At first, selfies seem harmless fun—a way to snap out of a fast moment of confidence or joy that captures how we look at that moment. But then, as time passes, the endless stream of photographs becomes a cruel documentary on aging, showing you that perfect filters and rehearsed angles can’t keep wrinkles or sagging skin at bay. Then comes a day when taking another selfie feels like an act of self-sabotage.

Like everybody else, I used to take selfies. Every good hair day, every decent light, and every new outfit was all a call for one. The photos were like little trophies, reassuring me that I was still radiant, still young. Now, while I’m looking at the selfies I took in all those years, I don’t just see my younger self; I see time slowly passing. The sharp jawline that I would boast? It’s softer now. The sparkle in my eyes? Not gone, but certainly dimmed by life’s wear and tear.

And it’s not just me. I’ve noticed friends who used to flood their feeds with selfies suddenly go quiet. When I asked one of them why, she sighed and said, “I just don’t like what I see anymore.” And it hit me: selfies, once a tool of self-celebration, had turned into a mirror we’d rather avoid. It is an irony almost cruel that what once served to record our confidence has now turned into a harbinger, reminding us of its gradual decline.

Even the ritual of taking selfies feels different. I used to take pictures willy-nilly, but lately, I catch myself agonizing over every shot: the dark spots around my eyes, the angle of my neck, the sagginess of my cheeks. By the time I get to a photo that I don’t hate, the moment that I was trying to capture is long gone, and I’m left somehow frustrated and defeated.

Selfies are, in so many ways, a lie we tell ourselves. Filters smooth out imperfections, and strategic poses conceal the bits we’d rather not see. For a while, it works. But eventually, reality catches up. I am reminded of a grandmother who refuses to be in photos altogether. “I don’t want to remember myself like this,” she says. Maybe she’s onto something. Maybe there is wisdom in stepping away from the camera before it starts to feel like an enemy.
I’m not saying selfies are inherently bad. They’ve given us a way to connect, to share, to express ourselves. But there’s a fine line between documenting life and obsessing over appearances, and I’ve found myself dangerously close to crossing it. Instead of capturing memories, I’ve spent too much time chasing an image of myself that no longer exists—or perhaps never truly did.

But here’s the saddest thing to realize: selfies don’t preserve us; they record only our changes. They’re like marks on a door frame, charting our growth in reverse. And while they remind us of who we once were, they cannot stop time or erase those parts of aging that we would rather not think about. I have begun to wonder whether I would be happier without the constant comparison and the pressure to look good enough for the camera.

Perhaps now is a good time to retreat from selfies onto something different: a life lived not with the lens always pointing in. Instead of capturing every moment, maybe I need to just live them. After all, the beauty of life isn’t in a perfect photo; it’s in the messy, unfiltered moments we share with others, wrinkles and all.

ON the second day of Misa de Gallo, December 17, the gospel reading (cfr. Mt 1,1-17) talks about the human genealogy of Christ to show that Christ is truly a man while remaining, of course, as God.

A question may be raised—if Christ is truly a man, why did his conception in the womb of Mary not involve the participation of a man, as any human conception would involve?
I am sure this question is at the back of the mind of many people, though many of them are hesitant to voice it out. But it is a good question to give rise to a very important clarification of a certain truth about our relation with God that we need to know well and to act on.

For me, the answer can only be that, indeed, God and man share the same life and nature. Because of that sharing, we can say that while there is the natural way of human conception, involving a man and a woman, we cannot discount the possibility of a conception achieved by both God and woman.

We need to strengthen our belief and sharpen our awareness of this basic truth about ourselves in our relation with God. God and us share the same life and nature not only in our definitive state of life in heaven, even while here on earth. We are expected to act on this truth always so our life develops and leads us to our definitive state of life.

To be sure, our life is not simply natural, ruled by reason and will alone, supported by our emotions and the whole gamut of bodily senses, organs and systems. Nor is it simply conditioned by social trends, economic and political developments, or historical and cultural factors.

It is also supernatural, not only in its goal or orientation, but even now, as in, here and now as we breathe. And that’s simply because there’s something spiritual in us. We are not purely material beings.

We are meant for a supernatural life. Our human nature, with our spiritual soul that enables us to know and to love, and therefore to enter into the lives not only of others but also and most importantly, of God, urges us to develop a supernatural life.

It’s a life with God always. It just cannot be exclusively our own life, taken personally or collectively. It’s a life that depends mainly on God who gives us the grace that purifies and elevates it to his, but it also depends on us, on our freedom to correspond to this loving will of God for us.

We have to develop a taste and even an appetite for the supernatural life with God and of things supernatural in general. In this we have to help one another, because in the end, this is our common ultimate end in life—how to live our life with God, how we can be immersed in God even as we are immersed also in the things of the world.

For this to take place, we need to learn to pray, to study the doctrine of our faith, develop virtues, live in God’s presence to such an extent that we would be able to see God in everything and to relate everything to him. In other words, that we would know how to be contemplatives even if we are immersed and dirtied by the things of this world.

The Filipino people from all nooks of the globe were awakened to a midnight rant of a brat whose family ruled a city and this country. The threats were ignited by the reality threat that she will lose her ambition of following her father’s high office as the country’s chief executive and commander-in-chief. It began with the breakup of the unity team that catapulted the magical president back into the palace by the river. The magical president had kept the political line for his family who are not keen on easily giving up the profitable seats of power. The long line of successors is waiting for their turn at the right time to be in their desired office simultaneously or alternatively.

That could have been the same setup that the dislodged ranting brat could have made had they remained in power. The fundamental law prohibits reelection for the president and so the successors had no choice but to seek the second highest post considering the seemingly unpreparedness to seek the presidency. It took the intervention of a queenmaker to setup the tandem, including the electoral system that could ensure their victory. Indeed, the outcome was as predicted, the counting machines spewing numbers ahead of the precinct count.

The ranting brat had the good graces of the magical president, allowing her to take her choice cabinet seat and getting all the support she needed. The cabinet seat afforded her to introduce needed reforms that would improve the country’s educational system and be at par with other countries in the world. All programs were running well until she verged into promoting her hidden ambition in the guise of authoring a children’s book that only parents could have beneficial use while explaining the stories to their children. These parents are voters who are potential supporters to ensure the success of her presidential ambition.
Such ploy merited the probe of congressional investigation as a huge budget was allocated for its printing. The children’s book had the prominent name and photo of the ranting brat, deemed as an act of political move towards attaining her political ambition. Yet, she had the temerity to tell the congressional probers not to politicize her project for it is aimed to improve the early education of children.

Unfortunately, the investigators took the project as too costly and the book as too raw as it did not pass through the standard review by experts in the field. Eventually, the investigators moved to reduce the huge budget for education but loyal supporters of the ranting brat argued that the budget must be approved without scrutiny as a matter of practice and a show of respect to the office.

The probe led to other discoveries, chiefly the use of confidential funds that was found anomalous. Evading the hearings, she kept on sending representatives of her office even without invitation and authority. When her staff were brought into spilling the details of the anomalous use of confidential funds, she interfered by opting to stay in detention with her staff, a fellow lawyer who was found lying..
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Advertising has undergone a dramatic transformation, moving from the static world of print and broadcast to the dynamic realm of digital platforms. This evolution has fundamentally altered how businesses connect with consumers, creating a landscape where targeted messaging, data-driven insights, and interactive experiences reign supreme.

Traditional advertising, once the dominant force, relied heavily on mass media channels like television, radio, newspapers, and billboards. Its effectiveness was measured by reach and frequency, aiming to bombard consumers with repetitive messages hoping to create brand awareness and drive sales. However, this approach lacked personalization, often leading to wasted ad spend and a disconnect with increasingly discerning audiences.

The rise of the internet and mobile technology ushered in a new era of advertising, characterized by digital platforms and data-driven strategies. Digital advertising leverages a multitude of channels, including search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content marketing, email campaigns, and programmatic advertising. This allows for highly targeted messaging, reaching specific demographics, interests, and behaviors with tailored content.

The key differentiator lies in the ability to measure, track, and analyze digital ad performance. Real-time data provides insights into campaign effectiveness, allowing for continuous optimization and adjustments to maximize ROI. This data-driven approach has revolutionized advertising, enabling businesses to refine their strategies, personalize their messages, and engage consumers on a deeper level.

Therefore, traditional advertising strategies are evolving in response to the digital age by integrating with online channels, leveraging data and analytics for targeted campaigns, and incorporating interactive elements like AR and VR. Emphasis is placed on storytelling to create emotional connections with consumers amidst digital noise. Social media integration extends the reach of traditional ads, fostering user engagement and community building. The trend towards combining traditional and digital approaches allows brands to maximize impact and create comprehensive marketing experiences. This adaptation ensures that traditional advertising remains relevant and effective in a rapidly changing media landscape, offering a blend of familiar methods and innovative digital techniques to reach and resonate with modern consumers.

Looking ahead to the next decade, the advertising landscape will continue to evolve, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR).

– AI-powered personalization: AI will play a crucial role in personalizing ad experiences, leveraging data to predict consumer behavior and deliver highly relevant content. Imagine ads that anticipate your needs, offering products and services based on your browsing history, purchase patterns, and even your emotional state.

– Immersive experiences: AR and VR will create immersive advertising experiences, blurring the lines between the virtual and real worlds. Imagine trying on clothes virtually, experiencing a product in a 3D environment, or interacting with brands in interactive simulations.

– Interactive storytelling: Advertising will become more engaging and interactive, encouraging user participation and creating memorable experiences. Imagine ads that are not just passive content but interactive games, quizzes, or even virtual events.

While traditional advertising may still hold a place in niche markets, the future of advertising will undoubtedly be dominated by digital platforms, driven by data, personalization, and immersive experiences. The ability to connect with consumers on a deeper level, offering relevant and engaging content, will be the key to success in this evolving landscape.

The journey from print to pixel has been a remarkable one, and the next decade promises even more exciting advancements. As technology continues to evolve, the lines between advertising and entertainment will blur, creating a new era of personalized and immersive experiences that will redefine how brands connect with consumers.