A WISE man once said that if I thought education was expensive, I should try ignorance. It seems the time has come not only to try but to accept ignorance, if grudgingly.

MANY roads lead today to the Shrine of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila. Devotion to the Black Nazarene continues to be a focal point of Filipino popular religiosity. Essentially, it recalls the redeeming power of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The image of the Black Nazarene enshrined in Quiapo aids popular devotion, reminding Christians of the loving mercy of God manifested in Jesus of Nazareth.

MANY of us are looking for security to insure a prosperous future. We strive to move ahead to achieve this goal. However, many of us hesitate and refuse to move ahead because we are afraid to fail. Many of us are suffering from the so-called FOF (Fear of Failure) complex. Afraid to fail. Afraid to take risks. Wasting energies muddling around in the fear of failure. Without realizing that it is possible to succeed through failure. As the famous statesman Winston Churchill once said, “It is the courage to continue that counts.’’

IN the wake of the tsunami disaster, les batardes de Voltaire, popularly known as the Candide Society for the Prevention of Migraine and Related Disorders, has announced a prize of one million American dollars to anyone who can answer the question “Why Did God Let This Happen To us?’’

THE 30-ft tsunamis that ravaged 11 countries and killed more than 150,000 people last December delivered a powerful message about how unpredictable and utterly destructive natural disasters can be.

THIS weekend many newspapers reported a failed Jemaah Islamiyah plot to bomb the religious procession of the Black Nazarene at Quiapo, Manila. According to the reports, 16 alleged terrorists were arrested after policemen raided the Islamic Foundation Center at the Agoncillo Building on Pedro Gil and Taft Ave., Manila. The lawmen said that the suspects were caught assembling bombs intended for suicide attacks during the procession of the Nazarene that will be held today. The police theory is that the bombs will be strapped to the bodies of the alleged Islamic suicide bombers disguised as Christian devotees who will join the procession. The bombs could be detonated via cell phone signals. Various kinds of explosive ordnance, including TNT, grenades, and pistols, were confiscated. Three of those arrested were women. The authorities believe that the plot of the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah to bomb the feast of the Black Nazarene has been foiled. I am, of course, glad that the police through their excellent intelligence work was able to prevent an otherwise tragic event on a scale far worse than the sinking of the Superferry 14 in Manila Bay last Feb. 14, 2004 which resulted in the death and disappearance of more than a hundred people.

ALL roads lead to Quiapo Church today.

“A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this World . . .”

VICE President Noli de Castro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Romulo, His Excellency Archbishop Franco, Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Cabinet, Officers of the Armed Forces, Officers of the Philippine National Police, guests, ladies and gentlemen,

AFTER the Atlanta Center disallowed the reenactment to be staged in the building, led by DoJ Secretary Gonzales and NBI Director Wycoco, which was to be directed by witness Andrada Dalandas showing how Nida Blanca’s murder was done until when the reenactment was permitted, there had been plenty of time to seek court’s ocular inspection to perpetuate evidence on the event, and notify respondents’ counsel, or a US Embassy representative, if called for. In short, the reenactment should be in court. Not to be unfair before the media for publicity.

JAKARTA, Indonesia , 5 January 2005 — Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo today received from Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai the deep appreciation of the government and people of Thailand for the Forensic Team that the Philippines had sent to help in identifying the victims of the recent tsunami disaster. Minister Surakiart also took the opportunity to thank, through Secretary Romulo, Manila Bulletin Publisher Don Emilio T. Yap, for the US$20,000 which was donated to the victims of the tsunami in Thailand.

THEN Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by Him. John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”