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The impeachment trial of the Vice President gave us a window into how the Constitution—and democracy itself—works. What we saw was not always pretty. But perhaps that is the point. DEMOCRACY IS MESSY Democracy is messy. Obstructionist, even. It argues with itself. It moves slowly. It allows people we disagree with to speak—and sometimes win. Sometimes the vote goes against everything you believe. You lose. Your candidate loses. The decision goes the other way. And it hurts. But they heard your voice. You don’t have to win to matter. You don’t have to get your way to have a say. That is democracy. And then comes the inevitable frustration: “We are supposed to be a democracy!” We say it when the roads flood. When medicine costs more, tuition becomes another mountain to climb, when poverty persists, or when corruption seems everywhere. But what exactly are we asking democracy to do? Make government efficient? Make our candidate win? Make our lives easier? Democracy promises none of those things. It promises that we get a voice. Sometimes that voice loses. But they heard it. That is the bargain. And the bargain runs both ways. Democracy expects something from us, too. To behave. Don’t sell your vote. Don’t look away when public money disappears because your side benefits. Don’t defend corruption because the corrupt person happens to be your guy. We lament graft and corruption. We lament the unending sight of flooding. And we ask: Where did all the money go? Money that was supposed to build drainage, widen waterways, clear esteros, protect communities. So, we look for someone to blame. Someone to investigate. Someone to prosecute. Someone’s head to roll. Perhaps we should. But before we point the finger, perhaps we should look at the hand. When you point a finger at someone, three fingers point back at you. Not because we are all equally corrupt. We aren’t. But corruption does not survive on corrupt officials alone. It needs permission. A favor. A shortcut. A little envelope. A phone call to someone we know. A willingness to look away because the beneficiary is on our side. And then there is the election. “Can you eat democracy?” If you are hungry, money is not an abstract idea. It buys rice, medicine, and food for children. Hence, we should be careful about judging the poor from the comfort of our own tables. But the money did not come for free. Someone is buying something. They are buying permission. Permission to govern. Permission to recover the money later—perhaps from the very public funds that should never have been touched in the first place. The money you received today may be the smallest part of the transaction. Tomorrow comes the contract. The padded price. The favored supplier. The missing project. The road that exists on paper but not on the ground. And somewhere in that chain, your few hundred pesos have multiplied into millions. You took the money. They took the government. And both sides walk away poorer. That is not an argument for blaming the poor. It is an argument for understanding how poverty can become a weapon in the hands of the powerful. Perhaps the better question is not: Why did you take the money Perhaps it is: Why did you have to? What does democracy mean to the family stretching one paycheck until the end of the month? Now we are asking the right question. Democracy cannot be a beautiful idea floating above ordinary life. It must reach the kitchen table. The mother is buying medicine. The father paying tuition. The worker wonders whether this month’s salary will cover next month’s rent. And the student who wonders whether college is still within reach. These are not philosophical questions. They are dinner-table questions. And democracy should not be offended when people ask them. Government exists to serve the people. So yes, ask what government can do for us. But perhaps President John F. Kennedy’s old question deserves to be turned around: What are we willing to do for our country? Not someday. Not when the politicians change. Not when somebody else finally gets caught. Now. Because government is not some distant creature living inside a government building. It is part of the bargain we have made with one another. We elect. We tolerate. We enable. We complain. And sometimes we look away. So, ask the harder question: What part of this have I helped make—or allowed to continue? That question belongs to this trial, too. Because when we become corrupt—or complicit in corruption—we haven’t hurt democracy first. We have hurt ourselves. The impeachment trial will eventually end. There will be a verdict. Winners. Losers. Celebrations. Outrage. And then life goes on. The roads will still flood. Medicine will still cost money. Children will still need schools. Families will still struggle. And democracy will still be here. Messy. Imperfect. Inconvenient. Still asking us to argue, to listen, and still giving us another chance. So perhaps the real question is not whether democracy works. It is whether we are doing our part to make it work. We have complained about the government. We have blamed the politicians. We have pointed our fingers. Now look at the hand. Three fingers are pointing back. And perhaps that is where this trial should leave us. Not angry. Not defeated. Not looking for another form of government because this one has become inconvenient. But looking in the mirror. Because democracy is not only tested by the people who govern us. It is tested by the people we become. And if democracy is on trial, perhaps we should finally take our seat in the courtroom. Not as spectators, but as witnesses.

As a young lad, I walked on iconic streets, some even date back to the Spanish Colonial Era. Streets, roads, and avenues that existed, when, The City of Naga, was then known as Nueva Caceres. Of course, some are still present and survived but with different names. An example of this is Calle Via Gainza. In modern times, it is popularly known as Peñafrancia Avenue. This historic avenue had taken its name from the illustrious Bishop Francisco Gainza, O.P. — he led the See of Caceres from 1863–1879. Bishop Gainza, was the twenty fifth in the roster and deemed to be the most innovative among the Spanish bishops in the area. It was a dusty road during the second quarter of the 19th century more or less. The road begins from the Peñafrancia Shrine, now the Barangay Peñafrancia, and ends at the San Francisco Church. Bishop Gainza spearheaded its improvements and turned it into a cobblestones-laden-street, adding an old-world-charm-appeal. Moreover, Calle Via Gainza was developed further to join the western point of Calle Legaspi, now known as Panganiban Drive. Bishop Gainza’s master plan was a wide road, with three lanes; the middle lane was for pedestrians while the other two were for incoming and oncoming vehicles. Another example is the famous Elias Angeles Street. It is the most significant road that runs through the veins of Naga’s City Center. It was built by Filipinos at the turning point of the 16th century under the Spanish Crown. Formerly known as Calle Real, it has developed from a colonial cobblestones-laden-road for pedestrians into the enterprise and historic heart of the city, with remnants from the 1898 Philippine Revolution. It is named after Tagalog Corporal Elias Angeles who together with Bicolano Corporal Felix Plazo, fought and won against Spanish soldiers on September 18, 1898. Historical Civic Sites dotted this district. Several vanished and albeit adaptive-reuse landmarks remain along the street that witnessed chapters from the Spanish era through the 20th century; Casino Español District: seen at the point Elias Angeles and Arana Streets, this was an important edifice constructed from piedra china (Chinese granite) and hardwood that functioned as the esteemed social and leisure hub for the male Spanish members of high society. Casa Tribunal District: an original location of the “casa comun” during colonial times, that catered to travelers with free lodging and rooms ending in 1839, Additionally, the street gives accessible ways to historical areas such as the Naga Old Provincial Jail (built in 1826) and ancestral landmarks (e.g. an ancestral house that was converted into a resto called Asilo by Jimmy and Tang), establishing a pivotal role in preserving Naga City’s historical and cultural identity. There is also a proliferation of Ancient Landmarks, the Northern Elias Angeles Street hosts three of the most religious and educational institutions across Bicolandia. A living testimony that stood the test of times for centuries; Universidad de Santa Isabel (formerly Colegio de Sta. Isabel) founded in 1868, the Holy Rosary Seminary founded in 1793 which is one of the oldest catholic schools in the Philippines, and, the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. Perhaps, best of all, these streets become alive during the annual September Fiesta in The City of Naga. The Peñafrancia Traslacion route in Naga City begins from the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine along Peñafrancia Avenue, traverses toward Elias Angeles Street, passes through Plaza Quince Martires and Plaza Rizal, then enters Porta Mariae and ends at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. A monumental four-kilometer foot procession observed yearly every second Friday of September. It officially opens the Grand Peñafrancia Festival. The voyadores, male devotees (who are barefoot) by the hundreds of thousands assist in the movement of both modernized andas of Inâ (Our Lady of Peñafrancia) and the Divino Rostro (Divine Face of Jesus) to the cathedral to begin a nine-day novena. In contemporary times, many change, including names of everything. From buildings, bridges, roads, and, even people. But one important lesson remains, and that is its historic soul. Its identity. And, its story. When it is written about or documented, it becomes immortalized. We will not forget and it will be remembered for eternity. May you be inspired by The Holy Spirit and God Bless!

Isa ako sa masugid na nanunuod sa telebisyon ng impeachment trial kahit palagi akong puyat dahil sa magkaibang oras dito sa Amerika at sa Pilipinas. Pinagtiyatiyagaan ko na lang kahit inaantok na ako dahil mahalaga sa akin na malaman at mapag-aralan ang mga dahilan kung bakit dapat ma-impeach si Inday Sara, ang kasalukuyang bise-presidente ng Pilipinas. Nitong nakaraang impeachment trial may halong katatawanan at galit ang naging reaksyon ko sa mga pangalan na binanggit ng prosekusyon na tumanggap ng confidential funds mula sa bise-presidente. Para bagang niloloko lang tayo ng bise-presidente. Sa simula, nakakatawa naman talaga ang mga pangalan dahil parang hinugot lang sila sa isang menu list ng isang restaurant o grocery list pagkatapos nilagyan ng pangalan para mag-mukhang totoo gaya ng Jay Kamote, Ralph Bacon, Matthew Keso, at Minggy Mango. Feeling ko lang, fake ang mga ito. Nandyan din ang mga pangalan na kapareho ng mga apelyido ng mga politiko gaya ng Beth Revilla, Clarisse Hontiveros, Diane Maple Lapid, John Lapid Jr, Jose Diokno Jr, Denise Tanya Escudero at Kristine Applegate Estrada. Bakit kaya naisipan ng bise-presidente na gamitin ang mga apelyido ng mga politiko sa sarkastikong paraan? At ito pa ang mga nakakatawang pangalan ng iba pang mga payees: Mary Grace Piattos, Patty Ting, Alejandro Pikit, Andy Lim, Beverly Pampano, Gabriel Bisaya, Salah Casim, Xiaome Ocho, Kokoy Villamin, Geraldine Omoy, Sisfrunio Balsac at iba pa na pawang mga pangalan na gawa-gawa lamang. Hindi ko maiwasang isipin na ang mga pangalang nabanggit ay parang pinulot lang sa isang script ng isang comedy show or brand. At bakit ginawa ito ni Inday Sara? Dahil akala nya hindi siya saklaw ng batas o wala siyang pakialam sa batas. Kahit pa ba sabihin nila na mga aliases ang mga ito, masyado naman halatang hindi nila sineseryoso ang paggamit ng confidential funds na galing sa kaban ng bayan. Akala ni Inday Sara kaya niyang malusotan ang batas. Akala ni Inday Sara siya ay mataas sa batas. Akala ni Inday Sara siya ay untouchable dahil parte siya ng Duterte dynasty. Akala ni Inday Sara siya ay hindi mapapanagot dahil siya ang bise-presidente Akala ni Inday Sara wala siyang pananagutan sa pera ng bayan. Sa madaling salita, hindi sineryoso ni Inday Sara o hindi niya sinunod sa tamang paraan ang paggamit ng confidential funds. Ang paggamit niya ng mga pangalan na hindi kapani-paniwala ay naging kombinasyon ng komedya at hindi pagseryoso sa kanyang responsibilidad na maging accountable sa paggamit ng pera ng bayan. Ang tanong ay kanino talaga napunta ang milyon-milyong pera ng bayan na di umano ay tinaggap ng mga pekeng recipients na walang opisyal na record mula saPhilippine Statistics Authority (PSA)? Oo, natawa ako na banggitin ni Lorna Kapunan, isa sa mga prosecutor, na isa sa mga tumanggap ng confidential funds ay nangangalang Andy Lim (translated in Pilipino as “it’s dark” – isang word play na may halong biro). Subalit nainis at nagalit din ako dahil milyon-milyong pera ng bayan ang isyu sa impeachment trial at tila baga niloloko lang tayo ni Inday Sara. Sino ang hindi magagalit?

Igua kita nin kinatudan na gawe o siguro puede nang magpasar bilang kultura, kadaklan- bako man gabos, mahilig kita magtiripon pag madali na ang deadline o last day nin rehistro. Nadumog ang tao asin nagkakaigwa nin halabang pila ang aldaw bago ang huri asin pinakahuring aldaw. Last day of filing na? Huring aldaw nan in pag-rehistro? Duman kita! Maamay man ngaya para amay man ang tapos. Parareho ang dalagan kan isip, pag abot sa lugar iyo nang laba kan pila. Digdi nalaog ang kalangkagan, ang uyam na dara nin paghalat. Ang pagmate pag nasusuya ka sa bagal kan oras sa pila, nagiging irritable. Garo bulkan na nagtuga ang pagmate pag nakahiling nin nagsisiringit. Nasagom sa pagkatao ang pagmate nin inhustisya kan kinaban. Ang isipon na nagdadalagan sa mainit na alimantak- bako talagang patas ang dalagan kan buhay digdi sa daga. Tanda nindo itong aldaw kan kita hinahatod asin sinusundo kan kita nagkaklaseng elementary hanggang grade 1 o grade 2? Bako man gabos naka-eksperiensiya kaini. May sarong hapon kadto, alas sais pasado na ako sinundo kadto. Saro saro ko nahihiling si mga estudiante paluwas sa campus kaibahan kan saindang sundo. Magabat sa pagmate, habang naghahalat garo nagpaparabagal ang oras, haluyon na ang lampas sarong oras na haralatan sa pananaw kan sarong aki. Itong hadit asin pagkahagas na baad mayo nang magsundo hanggang mag-aga, na baad nalingawan ako, na baad magsara na ang eskwelahan na dai pa ako tatao mag-uli solo kadto. May halong kasuyaan sa pagmate ta mapagal baga magparahalat, Iyo to ang malinaw na halimbawa nin kalangkagan. Tatao ka maghalat? Pano baya ang tamang paghalat? Ano man na mga paagi ang puedeng sabihon na marhay ang paghalat? Bihira lang ang mga taong gamay ang sistema kaini. Hilinga ang mga tao sa bangko minsan habang kapot kapot ang saindang numero sa sarong pidaso na papel. Maski high tech na ang proceso, mayo man high tech na paghalat, parehong oras ang maagi o malipas, dai man ngani naparikas ta minsan saro saro lang ang teller na naka-toka. Sa edad na ini, ang langkag yaon sa taong dai tatao maghalat. Aram kan satong mga paraoma asin parasira ang pagmate kan kalangkagan ta ang mga pananom dai man nagbubunga insigida asin ang mga sira dai man tulos nagsusubad sa banwit o nagdudulok sa lambat para madakop tulos kan namalakayang parasira. Kung igua man mga taong nalampasan na ang pagmateng dara kan kalangkagan, ang mga tao sa sektor nin pag-oma asin pag-sira ang mas may kapasidad. Nalalangkag man giraray alagad halawig ang saindang pasencia. Igua ako nin klase nin kalangkagan ma gusto kong tungkosan. Malangkag dapat kita sa satong hineheroan na sistema, na magbago nanggad asin maging tultol ang padalagan. Mauyam dapat kita sa mga padara kan salang gawe na haloy ta nang hinihiling na normal na sanang bagay. Kung igua man mga bagay na dapat kalangkagan, iyo ang pagparadalan ta sana sa bagay na nangyayari na mayo kitang ginigibo. Kung igua man mga bagay na dai dapat ginigibo iyo ang pagiging parte kan helang na yaon nang haloy nang panahon. Mayong madaog sa nanok na turog kada bangui. Harayo sa kapurisawan asin kahaditan na dara kan mga bagay na dapat kinakalangkagan na maray.

NAGA CITY --- A powerful coalition of local civil society groups is stepping up to lead the public conversation on Naga City’s political and economic future. The Naga City People’s Council (NCPC), the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), and the Center for Research, Learning, and Development of the Naga College Foundation, Inc. (CRLD-NCF) will launch “Paghuron” on August 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM. The highly anticipated public debate will take place at the Tanghalan Melchor Auditorium of the Naga College Foundation (NCF). A Sequel for Community-Led Discourse “Paghuron” serves as the next installment in a sequel of community-led discussion forums designed to tackle pressing issues in the locality. Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent proclamation of Naga City as a Highly Urbanized City (HUC), this installment aims to create a wider and deeper understanding of the various opportunities, benefits, and administrative challenges confronting the city’s proposed transition from a component city into a highly urbanized status. The Clash of Intellectual Heavyweights To provide structural rigor, the organizers have invited the two leading Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Naga to a face-off. The Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU) Debating Society and the Greyhound Debating Club of the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) will go head-to-head. Adapting the internationally recognized British Parliamentary debate format, the student debaters will dissect the multi-layered pros and cons of HUC conversion. Gathering the “Social Pulse” of 27 Barangays Unlike standard academic tournaments, “Paghuron” is strategically designed to elicit a deeper discussion of current realities, cultivate well-informed opinions, and capture the true social pulse of the city before citizens head to a decisive plebiscite. To achieve this, the forum has organized a highly targeted and participatory audience: Barangay Delegates: At least 10 attending representatives from each of Naga City’s 27 barangays, bringing grassroots community voices directly to the auditorium. Youth Representatives: Selected student-delegates from all participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the city to represent the voice of the youth. Running as the lead secretariat for this public forum is the Naga City People’s Council, spearheaded by the dedicated efforts of Mr. Dennis Gonzaga, the Chairman of the Civil Society Advocacy Committee. The technical management and adjudication of the parliamentary format are being handled in close coordination with the Remontados Debating Society. Prioritizing Citizen Enlightenment Over Competitive Victory The core philosophy of the forum centers entirely on democratic education rather than points on a scorecard. Highlighting the long-term community value of the event, Mr. Dennis Gonzaga emphasized that public clarity overrides academic victory. “Although the Debate does not recognize who eventually will be the winner in the end, the objective of the debate is already achieved,” stated Mr. Gonzaga. “Nagueños will have already formed a well-informed judgment on the future stake of Naga’s conversion into a new HUC.” Worldwide Broadcast and Livestreaming Recognizing the massive public interest across the Bicol region and the global Nagueño community, the entire proceedings will be broadcast live. The event will feature full television coverage by GNN Network 48 Television and will simultaneously be livestreamed via Facebook for viewers who cannot be physically present at the auditorium. By bringing this heavy-hitting policy discussion to a public stage, the coalition aims to deliver high-quality, objective information, ensuring that every Nagueño can make an empowered, data-driven decision regarding the city’s future political landscape.

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol Region (DSWD-5) will provide relief assistance to families affected by flooding caused by tropical cyclone Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) in three regions. In a phone interview, Claudio Villareal, DSWD-5 Disaster Response and Management Division chief, said the non-food items provided are part of the agency’s ongoing inter-field office augmentation efforts. DSWD-5 will deliver 3,000 hygiene kits to DSWD - National Capital Region (NCR) bound for Parañaque, while 1,000 modular tents will be sent to DSWD - Central Luzon in San Simon, Pampanga, and 700 modular tents to DSWD - Ilocos Region in Biday, La Union. “A total of 3,000 affected families in the National Capital Region will be provided with hygiene kits. The 1,000 modular tents will serve 1,000 affected families in Pampanga, and 700 modular tents have been allocated to serve 700 affected families, with each tent designated for one family,” he said. Villareal said that during disasters, displaced families may face difficulties accessing necessities and temporary shelter. “The augmentation of hygiene kits and modular tents is intended to help address some of the immediate needs and ease the burden on affected families. At the same time, other DSWD field offices also have their own available resources and are currently augmenting as well, including family food packs and other non-food items,” he added. Villareal said that through the augmentation, DSWD-5 aims to complement the assistance being provided by the affected field offices and help address identified urgent needs while avoiding duplication of assistance. “Any additional augmentation will depend on the identified needs and requests of the affected Field Offices, as well as the availability of resources,” he said. Villareal said DSWD Bicol continues to join the agency’s broader disaster response efforts, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and under the guidance of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to strengthen cooperation among field offices so that assistance can reach families in need faster. (PNA) RELIEF AID. A truck carrying hygiene kits of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol Region is bound for flood-hit regions on Tuesday (Aug. 11, 2026). DSWD-5 will deliver 3,000 hygiene kits to DSWD National Capital Region bound for Parañaque, while 1,000 modular tents will be sent to DSWD Central Luzon in San Simon, Pampanga, and 700 modular tents to DSWD Region 1 in Biday, La Union. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-5)

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The city government is strengthening barangay-level efforts to prevent dengue amid the rainy season by mobilizing barangay health workers (BHWs) to monitor household water storage and urge residents to eliminate stagnant water and keep water containers properly covered. In a phone interview, Mayor Hisham Ismail said dry conditions have prompted residents to store water in drums and other containers, some of which are left uncovered and are possible breeding grounds for mosquito larvae. “We are asking for the help of our BHWs at the barangay level in monitoring those who store water,” Ismail said. He urged residents to ensure that containers used to store water from rain or faucets are properly covered to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Ismail said dengue prevention requires the cooperation of residents, noting that the city government cannot address the problem alone across its 70 barangays and wide geographical area. He said mosquito breeding sites in one household can also pose a risk to neighboring communities, making proper water storage and regular cleanup a shared responsibility. Meanwhile, Legazpi City Health Office (CHO) head Dr. Francis Gerald Gomez said the city is conducting barangay advocacy activities and coordinating with barangay officials to strengthen regular cleanup drives. “We are coordinating with the barangays to have regular cleanup drives. It would be better if these are done daily to ensure that we eliminate dengue breeding grounds,” Gomez said. Gomez said fogging operations alone are insufficient to control dengue because they primarily target adult mosquitoes and do not eliminate larvae that thrive in stagnant water. He urged residents to regularly inspect their surroundings and remove stagnant water from tires, cans, containers and other potential mosquito breeding sites. The CHO reported two confirmed cases from January to Aug. 11 this year. It added that there were no confirmed dengue cases last year, but there were 90 suspected and probable cases. Gomez said the city is also strengthening disease reporting and public information efforts to provide residents with timely information on dengue prevention. The city health office urged residents to make the elimination of stagnant water a regular household practice to help prevent the spread of dengue. (PNA) INFO CAMPAIGN. An officer of the Legazpi City Health Office conducts the Dengue Awareness and Prevention Campaign at San Joaquin Covered Court, Legazpi City, in this undated photo. The activity emphasized the 4S Strategy Against Dengue—Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, Secure self-protection measures, Seek early consultation, and Support fogging or spraying only in hotspot areas when necessary. (Photo courtesy of Legazpi City CHO FB page)

IRIGA CITY, Camarines Sur --- A former police officer listed as a high-value individual (HVI) was arrested after authorities seized around 80 grams of suspected shabu during the implementation of a search warrant in Iriga City on Tuesday afternoon, August 11. Police identified the suspect as alias “Jorams,” 43, married and a resident of Iriga City. He was reportedly a former member of the Philippine National Police who was dismissed from the service for absence without official leave (AWOL). The Iriga City Police Station, together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 5, Regional Intelligence Unit 5-Camarines Sur and Special Operations Unit 5 of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group, conducted the operation at around 1:07 p.m. in Zone 4, Dao Street, Barangay Sto. Domingo. Police said the operation resulted in the seizure of 16 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, with a total estimated weight of 80 grams. Also confiscated were eight open transparent plastic sachets containing traces of suspected illegal drugs. Authorities likewise recovered a glass tooter, four lighters, two pieces of tape, nine packs of unused transparent plastic sachets, a roll of aluminum foil, a pencil case, a black leather coin purse, a blue box labeled “EO Sunwear,” and a jewelry box. Police said the seized items were immediately marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the required insulating witnesses and the suspect’s immediate family. The procedure was documented using two PDEA-issued body-worn cameras. The seized items were subsequently brought to the PDEA Camarines Sur office for proper disposition. Police said the investigator-on-case is preparing a complaint for violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, for filing before the City Prosecution Service in Iriga City.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you! Second Reading: Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Gospel Reading: Matthew 15:21-28 At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

Dear Father Bill, Arin po an dapat gamiton kun magreet sa sarong padi sa saiyang aniversario sa pagkapadi? Happy Sacerdotal Anniversary, Happy Presbyteral Anniversary, o Happy Ordination Anniversary? An minagalang, Vicente Dear Vicente, Gabos man ini tama na pag-"greet" sa sarong padi na nagse-celebrar kan saiyang aniversario sa pagkapadi. Alagad kadaklan na beses an ginagamit iyo an "Happy Sacerdotal Anniversary." Ini an mga paliwanag: 1. Happy Sacerdotal Anniversary - Ini an satong nadadangog o nababasa pirmi. • Sacerdotal = gikan sa Latin sacerdos = "priest" • Boot sabihon "Priestly Anniversary" • An mga tataramon na ini ginagamit kan Vatican, CBCP, mga obispo, asin sa mga prayer cards/tarpaulins sa Pilipinas • Halimbawa: “Congratulations on your 25th Sacerdotal Anniversary, Fr. Abundio!” 2. Happy Presbyteral Anniversary. Tama man ini kaya lang masyadong teknikal. • Presbyteral = gikan sa Greek presbyteros = "elder/priest" • Saro ining termino sa teologiya na ginagamit sa mga documento arog kan Presbyterorum Ordinis - Documento ini kan Vatican II manonongod sa buhay asin ministerio kan mga padi. • Maiintindihan ini kan mga padi asin seminarista, alagad dakul sa mga seglar an dai nakakaram kun ano an boot sahibon kan “presbyteral..” • Halimbawa: An “Happy Presbyteral Anniversary” masyadong pormal asin akademik 3. Happy Ordination Anniversary . Ini an pinaka-malinaw asin diretso sa punto • Tinatawan nin malinaw na doon an aldaw na inako kan padi an banal na orden • Pinaka-facil maintindihan kan mga tawo • Halimbawa:: “Happy 10th Ordination Anniversary, Fr. Jonas!” An minagalang, Fr. Bill * * * Email me at: billparisadmu@gmail.com

NAGA CITY — Cardinal Pablo Virgilio S. David urged Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) to deepen its commitment to social responsibility and service to the marginalized as the Jesuit institution launched its Office of Social Concern and Responsibility (OSCAR) and Social Involvement and Advocacy Council (SIAC) during a Social Justice Forum that gathered more than 1,500 students, educators, Church leaders, government representatives, and civil society partners. The forum, themed “Companions in Hope: Serving Faith, Justice, and the Common Good,” marked a significant development arising from ADNU’s Strategic Planning process. The establishment of OSCAR and SIAC seeks to strengthen the leadership and alignment of the University’s social involvement efforts toward more cohesive, collaborative, and impact-driven engagements in responsible citizenship, care for the common home, and poverty alleviation. In his welcoming remarks, Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, S.J., ADNU President, said the initiative reflects the Jesuit commitment to “laboring with and for the poor,” a priority of the Philippine Jesuits Apostolic Plan 2026–2031. Cardinal David described the establishment of OSCAR and SIAC as “more than an administrative development” but a “public affirmation that social engagement belongs to the very identity of a Catholic and Jesuit institution.” He emphasized that universities must go beyond producing competent professionals by forming persons “whose knowledge is placed at the service of society, whose competence is guided by conscience, and whose faith bears fruit in lives of generous service.” Reflecting on the forum’s theme, Cardinal David stressed that faith, justice, and the common good are inseparable dimensions of the Christian vocation. He urged institutions to become bridge-builders in a divided world. “Authentic faith does not build walls between peoples. Rather, it builds bridges without erasing differences,” he said. The Bishop of Kalookan also highlighted listening as the foundation of meaningful social engagement. “Before the Church teaches, she first listens,” he said, calling on institutions to pay attention to the experiences of the poor, workers, farmers, young people, indigenous communities, and those affected by social and environmental challenges. He also addressed emerging concerns such as artificial intelligence and technological change, emphasizing that progress must always remain at the service of human dignity and the common good. The forum featured a special message from Raffy Magno, Executive Director of Angat Buhay, who expressed support and offered collaboration with OSCAR. Led by Rodolfo “Sonny” SB. Virtus Jr., Executive Director of OSCAR, the event brought together representatives from partner communities in Magarao, Canaman, Calabanga, and Naga City; the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga City; foundations, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, seminaries, and other Catholic educational institutions. Through OSCAR and SIAC, ADNU seeks to deepen partnerships that translate faith into action and strengthen its mission of service for justice and the common good. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Caloocan graces the launch of the Ateneo de Naga University Office of Social Concern and Responsibility as keynote speaker during the Social Justice Forum held Aug. 6 at the University Gymnasium. David commended the University's efforts of integrating faith, justice and the common good. (Photo by Natalie Quimlat) (Article taken from the Ateneo de Naga University Facebook page)

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat Sixteen volunteer writers and photographers attended the Retooling Workshop organized by Caceres News, the official digital news arm of the Caceres Commission on Communications (CCCom). Held last Saturday, August 8, participants gathered at the auditorium of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in Naga City. The Workshop aims to encourage current and new volunteers, foster capacity building and promote faith-centered journalism in the field of digital Church News. CCCom Director Fr. Francis Tordilla called participants to be witnesses of Christ and urged them to go to the peripheries to share the Good News. Caceres News Head Lorleine Manauis discussed the Stylebook for the digital news arm, emphasizing its tone and voice; and news range. Participants also attended simultaneous breakout sessions for news writing, feature writing and photojournalism. These were facilitated by Natalie Hazel Quimlat, Jonah Abellano and Michael Multo, respectively. It is the hope of the Caceres News Team that through this recently conducted Workshop, there will be increased participation among volunteers, thereby expanding the reach of the Archdiocese's digital news arm. Caceres News, the official digital news platform of the Archdiocese of Caceres, conducted a retooling workshop for writers and photographers last Aug. 8, feast of St. Dominic. Held at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Auditorium, the workshop gathered 16 volunteers from across the Archdiocese. (Photos by Natalie Quimlat)