God Is With Us!

The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father.  John 1:14

And before you hear from my dad, this is Bonnie Sala, president of Guidelines, wishing you Merry Christmas!  Today my dad shares what is my all-time favorite Guidelines Christmas devotional.  It's the story of two missionaries, Rudolph Bosshardt and Arnolis Hayman, who were left behind, when the communists took over China in 1949.

The two were arrested and thrown into prison.  Days turned into weeks and weeks into months.  China is a vast country, but what many do not realize is that in the northern part of China it gets very cold as the Siberian winds come whistling from the north.

As the months began to drag by, the two soon realized that they would spend Christmas alone and without their families.  Forbidden to speak to each other, the two men sat in the cold, unheated prison cell as Christmas day dawned.  Shivering from the cold, their thoughts were filled with memories of past Christmases, the warmth of families together, to say nothing of thoughts of Christmas dinner, which would not be their good fortune on that Christmas.

As they sat there, a feeling of hopelessness seemed to settle over them.  Arnolis reached down and began playing with pieces of straw on the prison floor. He began making letters--IMMANUEL.  The two looked at it‑‑"IMMANUEL," one of the names given to Christ meaning, "God is with us!"  And gradually, by their own statement, the reality of what Arnolis had just written began to sink in‑‑GOD IS WITH US.  The gloom of a prison was driven back, and the reality of what Christmas really is, sank in.

Seven centuries before Jesus was born, the Lord gave a sign to Ahaz, saying, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).  Matthew 1:23 quotes the passage from Isaiah, citing the birth of Jesus as fulfillment of Isaiah's words.  But what does it all mean in our world?  When the Apostle John took pen and parchment to record the birth of Jesus, he wrote, "The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father" (John 1:14).  Theologians have called it "the Incarnation," but it simply means God became flesh and lived among us.

Watching the world with its misery and conflict, we desperately need to discover the meaning of the Incarnation.  Many today are imprisoned; but instead of the steel bars of a jail, they are captured by human suffering, the guilt of a troubled conscience, their inadequacies and failures.  Bound by ignorance, fear, superstition or just plain sin, they feel that no one cares, no one understands.  The Incarnation means that God understands and cares.

On one occasion, a Christian was sharing his faith with a Hindu who just could not grasp the fact that God became man.  As the two were talking, the Christian looked down and noticed an ant crawling on the sidewalk.  Stooping over he said, "Suppose that I could compress myself to the size of an ant and could put aside my human strength and could live in the body of an ant.  Only then could I really understand an ant's world, and that is exactly what Jesus did."  "Yes," replied the Hindu, "to understand, one must be one."

And that is exactly what the Incarnation really means‑‑God cared enough to allow His Son to take upon Himself a robe of human flesh, to suffer as we suffer, to experience what we experience, and finally, to give His life in our stead that for all eternity we may dwell in His presence.  Yes, the Word, Jesus Christ, became flesh and dwelt among us.

Resource reading: Romans 8:38-9

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/god-is-with-us-2/

Behind the Music: 'Pasko Na, Sinta Ko' by Gary Valenciano

Not every popular OPM Christmas song weaves a love story. However, Gary Valenciano’s “Pasko Na, Sinta Ko” started that way.

This sentimental Yuletide ballad that has been crooned by Filipinos for more than three decades, has an interesting romantic story.

Back in 1986, when Valenciano had just joined WEA Records, the company immediately planned to release a Christmas album for him. “Take Me Out of the Dark,” a song Valenciano penned that year, was readily included in the line-up of tracks.

Yet, Valenciano’s wife and manager, Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, insisted that her husband include a Christmas song that her Sigma Delta Phi sorority sisters at the University of the Philippines (UP) would render during caroling nights.

The song was written by someone who was also from UP (Francis Dandan) and his professor (Aurelio Estanislao).

“I told Angeli, ‘No one knows the song’!” Valenciano told ABS-CBN News. “But Angeli insisted that it had to be part of my Christmas album. She kept on singing the chorus to me and bits and pieces of the song.

“Then, Louie Ocampo told me he knew the song, so we asked him to arrange it and it became such a huge hit. The rest is history.”

Dandan collaborated with UP professor, baritone Aurelio Estanislao, who wrote the lyrics of “Pasko Na, Sinta Ko” before the song landed on Valenciano’s lap.

“The story’s background is supposedly about a young member of the UP Concert Chorus, Fred Gutierrez, whose love of his life, Melba, was leaving for the USA before Christmas in the late ‘70s,” Valenciano added. “But she passed away."

“Meantime, Francis’ story is tragic as he took his life in 2001 due to undisclosed reasons and that was so sad for us.”

 

Through the years, “Pasko Na, Sinta Ko” has become one of the most iconic Christmas ballads ever recorded and Valenciano cannot be any happier about that fact. The popular song has undoubtedly become Valenciano’s signature anthem during Christmas. It was the carrier track of his first holiday album, “From Gary, Merry Christmas.”

“Having a song that hits is one thing, but having been given a chance to record a song that eventually becomes a classic is different feeling,” Valenciano said. “Somehow, it takes longer for it to sink in.

 

“Most of the time, it really tugs at my heart when I hear ‘Pasko Na, Sinta Ko’ being played after all these years. What a blessing to have been given this song. I count it an honor to have been the first to record the song, but we were very sad that we couldn’t do more for Francis Dandan as we were unaware of his mental condition.”

At about the same time Valenciano and Ocampo were trying to record the song then, they found out that young singer, Keno, wanted to do the same thing. “But we beat Keno to it,” Valenciano said. “And his manager then, Arsi Baltazar, and Angeli had such a fun time arguing about what happened.”

 

“Pasko Na, Sinta Ko” has been in the roster of Christmas songs every Yuletide season. It has become a sentimental favorite by many. It always warms Valenciano’s heart when people come up to him to say how they have embraced the song.

“I’ve had many who have come up to me either just laying their hand over their chest, like to signify how much they’ve been affected by my song, as others have that look on their faces like they want to cry,” Valenciano disclosed.

“Both of those actions are done in a light and almost joking kind of way. It is easy to tell though that the song is something. That they relate to quite well.

 

“Pasko Na, Sinta Ko” was not the first original Christmas song recorded for the album, “From Gary, Merry Christmas.” Valenciano also did another Tagalog Christmas ditty, “Himig ng Pasko,” by Levi Celerio and other well-known traditional Christmas classics like “Joy To the World,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Silent Night," and "O Holy Night.”

 

“Pasko Na, Sinta Ko’ may not have been the first, but the album would never have been complete without it,” Valenciano said. “Of course, there is the ‘Hele ni Inay,’ composed by Roy and Lissa del Valle.

“I composed ‘Once Again It’s Christmas’ for Kiana 20 years ago, which won for her Best Christmas Recording and Best Performance by a Child Recording Artist at the Awit Awards of 2000 when she was only seven.”

Through the years, “Pasko Na, Sinta Ko” has been re-imagined and rendered onstage several other artists, like Martin Nievera, Sharon Cuneta, Tim Pavino and even the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/25/20/behind-the-music-pasko-na-sinta-ko-by-gary-valenciano

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Behind the Music: 'Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko' by Apo Hiking Society

If there is perhaps an apt OPM Christmas song at this time of the pandemic, it is the Apo Hiking Society’s “Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko.” 

While many are wary about celebrating Christmas this year, Filipinos will find every reason to still enjoy the holidays however they can, in whatever way they can.

It was back in 1991 when the Apo Hiking Society trio of Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Buboy Garovillo recorded their first Christmas album, “Pasko nApo,” that contained 11 original Christmas tunes.

Among the tracks in Apo’s 12th studio album was “Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko,” one of the well-loved OPM Christmas tunes ever recorded. The song has been embraced by both young and old through the years.

“I loved the song the moment I heard it,” Apo member Jim Paredes told ABS-CBN News. “It was a great song. We had Eddie Munji III arrange it. He was the same guy who arranged ‘Panalangin.’ He made ‘Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko’ a big winner.”

Through the years, “Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko” has been constantly included the roster of Christmas songs every Yuletide season. It has become a sentimental favorite of many Filipinos.

The OPM Christmas tune is a familiar piece for carolers, students, choirs and pop groups who never fail to render it for their celebrations. The upbeat tune has become a staple in Christmas get-togethers or presentations annually.

Back in 2006, Orange and Lemons recorded a re-imagined version of “Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko” that was used in that year’s Christmas station ID of ABS-CBN. After more than a decade, the song was given a new feel and Paredes couldn’t be any prouder when he heard it.

“It is always a good feeling when another artist does a take on a song that we previously made a hit,” Paredes maintains.

The trio’s “Pasko nApo” Christmas is full of great songs and Paredes immediately went on a trip down memory lane when asked to talk about the album. 

“I especially like ‘Lata ang Aming Tambol,’ ‘12 Days of Pinoy Christmas,’ ‘Sanggol na Mahiwaga’ and our ‘Pasko na Sinta Ko-Miss Kita Kung Christmas’ medley,” he said.

The album contains other tracks including “Paskong Walang Pera,” “Himig ng Pasko,” “Pasko Na sa Mundo” and “Panahon ng Pag-ibig,” “Pasko Na” and “Ang Pasko.”

Fifteen years after “Pasko nApo” was recorded, the 11-track album was digitally remastered and a new cover was created with the CD release.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/24/20/behind-the-music-tuloy-na-tuloy-pa-rin-ang-pasko-by-apo-hiking-society

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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

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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

Sakto | Teleradyo (23 December 2020)

Kapamilya Simbang Gabi | December 23, 2020

JOY 2 - Kapet Pandasal kasama si Fr Nono Alfonso, SJ