The last word

The last word is the best news of all. A happy ending after all? Really?

"The Last Word" is an offbeat romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Geoffrey Haley. It stars Winona Ryder and Wes Bentley. It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, and it had a wider release in 2008.

We sense it at rare moments. We see the good, the beauty in new crops, in flowers, in sunshine, and even in rain. Last night's thunderstorm in Davao City scarred me a lot. Lightning, flood… wow.

This world may be full of pollution, war, crime, and hate. But inside us, all of us, linger remnants that remind us of what the world could be like – of what we could be like.

The Old Testament prophets dreamed of “that day”, when creation would be made new. And those sensations, following a dismal monotone of predicted catastrophes, burst out of the last few chapters of Revelation. That perfect world is not merely a dream. Yes, I am pretty sure, it will come true.

I really enjoy reading Revelation again and again. Revelation shows us a new world at last. There will be no more tears then nor pain.

Revelation ends on a note of great triumph. Somehow, out of all the bad news augured here, good news emerges-spectacular Good News. I remember my radio show hosting on a Good News Radio FM-station in Davao City more than 20 years ago. Yes, good news.

To those who believe, Revelation becomes a book not of fear, but of hope. God will prevail. All will be made new.

The Bible began, remember, back in Genesis, with a tragic defeat, when humanity, made in the image of God, rebelled. It ends with a reunion – a marriage, Revelation calls it. A happy ending after all…

A perfect world? How could you design it? What would it look like? I am really waiting for your comments and suggestions.

Learning from the lessons of ‘Yolanda’

by Manila Bulletin

Super Typhoon Yolanda, with international name Haiyan, is one that we, as a nation, will never forget. When it made landfall on Nov. 8, 2013 in Eastern Visayas, it affected the lives of millions of people, plunged towns in darkness, and destroyed much of the structures in its path, with Tacloban City “wiped off” the face of the earth. It didn’t spare anyone, carrying with it devastating winds, a destructive storm surge, and massive flooding.

Aside from the gargantuan damages wrought to property, infrastructure, and roads by this Category 5 storm, lives of at least 6,000-plus Filipinos were cut short, making this tally one of the deadliest ever in the history of typhoon casualties in the world. It was a humanitarian nightmare, one that overwhelmed the government and LGUs, shocked Filipinos, and stunned the world.

Until today, Nov. 8, 2022, when the nation marks the 9th anniversary of the storm, mere mention of “Yolanda” sends shivers down the spine. More recent typhoons were always benchmarked against “Yolanda,” with government agencies stepping up their game to avoid another similar tragedy. Lessons were learned from “Yolanda,” and terms such as disaster mitigation, early warning system, climate change, typhoon resiliency, etc. entered the lexicon of the Filipino nation. 

People then realized that super typhoons such as “Yolanda” will not be the last of its kind. Various studies published after the tragedy indicate that there is a correlation between super typhoons and climate change. A study from the World Meteorological Organization’s Task Team on Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change, said, “Warming of the surface ocean from anthropogenic (human-induced) climate change is likely fueling more powerful tropical cyclones. The destructive power of individual tropical cyclones through flooding is amplified by rising sea level, which very likely has a substantial contribution at the global scale from anthropogenic climate change. In addition, tropical cyclone precipitation rates are projected to increase due to enhanced atmospheric moisture associated with anthropogenic global warming.”

This study is revealed in the behavior of recent super typhoons, when they underwent “rapid intensification,” gaining immediate, rapid strength after just a short time.  “With global warming, some regions will experience increases in rapid intensification, and slowing of the forward motion of tropical cyclones,” the study added.

Considering this information, we have to call on the government to be ready, resilient, and responsive to climate change. The Marcos administration has made several steps in the right direction, with the President acknowledging the need for climate-resilient policies and highlighting the importance of sustainability and green energy.

Today’s commemoration will be solemn and dignified.  The local governments of Tacloban, Palo, San Isidro, and Carigara in Leyte, and Marabut in Samar have suspended classes on all levels and work in government offices today, with Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez saying: “The commemoration is a way to recognize the lessons that ought to be learned from the experiences and pay homage to the people who suffered and those who survived the catastrophe, as well as to highlight the resilience of the people.” 

We join everyone in prayer as we remember the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda. May we also continue to learn from the lessons that have emerged from the tragedy — to combat climate change in our own ways, to strive for a greener lifestyle, and to call for a sustainable future.

Typical Filipino (XXVI) - Typisch Philippinisch (XXVI): The Elder Sister ATE / Die ältere Schwester ATE

 

Typical Filipino (XXVI) - Typisch Philippinisch (XXVI): The Elder Sister ATE / Die ältere Schwester ATE

 

Schwestern, besonders ältere Schwestern, spielen in philippinischen Familien eine große Rolle. Eine ältere Schwester wird von den jüngeren Schwestern ATE genannt. ATE ist immer für die Jüngeren verantwortlich und kümmert sich um alles. Das ist in großen Familien auch unbedingt notwendig, da die Mutter oftmals nicht für alle Kinder gleichzeitig sorgen kann. Ihre Rolle als stellvertretende Mutter verschafft ATE den Respekt der jüngeren Geschwister, die sie in persönlichen Dingen um Rat fragen und ihr gegenenfalls zu gehorchen haben wie der Mutter.  Nach einem eventuellen Tod der Eltern übernimmt ATE die Verantwortung  für den Zusammenhalt der gesamten Familie.

Sisters, especially older sisters, play an important role in Filipino families. An older sister is called ATE by the younger sisters. ATE is always responsible for the younger ones and taking care of everything. This is absolutely necessary in large families, as the mother can often not care for all the children at the same time. Her role as substitute mother gives her the respect of her younger siblings, who ask her for advice on personal mattes and, if necessary, obey her, like the mother. After the eventual death of the parents, ATE takes on responsibility for the cohesion of the entire family.

Not paying child support? This solon will send you to jail via his bill

Published November 8, 2022, 11:13 AM

by Ellson Quismorio, MB

Parents who deliberately and repeatedly neglect their obligation of providing child support should be sent to jail. 

(Ye Jinghan/ Unsplash)

Thus, said Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, author of House Bill (HB) No.4807.

Under the measure, parents with recurring offenses of failing to send financial support to their child or children will be punished with imprisonment of two to four years, depending on the discretion of the courts.

These “deadbeat” parents will also be made to pay a fine ranging from P100,000 to P300,000.

“Solo parents already have the responsibility of taking care of their kids on their own. They should not be burdened with the problem of compelling their irresponsible and negligent ex-partners to pay child support,” Duterte said.

“This proposed law aims to ensure that their kids have sufficient support for their subsistence and other essential needs,” added the Mindanaoan.

Noting that most negligent parents withholding child support are men, Duterte said these deadbeat fathers should be made to own up to their responsibilities by imposing stringent penalties on them.

The amount of child support under HB 4807 shall not be lower than P6,000 a month, which is equivalent to P200 a day. The combined monthly net incomes of both parents shall be used in determining the amount of child support, which shall be divided proportionately between the two based on their respective net incomes.

First-time offenders may be granted probation under the measure.

Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jeffrey Soriano are Duterte’s co-authors.

PH named head of ASEAN judiciaries to review, propose guidelines on video conferencing in courts

Published November 8, 2022, 10:00 AM

by Rey Panaligan, MB

Supreme Court Justices led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo during the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices in Malaysia, Nov. 5, 2022. 

The Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines has been named by the Council of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chief Justices (CACJ) as head of a working group on the adoption of common principles and guidelines on the conduct of video conference hearings (VCH) in judicial cases within the region.

A working group on VCH was set up by the ASEAN chief justices at the conclusion of the two-day CACJ meeting last Nov. 5 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The adoption of VCH in the ASEAN judiciaries was proposed by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo as he cited the gains achieved by the Philippines’ judiciary in the use of technology-based system and infrastructure at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his message last Nov. 4 to CACJ delegates and other participants, Chief Justice Gesmundo said “in the interest of consistency, efficiency, and mutual protection, therefore, a CACJ ASEAN protocol on the conduct of video conference hearings would be ideal.” 

He said the Philippine judiciary “has successfully adopted the VCH modality for all our courts, including the Supreme Court (SC).”

“Aptly dubbed ‘a child of necessity,’ we issued Guidelines for the VCH to ensure the uninterrupted and timely delivery of our court services despite the continuing threat of the Covid-19 virus,” he also said.

He pointed out that “due to this high success rate, the Supreme Court is presently updating its Guidelines on VCH to transition the use of the rule to a post-pandemic world, making it a permanent device and option in every Filipino judge’s trial toolkit, especially for the best interests of child witnesses, for enhanced victim protection and prevention of re-victimization, for easier access to counsel and even family for detained witnesses and parties; and, in general, for greater time and cost efficiency.”

The use of VCH, which will be further enhanced in the Supreme Court’s (SC) five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI), has resulted in the release of 132,916 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) with 2,120 of them children in conflict with the law.

In its meeting with the Philippines’ justice system stakeholders in Davao City last Oct. 24, SC Associate Justice Midas P. Marquez said as of Oct. 13, 2022 there had been 1,139,720 VCHs conducted by the courts nationwide with a success rate of 89.27 per cent.

VCH was pilot tested by the SC in 2019 and utilized during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 so as not to disrupt court operations nationwide. 

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow

Do you always count the days up to the next legal holiday without being on duty? Or do you start as early as September longing for Christmas? And do you wish the weeks or months to hopefully pass by like an assault up to the next possible salary increase?

Many times we are really in too much of a hurry while feeling uncomfortable if we notice how time flies. We have no time for someone or something, or even for ourselves. 

One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy. I love the thoughts of author Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015).

When I was still a teenager, I was longing for the time to be a grown up already. Later, I enjoyed listening to my grandmother's stories such as "Once Upon A Time" or ``When I Was Young" from her "yesterday's life".

After a couple of years, especially while observing that time really flies like a rocket to the moon, I always have the same question in my mind: Are the present hours and days less valuable? 

These days between Christmas and New Year, between yesterday and tomorrow, I used to slow down and to relax. I even ignore my cellphone most of the time. I hide at a secret place to unwind. 

The next turn of the year is soon around the corner. For most of us it's the time  to come to our senses. The future prospects smile at us already. What might the New Year 2023 bring us? Another hectic schedule of course! But hopefully also happiness, joy and health. Hopefully more peace.

Is life in the future easier, nicer, more charming and more fulfilling compared to the present? Many of us retreat into the past and forget their present existence. A possible topsy-turvy world of a golden youth tries to let us forget that also the past have had its share of disappointments, pains, tears, darkness, as well as desperate days. Dreamy and sleepy days - yes, lost days, irretrievable time... .

I am glad and happy being able to live a wonderful life as an expatriate here in the Philippines since 1999 - together with my family and some very good friends. It hasn't been easy during the first years. Now we stand on our own feet, because we worked hard and adjusted very well. 

Toughness amid unavoidable scandals

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

YES, we have to be tough, with the toughness of charity, amid the unavoidable scandals in the world. Christ already warned us about this. “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,” he said. (Lk 17,1) We should just be prepared for this condition in our life.

While those who cause scandals in others would be severely punished—"It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.” (Lk 17,2)—we should avoid reacting to these unavoidable scandals by falling into a lack of charity.

If we have the charity that Christ commands us to live, we would know how to deal with these eventualities, willing to suffer and be patient while thinking of how we can help those who cause these scandals and those who are victimized by them.

As St. Paul said, true charity “does not rejoice over iniquity, but rejoices in truth. Charity suffers all, believes all, hopes all, endures all.” (1 Cor 13,7) It’s indeed a big challenge to live by that charity, but with God’s grace which we should always ask, we know that we can hack it.

What we should always do is to be most mindful of our words and deeds, because no matter how insignificant they may seem, we may already cause a scandal in others. And we also have to strengthen our defenses against scandals, so that instead of thinking badly, for example, of someone due to what we have seen or heard, we are ready to understand and help.

And scandal need not be in the sexual department only which is already a grave sin. It may only be a matter of gossip of any kind, as long as we cause another person to sin by thinking badly of someone or by leading him to have some critical thoughts, mental reservations, rash judgments, etc.

Of course, we have to distinguish between the temptation of scandal and the sin of scandal itself. Temptation is only temptation and is not yet a sin because we have not yet consented to it, though we may already be attracted to it. The sin of scandal is when we consent to the temptation and, worse, when we enjoy it and spread it around.

What we should always realize is we have a duty, as Christians, to always give good examples to others. Not that we have to flaunt whatever good thing we have or do, doing some kind of virtue signalling, for Christ clearly said also that we should not show off our good deeds before men, to be seen by them, lest we lose our reward in heaven. (cfr. Mt 6,1)

We have to be aware that we always have to give good examples to others for the sole purpose of leading others to God. It is to edify others, to encourage them to be holy and to pursue the path of sanctity in an abiding way.

This duty, therefore, should be carried out deliberately. It should somehow be planned and aimed at. It should not just be something incidental or something optional. Of course, this duty should not be done out of pride or vanity, but out of obedience to the will of God who wants to save all men. (cfr. 1 Tim 2,4)

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Sultan Kudarat bomb blast kills 1, injures 11

By Al Jacinto 

ZAMBOANGA CITY: A powerful bomb explosion ripped through a passenger bus on Sunday, November 6, and killed one civilian and injured at least 11 others in Tacurong City in the southern Philippine province of Sultan Kudarat.

The air-conditioned bus, owned and operated by Yellow Bus Line, came from Kidapawan City in North Cotabato province, and was carrying dozens of passengers when the bomb went off.

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the midday blast in downtown Tacurong, but previous attacks had been largely blamed on local pro-Islamic State extremist groups.

It was unclear how the bomber was able to sneak the improvised explosive in the bus or what type of device was used in the attack.

In May this year, a bomb also exploded inside a Yellow Bus Line unit in downtown Koronadal City in South Cotabato province and injured at least two persons.

The improvised explosive went off at the engine bay of the bus.

Two drivers of motorcycle taxis tailing the bus were injured in the explosion.

The bus originated from Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province.

No group had claimed responsibility for that attack, even after a bomb explosion in April also ripped through another provincial bus owned by Rural Transit of Mindanao in Parang town in Maguindanao province and wounded several passengers.

The attack happened in the village of Making where the bus made a stop at a roadside eatery.

The bus was on its way to Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte from Cotabato City when a powerful explosion was heard.

In January, a bomb also exploded near a fruit stand and a ticket booth in North Cotabato's Tulunan town where a Yellow Bus Line was picking up passengers.

The powerful blast killed a civilian and wounded 7 others.

The blast came a day after pro-Islamic State terrorists detonated a roadside bomb in the town of South Upi in neighboring Maguindanao and killed one civilian.

The military blamed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters for the bombing.

Maguindanao has been divided into the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

Christmas is bigger and brighter in Makati City

by John Legaspi, MB

Ayala Land is set to bring the Yuletide spirit back into the city with its Festival of Lights and other holiday events and attractions

“I can say that Christmas in Makati will be bigger and brighter.” That’s the promise Shiella Aguilar, estate head for Makati of Ayala Land, gave during the preview of what’s to come for the holiday season in one of Manila’s busiest cities. The real estate firm is happy to announce that, this year, its Festival of Lights and other holiday events will be enjoyed by the Filipino people live after two years in isolation.

(Seated from left) Ayala Land Estates’ Mel Ignacio, senior estate head of Makati, and Chrissy Roa, head of marketing and communications, with (standing from left) Sueyen Austero, Festival of Lights
2022 lighting designer; Shiella Aguilar, estate head for Makati; and Ohm David, Festival of Lights
2022 show director

“It is important for us here in Ayala Land to stay connected to the communities that we serve. This is especially true for Makati, which is our flagship estate,” Aguilar says. “Makati is home to several signature events that have become part of the city’s soul. Events that made the city come alive and brought together members of the community and families from all over the country. Christmas gives us an opportunity to do this in an even bigger way.”

And bigger it is. Its festivities will start with the lighting ceremony of the Christmas decorations on Ayala Avenue on Nov. 3. In line with its sustainability goals, the real estate firm is reusing its past ornaments—parols and capiz lights—to adorn Makati Central Business district. According to Chrissy Roa, Ayala Land’s head of marketing and communications, the decorations will be seen in more parts of Ayala Avenue. In addition, a giant parol installation will be erected in the courtyard of Ayala Triangle Gardens, offering family and friends a perfect spot to snap some photos for the holiday season. 

This year, to show that the Christmas spirit is truly alive in Makati, more parts of Ayala Avenue will be decorated with bright festive ornaments to dazzle the Central Business District

Nothing beats an immersive holiday experience. After successfully bringing its Festival of Lights into the digital world, Ayala Land is ready to welcome Filipinos back to witness its grand lights show live this year at the Ayala Triangle Gardens starting Nov. 10. 

Conceptualized by director Ohm David and lighting designer Sueyen Austero, this year’s festival will be a 360-degree experience centering on the theme of “coming together.” Apart from the traditional dancing string lights and magical laser lights, people can also see a gigantic 3D animated video, made in collaboration with Kroma and Acid House. Ayala Land has been producing the Festival of Lights for 14 years, and what makes Festival of Lights 2022 unique is the presence of local indigenous symbols in the show.

“We wanted something to symbolize coming together. So, we gathered many indigenous backgrounds of the Philippines… We have Inabel, Tboli, Mangyan patterns just to keep that sense of tradition, celebration, and something truly Filipino alive,” David says.

“It is not just the light show,” Austero adds. “We are expecting a lot of emotions. Coming from the hiatus caused by the pandemic, some will be emotional seeing these lights live again.” 

The Manila Symphony Orchestra composed an orchestral rendition of the Festival of Lights 2022 medley

Apart from the lights show and 3D animated projections, Christmas in Makati is also set to be filled with good tunes. Three musical medleys with a fresh, new take were composed to accompany the show. The first is an orchestral rendition by the Manila Symphony Orchestra, followed by a TikTok-inspired rendition—a collaboration among composers Tris Suguitan, Jazz Nicolas, and Mikey Amistoso—and finally a chorale rendition by musical composer Jazz Nicolas. The chorale medley features the angelic voices of the Pembo Elementary School children’s choir.

It only gets better in Makati as Christmas day comes closer. From Dec. 2 to 31, Makatizens or not are welcome to experience Ayala Land’s Christmas Market, in partnership with the French Embassy. This holiday fair is inspired by the Marche de Noele Christmas market in Paris, Lille, and Starsboug, and is set to spotlight the best French eats and products as well as Filipino artisanal goods.

Simbang Gabi is one of the prime pillars of Filipino Christmas traditions. To reflect just that, Ayala Land is hosting it at Ayala Triangle Gardens from Dec. 15 to 23, with Philippine Youth Symphonic Band leading the opening of the nine-day series of Masses.

The facade of Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati

Lastly, everyone is welcome to celebrate Christmas in Circuit Makati with Ayala Land’s holiday concerts from Dec. 20 to 22.  The Samsung Performing Arts Theater will be the venue of the Christmas Holiday Concert featuring performances by the Manila Symphony Orchestra and Steps Dance Studio, among many others.

Cebu junks Covid test for inbound travelers

by Calvin Cordova, MB

CEBU CITY – Gov. Gwen Garcia issued Executive Order No. 43 on Friday, Nov. 4, eliminating the Covid-19 test requirement for inbound travelers to Cebu. 

EO NO 43

Garcia said fully vaccinated travelers to the province will no longer be required to present any form of Covid-19 test.

But unvaccinated travelers are highly encouraged to take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours before departing for Cebu, Garcia said.

Unvaccinated travelers unable to take a Covid-19 test will be tested for free upon arrival at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), she bared.

Result of a rapid antigen test should not be a requirement for Cebu-bound travelers prior to boarding, the governor emphasized.

Vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers shall only be required to present their ticket or passport or other valid identification card upon check-in.

“Any other requirement such as electronic arrival card shall only be presented upon arrival in Cebu,” Garcia said. 

Furthermore, she ordered that the wearing of face masks shall be optional for all travelers bound for Cebu and the MCIA.

The EO took effect on Saturday, Nov. 5, and was issued in light of a resolution that the Inter-Agency Task Force issued last Oct. 4 that eased travel restrictions for inbound travelers to the Philippines.

The edict was also in line with the memorandum that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marocs Jr. issued last Oct. 28 directing concerned agencies to identify other acceptable proofs of vaccination in order to avoid confusion and inconvenience of inbound travelers.