Maniolas

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Friday sought forgiveness from priests for any hurt he may have caused them, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Saturday. CBCP Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue  executive secretary Fr. Carlos Reyes said Tagle made the “apology” at the Manila Archdiocese’s clergy Christmas party. “(Tagle) asked forgiveness from us if he had hurt anyone or overlooked some things,” an article posted on the CBCP news site quoted Reyes as saying. He said that while they should have been the ones to seek forgiveness from Tagle, they were dismissed after the blessing. Reyes said even if Tagle did not apologize, he has been very endearing, such that any resentment would melt away. Prepare for papal visit The CBCP also said Tagle also thanked the clergy for their work but asked them to prepare spiritually for Pope Francis’ visit on Jan. 15 to 19. “Humiliation brings fruits of redemption,” Reyes quoted Tagle as saying. Tagle then led everyone into an examination of conscience in a “very positive way,” Reyes said. Apologies too Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardo Cortez similarly offered his apologies before leaving the archdiocese to assume his new post as bishop of Infanta, Quezon, on Jan. 23. San Carlos Seminary rector Msgr. Hernando Coronel delivered a speech of thanks for Cortez in behalf of Manila’s clergy. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

HAZEL Stuart with her dog Cushi PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT HARLAND BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Puti ang balat, pero Pinoy ang puso (My skin is white but my heart is Filipino).” The message is written on the shirt that British television documentary filmmaker Hazel Andrea-Stuart often wears. And that’s exactly what she is. Hazel has dedicated her life to making documentaries that feature the Philippines’ wonders, as well as its culture and exceptional people. On Sept. 19, she launched her 75th film on the Philippines, “The Christmas Spirit 24/7,” at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City. The film is about the many unsung heroes in the Philippines who demonstrate the true Christmas spirit of giving not just at Christmastime. With music provided by Jose Mari Chan and his family, it features the generous hearts of people like American pastor Joseph Rosmarino, who runs Calvary Home with his wife, Billie, in Barangay Handumanan in Bacolod. The home cares for more than 150 children because, according to Rosmarino, “no child is ever turned away.” American pastor Todd Caplinger and his wife, Catherine, run a mission and church in Salvador Benedicto town, Negros Occidental province, which help indigents through livelihood projects. Also in the film are Chan’s sister, Maria Theresa, and her son, Micco, who are behind One Meal Program, a nonprofit organization that provides underprivileged schoolchildren with such basic needs as repairing classrooms, constructing school buildings and distributing school supplies. The organization also conducts feeding programs for kindergarten and Grade 1 pupils. Hazel dedicated her Read More …

Maytinis [via by Chona Aguilar Kapunan Facebook] A centuries-old religious tradition by the people of Kawit, Maytinis is a colourful event celebrated every Christmas Eve in this small town of Cavite province, south of Manila. Anticipated by crowds of tourists and Caviteños alike, the Maytinis is a long procession of floats depicting biblical characters from Adam and Eve to Joseph and Mary’s journey before Christ’s birth. Biblical characters are sometimes played by famous entertainers or celebrities, but most often by the local beauties of the town. The storytelling is dramatized through a serenade by Joseph and Mary whose float makes a stop at several houses to ask for shelter and a place to give birth. They are shunned until they reach the 17th century St. Mary Magdalene Church where the Virgin Mary and Joseph are welcomed by angels in a giant “Belen” (Nativity Scene) which covers the whole Retablo or Altar of the church. The 20 or so floats sponsored by a barangay of the town, an organization or individuals traditionally depict the sequence of the history of salvation from the Old to the New Testaments of the Holy Bible. Each float is followed by young ladies and lads of the town dressed in shepherd clothes carrying the theme of the float they are following. Clowns join the procession featuring creative expressions of the town’s sentiments on current national issues, all done in jest but nevertheless thought-provoking. Marching bands come from all over the province join the parade floats. The Read More …

Indonesian Buddhists pray for the victims of Indian Ocean tsunami one day ahead of its 10th anniversary at a mass grave in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014. AP Deaths caused by weather-related disasters like Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit) in the Philippines and Cyclone “Hudhud” in India are declining, according to the head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Margareta Wahlstrom, also the UN special representative on disaster risk reduction, on Thursday noted the “significant drop in the number of people directly affected by disasters in both Asia and Europe.” In a statement issued on the 10th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, which left 227,000 people dead in 14 countries on Dec. 26, 2004, Wahlstrom said Ruby and Hudhud “could have claimed many thousands of lives.” But “[t]hanks to a combination of better organization, coordination, response and preparedness [between the public and private sectors], improved weather forecasting, early warnings, public education, and media engagement, there has been a reduction in the number of people dying in such [disasters],” she said. “That’s the good news. But risk and opportunity are two sides of the same coin. Economic development and population growth are driving up our exposure to risk at an unprecedented rate and this is reflected in the escalation of economic losses this century, calculated by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction to be in the region of $2 trillion,” Wahlstrom said. She said that “reducing the loss of lives will remain Read More …

popular China tightens church control ahead of Christmas North Korea threatens strikes on US amid hacking claims Let a brick hit you Man gives gift of liver and life for someone he knew only casually 114-year-old woman who challenged Facebook age policy dies Mexican family of 8 dead in suspected murder-suicide The battle for Santa Claus’ home ‘Amihan’ plays Grinch on Christmas videos Rain or Shine edges Alaska, ties series on Christmas Day 5,000 joggers take part in Santa Run Simbang Gabi at the Gesu ( Day 9 – Dec. 23, 2014 ) Baldwin wants Olympics stint, Fiba Asia gold for Gilas ‘Parade of Stars’ opens 40th Metro Manila Film Festival SUBIC, Zambales—The Coast Guard rescued nine Filipinos, who served as crew of a Manila-bound South Korean cargo ship which ran aground at Subic Bay near this town at Wednesday dawn. The crew was brought to the Coast Guard headquarters in Manila on Wednesday night. Police Officer 1 George Cosme, commander of the Coast Guard’s Subic sub-station, said Warlito Ordinaryo, the captain of MV Sea Lord, had problems maneuvering the ship through rough seas. Also rescued were Remedio Mayordomo, Hilario Basan, Lorenzo Bughao, Armando Taay, Charlie Umali, Rolando Robes, Rodolfo Losaria Jr. and Joel Lonzaga. Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon Tags: coast guard Global Nation Korean Ship Zambales Related Stories: Australia investigates ‘paedophile’ father in Thai baby scandal Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh Read More …