‘IT’S SUMMER!’ – Residents join tourists in enjoying the cool and clear water of Bolinao Falls 2 in Pangasinan, which saw the huge influx of visitors for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out two years ago. (Zaldy Comanda, Manila Bulletin)
The newly constructed development projects worth PhP20-M opened more opportunities to the residents of Barangay Bagong Silang and Coronobe in the municipality of Maragusan following the separate turn-over ceremony on March 10, 2022.
These projects include concreting of farm-to-market roads, solar street lights, and the construction of a school building with three (3) classrooms funded under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy congratulated the residents and said that the high-impact projects will provide better economic opportunities, and contribute significant mechanisms in achieving the goal for quality education for all learners.
He also commended the collective efforts of the national and local government agencies as well as the troops of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police for their unending support to end the insurgency.
Mayor Maricel Colina-Vendiola gave thanks for bringing the government projects to the upland barangays as it drastically changed the lives of the people in the area.
“The residents could now safely travel at night because of the solar street lights and have better access roads in transporting their farm produce to the town proper", Vendiola said.
She also added that the school building is expected to benefit hundreds of students once face-to-face classes resume.
The BDP is a hallmark program of the NTF-ELCAC with the end goal of empowering former conflict-prone communities through development projects. In Davao de Oro, sixty-five (65) barangays have benefited from the aforementioned program which consists of infrastructure and livelihood projects.
Gracing the ceremony were Vice Mayor Cesar C. Colina, LTC Julius M Munar, Battalion Commander of 66th IB, RPSB Team Leader PMSg Leonilo B Vicere, and municipal and barangay officials. (Rheafe Hortizano -Provincial Information Office, Photos by Jonie Cadiz)
It's easy to explain: as pensioner with my family, it's wonderful. We have been here for 24 years now and got many busy years in the Philippines behind us. We still work occasionally. The one who rests rusts!!! And we live in peace!
By Fr. Roy Cimagala *
“BE merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged…For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Lk 9,36-38)
We need to process these words of Christ slowly if only to conform ourselves to them, something that given our human condition is most likely very difficult if not impossible for us to do.
More than processing them slowly, we first have to pray, asking for grace, for definitely the possibility of us following this divine indication can only take place if we have God’s grace. If we simply depend on our good intentions and best human effort, forget it! We can never give life to these words.
We have to understand that our ability to forgive and to judge properly can only take place when we are with God. For this we have to follow as closely as possible the example of Christ who, out of love for us and in spite of our grave sins, was and continues to be willing to bear our sins and to offer forgiveness.
We have to remember that if we truly have to be ‘another Christ’ as we ought to be, we have to know how to be merciful the way Christ, the fullness of God’s revelation to us, was and continues to be merciful to all of us.
And how was Christ merciful to all of us? First of all, being the son of God, he emptied himself to become man. That way, he already adapted himself to our wounded, sinful condition. He identified himself with us so that we would have a way to identify ourselves with him. He preached the truth about God and about ourselves.
He gave preferential attention to the sick, that is, the sinners. He was always ready to forgive, his mercy and compassion having no limits—“not only seven times, but seventy times seven times.” (Mt 18,22) He taught about loving the enemy and living it. He did not mind all the insults and mockeries that were poured on him just to accomplish his mission of saving us.
And in the end, he assumed all our sins without committing sin by dying on the cross. In that way, he dealt death to all our sins, and with his resurrection he offered us a way for our own salvation and reconciliation with our Father God. He was thoroughly magnanimous.
And so, we just have to learn to forgive and move on. This is what we should do if ever we become a victim of some offense by someone. We should be quick to forgive and then move on, focused on doing what we are supposed to do. We should avoid getting stuck with the offense, wallowing in anguish, complaints and hatred, and keeping resentments, grudges and desires for revenge.
Let’s remember that all of us have sins that need to be forgiven also. And as Christ said it clearly, we can only be forgiven if we also forgive others. “If you will forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offenses,” he said. “But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you for your offenses.” (Mt 6,14-15)
We have to develop the proper attitude in this particular issue because, truth to tell, we cannot avoid being offended by others just as neither can we avoid offending others also. That’s part of our human condition here on earth.
MANILA, Philippines — Foreigners and returning Filipinos may now present negative laboratory-based antigen results to enter the country, Malacañang announced Friday.
Filipino and foreign nationals arriving from abroad may present a negative laboratory-based antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin, said acting deputy presidential spokesperson Michel Kristian Ablan.
“Previously, they have to show negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours. Now, it is either of the two: RT-PCR or antigen,” he said.
Ablan also announced that Hong Kong or Macau passport holders are allowed to enter the Philippines without visa provided they stay for a period not exceeding 14 days.
The Philippines has been progressively easing entry rules and scrapping pandemic restrictions after a sharp drop in COVID-19 cases. The country reopened its borders to foreign tourists in February.
Metro Manila and 39 other areas are under Alert Level 1—or the “new normal”—until March 15.
The virus has infected more than 3.6 million people in the country, with over 57,000 deaths, according to latest government data. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
It's women empowering women day when various women groups converged and shook the earth of the provincial capitol grounds in celebration of the Women’s Day held during the 24th Founding Anniversary of Davao de Oro.
Behind Davao de Oro's golden times are women. For 24 years, women played a crucial part in the province's outstanding governance with recognitions in the regional and national stage. DdO has produced necessary outcomes for its people, and behind its successes are dynamic women leaders.
More or less 3,000 women all over the province flocked in the Provincial Capitol Grounds. Various women organizations took part in the celebration namely; Indigenous People’s Women, Muslim Women, Women Professionals, Women Farmers, Philippine National Police (PNP) Ladies, Rural Improvement Club, League of Local Lady Legislators, Armed Forces Women, ComVal Ladies Club, and Women from the eleven (11) municipalities of Davao de Oro.
On the same day, through the Provincial Women Development Council (PWDC) in partnership with the International Women’s Peace Group, is the ground breaking ceremony of the first ever IWPG (International Women Peace Group) Monument that will soon stand as marker of the province’s desire for peace and harmony.
The spirit of competitiveness and sportsmanship filled the air on the later part of the day as fifteen (15) groups competed in the “Zumbayanihan” zumba dance contest. The stage flared up when each group showcased their moves on the beat of the zumba music while the crowd cheered up for their teams. The Department of Education-Davao de Oro Women won as the champion, Mabini Women as the 1st placer and AFP Women got the 2nd spot.
Moreover, Chairwoman Sholai Lim gave the accomplishment report of the PWDC during the “The Women in Motion: Accomplishment Report of the Provincial Women Development Council,” recognizing the countless achievements of women and girls in various fields and uphold their significant contributions in Davao de Oro.
The fun-field and productive day commenced after the awarding ceremony, and raffle items were availed by the participants, plus a hundred thousand peso (100k) cash prizes courtesy of Senior Board Member Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy.
The Women’s Day Celebration was also attended by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, Senior Board Member Arturo "Chiongkee” Uy, Vice Governor Maria Carmen Zamora, Board Member Vivencia Secuya, Board Member Atty. Dyud Lopoz, Board Member Kris Caballero-Rañon, Former Gov Atty. Jose Caballero, Vice Mayor Atty. Madel Malone-Cervantes, Congresswoman Claudine Bautista Lim of the Dumper Partylist and Miss Karla Estrada of the Tingog Partylist. (JA-PAO IPRD, photos J. Cadiz)
by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin
A moderately strong earthquake measuring 5.0-magnitude on the Richter scale shook Davao de Oro and nearby provinces on Friday evening, March 11, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
In its initial bulletin, Phivolcs said the epicenter of the earthquake was traced 9 kilometers (km) northwest of Monkayo, Davao de Oro, and occurred at a shallow depth of 18 km. It was detected at around 10:14 p.m.
It was felt as a “moderately strong” tremor at Intensity IV in Rosario, Agusan del Sur and Maco, Davao de Oro, while it was “slightly weak” at Intensity II in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.
Phivolcs’ instruments also recorded the quake at Intensity II in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur and Intensity I in Davao City.
It said the earthquake may have caused damage to the affected areas.
Phivolcs said the earthquake was tectonic in origin, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.
It advised the public to stay vigilant as aftershocks may occur due to this earthquake.
Psychologin verrät zwei effektive Methoden gegen die Angst
Von: Juliane Gutmann, Münchner Merkur
Täglich fluten neue Schreckensmeldungen aus der Ukraine die Bildschirme. Manche entscheiden sich für den Nachrichtenentzug zum Selbstschutz. Doch es gibt andere Wege.
Eine Katastrophe nach der anderen: Diesen Eindruck bekommt man, wenn man sich regelmäßig mit den Weltnachrichten auseinandersetzt. Doch Fakt ist: Die guten Nachrichten schaffen es selten auf die Titelseiten der Zeitung und in den Newsticker der Nachrichtenapps – es gibt sie aber trotzdem. Wer gezielt sucht, wird fündig. So gehen viele aktuell auch mit der derzeitigen Nachrichtenlage um: Gezielte Information, statt sich berieseln lassen*. Eine gute Methode, um „ein bisschen Luft zu schaffen zwischen Ereignissen und den eigenen Gefühlen“, zitiert der Deutschlandfunk den Psychiater Mazda Adli.
Felicitas Heyne, Diplom-Psychologin und Familientherapeutin, führt im FOCUS-Interview zwei weitere sinnvolle Möglichkeiten auf, um mit den aktuellen Geschehnissen fertig zu werden.
Aktiv werden hilft gegen Gefühle der Ohnmacht
Es nützt keinem, wenn man sich traurig oder verzweifelt zu Hause einschließt. Ein solches Verhalten begünstigt sogar psychische Krankheiten wie Depression. „Es nützt den Menschen in der Ukraine gar nichts, wenn es uns schlecht geht“, so Felicitas Heyne. Deshalb bräuchten wir im Umkehrschluss auch kein schlechtes Gewissen zu haben, wenn es uns gut geht, so die Psychologin. Um psychisch stabil zu bleiben, sei es wichtig, die Nachrichten-Schreckensbilder im Kopf „regelmäßig mit positiven zu ersetzen und so bewusst einen Gegenpol zu schaffen“, so Heyne.
Eine andere gute Möglichkeit, der aktuellen Situation zu begegnen, sei das Aktivwerden. „Es gibt so viele Möglichkeiten, sich einzubringen – sei es durchs Spenden, Kleidung, Spielsachen oder Medikamente zu sammeln und zu Hilfsorganisationen zu bringen oder selbst auch Flüchtende aufzunehmen – jeder kann etwas tun“, so die Psychologin. Das Handeln und Aktivwerden helfe gegen Gefühle wie Angst und Ohnmacht.
Generell rät Heyne zu einem dosierten Medienkonsum: „Gerade für Menschen, die sehr darunter leiden, ist es momentan wichtig, sich ein zeitliches Limit für den Medienkonsum zu setzen, um sich nicht darin zu verlieren“. (jg) *Merkur.de ist ein Angebot von IPPEN.MEDIA.
by Carlo Anolin, Manila Bulletin
The Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion will be the first to perform while the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe will cap off the cheerdance competition of UAAP Season 84.
THE NU PEP SQUAD complete the pyramid during the UAAP Season 82 Cheerdance Competition at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay last November 2019. Final date and venue have yet to be announced but the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion will perform first while the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe will showcase their routine last for UAAP Season 84. (MB File Photo)
Final date and further details have yet to be announced but respective head coaches of different squads took the development to social media.
Defending champions National University Pep Squad will showcase their routine at second, followed by the University of the Philippines Pep Squad, and last season’s first-runner up Far Eastern University Cheering Squad.
Adamson University Pep, Season 82’s second-runner up, will perform fifth, De La Salle Animo Squad will execute at sixth, and University of the East Pep Squad will carry out at seventh.
NU, FEU, and Adamson maintained their spot at the podium for the past two seasons, particularly in the 81st and 82nd.
From 2013 to 2019, the NU Pep Squad have won six of their seven cheerdance campaigns.
Adamson halted NU’s reign in 2017 as UST and UE placed second and third, respectively.
While the venue has yet to be disclosed, the cheerdance competition was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City for the past three seasons.
Cheerdance was among Season 84’s nine events along with men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball, men’s beach volleyball, poomsae, and men’s and women’s chess.
The UAAP is set to kick off on March 26 after almost two years since sporting events were put on a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
