Give the Gift Of Undeserved Kindness

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  Colossians 3:12

Be kind and rewind.  Did you ever see that phrase on the label of an old VHS videotape cassette?  It was a request for a simple act, asking the viewer to show kindness by rewinding the tape at the end of watching a movie so that the next person wouldn’t have to.  Simply think of the next guy, was the idea.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the practice of performing “random acts of kindness.”  Random Acts of Kindness Day evolved from a Sausalito, California, restaurant in 1982 when Anne Herbert scrawled the words “practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty,” on a placemat.  Since then people have kindly paid the bills of others in line behind them at coffee shops and grocery stores or have simply held doors open, smiled and said thank you.

But why do we think of treating a stranger kindly as a senseless act?  Perhaps because what makes sense to us, is to act in ways that benefit us, doing only what is best for us.  In and of ourselves, we’re not likely to think of “the next guy.”

The Bible doesn’t treat kindness to others as senseless, nor does it encourage us to be random in our demonstration of it.  “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself,” the Proverbs teach. (Proverbs 11:17) Kindness and love are to go hand in hand, says the great chapter on love, I Corinthians 13.  In fact, kindness is one of the evidences that God’s Spirit is living inside of a person.  Kindness is what is called one of the “fruits of the Spirit,” (Galatians 5:22) the marks of a life that has been transformed by a true relationship with God.

Jesus’ own words about showing kindness to others are anything but light and fluffy:  “But love your enemies,” He said, “and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” (Luke 6:35) Jesus calls for those who follow him to follow God’s example by showing kindness to those who aren’t going to say thank you, those who don’t deserve it.  Listen to the verse again, “…he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”

My tendency is to show kindness to those who will reciprocate; people I like, who think like me and share my values.  I want evil people to receive judgment, not kindness.  The problem is that I can’t show kindness to someone who has done evil to me without forgiving them.  Kindness and bitterness can’t hold hands.

That’s what the father of two young children had in mind when he made his kids memorize a verse from the Bible book of Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32 which says, “Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ’s sake, forgave you.”  When his son and daughter were fighting away, he would bring them together, make them hold hands and looking into each other’s eyes, recite this verse in unison to one another.  Nothing could stop squabbling faster than knowing that this is how family conflict was going to be solved. It was horrible to have to do and definitely stopped the fighting.  I know—because I was one of those kids!

We need the kindness of God desperately in this troubled world.  Christ-followers, having known the forgiveness and grace of God toward us in our brokenness, need to be the kindest people.  Let’s do something kind for another today, but let’s make it purposeful, not random.  Let our kindness be senseless, in that we choose to show kindness to someone who perhaps, has wronged us, or doesn’t deserve it.  Who will you bless with kindness today?

Resource reading: Ephesians 4:1-32

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/give-the-gift-of-undeserved-kindness/

After ABS-CBN shutdown, 'Sagip Pelikula' faces uncertain future

The archives holds some 3,000 titles, and the restoration project has saved 185 films

The fate of thousands of Filipino films now hangs in the balance as the ABS-CBN Film Archives closes in the midst of the media network's massive retrenchment following the non-renewal of its legislative franchise.

The ABS-CBN Film Archives has some 3,000 titles in various formats: 35mm prints, picture and sound negatives, raw footage and outtakes, DPX files, LTO-6 tapes, U-matic, Betacam, and D1.

According to ABS-CBN Film Archives head Leo Katigbak, they hope to continue taking care of the films because they are ABS-CBN assets, but "the shutdown of the department will make this difficult."

"This is something we are in the process of figuring out," he said in an email to Rappler, explaining that he is currently working on a set-up that will allow them to keep up the archive, even in a diminished capacity.

He explained that archiving involves regularly checking film reels, unspooling them, and cleaning them. It also requires an environment with controlled temperature and humidity. While still manageable, it is more difficult to do without funds and less people.

Even more difficult to manage with the closure of the 11-member department is the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project, which is just another element in the network's effort to save Filipino films.

'Sagip Pelikula'

The restoration project began in 2011, initially as a partnership with post production company Central Digital Lab. But, according to Katigbak, "restoration was always part of the plan" when they started the ABS-CBN Film Archives in 1994.

At the time, film restoration was an expensive endeavor, but in 2008 technology made it more viable, and from 2009 to 2011, Katigbak and then-ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio pushed the initiative as part of the network's legacy. The initiative was supported by ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Gabby Lopez.

"Gabby pulled me aside as it took shape and said 'Leo, I know we have to do this. The films have to be ready when the new technologies emerge. I don't know how we will recover costs but it needs to be done,'" Katigbak shared.

The ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project has since been able to save 185 films, digitizing them and making them available in modern formats.

The project has restored films that span eras from pre-World War II to the 2000s. Many films that have been saved are considered masterpieces by film critics: Peque Gallaga's 1982 film Oro, Plata Mata and Ishmael Bernal's Himala from the same year, Mario O'Hara's Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos from 1976.

Pop culture favorites such as 1998's Labs Kita…Okey Ka Lang?, Milan, and Tanging Yaman are also among those that were rescued in the project, which is also known as "Sagip Pelikula."

Other films that have recently been completed or are nearing completion include the 1994 drama Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin, the 2000 biopic Markova: Comfort Gay, and the 1957 drama Badjao, among others.

Saving these Filipino films cost a lot of money, and took a lot of time. As Katigbak explained, the cost of restoring one film could go from half a million pesos to 30 million pesos. Some films have take up to years to restore, with work being outsourced over time to companies all over the world to bring down the cost.

Two films took 5 years to complete – the longest it has taken for the company to finish a restoration: the 1984 thriller Misteryo sa Tuwa, which was completed in 2019, and drama Soltero from the same year, which Katigbak hopes will be completed before they shut down on August 31.

The Film Restoration Project had many other films on its line-up for restoration: some classics from LVN Pictures, older Star Cinema films, Dolphy starrers, as well as more films by Gallaga, Bernal, and those directed Emmanuel Borlaza, Lupita Concio, and even possibly a Lino Brocka – but these restorations will no longer happen.

"Restoration as we know it is gone. We simply can't afford it," Katigbak said. "The impact won't be felt immediately since we do have several titles completed or nearly completed but after those are released, it will cease."

As the project wraps up its restoration efforts, Katigbak underscored the importance of the work that they do.

"Film is our culture, it is part of who we are. It reflects our soul and defines our identity through time. Film through the eras whether in terms of thematic setting or time actually filmed is a visual record that allows us to reflect on many questions about Filipino identity…I think this is the deeper, more significant reason for what we do," he said.

"And of course the more obvious [reason] where we preserve the brilliance of our filmmakers so their legacy and contributions are not forgotten is there," he said. "We were competing with the best of Europe and America even pre-war, how can we not celebrate those filmmakers?"

https://rappler.com/entertainment/movies/abs-cbn-film-archives-restoration-project-uncertain-feature

Legislative districts of Zamboanga City

This is How You Know You Love God

Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?  Luke 6:46

One of the weaknesses in popular Christianity today is the overemphasis on God’s love and an under emphasis on obedience to what He expects of those who follow Him.  "If you love me, you will obey what I command,” Jesus told His disciples (John 14:15).  Love and obedience are not antithetical to each other.  To the contrary, obedience—without hesitation—is the result of unconditional love.

Obedience is not a choice, an option that one may select out of several possibilities or lifestyles.  Either you are obedient, or you are disobedient.  Just as a man is faithful to his wife or else he is unfaithful, either you walk in obedience to what God expects and requires or your love is less than genuine and sincere.

Grudging obedience, the kind that is exacted by someone who is stronger than you or who will severely punish your failures isn’t what brings pleasure to the heart of God.  Of course, I will comply if my automobile is stopped and someone with a gun asks for my money.  Yet and this happens all the time - I freely give money, time, and energies to those whom I love, to those who are in need.

A certain woman badly in need of money answered an ad for a housekeeper.  The man who was employing someone to take care of his children and his home had lost his wife and mother of the children.  Shortly after the woman took the position of housekeeper, it became apparent that this was no ordinary sort of person.  He was a pain in the neck.  On the first day of her employment, he presented her with a neatly typed list of responsibilities, and furthermore, he was so particular that she almost quit after the first week.

Like the slogan, “I owe, I owe so off to work I go,” she needed employment and stayed with the job.  But eventually her resentment began to subside, and she began to see a softer, more gentle side of the man who had employed her.  In time, she grew to love the children and seemed to be able to overlook his idiosyncrasies of temperament and habit.  Eventually, to the great delight of the children, he asked the housekeeper to become his wife and they were married.

Years later, cleaning out a drawer one day, she found the original list of responsibilities. She smiled as she read how everything that she had so disliked now was no problem.  The difference?  Yes, she had come to know and love the man who had hired her as a housekeeper.

“More love to thee, O Christ, More love to thee!” wrote Elizabeth Prentiss a century and a half ago.  The second stanza reads, “Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest; Now thee alone I seek; Give what is best; This all my prayer shall be:  More love, O Christ, to thee, More love to thee, More love to thee!”

A faith that assumes because God does love you, He will overlook anything you do is not true faith at all.  It is a sentimental notion that God doesn’t really mean what He says and that Jesus’ words of reproof to those who knew the language but ignored submission to His will and plan can’t really apply to them.

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” Jesus asked those who came for the bread and fish, the thrill of a religious experience and a good time without cost (See Luke 6:46).

Jesus’ question to Peter, “Do you love me?” is one that you can answer only by measuring your obedience to what He asks of you.   Listen to the quiet echo of that question which never goes away, “Do you love me?  Then keep my commandments.”

Resource reading: Luke 6:43-49

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/this-is-how-you-know-you-love-god/

Celebrities who find fulfillment in pursuing and completing their colleg...

Almost every one of us surely looks up to at least one celebrity, either local or international, due to their mesmerizing beauty, unmistakable prowess, and impressive wit and eloquence that they exude on-and-off-cam.





But in this episode of Kapamilya Snaps, your admiration to some of the most popular and well-loved ABS-CBN talents will definitely amplify as they’ve set as great examples of further pursuing our other aspirations and becoming the best versions of ourselves through education in spite of the obstacles and hardships we’re going to encounter along the way.



While many of us have assumed that they’re already contented with the fame and fortune being a celebrity has brought them, the 16 Kapamilya stars in this feature actually found fulfilment in pursuing and completing their college degrees.



She may have already enthralled us with her deific beauty, promising acting skills, and boldness in speaking out her mind in some issues, but Liza Soberano made us fall in love with her deeper when she went back to school in 2018 to pursue Psychology in Southville International School and Colleges.



We can probably say that the Make It With You star got inspired by seasoned actress Jodi Sta. Maria, who’s been enrolled in the same institution and program since 2017 and even made it to the Dean’s Lister last semester!



Other Kapamilya actresses who are still completing their college degrees are Miles Ocampo, Alexa Ilacad, Maris Racal, and Sharlene San Pedro.Being a passionate actress that she is, Miles is determined to add another feather on her cap not only as an alumna of Goin’ Bulilit and Luv U and as a promising actress, but as degree holder as well. The Home Sweetie Home cast member initially took up Theater Arts then shifted to Creative Writing, both at University of the Philippines Diliman.



Her bestfriend and fellow Goin’ Bulilit and Luv U alumna Sharlene is also juggling her showbiz duties and student responsibilities as she currently takes up Psychology via AMA Online Education.



She may have a hard time balancing her career and studies, as what she shares on Instagram, yet there’s no stopping Alexa from finishing her Business Administration degree at Treston International College, wherein she’s also a Dean’s Lister!



We all know her as one of the most remarkable products of reality show Pinoy Big Brother and among the most favourite actresses and songstresses of her generation. But, only a few knows that Maris is also on her way to attaining her ambition of becoming a doctor as she’s currently taking up Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology at the Trinity University of Asia.



While these Kapamilya celebrities are still burning the midnight candle in pursuit of accomplishing their chosen degrees, the following worked hard in earning theirs in spite of their already flourishing showbiz careers.



As they entered the local entertainment scene at early ages or in their teenage years, Maxene Magalona, Enchong Dee, Kristel Fulgar, Robi Domingo, Erik Santos, Joj and Jai Agpangan, and Tippy Dos Santos had to juggle career with their studies, which they successfully did.



Maxene graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in AB Social Sciences in 2010, the same time with Enchong who’s able to finish his degree in Developmental Studies at De La Salle University, wherein he used to be a decorated varsity swimmer and national athlete as well.



“King of Teleserye Theme Songs” Erik also received his diploma that same year after completing his Dentistry degree from Centro Escolar University.



Three years after his victorious stint in Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus, the “True-Blue Atenean of Quezon City”-turned-“Ang Tambay Sa Bahay Ni Kuya” was able to graduate in 2012 from ADMU with a degree in Health Sciences. Although he’s expected to go to medical school as originally planned, Robi opted to pursue his hosting career.



Starting out as a child star, Kristel had amazingly managed to finish her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication at University of Sto. Tomas in 2015 while juggling it with her showbiz commitments.Despite her busy career, Tippy was able to finish her degree in Family Life and Child Development at UP Di



liman in 2016. And at present, she went on to amaze us with how she’s balancing her life as a singer, actress, host, and law student as she began taking up Law at the same university in 2018.



As their undeniably similar features and personality amuse us ever since their stints in PBB Teen Edition 4 in 2012, twins Joj and Jai Agpangan continue to impress us when they both graduated from UP-Open University with a degree in Education in 2018.



On the other hand, Gretchen Ho and Maricar Reyes-Poon were both already degree holder prior to entering the limelight.



The Umagang Kay Ganda host and former volleybelle, doesn’t only have one, but two major degrees under her belt. She’s able to complete her Management Engineering and Communication degrees from ADMU, while representing the academe in the UAAP as one of its varsity players.



Meanwhile, before becoming one of the country’s seasoned actresses, Maricar already earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at ADMU and continued her Doctor of Medicine course at UST, making her an actual doctor.



May these Kapamilya stars inspire you to keep on going and pursuing your dreams whatever circumstances you have to go through in attaining the success you’ve been aspiring for!



https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-videos/16-kapamilya-stars-who-find-fulfillment-in-pursuing-completing-their-college-degrees-12638

World Broadcasting Unions urges PH govt, lawmakers to renew ABS-CBN franchise

The World Broadcasting Unions appealed Wednesday to the Philippine government and lawmakers to renew ABS-CBN's franchise to "restore the free flow of information to Filipinos" especially as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lawmakers' decision to reject ABS-CBN's bid for a fresh license "puts at risk the employment of more than 11,000 workers and has drawn accusations of an attack against press freedom," the international organization said in a statement.

The broadcast network is "a vital source of information for tens of millions of Filipinos," said the group that serves as coordinating body for broadcasting unions who represent broadcaster networks worldwide.

The WBU said the Philippines is among countries "hard-hit" by the pandemic and suffered as well from its first typhoon for the year, Ambo, that prompted hundreds of thousands to flee their homes while observing physical distancing due to the virus.

"At times like these – and always – citizens depend on broadcast media for basic information, essential for their survival. This must not be denied to them," the WBU said.

"The closure of ABS-CBN is a matter of concern, not just in the Philippines but internationally."

Established in 1992, the WBU groups the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the Arab States Broadcasting Union, the African Union of Broadcasting, the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, the European Broadcasting Union, the International Association of Broadcasting, and the North American Broadcasters Association.

The Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representatives last July 10 rejected the new franchise application of ABS-CBN in fulfillment of President Rodrigo Duterte's earlier threats, and despite relevant government agencies clearing the company of alleged irregularities and delinquencies.

On May 5, it was forced off the air by the National Telecommunications Commission over the expiry on May 4 of its old franchise, although it previously committed to allow the network to continue operations until Congress resolves its new franchise application.

Two alias cease and desist orders were also served late last month by the NTC against ABS-CBN's digital broadcast in Metro Manila and its sister company Sky Cable's direct broadcast satellite service nationwide.

Opposition lawmakers have asked House leaders to allow plenary deliberation and voting on ABS-CBN's franchise.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/23/20/world-broadcasting-unions-urges-ph-govt-lawmakers-to-renew-abs-cbn-franchise

World Broadcasting Unions appeals to Duterte to reconsider ABS-CBN franchise renewal

World Broadcasting Unions (WBU),  the coordinating body for broadcasting unions who represent broadcaster networks across the globe, stands with ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ largest television broadcaster, after the Philippine House of Representatives voted to shut down permanently its free television and radio services last July 10.

In a statement sent to Philstar.com, WBU said the shutdown "puts at risk the employment of more than 11,000 workers and has drawn accusations of an attack against press freedom. The closure of ABS/CBN is a matter of concern, not just in the Philippines but internationally."

According to WBU, the franchise denial did not close not one TV station but ABS-CBN’s 42 television stations, 10 digital broadcast channels, 18 FM stations and five AM stations across the Philippines, serving a population of more than 108 million.

"ABS-CBN has been fighting to retain its broadcasting rights for some time after the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) refused to renew its 25-year franchise licence in February. After a public outcry and with support from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, ABS-CBN was operating under a temporary licence. This week, the Supreme Court deferred until early August a hearing into an ABS-CBN petition against the NTC order. It is unclear what effect the House vote will have on this legal action."

WBU recognized that ABS-CBN is a free-to-air television network that has a 44 percent audience share for its news and programs.

As the oldest broadcasting network in the Philippines – operating since 1946 - WBU said ABS-CBN has been a vital source of information for tens of millions of Filipinos.

"As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the role of broadcast media has never been so important. The Philippines is particularly hard-hit with more than 57,000 C-19 cases and a high fatality rate. The first storm of 2020 - Typhoon Ambo - hit land seven times in mid-May. Pandemic protocols complicated the evacuation of tens of thousands of people under lockdown in coronavirus-stricken areas. At times like these – and always – citizens depend on broadcast media for basic information, essential for their survival. This must not be denied to them," WBU stated.

The WBU appeals to the lawmakers in the Philippines House of Representatives and Senate, along with the Duterte administration, to reconsider and to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise to restore the free flow of information to Filipinos.

Established in 1992 as a coordinating body at the international broadcasting level, WBU has provided global solutions on key issues for its member unions with individual broadcasting members that include British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Fox, Disney TV and NBC Universal, among others.

https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/07/23/2030091/world-broadcasting-unions-appeals-duterte-reconsider-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal

ABS-CBN to focus on digital, cable business after franchise denial

Beleaguered media giant ABS-CBN Corp. on Thursday outlined its plans to continue its business sans a legislative franchise to operate free-to-air broadcast.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, ABS-CBN said it planned “to continue to operate in other businesses that do not require a legislative franchise, such as, international licensing and distribution, digital and cable businesses, as well as, continue with the syndication of content through various streaming services.”

On July 10, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises  voted to deny the franchise application of ABS-CBN.

The panel adopted the Technical Working Group’s (TWG) Committee Resolution recommending the denial of the network's franchise application through 70 yes votes, 11 no votes, and three who did not participate.

ABS-CBN went off air on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist against the network for lack of franchise.

“The Company takes into consideration the probable shift of consumer behavior in terms of accessing content, as well as, the ever-changing technology available to the public,” ABS-CBN said.

“Likewise, the Company takes into consideration the impact of COVID 19 in other business segments,” it said.

The media company said its news and other content are accessible through digital platforms such as its social media pages, YouTube channel, iWant app, and on cable TV.

The ABS-CBN said it has adopted and continues to implement cost control measures, reducing general administrative expenses (GAEX) or overhead, rationalizing capital expenditures, and streamlining its manpower requirements as discussed below.

“Given the reduced operations, the Company is reviewing its current business models, structures, processes and systems, for a more agile, efficient and effective organization,” it said.

“The Company will focus on businesses that will generate growth in revenues and is reducing investments in non-core activities,” it added.

ABS-CBN has recently announced the closure of KidZania Manila due to conditions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lopez-led media giant noted that ABS-CBN and its creditor banks are confident that with the proper security in place, its obligations to its creditor banks will be satisfied in accordance with the existing terms of, including payment schedules, under the relevant loan agreements.

In terms of the impact of the franchise denial, ABS-CBN explained that its free-to-air business in the country accounted for 68% of the company’s revenues for the un-audited period ended September 30, 2019, which amounted to P15.9 billion.

“The Resolution significantly affects the company’s Media, Networks, and Studio Entertainment (MNSE) operations, specifically the Company’s free-to-air business in the Philippines,” it said.

On an unaudited consolidated basis, free-to-air advertising was approximately 50% of ABS-CBN’s unaudited consolidated revenue for the period ended September 30, 2019.-NB, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/748192/abs-cbn-to-focus-on-digital-cable-business-after-franchise-denial/story/

ABS-CBN exhausting ’all remedies' on franchise, shifting focus to growth areas

ABS-CBN reviewing current business models for a “more agile, efficient and effective organization”

MANILA -- ABS-CBN Corp on Thursday said it will continue to explore "all available remedies" and "courses of action" while focusing on its other businesses to drive growth moving forward.

"The denial of the franchise application of ABS-CBN to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines does not affect the primary franchise of ABS-CBN to exist as a corporation and does not affect the rights of its shareholders," the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

The House of Representatives legislative franchises committee recently voted to deny ABS-CBN's bid for a fresh 25-year franchise, while the National Telecommunications Commission ordered the company to stop its digital terrestrial TV network, resulting in massive retrenchments and job loss for thousands of Filipinos. 

The franchise denial affected the company's free-to-air advertising business, which accounts for 50 percent of consolidated revenues as of end-September last year.

The company said to mitigate the impact of the franchise denial and the pandemic, it will focus on its other businesses that do not require a legislative franchise - among them, international licensing and distribution, digital and cable businesses, and content syndication through various streaming services.

It also implemented group-wide cost control measures, rationalizing capital expenditures and streamlining manpower.

"Given the reduced operations, the Company is reviewing its current business models, structures, processes and systems, for a more agile, efficient and effective organization," it said while lessening investments on non-core activities to preserve cash.

ABS-CBN said it was also "not aware" of any material contracts, claims or demands, as it is currently in talks with creditor banks on its long term obligations. 

"The Company is likewise confident that any payments or financial obligations that may arise under its customary or usual business agreements are manageable and will not have a material adverse impact on ABS-CBN at this time. The Company is committed to honor all existing obligations for goods delivered and services rendered by its third party suppliers and/or to negotiate new terms for these obligations, should it be necessary," it added.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/23/20/abs-cbn-exhausting-all-remedies-on-franchise-shifting-focus-to-growth-areas

Give God The Right Place

And Joshua said, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!”  Joshua 7:7 

Look up the word sovereign and you are apt to find a definition such as this: “Sovereign:  A British coin. See Pound Sterling.”  The definition continues, “The name sovereign was first applied to kings.  Everyone in a kingdom was a subject of the king.  The king himself was usually sovereign, which means subject to no one.”

But this definition omits an important fact:  God was considered sovereign long before any king ever considered himself to be subject to no human being whatsoever.  For centuries British kings acknowledged that they, being human, were subject to the Almighty—something which some politicians have never learned.  But the issue to focus on is this:  Is God Himself sovereign?  To whom does He answer and give an account?  And if God is sovereign, how does this affect our lives?

After considering the issue for almost 70 years, Bible teacher, Guy Duffield wrote, “Life is largely a problem of orientation—getting things in their proper place in relation to everything else.  If we get God in His rightful place in our life everything else will fall into proper position…. Thus,” he said, “if we get God fixed, all else will find its rightful place.”

If God is really sovereign, it means that He answers to no one, He does anything He pleases, and that He rules according to His will.  This, of course, would be a pretty scary premise if God were an unjust dictator, one who rewards or damns at the whim of an emotional roller-coaster.  Some, reading only parts of the Old Testament without an understanding of the context, see God just like that.  No wonder they prefer to ignore his sovereignty.

If God is really sovereign, there are some binding consequences as far as our relationship to Him is concerned.  If He is sovereign, then I am His subject.  If He is fully in control, then what I think about Him is not nearly as important as what He thinks about me.  The bottom line: Simple obedience is not only a requisite, but an absolute necessity.

It is little wonder that many prefer to never think about God’s sovereignty or consider their relationship to Him.  For those who have never learned something of His nature—His mercy, His kindness, His grace and goodness, thinking of God as one who is absolutely in control of our destinies is disconcerting.  Then, too, standing between people and a sovereign God results in a lot of misunderstanding for many. “Where is God when people suffer?” they ask, or “Why didn’t God do something when my baby needed help?”  Most of the questions which form a dark cloud obscuring the sovereignty of God are issues which, should God explain them to us, are completely beyond our understanding.

The real issue that separates us from the grand and comforting truth of God being in control, is that we are fearful of losing control.  We want to hold onto the notion that we are masters of our fate and that we are at the helm of the ship called destiny.  This, of course, is a sad illusion.  The flip side is that when we acknowledge our dependence upon a loving and mighty God, we then enter into a parent/child relationship, and God’s care becomes personal and intimate.

Understanding more of the nature and character of God—the real thing described in the Bible, not the misunderstood counterfeit offered by some religions--is the key to knowing God; and when you really know Him, you will grasp His great love for you.  You will respond in love to Him, and when you love Him, your fears will dissipate. Give God the rightful place in your life and all else will find its rightful place.

Resource reading: Ephesians 1:1-14

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/give-god-the-right-place/

BARMM Cabinet files Administrative, Civil Service, Local Government codes

Cotabato City—Three (3) priority codes of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been filed in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and went through the first stage of legislation this Wednesday, July 22.

The codes, which were authored by the Government of the Day, are the Local Government Code (Cabinet Bill No. 58), the Civil Service Code (Cabinet Bill No. 59), and the Administrative Code (Cabinet Bill No. 60).

“We [the Government of the Day] are aware that the passage of the six priority codes are the main duties mentioned in the Bangsamoro Organic Law and we are also aware that there have been concerns about the status of these codes,” BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim asserted during his 8th Chief Minister’s Hour at the plenary session of the BTA parliament on Wednesday.

Ebrahim noted that these codes were “carefully drafted” by the Bangsamoro Cabinet with collective efforts from the Office the Speaker, Office of the Majority Floor Leader, and some Members of the Parliament (MP) before submitting it to the parliament.

“We are confident that we will be able to iron out whatever issues and challenges we may face in completing the legislative process,” Ebrahim stated, adding, “What is of prime importance is we pass these vital legislations within the year, In Shaa Allah.”

He also added that these legislations had undergone numerous deliberations, consultations, and sessions with experts, including a meeting held on July 20, to finalize the six (6) priority codes, which also include the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, Revenue Code, and the Educational Code.

According to Ebrahim, the Bangsamoro Government presses on the importance of fulfilling its duties to the Bangsamoro and its people during the transition period, despite the ongoing war against the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19).

Lastly, Ebrahim reminded the BTA parliament that the establishment of the Bangsamoro Government is only a step towards achieving the aspirations for the people. “The positions we are holding are reminders of the huge responsibilities entrusted to us by our people. Our sense of reward should be about seeing our people living a significantly better life and quite frankly, we still need to do a lot more to achieve this goal,” he said.

During the said session, forty-five (45) MPs were physically present, while fifteen (15) attended via online conference.

https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/barmm-cabinet-files-administrative-civil-service-local-government-codes/

Surviving Doubt And Darkness

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Job 13:15

Dark nights of the soul, when you question what you believe to be true, are nothing new to those who walk the pilgrim pathway; however, sometimes when those whom we put on pedestals or look up to acknowledge their doubts and fears, we are shocked, criticize them or rationalize the depths of their anguish.

Charles Spurgeon, the renowned preacher and expositor of the 19th century. wrestled with bouts of depression so severe that at times he could not force himself to get out of bed. While his ministry far overshadowed his depression, it was there, nonetheless. He once commented, “There is more in God to cheer you than in your circumstances to depress you.” He saw beyond the dark nights of his soul to Him who said, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Mother Teresa, the Albanian woman who is remembered for her work with the dying in the slums of Calcutta, struggled with doubt and estrangement from God through the latter years of her life. In a book entitled, Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta, Mother Teresa’s private letters have been published, causing a lot of people to gasp. Having had some striking conviction early in her work that God wanted her to embark on her spiritual pilgrimage of ministry to the poor, she felt that the heavens closed to her and God went silent. She felt utterly disconnected, unable to feel God’s presence or sustain a relationship with Him.

In an undated letter she wrote, “I have no Faith—I dare not utter the words and thoughts that crowd in my heart and make me suffer untold agony.” In 1959 she wrote, “Such deep longing for God and…repulsed empty, no faith, no love, no zeal…. Heaven means nothing….”

Long before Mother Teresa’s struggle with darkness, a man named Martin Luther, a hugely influential reformer of the Christian faith in the 16th century, also went through dark times of depression.

How did Luther win His battle with depression?  Having been trained to think as a scholar, striving to understand everything from a human perspective, he abandoned natural reasons and held tenaciously to the Word of God, seizing it by faith, refusing to doubt his beliefs or believe His doubts.

Apart from absolute confidence that what God says in His Word is true, it is difficult, if not impossible to survive the dark nights of the soul when you wonder if God really is there, and whether or not He cares anything about you. “Be still, and know that I am God,” He says to us in Psalms 46:10.

There are many things that will never be understood this side of heaven, and unless you can lift your eyes above the pain and suffering of this world to the promises of God’s Word, which you can take by faith, you, too, will vacillate and face dark times of doubt.  “God will keep his promises, (Deut 7:9)” writes Pastor Bruce Hillman, “but how he keeps them is often quite surprising (Rom 11:33). The Psalmist wants us to be still so that we can listen to God’s promises, so that we can remember that despite our circumstances…despite our rationalizations, deductions, forecasting and negative thoughts, despite the apparent encroaching reality that says, ‘I can’t handle this and God isn’t coming,’ we are invited into the stillness of God so that we can be fed by the Word of truth.”[1]

Those who have gone before us as Christ-followers have discovered the secret of journeying through doubt and darkness into confidence in God’s Word. If you are struggling, feed on the promises you’ve been given in God’s Word.  Not a word of His promise has ever failed.

Resource reading: Psalm 46:1-11

[1] Hillman, Bruce. “Fortress God.” 1517, May 26, 2020. https://www.1517.org/articles/fortress-god.

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/surviving-doubt-and-darkness/

3 Things To Do When Your Mate Needs To Change

I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.  Acts 16:2

“I love you, you’re perfect, now change” is the name of a humorous play which is a kind of parody on how we often fall madly in love with someone, think the person is just wonderful, and then strive to remake him or her.   Sometimes we nag.  Sometimes we cajole, sometimes we manipulate, sometimes we threaten. But it just doesn’t work.  It’s a lot like teaching a pig to sing: it annoys the pig and it wastes your time, yet from the days of Adam and Eve to the present we strive to redo the person to whom we are married.

I love you, you’re perfect, now change.  That was the mentality of a Yemenite Jew who moved to Israel.  As you probably know Yemen is a very primitive country, and when Abe and Sarah arrived in Tel Aviv, they were absolutely aghast at the modern conveniences and things which they had never before seen.

One day, Abe wandered into a high rise in Tel Aviv and saw an old woman, hair covered with a babushka, face a maze of wrinkles, and gnarled hand, one firmly gripping a cane as she made her way into an elevator.  Abe stood there spellbound.  Never before had he seen an elevator.  In moments, the doors of the elevator opened, and out walked a beautiful young thing—at least 40 years younger than the woman who had walked through the sliding doors moments before.

Abe stroked his beard, and with a sly smile did a half-moon between his whiskers.  Poking his finger towards the elevator he said, “I think I will send Sarah into that thing!”  I love you, you’re perfect, now change.

In all fairness, it isn’t only men who want change.  It works on both sides of the gender issue.  I often tell brides that there are three words which are on the minds of brides when they marry.  One is the aisle—the aisle which she shall float down on her father’s arm. Another is the word altar—the altar where she will kneel.  And the third is the word, hymn.  You know—the hymn which will be sung at the prayer.  And, I suggest, those same words are there after the ceremony, “I’ll alter him,” but they are spelled differently.

I love you, you’re perfect, now change.  OK, bottom line.  In all honesty, do you find yourself trying to change the one to whom you are married?  If you really want change, try these simple guidelines which are guaranteed to work.

Guideline #1:  Stop trying to get your mate to change and love ‘em “as is.”   Love begins where a person is.  Understand that change is the result of God’s Holy Spirit working in a person’s life.  There has to be a motive for change, and you’re being on someone’s case isn’t sufficient to affect long term personality changes.

Guideline #2:  Strive to be the person God wants you to be.   Much of the time we spend so much time and energy getting the other to change that we don’t have time to concentrate on being the person we ought to be.  Focus on being the right person, not making the other person right.

Guideline #3:  Start praying that God will do His work in the other person’s heart.  “My husband’s not a Christian,” I often hear, and I will often ask, “Have you prayed for him, asking God to bring him to Himself?”  “Oh, yes!”  Then say, “My husband hasn’t yet become a Christian,” reflecting the expectancy you feel in your heart that God has heard your prayer and in His own time will do His work in the other’s heart.

I love you, you’re perfect, now change.  It just doesn’t work.  But the good news is that we can and do change.  As we conform to what God wants, we understand how much we do love the other person, and then strive to please the one whom we love.  I love you.  You’re perfect.  Now let’s grow together and change as God works in our lives.  That’s the better way.

Resource reading: Ephesians 5:21-33

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/3-things-to-do-when-your-mate-needs-to-change/

LIVESTREAM: TV Patrol | July 20, 2020 Full Episode

LIVESTREAM: TV Patrol Weekend | July 19, 2020 Full Episode

[PODCAST] Ang pagharang ng Kamara sa ABS-CBN franchise

Sino-sino ang mga key players sa pagharang sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN?

Tuluyan nang naharang ng Kongreso ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN noong ika-10 ng Hulyo.

Ang desisyon ng 70 na mambabatas na miyembro ng House committee on legislative franchises ay ang pagtatapos ng ilang buwang diskusyon sa Batasang Pambansa.

Sa episode na ito, pag-uusapan nina House reporter Mara Cepeda at researcher-writer Jodesz Gavilan ang aksyong ito ng Kamara na isang malaking dagok sa press freedom sa Pilipinas.

Ano na ang susunod na hakbang ng ABS-CBN? Ayon kay Cepeda:

"Sadly malabo ang franchise unless Duterte changes his mind. May recourse kasi na puwede appeal. But according to the House rules, ang puwede lang mag-file within 24 hours ay one of the lawmakers who voted with the majority. Another option is, any congressman can file a new bill. But walang nagfa-file. Bakit? Kasi babalik at babalik lang sa House committee of legislative franchises. And it's going to come back to the same people who overwhelmingly rejected it, so it's a futile attempt right now. ABS-CBN can try again after 2022 when Duterte is no longer the president... But if Duterte suddenly decides and tells his allies in the House na bigyan na ng franchise iyan, probably someone will file a bill and magkakaroon ulit ng hearings and they'll grant it."

Sino-sino ang key players dito? Ano ang major issues na lumabas sa hearings? Pakinggan ang podcast.

Ang Newsbreak: Beyond the Stories ay isang podcast series ng Rappler tungkol sa mahahalaga at malalaking isyu sa Pilipinas. – Rappler.com

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/podcasts-videos/beyond-stories-house-representatives-abs-cbn-franchise

LIVESTREAM: TV Patrol | July 17, 2020 Full Episode

PANUKALANG RENEWAL NG PRANGKISA NG ABS-CBN MAAARI PANG BUHAYIN — MACALINTAL

Maaari pang mabuhay ang panukalang i-renew ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.

Ayon kay Atty. Romulo Macalintal, sa pamamagitan ito ng paghahain ng mosyon na suspindihin muna ang rules ng House of Representatives.

Sa pamamagitan nito, maisasalang anya sa plenaryo ang renewal ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN kung saan maririnig ang boses ng halos 300 kinatawan sa House of Representatives.

Base sa rules na nakalagay, suspension of the rules iyan ang isa sa pinakamataas na uri ng mosyon ng ibig sabihin na pupwedeng maghain ng motion to suspend the rules, ang ABS-CBN din ay may committee on rules para yan ay mabigyan ng consideration ng buong plenaryo, atleast pagbotohan nila sino ba ang pabor dyan o hindi, sino sa mga kinatawan natin ang bumobotong pabor o hindi kasi kaya nga yan ay house of the people,” ani Macalintal.

Ayon kay Macalintal, naiwan lamang sa kamay ng mahigit sa 80 kongresista ang buhay ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN na 70 rito ang pumabor na huwag nang bigyan ng prangkisa, 11 ang tumutol samantalang may tatlo na hindi bumoto.

Pinuna ni Macalintal na kung mayroon mang paglabag sa batas ang mga may-ari ng ABS-CBN, hindi dapat nadamay ang buong korporasyon dahil libo-libong manggagawa ang naapektuhan.

Sa pamamagitan ng motion to suspend the rules makikita mo na dyan kung anong magiging posisyon ng mga kongresista in the event na iyan pala ay inihain sa plenary ng nasabing House of Representatives, hindi lamang yung 84 ang magdedesisyon kundi ang buong kapulungan na under the basic call na ay may pagkakasala nga pala ito ay ‘di dapat ang pagkakasala ay ginawa ng mga opisyales at hindi ng entire corporation,” ani Macalintal. — panayam mula sa Ratsada Balita.

http://www.dwiz882am.com/index.php/panukalang-renewal-ng-prangkisa-ng-abs-cbn-maaari-pang-buhayin-macalintal/

Duterte to deliver 5th SONA in Batasan, says Sotto

President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to deliver his fifth State of the Nation (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa before a limited number of lawmakers, according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

“I just received word today that the President has decided to deliver his SONA in the Batasang Pambansa sa House of Representatives on July 27,” Sotto told reporters in a virtual interview on Thursday.

Sotto added that the number of physical attendees will be limited to a maximum of 50 people, who will all be subjected to COVID-19 rapid testing.

Twenty-five seats will be reserved for the executive department, 13 for the House of Representatives and 12 for the Senate

Aside from executive officials and lawmakers, the 50 people to be allowed inside the venue will also include security officers as well as House and Senate staffers.

“Hindi lahat ng [miyembro ng] Gabinete ay pwede. Meron lang silang pinili na pwede, wala na ring audience,” Sotto said.

(Not all members of the Cabinet are allowed. There are only a selected few, and there will be no audience.)

Congress is currently on break and will resume for its second regular session on the President SONA on July 27.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1307700/duterte-to-deliver-5th-sona-in-batasan-says-sotto

ABS-CBN franchise application must be tackled at House plenary – lawyer

Discussions on ABS-CBN’s franchise should be elevated past a committee and to the plenary of the House of Representatives so that the voice of the majority of the lower chamber regarding the matter will be heard.

Veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal believes so and said Wednesday that merely leaving the fate of ABS-CBN — which employs over 11,000 workers — to the hands of 84 lawmakers defeats the purpose of people electing representatives to the legislature.

Macalintal was referring to the 84 House officials as well as members of the House legislative franchises committee who took part in the voting that denied the bid of the broadcasting giant for a fresh 25-year license to operate.

A total of 70 members voted in favor of the panel report junking ABS-CBN’s franchise application while 11 voted against it. Two lawmakers inhibited and another one abstained in the voting.

“At present, the HR (House of Representatives) is composed of 304 representatives, representing 243 district representatives and 61 party-lists.  But those who participated in deciding ABS-CBN’s franchise totaled 84 only,” Macalintal said in a statement.

“Thus, a great majority of our people are asking:  What happened to our representatives?  How did they vote on this issue? Did they truly act as ‘representatives’ of the people? Did their votes reflect their constituent’s will?” he pointed out.

Macalintal also questioned whether the vote of the 70 lawmakers represented the people’s will — as the legislature’s rules state that the House of Representatives is for the people and a public office where legislative mandates are to be performed in consideration of the people’s welfare.

A recent Social Weather Stations survey showed that three in four Filipinos or 75 percent want Congress to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise while 56 percent consider the denial of the network’s franchise bid a blow to press freedom.

The survey, taken through mobile phone interviews from July 3 to 6, was released after the House panel made their vote.

“When the 70 representatives cast their votes denying the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, did they really fulfill their ‘constitutional duty to make laws that effectively respond to the needs of the people’ considering the 11,000 employees of the network who will eventually lose their jobs and its effect to several thousand members of their families?” Macalintal asked.

“Did they really perform their legislative mandates in compliance with ‘the rule of law and social justice with utmost competence and fidelity to the people’s welfare’ considering that even a member of the committee reported that there is no evidence that ABS-CBN violated the laws?” he added.

Earlier, the beleaguered network announced that they will cease some of their operations starting August 31, as they have been without a franchise since May 5 when the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order (CDO) after their old franchise expired.

The company will also start retrenching some of its employees by the end of next month.

NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios previously admitted that the CDO was released due to questions on the validity of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

Cabarios did not explicitly mention what questions were raised, but Solicitor General Jose Calida filed in February a quo warranto petition against the media network before the Supreme Court for allegedly hiding foreign ownership behind a corporate veil.

Macalintal, however, said such questions can be raised and addressed even while ABS-CBN is operating, so that people continue to have jobs and that timely public information is still released.

“If certain officers of the network violated the law, the remedy is to file individual cases against them which should not affect the company as a whole under the elementary principle that a corporation’s legal personality is separate and distinct from its officers or stockholders,” he stressed. KGA

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1307367/abs-cbn-franchise-application-must-be-tackled-at-house-plenary-lawyer

The One Thing That’s Proven To Make Your Marriage A Success

Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

If you knew that there was a 5-minute habit that has been shown to boost the chance of your marriage succeeding to 99%, would you try it?  The secret has been around for some time now but has remained largely undiscovered.  A 1997 Gallup Poll done by the National Association of Marriage Enhancement (nameonline.net) showed the divorce rate among couples who pray together regularly is 1 out of 1,152. That's far less then 1%.

Research by the University of Texas, San Antonio, reported in the Journal of Marriage and Family in 2010, studied 2400 couples. They focused on four things: 1) The effect of a couple belonging to the same denomination; 2) Attending religious services together; 3) Shared beliefs and values; and 4) What they did at home in the way of worship activities (i.e. reading the Bible and prayer together).  Results were stated in terms of marital satisfaction. As to be expected, the couples who shared any of the four things all reported higher rates of satisfaction in their marriages compared to those who didn’t. But what’s fascinating, is that rates were highest with those that prayed and/or read the Bible together at home.

Only 11% of couples pray together on a daily basis.  When people pray together, they have a far greater chance of dealing with problems that cause the marriages of others to crash and burn.  Prayer, it seems, rather than the frequency of sex in marriage-- is the most accurate predictor of marital happiness.

You would think that each time these findings were revealed, hundreds, if not thousands of unhappy couples would start praying together every day, right?  Why don't we pray?  Pride, stubbornness, possibly ignorance. Something happens when a couple will come together once every day, join hands and pray, using simple, everyday language, talking to God as though He were the third party of the conversation.

What does prayer do for a couple and what are the benefits of praying together?

Benefit #1:  Prayer humbles each of you.  It’s hard to be judgmental or wrestle for control of the relationship when you’re praying together.  Prayer forces us to recognize that God is sovereign, and we are human.

Benefit #2:  Prayer helps you reach agreement.  Arguments are gradually diffused as you say, "God, we’re each looking at this issue differently.  But we want Your will.  What do You want us to do?"  Having prayed together, couples talk—which brings us to the next benefit.

Benefit #3:  Prayer is the key to communication.  You can pray standing up, sitting down, lying down, or on your face before God.  But when you pray with your mate, join hands in an expression of oneness.  It's hard to be angry when you vent your emotions openly and honestly before God.  Prayer drains the bitterness from your heart, which then enables you to communicate, to talk about what really concerns you and gives your spouse the chance to hear your heart.

Benefit #4:  Prayer changes the heart and mellows the spirit.  “And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh” says Ezekiel 11:19. What God did for the children of Israel when they called on Him, He does for us when we come to Him in prayer together.

Benefit #5:  Prayer results in intimacy and sexual fulfillment that is unique to spiritual union.  Research showed that the greater a couple's religious commitment, the more satisfying is their sexual relationship.

Are you brave enough to suggest praying together to your spouse today?  Take a deep breath and try it!  Try simply praying together for 30-days and you will likely never stop.

Resource reading: Psalm 124:1-8

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/the-one-thing-thats-proven-to-make-your-marriage-a-success/

How A Crime Victim Forgave His Tormentor

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  Matthew 6:15 

When 10-year-old Chris Carrier stepped off a school bus on a December morning in 1974, little did he know how his life was about to change.  Six days later, Chris was found some 75 miles from his home.  He had been burned with cigarettes, stabbed with an ice pick, and then shot in the head.  When his kidnapper and molester walked away from the little boy’s body, he thought he was dead.

But Chris recovered, and he gave police a description of the man who had molested him.  Police were quite certain that they knew who the man was who had committed the horrible crime, but there was not enough evidence to charge the man.

For the next three years, Chris lived in constant torment and fear, thinking that since the man knew where he lived, he would come back and finish him off.  He later described those horrible nights of fear saying, “At night if I heard the floorboard creak I’d get up and sleep at the foot of my parents’ bed.  I was constantly afraid of what was around the corner.”

Then at the age of 13, Chris’s life took another unforeseen turn.  He became a Christian and slowly came to understand that God--not chance or even his abductor--was in control of his life.  Did it make a difference?  “From that time on,” he said, “I started saying, ‘It’s time to get on with my life.’”  He did, too.

After graduating from high school and college, he went to seminary to study for ministry.  Then for a number of years he served as a youth pastor.  He married and became the father of two children.  During those years people would ask him, “If you met the man who had kidnapped you, what would you do?”  It was a hard question to answer.

Then his phone rang.  It was the police officer who had worked on the case, now 22 years prior.  They had the man who had molested and kidnapped him.  No, he wasn’t in prison.  He was in a care facility, dying, and to clear his conscience, he had confessed.    Did Chris want to see the man?  Yes, he did.

Taking his pastor with him, Chris Carrier confronted the man who caused the scars of his abuse, including living with blindness in one eye--the result of the gunshot wound to the head.  Expectedly, the man was nervous.  But Chris came back, again and again.  He brought his wife and children and developed a strange relationship with the man.  Most of all, Chris wanted the man to know--not only that he had forgiven him--but that God would forgive him as well.  The day finally came when the old man prayed, asking God’s forgiveness and healing.  He died with a clear conscience.

No wonder the media carried the story.  In a cruel and vengeful world, an exhibition of forgiveness such as this is not only unusual, it mirrors the grace of Him who hanged on a cross and cried out, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

No virtue better reflects the nature of the Gospel than does forgiveness.  Think about it.  It is man’s sinful nature that demands vengeance for wrongdoing--an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.  Who would be surprised if a victim such as Chris should hurl angry words at his former kidnapper telling him that his life had been destroyed by his lustful act.  But instead, and these are Chris’s actual words, “I tried to make sure he realized that my life has been extremely full and blessed.  I told him how my relationship with the Lord has been my grace and stronghold.”

To demand vengeance is natural; to forgive is supernatural.  That’s what the grace of God is about--forgiveness for our failures, our shortcomings, our sins.  As David cried long ago, “But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:4, KJV).  That’s still good news, friend.

Resource reading: Psalm 130:1-8

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/how-a-crime-victim-forgave-his-tormentor/

ABS-CBN Radio

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‘An attack on press freedom, a charade’

The rejection of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal application in Congress was an attack on press freedom and a charade.

Three authors of the franchise renewal bills said this yesterday, as they questioned the resolution approved by the House legislative franchises committee that “killed” their bills.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza all argued that the resolution and report of the panel’s technical working group (TWG) were “contrary to the evidence presented during the 12 hearings.”

“The TWG set aside what was proven in the hearings that ABS-CBN complied with all provisions of our Constitution statutes and regulations,” Rodriguez stressed.

“This is a big blow against press freedom in our country and deprived millions of Filipinos of news, entertainment and assistance,” lamented the chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments.

Lagman agreed and insinuated that the 12 hearings conducted by the panel “followed a foregone conclusion.”

“Despite ABS-CBN surviving the grueling legislative inquisition, it was slain at the end of the show with premeditation and abuse of superiority in numbers as aggravating circumstances. The Technical Working Group was part of the charade,” he alleged.

Lagman suspected the findings of the TWG, which came up with its report and resolution “in less than 24 hours after it was formed and despite the fact that it had to review more than 100 hours of hearings, voluminous documents and records, as well as major contentious issues.”

“The plight of the embattled network is mercifully over except for the herd voting where the dictates of partisanship would prevail over the demands of merit,” he pointed out.

“The result of the voting would show the hand of the Speaker wherein regular and voting ex-officio members of the committee on legislative franchises, over whom the Speaker has overriding influence, are expected to vote for the rejection of the franchise renewal as they would refuse to see that the facts and the law were indubitably in favor of ABS-CBN,” Lagman further alleged.

Atienza also took Cayetano to task over the outcome of the vote.

“The vote depended on the Speaker – he holds the baton, he is the orchestra leader. Speaker Cayetano said there”s a time for everything: this is not the time to get thousands jobless,” he alleged.

Proponents earlier expressed confidence that ABS-CBN would secure a franchise if only lawmakers would vote solely on the merits of the issues tackled during the hearing.

Where are franchise bill authors?

How the voting of the House legislative franchises committee ended up came as a big surprise to proponents of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills.

From over 20 lawmakers who either authored the bills or publicly expressed support for the network’s franchise renewal application, the number of votes for ABS-CBN during voting last Friday dwindled to just 11.

They were outnumbered by 70 members who voted to adopt a resolution by the TWG that rejected the franchise bills.

Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto said she was puzzled why there were only 11 of them who voted in favor of granting the network’s franchise renewal application, when there were more sponsors and supporters earlier during the hearings.

“Just like most of you, I was surprised because initially, even during hearings, I knew that many of our colleagues are supporting the bill we fought for,” she admitted in a radio interview last Friday night.

“Why did we suddenly become this few? We had very significant number and then we became just 11. Even me, I personally cannot absorb (what happened),” the actress-turned-politician lamented.

There were over 20 authors of the franchise bills. Sixteen of them even issued a manifesto prior to the voting.

Apart from Santos, the other 15 were Reps. Sol Aragones, Arlene Brosas, Eufemia Cullamat, Lawrence Fortun, Mark Go, Rufus Rodriguez, Josephine Sato, Micaela Violago, Rosemarie Arenas, France Castro, Ferdinand Gaite, Loren Legarda, Joy Tambunting, Carlos Zarate and Sarah Elago.

Some of the authors, however, were not members of the legislative franchises committee or ex-officio members and therefore not allowed to join the voting as provided under House rules.

Only three of the principal authors were allowed to vote – Santos, Aragones and Zarate – while eight others joined them in the minority vote: Reps. Christopher De Venecia, Gab Bordado, Lianda Bolilia, Ping Tejada, Beny Abante, Stella Quimbo, Mujiv Hataman and Edward Maceda.

Days before the voting, Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Paduano withdrew his authorship of one of the ABS-CBN franchise bills while Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo moved to lay his bill proposing a new franchise on the table.

During voting, two authors – Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago and AKO Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. – did not vote in favor of the network.

Violago, ironically the first to file the franchise bill in the chamber, inhibited with Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas.

“I inhibit my right to vote, due to the allegations that I received financial consideration in exchange for my support to ABS CBN. I am categorically denying the allegations against me but out of delicadeza and in the spirit of public trust, I (am) inhibiting myself from voting,” Violago explained in a text message.

Vargas already explained that he opted to inhibit because of conflict of interest, explaining that he was a former actor who had projects with ABS-CBN.

Garbin has yet to explain why he abstained during voting.

Speaker Cayetano, who earlier called on colleagues to vote based on their conscience, did not participate in the voting. He explained that while he is allowed to vote as an ex-officio member of the committee, he has never participated in committee-level voting.

Legarda, a deputy speaker who is allowed to vote, also opted not to participate despite being an author of the franchise bill.

Santos lamented the development, recalling that the network was able to disprove the allegations of violations of franchise and laws during the 12 hearings.

But she believed there is still a possibility of ABS-CBN securing a franchise in the future.

“I truly believe... I’m still very optimistic, we can refile. That is still possible later on. As I said, it doesn’t end here,” Santos commented.

ABS-CBN integrated news and current affairs head Ging Reyes shared this optimism.

“There’s a chance that we can still get franchise in the future,” she told The Chiefs on One News last Friday night.

Thousands unemployed

Sen. Sonny Angara said yesterday the non-operation of ABS-CBN may have affected more than 50,000 individuals from the banking, advertising and entertainment industries, among others.

“I did not expect the House committee will do that. About 10,000 employees, their children and other subsidiaries. The network is a big company paying billions in taxes, they have several partners and contracts. Those directly employed were not the only ones affected, even those providing services, supplies, directors, music and film writers, people from the production. Many people are too dependent and when economic activities stopped, they will lose the source of livelihood,” Angara said in Filipino in an interview over dwIZ.

‘A dangerous precedent’

“At a time when we need every media outlet to disseminate life-saving information, we don’t shut down the one with the widest reach. When each and every job must be saved, we don’t cause the wholesale unemployment of thousands,” said Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto.

“ABS-CBN does not deserve the death penalty. If it erred, penalize it. Because if corporate misdeed is punishable with extinction, no business will be left standing in this land,” Recto added.

In a statement, the chapters of the Liberal Party said, “As Liberals, we stand for our rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution. They enhance our lives as individuals and communities. In this instance, freedom of the press and our right to information have just been curtailed. And during this urgent health crisis, ABS-CBN’s extensive network would be missed by those in the far-flung areas for its news, educational programs, and entertainment.”

The non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise indeed sets a dangerous precedent for all other franchises, Sen. Grace Poe said yesterday.

“When you deny the privilege of broadcast to an entity which regulatory agencies have already certified as compliant, the game changes for all the players. Resolving that a franchise holder has violations beyond the terms and conditions of its franchise opens the floodgates for possible violations of all other franchise holders even without their knowledge until they have been told so by Congress,” the senator explained. Cecille Suerte Felipe

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/07/12/2027397/an-attack-press-freedom-charade

House panel votes 70-11 against ABS-CBN franchise application

AFTER 12 hearings, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Friday rejected the franchise application of the ABS-CBN Corporation.

This, was after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises adopted a resolution—based on the work of a hastily formed technical working group—denying the franchise application of ABS-CBN Corporation to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and broadcasting stations in the Philippines.

The resolution to deny the ABS-CBN franchise application was adopted with 70 committee members voting in favor of the resolution, 11 against, and with 1 abstention and 2 inhibitions.

Before approving the resolution, the committee adopted the recommendation of its technical working group’s resolution recommending the denial of the franchise.

However, authors of the measures granting the ABS-CBN franchise may still ask the committee to reconsider its decision or refile bills granting the network a fresh legislative franchise.

ABS-CBN went off the air last May 5 after the National Telecommunication Commission issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against the network following the expiration of its legislative franchise last May 4.

The giant network’s saga has raised concern here and abroad that the “politicalization” of the process of granting franchises, which the Constitution reposes in Congress, could stymie investor confidence in the Philippines.

‘Violations’

Citing several violations embodied in six segments of the TWG report, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises rejected the 25-year franchise application of the Lopez-led network, sparking protests that it was really a political decision arising from President Duterte’s publicly stated disdain for the media company.

The committee, however, said the network’s franchise application is not a press freedom issue.

“It is what it is—a denial of a privilege granted by the State because the applicant was seen as undeserving of the grant of a legislative franchise,” it said.

The 12 House hearings discussed: the citizenship of ABS-CBN chair emeritus Gabby Lopez; possible violation of the constitutional prohibition against ownership and management of mass media by foreigners; use of Philippine Depositary Receipts; questionable and unjust, if not immoral, tax avoidance schemes; ABS-CBN’s apparent use of a dummy; and ABS-CBN’s less than exemplary labor practices.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano described the committee’s work as fair, impartial, thorough.

“Because of the highly partisan nature of this issue, we accepted from the start that there would be those who will vehemently disagree with the committee’s decision, no matter what they resolve,” he said.

He asked “that the people read the findings carefully in order to appreciate the reasons for their decision. And for those who do not agree, at the least, understand why the decision had to be so.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman noted the lightning speed with which the TWG finished a comprehensive report in less than 24 hours.

“While reasonable dispatch in the accomplishment of the work of a TWG is laudable, inordinate alacrity is suspect like in the case of the TWG which recommended the denial of the application of ABS-CBN Corporation for a franchise renewal in less than 24 hours after it was formed and even though it had to review more than 100 hours of hearings, voluminous documents and records, as well as major contentious issues,” Lagman said.

“The pretense of the Speaker for a ‘conscience vote’ was unmasked by his own closing statement at the end of the hearings which was a virtual final summation for the ‘antis’ rooting for the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal,” he said.

Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun said the TWG findings are a complete departure from the official position and statements of the departments, agencies, offices, and independent organizations invited to the joint committee hearings.

“The TWG recommendation for a resolution denying the franchise is a departure from truth, justice, and reason,” he said.

“History will judge the House on this,” he added.

Network executives

In a statement, ABS-CBN President and Chief Executive Officer  Carlo Katigbak said the ABS-CBN will remain committed to public service, and it hopes to find other ways to achieve its mission.

“We are deeply hurt that the  Committee on Legislative Franchises has denied the franchise application of ABS-CBN.  We believe that we have been rendering service that is meaningful and valuable to the Filipino public. Nevertheless, we would like to thank the Committee for allowing us a chance to air our side on all the issues raised against us,” he said.

“ABS-CBN would like to thank all the congressmen who stood by their bills to renew our franchise, or who spoke out on our behalf during the hearings. We are forever grateful. We also thank everyone who expressed their support and offered their prayers for us. We could not have gotten to this point without you,” said Katigbak.

It would keep GMA and TV5 to serve as the sole private commercial television networks of the country.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/07/11/house-panel-votes-70-11-against-abs-cbn-franchise-application/

What happens now that ABS-CBN has completely lost its franchise

by Abe Olandres · July 11, 2020

Yesterday, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises has finally denied the renewal of ABS-CBN franchise. However, this does not mean that the network will no longer operate and broadcast, except on free-to-air channels.

The government would keep GMA and TV5 to serve as the sole private commercial television networks of the country.

ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak promised that the network will continue to find ways and means to serve its audience, despite the reduced reach.

So, what happens now?

First, all the 70+ million Filipinos on Facebook will be able to watch the livestream. The same goes for all their 9.63 million YouTube subscribers. For the past two months, the majority of viewers of ABS-CBN has been following the reports thru these two big platforms.

Second, those who are already subscribed to Sky Cable (wired) will continue to be able to watch ANC on channel 23, Knowledge Channel on channel 5, Cinemo on channel 7, Kapamilya Channel on channel 8, Jeepney TV on channel 9, O Shopping on channel 11 (although the show will end by December 2020), ABS-CBN Sports + Action on channel 17, Myx on channel 23, DZMM TeleRadyo on channel 26.

OFWs abroad will also continue to watch ABS-CBN programs via The Filipino Channel (TFC). TFC has over 2.47 million subscribers worldwide as of 2011 so it should be bigger by now.

The network has a dedicated ABS-CBN Radio App which people can download for free and listen to DZMM.

ABS-CBN also ha iWant app which has over 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store as of today. It is free to download but movies and other shows are paid.

There are other ways ABS-CBN can do to expand its digital footprint. We’ve outlined six (6) of them here in a previous article.

Other options for ABS-CBN is to buy block-time from other stations like TV5 and here’s a complete list of all online channels of the entire ABS-CBN network.

As for all of its 11,000+ employees, ABS-CBN can technically keep all of them (except perhaps for the network engineers) as long as the network has enough viewers and advertisers. The critical key here is the advertisers.

On YouTube alone, ABS-CBN makes over Php40,000,000 a month. That, plus iWant revenues, Sky Cable subscription revenues while TFC’s Premium Online streaming service is $12.99 per month.

If ABS-CBN can sustain its viewership and advertisers until 2022, they can re-apply for a new franchise under a new set of House of Representatives. However, their frequency might not be available by then.

https://www.yugatech.com/business/what-happens-now-that-abs-cbn-has-completely-lost-its-franchise/