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Epal no more

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 7:00 am

 9,546 total views

Mga Kapanalig, may tatanggalin na sa gobyerno—ang mga epal!

Ito ay matapos maglabas ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (o DILG) ng anti-epal policy. Sa ilalim ng direktibang ito, bawal na ang paglalagay ng pangalan, larawan, simbolo, at kung anu-ano pang paandar o palatandaan ng mga pulitiko at opisyal sa mga proyekto at dokumento ng pamahalaan.

Alam na alam na natin ang ganitong galawan. May ginagawang bagong kalsada o tulay, may makikita kang mukhang nakangiti sa tarpaulin. Kadalasan, mas malaki pa ang mukha ng pulitiko kaysa sa pangalan ng mismong proyekto. Hindi mo na tuloy alam kung ano ang ipinagmamalaki ng mga opisyal na ito: ang proyektong ipinatayo o ang bago nilang anggulo mula sa photoshoot. Kapansin-pansin ding napakabilis ng mga pulitiko kapag ang usapan ay ang paglalagay ng kanilang pangalan at larawan, pero kapag ang usapan ay kung kailan matatapos ang proyekto, tahimik sila.

Hindi natin utang na loob sa mga pulitiko ang anumang serbisyong hatid ng gobyerno at ang mga proyektong ipinatutupad nito. Trabaho nila ito. Walang bonus points, walang “thank you” tarpaulin, at lalong walang “with love, mayor.” At huwag nating kalimutan: pera natin ang gamit sa mga ito. Kung may dapat pasalamatan at mailagay sa mga tarpaulin, mas tama pang sabihin na “salamat, taxpayers!”

Sa mga epal, ang dapat sana’y simpleng pagtupad sa tungkulin ay nagiging marketing strategy, isang paraan para magpasikat at magyabang. Ang dapat na serbisyo sa taumbayan, nagiging paglalako ng sarili sa publiko. Ang dapat na pananagutan sa bayan, nauuwi sa pagpapabango ng pangalan. Nawawala ang tunay na diwa ng panunungkulan at pananagutan. Hindi mahalagang malaman ang mga pulitikong epal. Mas mahalagang malaman kung sinu-sino ang dapat managot kapag may palpak na proyekto.

Sa tulong ng direktibang ito ng DILG, inaasahang lilinis na rin ang paligid. Sa mga basketball courts, wala nang apelyido ng nakaupong pulitiko. Sa mga poste ng ilaw, wala nang mga initials ng opisyal. Sa mga tarpaulin, wala na ang malaking mukha ng pulitiko. Sa mga ayuda, walang tatak ng logo o larawan ang mga sisidlan na para bang kampanya. Sa mga permits at papeles, wala nang pagkakakilanlan ng sinumang opisyal. Higit sa lahat, wala nang makikitang tarpaulin na nagsasabing mga proyekto iyon ni mayor o ni congressman. Una sa lahat, hindi galing sa bulsa nila ang ipinampagawa sa mga ito. Pera natin!

Kung tunay na maipatutupad, ang ginawang ito ng DILG ay umaayon sa itinuturo ng Simbahan na ang kapangyarihang taglay ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno ay dapat laging nakatuon sa kabutihang panlahat. Ibig sabihin, ang pagkakaroon ng posisyon at kapangyarihan ay hindi lisensya para magpasikat. Pananagutan itong dapat gamitin sa tama, makatarungan, at makataong layunin.

Paalala nga sa Mateo 20:26: “Kung nais ninyong maging dakila, dapat kayong maging lingkod sa iba.” Ang isang lingkod ay hindi naghahanap ng papuri. Hindi kailangang ianunsyo ang kanyang trabaho. Hindi siya humihingi ng palakpakan. Ginagawa lamang niya ang tama, kahit walang nakapaskil na pangalan o mukha niya. Hindi niya kailangan ang mga ito para patunayan ang sarili.

Pero hindi sapat na maglabas lamang ang gobyerno ng direktibang kontra epal. Kailangan itong ipatupad nang tuloy-tuloy, pantay-pantay, at walang pinipiling posisyon o apelyido. Dapat ding panagutin ang mga lalabag, dahil kung hindi, babalik din ang mga epal sa sandaling lumamig ang usapan. 

Mga Kapanalig, kung ang mga nasa pamahalaan ay tunay na naglilingkod para sa kabutihang panlahat, hindi magiging mahirap na isantabi ang pagiging epal. Ang lider na tapat sa tungkulin ay hindi kailangang ipaalam sa mga pinaglilingkuran niya kung sino siya. Sapat nang makita at maramdaman ng taumbayan ang serbisyong kanyang inihahatid.

Sumainyo ang katotohanan.

Krisis sa pangingisda

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 7:00 am

 33,072 total views

Mga Kapanalig, may krisis na kinakaharap ang sektor ng pangingisda sa bansa. 

Taun-taon, tinatayang 45 milyong kilong isda ang nawawala sa ating karagatan. Sa pag-aaral ng Oceana gamit ang datos mismo ng gobyerno, lumabas na nasa 12% na lang ang ating fish stock. Halos ubos na ang mga isda! Patuloy na bumabagsak ang kabuuang produksyon ng isda—mula 2.6 milyong metriko tonelada noong 2010, bumagsak ito sa 1.9 milyon noong 2023. Ipinakita rin ng satellite monitoring na malawakan ang commercial fishing sa mga lugar na nakalaan sa mga tinatawag na municipal fishers.

Ayon kay Oceana Vice President Von Hernandez, may kalamidad na nagaganap sa ilalim ng dagat. Aniya, “Kung siyam sa bawat sampung palayan sa bansa ay walang ani, tiyak na tatawagin natin itong krisis.” Ganito rin ang nangyayari sa ating karagatan. Paubos na nga ang likas-yaman sa ating mga dagat, naghihirap pa ang mga mangingisda. 

Ang Pilipinas ay isang kapuluang binubuo ng mahigit 7,000 isla pero sa kabila ng yamang-dagat na nakapaligid sa atin, bakit nananatiling mahirap ang mga nagbabantay at umaasa rito? Ipinapakita ng mga datos na mahigit 350,000 pamilyang mangingisda ang nabubuhay ngayon sa ilalim ng poverty line. Itinuturing silang mahihirap. Libu-libo sa kanila ang food-poor o kapos sa kakayanang tugunan kahit ang batayang pangangailangan sa nutrisyon. Kumakalam ang sikmura ng mga nagpapakain sa atin. 

Dito malinaw ang paalala ng Kawikaan 29:7: “Kinikilala ng matuwid ang karapatan ng mahirap, ngunit ito’y balewala sa mga taong swapang.” Kung tunay nating pinahahalagahan ang dignidad ng bawat Pilipino, nararapat lamang na may pamahalaang makatarungan—isang pamahalaang inuuna ang mga higit na nangangailangan, katulad ng mga mangingisda. Kaya nanawagan ang Oceana kay PBBM na mag-utos ng agaran at transparent na imbestigasyon sa mga pagkukulang sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas-pangisdaan gaya ng Philippine Fisheries Code.

Ayon naman sa grupong PANGISDA Pilipinas, dapat magsilbing wake-up call ang datos na ito tungkol sa sektor ng pangisdaan. Sa mahabang panahong nariyan ang Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (o BFAR), wala silang nakikitang pag-unlad sa sektor. Patuloy na nauubos ang isda at nananatiling pinakamahirap na sektor ang mga mangingisda. 

Ang nakalulungkot at nakababahala pa, may edad na ang ating mga mangningisda. Ang karaniwang edad ng isang Pilipinong mangingisda ngayon ay nasa 50 taong gulang, dahil parami nang parami ang kabataang tumatalikod sa pangingisda. Kung magpapatuloy ito, hindi lamang supply ng pagkain ang mawawala. Pati ang pamana ng sustenableng pangingisda ay unti-unting mabubura.

Sa kabila ng mga umiiral na batas at ng pagtatatag ng Fisheries Management Areas, patuloy na nasasapawan ang karapatan ng maliliit na mangingisda Noong 2024, pinawalambisa ng Korte Suprema ang 15 kilometrong hangganan ng municipal waters. Binuksan ang mga dagat na ito sa commercial fishing. Tahasang pinahihina nito ang karapatan ng maliliit na mangingisda sa sariling karagatan. Kung hindi natin kayang ipagtanggol ang pinakamahirap sa lipunan, masasabi ba nating tunay na pinahahalagahan ng ating gobyerno ang dignidad ng lahat?

Sa mga Catholic social teaching, malinaw ang panawagan para sa preferential option for the poor. Paalala ni Pope St. John XXIII, ang katarungan ay nangangahulugang mas binibigyang-pansin ng mga nasa kapangyarihan ang mahihina, lalo na ang mga hindi kayang ipagtanggol ang sarili nilang karapatan at interes.

Mga Kapanalig, nasa kamay ng pamahalaan kung tuluyang lulubog o patuloy na lalangoy ang sektor ng pangingisda. May sapat na mga batas ang Pilipinas upang pangalagaan ang ating mga karagatan at mga mangingisda, ngunit kulang ang political will at maayos na koordinasyon para ganap na maipatupad ang mga ito. Kailangan nating kumilos bago tuluyang malagay sa panganib ang seguridad sa pagkain ng bansa at bago lalo pang magdusa ang mga kapatid nating mangingisda.

Sumainyo ang katotohanan.

Sapat na bang Maging Mabuti?

Monday, February 9, 2026 9:09 am

 433 total views

Hindi sapat ang hindi manakit; tinatawag tayong magmahal nang may gawa. Sa paanyaya ni Kristo na maging asin at ilaw ng sanlibutan, hinahamon tayo na huwag manatiling tahimik at walang pakialam, kundi maging daluyan ng kabutihan, pag-asa, at katotohanan. Sapagkat ang kabanalan ay nagkakaroon lamang ng saysay kapag ito’y ibinabahagi—kapag ang ating kabutihan ay umaangat ng kapwa at ang ating paninindigan ay nagbibigay-luwalhati sa Diyos.

Being present in God

Monday, February 9, 2026 9:03 am

 2,262 total views

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 09 February 2026
1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Mark 6:53-56
Photo by author, Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan, 09 January 2026.
God our loving Father,
your words today in the first
reading and gospel are 
both quick-paced,
everything seemed to happened
so fast: the arrival and 
enthronement of the Ark of the
Covenant in the Temple of Jerusalem
and of people rushing to Jesus 
at Gennesaret after crossing
the lake of Galilee.

Both scenes are exactly like
my life today - everything is 
happening so fast
and I feel left behind,
tired and exhausted;
if I could just touch 
Jesus Christ's cloak
to be healed,
to be comforted,
to be renewed.

When the priests left the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud, since the Lord’s glory had filled the temple of the Lord. Then Solomon said, “The Lord intends to dwell in the dark cloud; I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever” (1Kings 8:10-13).

The dark clouds remain
above me, Jesus
and thank you for staying,
for remaining in me;
thank you, Jesus,
for being close to us,
for allowing yourself to be
interrupted
 by our many concerns
that we can touch you
like in Genessaret
where people lived freely
and joyfully regardless of their
faith and culture
as they were simply present
in each moment like when you
crossed over the lake
and allowed yourself
 to be interrupted
even led by them;
teach me to be true to myself
like those in Genessaret
expressing to you my desires
not just what I want;
let me be present with you
as you are present in me each day.
Amen.
Photo by author, Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan, 09 January 2026.

ONE BRIEF SHINING MOMENT

Monday, February 9, 2026 8:58 am

 1,765 total views

Gospel Reading for February 09, 2026 – Mark 6: 53-56

ONE BRIEF SHINING MOMENT

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

————

There seemed to be so many sick people. With no motorized transportation at that time, we can only imagine how difficult the journey was—not only for those who carried the sick, but even more so for the sick themselves. Yet simply touching the tassel of Jesus’ cloak was enough to heal them.

The thirty-three years that Jesus spent in Israel were truly ONE BRIEF SHINING MOMENT in the history of humankind. As the song says, “some good things never last.” And yet, it was after Jesus returned to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit that the best things came to us—who are not Israelites, but Christians. When we ask the Holy Spirit to heal us, it is truly Jesus himself who heals us.

The most beautiful part of this is that it is no longer just One Brief Shining Moment, because this gift will last forever.

Humanity’s relationship with God was raised to a higher level—no longer through the physical presence of Jesus, but through the living, spiritual presence of Christ among us.

We thank you, Father. We thank you, Jesus. We thank you, Holy Spirit, for all that you have done for us. We are truly and deeply blessed!

Disiplina sa Kongreso

Monday, February 9, 2026 7:00 am

 50,799 total views

Mga Kapanalig, sa botong 238 na pabor, 10 na tutol, at 9 na abstain, nagpasyang muli ang Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso na suspendihin si Cavite Fourth District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga.

Una na siyang sinuspinde noong Disyembre dahil sa mga “inappropriate social media posts and misconduct.” Hindi raw akma sa kanyang posisyon ang mga ipino-post niya sa social media. Tumagal ang suspensyon ni Congressman Barzaga ng 60 na araw.

Ang bagong suspensyon—na tatagal muli ng 60 na araw—ay nag-ugat sa reklamo ng mga kapwa rin niya kongresista. Iniugnay kasi ni Congressman Barzaga ang ilang kabaro niya mula sa National Unity Party na tumanggap ng suhol mula sa isang negosyante. Kapalit ng suhol na ito ang pagboto daw nila kay Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez para maging speaker. Inakusahan din niya ang isang yumaong mambabatas na sangkot sa korapsyon kaugnay ng mga flood control projects. Wala naman siyang matibay na ebidensya. 

May isa ring congressman na gustong disiplinahin si Leyte Fourth District Representative Richard Gomez. Sa isang privilege speech, hinimok ni Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Rodolfo Ordanes ang Kamara na disiplinahin ang dating artista at ngayon ay congressman dahil sa umano’y pananakit niya kay Philippine Fencing Association president Rene Gacuma, isang senior citizen, noong nagdaang SEA Games sa Thailand. Kung siya ang tatanungin, gusto rin ni Congressman Gacuma na patawan ng 60 na araw na suspensyon si Congressman Gomez.

Kung inyong matatandaan, lumutang ang isang video kung saan sinugod, pinagalitan, at sinaktan ni Congressman Gomez ang pinuno ng Philippine Fencing Association dahil sa desisyon ng huli ukol sa mga manlalarong isinalang sa fencing. Nagbanta pa raw ang kongresista na haharangin ang pagbibigay ng budget sa asosasyon. Sa testimonya ng opisyal ng asosasyon, sinabi niyang tinapakan ang kanyang paa, inipit ang daliri, at minura. Sa nangyaring komprontasyon, nalagay daw sa alanganin ang buhay ng senior citizen na may kondisyon sa puso at altapresyon. 

Habang isinusulat natin ang editoryal na ito, wala pang pasya ang Kamara sa kahilingan ng kinatawan ng mga senior citizens.

Mataas dapat ang tingin natin sa mga lingkod-bayad gaya ng mga mambabatas. “Kagalang-galang” o “honorable” nga ang tawag natin sa kanila. Sa ilalim ng Republic Act No. 6713 o ang Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, dapat sumunod sa mahigpit na panuntunan ang mga mambabatas pagdating sa tamang pag-uugali at gawi. Dapat silang maging propesyunal, walang pinapaboran, tapat, at patas. Hindi nila dapat abusuhin ang kanilang posisyon—na nangyayari kapag nagpapakalat sila ng malisyosong impormasyon o nananakit ng kanilang kapwa. Akma sa kanila ang paalala sa Tito 2:7 na “maging halimbawa ng mabuting ugali,” lalo na’t tangan nila ang kapangyarihang mula sa mga mamamayang nais nilang paglingkuran. 

Ang usapin tungkol sa disiplinang ipinakikita ng ilang kongresista natin ngayon ay maaaring tingnan gamit ang mga panlipunang turo ng Simbahan, partikular na ang tungkol sa pag-iral ng “culture of integrity” o kultura ng katapatan. Kaakibat nito ang wastong pag-uugali, pananalita, at pagkilos. Ang pulitikal na kapangyarihan (o political authority), paalala ng Simbahan, ay dapat ginagamit alinsunod sa mga hangganan ng tinatawag na “moral order”—sa madaling salita, ginagamit ang kapangyarihan sa tama, wasto, at dapat. 

Malinaw na labag dito ang pagpapakalat ng malisyosong impormasyon—pati na rin ang mga social media posts na hindi akma sa mga lingkod-bayan. Salungat din dito ang pananakit sa iba—pisikal man o sa salita—lalo na sa matatanda at may sakit. Sa mga kasong ito, may pag-abuso sa posisyong ipinagkatiwala sa kanila.

Mga Kapanalig, ang disiplinang inaasahan lagi sa mga mamamayan ay dapat na unang nakikita sa mga pinuno ng bayan.

Sumainyo ang katotohanan.

NOMINAL

Sunday, February 8, 2026 7:34 pm

 2,244 total views

Gospel Reading for 08 February 2026 – Matthew 5: 13-16

NOMINAL

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

————

If salt loses its taste, it can no longer be called salt; it ceases to be seasoning. If light is hidden under a bushel basket, it cannot be called light because it no longer illuminates its surroundings. In the same way, if we claim to be Christians yet live lives unlike Christ, we cannot truly be called Christians. What, then, is the value of being merely NOMINAL Christians?
This is why the late Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian leader who peacefully fought for freedom against Britain, once said: “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Jesus consistently emphasized that true righteousness, purity, and worth come from the interior state of the heart, not from mere external observance or outward appearances (Mark 7:15–23). We may possess a baptismal certificate as proof that we are Christians, but it remains nothing more than a piece of paper if we do not live according to the teachings of Christ.

We might think that it is not a serious matter to resemble the Pharisees whom Jesus called “hypocrites.” If it were not serious, Jesus would not have been so forceful in his condemnation of their actions and the heavy burdens they imposed on others in the name of religion. His anger was, in truth, born of frustration—because he desires that all be saved. And how can we be saved if we do not follow the Savior?

Let us not pass through life wasting our time, for to waste time is to waste life itself—a life that will have no roots in eternal joy.

Lord Jesus, help us to become what we receive in our Eucharistic celebrations.

Christian Life

Sunday, February 8, 2026 7:42 am

 1,154 total views

Is 58:7-10

The passage from Third Isaiah, written after the exile, focuses on moral malaise and covenant infidelity, rather than political issues. It discusses true worship, emphasizing that fasting without caring for the needy is meaningless. Sharing food, clothing, and home symbolizes this care, ushering in an era of messianic light and healing, where past sins are forgotten. The desert journey imagery highlights Yahweh’s covenant fidelity and protection. Ethically, the passage urges obedience and outreach to the suffering, stressing that moral righteousness includes positive action, akin to Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. This active pursuit of justice is central to Judeo-Christian morality.

 

1 Cor 2:1-5
The reading highlights Paul’s initial approach to Corinth, emphasizing his reliance on God’s spirit rather than human wisdom. Though his message faced skepticism, the power of God’s spirit confirmed its impact. His weaknesses underscored that God’s spirit, not credentials, drives success. The mystery of God’s salvific plan, revealed in Jesus’ death and resurrection, remains central, demonstrating that human inadequacy can be a blessing when empowered by God’s spirit.

Mt 5:13-16
The gospel continues the theme of light, applying salt and light images to Jesus’ listeners, as seen in other synoptic gospels. Both simulate preservation and illumination; salt preserves and flavors, while light reveals and gives meaning. Christians are called to bring a new vision to darkness and enrich society. When salt loses its flavor, it’s discarded (eschatological). Matthew personalizes these images, applying light to Yahweh, Jesus, and believers, symbolizing God’s manifestation in their lives. Unlike Mark, where light pertains to Jesus’ teaching, Matthew uses it for followers, emphasizing that their truth cannot be hidden like a lamp’s light. The text subtly warns against pride—praise belongs to God, not oneself.

Light links today’s liturgy of the word, explained in the first and third readings, while Paul teaches that Christ’s light has power when preached, unaffected by human wisdom. We often equate faith with knowledge, prioritizing study and eloquence, but today reminds us that salvation is God’s work, made visible in our daily lives. It is the active word within us that makes us “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth”. May we all shine and positively influence others through our Christian lives. Amen!

Being the light of Christ

Sunday, February 8, 2026 7:36 am

 3,250 total views

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 08 February 2026
Isaiah 58:7-10 ><}}}}*> 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 5:13-16
Photo by author, Carmelite Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 22 January 2026.

We continue today Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount that started last Sunday when he called “Blessed” are the poor in spirt, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry and thirsty for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted and insulted falsely.

These blessed ones are not different kinds of persons but every disciple of Jesus Christ who is the truly Blessed One who is poor and meek, hungry and thirsty, merciful and clean of heart. Blessedness is an inner disposition, a being than doing.

And so this Sunday, Jesus reminds his disciples that include us today, of our dignity and responsibility in being blessed, as if telling us, “Blessed are you… You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”

We whom Jesus called “blessed” already possess the kingdom but in a hidden manner; that is why we as his disciples must make it shine upon the world in our lives, in our witnessing especially in this age that has turned away from God and holiness.

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:13, 14-16).

“Simeon’s Moment” by American illustrator Ron DiCianni. From http://www.tapestryproductions.com

Last February two we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple that is also known as Candlemass or Candelaria where Simeon recognized the Child Jesus as the “light of the nations”.

It is one of the beautiful feasts we have with the blessing and lighting of candles outside the church; then, led by the priest, the people enter the church with lighted candles to signify Jesus Christ as our only light and fulfillment in this life.

Jesus asserts that this Sunday. The Bible itself teems with so many references of God being the source of light with Israel as bearer of that light. This explains our first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah:

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusations and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday” (Isaiah 58:8-10).

So beautiful! And what a prophecy fulfilled in Christ that continues to happen today among us, his blessed ones as disciples!

To be a Christian especially nowadays is to be the bearer of the light of Christ, to illumine the darkness among us especially in this world that has become so fascinated with artificial lights like studio lights that emphasize and focus on men and women, on their fame and glory and wealth. How ironic that the more artificial lights we flood the world these days, the darker life becomes with more crimes, more abuses, and more emptiness and meaninglessness within us.

Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul ?Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, January 2025.

Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is being holy, being good, being a blessed one, doing what is right, what is true, what is good as Isaiah reminded the people in the first reading.

Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is sharing Jesus to the world that we become the God’s answer to the cries and pleas of his people for mercy and justice, for healing and comfort.

Hence, bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is actually to bring out Jesus within us who had come to us sacramentally in Baptism and continues to come to us in the Sacraments especially the Holy Eucharist we celebrate on Sundays.

Problem is we keep on hiding Jesus within us. This is why he calls us not to hide him like a lamp placed under a bushel basket but let him be like a lampstand that illumines the house.

We are the light of Jesus Christ who shines before others with our good deeds that make God known to others. Not the other way around. Young people call them as “performative” like performative couple, performative student or performative employee. They are all performance, all for the show or the content. Puro palabas, walang paloob kaya walang laman. These are the very ones that Jesus warned to “take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them” (Mt. 6:1) which we shall hear soon in Lent.

How sad that many people today have become “performative” – pakitang-tao as we say in Filipino who would go to great extent of publicizing everything they say and do like many of the so-called content creators and vloggers. This is most painfully true in the Church of priests and laypeople posting in social media everything they do or “perform” that are always empty of meaning and any sense at all.

Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light always leads to God’s glory, not to us humans.

Let us keep in our hearts the words of St. Paul today in our second reading:

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).

Photo by Architect Philip C. Santiago, Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel, October 2025.

Being the light of Christ in the world is to bring Jesus Christ himself, not ourselves. It is being one in Jesus in his Cross where there is more of inner fulfillment and joy than mere success and happiness.

Being the light of Christ in the world is more than having all those quotable quotes and lofty proses and poetry nor of those grand plans and visions and programs left on paper but never materialized in reality.

Bringing the light of Christ in the world is being wounded and scarred by the Cross, always fading from the light so that only Jesus remains.

Like John the Baptist his Precursor, may his words be our prayer always: “Jesus must increase and I must decrease. Amen. Have an enlightening and illumining week ahead brothers and sisters in Christ!

Homily February 8, 2026

Sunday, February 8, 2026 7:00 am

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5th Sunday of Ordinary Time Cycle A

Is 58:7-10 1 Cor 2:1-5 Mt 5:13-16

Kayo ang asin sa sanlibutan. Kayo ang ilaw sa sanlibutan. Bakit pinagsama ni Jesus ang asin at ang ilaw? Ano ba ang magkapareho sa dalawa? Ang asin at ang ilaw ay kapwa may epekto. Nalalaman kung may asin at kung may ilaw. Nagbibigay ng alat ang asin at nabibigay ng liwanag ang ilaw. Pero hindi kailangan ng maraming asin para malasahan ang alat. Hindi rin kailangan ng malaking apoy para magkaroon ng liwanag. Kahit na kakaunti lang malalaman na ang kanilang epekto. Ang asin ay kailangang matunaw para magkaroon ng epekto. Ang apoy ay mauupos para magbigay ng liwanag. Kapwa silang nauubos o nawawala para mapakinabangan.

Inihahambing tayo ni Jesus sa asin at sa ilaw. Kung minsan naiisip natin, iisa lang ako. Kakaunti lang kami. Paano kami nagkakaroon ng epekto sa iba, sa aming simbahan o sa aming barangay, lalo na sa ating lipunan? Huwag po nating isipin na wala tayong bisa o wala tayong pakinabang kasi kakaunti o maliit lang tayo. Tayo ay asin. Tayo ay ilaw. Pero kailangan tayong magbigay ng sarili para magkaroon ng epekto. Kailangan natin magbigay ng panahon, kailangan tayong magpagod, mag-effort. Kailangan tayo magbigay ng pera. Sa maiksing salita, kailangan tayong magtaya upang tayo ay may pakinabang. Kailangan tayong mamatay sa ating sarili upang makapagbigay tayo ng buhay.

Si Pablo noon ay galing sa Atenas kung saan nagtitipon ang mga magagaling na mag-aaral at mga guro sa bansa ng Grecia na kilala sa kanyang mga philosophers at mga mangangaral. Nagsalita si Pablo sa Aeropago. Nandito nagtitipon ang mga tao upang makinig sa mga bagong ideas. Nagsalita dito si Pablo tungkol kay Jesus, na siya ang nagpatunay na siya ay pinadala ng iisang Diyos dahil sa kanyang muling pagkabuhay. Pinagtawanan siya at iniwanan ng mga tao kasi para sa kanila walang kabuluhan at walang saysay ang muling pagkabuhay. Nabigo si Pablo as Atenas. Kaya pagdating ni Pablo sa Corinto mula sa Atenas, nawalan si Pablo ng tiwala sa kanyang sarili. Baka naman tanggihan uli siya.

Kaya sinabi ni Pablo sa mga taga-Corinto na nagpahayag siya hindi sa paggamit ng nakakaakit na mga salita o magagaling na pangungusap tulad ng ginagawa ng mga magagaling magtalumpati. Natututo na siya na hindi magpasikat. Simple lang ang mga salita at pangungusap na ginamit niya sa Corinto. Wala siyang ibang pinahayag kundi si Hesukristo na pinako sa krus. Hindi na niya pinatamis ang kanyang pananalita. At tinanggap naman ng mga taga-Corinto ang kanyang mga salita. Tumimo sa puso nila ang mensahe kaya masasabi niya na ang pananampalataya ng mga taga-Corinto ay hindi galing sa kagalingan ng tao kundi nababatay sa patotoo ng Espiritu Santo at ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos. Maliit na ilaw lamang siya, mahina ang kanyang pananalita ngunit nakabigay ng liwanag sa mga tao at nagdala ng pananalig sa Diyos. Kaunting asin lang siya pero nagbigay ng lasa sa buhay ng mga tao. Totoo nga ang sabi ni Hesus na kayo ang ilaw at ang asin ng sanlibutan.
Paano tayo nagiging ilaw? Wika ni Hesus, dapat ninyong paliwanagin ang inyong ilaw sa harapan ng mga tao, upang makita nila ang inyong mabubuting gawa, at papurihan ang inyong Amang nasa langit. Nagbibigay ng liwanag ang ating mabubuting gawa.

Sa ating unang pagbasa, narinig natin ang mabubuting gawa na kinatutuwaan ng Diyos – pakainin ang nagugutom, patuluyin sa ating mga tahanan ang mga dayuhan, bigyan ng damit ang mga walang damit, tulungan ang nangangailangan.

Mayroon tayong tinatawag na 7 corporal works of mercy. Ang mga ito ay pagpapakain sa nagugutom, pagpainom sa mga nauuhaw, pagbigay ng damit sa mga hubad, pagpatuloy sa mga walang tirahan, pagbisita sa mga may sakit, pagdalaw sa mga nasa bilangguan, at pagpalibing sa mga patay. Mayroon din tayong 7 spiritual works of mercy. Ang mga ito ay ang pagbigay ng payo sa mga nag-aalinlangan, pagturo sa mga walang alam, pagbigay ng babala sa mga nagkakamali, pagbigay ng aliw sa mga nalulumbay, pagpatawad na nakagawa ng masama, pagtiis sa kahirapan na binibigay ng iba sa atin, at ang pagdarasal sa mga patay at sa mga buhay. Ang mga pangkatawan at mga pangkaluluwang gawain ng kabutihan na kinikilala nating 7 corporal works of mercy and 7 spiritual works of mercy ay mga talaan ng paggawa ng mabuti.

Ang mga mabubuting gawang ito ay nagbibigay ng liwanag sa paligid natin. Nabibigyan tayo ng pag-asa kapag nakakakita tayo ng mga taong gumagawa ng kabutihan. Sumisigla ang buhay natin sa mga kabutihan na ating nararanasan at ating naggagawa. Kapag nakita ng mga tao ang kabutihan natin, nagbibigay din tayo na kabuluhan sa buhay ng iba. Dahil sa mga ito nagiging asin at ilaw tayo ng mundo.

FOCUSED

Saturday, February 7, 2026 8:30 am

 2,466 total views

Gospel Reading for February 07, 2026 – Mark 6: 30-34

FOCUSED

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

————

The apostles returned from the mission to which Jesus had sent them, and they must have excitedly reported their successes. Jesus then told them to go to a deserted place and rest for a while. In Mark 1:35 and Luke 4:42, we see that Jesus himself went to deserted places—not only to rest, but also to pray.

Success and the accumulation of loyal followers, especially in the work of evangelization and healing, can easily go to one’s head. It is the mind that the devil seeks to penetrate, knowing that our hearts already belong to God. The mind can influence the heart, leading us to feel and believe that the success we experience is attributable to ourselves. This is why it is so important to remain FOCUSED on our mission of evangelization and healing if we desire continued success.

When success goes to our head, we slowly drift toward failure. How can we preach about God when we are full of ourselves? Most likely, it will be ourselves that we end up preaching.
Jesus teaches us to rest so that we may regain our strength, and to pray so that we may remain FOCUSED and not be overwhelmed by success.

Lord Jesus, may we always remain FOCUSED on the mission you have entrusted to us.

Parallel universe, multiverse

Friday, February 6, 2026 7:36 am

 5,351 total views

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, St. Pedro Bautista & Companion Martyrs in Japan, 06 February 2026
Sirach 47:2-11     ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*>     Mark 6:14-19
Photo by author, sunrise in San Juan, La Union, 09 January 2026.
How easy it is for many of us 
to believe in the existence of a
"parallel universe" existing with
our own universe that is a part of 
a larger "multiverse" than seeing our
lives in the light of Jesus Christ.
Thank you dear God
in sending John the Baptist
the Precursor of the Lord,
the first to suffer,
the first to die for what is
true, what is good and 
what is just;
I can't help notice the
many parallelisms in his life
and in Jesus Christ
that all indicate your immense
love for us, dear God.
Help us realize
these parallelisms are
the only ones we can hold on
with ourselves: our lives and
mission are always in parallel
with Jesus inasmuch as we
have to share in his passion,
death and resurrection;
keep our hearts open always
to your prompts and coming,
Lord Jesus, so we may proclaim
and make you known with others
in our witnessing to your gospel;
most of all, cleanse our hearts
and purify us like King David
who despite his many grave sins
against you was forgiven and
more remembered as one who loved
God so much.
As we commemorate
the memorial of the martyred
Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries 
in Japan led by San Pedro Bautista
and St. Paul Miki, 
strengthen us like them 
in our firm resolve to stand 
by our Catholic faith especially
in this age of indifference and 
antagonisms against what is moral
and virtuous; may we find parallelisms
in our calls and mission 
from Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Photo by author, sunrise at Mt. Arayat in Pampanga, 31 January 2026.

UNFORGIVABLE SIN

Friday, February 6, 2026 7:30 am

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Gospel Reading for February 06, 2026 – Mark 6: 14-29

UNFORGIVABLE SIN

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

————

If we were members of the family of John the Baptist, we might consider what Herod did to him an UNFORGIVABLE SIN. John was deeply revered and had helped countless people repent and turn away from their evil ways. In God’s plan of salvation, he played a crucial role as the precursor of the Messiah—a role he fulfilled with great faithfulness. He had many followers who looked up to him. Yet, he was imprisoned simply for speaking the truth—truth that Herod did not want to hear.

Now imagine ourselves locked in a prison cell, only to have an executioner enter and abruptly cut off our head, all to serve as a reward for an alluring dance performed by a daughter, manipulated by a mother seeking vengeance against us. How sordid and unjust indeed!

And yet, did Jesus confront Herod over this crime? He certainly had the right to do so, for John was his cousin. However, when we examine the life of Jesus, we see a consistent pattern: he did not condemn sinners outright, but instead called them to repentance and transformation. He often taught through parables, perhaps so that people might come to recognize on their own, their need to repent and change ways.

This may explain why Herod was deeply perplexed and disturbed when he heard about Jesus’ miracles and preaching—so much so that he even thought Jesus was John raised from the dead and wanted to see him (Luke 9:7–9). This does not mean that Jesus approved of what Herod had done to John. Rather, it shows that Jesus did not fixate on the sinner, but on the sin.

For Jesus, the only UNFORGIVABLE SIN is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28–30; Matthew 12:22–32)—that is, speaking evil against God and willfully rejecting His grace and the Holy Spirit’s call to repentance. Jesus spoke of this when the Pharisees attributed his power to cast out demons to Satan.

Lord Jesus, may we be instruments of your grace, helping others turn away from evil and walk in the path of repentance and new life!

ISANG MILYONG PISO KADA ARAW

Friday, February 6, 2026 7:00 am

 127,915 total views

Kapanalig, ang masakit na katotohanan… ang isang karaniwang manggagawa sa National Capital Region (NCR) ay sumasahod lamang ng 695-pesos kada araw at mababa naman sa iba’t-ibang rehiyon sa bansa.

Hiramin natin ang quote ni Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David “Lets do the math” Kapanalig… batay sa opisyal na 2026 General Appropriations Act o GAA 2026, ang kabuuang pondo ng Office of the President at mga tanggapang nasa ilalim nito ay 10,476,038,000-trilyong piso.

Sa nasabing pondo ng OP sa taong 2026 ay official institutional budget pa lamang, hindi pa kasali ang mga komisyon, shares sa pondo ng mga unprogram appropriations, emergency funds at iba pa.

Kapanalig, ang Senate of the Philippines na binubuo ng 24-Senador ay may kabuuang budget na 8,571,988,000 bilyong piso sa GAA 2026.

Mapapabuntong-hininga ka Kapanalig, ang pondo ng isang Senador ngayong 2026 ay 357,166,166-bilyong piso lang naman. Biruin mo: nasa 29.76-milyong piso kada buwan ang budget ng isang Senador at halos isang milyong piso bawat araw ang kanyang lulustaying pondo. Grabe di ba? Bukod pa diyan ang bilyong piso ding komisyon at kickbacks.
Ang House of the Representatives naman na binubuo ng 316 na miyembro ay mayroong 72,702,099 bilyong pisong pondo sa 2026 GAA. Kada buwan, ang isang kongresista ay mayroong 30,069,933-pisong pondo.

Wala pa sa kickbacks ang share sa MAIFIP, TUPAD, AICS, AKAP, intelligence fund at iba’t-ibang proyekto. Nakakalungkot ang katotohanan Kapanalig para isang bansang kulang at binabaha ang mga silid-aralan, kulang ang mga higaan sa mga pagamutan, lubog sa utang ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, 186-milyong Pilipino ang walang trabaho. Sa pag-aaral ng International Labour Organization(ILO), ngayong 2026..aabot sa 284-milyong manggagawang Pilipino ang patuloy na mamumuhay sa extreme poverty. Habang ang mga Senador at Kongresista ay milyong piso kada araw ang nilulustay na pondo mula sa buwis na ibinabayad nating mga Pilipino.

Sinasabi ng mga mambabatas ang 2026 GAA ay ang pinaka-malinis na national budget. Pero sinasabi naman ng mga oposisyon na ang GAA 2026 ay punong-puno ng pork barrel. Naisingit sa 2026 GAA ang 243-bilyong pisong unprogrammed appropriations. Natigil man ang 545-bilyong pisong korapsyon sa flood control projects ng pamahalaan sa 2025 GAA? Mayroon na namang raket ang mga mambabatas at office of the President sa GAA 2026, pinalitan lang ng pangalan, pero ang sistema ay katulad pa rin.

May pag-asa pa ba tayong hinaharap Kapanalig? Umaasa pa ba tayong masusupil ang katiwalian sa pamahalaan kung ang mismong namumuno at gumagawa ng batas ang pasimuno sa maling gawain?

Kapanalig, huwag nating gawing kultura na ang maling gawain ay OKEY lang. Kumilos ka naman!

Isabuhay natin ang sinasabi ng Catechism of the Catholic Church “273 By “putting away falsehood,” they are to “put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander.”

Sumainyo ang Katotohanan.

DIVINE AUTHORITY

Thursday, February 5, 2026 8:30 am

 5,119 total views

Gospel Reading for February 05, 2026 – Mark 6: 7-13

DIVINE AUTHORITY

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

————

It may appear that Jesus was sending the Twelve out for a kind of “on-the-job training,” but it was far more than that. He had already given them authority over demons—DIVINE AUTHORITY, for no one has authority over demons except God himself. Jesus wanted them to focus fully on their mission of calling people to repentance, without being distracted by concerns for food or money. God would provide for them through the people they would encounter, touch, and heal.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders institutionalizes the authority that Jesus entrusted to the Twelve, an authority they in turn handed on to those who came after them. Through the Church, the teachings and divine authority given by Christ are passed down from generation to generation through ordained ministers—from the Pope, to cardinals and bishops, to diocesan priests and religious.

Lord Jesus, help our priests to hold sacred the authority you entrusted to the Twelve Apostles, and help us to recognize, respect, and pray for those who bear this authority today.

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