Peace: A timely message today

One of the most important messages of the Lord in this 5th Easter Sunday’s gospel is “peace.” “Peace be with you,” he said when he appeared to his disciples on the evening of Easter Sunday (Lk 24:36). Mahatma Gandhi, advocate of peace through non-violence, said, “If we live by an ‘eye for an eye’ kind of justice, the whole world would be blind today!” Incoming search... 

Christian love in concrete terms

Fr. Joseph Dau Vu, SVD, was a Catholic chaplain of the Vietnamese “boat people” refugees in Morong, Bataan. He related to me how he, together with 55 compatriots, slipped out of communist Saigon on an old, decrepit motorized boat and sailed to freedom. Incoming search terms:5th sunday after easter 2013 (2) Read More »

Escape

Manila, Philippines – To escape the heavily humid, cling-to-the-skin heat of Manila, there’s only one place to be. Baguio. Except that almost as soon as you’ve tasted the mountain air of summer in the high 20s, you have to face the reality of going back, down, again. Incoming search terms:news about unleaded gasoline in philippines (1) Read More »

Christians rejoice on Easter Sunday

Manila, Philippines – Christians celebrate today the high point of the 40-day Lenten observance, Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection, the foundation of the Christian faith. Considered as the greatest feast (festum festorum) that renders complete the mystery of man’s salvation and redemption, this year’s celebration of Easter Sunday takes a more meaningful turn for Catholics... 

Black Saturday: Mourning and rejoicing

Manila, Philippines – MOURNING, REJOICING — Today is Black Saturday, still a day of mourning among Christians. But then malls and restaurants open today, although many of those in the provinces and nearby foreign cities have yet to return to Metro Manila. Those, many of them anyway, who opted to spend the Holy Week in the city are expected to go out after a lull of two days —... 

The relevance of Holy Week

Manila, Philippines – IN a world full of turmoil, there really exists a need to have time to reflect, to reexamine our life’s attitudes and values, our faith and fidelity to God. This Holy Week particularly, embraced by our Catholic nation as the holiest of all religious occasions, the celebration should not be focused on relaxation, vacations, journeys to see beautiful beaches... 

History presents special Lenten programs

Manila, Philippines – IN line with the spirit and essence of the Lenten season, from Good Friday to Easter Sunday this March 29 to 31, History offers a selection of gripping and enlightening Easter Weekend Specials on the story of Jesus, the mystery of God, the foundations of Christianity and religion, and the events in the Vatican.  Read More »

Beyond knowing

Manila, Philippines – In the old days, when we were young, Holy Week was a season of suffering that spelled a litany of do’s and don’ts but mostly don’ts, revolving around a theme of don’t-have-fun. How things have changed. From not having fun we now look to taking advantage of the mythically “somber” mood to seek fun up in the city of pines or down by the beach, in... 

Petition on RH law filed

Manila, Philippines – Because anti-Reproductive Health (RH) petitioners failed to establish a cause to suspend the RH law, Team PNoy Senate bet former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros filed yesterday a motion asking the Supreme Court (SC) to lift the status quo ante (SQA) order on the RH law.  Read More »

No draws

Manila, Philippines – There will be no lotto draw and ticket sales for four days, March 28 to 31, in observance of Christendom’s Holy Week, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said yesterday. PCSO is giving its officials and personnel a respite from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, with regular operation, including lotto draws and sales of tickets to resume...