OPINION
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Listening is better than Talking
When was the last time you listened to your special someone who whined and moaned? What did you tell him/her? What was your goal? To comfort? To make one realize of his situation, off his monumental blunder? Or just tell one that life is indeed like a wheel. This is the catch. Before we open our mouth, we should ask ourselves if what we are about to say is likely to ease the spirit and spirit.
If in doubt, attempt not to say anything. Many times, I listen and absorb traumas of friends, students and family members. Shocked myself with the “bigness” of the trauma, I am at a loss to even give advice. Surprisingly, this silence has helped the whiner more than anything else I do. I think, people who are sad, mad and suffering need no advice. All they need is one’s presence and the listening ear. Raiza, when she was
six years old danced till she dropped tired when she saw me sulking. Of course, adults may have a parallel way of doing this, like, “ I will bring your favorite pinakbet.” We may say many things too, but perhaps not to the person who is miserable. We may talk to the person close to the moaner and scream, cry, complain. It is perfectly normal reaction. Moreover, being helpful to the principal “comforter or caregiver” may be the best thing you can do. Remember, the best thing we can do is to avoid dumping to the “trauma victim” or to anybody else who is similarly situated. Fear not, because definitely in this planet our turn will come. We may count on that. .
Jubilee of the Media this May
“The Commission on Christian Formation shall establish an Archdiocesan Committee on Mass Media responsible for a more deliberate and systematic utilization of mass media as a vehicle for evangelization and Christian formation.” – FAPA 8. On this ground, the Archdiocese of Palo in “recognizing the significant role of the mass media as an instrument of evangelization and holiness,” celebrates in the month of May 2013 the Jubilee of the Mass Media and Social Communications, with emphasis in honoring the media in its “great role in (the) society and even (the) local church” in the Archdiocese. To more meaning-
fully observe this auspicious month-long fete, the Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communications headed by Rev. Fr. Amadeo Alvero has slated a series of events intended at “promoting unity, friendship and camaraderie among media practitioners.” The activities, which are social and spiritual in nature, include the annual novena, holy retreat and media beach games. As informed by Fr. Alvero, the 5 o’clock Novena Masses at the Sto. Niño Church in Tacloban, where he serves as parochial vicar, will start on May 4 and culminate on May 12, World Communications Day. Each mass bears a corresponding theme. Ac-
cordingly, these are: Social Network: An Open Public Square; Social Network Calls for Commitment; Inclusivity in Social Networks; Forms of Expression in Social Networks; Authenticity of Expression of Faith in Social Networks; Jesus Christ in the Social Networks; The Need for Attentive Discernment; A Factor in Human Development; and Social Networks: Portals of Truth and Faith: New Spaces for Evangelization. The media group, which for this purpose calls itself the Media for Christ, will participate in the Pentecost Vigil slated on May 18 and 19. The Vigil will commence with a motorcade at 5 o’clock in the afternoon of May 18 from the Sto. Niño Church to Tacloban City Astrodome and will close with a Holy Mass to be officiated by Archbishop John Du at 3 o’clock early morning of May 19. Fr. Arlo Yap SVD, a to page 6
Leyte Samar Daily Express
In what appears a serious effort to show that everything is well, government is opening a window of hope to the great mass of the unemployed population. Amid despair among jobseekers who could hardly find employment even after obtaining college degrees or vocational training, job offerings had been pooled as one surprise for labor day. Indeed, there seems a factual basis for government statistics showing unfilled jobs in various industries and businesses. Such employment opportunities are bared to the public so that those needing jobs will find employment. But the reason why such job openings remain so despite the great number of unemployed is unclear. From the employers’ view, it would seem that jobseekers are selective and does not grab available opportunities. On the part of workers, it may be due to apparent unfair working conditions that does not afford living wages for the worker. But one primary reason for the continuing number of unfilled job opportunities is the mismatch of workers’ skills with job requirements. We have jobless graduates who are found in-
University... from page 4
ing” from English and from texts written in it show a great deal in vernacular writings though they undergo transformations like changes in spelling and pronunciation. It would be interesting to identify what writing aspects are inevitably duplicated, alluded to, juxtaposed, borrowed, recreated, and subjected to such processes by writers and writings everywhere, and throughout the ages. It should include the description of these components evident in the representative source texts, their analysis and interpretation why this prevalence of intertextuality among existing literary constructs. The focus should not be more on the explanation of this phenomenon, but on the accumulation of proofs that such things as interrelatedness or interdependence of texts do universally exist.
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Jobs
competent by prospective employers. This crop of graduates that our school system produces each year could not fit for the jobs being offered. There is for instance a high demand in the communications industry but many jobseekers are found inept in oral and written communications that employers could not gamble taking them for jobs that command good compensation. There too are many graduates in fields or courses that do not match with what the world of work needs. It is the reason why many
of those aspiring to get hired remain in limbo primarily due to lack of the needed competence on the job. It is truly misplaced investment for government to be educating people on fields and courses that are not actually needed in our domestic industries and businesses. The long years wasted in obtaining college education are put to naught as the graduate is made to undergo another training or seminar that would respond to the needs of a particular job. It is high time for governto page 6
April 30, 2013 – Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145; Jn 14:27-31a
GIFT OF PEACE Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I and now I have told you all this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much to you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do as the Father has commanded me. ”
PEACE Often we hear hopes, prayers, wishes and pleas for peace in the world. This is peace as the world understands it, namely, having less trouble or having no trouble at all. It is like taking a rest from daily living. Christ said that he does not give us peace as the world understands it but he gives the peace of his eternal reign of glory. This is the peace of good conscience, of having peace between God and me because I am sincerely not aware of any serious sin in me. It is the peace one feels deep inside his/her soul that remains quiet and serene because there is no sin blocking the union between one’s soul and God. Is this really what I understand by peace? Am I still looking for the peace of the world, or am I ready to accept and enjoy Christ’s peace? (Daily Gospel Now by R. E. Sullivan, OMI, published by Paulines. Visit us at www.paulines.ph or at Paulines Media Center, Real St., Tacloban City, Tel. #321-31-95) Sower’s Thought: “Wholesome joy is profitable for both our spirit and our health.” –Blessed James Alberione, SSP, STD, Founder of the Pauline Family