Sunday, January 3, 2021
GMA Network sparks hope this 2021 with exciting new programs and offerings
GMA Network offers a beacon of hope this 2021 as it ushers in the New Year with a stellar roster of exciting new programs and offerings.
Kick-starting the line-up for GMA Afternoon Prime is the return of “Magkaagaw” with recap and fresh episodes to ring in the New Year. Magkaagaw is the high-rating soap top-billed by Sunshine Dizon, Klea Pineda, Jeric Gonzales, and Sheryl Cruz. Next up is the heart-tugging story of “Babawiin Ko Ang Lahat” top-billed by John Estrada and Carmina Villaroel, and in her first starring role, promising Kapuso drama actress Pauline Mendoza. The well-loved tandem of Rita Daniela and Ken Chan returns to the small screen on “Ang Dalawang Ikaw” and is joined by Kapuso newcomer Ana Vicente.
Set to launch as well on GMA Afternoon Prime is the TV adaptation of the 1988 award-winning film “Nagbabagang Luha” starring Glaiza de Castro, Rayver Cruz, introducing Claire Castro with Mike Tan. Viewers should also watch out for the riveting legal drama “Artikulo 247”; the multi-layered rivalry of three sisters in “Las Hermanas”; the weekly drama series “Love Connections” that opens with intriguing social media posts and eventually unravels the story behind them; and the story of the little person who one day discovers that she is an heiress despite growing up from a poor family in “Little Princess.”
On GMA Telebabad, the rivalry between friends-turned-mortal-enemies continues in the recap and fresh episodes of “Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday,” top-billed by Kapuso Primetime Princess Barbie Forteza and Kate Valdez, together with Migo Adecer and seasoned actresses Snooky Serna and Dina Bonnevie.
Viewers also can’t wait for the highly-anticipated romantic comedy series “First Yaya.” The series is headlined by award-winning Kapuso actor Gabby Concepcion with Pancho Magno, Maxine Medina, Pilar Pilapil, Cassy Legaspi, JD Domagoso, and Sanya Lopez who plays the lead role of Yaya Melody. It follows the story of the Vice President of the Philippines (Gabby) who will later assume the presidency and his blooming romance with Yaya Melody, the nanny of his children.
Another breakthrough cultural drama series from the GMA Entertainment Group this 2021 is “Legal Wives” where Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo takes on the challenging role of Ishmael, a Maranaw Muslim royalty who has three wives portrayed by talented actresses Alice Dixson, Andrea Torres, and Bianca Umali. Portraying an equally important role is internationally-acclaimed actress Cherie Gil.
Talented and versatile Kapuso stars Lovi Poe and Benjamin Alves are reunited on primetime via the romantic comedy series “Owe My Love.” Produced by GMA Public Affairs, “Owe My Love” narrates the story of a financially illiterate woman and a miserly but successful doctor and financial advisor whose lives intertwine when the former gets indebted to the latter.
GMA Public Affairs is also set to bring its biggest action-adventure series to date in “Lolong.” Bannered by Kapuso Action-Drama Prince Ruru Madrid, Lolong is inspired by the world’s largest crocodile in captivity of the same name. Joining Ruru in the series are Kapuso actresses Arra San Agustin and Shaira Diaz.
Sure to keep viewers glued to the screen every weeknight is the sweeping romance drama “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon” starring Heart Evangelista-Escudero. It dwells on the story of a young woman whose status as a fashion socialite is shaken up after returning to her hometown, rediscovering her roots, and rekindling her love for family, community, and an ex-flame.
Viewers will also be delighted with the return of the exceptional and one-of-a-kind drama anthology “I Can See You” featuring the biggest and brightest Kapuso stars. This ground-breaking program pivots on its common visual storytelling mnemonic device which is the use of a camera as a witness to the tales of love and mystery from everyday people.
Other upcoming soaps to look forward to on GMA Telebabad are “To Have & To Hold,” a man searches for answers about his wife’s secret affair but soon realizes he’s falling for the spouse of his wife’s lover; “World Between Us,” a principled man gets wronged by the people he considers as family; “Love. Die. Repeat.,” a woman is stuck reliving the day of her boyfriend’s death over and over again; and “The Witness,” a man with high-functioning autism becomes a witness and a secret keeper to a crime.
On weekends, adventure awaits Kapuso viewers in the action-packed family drama “Agimat ng Agila” featuring Senator Bong Revilla Jr. together with Sanya Lopez, Roi Vinzon, Benjie Paras, Allen Dizon, Seth dela Cruz, and Elizabeth Oropesa.
GMA Network’s all-original musical competition is also set to return with “The Clash Season 4”; while the quest to find the Bida Kid is back on “Centerstage,” hosted by no less than Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards and co-hosted by Betong Sumaya.
Everyday people will take on the challenge of a lifetime in “Catch Me Out Philippines,” an exciting show based on the UK original where the greatest pretender wins. It is hosted by Jose Manalo with Kakai Bautista and Derrick Monasterio.
A new breed of talented artists who can make beautiful music together are also set to be discovered in “Sing For Hearts”. In this innovative singing contest, male and female singers shall be blindly paired together to see who can create a singing love-team that will capture the hearts of the audience and the judges alike.
Viewers are also in for a treat with new program offerings from GMA News TV!
Travel back in time and have a taste of the past via the fantasy-romance series “The Lost Recipe.” The first locally produced daily primetime show on GMA News TV, “The Lost Recipe” features the fresh team up of Mikee Quintos and Kelvin Miranda who have already made a niche for themselves in their previous projects. Together, the fast-rising actors are set to make hearts flutter as they entice viewers to try the new taste of Pinoy drama.
Weekend nights are bound to get more amusing via “Flex” where Gen Z stars Mavy Legaspi, Lexi Gonzales, JD Domagoso and Althea Ablan take the spotlight to celebrate their authentic selves through comedy, music and a variety of wholesome get-together activities.
Adding magic to everyone’s TV viewing habit is “My Fantastic Pag-ibig,” which features a collection of rom-com tales set in present times but infused with fantasy elements and showcases GMA’s most promising young love teams.
Fall in love with the charming story of “Heartful Café,” which follows the life of a café owner and online romance novelist named Heart and her journey towards finding her own match. It stars Asia’s Pop Diva Julie Anne San Jose alongside David Licauco and Andre Paras.
The much-awaited on-screen team-up of real-life couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos is all set in the romance-mystery mini-series “Love You Stranger”. The series is about a film designer whose love for her sick mother drives her to look into the existence of a shadow figure from folklore. Her life serendipitously changes when she gets to work on a film about the said folklore with a charming young director. Their filmmaking journey leads them to discover truths about the shadow creature and each other.
Meanwhile, “Game of the Gens” fuses singing, dancing, and playing games among competitors from different generations. The fun will be amped up by hosts Andre Paras and Sef Cadayona, together with comedians and performers called GenDolls.
Kapuso viewers should also stay tuned for an exciting line-up of well-loved Asian dramas beginning with the heart-stirring Koreanovela Fates and Furies, The Romantic Doctor 2, Backstreet Rookie, Doctor John, Penthouse, Bad Genius The Series, The Gifted, The Sand Princess, and My Husband in Law; critically acclaimed local films: Family History, Jowable, Hindi Tayo Pwede, On Vodka, Beers and Regrets, Mindanao, Da Ninang, Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw, The Missing, Coming Home, and Isa Pang Bahaghari; and blockbuster international films: A Star is Born, Crazy Rich Asians, Bumblebee, The Nun, Ocean’s 8, Mission Impossible – Fallout, Rampage, Men in Black 4, Charlie’s Angels (2019), Jumanji: The Next Level, Angry Birds Movie 2, and The Meg.
GMA Network further elevates TV viewing experience with its most recent offering, GMA Now, a mobile digital TV receiver that can be plugged into an Android phone and allows viewers to watch TV on the go for free and to enjoy a bunch of interactive features at the same time.
The Kapuso Network also extends its Serbisyong Totoo to Filipino learners across the country as it provides a free digital channel for the Department of Education’s blended learning program. DepEd TV will soon be available on GMA Affordabox’s Channel 7.
Finally, the country’s number one network returns to sports broadcasting as GMA signs a landmark deal with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Philippines’ first athletic league, for NCAA Season 96 to 101 (2020-2026). NCAA fans can soon catch the games on GMA News TV, GMA Pinoy TV, and via online streaming on GMANetwork.com. The Men’s Basketball Finals is also set to air on GMA-7.
ABS-CBN boosts digital presence
ABS-CBN continues to bolster its digital presence following the non-renewal of its broadcast franchise last year.
The company has received its second Diamond Creator Award from YouTube, solidifying its position as the country’s leading content producer for both news and entertainment on digital.
ABS-CBN News bagged last November a diamond play button, which is given to creators that reached 10 million subscribers.
It hit the mark last August and now has 11 million subscribers and over 6.7 billion lifetime views on the video-sharing platform.
ABS-CBN News’ YouTube channel houses a variety of news and current affairs content from its different news programs and platforms.
ABS-CBN first became a YouTube diamond creator in 2018 for its ABS-CBN Entertainment channel, which now has 31.6 million subscribers with over 38.8 billion lifetime views.
According to the company, ABS-CBN Entertainment is the first YouTube channel in the country to hit 30 million subscribers, the second most subscribed YouTube channel in Southeast Asia, and the 10th most watched channel in the world as of last October.
ABS-CBN Entertainment offers new episodes of ABS-CBN shows, exclusive interviews, and original digital shows on the channel.
Following the shutdown of its broadcast operations due to the non-renewal of its legislative franchise, ABS-CBN started to offer more content online to reach viewers all over the world.
This was done through Kapamilya Online Live on Facebook and YouTube, its streaming service iWantTFC, and through partnerships with other digital companies.
ABS-CBN said its digital transformation began many years ago, enabling it to establish the biggest online presence among local media companies and a growing list of digital properties.
The company said it would continue to expand its digital presence to reach as many viewers as possible while producing content that gives entertainment, inspiration and relief.
ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5 last year in compliance with a cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission following the expiration of the network’s franchise.
Last July 10, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the network’s bid for a new franchise.
The country would keep GMA as the sole TV network.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/01/03/2067735/abs-cbn-boosts-digital-presence
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Central Luzon population to reach 12.6M in 2021
THE population of Central Luzon will reach a total of 12,609,535, according to projections by the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) in Central Luzon.
The increase, however, will be a slow pace, according to PopCom.
It added that the population will grow gradually by 1.63 percent by the start of 2021—an increase from 2020’s projection of 12,413,181 but a slower growth compared with a 2.13 percent population growth rate in 2016 and 1.81 percent between 2019 and 2020.
Among population groups, the most notable increase was observed within the working-age or Filipinos between 15 to 64 years old, which will reach 8,364,085 by next year, making up 66 percent of the entire Philippine population. The working population by 2021 will be composed of males at 4,250,284 and females at 4,113,761, with a difference of 136,523 between sexes.
This implies the need for additional job creation, particularly at the local level, which will be challenging given the current pandemic and its effects on the labor sector.
The increase in the working-age population also implies a demographic precondition for greater productivity, with additional members of the labor force compared to dependents, the region is slowly positioning itself to reap from the demographic dividend or the economic gains brought by shifts in a population’s age structure.
However, this demographic change must be reinforced by policies and programs that would ensure the needs of the labor force, as well as the dependents. Thus, the need for approaches not only on employment but also in healthcare, particularly in family planning and education.
Meanwhile, individuals belonging to the “dependent” population, consisting of those within 0 to 14 years old, as well as those 60 years of age and older (27 percent and 10 percent of the population, respectively), will increase by 59,765 in 2021 and have a total of 4,675,083. The constant increase of senior citizens in the region calls out for better interventions in terms of their needs for healthcare and well-being.
PopCom Undersecretary Juan Antonio Perez III stated the “need to focus on the needs of this vulnerable part of the population, as it is also an often-neglected sector.”
While projections show that the increase among younger dependents in the region aged 0 to 14 has slowed down from 8,888 additional members in 2020 to only 5,100 in 2021, there is a possibility that the increase of younger dependents may accelerate given the current pandemic, which brought community quarantine protocols, thereby affecting access to health centers and workers for family planning (FP) information and services. The constant increase of women of reproductive age who may reach 3,302,082 by 2021, which would be 26 percent of the total population, also amplified the need for intensified actions on family planning.
Before the pandemic, Central Luzon, based on the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), has more than 9 out of 100 women who have an unmet need for modern FP, while 2 out of 10 women are using temporary FP methods. The constant increase of women who are capable of childbearing and the possibility that FP users may not be resupplied with their FP needs are some of the causal factors of the possible increase of childbirths and increase in younger dependents by 2021, as projected by PopCom.
In the national situation, the University of the Philippines Population Institute and the United Nations Population Fund provided estimates of 2,560,000 unintended pregnancies in the Philippines, of which 751,000 are due to community quarantine-induced family planning service reductions.
Adolescents aged 10 to 19 are seen to have a slower increase of 11,285 by 2021 at 2,324,927 from the previous population of 2,313,642 in 2020. However, the increasing trends in cases of adolescent pregnancies in the region as reflected by regional reports before the pandemic still present another concern that local policy and decision-makers need to address. This is validated by UPPI and UNFPA which stated that unintended pregnancies from this age group in the country will reflect a 21.04% rise and is expected to reach 102,000 due to community quarantine-induced service reductions on family planning.
PopCom-Central Luzon has called for support in the implementation of the population management program in the region.
PopCom's estimates for 2021 are based on geometric method projections, using the last population census in 2015 by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Bill creating lone district of Butuan cited
Residents of Agusan del Norte welcomed the recent passage by the House of Representatives of a bill that proposes to transform Butuan City into a single congressional district.
The House voted 220-0 last month against House Bill 7771 that will incorporate the municipality of Las Nieves to the second district which currently comprises of Cabadbaran City and the municipalities of Buenavista, Carmen, Jabonga, Kitcharao, Magallanes, Nasipit, Remedios Trinidad Romualdez, Santiago, and Tubay.
Currently, Butuan and Nieves comprise the first district represented in the chamber by Rep. Lawrence Fortun.
Rep. Ma. Angelica M. Amante-Matba represents the second district.
Fortun and Matba authored HB 4123 that underscored the need to create the lone district of Butuan.
“Such reapportionment is consistent with sound management and governance and in keeping with the purpose and thrust of the provisions of the Constitution,” they said.
HB 7771 provides that the reapportionment of Agusan del Norte must take effect in the 2022 national and local elections.
Fortun and Matba will continue to represent their respective legislative districts until the expiration of their term of office next year.
The House Committee on Local Government chaired by Tarlac Rep. Noel L. Villanueva strongly endorsed passage of the measure.
Authors recalled that Butuan used to be the capital of the province of Agusan which is now divided between Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte.
Agusan del Norte retained Butuan City as its capital until it was reclassified into a Highly Urbanized City in 1985 and became separate and independent of the province. However, Butuan then could not qualify into a single legislative district because it lacked the population requirement of 250,000.
Cabadbaran City serves as the current capital of Agusan del Norte.
Matba noted that as of August 2015, the Philippine Statistics Authority confirmed that Butuan had a population of 337,063, which is 34.8 percent over the minimum population for it to become a congressional district.
“Butuan City, as a lone legislative district, can better pursue its development goals and meet its needs peculiar to its status as a Highly Urbanized City and Regional Center of the Caraga region,” authors of the measure explained.
Further, they noted that Las Nieves will be “fully restored under the rightful jurisdiction” of Agusan del Norte under the bill.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/02/bill-creating-lone-district-of-butuan-cited/
House continues legislative churn amid pandemic
The House of Representatives has ensured that the legislative mill is always churning amid a whirlwind of events ranging from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the tug-of-war for the speakership, and multiple disasters that all occurred in one year.
The lower chamber was able to process an average of 35 measures per day.
From July 22, 2019 to Dec. 16, 2020, the House processed a total of 2,598 measures during 74 session days, 40 of which were enacted into law, 16 transmitted to the President, and 453 approved on third and final reading.
Bayanihan laws, other Covid-19 mitigation measures
President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress for special powers to deal with the Covid-19 crisis in March, ranging from faster procurement of essential goods, provision of financial assistance to low-income households and other vulnerable sectors, regulation of transportation operations, to the realignment of public funds, among many others.
Congress heeded the call of the executive branch to convene a special session for the enactment of a law that was crucial to speed up government action and provide the bureaucracy with the needed flexibility, particularly in public budgeting.
It was the first time in the chamber’s history to hold a “virtual” session on March 23 to strictly observe social distancing measures amid the imposition of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
The measure was certified as urgent, thus allowing second and third reading approval within the same day.
The “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act” or Republic Act 11469 was inked by Duterte on March 24 but was only published in newspapers on March 25.
With Bayanihan 1 lapsing on June 25, the President called on Congress to pass the proposed “Bayanihan to Recover as One” law or the Bayanihan 2 to help speed up the country’s recovery from the pandemic.
The second installment of the Bayanihan Act will supplement funds amounting to PHP165.5 billion for recovery and response against the impact of the pandemic.
The largest chunk of the budget was allotted to loans for sectors hit by the pandemic, such as micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises, transport, tourism, and agriculture.
It also provided for the government's Covid-19 health-related response.
The House also passed other bills to boost the government’s response to the health crisis, including the Accelerated Recovery and Intervention Stimulus for the Economy (ARISE), Covid-19-related anti-discrimination bill, the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) bill, and the bill on a “better normal” for the workplace and public spaces.
ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy
Aside from the pandemic, the House was also preoccupied with the controversial franchise renewal case of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.
Congress was unable to renew the network’s congressional franchise before its expiration date on May 4.
ABS-CBN, upon the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) shutdown order, ceased its broadcast operations on May 5.
The franchise bills have been set aside by the 18th Congress as the country faced the Taal volcano eruption and Covid-19.
ABS-CBN’s fate was sealed on July 10 when the House Committee on Legislative Franchises approved – by a 70-11 vote, with one abstention – the resolution denying the franchise application of the network to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and broadcasting stations in the Philippines. Two other lawmakers inhibited from voting.
The previous House hearings have exhaustively discussed the network’s franchise issues, including the citizenship of ABS-CBN chair emeritus Gabby Lopez; the possible violation of the constitutional limits on foreign ownership; reported labor and tax violations; and other violations of the terms of its legislative franchise.
The NTC on June 30 also issued two cease and desist orders, directing ABS-CBN to halt the operation of its digital television transmission using Amcara Broadcasting Network, Inc.’s Channel 43 and the direct-to-home satellite transmission of its cable firm, Sky Cable Corp.
Tug-of-war: Cayetano vs. Velasco
The tug-of-war for speakership between Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco hounded the legislative affairs of the chamber, particularly the passage of the proposed 2021 national budget.
Under the term-sharing deal brokered by Duterte, Cayetano would serve as House Speaker for the first 15 months, or until October 2020, while Velasco would take over and assume the highest position at the House of Representatives for the remaining 21 months or until the 18th Congress ends in 2022.
Cayetano, however, expressed his desire to stay on as the House’s top leader longer than expected, contrary to the gentleman’s agreement.
Duterte had to intercede and set up a meeting with the speakership rivals at Malacañang, wherein it was agreed upon that the turnover would be conducted on October 14.
Following the meeting, Cayetano offered to step down in a privilege speech before fellow lawmakers, but the plenary rejected his offer of resignation with a 184-1-9 vote.
Velasco continued to push Cayetano to honor the agreement and resign by October 14.
Just a few days before the agreed-upon speakership turnover, lawmakers from the lower chamber held an unprecedented remote plenary session to elect Velasco as the new Speaker.
A total of 186 lawmakers voted to install Velasco as the House's top leader in a remote plenary session at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City on October 12.
It was made official with the ratification of Velasco’s election a day after, with the same number of lawmakers who voted to elect him as Speaker.
As the 27th House Speaker, Velasco committed to exert all efforts toward attaining his goal of a “stronger, inclusive and united House.”
“We will work together in Congress to pass laws that are timely and responsive to the needs of our countrymen and to make the lower chamber truly the House representing the people,” he said.
Velasco said under his helm, the chamber was able to pass “timely and relevant laws to alleviate the plight of our people during these trying times.”
“Rest assured we will continue to do so in the coming new year,” he added.
According to House records, the chamber processed 688 measures or an average of 115 per session from October 2 to December 16 alone.
Velasco expressed hope that an affordable, safe, and effective vaccine against Covid-19 would arrive in the Philippines at the soonest time possible, especially with the passage of the 2021 national budget.
“Having a safe and effective vaccine available to Filipinos is currently the best way for us to beat the virus,” he said.
TIMOW’S TURF OPENING SALVO FOR 2021: THE YEAR OF RECLAMATION
THE HERALDING of the New Year yesterday was not the same as in the years before, meaning that this year starts off with a grayish gloom. It’s not surprising how Pantone chose Ultimate Gray as the color of the year but did they not realize that there is another color they assigned? (It is called Illuminating, a specific hue of yellow.)
Thus, the two-color combination fits with the zeitgeist of every people in the world. The former color can mean the clouds of doubt or fog of uncertainty hovering over us on a post-pandemic future or gray areas where it is difficult to determine right from wrong. The latter color can define as the light at the end of the tunnel (i.e. after the lingering pandemic comes the vaccine) or a shining moment for new players, platforms or methods.
Applying the Colors
So how our world, our country and our media see the two colors conspiring for the new year?
The World
The whole world in 2021 begins at the gloom with the new mutating variant of the virus (grey) while they try to build new normalcy in social lives (Illuminating). While planning to go forward, animosity and skepticism against the competing superpower brought us to its knees (grey).
In the United States, the illuminating hope to restore the prestige of public office will happen in 18 days with the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President, respectively but they must face the gray clouds of doubt in working with a solidly conservative Supreme Court and more importantly, a split Congress (pending the outcome of the run-off U.S. Senate election in the state of Georgia next week).
The United Kingdom had the bright spot as they were the first country to administer the COVID vaccine but now shadowed as they were labeled as the new mutation of the virus. Also, fogs of uncertainty arise for the implementation of the last-minute new deal with the European Union after leaving the bloc 11 months prior — which may signal the last straw for one of the constituent countries who voted to remain, Scotland.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel will step down after almost 16 years in power, casting the clouds of doubt over the most influential country of the EU. Her successor will be determined in the Bundestag election this September.
In Japan, the reset button was pressed so that their rescheduled Olympics could proceed as the vaccine is in their reach but the people felt doubtful, putting their spectacle to the world to waste (especially to our very own Carlos Yulo’s campaign for the first gold medal).
Our Country in 2021
This is the year that we will commemorate the 500th anniversary of two historical angles of our country — the embracement of Christian faith (whose jubilee celebration will start this April and end the following year, instead of culminating it) and Lapulapu’s heroism.
For the politically aware, it is the final full calendar year (and the last quarter) of the Duterte presidency — which give us some relief as we reach the end of the tunnel — but the fog of uncertainty reigns as many of us are speculating who will be running and filing their certificates of candidacy to succeed him.
The Philippine Media
This New Year is the first under the New Landscape.
The frequencies of VHF 2, UHF 23, 101.9 MHz and 630 kHz (for Metro Manila) are now on the search of new owners. The winning bidders will get the privilege to run those frequencies for the 25-year lease, net on their respective franchise dates (it’s an illuminating opportunity for those deficient in portfolio).
The surviving free-to-air media giants, GMA and TV5, have their own sparks this year but they have their clouds of doubt ahead of the year with all the individual deficiencies and issues they must address. (The latter network will go first this month, the former on next month.)
Digital television transition is now doubtful to prosper by the end-2023 as scheduled (gray). Some content producers and consumers — like you and me — are not patient anymore as they will skip the slow process and move on to streaming platforms like Netflix or Kumu (illuminating).
A New Year’s Theme
Inspired by CGP Grey’s initiative, instead of investing in New Year’s resolutions that will just fail within a fortnight (two weeks), we are going to invest this year in a theme. For the Turf, the year 2021 is the Year of Reclamation.
With the end of the pandemic lingering on the horizon, we are reclaiming our somewhat normal lives despite the significant damages they left behind.
For some countries, they are taking back control and they’re taking back their soul for their national character. For our country, we are planning to reclaim dignity and honor in choosing our next leader despite the lasting impact of what we are now.
In this blogging sphere, we are reclaiming things that are lost as we learned our lessons from the past year due to the inundation of the aftereffects of the fall of a major player. We’ll try our best though.
Friday, January 1, 2021
The One Thing To Remember About The New Year
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
Today is the first day of the year, and to be honest with you, it's almost a bit scary staring another year in the face. Looking behind we think, "What happened to the good intentions and resolutions we made a year ago—ones which we have not only failed in attaining but can't even remember what they were?"
Looking to the future, we have hopes that things will be better in our world, in our homes, in our personal lives; yet someway our hopes are laced with a slight whiff of cynicism, knowing that we are apt to see a rerun of the past, much like the man who had a boring job which he had for years. He used to say that he actually had one year of experience repeated thirty-five times.
There is one very important thing you must remember: Nothing will happen to you this coming year which is unknown to our heavenly father, whether it is armies that do battle, or the personal struggles you will face in your own life. At the same time, nothing will come as a surprise to Him, either. He knows.
Have you ever taken a small child for a walk towards evening, and as long as it was light, your child ran ahead of you, gaily playing, having no thought of you, until it began to get dark, and then the darker it became the closer he got to you, finally reaching up for your strong hand, wanting daddy to curl his large hand around his.
Frankly, that's my feeling as we start another year. When I was a teenager, more than a few years ago, I remember that as New Year's Eve approached, there was always a prayer service in my church. We sang, shared experiences, and talked until the midnight hour approached. Then before the clock struck the midnight hour, we always knelt and prayed. We called it, "praying the old year out and the new one in." I'm sure that I searched my heart, asking God to forgive the mistakes and failures, strengthening me to do better for the next year.
And what happened? The answer depended on my attitude and focus. What the New Year brings to you isn't nearly as important as what you bring to it. Don't bother to make resolutions; make commitments, yielding your future to Him who holds the future. Instead of stubbornly holding out for what you want, try praying, "Lord, have your way in my life."
Long ago, David, who knew something of the ups and downs of life, cried out, "There is forgiveness with you that you may be feared" (Psalm 130:4, NKV). That isn't a truth for the midnight hour but for every day. You can count on the faithfulness of the Lord no matter what the New Year holds for you.
Frankly, I'm glad that I don't know what it will hold—for two reasons: (1) If I knew, there would be no surprises, no serendipities as something wonderful happens, and (2) If I knew some of the troubles that would knock on my door, I'd be thinking about them, worrying about them, trying to solve them long before they arrive. And besides, as Mark Twain used to say, most of the things he worried about never happened.
There is one powerful thought I leave you with today: God's grace is ladled out on a daily basis—just for today. Corrie ten Boom used to say that her Father never gave her the ticket until it was time to board the train. That's how God dispenses His grace, too. Just enough for today, and no sooner or later than you need it. Remember, God is seldom early, but He is never late. He is exactly on time.
Resource reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/the-one-thing-to-remember-about-the-new-year/
Thursday, December 31, 2020
DIGONG LEADS NATION IN WELCOMING NEW MILLENNIUM
President Rodrigo Duterte will join the masses as he leads the nation in 2021 at a New Year's Eve celebration tonight at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, where he is expected to deliver his message for peace and prosperity.
The President, will stay briefly at the Manila Hotel, a hundred meters from the venue of the festivities, to await his part in the program. He will lead in the countdown of the last seconds of 2020, and then deliver his remarks welcoming the New Year.
A concelebrated mass with Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, as the main celebrant will be held prior to the final countdown for the new century.
Before the President's appearance on stage, there will be prayers to be said by representatives from the Catholic Church, the Muslim religion, Protestants, Iglesia ni Kristo, and the Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan).
Members of the El Shaddai Prayer Partners Foundation will lead in the traditional "Kapit-Bisig" number as a show of unity among the people. This will be followed by the release of thousands of red, white and blue balloons the colors of the Philippine flag.
Fireworks will also follow the President's New Year countdown and New Year speech.
To provide music during the program is a 120-piece symphony orchestra and a 200-man choir to be provided by ABS-CBN television, which will also broadcast the program live on Channel 2.
Pope Francis' New Year's message to the Filipino people will be read during the "Misa Milenya" mass following a procession of selected images of the Blessed Mother, the country's patroness.
Following the midnight rites, the President, will proceed to the Manila Hotel to join their children and special guests in welcoming the first day of the New Year, a New Year's Eve tradition of the Duterte family dating back to his first years in public service.
3 Ways To Make Next Year Better Than This One
Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Deuteronomy 32:7
Another year is history, and the firm but often unseen hand of God has written another chapter in the history of mankind. Like the knots in a sailor's rope, or the trickle of sand through the hourglass, or the fenceposts along the highway, the coming of a new year is a marker in your life, in everyone's life. Interested in making this coming year better than the one past? Then today's three guidelines are just for you. Three phases: forget, remember, and press on.
Guideline #1: Forget the past. The cry "remember" is militant, and there are some things you need to remember, but there are other things which must be forgotten. Like what? Like your mistakes and failures, like your sins which are confesses and forgiven. Forget your sorrows and disappointments, because they grow only heavier with each year you carry them.
Some folks live in a world of broken pieces and constantly dwell on their hurts and wrongs, the short end of the bargain, the way someone cheated them out of an inheritance, the rejection they experiences from someone they loved. All these things are painful, but healing cannot take place until they are put behind you and essentially forgotten.
Paul stressed the importance of learning to forget, saying, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the price for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13,14). If you can't forget, which may mean forgiving, as well, you will go through the year bearing a burden which will certainly rob you of your joy. The taste of revenge is never sweet nor worth what it costs in peace of mind and heart.
Guideline #2: Remember. In God's Word, the Bible, we are told to remember about twice as many things as we are told to forget. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses wrote, "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years…" (8:2). Again he urged, "Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past…" (Deuteronomy 32:7).
One of the reasons the memory capacity of our mind isn't so great is that we are always focusing on present needs rather than past victories; yet it builds our faith to remember the way God has met us in the past. Remember when you were hospitalized and God met you, when your son or daughter was in trouble and you prayed and God heard you? Remember when you were broke and unemployed and God sent a gift to meet your need?
Now if God met you yesterday, why can't you believe Him for today? Try to remember that God never grows weary, that He knows your needs far better than even you yourself, that He knows when to answer your prayer and when it is best to let you learn the lesson of patient trust.
Guideline #3: Press forward with the Lord. Problems and pressures will do one of two things: they will drive you further from the Lord or else they will gently push you toward Him. It all depends on where you put yourself relationship to the problem. Remember, dads, when your children were small, how you would take them for a walk along toward the sunset? They would run ahead of you, not wanting to stay with you, until it grew dark. Then, presently, a little hand would reach up for your larger hand, and the darker it grew, the closer they wanted to stay by your side. That is the way it can be in the coming year. Who knows what the year may bring forth? But when you hold the hand of Him who holds the world, what need is there for worry?
Resource reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-11
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/3-ways-to-make-next-year-better-than-this-one/