Monday, February 22, 2021
How to Be Content in a Materialistic World
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15
“It began as a simple, or simply terrifying, pledge taken by a small group of friends feeling overwhelmed by all the things in their lives,” writes Elizabeth Weise. She explains, “Over a potluck dinner two years ago, they made a pact: Buy nothing new except food, medicine and toiletries for six months.”[1] When a major newspaper did a feature on the unique experiment, the idea exploded. In a matter of a few weeks more than 700 people from countries as diverse as Japan, the Philippines, and Brazil have put their names on an Internet list to do the same thing.
“The original group named itself the Compact after the Mayflower Compact, a civil agreement that bound the Pilgrims to a life of higher purpose when they landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620.”[2] The group that got together over a potluck dinner and decided that enough is enough and committed to the experiment weren’t necessarily trying to make a statement about consumerism, or how to save the world, or do something about global warming. But they acknowledged that they were fed up with the pressure to have the latest and the most expensive, measuring the success in their lives by the junk piled in their garage and the newest electronic stuff or fashion.
They wanted to simplify their lives. A French teacher, Rob Piccioto, one of the original compact signers, said, “It saved us time because there was less time spent shopping. We still buy groceries and go to the drugstore, but we don’t go to Target on a Saturday–which was a ritual before, just to see what the sales were.”
Vast numbers of people, the world over, registered disagreement with the blatant commercialism that confronts us today every time you pick up a newspaper, turn on your television set, or pick up a magazine.
Simplifying their lives meant different things to those who took the pledge, but they were all striving to accomplish the same thing. For some it meant buying the clothing they needed at a second hand or thrift store, having shoes repaired instead of trashing them out in favor of a new pair, planting a garden, or using washable hand towels instead of buying paper towels. It was an amazing life-changing endeavor that was a choice, not a situation forced upon them by a lack of resources.
Some backslid and caught themselves buying new sunglasses or something they couldn’t find second-hand, but most have adapted to a lifestyle of general simplicity, one that they feel is more genuine and authentic, to say nothing of its being more practical.
For Christians, a lifestyle of simplicity has always been part of authentic faith. Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). He spoke eloquently about how the God who sees the sparrow fall from the sky will meet your needs. He set the example, living out a lifestyle of simplicity. He never owned property. His only possession was a seamless garment that Romans soldiers cast lots for at His death, but even in death He borrowed another man’s grave,
That philosophy and lifestyle was part and parcel of the mindset of the early church, that lived out their belief that more is not better. Many, in fact, gave away their possessions, vowing a life of poverty to serve God. In the U.S., Quakers and Shakers adopted the same kind of simple lifestyle, sharing their resources, helping each other, living as close to the earth as possible.
The path less traveled includes learning to say no to commercialism, avoiding the mall, making do with what you have, and sharing with others. Simplify, simplify, and simplify some more is the path to contentment in a materialistic world.
Scripture reading: Proverbs 13:7-17, The Message
[1] Elizabeth Weise, “USATODAY, March 23, 2006, March 26, 2006, D-1.
[2] Ibid.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/how-to-be-content-in-a-materialistic-world/
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Music video: Morissette returns with ‘Phoenix’
Morissette released on Saturday her first single of 2021, fittingly titled “Phoenix,” about overcoming challenges and starting over.
The music video of “Phoenix,” which she co-wrote with fiancé Dave Lamar, shows numerous milestones in Morissette’s career, as she sings about soaring further.
It also includes glimpses of frontline workers amid the coronavirus pandemic, to relate the lyrics about hope and perseverance to the global health crisis.
“To be very honest, I was nervous working on this music video because I personally felt we already went all out with ‘Love You Still,’” Morissette said, referring to her previous single.
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Ikea hiring 500 Pasay City residents
Swedish furniture retail firm Ikea will hire 500 Pasay City residents for its local operations scheduled to kick off in August 2021, the city government said Saturday.
In a statement, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said Ikea and the city government will team up to secure jobs for local residents adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Magandang pagkakataon po ito sapagkat alam natin na maraming mga kababayan natin ang nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pandemya, pero dahil sa pakikipag-usap natin sa Ikea ay nangako sila na ilalaan nila ang 500 posisyon para sa taga Pasay,” Rubiano said.
(This is a good opportunity because many lost their jobs due to the pandemic. We met with representatives of Ikea who promised to allocate 500 job openings for Pasay City residents.)
The Swedish firm earlier announced that it would establish a store in Pasay City in 2021 to “give millions of Filipinos easy access to a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low almost everyone will be able to afford them.”
As of Friday, Pasay City recorded 7,461 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 280 active cases, 191 deaths and 6,990 recoveries.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1397943/ikea-hiring-500-pasay-city-residents
Friday, February 19, 2021
GTV to air classic anime favorites Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z
Heads up, 90s kids!
Your classic anime favorites will once again grace television sets with the launch of GTV.
In a virtual media conference on Friday, the Kapuso Network announced the rebranding of GMA News TV to a more variety-oriented channel.
As GTV aims to target the "young and young at heart" audience demographic, anime titles are among the shows they have in store.
"We've lined up the beloved anime that have been airing before in GMA. GMA was known as anime authority so this will also trickle down to GTV," said Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, President of GMA Films, Inc. and Programming Consultant to the Chairman and CEO.
"We're launching Pokémon and Dragon Ball Z—those loved anime that we used to show years before in GMA, you'll also see them now on GTV," she added.
Gozon-Valdes said GTV is focused on bringing back the classics for now, but they are also on the look out to acquire new anime titles.
Anime fans have long been clamoring for GMA to once again include anime titles on its regular programming.
The millennial generation grew up watching anime in the evening and later in the afternoon, with names often anglicized and the dialogues dubbed in Filipino.
—MGP, GMA News
GMA News TV is now GTV
This February 22, the Kapuso Network is keeping it good with its second free-to-air channel’s fresh new look as GTV – offering “the news you trust and new shows to love.”
GTV stays true to the Network’s commitment to Serbisyong Totoo with a full roster of credible news programs from the award-winning teams of GMA News, GMA Regional TV, and DZBB.
Viewers can still catch the live telecast of Super Radyo DZBB’s hottest reports and commentaries on “Dobol B TV”; as well as Connie Sison and Raffy Tima’s midday newscast “Balitanghali.”
GTV likewise simulcasts GMA’s flagship news program “24 Oras,” anchored by GMA News pillars Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, and Vicky Morales.
Meanwhile, the channel’s primetime newscast “State of the Nation (SONA),” bannered by Atom Araullo and Maki Pulido, provides depth and context to the headlines.
Local news reports continue to be accessible to more viewers via the “GMA Regional TV Strip” and “GMA Regional TV Weekend News,” which feature the Network’s award-winning local news programs across the country.
Alongside its newscasts, GTV offers fresh programming options for both the young and young-at-heart. This was kickstarted by the high-rating primetime series “The Lost Recipe” headlined by the fresh loveteam of Mikee Quintos and Kelvin Miranda in a fantasy-romance that provides viewers a new taste of Pinoy drama.
Adding magic to everyone's Saturday viewing habit is “My Fantastic Pag-ibig,” a collection of rom-com tales set in present times but infused with fantasy elements and showcases today’s most promising young loveteams.
The all-original comedy game show “Game of the Gens,” hosted by Sef Cadayona and Andre Paras, fuses singing, dancing, and playing games among competitors from different generations.
New Kapuso Chef JR Royol gives a peek into the fascinating process of food preparation in the weekly cooking show “Farm To Table.”
Upcoming GTV offerings include the charming story of “Heartful Café,” starring Asia's Pop Diva Julie Anne San Jose alongside David Licauco; the much-awaited on-screen tandem of real-life couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos in the romance-mystery mini-series “Love You Stranger”; and “FLEX,” which will be bannered by Gen Z stars Mavy Legaspi, Lexi Gonzales, Joaquin Domagoso, and Althea Ablan.
On GTV’s Happy Hour strip, Vicky spreads positivity in news magazine show ‘Good News’ while multi-awarded documentarist Kara David takes viewers on an gastronomical adventure featuring Filipino food in “Pinas Sarap.” Helping viewers manage their finances better in the new normal is Susan Enriquez in “Pera Paraan.” Global Endorser Gabbi Garcia, on the other hand, brings the latest trends in “IRL” through the stories and experiences that audiences encounter every day. More travel adventures in the new normal also await viewers in the award-winning travel and adventure program “Biyahe ni Drew” hosted by Drew Arellano.
Well-loved public affairs and lifestyle shows continue throughout the week. Join Kara anew as she reports on various issues facing the country in “Brigada.” Susan answers the questions of every Juan in “iJuander” while Tonipet Gaba explores how dining has evolved in the “new normal” in “Pop Talk.” Dishing out fun, food, and adventure are Solenn Heussaff and Gil Cuerva in “Taste Buddies.”
Further, sports fans are sure to watch out for the coverage and airing of the upcoming NCAA seasons.
With GNTV currently holding the second spot as the most watched channel after GMA, GTV is slated to complement main channel GMA’s strong nationwide reach.
GTV is available via free-to-air, cable, satellite, and on GMA Affordabox and GMA Now as well as other digital receivers.
GTV’s exciting programs also air abroad via the Network’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International.
Watch the news you trust and new shows to love beginning February 22 on GTV. Keeping it good!
For more details, visit GTV’s official social media account @GTVPhilippines on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/776662/gma-news-tv-is-now-gtv/story/