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God’s grace and our effort

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FR. ROY CIMAGALA
FR. ROY CIMAGALA

THOSE two parables Christ told his disciples that compared the Kingdom of God to some seed that when planted on earth would just grow, become big and bear fruit (cfr. Mk 4,26-34) highlight the truth of our faith that God always provides for our needs but we also have to do our part.

And yet, if I may, we can ask the question—that if God is that compassionate and generous, then why is there so much suffering, poverty and misery around? It would even look like God is completely indifferent to this sad condition worldwide. It would look like many people are left to rot in their miserable condition.

The answer, of course, is that, yes, God is always compassionate. He cannot tolerate seeing people suffer. He will always provide for all our needs. He even went to the extent of becoming man in Christ who had to offer his life to attain the greatest need of mankind—our salvation. With that supreme act of compassion and generosity freely done, what other need do we have that would not be taken care of by God?

The truth is that God has provided us with everything. From our life with all its natural endowments to the air and water, to the abundant food from plants and animals and other resources, he has given them all for us to use and to live with the dignity of being children of God.

The problem is that we do not know how to manage them, how to care and help one another. There is so much indifference and self-indulgence, the germs that would develop into a worldwide pandemic of social injustice and inequality.

In those two parables that compared the kingdom of God to some seeds, we are made to understand that we just have to do a little to correspond to what God is giving us, and things would just work out. That detail of the parables tells us that with a little help from us, the full wonder of God’s grace would be revealed to us.

In other words, we have to be reminded that as long as we do our part, no matter how meager it is, God will astound us with his own tremendous power. The prodigy of God’s powerful compassion can take place.

We simply have to do our part of helping one another, starting with the little things until we would be challenged to tackle bigger issues that would require extraordinary effort and sacrifice. But then again, whatever investment of effort, money and sacrifice we have to give, even if in our own estimation it is already quite sizable, is nothing compared to what God will give us in return.

Corresponding to God’s will in our own small way is the highest yielding investment we can make. Let us remember that God can never be outdone in generosity. Christ himself said: “Whoever has (referring to one’s faith and trust in God) will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” (Mt 13,12)

Let’s not forget that when we are sparing in our self-giving to God and to others, God will take away even the little that we have. The law that should rule our life is that of love, of total self-giving no matter what it would cost, though most times, the cost is really little only.

The brighter side of everything

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CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III

The pessimist finds difficulty in every situation.
The optimist finds an opportunity in every difficulty .

Social media had been a vital partner for most of us. It put forward our message, aspirations and feelings so to speak. Similarly, social media had been very quick to judge on people’s intentions, reactions and even it goes beyond by making interpretations that are clearly gathered from a wide latitude of data either positive or negative highlighted to a spin and packaged to forward a censure or an appreciation, depending on the slant the web focused on, it can be a negative thing or a positive one.

The pessimist finds difficulty in every situation. The optimist finds an opportunity in every difficulty. These quote is an overly used line attributed to Winston Churchill and many more. I tell you the web or the net can be either of the two.

Today, while reading a reply of a congratulatory comment I made when our School Organ won 2nd Runner Up in the Kultura Sinirangan Depratment of Tourism Video Infomercial Contest, I was able to come across this.

Thank you very much, sir Clemelle! Salamat san imo unwavering support sir, encouragements, and for always showing us the bright side in everything, more than enough to keep us fighting They have won Php50,000 price money from a measly Php. 5,000 budget.

The bright side in everything made my day ,it was a thing that was spawned from the simple encouraging we do and the rather small amount of money we contribute to a cause that is both institutional and community focused effort.

We sometimes forgot the power of positivism in the efforts that we do.

There is one phenomena that I want to share its called the Positivity Effect. This psychological phenomenon suggests that positive emotions enhance self-perception, self-esteem, and performance. It creates a virtuous circle where positivity reinforces positive thoughts and emotions. Psychologist call this as the Cognitive Flexibility: Positive emotions enhance cognitive flexibility, allowing us to adapt to changing circumstances. This flexibility aids problem-solving and creativity.

Thus, based on Real Science Positivity clearly helps in enhancing performance and thus, creating good results. This is proven every single day, every time!

How to build a strong brand identity

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MARIA JENILEEN CORDERO-ALANO
MARIA JENILEEN CORDERO-ALANO

What is Brand Identity?

Brand identity refers to the unique and distinct characteristics that define a brand and differentiate it from competitors. It encompasses the visual elements, messaging, values, personality, and overall perception associated with a brand. Brand identity is the way a brand portrays itself to the world and how it is perceived by its target audience. It is the essence of what a brand stands for and how it wants to be recognized and remembered. A strong brand identity helps create recognition, trust, loyalty, and a positive emotional connection with customers.

Establishing a robust brand identity is a critical component of creating a prosperous business. It necessitates meticulous planning, consistent implementation, and a profound comprehension of your intended market. Let’s explore each step in more detail:

1. Define Your Brand Values and Personality: Start by clearly defining the values and principles that your brand stands for. Consider what makes your business unique and how you want to be perceived by your customers. This will form the foundation of your brand’s personality and help guide your decision-making process.

2. Understand Your Target Audience: Gain a comprehensive understanding of your target audience, including their demographics, preferences, and needs. Conduct market research, analyze customer data, and gather feedback to develop a deep understanding of their motivations. This knowledge will enable you to tailor your brand identity to resonate with your ideal customers.

3. Develop a Compelling Brand Story: Craft a compelling brand story that connects emotionally with your audience. Your brand story should communicate your purpose, values, and mission in a way that engages and inspires. Use storytelling techniques to create a narrative that evokes emotions and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.
4. Create a Memorable Brand Name and Logo: Choose a brand name that is memorable, relevant, and reflects your brand identity. Design a visually appealing and distinctive logo that captures the essence of your brand. These elements will act as the face of your brand and create instant recognition and association for your audience.

5. Consistent Visual Identity: Develop a consistent visual identity across all brand touchpoints. Choose a color palette, typography, and design elements that align with your brand personality and resonate with your target audience. Apply these visual elements consistently across your website, packaging, marketing materials, and social media channels to create a cohesive brand experience.

6. Engage with Authentic Brand Voice: Establish a consistent brand voice that reflects your brand’s personality and values. Determine the tone and style of communication that aligns with your brand identity. Whether it’s through social media posts, website content, or customer communications, maintain an authentic and relatable voice that establishes a genuine connection with your audience.

7. Deliver Consistent Brand Experience: Ensure that every interaction with your brand reflects your desired brand identity. From customer service to product quality, strive for consistency in delivering a positive brand experience. Align all aspects of your business operations to uphold your brand values and promise, creating a cohesive and memorable brand experience for your customers.

8. Build Brand Advocacy: Encourage customer loyalty and advocacy by providing exceptional experiences. Foster positive relationships with your customers and engage them through meaningful interactions. Encourage user-generated content, testimonials, and reviews to amplify your brand’s reach and reputation. Happy customers who become brand advocates can significantly contribute to building a strong and trusted brand identity.

9. Evolve and Adapt: As your business grows and market dynamics change, be open to evolving your brand identity. Continuously monitor industry trends, customer feedback, and market insights to stay relevant. Adapt your brand strategy and refine your brand identity to maintain a strong connection with your audience and ensure your brand remains current and resonant.

Building a brand identity is an ongoing process because the market is dynamic, brand perceptions evolve, competition is constantly changing, consistency is crucial, and consumer expectations continue to evolve. By consistently evaluating, adapting, and refining your brand identity, you can maintain relevance, build customer loyalty, and ultimately thrive in a dynamic marketplace.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

DPWH accelerates road maintenance ahead of raing season

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ORMOC CITY-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) is actively conducting a series of road maintenance activities along primary and secondary roads in preparation for the rainy season.

Recent key maintenance operations include squaring and patching along the Ormoc-Baybay-Southern Leyte and Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road sections. These activities aim to fortify road surfaces, addressing any existing damage and preventing further deterioration during heavy rains.

In addition to these measures, maintenance fieldworkers also carried out vegetation control and joint sealing activities along Palompon-Isabel-Merida-Ormoc Road. Vegetation control is essential in maintaining clear roadways and preventing plant overgrowth from obstructing visibility and traffic flow.

Joint sealing, meanwhile, protects the structural integrity of the roads by preventing water infiltration, which can lead to potholes and other damages. (PR)

Northern Samar receives donation from China

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After flooding incident

TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 125 families, whose houses were completely destroyed by the shearline-induced flooding that struck Catarman, the capital of Northern Samar province, last year, received shelter material assistance from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines.

The shelter materials, consisting of corrugated G.I. sheets and marine plywood worth P1 million, were handed over by Zhang Shuhao, chief of staff of the Chinese Consulate General in Cebu.

The distribution was assisted by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Catarman Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

Present during the turnover ceremony were board member Emmanuel Christian Uy, representing Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Catarman Vice Mayor Francisco Rosales Jr., Andres Balajadia Jr., barangay chairman of Washington, and Fred Salazar, chairman of Brgy. Tinowaran.

The 125 families include 110 beneficiary households from Brgy. Tinowaran and 15 from Brgy. Washington. Brgy. Tinowaran, a low-lying area located along the river, was the hardest hit by the massive flooding in late 2023.

Uy conveyed Governor Ongchuan’s appreciation for the generosity of the Chinese Embassy, which the provincial government had requested following the devastating floods.

Vice Mayor Rosales Jr., on behalf of his son Mayor Rosales III, also expressed gratitude from the municipal government for the assistance provided to the flood victims.

The municipal officials extended their thanks to the provincial government for their efforts in seeking donors to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of the flood-damaged houses in their municipality. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Eastern Samar DEO plants over 150 seedlings in celebration of the DPWH 126 anniversary

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Borongan City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (ESDEO) has planted over 150 fruit-bearing and native seedlings during the nationwide simultaneous tree planting activity.

This event was one of the highlights of the DPWH 126th Anniversary held in Barangay San Andres, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on June 7, 2024.

According to Assistant Maintenance Section Chief, Engr. Niño Carlo S. Castillejos, the activity also aligned with the observance of Philippine Arbor Day, celebrated every month of June.

“The district will continue to support and participate in this kind of activity since it balances infrastructure implementation with the practice of protecting our natural environment to minimize the effect of climate change,” Engr. Castillejos stated.

The event saw participation from various Section Chiefs, Assistant Section Chiefs, Unit Heads, staff, and maintenance field personnel of Eastern Samar DEO.

Furthermore, the DPWH will celebrate its 126th Anniversary on June 23, 2024, with the theme “Serbisyong May Bilis: Building Better More For A New Philippines’’.

This theme emphasizes fast and effective service delivery with a sense of urgency and commitment to efficiency and progress aiming to create a better and modern nation in the future.
(MAY ANTOINETTE O. NABLE,PIO STAFF/PR)

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