TACLOBAN CITY– Filipino journalists have been devastated again following the closure of predominantly English-language media outfit CNN Philippines on January 29, 2024, some three years after the closure of another giant broadcast company ABS-CBN.
“It is with heavy heart that we share the difficult news that we will stop news production operations as a result of serious financial losses,” CNN Philippines President Benjamin Ramos said in a post by one of their reporters on X, formerly Twitter.
“We thank you for delivering news that are fair, accurate, and balanced. You have rightfully earned the trust of Filipinos and we sincerely thank all of you for that,” Ramos told the company employees.
CNN Philippines, which started operation under the management of Nine Media Corporation (NMC) on March 16, 2015, reportedly incurred losses of over P5 billion.
The local franchise holder company however assured that it will provide severance packages to its 300 workers and talents.
“This is very saddening news because aside from the country losing a source of news due to the closure of CNN Philippines, it will also result in the losses of jobs to many employees,” Tacloban City-based journalist Roel Amazona, 43, who worked as CNN Philippines stringer.
“Since 2013, I’ve been working with them as news talent, providing them with regional stories from Eastern Visayas. It was a privilege and honor to work as news talent for CNN Philippines, and work with their staff on big coverage,” Amazona, who also writes for Leyte Samar Daily Express, added.
Stanley Buenafe Gajete, who previously worked for two years at CNN Philippines, also expressed his solidarity with his former colleagues.
“I am forever grateful and honored to be part of this strong broadcast team in the country. So much learning. Mahal kita (I love you), CNN Philippines. Hugs to all former colleagues,” Gajete said.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the largest media group that supports the welfare of the Philippine media, also hoped that the company “will help its media workers through the transition and hope as well that our colleagues will get to come back to the profession as soon as possible.”
“The loss of another newsroom means one less source of reliable information for the public at a time when disinformation and misinformation are rampant,” it said. (RONALD O. REYES)
Leyte Rep. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez vehemently denies of any involvement of a signature campaign aimed to amend the 1987 Constitution thru people’s initiative. (PHOTO COURTESY)
Leyte Rep. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez vehemently denies of any involvement of a signature campaign aimed to amend the 1987 Constitution thru people’s initiative. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY– Leyte Representative and House Speaker Martin Romualdez denies any involvement on the signature campaign aim to amend the 1987 Constitution.
In a statement, Romualdez said while the main proponents of the People’s Initiative-one mode to amend the fundamental law of the land- held a meeting in his town house, it did mean that he was behind on the campaign.
“My role, as misinterpreted by some, is not as an orchestrator but as a facilitator for healthy democratic processes,” he said.
“It is crucial that I clarify that while I support the spirit of civic engagement and participatory governance, my involvement in the People’s Initiative has been purely advisory and in no way extends to mobilizing or leading their signature campaign,” Romualdez stressed.
“The initiative and its operations are entirely led and managed by the group themselves he clarified,” he added.
Speaker Romualdez also dismissed that during the gathering of signatures across the country, those who have signed the petition were being given cash.
“Furthermore, I firmly deny any allegations of involvement in unlawful activities such as vote buying related to this or any other initiative. Such practices are against my principles and the ethical standards of our government,” he said.
“I respect the autonomy of the People’s Initiative and commend their efforts to engage in constitutional discourse. However, as the Speaker of the House, my primary role is to steer legislative actions within the Congress and ensure that all processes are conducted with integrity, fairness, and in accordance with our laws,” he added. (LIZBETH ANN ABELLA)
In his recent address to public servants, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meticulously enumerated his prohibitions, apparently showcasing his strong commitment to integrity and transparency in governance. He hinted at the potential pitfalls and temptations that public officials may encounter and his vision for a government that prioritizes public interest above personal gain under his Bagong Pilipinas campaign.
His prohibition of graft and corruption underscores his desire to eradicate these long-standing issues that plague many governments worldwide. He stressed that public servants must not engage in any form of bribery, embezzlement, or misappropriation of funds, as these actions undermine trust in the government and rob the citizens of the resources meant for their welfare. He strongly conveyed that such actions are not tolerated under his administration.
He also detests nepotism and favoritism within the ranks of public service. Recognizing that these practices breed resentment and hinder meritocracy, he insisted that appointments and promotions should be based solely on qualifications and achievements. This prohibition promotes fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness within the public sector, ensuring that only the most competent individuals are entrusted with key positions and responsibilities. But sadly, nepotism is still rampant in government agencies within our region.
Furthermore, PBBM banned public officials from using their positions for personal gain or enrichment. He stressed the importance of maintaining integrity and avoiding conflicts of interest, urging public servants always to prioritize the welfare of the people they serve. By limiting opportunities for corruption and self-enrichment, PBBM pushes for a government that is truly dedicated to uplifting the lives of its citizens and fulfilling its duties with utmost sincerity.
His prohibitions on public servants demonstrate his commitment to establishing a government of integrity, accountability, and transparency, but it takes so much conscience for appointing officials to heed that call, despite their duty to uphold the highest ethical standards and act in the best interest of the public. We hope PBBM’s vision for a corruption-free government and a service-oriented public sector will deliver positive change and improve the lives of the people it serves.
In the perpetual pursuit of knowledge, humanity has been questioning the boundaries of its capabilities, sometimes comparing its intellect with artificial intelligence (AI). I find the topic intriguing, as it challenges the very essence of what it means to be human. While AI possesses certain advantages in terms of data processing and computational power, the human mind uniquely excels in creative thinking, emotional understanding, and moral reasoning.
Intelligence, in its most fundamental form, is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge. AI unquestionably possesses an extraordinary capacity for storing and processing vast amounts of data at breakneck speeds, surpassing any human mind. However, true intelligence encompasses more than just information processing; it encompasses comprehension and interpretation. Through abstract thinking and lateral connections, the human brain excels in recognizing patterns and deriving meaningful insights, demonstrating a level of understanding that has yet to be replicated by AI.
The human mind’s ability to tap into the realms of creativity is unsurpassable. Creative thinking and problem-solving are integral qualities that drive innovation and progress. While AI can generate new ideas and solutions based on existing data patterns, it falls short when it comes to generating novel concepts and thinking beyond the confines of preexisting knowledge. The human mind’s capacity for imagination and intuition allows for the birth of groundbreaking ideas that propel society forward in unprecedented ways.
Emotional understanding is another aspect in which the human mind outshines AI. Human emotions are complex, and our ability to understand and empathize with others’ emotions is a source of great strength. It enables us to establish deep connections, express compassion, and make moral judgments. On the other hand, AI lacks emotional intelligence, which significantly limits its potential to engage in meaningful interpersonal relationships and make ethical decisions.
Speaking of ethics, moral reasoning is a domain where the human mind showcases its superiority. The nuance and subjectivity of ethical dilemmas require empathy, cultural understanding, and the capacity for moral deliberation. While AI can be programmed with certain rules and guidelines, it cannot weigh competing moral values or navigate the complexities of ethical decision-making. Human morality is shaped by experiences, emotions, and cultural contexts, making it extremely difficult to replicate purely through computational means.
Though AI has undeniable advantages over the human mind in processing data and analyzing information, it is the unique blend of human intellect and AI’s analytical prowess that holds the greatest potential. By harnessing AI’s computational capabilities, humans can amplify their intellectual capacities, enabling them to tackle complex challenges more efficiently. Moreover, the symbiotic relationship between humans and AI can lead to new insights, as AI can uncover patterns and connections that may be hidden in the human mind alone. Conversely, it is the human element that can provide context, interpretation, and values to the analyses performed by AI.
While AI impresses with its data processing capabilities, it cannot rival the intricacies of the human mind. The combination of human intellect, creative thinking, emotional understanding, and moral reasoning serves as an irreplaceable pillar in the advancement of society and the pursuit of knowledge. Rather than asserting the superiority of one over the other, we should embrace the potential of integrating AI’s analytical power with the human intellect, allowing us to achieve new heights in human understanding, innovation, and problem-solving.
Should that day come when AI will finally assume human intellect, creative thinking, and emotional understanding, then that would be the time when AI will no longer serve as a tool for human utilization, but an independent being itself, capable of deciding its fate, making plans for its future and that of mankind. That would be alarming—AI as our potential rival.
THAT’S what the readings of the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, reminds us of. From the Book of Job, we are already warned that our life here on earth is some kind of a warfare. (cfr. 7,1) And St. Paul in the Second Reading also tells us that we have to learn to be “all things to all men to save all.” (1 Cor 9,22) That’s definitely a tall order, given the way we are.
And Christ himself showed us how our life—with all its challenges, difficulties and dangers—can and should be. In spite of the many good things he already was doing, many more people with great needs came to him asking for help. (cfr. Mk 1,29-39) That he had a very complicated life is indeed an understatement.
All of us, but especially priests and others in similar position, should be tough and strong. We need to be tough because aside from bearing our own personal burdens, from contending with our own personal demons, we also have to bear the burdens of the others. It is no joke to serve like the receptacle of the problems of the others and to find ways to help them.
Since we priests, for example, usually hear confessions and give counseling and spiritual direction to others, we cannot help but be affected somehow by what we hear. And the problems of some people can be so heavy and heart-wrenching that we end up exhausted, practically emptied of any strength and energy.
The worst part is what to say as advice and how to say it. It indeed is a big challenge to be able to present the mercy and love of God when the people’s problems seem to have no human solution or when their miseries and weaknesses seem to be persistent and insurmountable despite their efforts.
In these cases, the challenge is how to present God’s love in such a way that his love and mercy is seen as soothing, acceptable and meaningful. The challenge is how to present God’s love such that even if pain and suffering are unavoidable, people can see that God’s love takes care of everything. They would realize that what they cannot solve, God will always solve it for them in his own mysterious ways.
There is no doubt that a lot of spiritual and supernatural means are needed here. We have to pray that the people’s faith gets stirred and enlivened, that their hope gets reaffirmed and strengthened, that their love for God gets enkindled.
Aside from prayer, a lot of sacrifices are also needed. Prayer and sacrifices vitally unite and identify us with Christ who is the one to give us all the strength and light we need. Let’s remember what St. Paul said in this regard: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4,13)
Yes, it’s only with Christ and in him that we priests can truly be tough and strong as we should be as we carry out our ministry of helping people in their spiritual and moral life that can be filled with all sorts of problems and challenges.
Our toughness should be the toughness of Christ who was and continues to be willing to bear all the problems of men, and goes all the way to offer his life for the salvation of men.
CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
Slogans like the one above can easily inspire the impoverished, but the wealthy and powerful are more likely to understand better. Groceries can be purchased with money, and happiness can also be obtained with it.
For the complicated and tangled political landscape, it aptly shows that money weigh heavier than principles than righteousness.
The realities that we collectively have this time is somewhat bleak and the future seems darker.
In the olden times there were oracles that tells the future and this time we can analyze the you tube videos and Facebook videos too. The predictions and forecasts are seemingly bleak, no good times ahead only price increase and political turmoil that would surely divert the attention of our leaders, away from the hard facts and low economic numbers. These are all clear nowadays.
So beyond the metrics, go for the things that matters, do not be dependent on money.
That’s a great question, and one that many people are interested in. Living beyond money means finding happiness and fulfillment in things that are not related to material wealth, such as relationships, hobbies, spirituality, or personal growth. Living well with little money means being able to meet your basic needs and enjoy some of the pleasures of life without spending a lot of money.
There are many ways to live beyond money and live well with little money, but they all require some planning, creativity, and discipline. Here are some general tips that might help you:
• Create a budget and stick to it. A budget is a plan for how you will spend and save your money each month. It helps you track your income and expenses, and avoid overspending or debt. You can use tools like Mint.com or other budgeting software to help you create and manage your budget. You can also use cash only to make purchases, as this can help you avoid the charges that come with credit cards, and ensure you know how much you are spending1.
• Save and invest your money. Saving and investing your money can help you build your wealth and prepare for the future, while also reducing your reliance on money for happiness. You can save money by setting aside a portion of your income for savings and investments before you spend it on anything else. This is called paying yourself first21. You can also save money by finding cheaper alternatives to your favorite products and services, such as shopping around for discounts, coupons, or sales, buying second-hand or refurbished items, or making your own products at home13. You can invest your money in various ways, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate, depending on your risk tolerance and goals. You can use tools like [Acorns] or other investing apps to help you invest your money automatically and easily.
• Seek experiences, not possessions. Studies have shown that experiences, such as traveling, learning, or volunteering, can bring more happiness and fulfillment than material possessions, which tend to lose their value over time21. Experiences can also enrich your life, broaden your perspective, and create lasting memories. You can seek experiences that are low-cost or free, such as visiting a local park, museum, or library, taking an online course, or joining a community group. You can also sell unused items online or at a garage sale, and use the money to fund your experiences13.
• Cultivate gratitude and contentment. One of the best ways to live beyond money and live well with little money is to appreciate what you already have and be happy with it. You can practice gratitude by writing down or saying out loud the things you are thankful for every day, or by expressing your appreciation to others. You can also practice contentment by avoiding comparison, envy, or greed, and by focusing on your values, purpose, and passions21.
• Surround yourself with like-minded people. It can be hard to live beyond money and live well with little money if you are constantly influenced by people who are obsessed with it. Try to find and connect with people who share your values and goals, and who support your efforts to live a simpler and more meaningful life. You can also join online or offline communities that promote frugality, minimalism, or financial independence21.
• Seek professional help if needed. Sometimes, the fixated gaze on money can be a symptom of a deeper psychological issue, such as anxiety, depression, or addiction. If you feel that your relationship with money is unhealthy or affecting your well-being, you may want to seek professional help from a therapist, counselor, or coach. They can help you identify and address the root causes of your money problems, and provide you with tools and strategies to overcome them21. Sources : Smartlifesimple, wikihow.com
