FIRST SAY:
St. John the Baptist says:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
These powerful words from Saint John the Baptist remind us of his commitment to inspiring others, while serving as a model of love and faithfulness. We can draw strength and courage from his teachings as we strive to live out our own faith in Christ. On his feast day, let us all take a moment to honor him and his example of humility and devotion. May we continue to follow in his footsteps and trust God's love to guide us in the right direction.
(This propitiation is not mine).
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TODAY is Araw ng Maynila and the country’s capital city is celebrating its 453rd founding anniversary, led by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna.
The festivities actually started at the onset of June, because free concerts were held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan plaza just near Manila City Hall on June 1, 8, 15, and 22. The musical presentations were called “Tunog Maynila.”
The concerts that were held on the four Saturdays of June featured 12 of the country’s top bands. Each concert was highlighted with a “Lights and Fireworks Show.”
For the food lovers among Manilans, there is a food bazaar by Mercato Central that is open from 4 pm to 11 pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the whole month of June. And then, there is the extravaganza for gays every Friday from 6 pm onwards, called “Talentadong Manileno,” a talent contest hosted by the Bekshies ng Maynila or the local LGBTQ+ community.
While Manila celebrates, its neighbor to the east, the City of San Juan is also holding its fiesta on June 24, the feast of San Juan Bautista or St. John the Baptist.
Legend says St. John is the guy who baptized his cousin, Jesus, in the River Jordan, during which his father, god, appeared in the form of a dove and testified that the one being baptized is his son. Since this baptismal activity involved water being splashed on Jesus, San Juan residents who are excited in celebrating this feast day usually carry pails of water to pour on unsuspecting passers-by, jeepney and bus passengers, and themselves. This is done usually in the morning, because the municipal/city government prohibits this practice after 12 noon.
This splashing of water on strangers usually evokes misunderstanding, arguments and street fights, especially if the water used is dirty or from the canals.
To solve this problem, the city government, the police and the barangays have imposed on residents to use only clean water for the purpose. The city allocates more than 20 fire tankers full of water to provide for this event every June 24, but today, the city officials only prepared five fire trucks for the purpose.
Talk about water conservation now that the country, including Metro Manila, are reeling under the problem of lack of water because we have just come out of El Nino.
For many years, the “basaan” tradition in San Juan was monitored and managed by the Ejercito Estrada clan — first with Mayor Joseph E. Estrada, then Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, Mayor JV Ejercito and then his mother, Mayor Guia Gomez Estrada. The religious activity has become a part of the town’s cultural tradition, and residents who through the years have forgotten to cook and offer lavish food for the fiesta, have chosen to keep the tradition of “basaan” without knowing the religious significance of the event.
Now, Mayor Francis Zamora is in charge of the “basaan” and most likely, it will be wetter than before.
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Lose a thumb, gain an award in return.
This is what happened to Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo, who lost a thumb during the clash with the Chinese Coast Guard personnel in the South China Sea.
Facundo was honored with the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan, which is awarded to government officials and personnel, as well as private individuals, in recognition of their invaluable or extraordinary service in furtherance of the President’s campaign or advocacy," the Presidential Communications Office said.
Marcos also awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kamagi to 79 sailors who took part in the resupply mission, urging them to "continue to fulfil your duty of defending the nation" even as he said the situation has become "dangerous."
In his visit to the Palawan military base, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the nation on Sunday that the Philippines will not resort to war in addressing issues in the SCS.
He said that the country will address issues related to the disputed region through "peaceful means."
“We are not in the business of instigating wars – our great ambition is to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino. This is the principle that guides us,” the Marcos said.
“We refuse to play by the rules that force us to choose sides in a great power competition. No government that truly serves its people will invite danger or harm to lives and livelihoods,” he added.
The President made the remarks during a Talk to Troops event at the headquarters of the Western Command in Camp General Artemio Ricarte in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the closest major landmass to the Ayungin shoal.
Those closely monitoring the government’s position on the South China Sea dispute are perplexed on how swiftly the winds in those waters change directions.
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