At our traditional first Sunday of the month meeting last April 7th of the Cebu United Radio and Television Artists (Curta) Inc. at the Rizada residence at Tisa, Cebu City, we learned that Curta has been fully accredited as an nongovernment organization and coporation of Cebu City and province, after its long years of service to its members.
Curta honorary chair Rose Rizada gave a financial report on the successful presentation of our latest project, “Pasiklap: Operitang Hilaw” regarding ticket sales, cooperation of sponsors and donors, and a proposed second showing. She also introduced long play discs of “Pasiklap” available at P300 each.
The following day, Monday the 7th, a twister or tornado struck some barangays in Talisay City as Mambaling in southern Cebu City.
On the night of Tuesday, the 8th, a cultural and historical event was the opening of the Manila Cathedral, the country’s premier cathedral church after over two years of repairs and restoration.
Wednesday this week, April 9th was significantly the country’s 72nd “Araw ng Kagitingan”, marking the tragic but heroic Death March of Filipino and American soldiers from Point Zero in Mariveles, Bataan, to Camp O’Donnel in Capas, Tarlac.
At the stirring program held that day at the Shrine of Valor in Pilar, Bataan, special tribute was paid to Philippine World War II veterans and patriots, many of them in attendance. Speakers included the ambassadors of the United States and Japan who apologized for their country’s human and country-wide devastation during the war.
Guest speaker President Benigno Aquino III honored Filipino and American war heroes even as more benefits, including medical services continue to be sought for Filipino war veterans.
The same day Wednesday, media carried reports on the Supreme Court declaring the contested Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2013, otherwise known as the Reproductive Health Law, “not unconstitutional.”
The verdict was made “after more than a year after the suspension of the implementation of the law, to declare the law unconstitutional,” a double negative that is puzzling to the average non-legal layman.
For his part, Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, while expressing dismay over certain parts of the law, says “the faithful should remain steadfast in proclaiming and practicing what is right and shun what is wrong.” Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer, country director of Human Life International said that even if sex education can be taught in all schools from Grade 6 up, schools can oppose certain parts of the law objected to by Catholic authorities.
This week, mass media continues to report end of classes and graduations, as well as more top-ranking students gaining honors for their respective schools, colleges and universities.
A few more I mention here, include City Scholar Jhanel Flores, who graduated cum laude from the Cebu Normal school, my alma mater. Recent medical technology board top examinees from Cebu include Sheila Magallanes, who placed 6th and Jessica Naingue, 9th, both from the Southwestern University; and Emerald Tesio, 7th, from the Cebu Doctors University. To you all, congratulations!
More on education, in addition to new school offerings and class openings, Southwestern University is offering summer classes, while classes open in June at the University of San Jose-Recoletos.
We also learn that the Supreme Court has appointed Associate Justice Gabriel Ingles as new Executive Justice. Congratulations!
More on people. We are happy to learn that after his last check-up visit to the M. C. Anderson cancer facility in Houston, Texas in the United States, former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña has been declared clear of his cancer, thank God!
Birthday greetings now to friends, Chit Arcenas, belatedly last April 4th; Erna Casals April 5th; Alice Queblatin yesterday; and in advance to lawyer Mario Ortiz tomorrow even as we pray for him in his ailing health, and to Lapu-Lapu Mayor Paz Radaza on April 11th. May God continue to bless you all!
On the other hand, condolences to the wife and family of top radio man and former early dyRC colleague Cebuano Harry Alesna Gasser, 76, who passed away from a stroke last April 3rd, with prayers that his soul may rest in peace.
And now, as we move on to Holy Week, next week, a delayed report on the Lenten Recollection we members of Zonta Club of Cebu I held at the Tanchan Beverly Hills residence last March 29th. Retreat Master Msgr. Augustin Ancajas spoke on “Lent: Forty Days of Renewal,” starting with Ash Wednesday when we were reminded, “Dust thou art, and to dust though returnest,” about the value of humility in Lent, a period of both fasting and giving.
Msgr. Ancajas spoke about temptation, which started in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.
Then with the coming of Christ, He, too was subject to temptation by the Devil to turn stones to bread, to cast Himself from the heights, and to pay homage to the Devil, through all of which He chided the Devil.
The essence of the recollection was to lead us in becoming like Christ. In personal aspects, praying that God will not abandon us, and in social aspects, becoming like Christ. “To escape temptation, run to God. Abide in Him, in Christ.”
Do listen in tomorrow at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for Women’s Kapihan on radio station dyLA.
Until week after next, then, may you all have a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter!
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