WE are familiar with the usual lesson we can learn from the parable of the lost sheep. (cfr. Mt 18,12-14) Indeed, a Good Shepherd will always look for the lost sheep and would do everything, regardless of the sacrifices involved, to do so.

But an upshot of that parable that is often missed is how we can truly be a Good Shepherd ourselves. To look for the lost sheep is indeed already a tremendous responsibility, and undoubtedly a great manifestation of Christian love and concern. A truly Good Shepherd should not just be contented with that duty. He should see to it that all the sheep are led to their ultimate destination.

In this season of Advent, we are reminded that we should help each other pursue the real and ultimate goal of our life. This duty is somehow expressed in that gospel acclamation, “The day of the Lord is come. Behold, he comes to save us.”

Of course, the parable of the lost sheep simply talks about the furry animal whose end is simply to be eaten and whose fur is made use of. But we are not simply a flock of sheep. We are children of God who need to be reunited with our Creator and Father in heaven. We need to be led there, and the Good Shepherd should take that as his—and our—biggest duty toward each other.

This is indeed quite a tough job. To guide souls toward their ultimate destination is truly a very delicate job. It requires nothing less than entering into the inner life of a person with the intention of helping and of eventually leading that person to God. But how can this be?
Priests are supposed to be sacramentally configured to Christ as head of the Church and therefore as the ultimate guide of souls, the redeemer of mankind. They are supposed to have the very mind and sentiments of Christ. And if they are truly vitally identified with Christ, they will also share in the power of Christ.

But is this possible at all? If we have faith, the answer is yes. The sacrament of Holy Orders configures one to Christ with an effectivity that is called in Latin as “ex opere operato.”
It means that by the mere reception of the sacrament and as long as there is no formal impediment to such reception, that sacramental configuration is achieved, not so much by the qualities and dispositions of the recipient as by the power of Christ himself.

Would we think that the apostles had the qualities and dispositions of becoming the first bishops in the Church? If we are to go by our human standards, we would have serious doubts about that. But Christ made them our first bishops, and bishops they were.

The priestly ideal of being another Christ as head of the Church will certainly demand everything from them. But given that priests are men, with their own share of weaknesses, that ideal will be pursued in stages at best, with its own ups and downs, its twists and turns, its drama.

We, priests, should do our part of resembling more and more like Christ with our daily effort to be faithful to our identity and ministry. This can never be overemphasized. And everything should be done so that at least its approximation can be gained.

As guide of souls, we should learn how to deal with all kinds of souls with their respective consciences. Indeed, the priest should strive with God’s grace and his effort to be all things to all men, as St. Paul once said, in order to save all. This will require of him to forget himself and just try his best to have the very mind and heart of Christ whose love for us is universal and for always.

The “Benteng Bigas Meron na Project” was successfully launched in Jiabong, Samar, on December 4, 2025.

This long-awaited event was made possible through the initiative of Governor Sharee Ann Tan in coordination with the DA RFO 8, the NFA local branch, and the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI).

The whole day event which took place at the town’s covered court has drawn a fairly huge crowd eagerly wanting to buy the P20 rice at 10 kgs per household.

During this provincewide launching of Benteng Bigas, Governor Tan thanked all collaborating agencies for finally bringing the flagship program of President Bongbong Marcos down to Samar provinces.

According to her, “finally, such a very affordable and quality rice is now within reach for every Samar household, especially those who feel most burdened by the rising cost of basic goods.“

The governor likewise expressed hope that this project will not only help families today, but also build a more secure and sustainable food system for the future. She reiterated her commitment to supporting local farmers, ensuring fair access to essential goods, and fostering a community where no family has to worry about their next meal.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Director Rodel Director Macapanas heaped praises to the lady governor for her persistency and determination in pushing for the agricultural development of Samar. Citing various high impact projects that the governor has successfully put in placed through funding support from the DA’s different banner programs and special projects – including big ticket projects under the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP).

He also acknowledged that in a recent meeting with Secretary Kiko Laurel of DA, Governor Tan had work so hard behind the scene in making possible the immediate launching of Benteng Bigas in the province of Samar.

As such, Director Macapanas mentioned that rightfully he instructed AMAD to coordinate promptly with the 3 provinces of Samar that paved way for a massive rollout of Benteng Bigas Meron na project aptly dubbed as “Pamaskong Handog ng Pangulo.”

Next launchings or rollouts of PLGU-initiated Benteng Bigas Project will soon happen in Catarman and Borongan City. Of course, the men and women of AMAD as DA’s marketing arm, will be there to make all these happen.

The COVID-19 pandemic, a stark reminder of humanity’s vulnerability, exposed deep-seated weaknesses in global preparedness. While the world has collectively learned valuable lessons, the question remains: are we truly ready for another pandemic? The answer, unfortunately, is complex and nuanced, with a resounding “no” tempered by cautious optimism fueled by advancements and increased awareness.

The immediate aftermath of COVID-19 saw a surge in investment in pandemic preparedness. Governments worldwide allocated significant resources to bolster healthcare systems, develop vaccine production capabilities, and enhance surveillance mechanisms. The rapid development and deployment of mRNA vaccines, a testament to scientific ingenuity, offered a beacon of hope, demonstrating the potential for swift responses to future outbreaks. However, these advancements are not universally accessible, highlighting a critical flaw in global pandemic preparedness: equity.

The stark inequalities in vaccine access during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a deep chasm in global health equity. While wealthy nations secured ample vaccine supplies, many low- and middle-income countries struggled to obtain even minimal doses. This disparity not only resulted in preventable deaths and prolonged suffering in vulnerable populations but also created fertile ground for the emergence of new variants, threatening global health security. A future pandemic will likely exacerbate these inequalities unless significant strides are made in ensuring equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and other essential resources.

Beyond vaccine distribution, the pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in global supply chains. The sudden surge in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other medical supplies overwhelmed existing systems, causing shortages and price gouging. This disruption highlighted the need for diversification of supply chains, increased domestic production capacity, and stronger international cooperation to ensure a reliable and resilient supply of essential medical goods during a future pandemic.

Another crucial aspect of pandemic preparedness lies in strengthening public health infrastructure. Effective surveillance systems are essential for early detection and rapid response to outbreaks. This includes enhanced laboratory capacity, robust data collection and analysis systems, and trained personnel capable of identifying and responding to emerging threats. Many countries, particularly those with limited resources, lack the capacity for effective surveillance, leaving them vulnerable to future outbreaks.

Furthermore, the pandemic highlighted the importance of effective communication and public health messaging. The spread of misinformation and distrust in public health authorities hampered efforts to control the virus. Building public trust requires transparency, clear and consistent communication, and addressing public concerns effectively. Investing in health literacy and combating misinformation is crucial for ensuring public cooperation during a future pandemic.

However, the experience with COVID-19 has not been entirely negative. The pandemic spurred innovation in telehealth, remote work, and digital health technologies. These advancements offer opportunities to improve healthcare access, enhance disease surveillance, and facilitate rapid response efforts during future outbreaks. The increased awareness of pandemic preparedness among the general public and policymakers has also led to a greater commitment to investing in preventative measures and strengthening global health security.

In conclusion, while significant progress has been made in pandemic preparedness since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is far from being fully ready for another major outbreak. Addressing the persistent challenges of health equity, supply chain resilience, public health infrastructure, and effective communication is crucial for mitigating the impact of future pandemics. The lessons learned from COVID-19 must serve as a catalyst for transformative change, ensuring that the next pandemic does not repeat the devastating consequences of the last. A truly prepared world requires not only technological advancements but also a fundamental commitment to global cooperation, equity, and robust public health systems. Only then can we hope to mitigate the devastating impact of a future pandemic and protect the health and well-being of all people.
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From the words of the President on an excerpt of his message to the Malacanang Press Corps today December 4,2025 goes“ And when you must excise a cancer out of such a complicated system, you need to do some very major surgery. And to do that, when you do that, you will bleed. And that is what we had to go through. We had to go through that. And I am sorry that people suffered because of it, but it had to be done…

The President was right, and it is going to be a major surgery and thus, it is a major pain.
Speaking in front of the Malacanang Press Corps and in the presence of the nation’s cabinet, the President in blue open buttoned shirt was a bit sad yet fairly upbeat as he humbly accepts and say that Jon Bon Jovi line this Romeo is bleeding, but you can see his blood …

The President can never be more right in saying that it’s going to be a major surgery, uncomfortable, painful, and demoralizing.

Yet, it is not a just a metaphor nor any figure of speech, it is an excruciating process and that the President should be commended by addressing the elephant in the room, corruption, thievery to the highest levels, beyond the imagination of normal Juans who can barely smile in the face of yet another Typhoon and yet another flooding expected even as we speak.

He added that so, we must go through, go through that pain, go through difficulty, go through the anguish that the country is going through now. But we are Filipinos. We may be bleeding now, but we will also heal very, very quickly.

The last line is a wish and the lines before that are real, we are bleeding and the Filipinos are feeling the pain, that should be a mouthful already. We are facing uncertainty as a nation and hemorrhaging on the inside, because most of our leaders had gone berserk with their greed.

And in an optimistic tune, President BBM said So, I hope that once we go through this, and I know it will be done, once we go through this, that we will be able to look back on this and say, ‘Okay, mahirap iyong nangyari pero kailangan gawin at worth it iyong dusa na pinagdaanan natin para sa naging resulta.’ That is what we are hoping for. There is very little time to do it, but I really think, I mean, if we work 24/7 like we always have, I think we can do it.

We must rally for the President and the country and for our own sake as well. I pray we will survive the night to see the light of day!