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If only the land can sing

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Imagine and visualize the country nowadays? If it can only utter words and patch it up into a song, it would be these words from the Hindi Movie 3 Idiots.

Give me some sunshine, Give me some rain,Give me another chance
I wanna grow up once again.

Around her, the people toil endlessly, their backs bent under the burden of rising prices, corruption, and political instability. The flag, once vibrant, hangs heavy in the smoke of unrest, while children look on with uncertain futures.

This suffering is not just economic; it is deeply emotional and cultural. Farmers watch their harvests fail, workers migrate abroad to survive, families are torn apart, and communities feel abandoned.

The Philippines today finds itself trapped in a cycle of political conflict and corruption that undermines the very institutions meant to safeguard democracy. The Senate, once envisioned as a chamber of reason and debate, has increasingly become a theatrical stage where power struggles overshadow genuine governance. Leadership disputes, impeachment dramas, and partisan maneuvering have reduced legislative sessions to spectacles, eroding public trust in the system.

Corruption remains a persistent shadow, with scandals involving infrastructure projects, misuse of funds, and political patronage weakening accountability.

Instead of serving the people, many leaders appear more concerned with preserving influence and shielding allies from scrutiny. This culture of impunity not only paralyzes reforms but also deepens economic hardship, as resources meant for development are siphoned away.

The result is a nation weary of promises yet resilient in spirit. Ordinary Filipinos bear the brunt of these failures—facing rising costs, stagnant wages, and limited opportunities—while watching their leaders engage in endless conflict. The political arena, reduced to performance, reflects a deeper crisis: a democracy struggling to uphold its ideals against the weight of corruption and division.

We are a nation weary of promises!

And as we continue living an uncertain life the Country sings… Give me some sunshine, give me some rain, give me another chance, I want to grow up once again…

The breath in Pentecost

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THE gospel of the Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost reminds us of that part where Christ breathed on the apostles and gave them the breath of God in a way that was new and was greater than the breath God gave Adam during the Creation.

“Peace be to you,” Christ told the apostles. ‘As the Father has sent me, I also send you.’ When he said this, he breathed on them, and he said to them: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.’” (Jn 20,21-23)

This breath in Pentecost signifies the Holy Spirit, making us have the very life of God. It surpasses the breath in Creation that simply makes us a living being that came from dust. In other words, the breath in Creation gives us a biological and rational life, while the breath in Pentecost gives us sanctifying grace, making us adopted children of God.

We have to feel very much at home with this very wonderful reality and start to correspond to it as we ought. We have to go beyond our earthly dimensions and enter into the more fascinating world of the spiritual and the supernatural life of God and with God.

This does not mean that we escape from our earthly reality to be in the spiritual and supernatural reality. No. It means that while deeply immersed in our mundane conditions, we also have to learn to go beyond them to be with God. This is what the word ‘transcendence’ means.

To be sure, we are enabled to do that, because of our intelligence and will. These are powerful faculties that would enable us to know and to love, and eventually to enter in the lives of others and ultimately to be with God.

But more importantly, we are always given the grace so that our capacity to be with God is actualized. It’s not enough that we are enabled to know and love God. That potency has to be put into act with the grace of God who gives it to us in abundance.

We have to do our part, of course. And the first thing to do is to be aware that there is such a reality as developing a life in the Spirit, and from there start cultivating the proper attitudes, skills and virtues.

This may look like a daunting, overwhelming task, but it can always be done. Sure, there will be difficult, awkward moments, but those usually happen in the beginning of the learning curve. As long as we persist, time will come when living in intimate relationship with the Spirit becomes second nature to us.

We need to spread this Good News more widely, because many of us are still completely ignorant of it. And of those who may already know about it, a lot of confusion, doubts and misunderstanding abound.

So more than spreading the Good News, we need a lot of teachers and models who can clearly show how this life in the Spirit can be achieved. Let’s hope that we can count on many people, especially those who are already active in the Church, to serve as teachers and models for this purpose.

Of special interest in this regard is the crucial role of parents. They should be the first teachers and models of their children in living the life in the Spirit. That’s why, parents should do their best to be very consistent to their faith, because the most important duty they have toward their children is to make their offsprings children of God, living the life in the Spirit!

Rank 7 drug personality, cohort nabbed in Ormoc buy-bust operation

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ARRESTED. One of the region’s drug personalities was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Ormoc City on Wednesday, May 20. The operation was carried out by operatives of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) and partner law enforcement agencies.(PRO-8)
ARRESTED. One of the region’s drug personalities was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Ormoc City on Wednesday, May 20. The operation was carried out by operatives of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) and partner law enforcement agencies.(PRO-8)

TACLOBAN CITY — A regional priority drug personality and his alleged cohort were arrested during an anti-illegal drug operation conducted by authorities in Ormoc City, resulting in the confiscation of suspected shabu and marijuana.

The operation was carried out on May 20, 2026 in Purok 10, Barangay Linao by operatives of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) and partner law enforcement agencies.

Arrested were alias “Mario,” a 44-year-old electrician tagged as the region’s Rank 7 drug personality and listed in the Regional Priority Target List (RPTL), and alias “Mike,” a 33-year-old vendor. Both suspects are residents of Ormoc City.

Authorities recovered four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing substances suspected to be shabu with an estimated weight of 2.42 grams and a Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value of P16,456.00.

Also confiscated was one plastic sachet containing dried leaves believed to be marijuana weighing around 2.28 grams with an estimated value of P261.60.

The operation was conducted by personnel of the Ormoc City Drug Enforcement Unit in coordination with the Ormoc City Police Office–City Intelligence Unit (OCPO-CIU), Regional Intelligence Unit 8 (RIU-8), PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 8 (PNP DEG SOU-8), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 8 (PDEA-8).

PRO-8 Regional Director Jason L. Capoy said the successful operation reflects the intensified anti-drug campaign of law enforcement agencies across Eastern Visayas.

“This successful operation reflects the unyielding dedication of PRO-8 personnel and partner agencies in combating illegal drugs. PRO-8 will remain relentless in its efforts to apprehend drug personalities and ensure the safety and security of our communities,” Capoy said.

Authorities are now preparing the filing of appropriate criminal charges against the arrested suspects.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Former 4Ps beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas shine in 2026 LET

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TACLOBAN CITY — Fifteen former beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Eastern Visayas were recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD) after emerging as topnotchers in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

The recognition ceremony was held on May 18 during the agency’s flag-raising program, where DSWD officials honored the former monitored children for their academic excellence and perseverance despite economic challenges.

The awardees, who came from both the elementary and secondary education categories, were cited as examples of how government educational support programs can help disadvantaged students succeed and pursue professional careers.

According to Leila Auditor, officer-in-charge assistant regional director for operations, the success of the LET passers reflects the positive impact of sustained educational assistance and social welfare interventions provided to low-income families through the 4Ps program.
Among those recognized was Rashil Rae Recorte, who topped the Secondary Level examination and reportedly achieved the highest rating recorded in LET history.

Recorte encouraged current 4Ps beneficiaries to remain focused on their education and continue striving toward their goals despite financial hardships.

As part of the recognition activities, the honorees also paid a courtesy visit to Department of Education Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez emphasized the contribution of state universities and colleges in Eastern Visayas in producing quality educators.

The DSWD said the recognition highlights the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and showcases the success stories of former 4Ps beneficiaries who have achieved professional milestones through determination and government support.

(BLUE REUGINE RUTHIELLE LIM NICOLAS, LNU Student Intern)

Tacloban public schools gear up for new three-term academic calendar

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TACLOBAN CITY — Thousands of teaching and non-teaching personnel in Tacloban City are now preparing for the implementation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) new three-term academic calendar for School Year 2026–2027, which officially opens on June 8.
According to Nilo Eder, information officer of the Tacloban City Schools Division, most public-school teachers in the city have already completed orientation sessions on the revised academic structure as part of efforts to ensure a smooth transition to the new setup.

Eder said around 2,000 to 3,000 school personnel are participating in the preparations through both face-to-face and online orientations organized by the Department of Education Tacloban Schools Division.

Under the revised calendar, the school year will run from June 8, 2026 until April 8, 2027, covering a total of 201 instructional days. While the academic year will still maintain four grading quarters, these will now be organized into three terms instead of the traditional school calendar arrangement.

DepEd officials clarified that the setup is considered a “three-term academic calendar” and not a trimester system.

The new structure aims to provide longer and more focused teaching periods to improve learning continuity and reduce disruptions caused by school activities, extracurricular events, and other interruptions that affect classroom instruction.

Each term will be divided into three phases — the Opening Block, the Instructional Block, and the End-of-Term Block — designed to support classroom learning, assessment, and teacher development.

The shift forms part of DepEd’s broader efforts to improve the delivery of education and strengthen academic performance among learners in public schools nationwide.

(LANCE GABRIEL ENTEROSO, LNU Student Intern)

Tacloban Engineering Office acknowledges coordination gap after railings block pedestrian crossing

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LAPSES. Metal railings installed across a pedestrian crossing in downtown Tacloban sparked criticism online after residents raised concerns over pedestrian safety and accessibility, prompting the Tacloban City Engineering Office to admit coordination lapses with traffic authorities. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
LAPSES. Metal railings installed across a pedestrian crossing in downtown Tacloban sparked criticism online after residents raised concerns over pedestrian safety and accessibility, prompting the Tacloban City Engineering Office to admit coordination lapses with traffic authorities. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Tacloban City Engineering Office(CEO) admitted lapses in coordination with traffic authorities following public backlash over the installation of metal railings that blocked a pedestrian crossing in downtown Tacloban.

The issue drew widespread criticism after photos of the railings obstructing the pedestrian lane circulated on social media, prompting concerns from residents and online users about pedestrian safety, accessibility, and project planning.

City engineering officials acknowledged that coordination with the Traffic Operation, Management, Enforcement, and Control Office (Tomeco) was insufficient during the implementation of the project.

Tomeco is the city office responsible for traffic management, road safety, and urban mobility programs, including pedestrian safety measures in major streets and commercial areas.

The controversy sparked discussions in local online communities and Reddit forums, where citizens questioned the design and purpose of the railing installations and called for improved planning in future infrastructure projects.

The incident comes as the city government continues efforts to improve sidewalks, pedestrian access, and traffic flow in key areas of Tacloban.

Previous clearing operations jointly conducted by the CEO, Tomeco, and other agencies focused on removing sidewalk obstructions and illegal structures in busy public spaces.
Residents have urged local officials to strengthen inter-agency coordination and prioritize public consultation and pedestrian welfare in urban development initiatives across the city.

(LANCE GABRIEL ENTEROSO, LNU Student Intern)

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