TACLOBAN CITY– Engr. Angel Rose Campo Tambal, Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) 2024 – Leyte candidate, has captured hearts online with her evening gown design inspired by the resilience of Leyte when Super Typhoon “Yolanda” pummeled the province in 2013.
Representing Leyte, Tambal advanced to the Top 20 in the recently-concluded MUPH 2024 pageant.
Despite not progressing further in the competition, she proudly showcased Leyte’s resilience through her prepared Yolanda-inspired evening gown in a Facebook post of the Miss Universe Philippines-Leyte Facebook page.
The post has been widely shared and gained positive reactions from netizens.
Designed by Leo Almodal, the gown symbolizes hope and rebirth, reflecting the resilience of Leyteños in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. The social media favorite features intricate stitching and evokes themes of hope and rebirth.
As a Yolanda survivor herself, Tambal embodies the spirit of Leyteños and dedicates her performance to the entire province.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, she expressed her gratitude: “I am very much honored for the opportunity to tell our stories to the UNIVERSE. I hope I made you all proud!” (GOLDA MEIR C. CABIDOG, LEYTE NORMAL STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN
Trees play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide, decreasing heat, providing oxygen, and creating habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species. But despite the efforts of many individuals and organizations to plant trees, there is a troubling trend of wanton destruction of these valuable natural resources, undermining the positive impact of tree-planting initiatives and posing a serious threat to the health of our planet.
People cut down trees wantonly for profit. Illegal logging and deforestation are rampant in many parts of the world, driven by the demand for timber, land for agriculture, and other commercial purposes. The destruction of forests leads to the loss of valuable ecosystems and wildlife habitats and contributes to global warming and climate change. The long-term environmental and social costs far outweigh the short-term economic gains from cutting down trees.
The lack of awareness and appreciation for the importance of trees in our ecosystem is another factor that contributes to the wanton cutting of trees. Many people fail to recognize the numerous benefits that trees provide, such as improving air quality, reducing soil erosion, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Without a proper understanding of the role that trees play in sustaining life on Earth, it is easy for individuals to engage in destructive behavior without considering the consequences.
To address the problem of wanton tree cutting, we should educate the public about the importance of trees and the impact of deforestation. This can be done through school programs, community outreach initiatives, and public awareness campaigns. By raising awareness about the value of trees and the negative effects of their destruction, we can encourage individuals to make more sustainable choices and take action to protect our natural resources.
Strong enforcement of laws and regulations related to deforestation is also crucial in preventing wanton tree-cutting. Governments and organizations must work together to monitor and combat illegal logging, enforce sustainable land use practices, and hold individuals and companies accountable for their actions. By implementing strict penalties for those who engage in illegal deforestation, we can deter such destructive behavior and promote the conservation of our forests for future generations.
A number of food products available nowadays are said to pose health risks to consumers, some made of plastics or prepared in filthy environments, raising concerns about the effectiveness of food regulation and the prioritization of public health over corporate profits. Despite the known risks associated with them, these food items continue to be available in the market.
Somehow we know why certain harmful food products are not banned; it is due to the influence of powerful food industry lobbyists. These lobbyists often have close ties to government officials and policymakers, which can result in policies that favor the interests of food corporations over public health. This is why regulators who are tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of consumers find it very challenging.
In addition to lobbying efforts, the complexity of the food supply chain also plays a role in the persistence of risky food products. Many food items contain various ingredients that are sourced from different suppliers, making it difficult to trace the origin of potential contaminants or harmful substances. This lack of transparency and accountability makes it difficult for regulators to identify and address issues before they become public health risks.
There is also this lack of consensus among experts and policymakers regarding what constitutes a “safe” level of risk when it comes to food products. Some argue that the benefits of certain food items outweigh the potential risks, while others advocate for a more precautionary approach that prioritizes consumer safety above all else. This disagreement can create confusion and uncertainty regarding which foods should be banned or restricted.
Also contributing to the availability of risky food products is the demand for convenience and affordability. Many processed foods that are high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats are popular among consumers because they are cheap, easily accessible, and require minimal preparation. And they taste delicious! This widespread reliance on convenience foods makes it hard to regulate or restrict their availability, even if they pose a risk to public health.
Obviously, there is a lack of public awareness and education regarding the health risks associated with certain food products. Many consumers are unaware of the potential dangers of consuming processed foods or products that contain harmful additives or chemicals. This lack of awareness makes it easier for food companies to continue selling these items without facing significant backlash or pressure to change their practices.
This continued availability of risky food products creates doubts about the role of regulation, corporate influence, consumer demand, and public awareness in shaping our food system. Concerned authorities should address these challenges and prioritize the health and well-being of our communities. They should ensure a safer and healthier food environment for all.
“JESUS said to them, ‘I tell you that anyone who leaves home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and for the gospel, will receive much more in this present age. He will receive a hundred times more houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and persecutions as well; and in the age to come, he will receive eternal life.’” (Mk 10,29-30)
This is how Christ is proposing to us the best deal that we can ever have, one that gives us not only temporal benefits but also the one that truly matters, our eternal joy and fulfillment. Yes, there will be sufferings and persecutions as Christ himself warned us, but we know that he will also take care of that. “In the world,” he said, “you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16,33)
We should learn how to give our all to Christ, so Christ can fully take possession of us, which is the ideal condition for our life. We have to allow Christ to fully be in us, since we are meant to be “another Christ,” sharers of the divine life and nature of God himself.
This is the example of Christ himself, who in the words of St. Paul said that “in our relationships with one another, we ought to have the same mindset as Christ: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…” (Phil 2,5-7)
We certainly have to make some drastic adjustments in our understanding of what true love is, the very essence of God which is meant also for us, since God wants us to be his image and likeness. It will always involve self-giving, a certain losing in order to win, a certain giving up to gain something more important.
Christ taught about this kind of love in those parables that compared the Kingdom of God with the treasure hidden in the field, or with the merchant looking for fine pearls. (cfr. Mt 13,44-45) A certain giving up is always involved when we have to find what is best for us. And we should not be contented with what is good enough in the context of the good being the enemy of the best.
Christ wants us to lose in human terms so that we can win in the end in divine terms which is what really matters. This is made clear, for example, when Christ articulated the beatitudes that would somehow put us in the losing end in order to have the victory of being truly blessed. (cfr. Mt 5,3-12)
This is reiterated when he talked about the willingness to lose an eye, an arm, a foot, if these would cause us to sin. Better to lose them and enter heaven rather than to have them and get to hell. (cfr. Mt 5,29-31)
In another instance Christ clearly told us that for us to be his disciples, we should be willing to ‘hate’ our father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even our own life. We should be willing to carry our cross. (cfr. Lk 14,26-27)
To be able to live by this divine logic, we of course would need first of all the grace of God. We have to ask for it with humility. And then we need to do our part, exerting the due effort to acquire the appropriate attitude and corresponding virtues. We should have the attitude of willingly giving up everything else just to be with God.
Politics had been too influential in our setup that career positions had been placed at its mercy. The condition is revolting if we look at the career service as a pool of competent men and women who are had been educated, trained to perform the required tasks in the bureaucracy. We know too well that that the bureaucracy is the biggest organization than runs the administrative function of government. People are only aware from academic discussions that government is comprised of three branches, namely: the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. Nothing is ever mentioned about the larger organization of government workers named “bureaucracy”. It seems important to underscore the great role that the bureaucracy plays in running government. With the best and select workers in its ranks, there is no doubt that the bureaucracy can deliver the best quality of public service to its clientele.
But “negative bureaucratic behavior”, also known as, “graft and corruption” had created an ugly image of the bureaucracy. Indeed, some shenanigans in government who have access to public funds would tinker with taxpayers’ money for their own personal aggrandizement. Many have accumulated riches from juicy deals and contracts that offer a lot of perks under the table. We hear many scandals and anomalies in government projects and the public seems to have gotten numbed about such irregularities for them to lodge complaints that often lead to nowhere.
But one bitter reality is that workers in the bureaucracy, especially the rank and file employees, are mostly underpaid for the tasks they perform vis-à-vis their expertise and competence, many workers in the bureaucracy try to delve into other gainful activities just in order to live decently and make both ends meet. The reality in government work is that even with husband and wife working as civil servants, the combined income from government employment is barely enough to support the cost of a decent living of the family. It may be the reason why many workers would go out of their way to earn a little more to augment the family income.
In this year’s celebration of the Philippine Civil Service, it is apt for all civil servants to give meaning to the theme, “Itaguyod ang Kasarinlan ng Career Service”. This year’s celebration aims to uplift the identity and stature of the career service as a distinct institution. We ought to uphold the integrity of the career service by shielding it from the bad influence and intervention of dirty politics.
We know how politicians had bastardized the career service by forcing into the career service incompetents whose only qualification is enjoying the grace and blessings of politicians. It is high time for those at the helm of the bureaucratic hierarchy in the various agencies to crumple into the garbage bin political endorsements that ruin the morale and deprive the qualified and competent who has the necessary merit and fitness for career positions from obtaining the right positions. Appointments made in accommodation of politicians’ intervention will always result to payback time once the appointee assumes the office by way of political eligibility. comments to alellema@yahoo.com
Catarman N. Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar First District Engineering Office has recently completed the construction of a multipurpose building (Covered court) at Brgy. Geratag in San Jose, Northern Samar.
The project, amounting to P9.87 million, involves the complete construction of multipurpose building with a total floor area of 324.33 sq.m. The scope of work includes embankment, individual removal of trees, removal of structure & obstruction, installation of storm drainage & downspout, laying of sewer line works, plumbing works and fixtures, basketball rings, railing, stainless water tank, construction of comfort room & pantry.
A local resident expressed gratitude for the new facility, noting its multiple benefits: “We are very thankful for this covered court. It greatly benefits our community as a venue for public gatherings and recreational activities. Additionally, it can be used as an evacuation center during typhoons and other calamities, which is a huge help for us. For various events, this facility is very convenient, and it’s a significant advantage for the youth as they no longer need to travel far for recreational activities.”, said Lina Roma.
“Mahitungod sine na covered court, damu amon pasalamat nga nahibutang ngadi para sa kaupayan san amon mga mag urudyag. Ngan dire na sira madayo ngadto sa iba na lugar. Pangalawa, sakali kun mayaon problema sa kalamidad puydi na makasirong. Malaking tulong para sa amon. Kun may mga okasyon, okay liwat. Malaking bagay na dire na mapahirayo. Total covered court, swak na sira kun sakali man may mga okasyon… An advantage man sa kabataan, an pag urudyag. Okay na sira kay dire na sira mahingadto sa iba na lugar. Didi la, apiki la sa amo. Apiki na sa balay-balay. Dire na sira hanapon sakanra mga kag-anak kay apiki la ngadi.”
The project began on August 17, 2023, and was completed on March 8, 2024, under the FY 2023 Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP).
This new multipurpose building is expected to serve as a crucial infrastructure for the community, providing a safe and convenient space for various activities and events while enhancing the overall well-being and resilience of the residents of Barangay Geratag. (ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO Alternate)
