The Ten Wonders Of Christmas

His name shall be called WONDERFUL.  Isaiah 9:6, KJV

Over 365 names and inscriptions are found in the Bible referring to Jesus Christ, but none is more lovely than the one found in Isaiah where the prophet said, "His name shall be called WONDERFUL" (Isaiah 9:6, KJV).  As a light that sparkles on a tree, the wonder of Christ can hardly be reduced to a treatment of a few minutes, but in that length of time I can give you the ten wonders of Christmas.

First, there is the wonder of HIS BIRTH. Any birth is a wonderful event, but the birth of Christ had been foretold by the prophets for centuries.  To Abraham, God revealed the nation through which Christ would come.  To Jacob, He revealed that Christ would be of the tribe of Judah.  To Isaiah, God mentioned a family, the line of Jesse.  To Micah, God whispered the name of the city.  To Daniel, God revealed the time of His birth.  The events leading up to the birth of Christ were like the gears of a fine watch that had to mesh together so that when the fullness of time had come, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  What a wonder!

Second, there is the wonder of HIS CONDESCENSION.  Really, to understand what this means, you have to remember what heaven was like and what Jesus left to come to our world and be tabernacled in human flesh.  Had men arranged His birth, it would never have been in a stable, but the wonder of His condescension means that God touched the needs of humanity right where we are.

The third wonder of Christmas is the wonder of His CHARACTER.  Though we are saved by the death of Christ, His life is yet filled with wonder.  Who but Jesus could say, "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" (John 8:46).  He lifted the fallen of life.  He gave His life that we might have newness of life in Christ.

The fourth wonder of Christmas is the wonder of HIS PERSON.  He was human yet divine.  He could grow weary, yet could say, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, KJV).  He hungered, yet could take five loaves and two fish and feed a multitude.  He was heaven's light for Earth's darkness and heaven's bread for man's hunger.

Then fifth, there is the wonder of HIS WORDS.  He spoke with authority, demanding the attention of those who heard.  He said, "You have heard that it was said...But I tell you."  His words are ethically true.  You will find no loopholes in what Jesus taught or said.  He spoke with simplicity but with great power.

The sixth wonder of Christmas is the wonder of HIS WORKS.  How can we describe them!  Wherever He went, He did good.  To the blind He said, "Receive your sight"; to the lame, "Rise up and walk."  He stopped funeral processions and raised the dead.  He made no clinical analysis; He brought in no specialists.  He just spoke the Word and it happened.

The seventh wonder of Christmas is the wonder of HIS DEATH‑‑freely given, undeserved, but effecting a lasting relationship for each person with our Heavenly Father.

The eighth wonder is the wonder of HIS RESURRECTION.  Pilate gave the order to seal the sepulcher.  "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how" was his command (Matthew 27:65).  Yet the tomb is empty and Christ ever lives.

The ninth wonder of Christmas is the wonder of HIS SECOND RETURN.  "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven" spoke the messengers at the Mount of Olives, "will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).

But last of all, the tenth wonder of Christmas is the wonder of HIS SAVING POWER.  "He will save his people from their sins," was the message of the angel to Joseph (Matthew 1:21).  This is the great wonder of Christmas: through His blood we find forgiveness and cleansing.  Thank God for the wonders of Christmas!

Resource reading: Luke 1:1-38.

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/the-ten-wonders-of-christmas-2/

Comelec OKs holding of plebiscite in 23 Palawan municipalities on March 13, 2021

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan– The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has approved the conduct of a plebiscite in 23 municipalities on March 13, 2021 according to the local election office.

Provincial Comelec spokesperson Jomel Ordas said that they have received the approved Resolution No. 10682 and the calendar of activities through Resolution No. 10687.

In the Resolution promulgated on December 16 by chairman Sheriff Abas, Commissioners Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, and Antonio Kho Jr., it stated that the voter who will vote for its approval shall write the word “Yes” or “Oo” or its conceptual equivalent in the blank box after the question, or the voter will voter will vote for its rejection, the word “No” or “Hindi”.

For the purpose of the March 13, 2021 plebiscite, the official ballots which bear the date May 11, 2020 are valid and shall be used, according to the resolution.

The following question shall be provided in the official ballot:

“Pumapayag ka ba na hatiin ang probinsya ng Palawan sa tatlong probinsya na papangalanang: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental at Palawan del Sur alinsunod sa batas republika bila ng 11259?”

The voting will start at 7 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. except when there are voters present within 30 meters of the polling place who have not yet cast their votes. The counting of votes will start at 3 p.m.

The convening of the municipal or provincial plebiscite board of canvassers (M/PBOC) shall not be later than 6 p.m.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police will be assigned to conduct thermal checks on all persons before entering the voting center and those with the temperature of 37.5 and above will not be allowed.

Governor Jose Chaves Alvarez recently said in a press briefing that he sees an “overwhelming” victory of 3 in 1 Palawan through the plebiscite in March, 2021, that would pave the way for the creation of the three provinces of Palawan.

He expects that the majority of Palaweños will be in favor of the creation of two additional provinces.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/12/24/comelec-oks-holding-of-plebiscite-in-23-palawan-municipalities-on-march-13-2021/

Comelec sets Palawan split plebiscite on March 13, 2021

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the plebiscite to divide Palawan on March 13, 2021, allowing the local voters to decide on the provincial split into three provinces.

Provincial Comelec spokesperson Jomel Ordas on Thursday confirmed that the poll body, ruling en banc on Dec. 16, approved Resolution No. 10682, the revised rules and regulations on the conduct of the Palawan plebiscite, and the election calendar of activities through Resolution No. 10687.

Ordas said they received the en banc resolution on Wednesday, Dec. 23.

3-in-1 vs One Palawan

Winston Arzaga, provincial information officer, in a separate interview on Thursday morning welcomed the development as “the right move” to let the public decide on splitting Palawan into three provinces namely Palawan Del Norte, Palawan Del Sur, and Palawan Oriental, ratifying Republic Act (RA) 11259 signed by President Duterte on April 5, 2019.

“While on its early stages, bill pa lang, we are already doing an information education campaign (IEC) about it,” Arzaga said, denying the claims of One Palawan Movement, a civic group opposing the move, that residents were against the split.

Cynthia Sumagaysay-Del Rosario, one of the convenors of One Palawan Movement, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, said at least 60 percent of the Palawan voters did not vote for Gov. Jose Alvarez in the last elections, to contradict the provincial government’s prediction of a “landslide win” in favor of the division.

Del Rosario pointed out that the total number of registered voters in Palawan in 2019 was 523,314 but Alvarez garnered only 207, 875 votes. The combined votes of the other candidates totaled 142,954, while those who did not cast their votes for governor were 172, 485. This means, he said, that 315,439 did not vote for Alvarez or about 60 percent of the province’s voters.

Arzaga said Del Rosario’s assertion “does not deserve a comment,” pointing out that the predicted numbers of the opposition lacked merits, or went through a survey.

Alvarez earlier said they were targeting the “undecided” individuals to convince them to favor the Palawan split.

Rules and guidelines

In the resolution promulgated on Dec. 16 by Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, and Antonio Kho Jr., the voter shall write Yes” or “Oo” if they favor the split and “No” or “Hindi” if they are against it; or its conceptual equivalent in the blank box after the question, “Pumapayag ka ba na hatiin ang probinsya ng Palawan sa tatlong probinsya na papangalanang: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental at Palawan del Sur alinsunod sa Batas Republika bilang 11259 (Do you agree to divide Palawan into three provinces, namely, Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur as provided under Republic Act 11259)?”

The official ballots, which bear the date May 11, 2020, the initial schedule of the plebiscite that was reset due to the coronavirus pandemic, will remain valid and used in the March 2021 plebiscite, according to the resolution.

The voting will start at 7 a.m. and end at 3 p.m., except when there are voters present within 30 meters of the front of polling places, who have not yet cast their votes.

Counting of votes shall start from 3 p.m. onwards, with the municipal or provincial plebiscite board of canvassers convening not later than 6 p.m.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police will be assigned to conduct thermal checks on all persons before entering the voting centers. Those with a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celcius will not be allowed inside the polling precincts.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1375579/comelec-sets-palawan-split-plebiscite-on-march-13-2021

WATCH: PCSO 2 PM Lotto Draw, December 24, 2020 (9 PM)

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Kapamilya Simbang Gabi | December 24, 2020

NOCHE BUENA: Gabi ng Kabutihan - Kapet Pandasal kasama si Fr Kali Llamado

Is creation of a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources a good idea?

A number of stakeholders in the fishery sector had been calling for the establishment of a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR), separate from the Department of Agriculture (DA). Its proponents cite two main justifications. One is that under the DA, the fishery sector is not accorded proper attention as the agency has to attend to the development of numerous commodities. Two, as a result of that inadequate attention, despite being an archipelagic country with expansive coastal areas and rich aquatic resources, the development of our aquatic resources in general and the fishing communities in particular has been painfully slow.

However, the first argument rests on tenuous ground because it is not the fault of DA if the resources devoted to the fishery sector is small. DA has proposed and lobbied for a greater budget for the sector but Congress does not seem sympathetic to the idea. Depending on the sitting political administration, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) obtains an annual budget of around P3 to P5 billion. This amount is obviously not enough to cover the huge investment requirements of the fishery sector.

The second argument seems more credible, yet we hear so many complaints and observations regarding the exhaustion of our aquatic resources due to overfishing and the use of illegal fishing methods. What is needed now are the proper enforcement of conservation measures combined with the promotion of more sustainable fishing activities, such as aquaculture and mariculture, to ensure that while our aquatic resources are protected, we are capable of supplying the fish requirements of Filipino consumers.

Ostensibly, the government’s budgetary resources will be highly insufficient to meet the protection and development requirements of the fishery sector. For this reason, the private sector must be encouraged to participate in the sector’s protection and development. The government must then provide the conducive environment for private sector investments. This necessitates the formulation of the correct policy framework for fishery: one that is business-friendly (i.e., reducing business costs and bureaucratic red tape) while ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared by poor fishing communities while protecting our environment.

Reviving the proposal

Lately, the proposal to establish DFAR has been revived, with proponents citing the twin original reasons for its creation. The media reports that if established, DFAR will be provided an additional budget of P2 billion, obviously a pittance of a sum to be able to respond to the needs of the sector. And because there is no appropriate policy framework within which the proposed DFAR is to operate, it is expected that the proposal will hardly make a dent on the problem of poor fishing communities.

The tight fiscal position of the government due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic also works against the passage of the proposal. The discouragement of this proposal, which will only result in the creation of another expensive bureaucracy, could be one of the positive contributions of the Covid-19 pandemic to our political economy.

Establishing PhilCorn

Falling under the same roof is House Bill 7818 filed in Congress to establish a Philippine Corn Research Institute (PhilCorn), a commodity-based research and development institute patterned after the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), purportedly to modernize our corn sector. Once established, another layer of bureaucracy will definitely be created without any assurance that it will raise the productivity of the corn farmers or improve their socioeconomic conditions.

Commodity-based institutions in the Philippines were created in the past but they did not necessarily lead to a rise in the overall yield of those crops. In contrast, international commodity institutions were effective because they were given specific productivity targets and their funding is based on their performance. A commodity-based research institution in the country is guaranteed annual funding by the government once a law creating it is passed. However, there are no specific productivity targets imposed on it. Its creation is based on the belief that its establishment will automatically lead to productivity gains and improvement in the welfare of the tillers cultivating the crop. Unfortunately, that is a declaration of faith rather than science.

The better option is for the government to fund the research and development activities of existing commodity programs in various state universities and colleges (SUCs) with the provision that the grant is subject to raising crop productivity in the area where the SUC operates.

Happy Christmas

Under the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen less commercialization in the celebration of Christmas. This may be bad for business but it certainly is aligned with the true spirit of Christmas.

For Christians, it is a time to rejoice as it is the birth of the Messiah, an event that eventually paves the way for the sacrifice in the Cross so that mankind will be redeemed from the original sin. Besides the three “wise” men (and not kings) who bore gifts to the child Jesus, there was no occasion in the Bible wherein Jesus admonished his followers to celebrate his birthday. It was his death that Jesus exhorted his believers to remember as the event meant the salvation of mankind.

Covid-19, in a perverse manner, brought the celebration of Christmas to its real meaning. Being thankful and celebratory amid widespread poverty, as represented by Jesus born in a simple manger; happy in the embrace of our immediate family members as did Mary and Joseph with the birth of Christ surrounded by just a few shepherds; and deep satisfaction and humility despite an uncertain future as the Savior has come to our life.

Christmas in the manger was devoid of pomp and glorious celebration. Commercialization of the event is but a vulgar way by which Christmas is to be celebrated. We are not “merry” in Christmas but “happy.” The former denotes noisy and chaotic celebration. The latter, the feeling of inner joy with subdued satisfaction, as we celebrate the coming of our Savior.

Happy Christmas to all!

fdadriano88@gmail.com

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/12/24/business/agribusiness/is-creation-of-a-department-of-fisheries-and-aquatic-resources-a-good-idea/816802/

Date set for Palawan plebiscite: March 13, 2021

Provincial Comelec spokesperson Jomel Ordas on Thursday confirmed to Palawan News that the poll body on December 16 approved Resolution No. 10682, the revised rules and regulations on the conduct of Palawan plebiscite, and the election calendar of activities through Resolution No. 10687.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set Palawan plebiscite on March 13, 2021, allowing the local voters in the province to decide on the provincial split into three provinces.

Provincial Comelec spokesperson Jomel Ordas on Thursday confirmed to Palawan News that the poll body on December 16 approved Resolution No. 10682, the revised rules and regulations on the conduct of Palawan plebiscite, and the election calendar of activities through Resolution No. 10687.

 

“Approved na ng en banc ang March 13, 2021, as the date of the plebiscite, na-receive namin kahapon,” Ordas said.

3-in-1 vs One Palawan

Winston Arzaga, provincial information officer, in a separate interview on Thursday morning welcomed the development as “the right move” to let the public decide on splitting Palawan into three provinces namely Palawan Del Norte, Palawan Del Sur, and Palawan Oriental, ratifying Republic Act (RA) 11259 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 5, 2019.

“While on its early stages, bill pa lang, we are already doing information education campaign (IEC) about it,” Arzaga said.

Cynthia Sumagaysay-Del Rosario, one of the convenors of One Palawan Movement, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, dismissed Capitol’s earlier prediction of a “landslide” affirmation of the division, noting that around 60 percent of Palawan voters did not vote for governor Jose Alvarez in the last elections, who is its main proponent.

“Ang total registered voters noong 2019 ay  523,314.  Ang botong nakuha ni JCA [Alvarez] ay 207, 875.  Ang nakuha naman ng ibang kandidato kasama si Mr. Art Ventura ay 142,954, at ang hindi bumoto sa sinumang kumandidatong gobernador ay nasa 172, 485.  Pag sinuma total ang dami ng mga hindi bumoto kay JCA ay nasa 315,439. Ito ay 60 percent ng kabuuan, higit na malaki kesa sa nakuhang boto ni JCA,” read Del Rosario’s social media post.

Arzaga for his part said One Palawan’s own assertion “lacks merits.”

“Paano nila nasabi ‘yon? Nag-magic ba sila?” Arzaga said when asked to comment on how the provincial government predicts the plebiscite turnout.

Palawan Governor Jose Chaves Alvarez earlier said that they are targeting the “undecided” individuals to “convince to be favorable” on the Palawan split.

Rules and guidelines

In the resolution promulgated on December 16 by chairman Sheriff Abas, Commissioners Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo and Antonio Kho Jr., the voter who will vote for its approval shall write the word “Yes” or “Oo”; and for its rejection, the word “No” or “Hindi”, or its conceptual equivalent in the blank box after the question, “Pumapayag ka ba na hatiin ang probinsya ng Palawan sa tatlong probinsya na papangalanang: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental at Palawan del Sur alinsunod sa batas republika bilang 11259?”

The official ballots which already bear the date May 11, 2020 as initially scheduled, remained valid and shall be used, according to the resolution.

The voting will start at 7 a.m. and end at 3 p.m., except when there are voters present within 30 meters of the front of the polling place who have not yet cast their votes.

Counting of votes shall start from 3 p.m. onwards, with the municipal or provincial plebiscite board of canvassers convening not later than 6 p.m.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police will be assigned to conduct a thermal check to all persons before entering the voting center and those with temperatures of 37.5 will not be allowed inside the polls.

The plebiscite is a move for the creation of three provinces namely Palawan del Sur, Palawan del Norte, and Palawan Oriental through the Republic Act 11259 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte into law on April 5, 2019.

Earlier set on May 11, 2020, the Palawan plebiscite was suspended due to the quarantine restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://palawan-news.com/date-set-for-palawan-plebiscite-march-13-2021/

THE 700 CLUB ASIA | Sa Gitna ng 20 at 21 | December 23, 2020

How Can I See God’s Glory?

 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.  Luke 2:9

When an American missionary wandered into an off-limits area of Burma, he was arrested and interrogated.  Accused of being a CIA spy, he was placed in solitary confinement.  After a few days, his captors gave him a Bible.  For more than 80 days, Bob Purdue had nothing to do but sit on a prison cot and read the Bible.

Finally, he was released and allowed to leave the country.  Days later he sat in my home and related the harrowing experience.  Nothing to occupy his time for those days--no newspapers, no magazines, no TV.  Not even a radio.  Only a Bible.  Pondering what he had experienced, I asked, "Bob, was there something in particular that impressed you about the Bible?"

Without hesitation, he replied.  "Yes, there was--the glory of God!"  Any real encounter with God would have to include the glory of God.  Do you remember the experience of the shepherds in the fields outside of Bethlehem when angels appeared and announced the birth of the coming Messiah?  Here's the text.  "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified" (Luke 2:8-9).

From the context of what Luke and Matthew tell us about that marvelous announcement, it must have been that the appearance of the angels was accompanied by brilliant light.  Scripture doesn't say that it was a bright light that struck both awe and terror into their hearts.  We arrive at that conclusion from the traditional images of the Christmas story we have grown up with.  Luke only tells us that "the glory of the Lord shone around them."

When Moses had an encounter with God, he asked that God would show him His glory.  And the Lord said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.  When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by" (Exodus 33:21-22).

Apparently, the glory of God was so marvelous and bright that when God touched Moses with his glory, He had to shield Moses with His hand to protect him.  The word "glory" is found 194 times in the Old Testament, 191 times in the New.  With all of the references to the glory of God found in the Bible, you should think that it would be quite easy to understand what it really is.

When I think of the glory of God, especially relating to the marvel of Christmas, I am reminded of the Christmas display that was an annual event at the Denver Dry Goods store, a department store in the city where I grew up as a boy.  Every Christmas, the department store would clear out their large corner display windows and put together the most marvelous Christmas display that a child could envision.  In this window were angels whirling overhead and toy trains running through miniature landscapes.  There were dancing bears, dolls, and airplanes, Santas and mangers (to keep everybody happy).

But what I most remember is that when I stood on my tip-toes and pressed my face to the window, I could only see part of it.  Then my father would pick me up in his strong arms and hold me so I could see more.  Only then could I begin to see the vastness of that wonderful Christmas display.

The glory of God is much like that.  With our human inadequacies, our vision dimmed by the selfishness of our old nature, we can only begin to fathom the glory of Christmas as God's Spirit opens our eyes to this marvelous encounter with the Divine.  But that's what Christmas is all about.

Resource reading: John 1:1-14

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/how-can-i-see-gods-glory/

Anticipated Simbang Gabi | December 23, 2020

ALTERNATE PHTV TIMELINE: WHAT IF COVID-19 NEVER HAPPENED?

[AUTHOR’S NOTE: This post is a piece of fiction based on a handful of facts. Please take this with a grain of salt.]

WE CAN ALL agree about these two maxims: We can neither change the past nor regain the lost time.

During our (normal, face-to-face) school days, we keep asking questions to our history teachers “hows” and “whys,” over significant happenings of places but a few dared to ask “What if” or “What could’ve happened…?”

Those few belong to an academic realm of alternate history, a type of speculative fiction consisting of one or more different historical events. For those who will take this genre, the decision lies up to one’s belief and others have some reservations. On YouTube, you can find these genres with supporting maps; others have showcased in DeviantArt or in related forums.

However, in this specific AH, we will not include maps.

This idea came from a comment by Twitter user @tootongjomartin back in January after publishing the second part of the series “If There Is No More ABS-CBN” where the remaining competitors respond in a normal (non-pandemic) setting.

Now it happened.

Therefore, in retrospect, The main question of this AH project is: “What might have happened to the media networks if the COVID-19 pandemic never happened?”

The constraints: You cannot change the weather patterns from May 6 to the present.

BEAR IN MIND: In a supporting YouTube video, the acronyms A.E.T. stands for “Alternate Earth Timeline” (the situation of what and R.E.T. stands for “Real Earth Timeline,” as in what happened in reality.

THE ALTERNATE TIMELINE

Before May 4

The daily Laging Handa public briefing from PCOO would simply not exist.

SMAC Television Production’s shows would have rolled: one on IBC 13 (Yes! Yes! Yow!) and two on GMA News TV.

On PTV, Lotto draws would’ve conducted as usual while on IBC, El Shaddai would have been airing.

On TV5, Aksyon newscast branding would’ve stayed. The Buhay Komedya Channel on Cignal would’ve been launched as scheduled.

May 2020

Wednesday, May 6

Emergency meetings were summoned from advertising agencies, KBP to media networks like GMA and TV5.

Two months after finishing Season 95, the NCAA Policy Board was shocked by the news as they were literally halfway through the contract.

Roberto P. Galang, president of TV5, would be hinted to the press about their plans, “Our entertainment programming will be revived perhaps after the Tokyo Olympics.”

Meanwhile, the master control on GMA Network logs that programs were finished on time as promoted after a bit more than two years of being head-to-head.

Tuesday, May 12

One month before the 2020-2021 season tipoff, MPBL faces a dilemma on which broadcaster be their new home. PTV is next in option.

ALTERNATE EARTH HEADLINE: Palawan nixes division

End-May

The UAAP 82 women’s volleyball is finished — with Liga carrying the Finals. With the five-year contract of UAAP and ABS-CBN expired, the prestigious collegiate league’s board faces jitters.

June

Sunday, June 14

On GMA, All Out Sundays threw a grandiose party on their network’s 70th anniversary with the formal launch of GMA Affordabox (12 days earlier than in real time). Tomorrow, Heart of Asia becomes the first digital subchannel other than GMA News TV to formally launch.

July

Saturday, July 5

NCAA Season 96 (host school: Colegio de San Juan de Letran) would proceed without a terrestrial broadcast partner.

Friday, July 10

With the House of Representatives denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, the UAAP board summoned an emergency meeting on determining who will be their new broadcast partner.

Friday, July 24

The Tokyo Olympics would’ve begun. Though the country’s broadcast rights are awarded to MVP Media Group, the opening ceremony was aired on One Sports instead of TV5 because of PBA because the league doesn’t respect the international multi-sporting event.

Saturday, July 25

In gymnastics qualifying, Carlos Yulo was qualified on the men’s floor competition. The coverage aired on both TV5 and One Sports.

Friday, July 31

Because it was a holiday and due to the qualification, TV5 decided to cover Carlos Yulo’s final competition on the main channel instead of their sports channel. Thankfully, it was in the morning. He won the first Olympic gold for the country, the Filipino audience was jubilant. The Philippine national anthem was played for the first time, Yulo wept tears of joy.

Monday, August 10

Just as Galang promised, the first wave of programs from TV5 began (one week earlier than in real life) to roll.

ALTERNATE EARTH HEADLINE: [Carlos] Yulo to get hero’s welcome, meet Rody

Monday, August 31

As ABS-CBN Regional Group folded, GMA Regional TV’s programs in the morning began to expand.

Saturday, September 5

UAAP Season 83 (host school: De La Salle University) would’ve tipped off — not canceled — on a new broadcast partner, TV5 / One Sports. During the week leading to the season, Cignal subscriptions go higher.

Late September

The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), despite the panic due to affiliation of publicists with the fallen giant, announced the nominees for the 34th Star Awards for Television. Most of the nominees are from GMA. The winners were to be awarded in New Frontier Theater in Araneta City with a delayed telecast a week later on PTV.

DJ Chacha and Ted Failon joins Radyo 5 one week earlier than in real life.

October

Early October

Miss World Philippines would be airing on PTV, instead of long-time partner GMA, to avoid beauty pageant monopolization.

Late October

On the awards night of PMPC Star Awards, GMA would’ve won the Best TV Station after seven years. The streak would go on until at least 2022.

The new NBA season tipped off on One Sports (two months earlier than today).

November

Sunday, November 1

REAL NEWS: Super Typhoon Rolly battered Bicolandia.

GMA News TV would’ve responded away — instead of airing non-news programs that became a source of ridicule in real time — and converted into a 24-hour news channel.

Mid-November

Thanks to the windfall, GMA’s net profit for the first nine months of 2020 would be about 85% higher than the same period last year — 6 percentage points more than in the real world.

Late November

Like in real life, Miss Earth 2020 was aired for the first time on TV5. Like in Miss World, Carousel Productions, the organizer behind the pageant, didn’t want GMA to go into portfolio overload.

December

Miss Universe 2020 was aired exclusively live on GMA Network after ABS-CBN fell. Our contingent, Rabiya Mateo of Iloilo City, finished in the Top 20.

GMA covered a Christmas special — the only network to have an all-star holiday special since TV5 was just restarting.

AGB-Nielsen released the result of the nationwide TV ratings, Voltes V: Legacy would’ve been the No. 1 in the weekday primetime program.

What’s the Difference than In Real Life?

Without the pandemic, GMA would’ve gotten a bigger rate of growth in revenue for the first nine months than in real life. Regional news services would’ve been established ahead of time before the storm. The main channel’s entertainment programs would’ve gone ahead of time but their shows go and prouder than we harnessed right now. Network fanatics take revenge with more awards but others would still get angrier.

The revival of local entertainment on TV5 in three phases would’ve started one to two weeks ahead.

Even with Martin Andanar’s promise, PTV would’ve started ahead but no viewer would care (other than the pro-admin fanatics) and dare to watch them, save the Lotto draw and PTV Sports.

Even if the displaced technical and creative employees would invite the offer, IBC 13 would still be an unwatchable channel because of pay issues and financial stature. (Company culture matters!)

NET 25’s new programs might not have been on the air today or they would go earlier. The segments of their noontime show, Happy Time, would be really different.

Had not for the pandemic that rechanneled their funds for response, community broadcasters would’ve emerge further. More entities would register and file their franchises to Congress before getting the revoked frequencies.

What would be your TV timeline if the COVID-19 never happened?

Timow’s Turf wishes every reader a contemplative Christmas.

https://timowsturf.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/350th-post-special-alternate-phtv-timeline-what-if-covid-19-never-happened/

ABS-CBN Foundation to streamline, improve services: official

The ABS-CBN Foundation will streamline and improve its services, its new managing director Berta Lopez-Feliciano said Wednesday.

Lopez-Feliciano, sister of long-time ABS-CBN Foundation chairperson Gina Lopez, will succeed Susan Afan, who was appointed in 2016.

"All the 30 years that have gone by, the foundation has learned and experienced a lot and that can never be taken away. We’re moving forward, we’re looking at how to better improve the practices we've done. We’re going to streamline, maybe do less but do better," she told ANC's Headstart.

"We’re doing all, we’re just consolidating everything so instead of having Bantay Bata, Bantay Kalikasan and Sagip Kapamilya as 3 separate activities, we’re putting them all together so every time we go into an areas when there's disaster relief, we not only do that but take care of the rights of the children, their needs and we also assess the environmental condition."

The programs will keep their names but the foundation's approach in extending aid will change, said Lopez-Feliciano.

"Maybe it’s just more a mindset, the approach in the foundation that we’re not 3 silos or pillars anymore. We’re working together. I think that's actually a big push for the foundation to be collaborative," she said.

"We just need to work together, we need each other when there’s less of us."

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/23/20/abs-cbn-foundation-to-streamline-improve-services-official

Bilihan ng hamon sa Quiapo, dinagsa

Humahaba pa ang pila ng tao sa isang sikat na tindahan ng hamon sa Quiapo, Maynila, dalawang araw bago mag Pasko.

Alas-4 pa lang ng umaga ay may mga nakapila na sa labas ng tindahan na magbubukas ng 8 a.m.

Sa pagtaya ng pulisya, higit 500 ang nakapila sa labas ng tindhan para bumili ng hamon na pagsasaluhan sa Noche Buena.

Dahil sa dami ng nakapila, nagtungo na sa lugar ang mga pulis para tiyaking nasusunod ang health protocols tulad ng physical distancing.

Ayon sa ilang mamimili, nahirapan sila dahil magulo umano ang sistema sa pila.

Nagbanta na rin ang pulisya na kung ‘di maaayos ang sistema ng pilahan sa tindahan ay maaring ipatigil ang pagtitinda ng hamon lalo na’t inaasahan na dadagsa pa sa mga susunod na araw hanggang sa Enero ang mga taong bibili ng hamon. - TeleRadyo 23 Disyembre 2020

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/23/20/bilihan-ng-hamon-sa-quiapo-dinagsa

PH to begin negotiations with Novavax: distributor

The Philippines will begin its negotiations with Novavax Wednesday, a local pharmaceutical distributor said.

The country expects to receive 30 million doses of Covovax, Novavax Inc's COVID-19 vaccine, by July next year, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier said.

The vaccine is currently in its phase 3 of clinical trial with some 30,000 participants in the UK, US, Mexico, and India, according to Dr. Luningning Villa, medical director of Faberco Life Sciences Inc.

"Encouraging po ang results ng studies. Maganda po ang immune response doon sa phase 1, phase 2 tapos na rin yan and we’re waiting for the publication. Phase 3 is ongoing and so far encouraging ang results," she told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

(The studies so far show encouraging results. Phase 1 found good immune response, while we're waiting for the publication of phase 2.)

Some P2.5 billion is earmarked for the country's vaccination program under the health department. Another P70 billion in standby funds would be added from either approved loans or once the government exceeds its non-tax revenue targets. The stimulus plan Bayanihan 2 puts another P10 billion to the vaccine budget.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/23/20/ph-to-begin-negotiations-with-novavax-distributor

Fair weather expected until Christmas Day: PAGASA

Fair weather is expected until Christmas Day as no storms are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility within 3 days, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.

The tail end of the frontal system or the boundary between the easterlies and the northeast monsoon will bring rains over Batanes and Babuyan Islands on Wednesday, said PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja.

Scattered rains will prevail over Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, northern Quezon including Polillo Islands due to easterlies or winds from the Pacific Ocean, Estareja added.

"Wala tayong nakikitang bagyo na papasok ng ating bansa at least sa susunod ng 3 araw o hanggang Dec. 25," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

(We don't see any storms entering the country at least in the next 3 days or until Dec. 25.)

Most of the country will experience fair weather on Thursday or Christmas Eve, according to Estareja.

On Christmas Day, generally fair weather will be experienced but cloudy skies may prevail over Cagayan, Isabela and Batanes and the eastern portions of Visayas and Mindanao, he added.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/23/20/fair-weather-expected-until-christmas-day-pagasa

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Pulis patay sa Negros Occ. matapos barilin habang nagjo-jogging kasama ang mayor

 Patay ang 37 anyos na si Police Staff Sargeant Ildefonso Casugod matapos pagbabarilin ng hindi pa nakikilalang gunman sa Reclamation Area ng bayan ng Pontevedra sa Negros Occidental, Martes ng umaga.

Base sa imbestigasyon ng pulisya, nagjo-jogging si Casugod alas-6 ng umaga, kasama si Mayor Jose Maria Alonzo, nang bigla na lang itong lapitan ng gunman at binaril sa ulo, na naging sanhi ng kaniyang pagkamatay.

Ayon sa officer-in-charge ng Pontevedra Police na si Captain Hancel Lumandaz, tanging ang pulis lang ang target ng salarin.

May iba pa silang mga kasamahan, ngunit walang nakakilala sa salarin dahil naka-face mask ito at naka-suot ng hood ng kaniyang jacket.

Agad na sumakay ang salarin sa isang motorsiklo kung saan naghihintay ang kaniyang look out.

Ayon kay Lumandaz, posible na ang trabaho bilang intelligence officer ng Pontevedra Police ang naging motibo sa pagpatay kay Casugod.

May ilang kasong may kinalaman sa illegal drugs at illegal gambling kasi na hinahawakan ang biktima. - ulat ni Romeo Subaldo

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/22/20/pulis-patay-sa-negros-occ-matapos-barilin-habang-nagjo-jogging-kasama-ang-mayor

Why God Chose A Baby

 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:6-7

"I have often wondered," wrote Guy Duffield, "why the Roosevelts, the Rockefellers and the Kennedys wanted to go through all the agony and conflict of seeking and holding public offices.  They certainly did not need the money.  I think I have found the answer; it is self‑expression.  It has been the desire of every human heart throughout history.  A Michelangelo did it in marble; a Shakespeare with pen and ink; a Sir Christopher Wren achieved it in the more than 50 churches he designed and built."

Then writes Dr. Duffield, "God wanted to say something to mankind.  He wanted to express Himself.  But how?  There was no language rich enough to contain the message.  Man could not have understood it if there was, for the message was too great for his mind to receive.  What was it God wanted to communicate?  He wanted to communicate Himself.  Self-expression!

"...God chose flesh as the ideal vehicle for the expression of Himself.  There is nothing as eloquent as flesh: the twitching of the lips, the pallor of the countenance, the crimsoning of the cheek, the moistening of the eyes.  These telltale signals are more eloquent than words could ever be.  That is why God chose it.  He selected the one element in humanity which He Himself did not share.  The Word was made flesh‑‑soft, warm, live flesh that throbbed and felt and developed and matured.  This Word, Jesus, is God.  Look upon Him as a Babe in Bethlehem, a Boy in the carpenter shop in Nazareth, a Man in Galilee, and everywhere you see Him your heart cries, 'Almighty God!'  A million universes could not tell us what Jesus tells us about the nature and character of God, for in Jesus the Word was made flesh."

The words which I have just quoted have special significance for me, in that the author was also the father of my wife and the grandfather of my children.  When he talked of self‑expression, I see his life, the way he thought, the way he reasoned, reflected in his only child who became the mother of my three children.  And in my son, I also see the grandfather.  It can be no other way, for such is the result of heredity.

Long ago the Apostle John wrote, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." The immortal, invisible only God surrounded by the frailty of mankind.  All the more it makes sense to realize that God expressed Himself in the Son, who was once asked, "Show us the Father and it will satisfy us!" and Jesus replied, "He who has seen me has seen the Father!"

John Milton, the English author and poet, wrote, "Welcome all wonders in one night‑‑/Eternity shut in a span,/ Summer in winter, day in night,/ Heaven in earth, and God in man. Blest little one,/ Whose all embracing birth/ Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heaven to earth."  How better can we express it!

As this busy week begins to fade and another year is soon to dawn, remember, if you can, that the Child represents the Father, and the Father is the progenitor of the life which He imparts to His offspring.  If the Father is seen expressing Himself in the Son, and the Son in His children, should it not follow that our lives should reflect the image of the Son as well?  Paul thought so, for he wrote, " Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:5‑7).

With the tinsel and glitter, may God give us enough peace and quiet that we may realize that in the Son we see the life of the Father, and in His life there is life eternal.

Resource reading: Isaiah 53:1-12

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/why-god-chose-a-baby/

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