The bustling and vibrant holiday season of Christmas in 2023 is poised to embrace an era of unprecedented busyness and excitement. From the bustling malls adorned with twinkling lights to the constant juggling of work obligations and social engagements, this year’s Christmas time promises to be filled with exhilarating moments and challenges alike.
Economically, the Christmas season of 2023 will witness a surge in consumer spending, thereby fueling a bustling environment. The increased availability of online shopping combined with the recovery from the pandemic-induced economic downturn will contribute markedly to the surge in spending. Retailers will orchestrate elaborate marketing campaigns to entice consumers into their shops, leading to crowded malls and bustling streets. This economic fervor will create a sense of urgency and necessitate efficient time management, as individuals strive to secure the perfect gifts for their loved ones.
The pressure to engage in gift-giving during the Christmas season has always been a cornerstone of this festive period. This pressure is anticipated to intensify, pushing individuals to explore unique and thoughtful options. The working sector will be particularly challenged by their dual roles as workers and potential gift-givers. Balancing work commitments with the search for meaningful gifts will require careful planning, research, and budgeting. The quest to find the perfect gifts will not only engage their intellectual capabilities but will also test their organizational skills.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, the emphasis on experiences as opposed to material possessions will continue to be an emerging trend during Christmas time in 2023. Society’s shift towards valuing experiences over physical objects is evident in the increasing popularity of travel, events, and immersive activities. We will need to navigate the demand for experiential gifting while maintaining our responsibilities. The challenge lies in creating memorable experiences that align with our budgets and conform to the societal expectation of lavishness during the festive season.
Again, the busy Christmas time of 2023 will certainly pose multiple challenges and opportunities. We should be prepared to navigate this busy period strategically, with an intricate understanding of the economic implications, the pressure of gift-giving, and the pursuit of experiential joy.
Nature is a complex system characterized by patterns, trends, and interconnected relationships. These patterns often evolve and shape our understanding of the world. However, nature occasionally deviates from its normal trends, leading to unexpected outcomes and challenges. Knowing these deviations is crucial, as they can provide key insights into ecological processes, climate change, and the overall health of our planet.
Deviation from normal trends in nature refers to a situation when the observed patterns depart from what is typically expected or established. This can manifest in diverse ways across various natural systems. For instance, in climate science, the warming trend over the past century has been punctuated by instances of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, or intense rainfall. Similarly, in ecological systems, population dynamics may deviate from expected patterns due to unexpected shifts in environmental conditions or species interactions.
Climate change is a prime example of when nature’s patterns deviate from normal trends. Rising global temperatures have disrupted the Earth’s climate system, leading to unpredictable shifts in weather patterns. Deviations, such as the intensification of heatwaves, the reduction of sea ice in polar regions, or alterations in migration patterns, serve as valuable indicators of climate change’s impact. By monitoring these deviations, scientists can gain insights into the future consequences of climate change and formulate strategies to mitigate its adverse effects.
Ecological deviations are a result of several factors, such as human activities, natural disasters, or the introduction of alien species. Human activities, including deforestation and pollution, often disrupt established ecosystems, leading to unexpected changes in biodiversity, species composition, and ecological functioning. Additionally, natural disasters, such as wildfires or hurricanes, can alter landscapes, causing abrupt changes in vegetation patterns, water cycles, and population dynamics. These ecological deviations highlight the interdependence and fragility of natural systems and emphasize the importance of sustainable practices to minimize their occurrence.
When nature’s patterns deviate from normal trends, they can have far-reaching consequences on both the environment and human society. Biodiversity loss resulting from ecological deviations can disrupt ecosystem services, impacting human well-being and livelihoods. Deviations in climate patterns can affect agriculture, water availability, and human health, leading to food insecurity, resource conflicts, and increased vulnerability to diseases. Effectively responding to these deviations is therefore crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of our planet.
Addressing and mitigating deviations from normal trends necessitate robust scientific research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Scientists employ various tools such as statistical analyses, remote sensing technologies, and computer models to identify, monitor, and predict deviations. Furthermore, international research collaborations and data-sharing initiatives are essential for gathering comprehensive data sets that capture global patterns and trends. Utilizing these tools and fostering international cooperation can help us develop effective response strategies to deviations, improving our ability to adapt to and protect against unexpected changes in nature.
Deviation from normal trends in nature calls for policy interventions and conservation efforts that are informed by scientific findings. Policymakers should prioritize evidence-based decision-making, taking into account the long-term consequences of environmental deviations. Conservation measures, such as protected areas, habitat restoration, and sustainable resource management, can help mitigate the impacts of ecological deviations while promoting ecological resilience and biodiversity conservation. By aligning policies with scientific research, we can effectively address deviations and contribute to the preservation of nature’s patterns.
When nature’s patterns deviate from normal trends, it serves as a crucial reminder of the complexity and interconnectedness of our natural world. By monitoring and understanding deviations, we can proactively address them and strive towards sustainable practices that prioritize the protection of our planet’s health and harmonious coexistence with nature.
Awakened by the shaking beds a little past midnight of Saturday, 02 December 2023 and unto the wee hours of Sunday, 03 December 2023, people rose from deep slumber. The tremors caused cabinets and furniture at home moving as people screamed in fear for dear life as they realized that there was an earthquake so strong to be felt even in places too far from the epicenter. Wakeup calls spread like wildfire on social media platforms, as people sent messages to their kin and friends, seeking information if all they knew are safe from all nooks of the globe.
Later, government agencies like Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (philvocs) released the official information about the strength and location of the epicenter. Then updates on the damage caused and the occurrence of aftershocks were issued to inform the public and waylay fears about their safety. The aftershocks were successive as the earth movement continued. The anxiety remained as buildings cracks were seen in the aftermath.
The tremors happened during the liturgical new year of the Roman Catholic Church as the first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the new liturgical season. The readings of the Word of God in all Holy Masses in all Catholic Churches around the globe end during the celebration of the solemnity of Christ the King. The aftershocks continued for days and nights, causing panic to many who were in slumber and unready of what to do especially when the shaking occurs at night.
But the seismic shocks were momentarily glossed- over by the bombing of a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Marawi City. Churchgoers of the Holy Mass being celebrated on that first Sunday of advent inside the Mindanao State University campus. Such senseless bombing that followed the several typhoons, floods and earthquake turned to be a Dreadful Disaster Sequel. comments to alellema@yahoo.com
THAT’S right. All our human faculties, both spiritual and corporal, should have God as the primary object. As of now, it is clear that this truth of our Christian faith is still unknown or, at best, some breaking news yet, for which many of us still have to make the appropriate training.
We are reminded of this truth in the readings of the 2nd Sunday of Advent which talk about the need for preparation for the coming of the Redeemer. (cfr. Is 40,1-5.9-11; 2 Pt 3,8-14; Mk 1,1-8)
We need to develop and nurture this need for preparation since we all know that especially nowadays we are practically swallowed up by our earthly concerns. Thoughts of God and everything that concerns our duties toward him are hardly given any serious attention.
Our intelligence and will, our emotions, passions, memory and imagination, our senses should be trained to look for God first and be anchored with him. Otherwise, there’s no way but for us to get lost and confused, even if we think we are having a good time by just attending to our earthly concerns.
Let’s remember what Christ said when asked what the greatest commandment was. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” he said. (Mt 22,37) It’s quite clear what priorities we have to observe with respect to our loving.
To those who ask if God can be found in the things we handle daily and in the issues, challenges and trials we have to tackle everyday, the answer cannot be any clearer. God is everywhere. Being the creator of all things, he is in everything that exists since he is the one who gives and keeps the existence of things. Without him, nothing exists or reverts to nothing.
Thus, a psalm describes this truth beautifully when it says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (139,8-10)
With our modern world of very developed sciences and technologies, we should not forget that God is right there in the middle of everything. We should just train our faculties, inspired by faith and powered by God’s grace and our effort, to discern God’s presence, his will and his ways, if we want to be on the right track in our life.
This, of course, is another way of saying that we need to develop a truly contemplative life where even in our most mundane conditions, we are still with God and everything that he gives us, including a taste of heaven.
Thus, we need to develop a certain yearning for Christ, a longing, an urge, a passionate desire, since this is a basic necessity for us, given the fact that Christ is everything to us. He is our savior. He is the pattern of our humanity. We achieve the fullness of our humanity when we fully identify ourselves with him, which is something that can take place only with God’s grace, but also with our all-out effort.
Let’s be wary when we let our faculties get trapped in our earthly concerns.
CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
Therefore, religion is not a simple or singular factor that can explain the violence or the peace in Mindanao. Rather, it is a dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon that interacts with other social, political, and economic factors, and that can be used for good or evil, depending on the intentions and actions of the people who claim it.
Religion is a complex and sensitive topic that has both positive and negative impacts on society. Religion can inspire people to seek peace, justice, and harmony, but it can also be used to justify violence, oppression, and hatred. In the case of Mindanao, religion has been a source of both unity and division among the diverse groups of people who live there.
The conflict in Mindanao has historical, political, economic, and cultural roots, but religion has played a significant role in shaping the identities, aspirations, and grievances of the different parties involved. According to some sources, Islam entered the Philippines through Mindanao in the 13th century, and established several sultanates that governed the region with Islamic laws and customs. The arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century brought Christianity to the islands, and sparked a long and violent resistance from the Muslim sultanates, who refused to submit to the foreign rule and religion.
The conflict continued under the American and Philippine governments, who tried to integrate Mindanao into the national territory and identity, often at the expense of the Muslim and indigenous rights and interests. The marginalization and discrimination of the Muslim and indigenous populations in Mindanao led to the emergence of various rebel groups, such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), who fought for autonomy, self-determination, and independence from the central government. The conflict also attracted the involvement of foreign actors, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Libya, the United States, and more recently, the Islamic State (IS), who have provided support, mediation, or intervention to the different parties.
Religion has been used by some of these groups to mobilize, legitimize, and radicalize their followers, and to justify their violent actions against their perceived enemies.
For example, the ASG and the IS-linked Maute Group have adopted a radical and extremist interpretation of Islam, and have targeted Christians, civilians, and government forces in their attacks, such as the 2017 siege of Marawi City, the 2019 Jolo Cathedral bombing, and the 2020 Jolo twin blasts3. These groups have also exploited the poverty, injustice, and insecurity in the region to recruit and indoctrinate vulnerable and disillusioned youth, especially in the madrasas (Islamic schools) and mosques4. On the other hand, some Christian groups, such as the Ilaga (a paramilitary group composed of Christian settlers), have also used religion to incite violence and hatred against the Muslims, and have committed atrocities, such as the 1971 Manili massacre, where they killed 65 Muslim civilians inside a mosque.
However, religion has also been a force for peace and reconciliation in Mindanao, as many religious leaders and organizations have engaged in dialogue, advocacy, and mediation to address the root causes and consequences of the conflict. For example, the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC), composed of Catholic bishops, Protestant pastors, and Muslim ulama (scholars), has been promoting interreligious dialogue and cooperation since 1996, and has issued several statements and resolutions calling for the peaceful resolution of the conflict and the respect for human rights and dignity. Similarly, the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute (MPI), an interfaith and civil society network, has been providing training and education on peacebuilding and conflict transformation to various stakeholders, such as religious leaders, teachers, youth, women, and security personnel, since 2000.
Moreover, many faith-based groups, such as the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), and the United Methodist Church (UMC), have been providing humanitarian assistance, development projects, and advocacy campaigns to the affected communities in Mindanao.
Therefore, religion is not a simple or singular factor that can explain the violence or the peace in Mindanao. Rather, it is a dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon that interacts with other social, political, and economic factors, and that can be used for good or evil, depending on the intentions and actions of the people who claim it.
As such, it is important to recognize and respect the diversity and complexity of religion in Mindanao, and to support the efforts of the religious actors who are working for peace and justice in the region.
TACLOBAN CITY-Senator Risa Hontiveros called on the national government to provide assistance to farmers and fisherfolks who were affected when Northern Samar was hit by a massive flooding incident last month.
Hontiveros made this call during his visit to Catarman, the provincial capital, on Friday (Dec.9) where she distributed food assistance to more than 1,500 flood victims.
According to the senator, during a disaster like typhoon, more often than not, it is the farmers and the fishermen who bore the brunt, displacing their livelihood in the process. “Kulang sa suporta ang mga magsasaka, idagdag pa natin ang natural disasters tulad ng baha, lalong importante na (matulungan ang) agrikultura para sumigla ulit ang hanap-buhay ng mga magsasaka hanggat sa mga mangigisda,” she said in a brief interview with the local media.
Based on the record of the provincial disaster risk reduction management office headed by Rei Josiah Echano, the massive flooding that struck the province last month destroyed agricultural products worth at P245.06 million, affecting 11,321 farmers.
The fishery sector was also affected by the flooding with damage cost placed at P40.40 million. There was no data as to how many fishermen across the province were affected due to the calamity.
But in a media interview, the regional director of the Department of Agriculture, Andrew Orais, said that they have extended assistance to the affected farmers, in particular, in the province.
Orais said that they are to provide rice seeds to the farmers to help them replace their destroyed crops. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
