Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Honesty
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. John 3:21
What would you do in this situation? You are a repairman who has been called to replace the water heater in the home of an old gentleman who is 88 years of age and cannot go downstairs where the water heater is located. When you examine the water heater, however, you discover that only a minor problem with a setting is causing the water heater to malfunction. A new unit is an unnecessary expense. He will never know that the old one could be easily repaired, and you’ll make many times more money. After all, he did call and asked for the unit to be replaced. Would you make the repair, replace the unit, or ask him to indicate just what he wanted done?
Can a business person succeed and still be honest? Some say, not. But once you start bending the truth, where do you stop? At the point your golf partner complains, at the point where your husband or wife finds out, at the point where the government finds out, or back at the place where you know God will know? Paul instructed, “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:21 KJV); but you say, “He didn’t have to do business in the environment in which I try to make a living.”
There are times when, unquestionably, the honest person is at a disadvantage: the student who chooses not to be dishonest on his exam, who is penalized because he doesn’t do what others are doing. I am thinking of the sad letter which I received from a minor government official in India, who became a Christian and then stopped accepting the petty bribes which were part of the system of graft. Not only was his income reduced, but when it came time for a dowry for his daughter, he had little money which he could send with her as a wedding gift.
When Paul addressed the issue of honesty in our lives, he said that there is something which goes beyond getting caught. The dishonest person violates his conscience and destroys part of the very fabric of his soul. Here’s how he put it: “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (Romans 13:6,7).
A certain carpenter worked for many years for a contractor, and during the years of his employment, he was treated fairly but never felt that he received the compensation which he really deserved. Finally, the contractor told the aging carpenter, “There is one more house which I want you to build.” The carpenter accepted the task but felt that since this house was the last one that the contractor was going to build, he’d cut corners where it would not show and pocket the money. After all, he reasoned, the contractor will never know, and “I really deserve better than I have received.”
That was exactly what he did, too. Where something would not be obvious, he used an inferior grade of materials but passed the cost of better materials on to the contractor.
Finally, the house was completed, and after the final inspection, the contractor met with the carpenter and handed him the keys. “Here,” he said, “this is yours. It is how I want to reward you for a lifetime of faithful service.” Whether we are honest or dishonest, sooner or later what we do comes back to reward us.
By the way, if you were the repairman who was called to install a new water heater, what would you have done?
Resource Reading: Matthew 5:1-16
GMA Regional TV launches pioneering ‘unified newscast’ for Bicol region
The Kapuso network continues to intensify its #LocalNewsMatters campaign with the launch of GMA Regional TV’s flagship newscast spanning the Bicol region — Balitang Bicolandia.
Airing from Mondays to Fridays at 5 p.m. starting yesterday, Feb. 1, Balitang Bicolandia is the pioneering “unified” program offering news and information “produced by Bicolanos for the Bicolanos” and broadcasting simultaneously via local stations in Naga, Legazpi, Sorsogon, Daet, Catanduanes and Masbate.
“After almost two years of preparation, we are more than honored to launch GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia,” said GMA Regional TV and Synergy first VP and head Oliver Victor Amoroso in an exclusive Zoom interview with The STAR.
It took them two years because “if you are producing a program such as a unified local newscast, it really takes a lot of time and effort to form a team.”
Not to mention COVID happened, Amoroso noted. While the show was really intended for a February 2021 launch, it could have been fast-tracked if not for the challenges brought about by the pandemic. For the first time, preparations were mainly executed virtually. He, however, said, that “this is the right time and right timing to give Bicol their own newscast.”
To date, Balitang Bicolandia is the sixth flagship newscast from GMA Regional TV or RTV. Backed by experiences from previous launches, Amoroso said they made sure their programming offers the “right mix” of stories.
“Not just about calamities, but also amazing, ‘oragon’ stories. We’re innovating... We don’t want this to be one of those regional newscasts. We want to level up. We thoroughly studied the segments because we are so privileged to be given 35 minutes of airtime, five times a week.”
RTV also searched for the “right mix” of local personalities to be the “faces” of Balitang Bicolandia. After screenings and subsequent training, Rhayne Palino, Jessie Cruzat and Katherine Henry have been unveiled as anchors. They are joined by Naga-based correspondent Charmaine Ragiles and a wide network of stringers all over Bicol.
Palino has covered typhoons and other major calamities in Bicol for GMA Regional TV Weekend News, GMA RTV’s national newscast that recently received a Special Citation for Best News Program at the 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards.
Cruzat, on the other hand, is a tri-media personality who began his career in broadcast journalism as a radio field news reporter and host in Bicol.
Beauty queen-turned-broadcast journalist Henry started out as a travel show host and TV segment producer. Hailing from Iriga City, the former Miss Bicolandia and Miss Kaogma is also a tourism advocate and a Marine reservist.
“We are really in the stage of looking for a new breed of broadcast journalists in the regions. Our anchors for Balitang Bicolandia, (their backgrounds are) very diverse. They best represent the diverse Bicolandia. They are the right fit for the job,” Amoroso said.
“And because our mantra is ‘Local News Matters,’ this newscast is not just for the local (audiences). They will also be seen on the national level because Balitang Bicolandia will air every Friday on GMA News TV. They will also be hosting one of our editions for the GMA Regional TV Weekend News on Saturdays. Balitang Bicolandia will also be shown on GMA News TV International. So the stories, aabot siya globally,” the GMA TV exec said.
Meanwhile, the anchors are happy and grateful for the new roles entrusted to them from RTV.
Taking on the anchoring duties for the first time, Palino said she’s drawing extensively from her learnings as a field reporter. “I’ve been covering local calamities and issues. I think that experience will really help me to better relate to other people, address their concerns and empathize with their experiences. They’re not just ‘subjects’ of our stories, but they also become part of our lives.”
She cited her coverage of the lahar slide in Guinobatan, Albay late last year, as a “life-changing” experience that exposed her to a community that lost homes and livelihoods to the tragedy. “Nakakabago po siya ng perspective mo sa buhay. You will be inspired more to be of service to others.”
As for Cruzat, who’s been a Kapuso since 2019 as a popular radio jock, “I’m thankful to the Kapuso for seeing my potential to be one of these wonderful people delivering the news in the local perspective. I’m very happy and excited because this is it, ito na yung hinihintay ng mga Bicolano. Matagal na nilang hinihintay — what’s happening around us, what do we need to know, what are the stories that can change our lives? And we can’t wait for that moment to happen.”
The anchors stressed that Balitang Bicolandia will be a platform for stories that go beyond the “usual” coverage. They readily admitted that news coming out of Bicol is mainly about natural calamities that frequent the region due to its geographical location.
Henry said, “What we can offer with Balitang Bicolandia is more than that. Hindi lang yun ang pwede i-focus sa amin. We also have stories of hope, about food... and hindi lang Mayon Volcano ang maganda sa Bicol, there are many others. Actually, there are areas here in Bicol that have never been featured on TV so I’m very thankful that we have Balitang Bicolandia as avenue para makita yun ng lahat ng Bicolano — not just in Bicol but wherever they are in the world.”
This is just the opening salvo of GMA Regional TV for 2021.
Amoroso said, “Given that we are still in this global pandemic, we are really studying the kind of projects that GMA network will embark on this 2021. But I’ve also been given the go-signal to say this — that we are launching GMA Zamboanga, a new station, mid-year. We already have a very strong newscast, the unified One Mindanao, but we will include GMA Zamboanga as one of the main hubs for Mindanao, to cater to the Zamboanga peninsula and other neighboring provinces (craving for local news).”
This year, GMA RTV will also strengthen its General Santos station as part of the expansion of One Mindanao. The regional TV arm will also launch GMA Batangas, their first Southern Tagalog newscast, “to cover Calabarzon areas.”
“We have more plans that’s why this will be a very busy 2021,” Amoroso said.
Monday, February 1, 2021
Those Who Are Rich
Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. Psalm 49:16-17
Almost everyone understands that the words of Jesus, “Do to others what you would have them to do to you,” are known as the Golden Rule (see Matthew 7:12); but in the real world the Golden Rule is, “He who has the gold has the rule.” “Money talks!” we say, and few would deny that money has power. That thought was the reasoning behind the sign which reads, “Money is not everything in life, but it is way ahead of whatever is in second place.”
That’s the way many look at it, but certainly not the way that God looks at it. It’s quite amazing that the writers of the New Testament have so much to say about those who are rich since the number of people who actually are rich is so very small. In the New Testament book of James, which came from the pen of the half-brother of Jesus, there is a stern warning to those who are rich. James begins, “Now listen, you rich people…. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you…” (James 5:1,3). Earlier in his letter, James had warned church leaders against partiality, favoring the person who had riches.
In Paul’s letters there are frequent warnings to those who are rich. For example, in his letter to Timothy, a young man who was destined to be a church leader, Paul instructed, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
Why so much space given in Scripture to such a small number of people? First, God wanted those who are in positions of leadership in the world of business and commerce not to make their money at the expense of the poor. He instructs business leaders to pay a decent wage for an honest day’s labor.
At the same time, God wanted those who are rich to understand that money cannot buy happiness or favor with God. He wanted them, perhaps more than anything else, to realize that what they have is a stewardship which can be used or abused, and, therefore, use it wisely.
Does this mean, then, that those who have money should give it away and live as those who have none? Acclaimed pastor Francis Chan and his wife purposely downsized their lifestyle and sold their home so that they could experience the joy of giving more deeply.
What’s the bottom line? MONEY is neither good nor evil in itself. Like the scalpel of a surgeon it can bring either pain or help. It can bring comfort and blessing or create division and difficulty.
I have known some who were rich and their lives were totally unaffected by what they had. I have also known those whose gifts came with strings attached, who gave simply for the recognition which came with the donation.
When such a gift was received by Amy Carmichael, laboring among the outcast children of India, in spite of some dire financial needs Amy returned the gift with a brief note saying that such a gift was completely unacceptable to God. What we have really is His to be used wisely for our families, the Kingdom of God, and the improvement of our world around us.
Resource Reading: James 1:1-18
Senate passes bill on splitting Rizal's second district
The Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading the bill seeking to divide the second district of Rizal into three legislative districts.
Senators unanimously approved House Bill No. 6222 dividing Rizal's second district into three legislative districts, with the towns of Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jala-Jala, Pililla, and Teresa retained in the second legislative district.
Under the measure, San Mateo and Montalban will be the third and fourth congressional districts of the province, respectively.
Sen. Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Committee on Local Government and sponsor of the bill, said the measure could help local government "to better respond to the needs of the people and also help facilitate in the long-term rehabilitation and the capacity building efforts of the province following this pandemic."
"The call for apportionment is not only based on today's realities but also a resounding echo from the past, recognizing the unique histories of the towns which have molded and shaped the growth and character of the localities and the residents therein," Tolentino added.
Tolentino noted the qualifications for the reapportionment have been met given that the new second district has a population of 449,103; the third district has a population of 252,527; and the fourth district has a population of 369,222.
Citing the Constitution, he said each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory and a locality with at least 250,000 residents is entitled to one representative in the House of Representatives.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/2/1/senate-passes-bill-splitting-rizal-second-district.html
Senate OKs bill dividing Rizal district
The Senate approved on third and final reading on Monday, a bill that would create more legislative districts in the Rizal province.
Voting 23-0-0, senators passed House Bill No. 6222, which proposes to reapportion the second district into three districts.
The bill proposes to reduce Rizal’s districts into four.
Angono and Binangonan, meanwhile, will become the third congressional district, while the municipality of Rodriguez will be the fourth district of the province.
The House of Representatives passed the bill last June, 2020.
Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino, chairman of the Committee on Local Government and sponsor of the bill, said that with the measure is expected to give Rizal residents the “proper representation” and help the local government units “to better respond to the needs of the people”.
He said the bill will also facilitate the long-term rehabilitation and the capacity-building efforts of the province after the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the deliberations on the local bill, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senators Pia Cayetano, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel III, and Joel Villanueva, requested to be made co-sponsors of the bill.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/02/01/senate-oks-bill-dividing-rizal-district/
Senate approves bill dividing 2nd district of Rizal
With 23 affirmative votes, zero negative, and zero abstention, the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill reapportioning the second district of Rizal into three legislative districts.
The House Bill No. 6222 aims the part of the second district of Rizal into fourth legislative district, composed of the municipalities of Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jalajala, Pililla, and Teresa, and establish the municipalities of Rodriguez and San Mateo as the first congressional district; the municipalities of Cainta and Taytay as the second legislative district; the municipalities of Angono and Binangonan as the third legislative district of the province.
Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Committee on Local Government and sponsor of the bill, said that with this measure, he is hoping that the proper representation will help the local government units involved to better respond to the needs of the people and also help facilitate in the long-term rehabilitation and the capacity building efforts of the province following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The call for apportionment is not only based on today's realities but also a resounding echo from the past, recognizing the unique histories of the towns which have molded and shaped the growth and character of the localities and the residents therein," he added.
Tolentino said the qualifications for the reapportionment have been met given that the 4th district has a population of 449,103; 1st district has a population of 621,749, 2nd district has a population of 641,232, 3rd district has a population of 395,757.
According to Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory; and a locality with at least 250,000 residents is entitled to one representative in the House of Representatives.
During the consideration of the bill on second reading, Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, and Senators Pia Cayetano, Win Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, and Joel Villanueva, requested to be made co-sponsors of the bill.
The House of Representatives passed the same measure on June 1, 2020.
Senate OKs bill dividing Rizal’s 2nd district
The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to divide the first and second districts of Rizal into three separate legislative districts.
Voting 23-0, senators passed House Bill No. 6222, which aims to split Rizal’s first and second legislative districts into four legislative districts, with the fourth district containing the municipalities of Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jala-Jala, Pililia, and Teresa.
Meanwhile, the measure will establish the municipalities of Rodriguez and San Mateo as the first legislative district, the municipalities of Cainta and Taytay as the second legislative district and the municipalities of Angono and Binangonan as the third legislative district.
Senator Francis Tolentino, who sponsored the bill as chair of the Senate local government committee, expressed hopes that the measure would “help the local government units involved to better respond to the needs of the people and also help facilitate in the long-term rehabilitation and the capacity building efforts of the province following this pandemic.”
“The call for apportionment is not only based on today’s realities but also a resounding echo from the past, recognizing the unique histories of the towns which have molded and shaped the growth and character of the localities and the residents therein,” he added.
According to Tolentino, the qualifications for the reapportionment have been met given that the new first district has a population of 621,749, second district has a population of 641,232, the new third district has a population of 395,757 while the new fourth district has a population of 449,103.
Under the Constitution, each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory and a locality with at least 250,000 residents is entitled to one representative in the House of Representatives.
During the bill’s consideration, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Pia Cayetano, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Joel Villanueva requested to be made co-sponsors of the bill.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1390718/senate-oks-bill-dividing-rizals-second-district
Senate OKs bill creating two more Rizal districts
The Senate has approved a bill dividing the first and second legislative district of Rizal to four districts.
With 23 votes, the senators adopted House Bill 6222 approved in June 2020.
The bill splits the First and Second District into four with the following division of towns:
- First Legislative District–Rodriguez and San Mateo
- Second Legislative District–Cainta and Taytay
- Third Legislative District–Angono and Binangonan
- Fourth Legislative District - Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jala-jala, Pililia, Teresa
Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government and sponsor of the bill, noted that the measure “will help the local government units involved to better respond to the needs of the people and facilitate in the long-term rehabilitation and the capacity building efforts of the province following this pandemic.”
“The call for apportionment is not only based on today’s realities but also a resounding echo from the past, recognizing the unique histories of the towns which have molded and shaped the growth and character of the localities and the residents therein,” Tolentino pointed out.
In addition, Tolentino said that the qualifications for the reapportionment have been met, given that the first district has a population of 621,749, second district has a population of 641,232, the new third district has a population of 395,757 the fourth district has a population of 449,103.
Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution states that each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. A locality with at least 250,000 residents is entitled to one representative in the House of Representatives.
Aside from Tolentino, other authors of the bill in the Senate include Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Pia Cayetano, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel III and Joel Villanueva.—LDF, GMA News
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