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Pope Francis urges unity and emphasizes compassion over ideology in church message

Venus L Peñaflor
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Pope Francis urges unity and emphasizes compassion over ideology in church message

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis issued a warning on Saturday, urging the faithful to avoid dividing into factions based on personal ideologies within the Catholic Church. Speaking during the Epiphany Day Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope cautioned against the dangers of “ecclesiastical ideologies” and stressed the need for unity.

Amidst resistance from more conservative factions within the Church, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of focusing on shared faith rather than allowing differences to create rifts. The Pope’s call for unity comes as the Church grapples with internal debates, including recent controversy over his decision to permit priests to bless couples outside of marriage, including same-sex relationships.

During the homily, Pope Francis warned against becoming engrossed in “elegant religious theories” and instead encouraged believers to discover God through encounters with the marginalized, particularly in the faces of the poor. The Pope’s remarks sought to underscore the essence of faith as a lived experience rather than a theoretical construct.

Last month’s permission for blessings on same-sex relationships resulted in pushback from some bishops who considered it a departure from traditional teachings. The Vatican responded this week, emphasizing that the blessings do not violate doctrine.

Although Pope Francis did not explicitly mention the recent disagreements in his Epiphany homily, he deviated from the prepared text to stress the urgency of abandoning ecclesiastical ideologies. He emphasized that faith should not be reduced to mere devotions or outward appearances but should involve a genuine journey of seeking God’s presence in everyday life.

At 87 years old, Pope Francis, who battled health issues last year, maintained his commitment to the Church’s message during the Epiphany ceremony. The Pope, known for his dedication to marginalized communities, highlighted the importance of compassion and inclusivity, especially for LGBTQ+ Catholics, while acknowledging the Church’s teachings on homosexuality.

BOC nagpaliwanag sa online na pagbebenta ng Balikbayan boxes

Venus L Peñaflor
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BOC nagpaliwanag sa online na pagbebenta ng Balikbayan boxes

Ipinaliwanag ng Bureau of Customs (BOC) na ang naiulat na pagbebenta ng balikbayan boxes online ay sakop ng isang service agreement kung saan kabilang dito ang mismong nagpadala.

Ang naturang pahayag ay sinabi ni BOC acting deputy commissioner Michael Fermin matapos lumabas ang paunang resulta ng kanilang isinagawang imbestigasyon.

‘Yun pong mismong pinapakita ay kahon mula sa kumpanya ng Golden Express International Cargo, ito po ay binenta sa ilalim po ng service agreement ng mga senders. Ito po kasi ay parang promo. Sa initial report po, lumilitaw po na ito ay promo na ship now, pay later,” ayon kay Fermin.

“So ibig sabihin, nagbabayad lang po sila ng downpayment abroad at pagdating po dito, kailangan nilang bayaran ‘yung balanse upon delivery po,” dagdag pa ng opisyal.

Ayon sa kasunduan, sinabi ni Fermin kung hindi mabayaran ng mga nagpadala ang halaga ng shipment at mobilization sa loob ng dalawang buwan, papayagan nila ang kumpanya na i-liquidate ang mga balikbayan box.

Nagsagawa ng imbestigasyon ang BOC matapos mag-viral ang isang video sa social media ng isang content creator na nagsasabing bumili siya ng care package sa halagang P5,000.

Iginiit ni Fermin na wala na sa hurisdiksyon ng ahensya ang mga balikbayan box dahil nailabas na ito sa mga bodega ng BOC. Aniya, maaari nilang i-subpoena ang kumpanya at iba pang indibidwal.

Ayon sa deputy commissioner, maaaring kasuhan ng estafa ang mga taong mapapatunayang nagbebenta ng mga balikbayan box na hindi nila pag-aari.

Kaugnay nito, tahasang itinanggi ni Fermin ang mga pahayag na ang mga overseas Filipino worker (OFW) na may nawawalang balikbayan box ay kailangang magbayad ng P18,000 hanggang P20,000 upang mahanap ang kanilang mga parcels.

“Nananawagan po kami na wag po silang bastang maniwala. Nagkalat po ang mga scam, nagpapakilala na empleyado ng BOC at kailangan magbayad. Kailanman po, hindi po mag sisingil ang BOC, lalo na po over the phone,” ani Fermin.

Aniya, ang mga transaksyon na kinasasangkutan ng kawanihan ay ginagawa sa pamamagitan ng mga bangko at hindi sa pamamagitan ng mga empleyado.

Nanawagan din si Fermin sa mga biktima ng naturang insidente na makipag-ugnayan sa BOC para sa imbestigasyon sa pamamagitan ng hotline number ng bureau na 8705-6000 o mag-email sa kanila sa boc.cares@customs.gov.ph.

Pagpapatupad ng SRP sa bigas, binalak ng DA upang pababain ang presyo

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Pagpapatupad ng SRP sa bigas, binalak ng DA upang pababain ang presyo

Sa gitna ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng bigas, inanunsyo ng Department of Agriculture (DA) nitong Sabado, Enero 6, na iniisip nila ang pagpapataw ng suggested retail prices (SRPs) sa mga produkto ng bigas.

Ayon kay DA spokesperson Asec. Arnel de Mesa sa isang interview sa radyo, layunin ng mga SRP na tiyakin na mananatili ang presyo ng bigas sa abot-kayang halaga para sa mga mamimili sa buong bansa.

Sa ngayon, nagsasagawa na ang DA ng mga konsultasyon sa mga partners sa industriya at mga stakeholders. “Hindi ka puwede basta mag-issue ng SRP without doing the consultations with all the stakeholders, from the consumer groups, producer groups, ganoon din sa traders and millers, lahat sila ay dapat nakokonsulta sa pagtatakda ng suggested retail price (SRP),” ayin kay De Mesa,

Ang pahayag ng DA ay kasunod ng ulat ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) na ang rice inflation ay umakyat sa pinakamabilis nitong rate sa loob ng 14 na taon noong Disyembre.

Ito ang pinakamabilis na inflation print para sa food staple mula noong Marso 2009, kung saan umakyat ang rice inflation sa 22.9%.

Sinabi ni De Mesa na ang pagtatakda ng SRP ay nakasalalay sa iba’t ibang kadahilanan at ito ay dadaan sa pagsusuri bago ito ipinal at isapubliko.

Batay sa datos ng PSA, ang average na pambansang presyo ng regular milled rice noong Disyembre 2023 ay umabot sa P48.50 kada kilo mula sa P46.73 noong Nobyembre 2023, at mas mataas kumpara sa P39.63 kada kilo noong Disyembre 2022.

Para sa well-milled rice, ang presyo kada kilo noong Disyembre 2023 ay P53.82, na mas mataas kaysa sa P51.99 kada kilo noong Nobyembre ng nakaraang taon. Taon-taon, tumataas ng halos P10 ang presyo ng rice class, ito ay naging P43.98 kada kilo noong Disyembre 2022.

Isa ang patay, pulis sugatan sa Oplan Sita na nauwi sa barilan

Arman B. Cambe
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Isa ang patay, pulis sugatan sa Oplan Sita na nauwi sa barilan

BARAS. Rizal. Dead on the spot ang isang lalaki samantalang sugatan naman ang isang pulis sa isang barilan habang nagsasagawa ng Oplan Sita sa isang checkpoint noong Biyernes ng gabi Sagbat-Pililia road sa Barangay Tandang Kutyo, bayang ito.

Ayon kay Police Captain Mariesol Tactaquin, spokesman ng Rizal Police Provincial Office, patuloy ang imbestigasyon upang kilalanin ang napatay. Kinilala naman ang pulis na nasugatan na si Police Corporal Buenaventura ng Baras Municipal Police Station.

Ayon kay Tactaquin na may suot na bulletproof vest si Buenaventura nang tamaan ito ng bala sa katawan. Dahil dito, nakaganti siya ng putok sa dalawang armadong suspek na ikinamatay ng isa sa mga ito.

Batay sa paunang imbestigasyon, habang nagsasagawa ng Oplan Sita ang mga elemento ng Baras Police Station sa pangunguna ni Patrolman Rey Dolendo, dumating ang dalawang hindi kilalang suspek sakay ng motorsiklo. Pinara sila ng mga pulis para sa ilang katanungan subalit biglang humarurot ng takbo ang kanilang motorsiklo at pinaputukan ang mga pulis.

Death toll climbs to 126 as western Japan grapples with earthquake aftermath

Venus L Peñaflor
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Death toll climbs to 126 as western Japan grapples with earthquake aftermath

WAJIMA, Japan. The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck Japan’s western coastline this past week has risen to 126, with aftershocks threatening additional devastation. The hardest-hit region, Ishikawa prefecture, mourns the loss of lives, including a 5-year-old boy who succumbed to worsening injuries sustained from Monday’s 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

The seismic activity has not only claimed lives but has also left roads cracked and vulnerable to collapse. Aftershocks continue to rock the area, exacerbating the risk of further damage. With rain and snow forecasted overnight and into Sunday, officials are concerned about the increased peril to already shaky ground.

Wajima city bears the highest death toll with 69, followed by Suzu with 38. Over 500 people have been reported injured, with at least 27 in serious condition. The temblors have left roofs strewn across roads, buildings flattened, and roads warped like rubber. A devastating fire has turned a neighborhood in Wajima to ashes.

The grim situation is compounded by more than 200 people still unaccounted for, and reports of 11 individuals trapped under collapsed homes in Anamizu. As rescue operations intensify, the community faces not only the immediate challenge of the aftermath but also the long-term economic repercussions.

For 76-year-old Shiro Kokuda, the house in Wajima where he grew up was spared, but a nearby temple went up in flames, and he is still searching for friends at evacuation centers. “It’s been really tough,” he shared.

Japan, grappling with an aging population, is now confronted with the economic and humanitarian challenges posed by the earthquakes. Nearby North Korea, in an unusual gesture, sent a message of condolence to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The international community, including President Joe Biden and other allies, has expressed sympathy and pledged aid.

While power is gradually being restored along Japan’s coastline, water supplies remain a critical concern. Emergency water systems have been damaged, prompting thousands of troops to mobilize and transport water, food, and medicine to the over 30,000 evacuees seeking refuge in auditoriums, schools, and other facilities. The nation faces a daunting path to recovery as it navigates the complex aftermath of this devastating natural disaster.

Finding comfort in uncertainty, accepting life, and coming alive

DC Alviar
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Finding comfort in uncertainty, accepting life, and coming alive

Repetition is done for others to learn. Fast learners should accept this as reaching out to others instead of thinking that they are at a loss due to the lack of progress in the next things to learn; after all, they can move forward while others still need repetition. Even if there is overlapping, the important thing is that it is not intentional. Also, it is written, “Teach and counsel (magturo at magpaalalahanan) each other with all the wisdom He gives.”

In Colossians 3:16, thanksgiving to Him is also taught.

It is good that our discs are no longer around; otherwise, merong excuse (“para ka namang sirang plaka, paulit-ulit”) kung makiki-hip hop kay Lady Diane (1991). When a thing is learned, there is retention in the mind, so if nothing stays in the brain, the need for repetition comes into play. Teaching is the process and learning is the product, according to psychologists, and it was repeated by Dr. Teresita Malabuyo (pray for her recovery) in general psychology and educational psychology classes that I attended in the late 1990s.

Now, I come to what I should value in this space by repeating what has already been said about hope (pag-asa):

Jayeel Serrano Cornelio (2022): “Hopeful about the future, we convince each other that our problems will end if we just work hard enough. Without us realizing it, this discourse valorizes suffering. Therein lies, I believe, the internal contradiction of hope as we know it. In this discourse, Filipinos must endure their circumstances in the hope that tomorrow our dreams will be fulfilled. Deployed in this manner, hope lays the burden for progress on individuals. But conveniently, it deflects responsibility away from the state over its misplaced priorities, corruption, and inefficiency.”

Renato “Rene” Mendoza Alviar (2022): “(M)ahirap iasa sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan ang tamang pagkilatis sa mga gustong mamuno. Masyado na silang pinahirapan ng sitwasyon, bukod pa sa nilinlang ng mga mapagsamantala. Kailangan natin silang tulungan sa aktibong partisipasyon sa pagdedesisyon sa paraang kadama-dama o nararanasan. Inclusive growth ang maitutulong natin sa kanila. Mahirap ipaintindi sa kanila ang inclusive goal/s. Kailangang magpanabay ang pagtulong sa kanilang kabuhayan at paglinang sa kanilang kaalaman o sapat na edukasyon at sapat na panlipunang paglilingkod. Hindi rin pwedeng isisi sa mga mahihirap ang maling pagpili ng mga iboboto dahil sumusunod lang naman sila sa agos. Gaya nga ng nabanggit na, sila man din ay may sinusunod na prayoridad katulad ng paghahanap ng makakain sa maghapon, pamasahe bukas makalawa ng mga naghahanap ng trabaho, gastusing medikal at pang-edukasyon ng mga anak, pati na ang gastos sa bahay kung meron mang bahay o inuupahan. Maraming matututunan ang ultimate decision makers sa mga mahihirap nating botante. Kailangang makihalubilo sa kanila, makialam sa kanilang hinaing. Magdahan-dahan tayo sa maling pagturing sa kanila (pinakahuli’y ‘bobotante’) dahil pangunahing inaasahan nila ang mapalaya sila sa kahirapan na tungkulin ng Estado sa kanila, constitutionally and morally speaking …Matuto nawa ang mga nakaluluwag sa buhay sa mga aral ng kalagayan ng mahihirap nating kababayan na boboto na naman at muling aasa na maiaahon sila sa kahirapan. At para naman sa mga gustong mapalaya sa kahirapan, bigyan nawa nila ng panahon ang kaalaman at karunungan na maaaring mangahulugang maghanap ng tamang mapagtatanungan o mga eksperto. Isa na rito ang pagbibigay ng panahon na malaman kung sino talaga ang may alam sa ekonomiya at subok na sa tapat na paglilingkod.”

Diwa Contreras Guinigundo (2024): “Hope may as well be driven by our spirituality, that as Jeremiah 29:11 clarifies, the Lord’s plan is for our ‘welfare and not for evil,’ to give us ‘a future and a hope.’ …Being always hopeful should not lead us to refrain from questioning the more fundamental issues of poverty and income inequality in a period of perceived growth and prosperity. Being always hopeful does not negate the ability to manage expectations; instead, we should be motivated to persevere because there is something to hope for.”

Two private companies set to attempt first U.S. moon landings in over 50 years

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Two private companies set to attempt first U.S. moon landings in over 50 years

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Two private companies, Astrobotic Technology and Intuitive Machines, are preparing for the first U.S. moon landings since the Apollo missions more than five decades ago. The ventures are part of a NASA-supported initiative to jumpstart commercial moon deliveries and are seen as precursors to NASA’s plans to send astronauts back to the lunar surface.

China and India have successfully landed on the moon, while Russia, Japan, and Israel faced setbacks in their attempts. The new contenders, Astrobotic Technology based in Pittsburgh, and Intuitive Machines from Houston, are racing to put the U.S. back in the lunar exploration game.

Astrobotic Technology is scheduled for the first liftoff on Monday, with a lander set to launch aboard United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. Following closely, Intuitive Machines plans a mid-February liftoff, hitching a ride with SpaceX. The missions are part of NASA’s strategy to foster commercial involvement in lunar exploration.

“They’re scouts going to the moon ahead of us,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, emphasizing the importance of these private initiatives.

Japan is also set to make its attempt in two weeks, with its lander equipped with toy-size rovers. If successful, Japan will become the fifth country to achieve a lunar landing.

The challenges of landing on the moon are significant, with the absence of a substantial atmosphere making traditional landing methods impossible. Instead, landers must rely on thrusters to navigate treacherous terrain, avoiding cliffs and craters.

The last U.S. moon landing occurred in December 1972, with Apollo 17, and since then, the focus shifted to Mars exploration. Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines not only aim to end America’s moon-landing drought but also compete for the title of the first private entity to achieve a successful lunar landing.

Despite a later start, Intuitive Machines has a faster and more direct trajectory, aiming to land within a week of liftoff. Astrobotic, on the other hand, will take two weeks to reach the moon and an additional month in lunar orbit before attempting a landing on February 23.

Both companies received nearly $80 million each in 2019 under a NASA program to develop lunar delivery services. Fourteen companies, including Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines, are currently under contract with NASA for lunar exploration efforts.

Astrobotic’s lander, named Peregrine, will carry 20 research packages for seven countries, including NASA, and a shoebox-sized rover for Carnegie Mellon University. Intuitive Machines’ lander, Nova-C, will target the moon’s south polar region, carrying five NASA experiments lasting about two weeks.

The south pole is of particular interest due to the belief that it holds vast amounts of frozen water, crucial for future exploration and potentially as a resource for drinking and making rocket fuel. NASA’s Artemis program aims to land the first humans in this region, potentially by 2027.

Both companies plan additional missions to the south pole in the future. Astrobotic will carry NASA’s water-seeking Viper rover, while Intuitive Machines will deliver an ice drill for NASA.

Despite the challenges, the space race among private entities is heating up, fueled not only by scientific curiosity but also geopolitical considerations. The successful missions could mark a significant milestone in the new era of lunar exploration.

DOJ seeks reversal of bail granted to suspects in missing sabungeros case

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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DOJ seeks reversal of bail granted to suspects in missing sabungeros case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally requested a review of a court decision that granted bail to suspects involved in the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts, known as sabungeros, from Tanay, Rizal. The DOJ spokesperson, Mico Clavano, announced on Wednesday that they have filed a motion for reconsideration regarding the bail granted in December by a Manila court for the six suspects arrested in connection with the case.

“Sa tingin namin, hindi tama na nabigyan sila ng bail at nakalabas sila sa kulungan [We think it was not right that they were granted bail and released from jail],” Clavano stated in a media interview.

“We think we have a strong case, at ‘yun naman ang pinaka [and that’s the primary] bone of contention ng [of a] motion for bail or petition for bail, which is to determine the strength of the evidence of the prosecution at this point,” he added.

Should the court uphold its decision, Clavano mentioned that the DOJ is prepared to explore other legal remedies.

The suspects, as per police statements, are currently facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention following the mysterious disappearance of six individuals. The missing individuals have been identified as John Claude Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, and Rowel Gomez.

Clavano acknowledged the complexity of the case, stating, “There are several coverups and layers that have yet to be unveiled. We really have to stay patient. Pero rest assured that every day, meron nagagawa ang law enforcement agencies para mapalakas ang kaso. [But rest assured that every day, law enforcement agencies are doing something to strengthen the case.”

The DOJ is hopeful of holding a case conference by the end of the month to provide updates to the families of the victims. The ongoing investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the sabungeros, and the authorities remain committed to pursuing justice in this matter.

Kim Jong-un’s daughter, likely heir to North Korean leadership, says South’s Spy Agency

Venus L Peñaflor
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Kim Jong-un’s daughter, likely heir to North Korean leadership, says South’s Spy Agency

Seoul, South Korea. The National Intelligence Service of South Korea has suggested that Kim Ju-ae, the young daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is likely to be his heir apparent. The speculation arises amid increasing international interest in the 10-year-old since her first public appearance in November 2022, where she observed a long-range missile test launch with her father.

The assessment by South Korea’s spy agency comes at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, as North Korea reportedly fired artillery rounds into the sea near the maritime border, prompting residents of two South Korean islands to seek shelter.

“The North Korean military conducted over 200 rounds of firing today from about 9-11 am (1200 to 0200 GMT) in the areas of Jangsan-got in the northern part of Baengnyeong island and the northern areas … of Yeonpyeong island,” revealed a South Korean defense ministry official during a briefing.

The move led to an evacuation order for civilians on Yeonpyeong island, described as a “preventive measure.” While the ministry did not confirm whether the order was in response to North Korean artillery fire or South Korean drills, a text message sent to residents mentioned “naval fire” to be conducted by South Korean troops from 3 pm on Friday.

The waters near the disputed Northern Limit Line have witnessed previous clashes, including the sinking of a South Korean navy corvette in 2010, believed to be caused by a North Korean torpedo.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, noted that North Korea’s artillery firings during winter exercises were not uncommon. However, he emphasized the current strained relations between the Koreas, with North Korea distancing itself from military confidence-building agreements.

The identification of Kim Ju-ae as a potential heir comes as she has accompanied Kim Jong-un to major public events, gaining recognition in state media as the leader’s “most beloved” or “respected” child. The South Korean spy agency based its assessment on a comprehensive analysis of her public activities and state protocols provided to her.

Symbolizing a departure from North Korean traditions, Kim Ju-ae has been seen participating in various political events, including a military parade where a senior general knelt and whispered to her. At a New Year’s Eve celebration, Kim Jong-un kissed her on the cheek, highlighting her closeness with her father.

While the spy agency acknowledges Kim Jong-un’s youth, good health, and the presence of at least one other child, it considers all possibilities regarding North Korea’s power succession process. The agency’s track record in confirming developments in the secretive nation is imperfect, and North Korea’s state media has yet to make direct comments on succession or Kim Ju-ae’s siblings.

Analysts in Seoul remain cautious about predicting Kim Ju-ae’s future role, emphasizing the lack of essential political achievements for formal anointment. Since its foundation in 1948, North Korea has been ruled by successive male members of the Kim family, and if Kim Ju-ae were to ascend, she would break from this historical

Unsold Christmas trees become festive feast for elephants and bison at the Berlin Zoo

Venus L Peñaflor
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Unsold Christmas trees become festive feast for elephants and bison at the Berlin Zoo

BERLIN. In a post-Christmas tradition at the Berlin Zoo, unsold Christmas trees have become a festive treat for the animal residents, including elephants, European bison, and reindeer.

This annual event unfolded on Thursday, bringing a bit of post-holiday cheer to the zoo’s inhabitants. The elephants, utilizing their trunks, enthusiastically tore off branches from the Christmas trees, either gobbling them up or playfully tossing them around their enclosure. The European bison also joined in the festive feast, nestling into the trees before indulging in a munching session. Even the reindeer got involved, sniffing and playing with the conifers.

To ensure the safety of the animals, the zoo exclusively accepts fresh, unsold trees from selected vendors and refrains from taking trees from the public. This precaution is in place to avoid any potential presence of chemicals or leftover decorations that could be harmful to the animals.

The heartwarming tradition not only provides a unique and enjoyable experience for the zoo’s residents but also offers a sustainable and eco-friendly way to repurpose unsold Christmas trees, turning them into a special treat for the animals to enjoy.

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