Valuing the ‘community of our humanity’ for the common good: Mayor Bass’ courage, core beliefs, and loving wisdom “The elder’s invisible productivity, of holding the field, a nonverbal transmission of energy and goodwill aids in our growth. [S/he] carries forward evolution’s higher intentions, stands beside us and blesses us as we struggle to grow…
THE Lenten season has commenced! Traditionally, it is viewed as a time of sacrifice, a period in which we forgo certain worldly pleasures and devote more time to prayer. While this is true, let us not overlook the joy, promise, and transformative effects that Lent can bring into our lives. A fellow priest once described…
Wow, It is 2024! Is it just me, or don’t you all get the feeling that time passes more quickly now than it ever did? Not too long ago we were just welcoming the year 2023, and before I knew it, we are now entering–yet again – another year! I don’t know but maybe being…
MEMBERS of the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Metro Manila Mayors converged at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) headquarters in Historic Filipinotown last Tuesday, January 30. Headed by Secretary of DILG Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., the Philippine delegation was in Los Angeles to meet…
SMOKING kills. It is that plain and simple. There is no more doubt today that tobacco (cigarette smoking) is the predominant cause of lung cancer, besides other malignancies and cardiovascular diseases that maim, kill men and women, and hurt our society, especially our children. In the United States alone, almost half a million die each…
By Mic Diaz FRIDAY, February 2 saw the largest, most-sophisticated and much-lauded event of the year thus far — the 1st-ever Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) — at the Directors Guild of America headquarters in Los Angeles. Coming off the heels of the highly successful Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which concluded in January,…
“Be imitators of Christ!” This is the theme of this year’s Together in Mission Appeal. Its aim is not only to appeal for help for the poor parishes and schools of the archdiocese but also to encourage us to emulate Christ: to have His mind and heart, to be loving, generous, and compassionate, especially towards those…
MY column titled “Aspirin, the Wonder Drug” came out in 2002 when this common household item was on the spotlight for its new role in staving off heart attack, medically termed Acute Myocardial Infarction (the killer, Acute MI), blood clots, and stroke. In 1962, a year after I graduated from medical school, my 46-year-old father…
There’s an old story about a priest celebrating his 50th Anniversary of Ordination. For this occasion, he had invited his personal friend, Richard, to come and recite his favorite Psalm, Psalm 23. His friend agreed to do this on the condition that the priest would also recite it after him. At the appointed time, Richard…
MEDICAL missions to various remote towns in the Philippines are now a regular ritual for many patriotic Filipino American organizations in the United States. Desirous of helping their underprivileged fellowmen and obviously heeding the call from within their own hearts, these dedicated and benevolent countrymen of ours spend time, effort, personal money and some risk…
While spending a holy hour one morning last week, I felt a heavy sense of depression. I found myself questioning why I was feeling this way. Typically, during prayer, I would feel elated, consoled, inspired, and strengthened. However, that early morning experience of prayer was different. It was a time of desolation rather than consolation,…
AT the last day of our medical mission in Munoz (The Science City), Nueva Ecija, Philippines, January 17, 2024, there were news reports of the death of a 39-year-old female in Quezon City following intravenous stem cell therapy. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has ordered an investigation of the case. A few years back, two Filipino…
The words of this Sunday’s (January 21) Readings speak of the urgency of time. In the Second Reading, Paul tells us that “time is running out… for the world in its present form is passing away.” In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims that “the time of fulfillment” has come and the kingdom of God is at…
MOST of the food products we eat today have healthier alternative items. If we are serious about staying healthy and maximizing our natural longevity, that option is open to us. All we have to do is to educate ourselves, which, today, is not hard to do, thanks to Dr. Google and the world wide web….
THE “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” These were Samuel’s words in today’s First Reading from the Book of Samuel (1Samuel 3:3b—10, 19). They signify openness, receptivity, and willingness to follow God’s commands. They highlight the establishment of a bond between a person and God. Samuel uttered these words after receiving instructions from Eli,…
IN our recent column, we have talked about having a skincare routine and knowing the ingredients and/or products that are best for your skin type – and will ultimately – treat your skin problem. Well, our topic today is somewhat a sequel to that last skincare 101. We mentioned previously that caring for your skin…
THE American Academy of Pediatric strictly recommends no fruit juices for babies, absolutely no fruit juices at all, before age one, and very limited, if at all, for toddlers and older children. This is a major shift from the recommendation of the AAP some 20 years ago. The academy today also recommends doing away with…
I couldn’t help but think and be grateful for the abundant grace that was bestowed upon our parish during our Advent and Christmas liturgies last week. It was a remarkable sight to witness a packed and vibrant church, brimming with faith and joy! Every pastor who witnesses such a demonstration of faith among their flock…
“I feel that she [Jennifer Punsalan Delwood] fully embodies the best of our people’s values and demonstrates that with her calm, thoughtful leadership style that enables her to be inclusive and to build movements.”- Former City of Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido, 2023 “Authentic leadership is a type of management style in which people act in…
DID you know how many hotdogs are consumed each day in the United States alone? Roughly 633 hotdogs are eaten by Americans per second, or 37, 980 every minute, almost 2.3 million an hour. A lot of dogs According to Janet Riley, president of the National Hotdog and Sausage Council, USA, Americans eat twenty billion…
DID you know how many hotdogs are consumed each day in the United States alone? Roughly 633 hotdogs are eaten by Americans per second, or 37, 980 every minute, almost 2.3 million an hour. A lot of dogs According to Janet Riley, president of the National Hotdog and Sausage Council, USA, Americans eat twenty billion…
“MY eyes have seen the salvation of the Lord.” These were Simeon’s words in this Sunday’s (December 31) Gospel, upon seeing the Christ-Child in Mary’s arms as he was presented to the temple. On this Feast Day of the Holy Family and the start of the New Year, this is my prayer for all of…
THE holidays may soon be behind us but their physical effects, among others, will linger a while. Medically speaking, it is actually a time for “damage control” for those of us who have over-indulged during the festivities. And I plead guilty to having succumbed to the temptation myself. The post-holiday “makeover” is just as a…
WHAT is Christmas Disease? This name does not have nothing to do with the Christmas season. Christmas Disease is a blood disease, also known as Hemophilia B or factor IX hemophilia. It is a hereditary bleeding disorder due to deficiency in coagulation factor IX. This condition is X-linked recessive inheritance, affecting only males, and occurs…
This year which will soon bid us farewell has given me great lessons and priceless experiences both physically, emotionally and spiritually at this time of my life. It is filled with many occurrences , either imagined or planned, as well as events beyond one’s control, like death. Before thanksgiving my only living sister, Sor. Leticia…
WE are filled with joy as Christmas approaches. In just a few hours, we will be celebrating the Christmas liturgies: the Vigil Mass and Midnight Mass. Mary accompanies us in this joyful anticipation, as she is the ark of the covenant and the bearer of the long-promised Messiah from the lineage of David. Her spirit…
You’ve heard it said, many times in many ways: loving yourself is essential in finding true happiness. And of course what better way to do that but by investing in self-care. Self-care, as the name suggests, is all about caring for yourself –– ensuring that your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs are met. This…
WHAT is Christmas Disease? This name does not have nothing to do with the Christmas season. Christmas Disease is a blood disease, also known as Hemophilia B or factor IX hemophilia. It is a hereditary bleeding disorder due to deficiency in coagulation factor IX. This condition is X-linked recessive inheritance, affecting only males, and occurs…
“Who are you?” “What are you?” “Are you the Prophet?” “Who are you so we can give an answer to those who sent us?” These are the inquiries posed by priests and Levites to John the Baptist in this Sunday’s Gospel for the Third Sunday of Advent. They are attempting to ascertain if John is…
WATER is vital to life. Without water, there won’t be life as we know it on earth. Our body is 50-75 percent water, averaging around 57 to 65 percent. Infants are 75-78 percent water, dropping to 65 percent by age one year. And the value of water is even more evident during this COVID-19 pandemic….
