Padel Pilipinas Unveils National Team, All Set for Asia Pacific Padel Cup

 

PRESS RELEASE

September 14, 2024

Padel Pilipinas Unveils National Team, All Set for Asia Pacific Padel Cup

 Padel Pilipinas, the country's official Padel Federation recognized by both the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), proudly introduced the members of the national team and training pool on Friday (September 13) at Play Padel, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong.

The unveiling comes as the team prepares to compete in the Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) in Bali, Indonesia, from September 19 to 22.

Head Coach Bryan Casao presented the Men's and Women's teams, with Executive Director Atty. Jacqueline Gan, and President and Founder Senator Pia S. Cayetano.

"We're very proud, as the sole National Sports Association recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission, to send our official national team to this prestigious international competition, where nations compete against nations–not just individuals or organizations," said Atty. Gan.

The national team and training pool includes:

 Men's Team

Atty. Duane Santos

Derrick Santos

Argil Lance "LA" Cañizares (Team Captain)

Raymark "Mac" Gulfo

Abdulqoahar "Qoqo" Allian

Johnny Arcilla

Mhar Joseph Serra

Francis Casey "Niño" Alcantara

Women's Team

Senator Pia Cayetano

Tao Yee Tan

Princess Jean Naquila

Marian Capadocia

Yam Garsin

 Joseph Serra, currently the top-ranking Filipino padel player in the country and a multiple-time champion, said: "Being part of Team Padel Pilipinas has elevated my game to the next level. It's not about individual wins anymore; it's about achieving success for the team. We're a group of exceptional players, both on and off the court."

Senator Pia Cayetano added: “I challenge everyone who's a part of the team to raise the bar because we are accountable to the Filipino people. I try to inculcate in our players that they must always conduct themselves in a manner deserving to bear the Filipino flag.”

The national team has been busy training for months as they go head-to-head against teams of other countries. Apart from Coach Bryan, a double-certified padel coach, who oversees the overall training, the team has also enlisted the help of Coach Jaric Lavalle for the players’ strength and conditioning training.

"We've been training for two months now. I'm excited for the team, and I can say that our team is ready," Coach Casao stressed as he expressed confidence in the team's preparation.

The APPC is the first-ever padel competition held among nations in the Asia Pacific region, featuring seven countries, including the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, competing for the top spot in the rapidly growing sport. The Philippines’ national team members, many of whom were champions in recent local tournaments, shared their excitement and readiness for the international competition.

"Alam naman natin na ang dream ng bawat athlete is to represent the country and to be part of the National Team. I’m very honored that Padel Pilipinas chose me to be their player and Team Captain in this APPC Nations Cup tournament in Bali. I just wanna say that I’m very proud and very excited to lead the team,” Team Captain LA Cañizares highlighted.

“Since this is my first time joining an international tournament, I’m very excited, siyempre makakalaban kami ng nations, we’re gonna represent our country, and I’m very confident naman po na may laban tayo,” first-timer Princess Naquila further shared.

Padel Pilipinas also successfully wrapped up the Padel Pilipinas Open 2024 last weekend, which is regarded as the largest padel tournament in the country.  The event showcased an impressive turnout with 108 teams, over 170 players, and 234 thrilling matches spread across 8 days of competition.

“The Padel Pilipinas Open 2024 became the largest tournament, not just in Padel Pilipinas, but in the whole country. We're very glad, humbled, and proud,“ Atty. Gan said.

Padel Pilipinas is set to hold its last national tournament under the Philippine Islands Padel Tour, the Play Padel Open 2024, this October. Following that, the Padel Masters will take place in November, featuring the top padel players based on their rankings from previous tournaments under the said tour.#

Photo 1 -  L-R

Head Coach Bryan Casao, Princess Jean Naquila, Raymark “Mac” Gulfo., Tao Yee Tan,  Mhar Joseph Serra, Founder and Pres. Sen. Pia S. Cayetano, Argil Lance “LA” Cañizares, Yam Garsin, Abdulqoahar “Qoqo” Allian, Marian Capadocia

Gradual NAIA Terminal Reassignments

 

Binibining Pilipinas 2024 queens decide: 'Mahal mo o mahal ka,' 'fan o AFAM'

 

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

September 13, 2024 | 11:20am

MANILA, Philippines — The victorious queens of Binibining Pilipinas 2024 visited Philstar.com's office where they were asked several questions related to relationships.

The queens were first asked the ever-popular love conundrum: mahal mo o mahal ka?

"For the sake of choosing a side hmmm... I would choose mahal ako," said 2nd runner-up Trisha Martinez. "I'm a beauty queen, napakarami kong dapat mahalin so dapat intindihin and mahalin niya ako."

Fellow runner-up Christal "Tala" dela Cruz laughed because she wanted to choose both options, instead going with "mahal ako."

"Kasi if you love me, I will learn to love you. If mahal mo ako, that's when you know a person would do anything for me, risk anything for me. I will love him then for the way he makes [an] effort, that's real love," Tala added.

The crowned queens, Binibining Pilipinas International Myrna Esguerra and Binibining Pilipinas Globe Jasmin Bungay, both chose "mahal ko."

Related: Love or crown? Binibining Pilipinas 2024 queens weigh in

"I can only speak for my present self. Ewan ko para sa'kin all these years [were] 'gusto ko, gusto ko, gusto ko' muna bago ako magustuhan. Ganun lang, preference!" explained Jasmin.

Myrna shared that based on the past, people cannot force connection no matter how hard they try.

"I would rather choose the one that I love instead of the one who loves me. If that happens, I may just hurt the person and I don't want to hurt anyone else," Myrna said. "I don't want to go into a relationship knowing I'm not able to love this person for who he is."

The queens were then asked if they would rather date a fan or an AFAM (a foreigner assigned in Manila).

Trisha prefers Pinoys over foreigners so she went with dating a fan, "I want to see his perspective of me and I also want to show the true me with or without the crown."

Tala giggled as she pointed out she looks like an AFAM, being half-Australian, but like Trisha, she went with dating a fan.

Related: Binibining Pilipinas 2024 queens share their love languages

"[Fans are] very loving, they show appreciation and give gifts, what more if you became more?" Tala continued. "You would love that idea that this person truly loves you more than the pageantry, you would show your true self and that's beautiful."

Jasmin similarly answered dating a fan for two reasons, the first being a fan sees something good in you and it's a chance to show more of oneself.

"And as a fan of a lot of people, I think it's nice 'yung mga dreams ko in my head could happen to me and I could make it happen for someone," Jasmin explained her second reason.

Myrna began by saying she would not date someone who loves her just because of her physical appearance.

"Sometimes, admiration isn't love and I don't want that. I'd rather date an AFAM than date a fan. I want to receive a pure and genuine love," Myrna chuckled.

She also shared being in a relationship where she was loved just because she's beautiful. She was not sure if he loved her for who she was as a person or for her career.

"I don't want that to happen again, and well, an AFAM has good genes. So, why not?!" Myrna ended with a laugh.

Girl group Katseye to hold fan showcase in Manila

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Sep 13, 2024 08:17 AM

  

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Global girl group Katseye will be coming to Manila for their official event next week. 

The members of the group are Sophia (Philippines), Daniela (US), Lara (US), Manon (Switzerland), Megan (US), and Yoonchae (South Korea).

Katseye will be holding their “Katseye: Touchdown in Manila” Official Fan Showcase at Ayala Malls Market! Market! in Taguig on Sept. 18, 6 p.m..  

Katseye will hold their fan showcase in Manila on Sept. 18 (UMG Philippines)

Katseye in Seoul (X)

They will be interacting with Filipino fans and performing their songs, including the viral hits “Debut” and “Touch.”

Last month, they released their debut mini-album “SIS (Soft Is Strong), which includes the breakout song, “Touch.” 

The album also nods to the sisterhood they’ve forged despite coming from immensely different cultures. 

Check out the official social media pages of UMG Philippines and Ayala Malls Market! Market! for mechanics.

Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for US president

 

Maggy Donaldson - Agence France-Presse

September 11, 2024 | 2:12pm

This combination of pictures created on September 10, 2024 shows (L) American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift performs on stage as part of her Eras Tour in Lisbon on May 24, 2024 and (R) US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris listens to former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. Taylor Swift, a self-declared "childless cat lady," has endorsed Kamala Harris for president of the United States. The global megastar broke her silence on the current state of US politics September 10, 2024, voicing support for Harris over Donald Trump for the White House, and calling the Democratic candidate a "steady-handed, gifted leader."

AFP / Andre Dias Nobre and Saul Loeb

NEW YORK, United States — Taylor Swift, a self-declared "childless cat lady," has endorsed Kamala Harris for president of the United States.

The global megastar broke her silence on the current state of US politics Tuesday, voicing support for Harris over Donald Trump for the White House, and calling the Democratic candidate a "steady-handed, gifted leader."

"I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election," Swift, among the biggest names on the planet, posted on Instagram.

She did so in the minutes following a televised presidential debate that saw the candidates face off for the first time, which the singer said she tuned in to.

"I'm voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them," Swift wrote. "I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos."

She signed off her Instagram post by dubbing herself a "childless cat lady," a swipe at a much-mocked sentiment expressed by Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance, which he had wielded in a bid to insult Democratic women.

Until Tuesday, Swift had been conspicuously quiet on the subject of 2024's race, even as many of her fans began organizing under the banner "Swifties for Kamala" and raising more than $150,000 for the Democratic hopeful.

But the 34-year-old said discovering AI-generated images of her falsely endorsing Trump -- which "conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation," she said -- had inspired her to speak up.

"It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter," she said. "The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth."

She encouraged her legions of loyal fans to "do your research."

Swift, fresh off the European leg of her blockbuster "Eras" tour, balked at explicitly telling her ardent supporters to vote Harris, instead saying "I've done my research, and I've made my choice."

"Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make."

She also shared the post to her Instagram "stories" with a voter registration link.

The artist voiced special support for Harris's choice of a running mate, Tim Walz, praising the Minnesota governor for "standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman's right to her own body for decades."

Team Harris has been quick to latch on to any boost she can get from the pop world, which generally skews left, and a number of stars have publicly backed her.

Beyonce has not outright endorsed the Democrat but she allowed the Harris camp to use her song "Freedom" in advertisements and on the campaign trail.

And British artist Charli XCX saw her smash album "brat" become core to the early online Harris campaign, as the Democrats vie to stay current on social media's pulse.

'With love and hope'

But until now, Swift hadn't chimed in.

A global celebrity with hundreds of millions of social media followers and a wildly loyal -- and chronically online -- fan base, Swift's influence is vast and her approval coveted.

For years the "Blank Space" singer stayed emphatically out of politics, including in 2016 when Donald Trump won the presidency.

Speculation abounded that the superstar was a closet Republican until 2018, when she broke both her silence and the internet by endorsing the Democratic opponent of far-right politician Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee.

Blackburn won anyway, but it ushered in a new chapter for Swift.

She later explained that handlers had urged her against voicing political opinions, telling her it could damage her career -- particularly in the country music industry, which despite its complexities is often associated with conservatism.

Since then, Swift endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and has conveyed pro-LGBTQ messages through her songs and music videos.

She also condemned the Supreme Court's reversal of the federal right to abortion, and has encouraged droves of her fans to register to vote.

But Swift's massive popularity has also meant she's a regular target for political misinformation and right-wing conspiracy theories, often fueled by AI and amplified by the likes of Trump.

Speaking out on her own terms gripped the news cycle within seconds of going live Tuesday night, and her post notched more than two million "likes" after just 30 minutes.

"With love and hope, Taylor Swift," she concluded her message.

Galanza returns as Cool Smashers sweep Foxies ahead of Invitational finals

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Sep 11, 2024 06:20 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Jema Galanza returned to Creamline duties with a bang as the Cool Smashers blasted the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-15, 25-13, 25-19, ahead of their finals stint in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

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Jema Galanza returned to Creamline duties with a bang as the Cool Smashers blasted the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-15, 25-13, 25-19, ahead of their finals stint in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Jema Galanza finally sees action for Creamline. (PVL Images)

Galanza, fresh from her stint with the national team, came off the bench in the second set and delivered 13 points built on 11 kills and two blocks to lead the Cool Smashers to a four-game sweep of the preliminaries.

They await the winner between Cignal and defending champion Kurashiki Ablaze for the winner-take-all finals.

Creamline refused to slow down even after winning the Reinforced Conference, exposing Farm Fresh sluggish plays by pumping in 51 attacks, five blocks and three aces.

So weak were the Foxies particularly in their defense that they laid a big fat egg on blocks despite 35 tries. No player also managed to land a single ace.

Everybody contributed a little of everything for Creamline with recently crowned Reinforced Conference and Finals MVP Bernadeth Pons posting eight points, Michele Gumabao adding seven, and Lorie Lyn Bernardo chipping in six points.

Japanese import Asaka Tamaru  scored 10 points in a losing cause for Farm Fresh, which finished with a 0-4 card.

‘Mga Arya't Kundiman’ concert celebrates inclusivity through shared music, FSL performance

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Sep 11, 2024 06:52 PM

  

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The concert “Mga Arya’t Kundiman” featured performances by excellent talents, and Filipino Sign Language (FSL) and Deaf students. 

It was held on Sept. 7 at YSpace at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati and presented by HearLife-Verein, which helps Deaf children. 

HearLife-Verein partner artists performed at the show. They were Isabela Samson Madero, Evangeline Ng Lao, Lance Keiffer Sy Lato and Sherine Ann Escolar Koa, all with Associate of the Royal Schools of Music (ARSM).  The show also featured Sharlene Morta, ARSM, Piano 8 and MED-EL cochlear implantee. 

“Mga Arya’t Kundiman” (HearLife)

The finale of the program featured the performance of “Araw-Araw sa Maynila” by FSL and Deaf students. 

This was through the efforts of the FSL for Inclusive PH (FSL4IPH), a non-profit student organization at the British School Manila (BSM) in Taguig aiming to promote FSL and bridge the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities. 

The participation of FSL students at the show started when Johann Chan, co-founder and president of FSL4IPH and a budding singer, was invited to watch the concert by his teacher, Perpy Heath. 

When Heath mentioned that the pianist was Deaf and has a cochlear implant, FSL4IPH offered to provide interpreter service for the show. 

This led to FSL and Deaf students not only watching the show but performing as well with invited Deaf guests.

FSL4IPH collaborated with the artists to ensure that the lyrics, including the foreign-language arias, would be translated into English and an interpreter would be present to sign the songs in FSL. 

Concert performers (from left))  Isabela Madero, Sherinne Ann Koa, Evangeline Lao and Lance Sy Lato (Photo provided by FSL4IPH) 
 

"Mga Arya’t Kundiman" hearing and Deaf concert performers with (from left) FSL4IPH interpreter Olivia Aguila, HearLife-Verein Program Director Tosh Jacob-Soliven and FSL4IPH interpreter Leah Apuli (Photo provided by FSL4IPH) 

FSL4IPH student leaders Johann Chan, Seth Yang and Liam Conlin, and Deaf performers Maricor Mesitas, Audrie Grace, Kierbie Nhoel Liabiaga, Japet Jones Dumangon, Raymond Calexterio, Tyrone Miguel, Catherine Joy Patriarca and  Rance Aaron Barquilla during the "Araw-Araw sa Maynila" performance (Photo provided by FSL4IPH) 

Deaf and hearing participants rehearsing together with Deaf coach Catherine Joy Patriarca (Photo provided by FSL4IPH)

Technical rehearsal with Leah Apuli as interpreter (Photo provided by FSL4IPH)

 

Marites Racquel Estiller-Corpuz, former president of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, leading the FSL of the Philippine National Anthem (Photo provided by FSL4IPH)

FSL4IPH advocates, friends and supporters with HearLife-Verein concert performers and organizers (Photo provided by FSL4IPH)

Deaf performers taking turns signing the concert songs using FSL (Photo provided by FSL4IPH) 

In addition, FSL4IPH held fundraising efforts with the group’s supporters Malou Ng, Cassie Yang and Global Mission Advocate being mainly instrumental in sponsoring the tickets, meals, and transportation for the Deaf guests.

The concert was seen as an important step to unite hearing and Deaf communities through a musical show. The efforts were spearheaded by Hearlife Program Director Tosh Jacob-Soliven, and in collaboration with FSL4IPH student leaders Ethan Chan, Johann Chan, Seth Yang, and Liam Conlin, Deaf coach Catherine Joy Patriarca, interpreters Leah Apuli and Olivia Aguila, Deaf students from Commonwealth High School and other Deaf guests.  

Marites Racquel Estiller-Corpuz, former president of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, led the FSL of the national anthem. 

“It was an amazing night where the music was heard and felt by the Deaf and the signs were seen by the hearing, united and unobstructed, each with smiles, enjoyed God’s given talents in music and signs,” she said. 

Throughout the concert, members and Deaf guests of FSL4IPH interpreted each song for the Deaf students. 

One of the Deaf performers, Maricor Mesitas, said. "I never expected that I would experience such an amazing concert. I felt the sound of their voice through the help of the interpreter. I had fun and enjoyed the performance since there is a sign language interpreter. I understood the songs. Since I participated in the performance as well, I felt great that I shared my talent.” 

For free Basic FSL and/or Deaf Awareness Training, contact  FSL for Inclusive PH through the following: email: fsl4iph@gmail.com; Facebook page: fsl4iph;  website: fsl4iph.org.

MOVIEGOER: 'Her Locket' - A film so poignant, so heartfelt, so true

BY NESTOR CUARTERO

Sep 12, 2024 09:17 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Directed by J. E. Tiglao, the film was one of seven full-length film entries in Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024, which played from Sept. 4 to 10 at Gateway Cinema in Cubao and select SM theaters.

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Rebecca Chuaunsu wins Best Actress for the movie 'Her Locket' at the Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024

Like she herself put it, Ms. Rebecca Chuaunsu leafed through 32 diaries of both her parents in writing the story of the film, Her Locket.

Directed by J. E. Tiglao, the film was one of seven full-length film entries in Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024, which played from Sept. 4 to 10 at Gateway Cinema in Cubao and select SM theaters.

Rebecca herself leads the cast, which includes Elora Espan̈o, Boo Gabunada, Sophie Ng, Benedict Cua, Tommy Alejandrino, Francis Mata, among many others. 

After watching the film’s premiere Sept. 4 at Gateway, I couldn’t help but rise to cheer the cast and crew. When PR man Toots Tolentino asked me to say a few words at the talkback, I congratulated the team for having come up with a film so poignant, so moving, so heartfelt, and so true. There’s too much sincerity and detailing in the story that one couldn’t anymore distinguish between fact and fiction.  

While the film says it is based on a true story, it also flaunts a disclaimer that its story is an aggregate, a composite of several other stories. Whatever the source, Her Locket paints a universal picture of the dynamics around a Chinese family living in the Philippines from the 1970s onwards. Unwittingly, it exposes well-kept family secrets once placed under lock and key.

The film captures family members’ adherence to age-old customs and traditions broken by rebellion in the case of some, particularly, Rebecca’s effort to stand up in defense of her love for a Filipino partner.

I admitted that I was initially quizzical upon hearing that Rebecca, who is also the film’s producer, had won two best actress trophies in two foreign festivals for her work in this film. 

At the 2023 Morocco International Film   Festival and most recently, on Sept. 1, at WuWei Taipei International Film Festival in Taiwan, respectively. Rebecca also won best actress at Sinag Maynila. 

The cast of 'Her Locket'

But, all that changed after I watched the film.

Rebecca turns in a performance worthy of praise, one that is full of restraint and nuances. There is no effort on her part to over-act or over react to situations around her. Although she plays the lead role, she tends to downplay her presence, allowing the story to flow effortlessly.

The film’s supporting cast, composed mostly of first-timers on film, are uniformly good. They look relaxed in their scenes, behaving like seasoned actors.

Standouts, although they’re not really newcomers, are Tommy Alejandrino (Cinemalaya best actor), Elora Espan̈o, Boo Gabunada, Sophie Ng, Benedict Cua, Francis Mata.

After its participation in Sinag Maynila, Her Locket is expected to travel more parts of the world. I have a feeling that if marketed and promoted well, the film could be our answer to Thailand’s How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, that smash hit of a melodrama that stormed throughout Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Both films feature two women in their senior years grappling with family issues.     

Eala gets early boot in Guadalajara Open

 

Facebook / Alex Eala

Ralph Edwin Villanueva - Philstar.com

September 11, 2024 | 2:52pm

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala exited the Guadalajara Open early after falling against sixth-seeded Marie Bouzkova, 6-2, 6-2, Wednesday (Manila time) in Mexico.

Eala fell in the first round against the Czech bet.

The 26-year-old Bouzkova, the World No. 45 player, simply showcased her mastery against the World No. 147 Filipina.

The former tallied three aces and won 35 service points compared to the latter’s 25 service points won.

Eala also registered 28 receiving points compared to Bouzkova’s 32.

The 19-year-old Asian Games bronze medalist went through Hungary’s Fanny Stollar and United Kingdom’s Samantha Sharan in the qualifiers.

“What an honor to be under the lights of Guadalajara!” Eala posted on Facebook. “Didn’t perform how I would’ve liked today but I still had so much fun trying to find my way and solve those problems out on that court.”

Eala’s first round exit came after bowing out of the round of 16 at the Guadalajara 125 Open a few days ago.

We need to pray

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

IT’S amazing that Christ had to excuse himself from his very busy schedule in order to pray. He is God himself. He should have no need to pray. But as the gospel many times say, he had to go somewhere to talk to the Father.

As the gospel narrates, “Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.” (Lk 6,12) Why did he have to pray, we might ask. And the answer, to be blunt about it, is nothing other than that Christ is also a man who needs to be always in vital and constant connection with his divinity.

He is actually showing us that we as man, created in the image and likeness of God, and meant to share in the life and nature of God, also need to be vitally and constantly connected with God. And this is what prayer is all about.

Prayer is the most basic thing we ought to do to be with God who is be-all and end-all of our whole existence. All the other necessities we have can only be attended to properly when this need for prayer is first met. Otherwise, everything else would just be waste of time.

We need to pray, and at these times, we need to pray more than ever, given the increasingly deteriorating conditions of humanity. Prayer, of course, is our sublime act of worship, of thanksgiving, of asking for pardon and favors. It is what keeps us spiritually alive, vitally connected with our Lord, and in a very mysterious way what keeps us properly linked to everyone else.

What eating, drinking and breathing do to our physical organism, is what prayer does to our spiritual soul which is the most important component of our humanity. It animates us, since it exercises our faith, hope and charity that are the lifeblood of our soul. Without these theological virtues, we would just get lost in life, left kaput spiritually and morally.

When we pray, we dispose of ourselves to receive the wisdom and power of God, so important as we cruise through our very confusing world and contend with the frailties of our flesh, the wiles and temptations of the devil, the sweet but deadening allurements of the world.

The challenges of the times simply urge us to pray even more. A quick look around already gives us very sobering thoughts and compelling appeals for prayer.

If understood and done properly, praying actually gives us joy always. It enables us to see and understand things better. More importantly, it helps us to have a glimpse of God's will, where everything starts and is governed and led to its proper end.

Praying processes and finding the answers to all our needs. In good times and bad times, when we are healthy or sick, when we enjoy successes or suffer defeats or are tempted, praying comes as our natural way of coping with everything that our spiritual life needs just like breathing does with our bodily needs.

To those who are afraid that praying just gets in the way of our human activities and concerns, the contrary is true. If anything at all, praying tremendously helps us in putting our activities and concerns on another level so they acquire a spiritual, moral and supernatural value, which is proper to us, since we are God's image and likeness, and children of his.

This truth should be spread out quite widely these days, since many now are the factors and elements that tend to deny the indispensability of prayer in our life.