean, I don’t mind people complimenting me (and comparing) me (to) her, but I really hope people stop calling me Zozibini because at the end of the day, I am Alexie. I struggled my way up to become my own person.”

The beauty queen that she admired most is Pia Wurtzbach for being a “transformational woman” who used her advocacy to change other people’s lives for the better.

Alexie ventured into athletics when she was in third grade. She studied at Buga Elementary School in Leon, Iloilo until high school and spent her senior high days at Iloilo National High School. She is currently a fourth year student at the National University in Manila taking up Business Marketing course and is part of the university’s track and field team where she was named University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ Most Valuable Player in 2022.

“I would always skip classes to play high jump in the mini-forest,” she recalled her elementary days. “And my teacher would get so mad at me because obviously we had class.

“And because it was a betting game, at lunch time, we would bet P5 to compete with the rest of the group. I had one teacher who saw me and she was like you could actually join sports and you could one day get a scholarship and travel somewhere else. You know, make a good name out of yourself.”

When she was in her fourth grade, she started joining competitions, went on to clinch silver and gold medals in various track and field events, became Palarong Pambansa long jump record holder, and represented the Philippines in Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in 2022 in the heptathlon event.

Born in Lebanon to a Black American father whom she never met and to an overseas Filipino worker mother, Alexie was raised by her grandparents in Iloilo. Her grandfather passed away when she was young and had her grandmother, Lola Basing, by her side growing up.

She met her biological mom at least three times. “My grandma would always tell me that at the end of the day, she is still your mom. If it wasn’t because of her, you wouldn’t be in this universe right now.

“I’m thankful and grateful that she put me in this life and that is beautiful. It might be rocky but life is beautiful. So I still wish her well regardless of what she is doing in her life, where she’s at or who she’s with.”

As a black kid with curly hair, she was often called “aeta” or “ati” by some people. “As much as I am smiling right now, the bullying experience was really horrible,” she expressed.

She would hear words, such as, “kulot salot” and “putok sa kawayan.” “Because I really don’t have my parents growing up,” stated Alexie.

Often bullied for being half-black, she hated her skin color and curly hair. “I hated being who I am because people hated me for that. They hurt me for that. They made me cry. They gave me so much trauma that until right now, it is still there,” she said.

“But then one thing about me is I really have changed my perspective. I really have toughened my mental health (and) my mindset. That instead of me looking at it, ‘Oh yeah, I am black though and they hate me for being black so what am I gonna do?’ I just look at it as, ‘Yeah, I am black. So what?’

“‘What has my color to do with what I can offer to the world? The color of my skin, my identity, my gender, my hair, what has to do with who I am as a person?” she mused.

She realized that if they hate her for being black, there’s probably a lot of black kids in the country going through the same thing. “If I’m gonna cry about it then I let them win. So why not create it into something different, transformational? So I transformed my life,” she said.

“I created (turned) all those hurting, bullying, traumas into something great, something bigger. So, when I say that I’m doing this for a bigger cause, it’s really for a bigger cause. (It’s) not just about winning the crown or just being who I am right now. It’s so much more than that.”

On what her message is to people who bullied her, “I hope that they really think before they speak” and “be more cautious and just really spread love.”

“I wanna thank them ‘coz if it wasn’t for all those things, I wouldn’t be the person that I am right now. But at the same time, I don’t think I deserve to really go through that just to be at where I am.”

Philippine Fairy Tales (XVII) - Philippinische Märchen (XVIKI): Die Trockenheit von Dalag

Mudfish is not generally found in a typical Filipino market, perhaps due to the more complex process of cleaning and cutting that’s quite easy with salt water counterparts. The taste will largely depend on the freshness of the fish catch and how well it’s cleaned — removal of gills, scales, innards and other secretion to remove fishy odor.

Niemand würde je von Alitaptap und der Macht ihres Sterns erfahren haben, wenn es nicht einen armen Fischer gegeben hätte, der so hungrig und verzweifelt wurde, dass er sich weiter aus dem Dorf wagte als je zuvor. Tief in den desolaten Sümpfen hinter den leeren See von Dalag, lechzte der arme Fischer nach einem Tropfen Wasser, um seine Zunge ein wenig in der feuchten Nacht abkühlen lassen. Wirbelndes Blinken von Licht fiel ihm ins Auge, und der arme Fischer hörte das Stöhnen Schluchzen eines kleinen Mädchens. Er folgte dem unschuldigen Wimmern zu einer Hütte, aus getrockneten Mango Blättern und einem umgestürzten Baumstamm gemacht. Glühwürmchen tanzten über die kleine Hütte. Wer war dieses einsame kleine Mädchen, und warum weinte sie denn? Tote Blüten knisterten unter seinen Füßen als er sich näherte. Ein sanftes Licht pulsierte hinter dem Mangoblättern, und des Fischers Blick wurde gefangen von der atmenden Flamme. Es war wunderschön. Das Licht schien ihm zu winken. Durch den Vorhang aus Mangoblättern sah er eine gebeugte Silhouette durch Licht verstärkt. Ein Zweig knackte unter seinem Fuß, und die Silhouette drehte ihren Kopf. Des Fischers Augen brannten beim Anblick des Sterns der erschreckten Alitaptap. Schnell verbarg er sein Gesicht in der Beugung des Ellbogens, aber das Brennen hielt an. Dunkelheit. Sein Augenlicht erlosch mit einem hellen Blitz. Hätten die Mangoblätter nicht einen Teil des Sterns umschattet, wäre der arme Fischer zu Asche verbrannt.

Der blinde Fischer floh voll von Panik unter Tränen. Sein Fuß verfing sich am Ende einer ausgetrockneten Baumwurzel, und er stürzte in den ausgetrockneten See von Dalag. Er rollte hinunter in den Staub wie auf den Boden einer leeren Keramikschale. Als er stöhnte und um sein Augenlicht schrie; wartete zur gleichen Zeit seine Frau, die ein Loch am Boden des Sees gegraben hatte, auf die Dämmerung, und sie sah ihren Mann. Er kroch auf Händen und Knien wie ein Säugling, klopfte auf den Boden zur Orientierung mit seinen rissigen Händen. Als seine Frau über den Seegrund kroch, um ihm zu helfen, schrie er in Angst vor dem Kind-Monster, das hinter dem See lebe. Und so erfuhr jeder Dorfbewohner von Dalag davon und lernte Alitaptap und ihren Stern zu fürchten.

Die Prinzessin gewöhnte sich daran, ihr Gesicht mit einem dicken Schild Fransen zu verbergen, um alle, die zwischen ihre Augen blicken könnten, zu schützen, und sie wohnte in den vertrocknenden Sümpfen rund um den unfruchtbaren See, vor der Menschheit verborgen. Auch sie fürchtete sich vor ihrem Stern. Nur einmal hatte sie sich bei Tageslicht an den Rand des Sees gewagt, und die Dorfbewohner hielten ihre Handrücken vor ihre Augen bei ihrem Anblick, und warfen ungeschickt Steine und Klumpen von Lehm in Richtung ihrer Stirn. Und so verließ Alitaptap ihre Mango-Laubhütte nur unter dem Vorhang der Nacht, in der Hoffnung, dass die Dorfbewohner von Dalag weiter schlafen würden, bis sie das Sammeln ihrer nächtlichen Mondbeeren beendet hatte. Die Dunkelheit störte sie nicht, da ihr Stern und ihre Glühwürmchen immer ihren Weg erleuchteten. Auch störte sie nicht die dünne Sommer-Luft in Dalag, da ihr Stern ihr die Körperwärme verschlang, so blieb ihre Haut kalt. Sie sehnte sich nach einer warmen Berührung - eine Berührung, die sie nicht erfahren würde, bis auf wenige Tage vor ihrem Tod.

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No one would have ever known of Alitaptap and the power of her star if it had not been for a poor fisherman who became so hungry and desperate that he ventured further from the village than ever before. Deep in the desolate swamps behind the empty lake of Dalag, the poor fisherman longed for a drop of water to cool his tongue a little in the damp night. Swirling flashes of light caught his eye, and the poor fisherman heard the moans and sobs of a little girl. He followed the innocent whimper to a hut made from dried mango leaves and a fallen tree trunk. Fireflies danced over the little hut. Who was this lonely little girl and why was she crying? Dead flowers crackled beneath his feet as he approached. A soft light pulsed behind the mango leaves, and the fisherman's gaze was caught by the breathing flame. It was wonderful. The light seemed to beckon him. Through the curtain of mango leaves he saw a hunched silhouette enhanced by light. A twig snapped under his foot and the silhouette turned its head. The fisherman's eyes burned at the sight of the star of the frightened Alitaptap. He quickly hid his face in the bend of his elbow, but the burning continued. Darkness. His eyesight went out in a bright flash. If the mango leaves hadn't shaded part of the star, the poor fisherman would have burned to ashes.

The blind fisherman fled in tears in panic. His foot caught on the end of a dry tree root and he fell into the dry lake of Dalag. He rolled down into the dust like the bottom of an empty ceramic bowl. As he groaned and screamed for his sight; At the same time his wife, who had dug a hole at the bottom of the lake, was waiting for dusk and she saw her husband. He crawled on his hands and knees like an infant, tapping the ground with his cracked hands for orientation. As his wife crawled across the lake bed to help him, he screamed in fear of the child-monster that lived beyond the lake. And so every villager in Dalag learned about it and learned to fear Alitaptap and her star.

The princess took to hiding her face with a thick shield of fringe to protect anyone who might look between her eyes, and she lived in the drying swamps surrounding the barren lake, hidden from humanity. She too was afraid of her star. Only once had she ventured to the edge of the lake in daylight, and the villagers held the backs of their hands to her eyes at the sight of her, clumsily throwing stones and lumps of clay toward her forehead. And so Alitaptap left her mango shack only under the curtain of night, hoping that the villagers of Dalag would continue to sleep until she had finished gathering their nightly moonberries. The darkness didn't bother her as her star and fireflies always lit her path. The thin summer air in Dalag didn't bother her either, as her star devoured her body heat, so her skin remained cold. She longed for a warm touch - a touch that she would not experience until a few days before her death.

Typical Filipino (XXXIX) - Typisch Philippinisch (XXXIX): Women - Frauen

 Typical Filipino (XXXIX) - Typisch Philippinisch (XXXIX):  Women - Frauen

The current situation of women in the Philippines is best described as having sharp contradictions. The Filipino women may be considered as one of the most advanced vis-à-vis the women in other countries, in the areas of academic, professional, politics and legislation.

However, they also suffer from domestic violence, economic disadvantages, discrimination at the workplace, exploitation as migrant workers, and as prostituted women and displacement brought about by the intermittent wars in conflict affected areas. The Philippines is the only country in Asia to have closed the gender gap on both education and health and is one of only six (6) in the world to have done so. 

Moreover, the Philippines’ scores on political empowerment continues to improve as its economic indicators such as estimated income, labor force participation and income equality for similar work. The Philippines is the only country in the world where women have parity to men in senior management roles. However, despite the remarkable achievements above, thousands of Filipino women suffer from sex and other gender related abuses While Filipino women suffer the same domestic violence, and economic disadvantages all over the country, women in some parts of Mindanao and other conflict affected areas in the Philippines suffer more. 

As in most countries affected by displacement brought about by armed conflict, women and children make up the great majority of the displaced population in the Philippines, and experience additional vulnerabilities. The intermittent wars affect women’s livelihood, health, education and family life, among other things. In the area of legislative reforms, the Philippines has ensured the protection of women against economic, social and political forms of discrimination. The country has passed important laws like the Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998, the Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 and the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. The Philippines also has a vibrant women’s movement which is recognized for its work in the international and national levels. 

In her study on psychopathology, Lourdes V. Lapuz, a Filipino psychiatrist, writes: "Despite all the mutual signs and references, Filipino culture still has a large remnant of ideal images of women from times long past. This includes, above all, the so-called 'Maria Clara '-Image of the shy, brittle, modest, selfless and loyal to the end woman. The type of woman in business today does not mean social inferiority. Filipinas are equal to men in many areas. And that's a good thing!

(To be continued!)

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Die aktuelle Situation der Frauen auf den Philippinen lässt sich am besten als widersprüchlich beschreiben. Die philippinischen Frauen können im Vergleich zu den Frauen in anderen Ländern als eine der fortschrittlichsten in den Bereichen Wissenschaft, Beruf, Politik und Gesetzgebung angesehen werden.

Allerdings leiden sie auch unter häuslicher Gewalt, wirtschaftlicher Benachteiligung, Diskriminierung am Arbeitsplatz, Ausbeutung als Wanderarbeiterinnen und prostituierte Frauen sowie unter Vertreibung, die durch die zeitweiligen Kriege in Konfliktgebieten verursacht wird. Die Philippinen sind das einzige Land in Asien, das die Kluft zwischen den Geschlechtern sowohl im Bildungs- als auch im Gesundheitsbereich geschlossen hat, und eines von nur sechs (6) Ländern weltweit, denen dies gelungen ist.

Darüber hinaus verbessern sich die Werte der Philippinen in Bezug auf politisches Empowerment weiter, da ihre Wirtschaftsindikatoren wie geschätztes Einkommen, Erwerbsbeteiligung und Einkommensgleichheit bei ähnlicher Arbeit berücksichtigt werden. Die Philippinen sind das einzige Land der Welt, in dem Frauen in Führungspositionen gleichberechtigt mit Männern vertreten sind. Doch trotz der oben genannten bemerkenswerten Erfolge leiden Tausende von philippinischen Frauen unter sexuellem und anderem geschlechtsbezogenem Missbrauch. Während philippinische Frauen im ganzen Land unter der gleichen häuslichen Gewalt und wirtschaftlichen Benachteiligung leiden, leiden Frauen in einigen Teilen von Mindanao und anderen von Konflikten betroffenen Gebieten in der Die Philippinen leiden stärker.

Wie in den meisten Ländern, die von Vertreibungen aufgrund bewaffneter Konflikte betroffen sind, stellen Frauen und Kinder die große Mehrheit der vertriebenen Bevölkerung auf den Philippinen und sind zusätzlich gefährdet. Die zeitweiligen Kriege wirken sich unter anderem auf den Lebensunterhalt, die Gesundheit, die Bildung und das Familienleben der Frauen aus. Im Bereich der Gesetzesreformen haben die Philippinen den Schutz von Frauen vor wirtschaftlichen, sozialen und politischen Formen der Diskriminierung sichergestellt. Das Land hat wichtige Gesetze verabschiedet, darunter das Gesetz zur Unterstützung und zum Schutz von Vergewaltigungsopfern von 1998, das Gesetz gegen sexuelle Belästigung von 1995 und das Gesetz gegen Gewalt gegen Frauen und ihre Kinder von 2004. Die Philippinen haben auch eine lebendige Frauenbewegung, die dafür bekannt ist seine Arbeit auf internationaler und nationaler Ebene.

In ihrer Studie über Psychopathologie schreibt Lourdes V. Lapuz, eine philippinische Psychiaterin: "Trotz aller gegenseitiger Anzeichen und Hinweise verfügt die philippinische Kultur immer noch über einen großen Restbestand an Idealbildern von Frauen aus längst vergangenen Zeiten. Dazu gehört vor allem das sogenannte 'Maria Clara'-Bild der schüchternen, spröden, bescheiden, selbstlosen und bis zum Ende  loyalen Frau. Der Frauentyp im Geschäftsleben in der heutigen Zeit bedeutet nicht soziale Unterlegenheit. Filipinas sind in vielen Bereichen Männern gleichgestellt. Und das ist gut so!

(Fortsetzung folgt!)

Philippine-German Relations (IX) - Deutsch-philippinische Beziehungen (IX): German scientists, authors, and writers

A noted German scientist , Dr. Adolf Bernhard Meyer, Director of the Royal Ethnographical Museum at Dresden/Germany also traveled extensively in the Philippines for some years. He made a good collection of Philippine Fauna in his museum  and published numerous papers on Philippine anthropological, linguistic, and zoological subjects from 1872 to the the close of the 19th century.

Dr. Hans Meyer was the Director of the Bibliographic Institute in Leipzig at the time when Rizal met him. He had traveled extensively in the Philippines in 1882. According to Rizal himself, Meyer was the author of one of the largest encyclopedic dictionaries of Germany. He also wrote a book about the Igorots of the Mountain Province, a acopy of which was given personally to Rizal during his visit to Leipzig in 1886.

Another German scientist, Richard von Drasche, visited Luzon from 1870 to 1880. He was a geologist by profession andd had several collections, which were later studied by Karl Oehbeke, a German petrographer. Von Drasche wrote a book entitled "Datos para un Estudio Geologico de la Isla Luzon', published in Madrid in 1881.

More than 33 scientific books and articles about the Philippines and its people were written in German and Spanish by Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, an Austrian scholar with German-Jewish blood. It was through him that Rizal met noted German scholars like Feodor Jagor and Dr. Rudolf Virchow among others. Besides the map of Mindanao, numerous scientific papers and papers on Philippine culture were published by him. Ferdinand Blumentritt was an active and vigorous defender of the Philippine cause. In his honor, some streets of Manila and other cities have been named "Blumentritt".

Dr. Rudolf Virchow, a physician, noted for his medical researches on pathology at the University of Berlin. In one of the Berlin Society for Anthropology conferences on January 15, 1870, Dr. Virchow read his report entitled "The Skulls of Old Inhabitants of the Philippines.

(To be continued!)

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Ein bekannter deutscher Wissenschaftler, Dr. Adolf Bernhard Meyer, Direktor des Königlichen Ethnographischen Museums in Dresden/Deutschland, reiste einige Jahre lang ebenfalls ausgiebig auf den Philippinen. Er legte in seinem Museum eine gute Sammlung der philippinischen Fauna an und veröffentlichte von 1872 bis zum Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts zahlreiche Aufsätze zu philippinischen anthropologischen, sprachlichen und zoologischen Themen.

Dr. Hans Meyer war zu der Zeit, als Rizal ihn kennenlernte, Direktor des Bibliographischen Instituts in Leipzig. Er war 1882 ausgiebig auf den Philippinen gereist. Laut Rizal selbst war Meyer der Autor eines der größten enzyklopädischen Wörterbücher Deutschlands. Er schrieb auch ein Buch über die Igorots der Bergprovinz, von dem Rizal bei seinem Besuch in Leipzig im Jahr 1886 eine Kopie persönlich überreicht wurde.

Ein weiterer deutscher Wissenschaftler, Richard von Drasche, besuchte Luzon von 1870 bis 1880. Er war von Beruf Geologe und besaß mehrere Sammlungen, die später von Karl Oehbeke, einem deutschen Petrographen, untersucht wurden. Von Drasche schrieb ein Buch mit dem Titel „Datos para un Estudio Geologico de la Isla Luzon“, das 1881 in Madrid veröffentlicht wurde.

Mehr als 33 wissenschaftliche Bücher und Artikel über die Philippinen und ihre Menschen wurden auf Deutsch und Spanisch von Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, einem österreichischen Gelehrten mit deutsch-jüdischem Blut, verfasst. Durch ihn lernte Rizal unter anderem bekannte deutsche Gelehrte wie Feodor Jagor und Dr. Rudolf Virchow kennen. Neben der Karte von Mindanao wurden von ihm zahlreiche wissenschaftliche Arbeiten und Arbeiten zur philippinischen Kultur veröffentlicht. Ferdinand Blumentritt war ein aktiver und energischer Verfechter der philippinischen Sache. Ihm zu Ehren wurden einige Straßen in Manila und anderen Städten „Blumentritt“ genannt.

Dr. Rudolf Virchow, ein Arzt, bekannt für seine medizinischen Forschungen zur Pathologie an der Universität Berlin. Auf einer der Tagungen der Berliner Gesellschaft für Anthropologie am 15. Januar 1870 las Dr. Virchow seinen Bericht mit dem Titel „Die Schädel alter Einwohner der Philippinen“.

(Fortsetzung folgt!)

Let our hope spring eternal

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE all have reason to be always hopeful and even optimistic despite the ugliest fears and worries we may have in our life. And that reason can only be that we can always count on God who is all powerful. Not only that, he truly cares for us, though in ways that may escape our understanding and appreciation. 

This truth of our faith is highlighted in that episode where Christ drove out a legion of evil spirits that possessed a man. (cfr. Mk 5,1-20) Even in the worst scenario, when we inflict ourselves with the gravest of sin, there is still hope because as St. Paul said, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” (Rom 5,20)

We have to reassure ourselves, based on what Christ has promised and has actually done for us, that there can be no crisis that is too big for the grace of God to handle.

We have to remember that nothing happens in this life without at least the knowledge and tolerance of God. And if God allows some really bad things to happen, it is because a greater good can always be derived from them. 

We just have to put ourselves in God’s side to tackle whatever crisis plagues us. That is the real challenge we have to face. And just like what Christ did and continues to do to redeem us, we have to follow the formula he once spelled out: deny ourselves, carry the cross and then follow him. (cfr. Mt 16,24)

If we are willing to do that, then we can even gain a lot more than what we appear to lose and to suffer. In other words, we can say that the bigger, the more serious the problem, the bigger, plentier and stronger also the grace God will give us. So, let us just be game and do our part of the bargain.

It’s not easy, of course. But neither is it impossible. It would really depend on how we see things. If we only consider the enormity of the problem, then we cannot help but feel overwhelmed and even get discouraged. But if we consider God’s abundant grace, even the impossible can be possible for us.

We need to educate ourselves to always remain calm and optimistic when faced with grave problems, and just try our best to discern what God is showing us with respect to resolving a crisis.

Yes, we have to learn to suffer. But let’s never forget that there is always the resurrection of Christ. Christ has already won for us the war against any form of evil. We just have to learn to be with him and not to be so stupid as to do things simply on our own.

We have to strengthen our conviction that every problem and crisis is an opportunity to grow in strength and quality in our spiritual life, in our love for God and others and the world in general. Yes, we need to develop a proper love for the world. We have to conquer the world that will always be beset with the effects of our sins.

Again, let’s do all this with a sporting spirit based on our faith, hope and charity. We may get dirty from time to time, but we can always get up and then move on. To repeat, there is no crisis too big for the grace of God to handle!

A MISTAKEN BELIEF

 

A mistaken belief accompanies each and every one of us daily. Incorrect decisions and wrong doings are part of our daily life.

Mistaken or irrational beliefs are truly mistaken or irrational because they fly in the face of reality. They set up expectations that are unrealistic, thus causing emotional upset when the expectations are not met. The more rigid the mistaken beliefs, the more emotional upset they produce.

It is almost a ridiculous fact that man wants to know certain truths about mundane things. But really he seems least interested in even mundane truths as can be read many times in newspapers for example. There seem to be too many rash judgments, and the readers absorb these and make these their own. A fatal attraction!

This is sometimes referred to as journalistic mentality wherein accusations are generously made without proof. Evolution started this trend, when scientists stated for example that man evolved from the apes, without proof. The only proof they had was the missing link, and if I am not mistaken, it's still a missing proof until now.

To look for proofs is a mental activity, which is no longer a common thing nowadays, because it takes really time, effort and is too serious to think about. Yet in Christian education, thinking right is very important.That's why Philosophy is important in Christian life. To avoid error in thinking, the rules of right reasoning must be studied and mastered. Is it really totally neglected in today's modern education?

Thinking is actually an enjoyable activity but when one is pressured to get a good job for one's sustenance, then the other more mundane becomes attractive. After all, great thinkers often do not get (good?) jobs... .

Spiritual writers like the British Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) noticed that mankind had stopped thinking even two centuries ago. That was during his age. Man probably stopped thinking even earlier. He has ceased many times to search for the truth. It's easier to listen to gossip and believe in it. What a sign of weak minds!

Too often are we blind to the truth and as a consequence we easily believe in lies we only have to like it. Too bad, if people always like to close their eyes and ears especially while experiencing the delusion of error. 

In order to give an “air of reality” to the defence of honest but mistaken belief, there must be: (1) evidence of lack of consent to the sexual acts; and (2) evidence that notwithstanding the actual refusal, the accused honestly but mistakenly believed that the complainant was consenting.

Chilly temperatures across the Philippines and a Tropical Wave near Mindanao

LPA nearing Mindanao, Bagyo Update 28th January 2024

Breaking the habit: Why ditching 'Filipino time' is crucial for success

BY RHOWEN DEL ROSARIO

While the Philippines may be known for its warm hospitality and delicious cuisine, it is also known for a prevalent cultural norm—the “Filipino time.”

Photo from Unsplash

The concept of Filipino time is when Filipinos tend to be consistently late for appointments, gatherings, and even work-related commitments.

This habit has become deeply ingrained in Filipino society, often seen as a "lighthearted cultural stereotype," rather than a serious issue.

Given this, as noted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), there is a "critical need" for societal change in terms of time consciousness.

This is highlighted during the National Time Consciousness Week (NTCW) 2024, taking place from Jan. 1 to 7.

In response to this cultural norm, a social media user recently expressed her thoughts on the practice of "Filipino time" when people tend to arrive late or delay appointments without prior notice.

“Cancel me, block me, unfriend me all you want, but Filipino time is toxic. Not only does it cause inconvenience, but it's also a major disrespect to someone who values time,” the user said in a Facebook post.

"It is no longer a culture. In fact, it is not a culture. Accepting that it is a prevalent Filipino culture is merely a justification of Filipinos' indolence and incivility," the user added.

This cultural norm, according to many, also "hampers" productivity and efficiency in both personal and professional settings.

In a Facebook live session on Jan. 11, DOST-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Astronomical Publication and Planetarium Unit Chief Mario M. Raymundo sought to instill a "sense of responsibility" and "efficiency" in the younger generation.

This is to ensure they recognize the value of time in shaping a progressive and dynamic society.

"Time is important because it is the one thing we can never get back. Once it's gone, it's gone, and we can never get it back. This powerful message emphasizes the deep importance of time in our lives," Raymundo said.

According to him, time is a "powerful tool" for shaping individual and professional success. It also showcases professionalism, dedication, and discipline to complete tasks promptly and meet deadlines.

Embracing punctuality

“Let's shift from the saying that 'the Pinoy is always late' to 'Filipino time is always on time,” Thelma Cinco, officer-in-charge of DOST-PAGASA Office of the Deputy Administrator for Research and Development said.

While embracing punctuality can be challenging at first, the inconvenience it may bring to others can be even more daunting.

To properly embrace the habit of being on time, the department recommended taking a few steps.

Firstly, it highlighted that people should start by acknowledging the negative impact of tardiness on personal and professional relationships.

Understanding that being late can result in lost opportunities or strained connections can motivate individuals to make a change and build stronger relationships based on trust and reliability.

"It is helpful to set reminders and alarms to keep track of time commitments," it said.

Another important part is setting "realistic goals" and gradually adjusting one's schedule to allow for more time between activities. This can help ensure timeliness without feeling overwhelmed.

Moreover, it added that practicing effective time management techniques such as prioritizing tasks, breaking them down into smaller steps, and creating schedules or to-do lists can greatly improve punctuality.

Ahtisa Manalo ready to conquer the Miss Universe stage: 'I'm a lot stronger now'

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

  

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AT A GLANCE

• In 2018, Ahtisa won first runner-up at Miss International. In 2020, She filed an application for Miss Universe Philippines but decided to withdraw at the last minute. 

Ahtisa Manalo (Instagram)

Former Miss International first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo has been appointed as the official delegate of Quezon Province for Miss Universe Philippines 2024. This time, she's ready to conquer the Miss Universe stage.

"When I joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2018, I was very young - 20. I didn't feel I could utilize the platform to explore my full potential. And now, at 26, I have many life experiences, and I've grown a lot. I feel like now I can utilize the platform very well," said Ahtisa during an interview for ABS-CBN on Saturday.

In 2018, Ahtisa won first runner-up at Miss International. In 2020, She filed an application for Miss Universe Philippines but decided to withdraw at the last minute. 

"I don't think I was ready then. I had a lot of growing to do. It felt like it was only two years after Bb. Pilipinas. I didn't think I had anything new to offer," she said.

Ahtisa, 26, she's ready for pageantry again.

"I feel like I'm a lot stronger now. I can handle many more things better, and I also feel like being an entrepreneur has helped me utilize my skills and see the potential that the Miss Universe Philippines platform has," she said. 

Ahtisa recalled she had joined pageants in Quezon in elementary school.

"I was born in Candelaria, Quezon. I grew up there most of my life. I spent 20 years of my life. I only left for Bb. Pilipinas. I started joining pageants when I was in fourth grade because I wanted to help my family by sending me to school. So they're the ones who've been sending me to school ever since I started kindergarten. 

"And I felt like I needed to help, and my pageant, then Little Miss Inverga, had one-year free tuition if you won, so I don't have anything to pay. So doon ako nagsimula mag-pageant because I saw the potential in helping my family and myself," she said.

Ahtisa emphasized the significance of having good communication skills for a beauty queen. 

"Communication skills are a big factor in being able to convey your thoughts. You don't need to speak a specific language and be fluent in one, but I think it is important to be able to make people understand what you mean," she said.

The beauty queen also discussed her advocacy. "I'm working with Alan Academy. It is an organization where we believe that the best way to empower children is through education and education, a holistic form of education that starts from a very young age, which teaches global citizenship, social skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset."