Lent 2017

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. Let us make this Lent fruitful by reflecting on our life, performing works of mercy and acts of mortification, and spending more time in prayer. Today is also a day of fasting and abstinence.

Plenary Indulgences at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Last Monday, I had the chance to attend the Episcopal Coronation of the image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in QC and learned that the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has been granted a Spiritual Bond of Affinity with the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major by the Apostolic Penitentiary last November 2016, which affords the faithful to gain Plenary Indulgences:

1. On the titular feast day of the Liberian Basilica (Aug. 5);

2. On the titular feast day of the Church itself;

3. On all the solemnities of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God;

4. Once a year, on a day to be chosen by every faithful freely;

5. As often as a group of pilgrims go there for reason of devotion.

(These indulgences are granted under the customary conditions.)

The Mt. Carmel Church is the fourth Marian church in the Philippines to be affiliated with the Basilica of St. Mary Major after Caysasay, Manaoag, and Sto. Domingo churches. The shrine is located along Dona Juana Rodriguez Ave. (formerly Broadway Ave.) New Manila, Quezon City. It is a few blocks away from LRT-2 Gilmore station. I highly encourage everyone to visit this beautiful church especially this coming Lent.

Confessions will be available in the shrine on March 1, Ash Wednesday (Day of Fasting and Abstinence), at St. Joseph Bldg from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Masses will also be held on the same day throughout the day (6 a.m., 7:15 a.m. 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 5 p.m, 6:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.)

To Kneel or to Stand

It seems that most of the faithful Catholics attending Mass are not yet aware or have been made aware by their local parish priests and/or bishops about the practice of kneeling during the entire Eucharistic consecration of the Mass. I attended Mass today and only saw two ladies kneeling after the Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus) part up until the grand Amen or right before the Our Father. I myself have only very recently learned that this should be the proper way to do it and rightfully so because this is the part of the Mass when the Transfiguration happens and the Lord deserves utmost reverence no less. Please see letter below from CBCP for a full and detailed explanation.

On the QUESTION of Kneeling or Standing

After the Consecration Until After the GREAT AMEN

During the Eucharistic Celebration

March 19, 2016

Your Eminences and Excellencies,

During the January 2016 112th CBCP Plenary Assembly in Cebu, there was a discussion on the issue of standing or kneeling after the consecration until after the Amen. The discussion included a question on why we do not continue kneeling after the consecration until after the Amen. After a short discussion, the Permanent Council of the CBCP was tasked to look into this issue.

So, at the March 15, 2016 meeting of the CBCP Permanent Council one of the issues discussed was this issue on the posture of standing after the consecration and to keep standing or of kneeling after the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer. This is the reason for this letter.

Before the 1990s, we can still recall that we had the established practice of kneeling after the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer.

In the 1990s the practice of standing after the consecration was begun. This change in the established practice was based on the 1990 Guidelines for the Eucharist which were approved by the CBCP in January 1990. Number 3 of the 1990 Guidelines states: “The people should kneel from the Sanctus until the end of the Eucharistic Prayer…. If the acclamation after the consecration is sung, the people may stand for it and keep standing.” 

However, in reality the practice became always standing after the consecration until the Amen.

In January 2003 at the 86th CBCP Plenary Assembly, one of the proposals that the CBCP approved to include among the Philippine Adaptations to the General Instructions of the Roman Missal 2002 was: “Proposed Philippine Adaptation: ‘In the Philippines, the people kneel after the Sanctus, rise for the memorial acclamation, and kneel after the Lamb of God.’”

In both instances, the 1990 Guidelines for the Eucharist and the proposed Philippine Adaptations to the General Instructions of the Roman Missal 2002, no recognition was ever received from Rome.

Specifically for the Philippine Adaptations to the General Instructions of the Roman Missal 2002 that were submitted to Rome, no answer was ever received. Archbishop Romulo Valles, during an ad limina visit in September 2003, made a follow up at the office of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on the status the Philippine proposed adaptations. After that, until up to now we have not received a formal written reply.

In February 2016, Bishop Julius Tonel, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy, made a query with the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments about this specific proposed adaptation. In reply to his query, it was confirmed that a formal reply or recognition had never been given.

With the above information, we sought the advice of some of our bishops knowledgeable in the Code of Canon Law. They have responded that no answer or silence from Rome means that the recognition has not been given. Without the recognition the CBCP does not have the authority to make or implement any such adaptation. This being the case, we have to revert to the established practice before the request.

Based on the above documented information, the Permanent Council came to the decision that we must ABANDON the practice of standing after the consecration until the Amen as we do not have the authority to make such an adaptation nor do we have the authority to implement it. We must go back to the previously established practice of kneeling after the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer.

To go back to our established practice is very much in keeping with our current General Instructions of the Roman Missal, approved by the CBCP and given the needed recognition from Rome, published in the Philippine Edition of the Roman Missal of 2011. Number 43 states: “Where it is the practice for the people to remain kneeling after the Sanctus until the end of the Eucharistic Prayer …, it is laudable for this practice to be retained.”

Another way of saying this is that we go back our established practice where the people kneel beginning after the Sanctus and remain kneeling until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer knowing that this is in harmony with the present GIRM.

You are kindly requested to inform our clergy and Catholic faithful about this re-statement of position and lead them, through liturgical catechesis, to deepen our reverence for the Most Blessed Sacrament. The spirit of the law is to observe greater reverence for the Real Presence.

We remind you of some lines contained in our Pastoral Exhortation to Open the 2016 Year of the Eucharist and the Family:

Kneeling is part of our Christian culture. We cannot abandon or set aside the culture of kneeling in favor of the culture that says as freemen we must face God on our feet. Bending the knee before the tabernacle in genuflection, kneeling down at the celebration of the Eucharist, kneeling down to adore the exposed Blessed Sacrament— these are little but sublime acts of adoration that we must preserve and protect.

Sincerely yours,

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS

Fast2Feed a Hungry Child

As we begin to observe the season of Lent this Ash Wednesday, let us intensify our desire to practice prayer, fasting, and works of mercy both corporal and spiritual. One way we can exercise this is to support HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program for hungry and malnourished children. See details below on how you can help.


Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a reminder for all of us to answer God's call to pray, fast, and do acts of charity. If we fast and let the poor, hungry and malnourished children benefit from it, we relive what Jesus said, "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat." By donating whatever we save from fasting to HAPAG-ASA Integrated Nutrition Program, we feed a poor, hungry and malnourished child.

HAPAG-ASA feeds hungry and malnourished children 6 months to 12 years old once a day, 5 days a week for 6 months with nutritious food. Apart from the supplemental feeding, parents are also provided with basic knowledge, skills and values to improve their capacity to care for their children and livelihood and skills training to give them access to employment and income generating activities.

In the last nine years, HAPAG-ASA has already fed about 1.5 million children. But there's a lot more to reach since based on the 2013 8th National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, about 8 million Filipino children are still underweight and stunted.

HAPAG-ASA appeals to you for help in feeding our hungry and malnourished children by donating to HAPAG-ASA's FAST2FEED fund campaign. It only takes P10 a day or P1200 for six (6) months to feed one child.

For inquiries, please contact HAPAG-ASA Secretariat at 5th Floor Unit 503 Prestige Tower, F. Ortigas Jr. Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Tel. No. (02) 6321001 to 03 * Fax (02) 6327844 * hapagasa@gmail.com * www.hapagasafeeding.com


YOU MAY DEPOSIT YOUR DONATIONS TO:

Pondo ng Pinoy-Hapagasa Current Accounts

Metrobank Acct No: 175-7175-50963-8
Banco de Oro Acct No: 2638-00407-0
Bank of the Philippine Islands Acct No: 3061-0858-22
China Banking Corp. Acct No: 103-57972-19
Security Bank Acct No: 141-026133-002

To donate with your Globe postpaid/prepaid load:

Text FAC and send to 2899
Ex. FAC 100
Amounts are P5, P15, P25, P50 and P100

To donate online, please visit www.hapagasafeeding.com/donate


"He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor." - Prov 22:9

A Blessed Christmas to All

I Disagree But It's Not Hate

I encourage everyone to fight and stand up for the culture of life. We cannot afford to just sit and watch; we need to get involved. To start, you can like the following Facebook pages to receive up-to-date news feeds on pro-life issues including same-sex marriage.

1. Filipinos for Life

2. No to Gay 'Marriage'

3. No to Same-Sex 'Marriage' in the Philippines

#AshTagged

As we enter the season of Lent once again, let us redouble our efforts in living out the Christian practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving by incorporating the activities suggested above in our daily routine. May we all have a fruitful and meaningful celebration of Lent.

*Note:  Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence.

Year of the Poor

As the Year of the Laity draws to a close, we welcome the Year of the Poor at the beginning of a new liturgical year, a time in which we also celebrate the Advent Season. While the theme is obviously focused on the materially poor and the marginalized in our society, let us also not neglect to give attention to the 'spiritually poor'. This should not be confused with being poor in spirit, which is one of the eight Beatitudes. We can say that someone is spiritually poor when he does not have God in his life and is deprived/unconcerned about the things of God. The corporal works of mercy must be practiced alongside the spiritual works of mercy because man has both material and spiritual needs.

Year of the Poor Logo Explained

CRUCIFIX:  The Crucified Lord, the center of all our engagement with, in, for and to the poor, gazing into us. On His Cross, Jesus is always with us… stripped of His clothes, His dignity, His possessions, His power, His strength. By the poverty, Jesus saved us. He is fully with the unwashed, the oppressed, the scorned, the powerless, the miserable and the outcast. Jesus is calling us to SEE everyone as His beloveds… to look at each other the way He gazes into us.

The Man Colored in Red:   Red symbolizes “Blood” – sacrifice of Christ to give Life… of Redemption. We are reminded that our strength and passion must always be towards “Life Giving… sharing of Love”

The Man colored in Red is lower than the Man colored in Blue, signifies the last, least and the lost – the poor. Though in poverty, the poor has same dignity with the Man coloured in Blue and also has the capacity to share Life and Love… (“No one is so poor that he cannot give…”)

The Man Colored in Blue:  Blue symbolizes “Royalty”, of riches and Service to God and godly living. It also signifies “Light” – Hope. We are reminded that God in His Royalty gives us the perfect model of Service. And all of us are called to Serve God through our neighbours. We must be the Light to others.

The Man Coloured in Blue is higher (elevated) than of the Man colored in Red, represents those who are well-off, the powerful. Yet in their abundance the rich are reminded that all what they have are coming from God and they are commanded to share and to be generous… an act of gratefulness to the giver of graces - God. The “rich” are being challenged to share their gifts especially to the “poor”. (“the more you have, the more is expected from you.”)

Man colored in Red and Blue “LOOKING UP TO JESUS” that forms a heart symbolizes people’s compassion to follow Jesus and the commitment to be in solidarity with all to DO JUSTICE AND LOVE KINDNESS (Micah 6:8). Justice as the “right relationships… restoration of what is due to all, not only of the majority… It challenges us to be in correct relationship with God and our neighbour. “Love of neighbour, grounded in the love of God.

-oOo-

CBCP Pastoral Message on the Year of the Poor

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter… (Lk 22:61)

THE GAZE OF THE CRUCIFIED LORD

Love and Compassion, Forgiveness and Challenge

CBCP Message

Opening of the Year of the Poor 2015

When you gaze into the eyes of the Crucified Lord, and he gazes into yours, you encounter the love of the Resurrected Lord. Many prefer not to look. Many recoil at looking into the eyes of a man in deadly pain. Many balk at having to respond to love. But these are not the eyes of a defeated man, condemned for criminal insurrection. They are the eyes of an unlikely King, who in dealing death its death blow, still looks into our eyes with challenge. In his love is his call to the Kingdom of his Father, his Kingdom of justice, compassion, peace and life to the full.

In the sign of this crucified Lord, now resurrected, we your Pastors, invite you to the celebration of the Year of the Poor. Behold Jesus, poor. No image of Jesus, poor, surpasses this one. Jesus hangs from his Cross stripped of his clothes, his dignity, his possessions, his power, his strength. He is fully one with the unwashed, the oppressed, the scorned, the powerless, the miserable, the outcast. In the Year of the Poor, look into the eyes of the crucified Lord. There is no experience richer.


You who are poor…

In those eyes, you who are poor, feel his suffering-with-you. From his Cross, he walks with you through crowded alleys, stumbles on mud, recoils at the stench of unmoved sewerage. He bows to enter your makeshift home hobbled together from salvaged materials; it is for your family, but you share it perforce with rats and cockroaches, an oven in the hot season, a waterfall when rainy.

On his Cross, he is with you - God with you. He has taken on your nakedness, your vulnerability, your hunger, your illness, your shame. You once thought you could escape the hardship of your rural beginnings. But your suffering only increased. Here, you cannot find the camote to chase the hunger from your belly; you cannot find the herbs to stop your baby's vomiting and diarrhea; you cannot find money even to keep your single bulb burning. Here, though amidst thousands, neighbors are distant.

You were once grateful for the backbreaking work you finally found; your work continues to break your back, and bend you. But your debts just continue to grow. The clothes and shoes you bought last year to send your children to school are already worn out. In your home you have an altar. Mary is there. The Nazareno is there. So is the Sto. Niño. You pray. But you tremble when you hear the shouts of the demolition crews approaching. You cry out for mercy. You look into the eyes of your crucified King.

Looking into his eyes, you feel his gaze into your soul. You do not understand. Why the love for you, but a poor man? Why the energy from the Cross to convince you: you are loved? Why the persisting message like a mantra in the sign of the Cross: "I have come to bring life, and bring life to the full," and, "Blessed are you who are poor.... Blessed are you who hunger now... Blessed are you when men hate you..."

Why his silent acceptance of abuse, hatred, rejection, oppression and death in rejection of yours? Why his abiding identification with you, as he calls on his disciples to act in your aid? "Whatever you do for this poor person, that you do for me. ... Whatever you do not do for this poor person, that you do not do for me?" Why, on your behalf, to any who follow him, his mandate to works of mercy? "Feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty. Clothe the naked. Shelter the homeless. Visit the sick. Ransom the captive. Bury the dead." For the answers to these questions… look into his eyes, and search within.


You who are weary…

In the Year of the Poor, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, we your Pastors invite you, as Jesus himself did: come to Jesus. "Come to me," Jesus said, "and I will give you rest.” Life has not reduced you to penury, but life has not lifted you to wealth. To you also Jesus has said, "I have come to give life, and to give it to the full."

Thinking of your families, your spouses, your children, the relatives who run to you for help in their unending need, you work long hours, you work overtime, you even take on second and third jobs, just to make ends meet. Often ends don't meet; demands exhaust you; your taskmasters overstress you; worries distress you.

But you labor on in love. Thinking of the smiles on your children's faces and the promises you have made your spouse to provide adequately, you work on, hoping your sacrifice will bring the full life that Jesus brings. Whenever you can, whenever you remember, you pray. You ask him to help. You ask his mother for help. He does help. She does come to your aid. You know that. Now, coming to Jesus hanging from his Cross, look into his eyes as he looks into yours with love.


You who are rich…

“I have come to bring life,” he said, “life to the full.” Some of you, sadly, are unmoved by this. You do not believe this. You do not believe Jesus brings anything. You say you do, but you don't.

For you, the fullness of life is the good life: your doing. It is not gifted, but taken. It is not brought to you as a blessing from above, but seized as a result of pushing and shoving from below. It is not selfless, but selfish. It is fueled by pride, scheming ambition, the exhilaration of power, the taste of blood. For this you work harder than hard, you push yourselves to the limit, you even push beyond the limit. To achieve “the sweet life,” to outdo your ambitions, to over satiate your sycophants, to make them applaud without end, you abuse your bodies, you break the law, you violate your conscience; you ravage Creation. Your social life is your needy ego. You manipulate people, exploit their skills; take advantage of their weaknesses; pay them poorly. What is rightly theirs, you steal; what rightly belongs to society, you conceal. What is there for all, you horde for yourself. For you, there is no common good, only your good!

You build your first house, then your second houses; you provide for your family, then for your second families. You fill your lives with deceit, hypocrisy, and misery, and so glory in your "good life.” You take great satisfaction in that you are not like the rest of the rabble. You have no need for prayer; you have no need for God.

In this Year of the Poor, we your Pastors invite you, step back from the rat race, the pressure, the din. Step back, and look into the eyes of the King.

His gaze penetrates through your eyes to your heart. It is the same gaze of compassion as his gaze into the eyes of the poor. But it is a gaze altered by your own arrogance and cynicism. It is a gaze marked by concern. You may not wish to hear his message, but he says it again for you: "Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe when society speaks well of you, for your fathers did the same to false prophets."

He doesn't thunder this from loudspeakers, nor embarrass you with this in the media, for you are well-respected and honorable persons. He says it simply in his gaze, knowing fully you can reject it, as you have rejected it before.

But in the Year of the Poor, where so many poor are poor because of your decisions, he also reminds you that over concern with your humungous investments, your corporate takeovers, your capture of political power and your fine reputations to the detriment or negligence of the poor may have serious consequences. "Whatever you have done or not done to one of these the least of my brothers and sisters, that you have done or not done to me." For not feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, succoring the sick, sheltering the stranger, visiting the imprisoned, the Lord, the Just Judge, may say to you, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire..." for I was poor, and you did not care.

If you have trouble believing this, look into his eyes gazing at you from the Cross.


Behold Jesus poor…

If that gaze, filled will love, brings you to confusion, shame and repentance in this Year of the Poor, then consider its urgent challenge for you:

With God's grace, turn away from your haughtiness, your pride, your selfishness, your idolatry of money, your all-consuming fascination with power. In love, work to build the Kingdom of God on earth!

In the Philippines, this means, urgently: stop the corruption.

Stop the misuse of the People's funds. Stop the wanton destruction of the environment. Fight the poverty of the poor. Build vibrant companies that use our resources to create wealth for our people, but distribute that wealth equitably. Build an economy that responds to the unconscionable poverty of the fishermen, the tillers of the soil, the urban laborers. Build an economy that is open to the world, but whose benefits do not exclude the poor. Provide jobs.

Provide education that respects all our people as human beings and children of God, not just cogs in a global production machine. But provide education relevant to the fight against dehumanizing poverty: basic education to all, and higher education to all who desire it. Build a society of dialogue in our diversity, and especially for our poor, build a society of peace. No more war, for the greatest victims of war are the poor!


Behold Jesus, hope of the poor…

If that gaze, filled with love, brings you in poverty to consolation, encouragement and peace, take heart in Jesus' love. He strengthens you, encourages you, and calls the Christian community to help you progress from destitution to the fullness of life.

But help the community in helping yourselves. Should you have no work, look for work. Should you have work, work well. Cultivate a personal sense of industry, self-respect and social responsibility. As the economy allows, continue to provide well for your family in love: nutritious food, adequate clothing, medical care, good education, wholesome recreation. Strive for conditions of work that are humane and just. Continue to contribute to the welfare of your neighbors, your barangay, your municipality, your city, your nation. Always be helpful. Vote as the common good demands. Together with your spouse, lead your children to the love and respect the Lord through our Catholic communion. Be active in your parish and in your basic ecclesiastical community. Love, as you are loved by God. Share courageously of your faith in love! You are not just receivers of the Gospel. You are its bearers!


Shepherds looking into the eyes of the Good Shepherd…

Finally, in the year of the poor, we your pastors, and with us, all priests and religious, look with you into the eyes of the crucified Lord. How often it is that we have look into those tortured eyes and failed to notice their twinkle! We have seen only embarrassing defeat, jaded suffering and obvious dying, but failed to notice the light that pierces the gloom in our hearts.

In the void that loneliness and isolation brought by our distance from Crucified, we can be misled to fill the gaping abyss with new phones and ipads. We can cover the gaping vacuum with another luxury car or designer jeans or more fashionable shoes more than our shoe racks can contain; with a vacation out of the country or another gadget for the bedroom. We can hold on to the whisky bottle and hope that the bottled spirit will exorcise the spirit of boredom in us. It can also be filled up by working like a horse to impress the people, to create a fans’ club and move you up higher to a better assignment. It can also increase our interest in bank savings, the stock market and the accumulation of more properties. Church funds and personal funds are deliberately mixed up. The parish crawls in financial difficulties while we sprint and jump with financial security. Our easy and comfortable lifestyles can make us numb to the peril of worldliness. It can make us at ease with ecclesiastical vanities.

How often have we reduced his living eyes to painted plastic on a wall, and deprived ourselves of feeling what those eyes twinkling in passion convey: that we are noticed, appreciated, valued, and sent forth. In so doing, we have cheated ourselves of the only treasure in our calling: the felt certainty from the Cross that we are each individually and totally loved.

We have exchanged this prize, this pearl of great price , for the compulsive conservation of conceptual castles, for the anxious pettiness of rules and regulations, for the obsessive preservation of a pecking order, for the selfish defense of private space, for the eccentric collection of quaint things, as well as for the lifelong preparation for our retirement.

Or, we have exchanged this self-emptied Messiah for self-established messiahs on distinguished thrones, ourselves rejecting the folly of the Cross, preferring the authority of feared prelates or the renown of pious celebrity or the fashionable cynicism of the insecure. For these recognized spiritual professionals, there is really no need for prayer, no need for prophets, and certainly no need for the unlettered and unwashed, for all ultimately is about themselves.


Look at Jesus…

In this year of the poor, we too are being asked in silence to peer into the eyes of the crucified Lord, not plastic, nor wooden, nor closed, but open for me, confusing me, disturbing me, returning me to an original inspiration, healing me, raising me up, making me whole and surprising me anew with unaccustomed joy. In those twinkling eyes, we consider the quiet invitation to be actually poor, one with him, stripped of his clothes, his dignity, his possessions, his power, his strength, one with the unwashed, the oppressed, the scorned, the powerless, the miserable, the outcaste. Of course, we can say no. We can repeat the valid, reasonable excuses. But we can also say yes.

In this Year of the Poor, may our neediness be turned to sanctity, and may our arrogance be turned to service. In all, may the love of the Crucified Lord triumph as he gazes into our hearts and we dare to look into his.

Amen. Amen.

For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, November 30, 2014, First Sunday of Advent




(SGD)+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
CBCP President

The Inconvenient Truth About The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I have watched with great fascination how ordinary and famous people alike took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge by posting a video of them being doused with ice cold water and tagging someone to do the same. The goal of course is to raise money for the ALS Foundation to help find a cure for ALS (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's disease). There is really nothing wrong with that, but if you are planning to join the ice bucket bandwagon please consider reading this blog post first. There is more to this than meets the eye.

The Ice Bucket Challenge and Lou Gehrig's Disease Research

The Ice Bucket Challenge aims to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. According to the website of the ALS Association (ALSA), here is how it works:

The challenge involves people getting doused with buckets of ice water on video, posting that video to social media, then nominating others to do the same, all in an effort to raise ALS awareness. People can either accept the challenge or make a donation to an ALS Charity of their choice, or do both.

Posed in this manner, there is nothing morally problematic about the nature of the challenge. Accepting the challenge does not require any donations, but helps promote the primary goal of raising ALS awareness. Those declining the challenge are encouraged to “make a donation to an ALS charity of their choice,” but there is no legal or moral obligation to do so, nor is there any requirement that a donation go to ALSA. Naturally, those who accept the challenge are also free to make a donation to an ALS charity. Some, such as the schools of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, are choosing to accept the challenge while also making donations to other organizations that promote awareness and support for persons with ALS.

Since the challenge started trending in late July 2014, it has successfully raised awareness about the disease on a dramatic scale, accomplishing its main purpose with great creativity and fun. It has also generated more than 40 million dollars in donations to promote research into causes of ALS and the development of new treatments.

Given its size and the significant amount of research, awareness, and support work with which it is involved, ALSA has been the primary recipient of many if not most donations resulting from the challenge. ALSA has also helped to promote the challenge on its website and through social media in accordance with its good aims as a charitable organization.

The public attention and funds being directed toward ALSA as a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge raise an important, but not widely known moral concern: ALSA also advocates for human embryonic stem cell research, including through funding for specific research projects. As indicated in the Advocacy Archive section of their website, they were active in encouraging expanded funding for embryonic stem cell research as soon as President Obama took office: “Earlier this month, the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, of which The ALS Association is an active member, sent a letter to President Obama urging him to quickly lift the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.” Another advocacy group for patients with ALS, called Project ALS, is similarly on record encouraging human embryonic stem cell research.

In its Instruction Dignitas Personae, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith speaks clearly to the moral problems with the use of embryonic stem cells, even for noble and therapeutically effective ends:

The obtaining of stem cells from a living human embryo ... invariably causes the death of the embryo and is consequently gravely illicit: “research, in such cases, irrespective of efficacious therapeutic results, is not truly at the service of humanity. In fact, this research advances through the suppression of human lives that are equal in dignity to the lives of other human individuals and to the lives of the researchers themselves. History itself has condemned such a science in the past and will condemn it in the future, not only because it lacks the light of God but also because it lacks humanity” (n. 32, quoting Pope Benedict XVI).

ALSA acknowledges that there are relevant ethical concerns surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells: "The discovery that human embryonic stem cells can be isolated and propagated in the lab with the potential of developing into all tissues of the body is a major medical breakthrough. But it has raised ethical concerns." When asked about the ALSA position on human embryonic stem cell research, Carrie Munk, a spokeswoman for the Association, noted in an e-mail to Religion News Service that the organization primarily funds adult stem cell research: “Currently, The Association is funding one study using embryonic stem cells (ESC), and the stem cell line was established many years ago under ethical guidelines set by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS); this research is funded by one specific donor, who is committed to this area of research,” she said. “The project is in its final phase and will come to an end very soon.” Nonetheless, the organization does not clearly rule out the prospect of funding for ESC research.

Potential donors seeking to support laudable causes, such as research for cures to serious diseases, face the challenge of exercising due diligence, so that their funds are properly utilized and not misdirected or otherwise targeted by an advocacy organization to support immoral projects.

When foundations have a generally sound list of activities but promote an intrinsically immoral activity as well (such as abortion, human embryonic stem cell research, or contraception), donors must consider the serious matter of the fungibility of donated funds. Whenever we participate in fundraising for such organizations, even if they assure us that specified funds will only be used for activities with an ethical profile, it can end up being little more than a shell game. In this sense, there is a real danger that our fundraising activities may not only engender scandal, but may even contribute to the perpetuation of grave evils like abortion and human embryonic stem cell research. The duty to affirm the dignity of human life, and associated questions of scandal resulting from a lack of clarity, can become more significant—with a corresponding need for caution about where the funding is going—when Catholic authorities or institutions such as dioceses and schools are involved.

Donors who are concerned about the misuse of funds by groups such as ALSA, Project ALS, or others should consider notifying those organizations of their reasons for choosing not to donate, encouraging them to cease advocacy and funding for ESC research, raising awareness about the immoral destruction of human life through embryonic stem cell research, and donating to alternative ALS research and advocacy groups that do not support or promote human embryonic stem cell research. Several examples of such groups can be mentioned:

The Cell Therapy Foundation specifically promotes adult stem cell research. On their website, it is possible to donate in a directed way to specific research, including ALS:

http://www.celltherapyfoundation.org/Donate-Now/Funding-Specific-Research

Compassionate Care ALS offers much-needed care and treatment for people living with ALS (instead of focusing on scientific research and the development of therapies): http://www.ccals.org/home.php.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life reported in a recent newsletter that the ALS Therapy Development Institute (http://www.als.net/), when asked on the phone about this issue, said they do not support research with embryonic stem cells “because they think induced pluripotent adult stem cells are the best avenue to a cure.” The newsletter also noted that “they do not have a principled objection to using embryonic stem cells but said they understand the gravity of the issue and would be very public if they change their position so donors and potential donors would be aware.”


Source:

The Ethicists of The National Catholic Bioethics Center
The Ice Bucket Challenge and Lou Gehrig's Disease Research
August 22, 2014
© 2014 by the National Catholic Bioethics Center

[P.S. Feel free to forward this info as long as you include the source I posted above. Thanks.]

Healing From the Ties That Bind

Living Waters Philippines is once again inviting everyone to its 25-week healing and discipleship series entitled Healing From the Ties That Bind from May 6 - Oct 7, 2014. To download the application form and for full details, kindly visit their website.

In a nutshell, Living Waters is an in-depth, Christ-centered healing and discipleship series that helps Christians to grow in Christ-likeness. It addresses primarily our relational brokenness toward God and each other and all the complexities that arise as a result of that. Please click on the About Us section to know more about the Living Waters Program. You can also inquire at the following numbers: 5713904, 9560637, GLOBE: 09272845037, SMART: 09088115824

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Voice of Joy

Dear Friends,

I would like to share this magnificent piece of sacred music which you can give your loved ones as a gift this Holiday Season. I invite you to watch Friar Alessandro as he sings Adeste Fideles.

More about Friar Alessandro...

The Franciscan Friar is a sanctuary guide in Assisi, Italy where he was born. His hope as the first Franciscan Friar to be signed to a major record label is that his voice will have the ability to foster a stronger Catholic presence in contemporary art & music.

His enthusiasm for music since childhood influenced him to study organ, musical composition, and operatic singing at institutions and conservatories throughout Italy. However, his success in music felt incomplete in the absence of a driven religious life. So at the age of twenty-one, he entered as a postulant in the Order of the Friars Minor of Umbria and would take his final vows some ten years later. It was in fact the desire to join the Order which pushed him to complete his qualification at the musical conservatory as it was considered a touchstone for the seriousness of his commitment. At present he lives at the Porziuncola Friary in Santa Maria degli Angeli, Assisi, where he welcomes pilgrims to the Basilica.  

Stay up to date by checking out his Facebook.

For everything else, you can visit his website at FriarAlessandro.com

Reparational Prayer Request for Gay Pride Month

The month of June is celebrated worldwide as gay pride month. Our friend from Toronto, Canada is asking everyone to sign up for an hour of prayer in the Blessed Sacrament to pray for these intentions. Please visit the weblinks below for more information. Thank you.

Dear Courage Manila,

Greetings again in the Lord!

I'm writing to ask for your support for our campaign of reparational prayer during Toronto's Pride Week, now underway. Our city is in great spiritual need, and this year's festival is the dress rehearsal before it hosts World Pride 2014.

In this our second annual campaign, Charity, Clarity, Chastity invites people to sign up for an hour of prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, to pray for those three intentions.

Would you please be so kind as to share this link on your blog.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4DA8AA28A57-charity

Participation from the Philippines would be most helpful in covering some of the slots in the schedule that are harder for Canadians to fill because for us they are in the middle of the night. And regrettably, much debauchery overnight can be expected this weekend. So too can much desolation be expected.

I have posted some further thoughts on our blog here.
http://thesheepfold.typepad.com/the_sheepcat/2013/06/charity-clarity-chastity-prayer-pride-toronto.html

Of course we would be glad to reciprocate in prayer for you, as for example we did in connection with your country's "reproductive health" bill.

Thanks and God bless,

Alan

Ang Pro-Life Party List

I don't normally endorse individuals or groups but this coming elections I wholeheartedly give my support to Ang Pro-Life Partylist for the sake of the unborn and to help fight the advancing culture of death in our nation.


FELLOW PROLIFERS,

Our nation has been ravaged by traditional politics and immoral RH law, which are some of the factors that prevent us from seeing economic and moral prosperity. 

 

Our country is faced with serious economic, political, social, and moral problems, and this is why it is time to heed the clamor of the people for a vote that will espouse Catholic and moral principles, first and foremost. 

 

For this reason, we ask for your support not only in voting, but actively participating in campaigning and promoting Ang Prolife Partylist. 

 

A vote for Ang Prolife is a vote for the future of our nation. 

 

We may not have the big machinery that traditional politicians have but if we help each other out, God will bless our efforts and will reward us with victory.

 

For more inquiries on how to help us in our campaign or how to donate to Ang Prolife Partylist, call us at 02-734-8425 or text us at 0917-5359702 email us at angprolifepartylist@gmail.com

The Word Exposed

Help Keep The Word Exposed Alive!


Dearest Donor,

Thank you for your interest to partake in this endeavor! As you may already know, The Word Exposed is a TV program produced by Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc. It airs Sundays from 7 to 8 a.m. on TV5 and is hosted by no other than our beloved Bishop Chito Tagle from the Diocese of Imus.

Since its first airing on August of 2008, the program has captured over 40,000 fans on Facebook alone and is gaining at least a thousand more each month. However, we fear that our show may cease to air due to depleting funds. It is because of this that we are appealing to you for help!

By pledging to donate at least 300 pesos a month, you help support us in our evangelization ministry! Through this regular contribution, you allow us to continue producing the show that has become a source of spiritual nourishment to many Filipinos here and abroad!

We look forward to having you become a part of this worthy cause.


Yours sincerely,

Fr. Emmanuel L. Alfonso, SJ
Executive Director
Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc.

-oOo-

For more information, write or call:

Jesuit Communications
Sonolux Bldg., Seminary Drive
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
1108 Philippines

Tel: (632) 426.5971 to 72
Fax: (632) 426.5970
E-mail: jescomprod@gmail.com
Web: www.jescom.ph

Courage Philippines on Facebook

Dear Friends,

Courage Philippines is now on Facebook! You can visit our fan page at:

www.facebook.com/courage.philippines

This page was created through the efforts of one of our new members in the community.

To our regular blog visitors, thank you for continuously visiting our blog.

Have a blessed day and God bless everyone.

World Youth Day 2011

Forwarded invitation from EWTN:


To those who are interested in joining the World Youth Day 2011 celebration in Madrid, Spain please visit www.ewtn.com/wyd2011 or you can tune in to EWTN Life On The Rock for the most extensive on-site coverage of this event. The World Youth Day is a legacy of the late Blessed Pope John Paul II, which is being continued by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

Where To Go During An Earthquake

[Note: With all the earthquakes happening around the world, most recently in New Zealand and Japan, you should read this life-saving article.]

Where to Go During an Earthquake

Remember that stuff about hiding under a table or standing in a doorway? Well, forget it! This is a real eye opener. It could save your life someday.

EXCERPT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON 'THE TRIANGLE OF LIFE'

My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI ), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.

I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years, and have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.

The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene -- unnecessary.

Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them - NOT under them. This space is what I call the 'triangle of life'. The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the 'triangles' you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building.

TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY

1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' when building collapse are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.

2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a bed, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.

3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.

4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on the back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.

5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.

6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!

7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.

8) Get near the outer walls of buildings or outside of them if possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.

9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.

10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.

Spread the word and save someone's life...

The entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!

'We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly'

In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in my 'triangle of life' survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover.

There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV.

"Triangle of Life"

Without listening or reading, simply by looking at the following self-explanatory photos, you can learn more than in a thousand words about how to protect yourself during a major earthquake...









If you are inside a vehicle, come out and sit or lie down next to it. If something falls on the vehicle, it will leave an empty space along the sides. See below:















(Source：國際救援小組（ARTI），網址：http://www.amerrescue.org/)

American Rescue Team International（ARTI）is said to be the World's most experienced rescue team and disaster management-mitigation organization.

Courage Philippines Blog Turns Two

The Courage Philippines blog turns two today. It has been two years of inspiration in proclaiming the truths about SSA and I'm very thankful for that. Our blog has now reached a page rank level of 4 out of 10. Page rank is a tool used by Google to gauge a website's relevance and popularity. Not bad huh considering that I am not actively promoting this blog on the internet. People simply find us through the major search engines by typing some keywords on all sorts of topics, but of course you cannot sustain a constant flow of traffic without adding fresh and relevant contents on the blog.

Let's take a look at the stats. As of this posting, the blog has gathered a total of 13,128 visitors. The top five visitor countries are Philippines, US, Indonesia, Canada, & Great Britain with a total of 20,595 page views. What can I say but thank you. I am looking forward to double the stats in the coming year.

Looking beyond the stats I think the most important aspect of the blog is its mission to defend and proclaim the truth. The issue of homosexuality is one topic that is full of confusion and lies. People tend to accept and believe without reasonable thinking what the media feed their minds. Many people struggling with SSA (same-sex attraction) fully accept the idea that they were born gay even if there was no conclusive evidence of a gay gene. They make the struggle their core identity on which they base all their thinking patterns and behaviors instead of realizing that we are NOT our struggles and that our true identity as a person regardless of what our struggles are rests in the fact that we are the beloved children of God created in His very image and likeness.

But I'm not left without some consolation. A few people who have read this blog are now members of our Courage community and I thank God for using this blog as His instrument. This only means that I'm doing something right and it is my hope that through my small contribution in maintaining this blog and by God's grace many more persons with SSA will come to know the truth. In connection with this I am now formally accepting contributors to this blog and this is on a purely voluntary basis of course. You can send your entries to couragemanila@yahoo.com and I will personally acknowledge every article received through a reply e-mail. I also invite our casual blog readers to send in their stories and letters.

Looking forward to another fruitful year. To God always be the glory.

Philippine Festivals & Events 2011

This is obviously off topic for this blog but I want to do my small share in promoting tourism in the country. I saw this list of yearlong cultural and religious festivities in the newspaper last Sunday and found myself longing to experience it for myself. Our country is not only rich in natural resources but also in history and traditions that are totally unique to us, and our rich cultural heritage defines who we are as a people. It's a shame but some of the events here don't ring a bell in my mind. I must have missed it in my history class! And so as the oft repeated tourism slogan goes, 'Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan.'


JANUARY (Sto. Nino Fiesta)

The New Year kicks off with colorful street dancing parades to showcase the Filipino's deep veneration for the Sto. Nino (Child Jesus). Sto. Nino festivities are held in Manila and many other places in the country.

* Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila
* Sinulog Festival in Cebu City
* Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City
* Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan


FEBRUARY (Culture and Adventure Fiesta)

Enjoy the cool climes of the Cordilleras, hitch a ride on a hot air balloon or witness the flight of countless migratory birds. Whatever your pleasure, there's no where else to go but up!

* Panagbenga Flower Festival in Baguio City
* International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark Airfield, Pampanga
* Ibon-Ebon Festival in Candaba, Pampanga
* 2nd Phil Int'l Pyromusical Competition, SM MOA Complex


MARCH (Ecotourism Festival)

Feast your senses with mother nature's beauty. Go nature tripping, dive our seas or explore our caves and forests. Every voyage of discovery results in fascination and amazement. Only in the Philippines!

* Whale Shark Interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon
* Puerto Princesa Underground River and the Tabon Caves in Palawan
* The Chocolate Hills and the Loboc River Firefly Watching Tour in Bohol
* Mt. Apo Trek in Davao del Sur


APRIL (Summer Caravan)

Join the summer caravans to be organized by various motor associations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Take part in pilgrimages to Pangasinan, Ilocos, and other religious sites. Observe Lenten rituals in Marinduque and other centers of Holy Week traditions.

* Moriones Festival in Marinduque
* Cutud Lenten Rites in Pampanga
* Magayon Festival in Albay
* Nationwide Easter Celebrations


MAY (Fiesta Extravaganza)

As summer comes to a close, the countryside springs to life as harvest fiestas are celebrated. See houses festooned with flowers, vegetables and horticultural varieties. Be mesmerized by carabaos kneeling in front of the church after a procession of floats. Keep in step with "fertility dance rites" for couples wishing to become parents.

* Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon
* Pulilan Carabao Festival and the Obando Fertility Rites in Bulacan
* Pasasalamat Festival in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
* Kaogma Festival, Camarines Sur


JUNE (Historical Fiesta)

Commemorate the country's independence. Visit our historical sites and learn from our past. Know how our national heroes sacrificed their lives for the country. Travel the Road of Philippine Freedom.

* Philippine Independence Day Celebrations Worldwide
* Re-enactment of the Declaration of Independence in Kawit, Cavite
* 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Calamba, Laguna.
* Pintados Kasadyaan Festival in Tacloban City, Leyte


JULY (Food Fiesta)

The Filipino's rich culinary tradition is demonstrated in the numerous recipes that are a mixture of Spanish and Oriental flavours. Try mouth-watering Filipino specialties that will satisfy your discriminating tastes. Join various culinary tours and enjoy the delightful flavours of our regional cuisine.

* Pampanga Culinary Tours
* Ilocos Culinary Tours
* Bicol Culinary Tours

(Special promotions and offers to be arranged in hotels, resorts, and restaurants nationwide.)


AUGUST (Mindanao Fiesta)

Fascinating, spellbinding and worth exploring - Exotic Mindanao! Be mesmerized by its rich natural resources and colourful, ethnic traditions. Witness the gathering of tribal groups in Mindanao. Partake in the celebration of bountiful harvests.

* Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival in Davao City
* Durian Festival in Tagum City
* Higa-onon Festival in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
* Kalibongan Festival in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato


SEPTEMBER (Philippine Tourism Fiesta)

Tourism takes centerstage with the hosting of the Philippine Travel Mart and the Philippine Travel Exchange. All Filipinos are reminded to make their meaningful contributions to promote tourism as a means to generate greater economic results especially in the countryside.

* Philippine Travel Exchange/Philippine Travel Mart in Metro Manila
* Iloilo City Tourism Month
* Baguio City Tourism Month
* Penafrancia Festival in Naga City, Camarines Sur


OCTOBER (Health and Wellness Fiesta)

Feel great. Stay healthy. Go natural. Enjoy life. Indulge yourself in diverse spa offerings and physical fitness programs. Treat yourself to the country's healing hands and caring hearts. Be pampered with our traditional massage - Hilot.

* Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
* Lanzones Festival in Camiguin
* Masskara Festival in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

(Special promotions, offers, or tours to be arranged with health facilities and spa resorts nationwide)


NOVEMBER (Arts and Music Fiesta)

Be enamoured by our rich culture and colourful heritage. Know more about our diverse traditions as exhibited in visual art and dance forms. Be enthralled by the inborn musicality of the Filipino.

* Feast of San Clemente/Higantes Festival in Angono, Rizal
* Helobong Festival in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
* Kalinawa Art Exhibit in Tagum City, Davao del Norte
* Northern Mindanao Art Exhibit in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental


DECEMBER (Christmas Fiesta)

As lanterns light up and spread Christmas cheer, attend the Misa de Gallo (early morning mass) and give glory and thanks for the birth of Christ the Saviour. The season is for children, so shopping for the little ones is a must!

* Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando City, Pampanga
* Pasko sa Policarpio in Mandaluyong City
* Paskuhan sa Imus in Imus, Cavite
* Christmas Celebrations Nationwide

For more information please contact:

The Philippine Tourism Promotions Board Tel Nos: (02) 525-1255 and 525-9318 locals 244/271.

Event schedules posted are as submitted by organizers to the Department of Tourism. Schedules may change without prior notice.

Tara na, Biyahe na!

(Source: Manila Bulletin, 01/09/11)