Sunday, February 7, 2021
Robredo urges supporters to raise funds for those in need, not for possible 2022 bid
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday expressed her appreciation for the amount of support she has received for a possible 2022 election bid but urged her followers not to be distracted during the pandemic.
Robredo had ranked 5th in a Pulse Asia survey of possible presidential candidates in 2022. The President's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, topped the list.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta ng napakaraming tao. Pero, ako, aaminin ko, gaya sa'min, pang-araw-araw grabe yung ginagawa namin kasi nasa gitna tayo ng napakalaking kahirapan. Basta sa opisina namin, tuloy ang trabaho. Parang hindi tama na ako mismo, politika na ang inaasikaso, kasi grabe yung taghirap ngayon," she said in her weekly radio show.
(I thank many people for their support. But I will admit, we're busy with our daily activities as we're in the middle of great adversity. Work is continuous in our office. It doesn't seem right that I will prioritize politics during this difficult time.)
"Matagal pa naman ang eleksyon, next year pa... Ngayon, ayaw muna natin magpa-distract. Meron pong tamang panahon para dyan."
(The election next year is still far. We don't want to be distracted right now. There's a right time for that.)
Robredo urged her supporters to instead raise funds for those severely hit by the pandemic.
"Dapat yung 2022, last 'yun sa isip nating lahat. Baka pwedeng i-channel muna natin ang ating energy sa paghanap ng paraan para matulungan," she said.
(The 2022 national elections should be the last thing on our minds. Maybe we can channel our energy in looking for ways to help.)
"Kung merong gustong mag-fundraise okay naman yun, pero hindi para sa’kin. Ang gawin po natin, para sa mga kababayan natin."
(If anyone wants to raise funds, that's alright. But don't do it for me, do it for the public.)
Robredo thanked her supporters, whom she said were also on the receiving end of criticisms.
"Maraming salamat sa sakripisyo niyo rin. Yung mga sumusuporta sa'kin, talagang nabubugbog din ng napakaraming trolls sa social media. Sila na nangangahas, saludo po ako na hindi (nila) iniinda ang pangungutya at mga nadadamay dahil sa mga naninira sa akin," she said.
(Thank you also for your sacrifice. My supporters are also hit by trolls on social media. I salute you for not minding and not being affected by all the criticism hurled at me.)
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Pabillo, panawagan ang pagpapaigting sa page-ebanghelyo sa ika-500 taon ng Kristiyanismo sa bansa
Nanawagan ang isa sa mga lider ng Simbahang Katolika ngayong Sabado sa importansya ng page-ebanghelyo ng mga Kristiyano bilang serbisyo sa kanilang kapuwa, ngayo't ipinagdiriwang ang ika-500 taon ng pagkakatatag ng Kristiyanismo sa Pilipinas.
Ginanap ang misa para sa selebrasyon sa Manila Cathedral, na dinaluhan ng daan-daang tao, at pinangunahan nina Bishop Broderick Pabillo, ang Apostlic Administrator ng Maynila, at Archbishop Charles Brown, ang Apostolic Nuncio sa Pilipinas.
Sa kanyang mensahe, hinikayat ni Bishop Pabillo ang mga Kristiyano na kumilos para ibahagi ang pananampalatayang nagiging gabay nila sa buhay.
Nanawagan siya sa lahat na lumabas sa kani-kanilang “comfort zone” dahil marami ang oportunidad ngayon para maipamahagi ang Salita ng Diyos.
“Anything with deep roots in history there is a danger of becoming a monument. We glory in our antique images, we may have these but let us not in our church antiques, museums and artifacts, which main concern is preservation. That is why Pope Francis calls us to go out from the maintenance road and go to the missionary goal,” ani Pabillo.
Ipinagdiriwang din ang ika-442 taon nang pagiging archdiocese ng Maynila, bagay na ayon kay Bishop Pabillo, ay dapat pa lalong pagtibayin ng simbahan dahil sa siyudad daw nagsimula ang paglaganap ng Kristiyanismo sa bansa.
Dinala ang Kristiyanismo sa bansa ng mga mananakop na Kastila noong 1521.
Dumalo rin sa Misa ang mga opisyal at alkalde ng mga bayang kinasasakupan ng Archdiocese ng Maynila tulad nina Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuña, Mayor Imelda Rubiano ng Pasay, Mayor Abi Binay ng Makati at Mayor Carmelita Abalos ng Mandaluyong City.
Pagpapalawig pa sa pag e-ebanghelyo
Ito na rin ang oras aniya para palawigin ang naaabot ng Simbahan, kung saan ang pag e-ebanghelyo sa internet ang nagiging isa sa mga epektibong pamamaraan.
Matatandaang nauna na rin daw hinikayat ng Santo Papa ang mga Simbahan na maging creative sa pamamaraan ng pag-evangelize sa iba’t ibang komunidad.
“Our great mission field, a worldwide space that we have to reach is the digital continent. The digital way of connecting with people and evangelizing even with the coming of the vaccine. Let us learn to bring God’s word in the world of the internet,” paliwanag ni Bishop Pabillo.
Panawagan din ng Arsobispo sa mga kapwa niya manggagawa para sa pananampalataya na huwag matakot na ihayag ang mabuting balita.
“There are so many issues in society now that need God's word which is a message of peace, of justice, of peace, of truth. Do not be afraid to preach the word,” aniya.
Ibinahagi naman sa lahat ng mga dumalo ang 500-year mission cross bilang tanda ng kanilang dedikasyon na isulong ang mga sumusunod:
- “To condemn senseless killing and violation of human rights”
- “To work for the eradication of poverty and corruption and renewal of integrity”
- “To strengthen families”
- “To combat fake news”
- “To do our part in stopping COVID-19”
Bilang pagtatapos ng selebrasyon, pinangunahan ng singer na si Jamie Rivera ang kantang “We Give Our Yes” na siyang tema ng pagdiriwang, at magsisilbing commitment ng mga Kristiyano sa mga darating pang taon.
Serbisyo ng Kristiyanismo para sa mga nangangailangan
Nang dahil sa COVID-19, mas marami ang nangailangan at patuloy na mangangailangan ng tulong. Ito daw ang isa sa mga dahilan kaya’t napagdesisyunan na ng 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP-II) na tanggalin na ang arancel o ang mga taripang binabayaran tulad ng para sa mga kasal, binyag, at pamisa sa mga namatay.
Ayon kay Pabillo, regalo ito ng Simbahan para sa mga Pilipino kasabay ng pagdiriwang.
“In the 500th anniversary of Christianity, we give this gift to the people that they can avail the services of the Church for free,” aniya.
“Ang pagtanggal ng arancel ay hindi pakiusap, itinalaga na ito ng simbahan sa buong bansa,” dagdag niya.
Nagustuhan naman ito ng mga katolikong nakasanayan ang pagbabayad para sa mga sakramento sa Simbahan.
“Maganda… iyon kasi mabubuksan natin ang Simbahan sa mga kapatid na hindi talaga kaya na magbayad ng mga sakramento. Kaya magandang bagay na gagawin ito,” paliwanag ni Angelo Berbosa.
“Para maging tulong na rin natin sa mga kapwa natin na kapuspalad,” sabi naman ni Dane De Leon.
Napili naman ng Archdiocese of Manila ang 10 simbahan sa Metro Manila na maging pilgrim churches na sentro umano ng mga aktibidad para sa jubilee celebration.
- Manila Cathedral (Manila)
- Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo Church (Manila)
- Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia (Manila)
- Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño de Tondo (Manila)
- San Pablo Apostol Parish (Manila)
- Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish (Pasay)
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Makati)
- Sts. Peter and Paul Parish (Makati)
- San Felipe Neri Parish (Mandaluyong)
- St. John the Baptist Parish (San Juan)
Labis naman din ang tuwa ng ibang dumalo sa selebrasyon.
“Masayang-masaya po, masaya ang pakiramdam ko ngayon na nakarating ako rito, basta nag-iingat lang po, magagampanan namin ang pinagkakatiwala sa amin na misyon,” sabi ni Norma Litapa, isa sa mga dumalo sa misa.
Paliwanag naman ng ilan, parang mas gumaan ang loob nila dahil sa pagdiriwang.
“Masayang-masaya kami kasi na-feel namin 'yung pagiging Kristiyano namin. Kahit na sa pandemic, hindi po nawawala ang presence ni God,” sabi ng mag-asawang Jane at Angelo.
“Parang na-renew 'yung pagiging Catholic namin,” sabi ni Jane De Leon, isa sa mga pumunta sa misa.
Friday, February 5, 2021
I Feel Like A Failure
Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. Exodus 2:1-2
“I feel like a failure,” said the mother of two young children, “because I never accomplish what I set out to do.” It’s not only mothers who feel that way, but it’s a fact mothers do face unique challenges when it comes to time and meeting possibly unrealistic expectations.
Do you ever stop to think about the number of young mothers who are confronted with situations which they were never really were prepared for? A young woman graduates from high school with honors and goes to college. First thing she does is pick a major. Four years later she graduates with high expectations that she will make her mark in the world. She has majored in information technology, communications, biology, chemistry, literature, economics, or sociology. She knows how to analyze genetic codes. She can quote the leading authorities in her field and is ready to make her mark in the marketplace. For four years she has prepared for this career.
She launches that career and marries the man of her dreams. Then a few years later she is pregnant. Wait a minute! Life has changed radically and drastically. Her career now faces a major challenge and things just will never be quite like they used to.
Women have discovered that trying to “have it all” in the same season of life is often unsatisfying and almost always exhausting. But when women (or now, even some men) step out of their careers to care for children at home, they often bring their expectations of workplace efficiency with them. Life at home involves its own set of goals and expectations. Mom plans her day out, makes her list of what she expects to accomplish, and then… things don’t go right. Life with little humans happens. Kids get measles, ear aches in the middle of the night, colds and runny noses. They get the flu and throw up just as she has loaded them into the stroller to go do a round of never-ending errands. Her husband comes home to a messy house and within the first two minutes of his arrival comments on the same.
No wonder young mothers get frustrated. What mother hasn’t cried, thinking that her husband doesn’t understand or care, and wishing she was back in her quiet office where she accomplishes “important” things?
As my wife of some 57 years and I were talking about this very issue, she remembered that she, too, wondered if she would ever survive the three whom God gave us. Thankfully, today there are many more options for moms and dads, to stay connected to the workplace and invest with presence in the lives of their young children at the same time.
Our hindsight is always 20/20. Believe it or not, those small children are not forever. Someday you will also look back and think, “If I could only grasp those tiny fingers one more time. Raising a family–for both a mother and a dad–is one of, if not your greatest accomplishment in life. Children are your highest and best investments which you grow to cherish long after the company you thought you would be with until retirement, has gone broke, and your bonus–a reward for making your sales quota–has disappeared with your unrealistic expectations.
As a young mother, you may want to downsize those lists of what you want to accomplish and someway realize you are accomplishing what God wants. You are building something for a forever future: you are shaping a life, born in the image of God, with the potential to impact the Kingdom of God. Never underestimate the importance of investing yourself into the lives of your children.
Resource reading: Proverbs 31.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/i-feel-like-a-failure/
Manila begins Feb. 6 PH Christianity quincentennial celebration
By Ferdinand Patinio
The capital city's celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the country will kick off on Saturday.
According to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM), among the activities for the day would be the wearing of the 500 Years Mission Cross. The cross has the name of Jesus inscribed in Roman letters and ancient Baybayin script intersecting.
“This symbolizes the encounter of the faith from Western missionaries and our own culture and life, resulting in a colorful and vibrant Filipino faith that now becomes our contribution to the universal Church. The Mission Cross is an invitation to bring back the tradition of wearing a cross, which is a sign of our faith in Jesus, of protection from God, and most importantly, as a badge of our missionary work. Wearing a cross, we are reminded that we are Christians, we are Catholics, and we say yes to God’s mission,” the RCAM said in a statement Friday.
There will also be a ceremonial giving and wearing of the Mission Cross, particularly for the mayors and representatives from communities and chosen pilgrimage churches of the Archdiocese.
Earlier, the Manila archdiocese has named 10 pilgrim churches that will be the centers of prayer, forgiveness, and charitable works during this jubilee year.
These are the Manila Cathedral (Manila), Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo Church (Manila), Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia (Manila), Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño de Tondo (Manila) and San Pablo Apostol Parish (Manila), Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish (Pasay), National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Makati), Sts. Peter and Paul Parish (Makati), San Felipe Neri Parish (Mandaluyong), and St. John the Baptist Parish (San Juan).
Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo will celebrate the 9 a.m. Mass at the Manila Cathedral.
The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles Brown, the priests of the Archdiocese of Manila, representatives of the religious and of the laity will be present. Also invited are the five Mayors of the cities within the Archdiocese.
“We also invite everyone to like, follow, and share the official Facebook page “500 Years of Christianity – Archdiocese of Manila” to be notified and updated on our different activities,” the RCAM added.
Another highlight of the Manila celebration is the launching of the official Mission Song, 'We Give Our Yes' to be performed live by singer Jamie Rivera.
The official music video will be released on the same day.
The local launching of the celebration in parishes will follow on Sunday (Feb. 7).
“Parish priests will be launching and explaining to the people the wearing of the 500 Years Mission Cross. The music ministry and youth ministry in the parishes will lead the singing, accompanied by the action, the mission song, WE GIVE OUR YES, during the recessional of all Masses,” it added.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Your Words Can Be Deadly
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:9-10
Opposites attract, but when there are too many differences, opposites repel. He likes to sleep with the windows open; she likes them closed. He’s a night person; she’s a day person. He prefers country western music; she likes classical. She’s well organized; he’s a “take-it-as-it-comes” person. Before they married, they both admired in the other the very characteristics which later became annoying.
Over a period of time those differences in personality escalate to cold-war status. Discussions become arguments, and temperatures rise. Each expects the impossible of the other. Instead of attacking the problem, individuals attack each other. Neither is willing to compromise, thinking that yielding is losing–when both are losing far more than they realize.
The joy of “first love” is tarnished. Romance is replaced with rebuff. Love is still there but it’s wounded and bleeding. “Can this marriage be saved?” asks the advice bloggers who dispense advice quite freely with no personal stake in the results.
Dr. Paul Popenoe, known as the father of marriage counseling, believed that any marriage could be saved when two individuals want it to work. I’m convinced that he was right. Needed, however, is a large dose of commitment along with a massive infusion of self-discipline. When a couple realize that a marriage is going the wrong direction and they understand that selfishness (I gotta win this one!) threatens their future, and are willing to recognize that what is happening is nothing less than sin in the eyes of God, some strong measures can turn the situation around. The following guidelines can reverse the trend.
Guideline #1: Tackle the issue, not each other. Realize that harsh words, name calling, statements that belittle or denigrate the one whom you pledged to “love and cherish till death us do part” must stop. Can you stop, once a habit has been established? With God’s help you can.
Guideline #2: Learn to communicate your feelings. Instead of saying, “You…” say, “This is how I feel when you do this.” Think and think again of the consequences before you say, “You…” For centuries the Sphinx stood in the shadows of the pyramids outside of Cairo, but today the image of the grand old monument is badly pitted and scarred. Soldiers, not realizing what they were doing, used it for musket practice. The damage is done. Get help with talking about feelings now before even more harm is done.
Guideline #3: Refuse to let a relationship with one you love degenerate to a battle of sharp words. Take the words of James 3 and put them on every mirror of your home. This powerful text reads: “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body…. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (see James 3:1-12).
Most of the time you don’t really mean what you say. The answer is self-discipline. If you must, bite your lip until it bleeds, but refuse to say what you know will hurt the other.
Guideline #4: Focus on what counts–your children, your faith, your true feelings for each other. Budget time to be alone and to expand the solid areas of your love and marriage.
Guideline #5: Begin praying together every day; and yes, as you talk with God, swallow your pride to confess your failure and ask His help in being the person He wants you to be.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose but your pride, which is a poor substitute for real love. Believe me, these guidelines can change your life.
Resource reading: James 3:1-12
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/your-words-can-be-deadly/