Inspiration from this prayer is Psalm 32:8 — "I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk. I will counsel you..."
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We are a country facing a severe power shortage, a huge fiscal deficit and other investor indifference and other problems yet we continue to bash each other, and gloat about our being a basket case!
Let’s get our acts together and help our country and the government. This country is the only one we have.
Those who can re-locate elsewhere have already done so. We hope that will not be left with those who have no choice but to stay because they can’t afford to leave or don’t have the skills to get jobs abroad.
On the other hand, lots of foreigners are naturalized Filipinos want to retire here! They like the climate, the people, etc.
So let us not be too harsh on ourselves and our government. There is no place like home! Let’s make sure we all work to keep our homeland intact.
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Batangas welcome their new shepherd, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles last Friday morning. Even President Gloria joined the installation rites at the San Sebastian cathedral before she flew to Cebu City.
Arguelles is the fifth archbishop of the Diocese of Lipa. He replaced Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales who has been assigned to Manila.
Bishop Socrates Villegas, formerly of Our Lady of Peace shrine is not assigned in Balanga, Bataan. He also got a rousing, starlike welcome from his new parishioners recently.
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A delegation of young Filipinos will act as goodwill ambassadors to the annual Hawaiian International World Series Baseball and Softball 2004 event from July 24 to the 31st.
The team members come from the Alabang Baseball and Softball Club and the Junior Baseball-Softball Foundation of the Philippines Inc.
Aside from the fact that brings a lot of pride in my family, that a nephew, Julian Miguel Esteban Habana is one of the chosen team members (he is in Grade 5 at the Ateneo de Manila University) I rejoice because it is not basketball but a "lesser" played sports.
Our sports officials really should develop young athletes in sports other than just basketball where we are constantly battered by taller, bigger and better trained players.
Incidentally, the team is going on its own steam with no funds from government and even the usual donors. The school heads have been very understanding and have let the young boys go and carry the international flag.
The other Atenean in the team is Charles Catangui, also in Grade 5. The other members were handpicked from other schools and clubs.
International competition should inspire the young Filipino players to aspire for excellence in their chosen sports and to learn discipline and team work.
The boys are leaving tomorrow, so good luck! Bring home the pennant!
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Now some more positive news... there is an ongoing search for outstanding women by Dove, toiletries line (soap, shampoo, conditioner, body and facial wash, deodorant, etc.) and this is not for glamorous, porcelain-skinned Pinays but down-toearth, empowered women in the various areas.
The first search last year yielded three "gems" from nutrition, preservation of the environment and peacekeeping fields.
They were Florian Infante from Luzon who propagated proper nutrition among poor communities; Shirley Sombrador of the Visayas region who stood up to a local official who was an illegal logger; and Baccion Mcaraya of Mindanao who has devoted her time to peacekeeping.
The Dove Bukod Tanging Filipina awards this year will seek out outstanding women in the fields of music, dance, visual arts, literature, business and entrepreneurship.
Individuals and organizations can nominate provided they include in their nomination forms, wrappers or containers of any one of these Dove products — cream bar, 3 facial foam 10 ml sachets, facial foam tube 50 ml or 100 ml cap, body wash 100 ml and 250 ml cap.
Send them to Bridges@Com.Inc. office at the sixth floor of Mondragon building on Buendia, Makati.
Winners, all then of them will get
