MAMA MARY'S BIRTHDAY IS ON SEPTEMBER 8!

 MAMA MARY'S BIRTHDAY IS ON SEPTEMBER 8!

On September 8, the Church will joyfully celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ and the Mother of the Church.

Her birth will remind us of the dawn of hope for humanity, for from her would come our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we prepare to commemorate this joyous feast, may we look to Mary as a model of humility, faith, and unwavering trust in God.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we also learn to say with our whole hearts:

“Let it be done to me according to your word.”

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

#NativityOfTheBlessedVirginMary

#BlessedVirginMary

#September8

#SaintsOfToday

May be an image of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and text that says 'THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY WILL TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 8 SAINTS SAINTSFTODAY OF TODAY 1បនកាត .. ዝርንበባይ STRTHEwOT'

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Iva Jovic ends Alex Eala's US Open to set up a matchup against fellow American Coco Gauff

 

By The Associated Press

Published Sep 6, 2026 11:27 am

Iva Jovic, of the United States, hits a return in the third set to Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, in the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK (AP) — Iva Jovic needed more than three hours to end Alex Eala's run at the U.S. Open.

Coco Gauff is up next, with a spot in the quarterfinals at stake.

Jovic beat Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a three-hour, three-set, back-and-forth showcase of two of tennis' emerging young stars inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night.

"That felt like a marathon, and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match," Jovic said. "But it's really worth it for this feeling. I'm usually not one that shows that many emotions, but this one really meant a lot to me. It's everything to have another match here at the U.S. Open."

The 18-year-old American acknowledged the crowd not always being on her side against Eala, a fan favorite from the Philippines, whose fervent following has become one of the biggest storylines in the sport. But she rallied from down 4-2 in the third set and got a hearty ovation after finishing it off and falling to the court.

Jovic has made another deep run at a Grand Slam after reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon and the French Open and making the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. She lost to Jessica Pegula in London, Naomi Osaka in Paris and Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne.

Now, she and Gauff are among the five U.S. women's players left, along with Pegula, Taylor Townsend and Emma Navarro.

"Obviously, there's a lot of pressure here as an American trying to do well," Gauff said after beating Cristina Bucsa earlier Saturday. "Everybody wants to win this tournament, but I think for Americans it's even more special."

Gauff is just 22 but is four victories away from her second U.S. Open title, three years since winning her first. Also the French Open champion last year, she is in her prime at a time when more rivals around her age like Jovic and Eala are coming to the forefront.

"It just feels good socially having people I can text if you want to hang out, go to dinner, do something and it not feel awkward," said Gauff, who felt lonely in her early years when she was the youngest player around. "I feel much happier now, I think, at this phase on tour just having people around my age being successful. We can all share the ups and downs together."

Gauff facing Jovic on Monday guarantees at least one American among the final eight players. Jovic hopes she can bring her best with the spotlight even brighter.

"I'm going to be more than happy to just bring this fight and this energy, and whatever happens, then I can leave with my head high," Jovic said. "She's playing some unbelievable tennis and a really great person, so it's going to be an amazing match."

When will the 'habagat' season finally end?

 

By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

Published Sep 6, 2026 10:08 am

At A Glance

• PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said the habagat season usually ends by the second week of October, followed by a transition period before the onset of the northeast monsoon or "amihan" season in November.
• He reminded the public to remain alert for possible flash floods and landslides while the habagat continues to affect the country.

(Santi San Juan/Manila Bulletin)

The southwest monsoon or “habagat” is not going away just yet.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday, Sept. 6, that parts of the country could continue to experience monsoon rains for several more weeks.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said the habagat season usually ends by the second week of October, followed by a transition period before the onset of the northeast monsoon or “amihan” season in November.

“Sa mga nagtatanong, kailan ba matatapos itong southwest monsoon o habagat? Base po sa mga nakaraang taon, natatapos po yung season po natin ng habagat o yung panahon ng habagat, bandang first half po ng October, either first or second week ng October (For those asking when the southwest monsoon or habagat will end, based on previous years, our habagat season usually ends around the first half of October, either the first or second week of October),” Badrina said.

“Kaya sa mga kababayan po natin, lalong-lalo na nga sa may western section ng Luzon, maging sa may Kabisayaan, ay asahan pa rin po itong patuloy na epekto ng habagat na magdadala ng mga pag-ulan (So our fellow Filipinos, particularly those in the western section of Luzon and the Visayas, should still expect the habagat to continue bringing rain),” Badrina said.

Weather update

Over the next 24 hours, Badrina said heavy rains are expected over Bataan, Zambales, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.

“Malaking bahagi pa rin ng Luzon ay makararanas ng maulap na kalangitan na may kalat-kalat na mga pag-ulan pagkidlat-pagkulog, gayon din sa may western Visayas (A large part of Luzon, as well as Western Visayas, will also continue to experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms),” he said.

Meanwhile, tropical cyclone Pilandok, internationally known as Krovahn, is still being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

“Halos na sa may boundary na po ito ng Philippine Area of Responsibility at hindi nga natin inaalis ang posibilidad na muli itong pumasok within the day. Pero kung papasok man ito, posibling lumabas din ito ng Philippine Area of Responsibility within the day (It is already almost at the boundary of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will reenter within the day. But even if it does enter, it could also leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility within the day),” Badrina said.

He said Pilandok could continue to enhance the habagat even if it does not directly affect the country.

“Gayunpaman, kahit pumasok o lumabas o hindi man pumasok ng Philippine Area of Responsibility ang bagyong si Krovahn ay inaasahan natin na patuloy itong magpapalakas ng hanging habagat bagamat hindi ito magkakaroon ng direktang epekto sa ating bansa (Nevertheless, whether Krovahn enters, leaves, or does not enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility, we expect it to continue strengthening the habagat, although it will not have a direct effect on the country),” Badrina said.

He reminded the public to remain alert for possible flash floods and landslides while the habagat continues to affect the country.

“Patuloy po yung epekto ng habagat, lalo’t ngayong buwan nga ng Setyembre ay inasahan pa rin natin na magkakaroon pa rin po ng epekto ang southwest monsoon (The effects of the habagat will continue, especially since we still expect the southwest monsoon to affect the country this September),” Badrina said.

Agri, infra damage from habagat

 

Agri, infra damage from habagat, 4 cyclones reaches P11.92 billion – OCD

People brave floodwaters at Zapote Junction in Las Piñas City after the area became impassable to all vehicles due to heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)

Infrastructure and agricultural damage from the combined effects of habagat and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng, and Pilandok reached P11.92 billion, with P7.79 billion in infrastructure losses and P4.13 billion in agricultural damage, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). Read more

‘Pugon’

 

by

Joanna G. Barbacena

|September 7, 2026

Perhaps one of the most ironic things I always heard from my mama when I was a child was, “Huwag kang maglalaro ng apoy” (“Don’t play with fire”). It was ironic because she never let me go near fire, but it was also what kept our household running as we relied on a wood-fired oven, or as we call it in Filipino, “pugon.”

Pugon is a traditional oven in the Philippines that uses wood or charcoal as a fuel. It works by burning these materials to produce heat for cooking and needs regular attention to keep the fire going.

My family had every reason to fear fire. My brother bears scars on his back from a fire-related accident. Yet because our resources were limited, we had little choice but to rely on the wood-fired oven. Charcoal and old newspapers were far cheaper than cooking gas.

Every morning, mama would light the pugon and boil water in a century-old kettle whose bottom had grown thick with soot, ash, and sometimes a little oil. I never told her that the aroma of burning wood and ash had become my alarm clock. There was no sound—just the smell, strong enough to creep into our house and fill my senses. Before I even realized it, morning had already arrived. By the time I woke up, there would already be hot water waiting for me to use for my bath.

I don’t know what was in that hot water that seemed to cure every illness in the province. If you had a sore throat, you drank hot water. If you felt dizzy, you drank hot water. If you had just woken up, you drank hot water. Even before taking an early-morning bath, you were expected to drink hot water first. So, my mama would boil two batches every morning. One for drinking and another for my bath. It was a simple routine, repeated day after day, but it carried a quiet kind of care that I only learned to appreciate much later.

Because she had to be at work by 7 a.m., she made sure everything was prepared before I left for school. Since we relied on the pugon, which was not the easiest thing to light, she would cook all the meals we needed for the day, which more often than not were the same meals we would eat throughout the day, and sometimes for two days in a row.

I remember coming home one afternoon, tired and hungry. There was nothing much to eat except a bread that had been hanging in the kitchen for nearly a week. Then I spotted two packs of pancit canton and an egg.

The moment I saw them, I felt a wave of weariness. Cooking meant lighting the pugon myself, right? So, there were the charcoal, old newspapers, and a box of matches, as if they were silently waiting to be picked up.

Still anxious, I began the familiar ritual. I arranged the charcoal, tucked the paper beneath it, and struck a match. To my relief, the fire caught. Soon enough, I had cooked the pancit canton and fried the egg. I ate with the satisfaction that only a hungry person can truly understand. More than that, I felt proud. I had done it on my own.

Afraid that my mama would get angry, I never told her about it. Yet I found myself using it whenever hunger struck. I would light the fire and cook whatever I could.

Before long, my mother began allowing me to tend the pugon, guiding and watching over me—sometimes scared, but most of the time, she was just caring.

Back then, my skills were limited to boiling water and frying eggs, as she still did not want me spending too much time near the fire. Even so, each meal I prepared felt like a small victory against the fear that had once kept me away from it, and it was all because my mama trusted me with it.

Those memories remain so vivid that every time I cook adobo or sinigang on my own-purchased induction cooker now, I am reminded of the smell of the wood-fired oven that once woke me up every morning.

But now, the memory feels different. No more long wait for the water to boil. No sharp smell of burning wood. Little to no lingering fear of fire. But this also means mama is no longer beside me to guide or watch over me.

Convenience has replaced ritual. Independence grew slowly, day by day. And this reminds me of how quietly life changes with time, and how far we have come.

Today, I live in a cozy apartment in Manila. I still cook whenever I am hungry. Now, when I tell my mama about the meals I make, she simply smiles on the other end of the line and says, “Maaram ka na magluto” (“You already know how to cook”).

But looking back, I realize that the goal was never really about purchasing the induction cooker on my own. It was about turning the trust and guidance my mama gave me in front of that pugon into independence, and learning to stand on my own.

So, when she turned that fear of fire into trust, I realized it was now my call to turn that trust into my own strength.  

CONFLICTS IN LIFE

 

By

 Klaus Döring

 -

Monday, September 7, 2026

CONFLICT is a natural part of life. It happens when goals, ideas, needs, or feelings do not match. It can be an internal struggle within our own minds or a disagreement with other people. When handled with care, conflict can help us learn, grow, and solve important problems.

Conflict can bother us intensely because our brain and nervous system may treat emotional disagreement almost like a physical threat to our well-being.

We find ourselves in conflict with ourselves many times throughout life. Our future gives us cause for concern, while we remain trapped by the past. In worrying about both, we sometimes forget to live in the present and prepare ourselves for the future.

Conflicts are natural clashes of opposing ideas, needs, or values. We can experience conflict internally — when our beliefs clash with our actions — or externally, when we disagree with someone else. Handled properly, conflict can become a valuable tool for learning, personal growth, and improving our relationships.

Grief and sorrow once asked Hope, “How are you?” Hope answered, “I am a little low and sad today!” Sorrow replied sarcastically, “I hope so!”

When conflict is mismanaged, it can cause great harm to a relationship. But when handled in a respectful and positive way, conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between two people. Whether we experience conflict at home, at work, or in school, learning how to resolve our differences in a healthy way can help us build stronger and more rewarding relationships.

When people become angry with each other, they often say or do things without fully understanding the cause of their feelings. Understanding the dynamics behind a conflict can make it easier to resolve problems. This insight can also help us mediate conflicts among friends and relatives. Many experts classify personal and professional conflicts into basic types according to the underlying causes of disagreements and the dynamics involved.

Nobody really knows what might happen after reaching retirement age. Of course, we can observe our neighbors and other people around us, although sometimes we may not really want to know what awaits us. If we take good care of ourselves, perhaps our real age will not easily show. I make no secret of the fact that I will celebrate my 70th birthday sometime next year. I look forward to it. I am proud and grateful to reach this age with God’s help.

There are two main types of conflict. Internal or intrapersonal conflict happens within ourselves. It is a struggle between what we want to do and what we believe is right. For example, we may want to spend money on a new gadget while also wanting to save for a trip. External or interpersonal conflict, on the other hand, happens between two or more people. It can be an argument with a friend, a disagreement with a co-worker at the office in the Poblacion District, or even a heated debate over politics.

It seems that the respectful treatment of our beloved seniors is slowly disappearing into the past, forgotten by some members of the younger generation. Praising the elderly nowadays sometimes means marveling at their seemingly imperishable youthfulness. I am sure that, with His help, many seniors remain strong and indefatigable — still remarkable, still intellectual, and, above all, still spiritual!

Let us not forget to show them respect. We should also avoid sounding artificial or condescending when expressing surprise that “our old lady” or “our old gentleman” has not become senile yet.

On our journey toward an honorable and respectable old age, we should try to fulfill some of our greatest longings in life.

Over the past decades, I have met many people around the globe. Amazingly, I discovered that no matter where we are in this world, conflicting attitudes are everywhere. “It’s an absolute certainty, those doubts are the main certainty!” German author, philosopher and dramatist Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) once stressed.

Please allow me, once in a while, to say NO. Please allow me to let go of feelings of inferiority and defeatism. Please allow me to admit that I cannot do everything in a single day. Please allow me to stop being afraid of other people and their spiteful comments about me.

Please allow me to embrace my silence. Please accept that I can be terribly tired from time to time. Please allow me to excuse myself even when I do not have an intelligent reply. Please allow me to be carried by salvation and bliss.

Hopefully, we will always have enough understanding people around us to accompany us on the voyage through our sometimes very conflicting lives.

***

Email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com and www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com, or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter)./PN