Crowds in Sri Lanka once stormed the presidential palace, forcing their leader to flee. In France, masses filled the streets against pension reforms, and in Thailand, young people braved water cannons and prison threats to demand change. These uprisings show what happens when citizens can no longer endure the betrayal of those in power—and the Philippines is not far from reaching that breaking point.

What fuels such upheavals is not mere inconvenience, but an accumulation of wounds left unattended. People tolerate hardship when they believe in the integrity of their leaders, but the moment rulers plunder funds meant for schools, hospitals, roads, and flood defenses, patience wears thin. It is not poverty alone that drives them to rise; it is the insult of seeing billions lost to corruption while they endure daily miseries. A starving man can endure hunger, but not the sight of banquets stolen from his plate.

In the Philippines, the figures speak for themselves: billions vanish into the pockets of officials who smile in front of cameras and swear oaths of service while looting the treasury. It is hard to think of a single national scandal in recent years that has not involved padded contracts, overpriced equipment, or ghost projects. Every peso stolen is a nail hammered into the coffin of public trust. When enough nails are driven, no government survives intact.

The danger, however, lies not only in the brewing anger against corruption, but in the possibility of opportunists hijacking it. The CPP-NPA-NDF, with its rigid dream of a communist society, waits like a vulture circling a wounded prey. It thrives in times of chaos, recruiting the disillusioned, exploiting the rage of the betrayed, and promising liberation in exchange for obedience. But the ideology it peddles strips people of the very freedoms they thought they were fighting for.

One must remember: communism has not brought prosperity where it has triumphed. It has built walls, silenced dissent, and forced uniformity at gunpoint. The democratic flaws of the Philippines are many, but democracy allows protest, satire, choice, and accountability—values that would evaporate under a one-party rule that worships the state as god. Angry citizens may chase the corrupt, but they must never invite another master that chains them tighter than the last.

This is why discernment is vital. Anger is necessary, for without it, people would accept injustice like cattle trained to bow their heads. But anger without direction can destroy more than it saves. To rise against thieves is righteous; to replace them with tyrants in red is folly. The mob can roar against the plunderers, but it must roar as defenders of liberty, not as torchbearers of a system that punishes dissent with prison and death.

Filipinos know how to rise. History has shown that when the cup overflows, the streets fill with bodies and voices that cannot be silenced. But history also teaches that revolutions do not end with the ouster of villains; they end with a new struggle over what comes next. This “next” is where wisdom must prevail, ensuring that the fight against corruption strengthens democracy instead of burying it.

If citizens must march, let them march not behind ideologues who dream of godless utopias, but behind the banner of honest governance, accountability, and human dignity. The enemy is corruption, not democracy itself. To uproot thieves from power is justice; to safeguard freedoms in the process is wisdom. The rising of the people must be remembered not as a fall into another abyss, but as a turning point where a nation chose its future with both passion and clarity.

ON the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of Christ, which falls on September 14, we are given an occasion to consider once again the importance and indispensability of the cross in our life. Let’s savor some words of the readings used on that feast’s Mass. (cfr. Jn 3,13-17)

“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life…For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

These words certainly tell us how the Cross of Christ embodies God’s love and mercy for us in spite of our undeniable wretchedness. It’s where we can deal properly with our wounded, sinful condition here on earth.

Yes, Christ preached. He performed miracles. But in the end, he had to offer his life on the cross because no matter what he did, our sins are such that they simply cannot be undone and forgiven through the preaching of the truths of our faith and the tremendous effects of the miracles. Christ has to offer his life on the cross!

We need to know the purpose of the cross because the cross, through Christ’s passion, death and resurrection, is where everything in our life is resolved. Christ’s passion, death and resurrection is the culmination of Christ’s redemptive mission on earth.

We might ask, if Christ is God, why did he have to go through all that suffering and death? Why not just say, “Everything is now all right, guys.” As God, nothing is impossible with him. With a simple movement of his will, with a flick of his hand, everything would be as it should be.

I must say, it is a good question to ask. Indeed, nothing is impossible with God. He does not have to do anything spectacular to repair what was damaged. A word from him, and everything would be as he wants it to be.

Be that as it may, the fact is that Christ chose the way the Father wanted it. “Not my will, but yours be done,” Christ said. (Lk 22,42) And I imagine the reason behind this is because God respects our human nature as it is, as it has been created by him, capable of loving and hating, and also capable of being faithful and unfaithful and faithful again after some conversion.

The return to fidelity, given our nature, will unavoidably involve suffering and death which Christ took to himself. It shows us the way of how to go about the consequences of our sins.

That is why, it’s always recommendable to meditate often on the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, so we would learn to have some healthy abhorrence against sin and temptations, as well as to develop the capacity to suffer calmly with Christ to make up for our unavoidable sins.

This is the purpose of the cross in our life. It is to instill in us the proper attitude and virtues with respect to our sin, before it is committed and also after it is committed. Christ’s cross atones for our many sins, satisfies the requirements of divine justice, and demonstrates God’s unconditional love.

With Christ’s cross, sin and death are conquered, and we are liberated from the bondage of sin. With it we are offered a path to eternal life!

In today’s interconnected world, online reviews and ratings have become a cornerstone of consumer decision-making. An “overall positive rating” isn’t just a number; it’s a powerful indicator of quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. This article explores the significance of consistently achieving positive ratings and how businesses can leverage them for growth.

The Impact of Positive Ratings:

A high overall positive rating acts as a powerful social proof mechanism. Potential customers are far more likely to choose a business with glowing reviews over one with mixed or negative feedback. This trust is built upon the collective experiences of previous customers, offering reassurance and reducing uncertainty. The benefits extend beyond simple sales:

– Increased Brand Reputation: Positive ratings are the cornerstone of a stellar brand reputation, driving loyalty and organic growth.

– Improved Customer Acquisition: High ratings attract new customers, boosting sales and market share. Search engines often prioritize businesses with positive reviews, improving visibility and organic reach.

– Enhanced Customer Retention: Satisfied customers are more likely to return for repeat business, contributing to long-term profitability. Positive ratings reinforce their positive experience.

– Competitive Advantage: In a crowded marketplace, positive ratings provide a significant competitive edge, differentiating a business from its rivals.

– Pricing Power: Businesses with consistently high ratings may have more flexibility in pricing strategies, as customers are willing to pay a premium for quality and reliability.
When a certain brand is posted by a satisfied customer, the positive feedback helps the brand gain more recognition online. This is similarly magnified when the brand is endorsed by a celebrity. With the recent issues that has been connected with some celebrities being dragged down by “scammers”, this has become a huge lesson to them – brand endorsements is not just for the sake of earning from brands. It can also affect their reputation as well. Therefore, truly making their own research about the company is an integral part in accepting such offer from them. Thus, these huge names in the industry should strive in ensuring that the products that they endorse are of high quality. Hence, when Celebrity endorser X stands for the brand’s quality, his/her followers are likely to purchase. And when they do experience the same as what this celebrity claims, the brand or specific product goes viral online, which means an increase in revenue for the company.

Strategies for Achieving Positive Ratings:

Building a portfolio of positive ratings requires a proactive and customer-centric approach.

Here are some key strategies:

– Deliver Exceptional Customer Service: This is the foundation of positive ratings. Delight customers; consistently surpass expectations. Anticipate needs, personalize interactions, and resolve issues swiftly and efficiently. This proactive approach fosters loyalty and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

– Proactively Seek Feedback: Encourage customers to leave reviews by providing easy-to-use feedback mechanisms.

– Respond to Reviews (Both Positive and Negative): Acknowledging reviews, thanking customers for their positive feedback, and addressing negative feedback professionally demonstrates engagement and care.

– Continuously Improve: Use reviews as valuable feedback to identify areas for improvement and enhance products or services.

– Monitor Online Reputation: Regularly track online reviews and ratings across various platforms to identify trends and address potential issues promptly.

Have you experienced not being treated positively when you asked for assistance at a particular shop? How did you feel about it? Even if you know how good a certain product is, but you did not receive the expected service from the company, it’s likely that you will eventually consider finding another brand.

Conclusion:

An overall positive rating is more than just a numerical score; it’s a testament to a business’s commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. Exceptional customer experiences and proactive online reputation management are crucial. Positive ratings build trust, attract new customers, and fuel sustainable business growth. Prioritize both for lasting success.
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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!