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Celebrating Independence Day

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Our country is a nation that has gone through a lot of struggles and achievements in history, and one very significant event that we commemorate annually is Independence Day. Celebrated on June 12, this holiday marks the day when the Philippines gained its independence from Spain after being colonized for over three centuries. With the country having been under different foreign oppressions throughout history, the Independence Day celebration is more than just a holiday, but a symbol of the Filipinos’ unyielding spirit in fighting for their freedom.

We observe Independence Day in different ways, from huge parades and flag-raising ceremonies to traditional Filipino food feasts. Celebrations often take place in schools, public gathering places, and other important sites to pay tribute to the nation’s heroes and show devotion to the motherland. The Philippine national flag is an essential part of Independence Day, and we hoist it in our homes and public buildings throughout the nation in recognition of what it stands for–the values and sacrifices of the country’s founders.

This celebration means a great deal for us, especially those living overseas. It is an opportunity for them to reconnect with their roots and celebrate the country’s liberty and nationalism with others who share their cultural background. The holiday is also a chance to spread awareness of the country’s struggles and achievements with those who are not familiar with the country’s history. Independence Day is the perfect time to reflect on the past, be grateful for what has been achieved and look forward to better days ahead.

We take pride in commemorating this special day and sharing its meaning with our fellow countrymen and other cultures worldwide. The holiday represents the bravery, sacrifices the Filipinos made for their freedom and their unshakable patriotism. It is a reminder for us to work together to uphold liberty, democracy, and justice for all.

Cashless society

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DOMS PAGLIAWAN

The world has recently witnessed a rapid transformation towards a cashless society. The concept of cashless transactions has been embraced globally, with people swiftly moving towards digital payment methods as an alternative to traditional cash purchases. With technological advancement, we have seen the transition from bartering to coins, notes and plastic money, and now to cashless transactions. This shift has brought about convenience, security, and increased economic efficiency.

In terms of convenience, transactions can be completed within seconds without the need to handle physical currency. Transactions using mobile payments are not only quick and secure but also enable businesses to operate more efficiently. With digital payments, customers do not need to carry large sums of money to make purchases and can perform transactions anytime and anywhere using their smartphones.

As for security, the use of cash tends to attract thefts and robberies leading to financial loss. With the advent of digital payments, security concerns have been significantly reduced, as transactions can be tracked, and fraud detection and prevention measures have been put in place. For instance, Biometric authentication, OTP and 2FA security methods have been introduced to ensure secure transactions, making it hard for fraudsters to carry out their activities.

Cashless transactions can also help to promote transparency in financial transactions. The use of digital payment methods ensures that all transactions are recorded, which creates a clear trail of payments and asset transfers from one account to another. This increases transparency and minimizes accounting fraud, which is a common issue in cash transactions.

It is said that a cashless society helps to improve economic efficiency. With cash transactions, there are costs involved in printing, distributing, and securing physical currency. This is a significant recurrent cost for governments that can be reduced through digital payments. Moreover, electronic transactions allow for quicker processing times, which results in faster payments and quicker commerce.

Despite its claimed benefits, there are still challenges that must be addressed before we fully embrace a cashless society. For instance, there is a need to improve digital literacy among people who may lack knowledge on how to use digital payment methods. Moreover, there is a need for robust cybersecurity measures to prevent frauds and cyber-attacks which are becoming a growing threat to digital payment systems.

Although there are some challenges to overcome, the world is quickly moving towards a cashless society. With continued investment in digital payment solutions, governments, businesses, and consumers can continue to enjoy the undeniable benefits of a cashless society. It may well be the way of the future, and people are poised to embrace it.

Global R E Developers boosts Phils Solar Industry

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Dr. Paciente Cordero
Dr. Paciente Cordero

Two known Global Renewable Energy (RE) developer service provider and Bay Wa r. e. Solar Trade have forged together with educational platform New Energy Academy (NEA) to hasten the development the Philippines solar industry.

The merger of the two world renowned RE entities, is the first ever the Philippines, with an international educational institute such as the NEA, to enable the training of solar industry professionals conducted in the country.

“It will see NEA and Bay Wa r.e. leveraging combined skills and resources to develop and roll out certification program for businesses and applied technologies in the R E sector.” Also, foreseen is upscaling of roof top installations and engineering, procurement, and construction companies in the country.

Meanwhile, Bay Wa r.e. Solar Trade has committed to a long-term agreement, including the promised expertise to uplift the solar industry and bring like-minded individuals to benefit the country’s energy transition, quoting its top management.

Part of the partnership program, finds Bay Wa r.e. and NEA conducting online 8-week training modules as well as conduct workshops in select areas of the country, viz., encouraging engineering students to learn about solar, get into the industry, and adopt exciting energy – a need for continual education and upscaling of solar professionals to handle solar energy related projects.

MY COMMENT:

Indeed, a booster to the Philippines solar industry program following the team up of the two globally renown solar entities. What is most appreciated is the partnerships’ plan to conduct training, workshops to hone Filipino manpower to be involve in the solar industry, including engineering students exposure to solar issues.
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The Beatitudes make sense

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FR. ROY CIMAGALA
FR. ROY CIMAGALA

WE are familiar with the Beatitudes. (cfr. Mt 5,1-12) At first glance, they appear to us as a crazy formulation of what would make us blessed. How can you be blessed if you are poor in spirit, if you mourn, if you are meek, insulted and persecuted, etc.?

But they actually teach us that since we would always be weighed down by our limitations and weaknesses and endlessly hounded by all kinds of temptations and evil, we are assured that such conditions are golden opportunities for us to achieve what would consist as our true and ultimate joy, and our human fulfillment and perfection.

We have to be ready for these conditions and know not only how to deal with them but also how to derive something good from them. In these instances of the hard predicaments, for example, when we seem to be at a loss as to what to do, we should just see at what God does, after we have done all things possible to solve our problems.

We need to trust in God’s providence and mercy. We have to learn to live a spirit of abandonment in the hands of God. Yes, if we have faith in God, in his wisdom and mercy, in his unfailing love for us, we know that everything will always work out for the good. If we are with God, we can always dominate whatever suffering can come our way in the same manner that Christ absorbed all his passion and death on the cross.

Let’s always remember that God, in his ineffable ways, can also talk to us through these crosses. In fact, he can convey precious messages and lessons through them. It would be good that we have a theological attitude toward them, and be wary of our tendency to react to them in a purely human way, based only on our senses and feelings and on worldly trends.

In all our affairs and situations in life, we should always go to God to ask for his help and guidance, and to trust his ways and his providence, even if the outcome of our prayers and petitions appears unanswered, if not, contradicted. If our faith is strong and abiding, we know that God is always around and is most eager to help us in the best way.

This should be the attitude to have. It’s an attitude that can only indicate our unconditional faith and love for God who is always in control of things, and at the same time can also leave us in peace and joy even at the worst of the possibilities.

Remember the Book of Ecclesiastes where it says that for everything there is a season, “a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal…” But everything is under God’s control.

We have to follow the example of the many characters in the gospel who, feeling helpless in the many predicaments they were in, earnestly rushed to Christ for some succor. They went to him unafraid and unashamed and they got what they wanted. Even when we think we are undeserving of God’s care, we should just go to him.

It may happen that we may not get what we want. And in this, we should not be too surprised or too worried. What is sure is that God always listens and gives us what is best for us, even if what God gives us is not what we asked for.

Free?

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AL ELLEMA
AL ELLEMA

Our generation is blessed with the independence that our forefathers fought for with their lives. What we now enjoy is the fruit of the blood and lives that were offered at the altar of our freedom and democracy. After centuries of slavery under abusive colonial masters, our brave countrymen fought long battles that won us back our lost freedom. Armed with inferior weapons, our heroes fought with courage against the artillery of our foreign oppressors. They could have opted the convenient road to self-preservation and lived longer under the rule of their foreign masters. But our forebears decided to fight a justified war that will win freedom for the future generations to enjoy. Ours future generation that now reaps the benefits of their hard won battles.

As we mark this 125th commemoration of that momentous victory for our freedom and independence, it is but apt to look back at the heroic act our heroes took. Their unselfish concern for our generation led to the attainment of our independence from our oppressors. We were able to establish our own government and fly our flag independently. Our colonizers placed us under an authoritarian regime that considered us no more than slaves under the Spanish crown. After the Spanish rule, we still have to be ruled by American and Japanese invaders before we obtained liberation by a victory in a war whose credit was grabbed by the Americans, obliterating as it did, the win of our Filipino soldiers.

From one perspective, we could take the sacrifice of our forefathers as their decisive move to free us from the burden of oppression and slavery. They risked their lives fighting a battle against well armed foreign invaders, so that we could enjoy a life of freedom and liberty. Our independence was won in the battles a quarter more than a century ago. We have turned undeserving of that supreme sacrifice but we got our share of the freedom and liberty we inherited no matter what.

Our country may have been granted independence during that historical rites more than a century ago but we seem to have lost its essence over the years. After that raising of our country’s flag as a sign of our independence during that historic event on June 12, 1898, it looks like we have bungled the great benefits of that feat. Our political and economic landscape had been bastardized by foreign intervention. We have been held captive by our foreign creditors to the point that we no longer have the right to set the course of our destiny. We owe so much and we have to pay at all costs even if it means trampling upon our constitution and our sovereignty.

The sovereignty and independence that our forefathers won had been trampled upon by Chinese officials who kept intruding our national territory despite our victory in the United Nations arbitral tribunal. The situation got worse when ex-president Rodrigo Roa Duterte downplayed the arbitral award and welcomed China to continue its intrusion into our national territory. The situation had not been rectified under the new administration that is too cautious in dealing with China. And yet, we are being made to believe that we are . . . free?
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

Abalos: stable peace and order situation needed in Samar for it to develop

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TACLOBAN CITY – In order for development to flourish, peace and order and stability is important.

Thus stressed Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary (DILG) Benhur Abalos who graced the 47th Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) meeting held in Borongan City on Friday (June 9).

Abalos was one of the invited national government official to the SIPPAD – a convergence of the three Samar Island Bishops headed by Borongan Diocese Bishop Isabelo Abarquez, Diocese of Calbayog Bishop Crispin Vasquez, and Diocese of Catarman Bishop Emmanuel Trance.

The group also include government offices like the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, local government units, people’s organizations, and non-government organization which aims to address poverty by linking concerned agencies for provide solutions to problems in the three provinces of Samar.

Also present during the meeting were Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, 4Ps party-list congressman and House Minority Floor leader Marcelino Libanan and Tourism regional director, Karina Rosa Tiopes.

Abalos said he was task to oversee the insurgency problem on Samar Island and needed government intervention to address this problem.

Insurgency problem continues to hunt the island particularly Northern Samar province and along its boundary to its two neighboring provinces.

To address this situation, a whole-of-the-nation approach is needed according to the DILG chief to ensure that previously affected areas which already been declared as cleared and rebel members and supporters who surrender will have no reason to return to the armed struggle.

“Wars cannot be won by guns alone, it will be won by the heart of the people,” Abalos.
Abalos added that the government should make effort in bridging the gap and address issues that greatly affect the communities, and the DILG is always ready to help the military and law enforcement agencies in their campaign for peace and prosperity.
“No tourist will come if a place is not safe. You cannot preserve the environment is there is no stability,” he said.

“If there is no peace and order, no investors will come, no tourist will come, they will avoid us,” Abalos added.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

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