“Regenerative Agriculture Can Reverse Climate Change!” – Rodale Institute, American Organic Farmer. “We Can Do It By Thinking Intelligently, First” – Frank A Hilario, Filipino Agriculturist

I am a stubborn son of a gun; I insist that we can rule over Climate Change and not simply allow it to rule over our lives. And having read and thought about this modern phenomenon since Al Gore and the IPCC co-won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for their climate works, I have made up my mind: We can change Climate Change!

(Heads from critical-thinking.project.uq.edu.au)

My country the Philippines is minimally campaigning against Climate Change, and our agriculturists do not see – or say – that Regenerative Agriculture (RA) can solve 5 stubborn problems at the same time:

1. Fertilizer Imports,
2. Food Supply,
3. Customer Health,
4. Farmer Poverty and
5. Climate Correction.

In their article “Regenerative Agriculture Can Play A Key Role In Combating Climate Change” (One Earth, oneearth.org), Betsy Taylor, Karl Burkart, Keith Paustian, Rattan Lal and Roland Bunch list 5 underlying principles of Regenerative Agriculture. But I prefer the practical list of John Cherry (“5 Principles Of Regenerative Agriculture,” GroundsWellgroundswellag.com):

1.      Don’t disturb the soil.

2.      Keep the soil surface covered.

3.      Keep living roots in the soil.

4.      Grow a diverse range of crops.

5.      Bring grazing animals back to land.

 Actually, I have had my own maxi-mini procedure for Regenerative Agriculture, which I now call

“Meadow Materials Mixed & Mulched By Machine” (“5 Ms”).

That is Frank A Hilario’s personally invented formula for starting Regenerative Agriculture scientifically and intelligently! By “meadow” I mean any field of any size with growing grass or crop leftovers intended for farming or gardening.

Actually, the “5 Ms” is my new name for an old concoction I previously called

“Rotavator Organic WEALTh” (Weeds-Enriched Automatic Layer of Trash Triggering Terrestrial Health).

Yes, using an off-the-shelf rotavator via directed rotavation (that is, under instructions from me). I first mentioned “Rotavator Organic WEALTh” in my essay, “Can You Grow Sugarcane Solely By Organic Fertilizer? CaneCo In The Antilles Archipelago Shows The World How!” (27 April 2022, Brains & Beauty Farming, blogspot.com).

To be sure, I am willing to conduct a public techno-demo in your village at your expense.

(In the meantime, I am calling on Ma'am Leni and her Angat Buhay Foundation to finance a project that will reinvent the rotavator so that even a novice farmer of any sex and age can operate the machine and come out with the proper organic mulch – even if s/he does not know what is a mulch! This is the stupid-proof beginning of organic farming for neophytes!

I first mentioned my proposed Angat Buhay project on 17 Aug 2022, “Ma'am Leni, Angat Buhay, Remembering Adam & Eve: Here Is How The Females Can Show The Males How To Take Very Good Care Of Their Garden Of Eden!” Brains & Beauty Farming, blogspot.com).

“Meadow Materials Mixed & Mulched By Machine” – my “5 Ms” actually introduces anybody, familiar with farming (or gardening) or not, as to how a machine can “think” for the person wanting to grow his/her crop.@517

 

“YMCA Is ‘For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility’ – Why Not Angat Buhay Pilipino? Asking For A Friend!” – Frank A Hilario

On Friday, 09 Sept 2022, I challenged Angat Buhay to plant the seeds and propagate a movement I called “Young Female Champions of Agriculture” (YFCA) – I wanted the acronym to look & sound like YMCA, because I am in awe of that social phenomenon, and I wanted to catch the attention of the ladies of Angat Buhay of the need for them to apply their beauty & brains to PH Agriculture, especially Regenerative Agriculture (RA), which should be given the lion’s share of agriculture – especially given Climate Change!

We all have much to learn about PH Agriculture. The boys, farmers & leaders alike, are largely ignoring RA; ergo, they are largely ignoring the fact that this has twin purposes: (1) solve farmer Poverty, and (2) resolve Climate Change!

And so I am looking at the YMCA as a source of inspiration for YFCA, a new brains & beauty group dedicated to enriching farmers and impoverishing Climate Change simultaneously via RA. I see the female farmers saving us from the poverty of the male farmers’ insistence on Chemical Agriculture (CA) that we know contribute much to Climate Change!

Angat Buhay Pilipino says in its website (lenirobredo.com):

Kailangan din nating mai-angat ang antas ng buhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino, lalo na yung mga nasa laylayan na halos mawalan ng pag-asa nung kasagsagan ng pandemya. ‍Ang Angat Buhay Pilipino! ay isang malawak na plano para sa economic recovery. Hindi lang ito pangakong ibababa ang presyo ng bigas, kuryente o gasolina. May mga solusyon sa mga naka-ugat na problema. Ang aking paniniwala ay taongbayan ang sentro sa pagbawi ng ekonomiya.

(“We also need to bring up the level of life of each Filipino family, especially those who are at the skirt of society who almost lost their hope at the height of the pandemic. Angat Buhay Pilipino! Is a broad plan for economic recovery. This is not merely a promise to lower the prices of rice, electricity or gasoline. There are solutions that are rooted in the problems. I believe that the people are the center of economic recovery.” – my translation)

Now then, I can explain why the top image, from the YMCA (preferred name “The Y”), is included – I am looking at Angat Buhay also as non-political as YMCA. In fact, in the previous essay, “Young Female Champions In Agriculture (YFCA) – My Single Challenge To The PH Department Of Agriculture And Leni Robredo’s Angat Buhay – Winners All!” (10 Sept 2022, Brains & Beauty Farming, blogspot.com), you will note that “YFCA” is nearly identical to “YMCA” – because I'm thinking of YFCA as also a social movement as YMCA, non-political and pro-people, especially poor people.

The lower image, from Angat Buhay, says “Standby For Live” – I am revising that to say, “Standby For LOVE” as the message of Angat Buhay. The LOVE I'm thinking of has to do with YFCA, in the field of Agriculture.
(“Standby” from youtube.com)

Young Female Champions of Agriculture from Angat Buhay – why not, coconut?!@517

 

“I Believe There Is Good In The World,” Rappler’s CEO Maria Ressa Says. I Blogger Say, “Show It – Be The Good In The World!”

News & Views to wake up some people – Today, Monday, 26 Dec 2022 (Manila), browsing Facebook, I chanced upon a Rappler post with the challenging title: “How Can Data Journalism Drive Action?” I clicked the link and was shown the Rapplereditorial with that title, dated 12 March 2022. Rappler is still fighting disinformation – I see some things don’t change!

On that same page appears the “Fearless Journalism Drives Action” vlogpost of Rappler; Nobel Peace Prize 2021 winner Maria Ressa leads that group that insists on what I call “Truth Journalism.”  Indeed, 31 months ago, on 14 June 2020, I blogged “Maria Ressa Thinks Truth Journalism. Like Apple, I Think Different" (The Editor In Chief, blogspot.com).

Maria Ressa swears by her practice of Truth Journalism. Now I ask, since I have not seen any of her reports dealing with it: “Is Maria Ressa afraid of the Truths of Science? Why is she not wringing out the truths, for instance, about Chemical Agriculture (CA) and its subversive role in bringing about Climate Change!?

“Subversive” means “Intending or intended to subvert an established order, especially to undermine or overthrow an established government” – American Heritage Dictionary, thefreedictionary.com. Chemical or conventional agriculture not only subverts the natural richness of the soil but also subverts the climate by generating greenhouse gases (GHGs) that generate Climate Change!

Climate Change is subversive of everything and everyone – and Maria Ressa is unconcerned of That Truth!?

My journalism is in sharp contrast with Maria Ressa’s Truth Journalism that cannot even pass The Rotary 4-Way Test: Where is the Truth, Fairness, Goodwill & Better Friendships, Benefits to all?
(“Rotary” from lansingrotary.org)

Thereby, I am challenging Maria Ressa and all of the Rappler group to practice what I shall now call “Be The Good Journalism” with each Rappler journalist repeating to herself:

“I believe there is good in the world!”

In the meantime, I continue to practice what I call THiNK Journalism, as I ask the following questions one after the other:

Is it 
True? If True, is it
Helpful? If Helpful, is it
Inspiring? If Inspiring, is it
Necessary? If Necessary, is it
Kind?
THiNK!

True? Is Climate Change true? Yes. Does conventional agriculture contribute to the generation of greenhouse gases that generate Climate Change? Yes!

Helpful? If you change your fertilizer from chemical to organic, will you help stop Climate Change? Yes!

Inspiring? Yes! Because with organic agriculture, the farmers will not only decrease their total cost of farming much but also increase their total returns much more!

Necessary? Organic fertilizers are not only necessary but wonderful as they will be the One Stone that will Kill Two Birds at the same time: Farmer Poverty and Climate Change!

Kind? Organic Agriculture is not only necessary to solve Farmer Poverty but also Climate Change and thereby reduce the destructions caused by typhoons such as floods & landslides!

With my THiNK Journalism, I believe there is good in the world that I help bring!”@517

 

“Does The ADB Think Of ‘Vision & Mission’? Asking For A Country Friend!” – Frank A Hilario

To finance Asian countries in combatting Climate Change, should not the Asian Development Bank (ADB) encourage million-dollar funding proposals that proceed from a Vision and a Mission? Asking for a friend!

Bonar Laureto shares on Facebook the top photo with link to ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa’s message, news by ANN: “ADB Plans $14 Billion To Ease Food Crisis, Promote Long-Term Food Security In Asia And The Pacific” (Author Not Named, 30 Sept 2022, ADB SEADS, seads.adb.org). Last year yet – Better late than never.

How do organizations find “solutions” to “problems”? From a non-manager but an indefatigable digital researcher, my answer is: “First, they have to find Vision and Mission.”
(“Vision” from tonyrobbins.com)

Now, how important are Vision and Mission? Canadian bank BDC says very clearly (bdc.ca/en):

A vision statement expresses a company’s main goal for the future while a mission statement concisely explains how that goal will be achieved.

So! The ADB might as well think in terms of corporate minds – so that it can consider funding proposals not only more intelligently but more incisively.

I know I'm trying to introduce a foreign matter into the affairs of the ADB, but what is more foreign than Climate Change, and it has become a common enemy?!

Upper image, caption: ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa is saying, “We need to act now, before the impacts of climate change worsen and further erode the region’s hard-won development gains.” Message continues: “The support will be targeted, integrated, and impactful to help vulnerable people, particularly vulnerable women, in the near-term, while bolstering food systems to reduce the impact of emerging and future food security risks.”

The $14 Billion loan package for 2022-2025 by the ADB “will be channeled through existing and new projects in sectors including farm inputs, food production and distribution, social protection, irrigation, and water resources management, as well as projects leveraging nature-based solutions.”

I go back to the management lessons on Vision and Mission I cited above. From me: Therefore, when a country requests for a loan, I recommend that the ADB require clear statements of both the Vision and Mission of the project to be funded.

And: The ADB must prioritize the solution of Farmer Poverty and resolution of Climate Change – the modern Double Trouble that actually have the Same Origin: Conventional or Chemical Agriculture (CA). Quite unobtrusively, chemical fertilizers bring down incomes of farmers and bring up greenhouse gases (GHGs) that cause Climate Change. And the common solution is: Regenerative Agriculture (RA) – a practical approach being organic methods of farming.

I myself have been proselytizing about organic farming for at least 15 years, especially from 2007 when then-US Vice President Al Gore came out campaigning against Climate Change. Thus –

Solving Farmer Poverty: Chemical fertilizers are very expensive while organic fertilizers are either inexpensive or can be produced by the farmers themselves. Also, the government can produce those materials in aid of farming.

Resolving Climate Change: Organic fertilizers generate zero (0) GHGs and therefore help negate Climate Change.

ADB – here’s calling your attention!@517

 

At 82+, The Digital World Is Beautiful Old And New! And Why I Keep On Writing

At 82+, yes, I drive thru my personal computer (PC) setup at home in my waking hours. No glasses. This year, 2023, with the birthday gift I requested 2022 that son-in-law Karl Cerni and his wife, my daughter Maria Lorena granted – an HP 15.6” laptop with an “AMD Ryzen” desktop processor – I graduated from a “Slow” to “Super-Fast” PC – and you can’t appreciate what that means to me! I thank God everyday.

Yes, I turned 82 on 17 Sept 2022; I have pooreyes. I started blogging 22 years ago; how come up to 2023. I keep blogging almost every single day? 2 reasons. One, long ago as a writer, I vowed to myself: I will serve my country as much and as long as I can. Two, I enjoy blogging like you enjoy your Rocky Road ice cream!

Yes, my mind and eyes were sharp in 1975 when I joined the Forest Research Institute (FORI) – with forester Filiberto S Pollisco as FORI Director – from 1975 to 1981, I was founder & Editor In Chiefof the FORI monthly newsletter Canopy,quarterly technical forestry journal Sylvatrop, and quarterly color magazine Habitat.

Those 3 FORI publications showed how much I loved the denizens of the forests, animals & people. And much I love writing, editing, publishing.

Given my poor eyesight today, what do I do to be able to type, read, edit, copy, format – repeatedly?

Ah, I don’t wear glasses, no! Instead, I “manipulate” my PC setup – with my laptop plus a bigger external monitor (a 22-inch ViewSonic LED) – today with MS Word 365, I “graduating” from MS Word 2016 of the last 6+ years:

Here’s how I drive thru: I open my “Style Sheet” and set my “Normal” paragraphs to 14 pt spaced 22 pt apart, left aligned. Your Normal is only 12 pt big; my Normal is bigger. And my Normal is “White.” And, I set my Word 365 file background to “Black” – yes, Black and? “White” against “Black” is readable, very readable! Thank God I can see clearly.

And, like this paragraph, every now and then I set the font to 19 pt – most readable! I give thanks to Bill Gates and his Microsoft Corp for Microsoft Word!

If you love something (or somebody), you will find a way to keep that love no matter what happens. My poor eyes don’t scare me, I’m afraid. Not now when I’m blogging with my superfast HP AMD Ryzen. Lord, let me drive thru till I’m 111!
(images: my photograph; “drive thru 2016” 08 May 2018)

I decided some 60 years ago to devote my creative writing skills to help advance the Sciences of Agriculture & Forestry being practiced by Filipinos – today, in the name of Regenerative Agriculture (RA) to solve Farmer Poverty and resolve Climate Change. Googling, I know I am the only one doing that, in the Philippines or elsewhere, but I am undaunted. The battle is in the digital universe, and “World, here is your David from the Philippines!”@517

 

Is The Diocese Of Legazpi Helping The Pili Farmers Of Bicol? In Faith And In Fact!

As as an Agriculturist (UP Los Baños 1965, BSA major in Ag Edu) and a digitally aware blogger since 1991, I know that most Filipino farmers, including growers of pili (Canarium ovatum), “simply” await for and expect government assistance in more ways than one. Some farmers form groups, but these merely ask or demand from government what they want.

Thus: The farmers want corn, so: “Corn Farmers In CamSur Get Gov't Fuel Subsidy” (Connie Calipay, 17 June 2022, PNA, pna.gov.ph). Thus, the farmers want swine, so: “DA-Bicol Rolls Out Swine Repopulation With Over 3k Piglets” (Connie Calipay, 23 Jan 2023, PNA, pna.gov.ph).

And so I read with great interest the news by Leander C Domingo: “Bicol Pili Farmers Gain Needed Support” (22 Jan 2023, Manila Times, manilatimes.net):
(“Grafted pili” from pilinuts.com; “Support” from dreamstime.com)

To revive their livelihood activities hindered by the pandemic and typhoons, Bicol Region's pili farmers and entrepreneurs received support from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca). Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said the Socio-Economic Development Program Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEDP-MPC) [has] engaged 17 barangay[s] (villages) in five municipalities to prepare to launch a pili processing facility in Albay.

The SEDP-MPC has 17 member villages engaged for the pili processing facility. The SEDP-MPC “is the business development arm of the SEDP Simbag sa Pag-Asenso Inc, a development-oriented institution run by the Diocese of Legaspi City committed to delivering financial and non-financial services to micro-entrepreneurial families” (Nanays.ph, nanays.ph). That’s great news! I am a Roman Catholic and always interested in what my church is doing for the people, especially in the remote areas.

The pili processing project, titled  "Technology Adoption for People-Centered Innovation and Livelihood Integration (PILI)" was funded by Searca's Grants for Research toward Agricultural Innovative Solutions [GRAINS].

First, I must congratulate the diocese of Legazpi for having organized the SEDP-MPC for the PILI. The pili farmers have to know what they can do for themselves first before they can honorably ask for assistance from public and/or private groups. In fact, a priest is the SEDP-MPC Chair: Fr Jovic Lobrigo. That is like saying the people cannot live on the “Bread of Life” alone!

Next, I give thanks to the Lord for Searca’s GRAINS – we must help the people help themselves.

Mr Domingo says:

[Searca Director Glenn Gregorio] said the project was “the groundwork for a facility that aims to help 500 farmers and 1,300 women entrepreneurs generate 20 percent added income from pili processing.

Fr Lobrigo said of the pili tree: "We have the so-called tree of hope – pili for resiliency, environmental and financial sustainability." Yes, Father, but the tree cannot help us if we do not help ourselves first! So, thank you for the SEDP-MPC.

According to Searca, machineries for pulp oil processing, including filtering and pressing, were tested through the PILI project, and by enhancing the machines, production capacity was doubled.

That’s very welcome news. Thus, with PILI, the pili farmers in the Bicol Region can now double their hopes!@517

 

“Eli, 68, Had Breast Cancer… Never Lost Her Zest For Life And Love And Care For Friends And Family” – Katherine Lopez

As an 82-year old teacher, today, Sunday, 23 Jan 2023, I received a lesson on living from a surprising source, Filipina  Katherine Lopez, who is visiting the Philippines from IITA (Ibadan). She is a not-close friend, but with today’s Facebook post, I consider her now more than a friend!

Kath posted the above Facebook image with these words:

We want this page, Celebrating The Life Of Eli Libas, to serve as a platform for all of us to share the beautiful memories we have with our dear Eli. Feel free to post your photos and messages to celebrate her remarkable life.

I was led to that page by Kath’s own Facebook post I saw earlier today that said:

It is with sadness that we would like to let you all know that our dear friend Eli Libas quietly and peacefully left us to join our creator this morning. (22 Jan 2023)

Eli, 68, had breast cancer and other health issues but she never lost her zest for life and love and care for friends and family and those around her despite her deteriorating condition. She had many loving friends and a huge family. She had a life well-lived and was a bright ray of sunshine and hope to many.
(“Celebrate” from hazelosbornecounsellor.com)

“A bright ray of sunshine and hope to many.”

Eli would not want us to grieve long for her. Thus, friends have created a Facebook page to celebrate her life through posts, messages, and testimonials. Here is the link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=100550919618632&id=100089911711328&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ1f

A teacher and at 82+, I have never heard a lesson like “would not want us to grieve long for her” and “to celebrate her life” – I now realize death is only once but we have opportunities to celebrate life each day!

Let us celebrate life! Here are some “death & life” pickings from the Internet to help us along:

Pamela Boyce, one of the rescuers from the deadly attack on the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, said before she died, knowing the dangers: “Don’t mourn my death, celebrate my life” (Scott Martelle & Christine Hanley, 19 Sept 2001, “Don’t Mourn My Death, Celebrate My Life,” Los Angeles Times, latimes.com).

Yoda of Star Wars said, “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force.”

Quora question (quora.com): “Do you want your friends and family to mourn your death or celebrate your life?’ This is the response of Rachel Jerdin, who worked as Director of Social Services in a hospital:

Perhaps a combination of these. I think people will mourn you when you die, but I have been to a celebration of life of one, who died which was a lovely gathering.

Now, a parting shot from American celebrity Oprah Winfrey: “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

Death happens to each of us sooner or later; so, while we can, let us find time to celebrate life!@517

 

PhilRice Machines – Which Of These Can Help Solve Farmer Poverty And Resolve Climate Change?

An Agriculturist, I am 82 plus; age matters as matters age, but it seems that PhilRice machines matter but do not age – they just disappear from public view. The above “album,” my photographs, taken with my Lumix FZ100 digital camera, shows farm machines invented by PhilRice in its headquarters in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The machines were at the impromptu exhibit of PhilRice Los Baños on 18 April 2018.

I took the photographs on the day itself of the “Lakbay Palay Dry Season 2018” showcase at PhilRice Los Baños, its headquarters next to the UP Los Baños campus, ANN says the event was attended by about 400 participants including farmers, extension workers, students, provincial and municipal agriculturists, experts and partners across CALABARZON (Author Not Named, “CALABARZON Rice Stakeholders Push For High Quality Seeds,” 24 April 2018, PhilRice, philrice.gov.ph).

That was 4 years ago. Today, I am writing about it with concern because I have not read anything about those PhilRice machines – they could not have vanished into thin air!

The last 2 items in the album image are closeups of the rotating cultivator or rotavator pulled by a Kubota 4-wheel tractor. About the rotavator, as I have blogged several times since 2000, I have discovered and proven in practice that:

The off-the-shelf rotavator can be used, with my strict instructions, to prepare a desired organic mulch all over the field even as it cultivates the soil. This is automatic organic farming!

That is my claim, so I am challenging all of PhilRice, including its stations, to prove or disprove it.

On 21 April 2014, I blogged, “Not My Achievers’ Night. It Rained On My Parade!” (A Magazine Called Love, amagazinecalledlove.blogspot.com):

Some 20 years after I ‘discovered’ [Edward H] Faulkner and began advocating his kind of organic farming, visiting our village Sanchez [Asingan, Pangasinan], I had this surprising little information from my [cousin-in-law Lorenzo Casasos (free translation from Ilocano):

Manong, you remember what you were teaching Papang (my father) about farming? I followed your instructions and now my neighbor farmers are wondering why they are getting much less from their rice while they follow everything I do, fertilizing and spraying as often and as much as I.

Now then, today I challenge PhilRice to conduct comparative techno demo cum research tillage in all its stations: PhilRice Batac, PhilRice Isabela, PhilRice headquarters (City of Muñoz), PhilRice Los Baños, PhilRice Bicol, PhilRice Negros, PhilRice Agusan, PhilRice Bukidnon, and PhilRice Midsayap. I will instruct the rotavator operators precisely as I instructed the Asingan Howard operator to produce that automatic organic mulch, the mixed material already laid all over the field with no further ado – mechanical cultivationsimultaneous with organic fertilization.

Thus, that intelligent cultivator is a hidden weapon against Climate Change. Unlike the prevalent chemical farming, organic farming does not generate greenhouse gases (GHGs) that generate Climate Change. And since the organic mulch is produced inexpensively, sooner or later, with zero GHGs from farms:

Simultaneously, Organic Farming solves Farmer Poverty and resolves Climate Change!@517

 

82-Year Old Nigerian Journalist Obtains Academic PhD. 82-Year Old Filipino Journalist Enjoys Philosophical PhD

Dayo Duyile, 82-year-old Nigerian journalist, now has a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to his name – his story is shared via Facebook. Comparing, Frank A Hilario, 82-year-old Filipino journalist, has had no PhD ambition. Mr Duyile’s educational dream has come true when it comes to personal reputation; my educational dream does not cover a curricular PhD for me. Mr Duyile is bookish & old-fashioned; Mr Hilario is unbounded & digital. Give me digital anytime!

I am reading the news by Treasure Abraham dated 20 Jan 2023: “82-Year-Old Man Celebrates As He Finally Bags His PhD, Says He Still Hopes To Be A Professor” (Allschool, allschool.com.ng):

Dayo Duyile, an 82-year-old journalist has officially bagged his PhD Degree from the University of Lagos. [This is] his inspiring story, from his challenges to experiences and opinions on certain aspects of his life. Mr Duyile, who was one of the reporters who witnessed and reported the official inauguration of the university in 1963, was the center of attention at the institution on Wednesday when members of the university’s management, guests, well-wishers, and students hailed him for the feat.

A PhD like that is mostly for self-fulfillment. Not for me. In contrast, I am an alumnus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (BSA major in Ag Edu, 1965). I had wanted neither Masteral nor PhD; what I have is PhD⁵  – that is, “Philosophical Documentation & Dissection for Digital Distribution of Knowledge for Development” in Regenerative Agriculture (RA). I see RA as a major solution to Climate Change.

[Mr Duyile], who described the achievement as a 40-year-old dream, said the ultimate goal is to become a professor of journalism.

My ultimate goal of journalism is now a 47-yearold reality – I called it in 1980 “ComDev” (for “Communication for Development”). I published this in the #2 (Oct-Dec 1980) issue of the quarterly color magazine Habitatthat I founded & was Editor In Chief for the Forest Research Institute (FORI) (see my “Dr Pollisco & I: When FORI Was 5 And The World Lay At Our Feet,” 22 April 2018, Essays For My Family, essaysformyfamily.blogspot.com).

On Innocents’ Day 1985, I started self-learning the digital world, starting with word processing using the earliest software WordStar1. The lower image above, accidentally & automatically created by Windows 10 in my old Lenovo laptop, dated 23 April 2018, shows me on the right. The details are not important – inadvertently, the collage shows my overarching interest, which is Agriculture.

Mr Duyile complained about “the scarcity of relevant historical materials needed for his PhD thesis in Nigerian libraries, saying he had to travel to the United Kingdom.“ That is the problem if you don’t know the digital world! The Internet came to the Philippines in 1991, and I was among the first who applied for digital connection. Results? What I have today is my PhD⁵  like I told you above.

Today, if you don’t know anything, just open your laptop and search away! Unlike Mr Duyile’s, my PhD⁵ has ambitions for people knowing more.@517

 

Thai Transgender Tycoon Transforms Tried & Tested Miss Universe From “Beauty” To “Beauty & Brains” Battle!

From now on, “Miss Universe” will be a world-wide competition for “Beauty & Brains” – (almost) says the new owner of the Miss Universe Organization, Thai transgender businessperson Anne Jakkapong Jakrajutatip (AJJ). I don’t admire transgenderism, but AJJ, s/he has my appreciation!

If you look at the image on top, “Beauty & Brains” from facebook.com, it actually shows 2-in-1 yellow and pink female shapes – from now on, Miss Universe is a “Beauty & Brains” pageant, according to the wishes of AJJ – and I love it: It’s beautiful!
“Winners, Miss Universe 2022” from bbc.com)

Thai Billionaire AJJ bought Miss Universe for $20 million (P1.9 billion) – she is a businessperson after all. And I, a non-business-mind, think that AJJ will make excellent business out of it. More than business:

Miss Universe will elevate how we look at girls from merely physical to both seen and unseen. And I predict that beauty amendments will begin to lose their attractions, beauty clinics their clients. Much thanks, AJJ!

A reality TV star herself and media billionaire, AJJ said of her Miss Universe: “We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation” (Tat Bellamy-Walker, 27 Oct 2022, “Transgender Businesswoman Buys Miss Universe Pageant For $20M,” ABC News, nbcnews.com). Finally, Miss Universe is looking at the whole universe!

Mr Clark: “Diverse cultures, social inclusion, gender equality, creativity, a force for good, and a force for the beauty of humanity." Right on, AJJ!

May I point out to winner Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel (Miss USA), that the world needs more brains right now. [Not minding contrary news (see Jeffrey Clark, “Transgender Miss Universe Owner's ‘Woman’ Speech Raises Eyebrows On Twitter: 'Come On',” Fox News, foxnews.com)].

To the live audience at the crowning evening in New Orleans, AJJ says, "From now on it’s going to be run by women, owned by a trans woman for all women around the world to celebrate the power of feminism!" My correction: “From now on, Miss Universe is going to celebrate Beauty & Brains!”

Out of a total number of 84 contestants, Ms Gabriel is thus the perfect first winner of the “New, Improved Miss Universe” – and I am terribly glad because even as she is Miss USA, she is also half-Filipina, with a Filipino father and an American mother. She is a model, fashion designer and sewing instructor. She is a pride to her race/s. Look at the images again – isn’t she the 2023 Miss Universe “Beauty & Brains”?

Amber Raiken says, “Miss Universe Organization Denies ‘Absurd’ Allegations About Competition Being Rigged After Miss USA’s Win,” (18 Jan 2023, Yahoo Sports, sports.yahoo.com). That allegation is like saying Miss USA does not deserve the title. Amy Emmerich, CEO of Miss Universe Organization, says “She is the rightful Miss Universe. I look forward to this much attention being focused on her non-profit work as well.”

End of story? I say it’s only The Beginning!@517

Maria Ressa Rejoices That She Won What She Considers The Test For Press Freedom – Can She Win For Social Relevance The Rotary 4-Way Test?

This week, the news is that Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler, has won her tax case at the Court of Tax Appeals; the further news is that the acquittal has been “hailed as a win for press freedom” (Dempsey Reyes & Krixia Subingsubing, “Ressa Tax Case Acquittal Hailed As A Win For Press Freedom,” 19 Jan 2023, Inquirer, newsinfo.inquirer.net). We can also say that it was a win for Peace, as Ms Maria is a Nobel Peace Prize winner (2021).

The Inquirer news says:

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa calls her acquittal on tax evasion charges on Wednesday a “ray of light, hope” amid a slew of legal battles, including the appeal of her cyber libel conviction in 2020. The Court of Tax Appeals ruled that state prosecutors failed to prove Rappler dodged payment of income taxes in a 2015 stock rights sale to foreign investors.

That was “a ruling that media watchdogs and human rights groups praised as a rare victory for press freedom and for ‘every Filipino who has ever been unjustly accused’ by the government.”

Ms Maria herself said, “Today, facts win. Truth wins.” She also said, “It is for every Filipino who has ever been unjustly accused.”

But if you ask me, all that is extremely cold comfort!

All that trouble, and much more, because Rappler has been going after “erring government officials” back in the PRRD Administration. Why not go after the good? Asking for a friend!

Why do public (and private) officials make life miserable for any journalist who practices Truth Journalism? I blame the journalists themselves! Their journalism cannot even pass The Rotary 4-Way Test! Which runs thus:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
(“4-Way” from portal.clubrunner.ca)

Much better for their own warm comfort if journalists junked “Truth Journalism” in favor of what I call “THiNK! Journalism” inspired by Zig Ziglar, the American motivational speaker of goodwill. (A summary: “True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind?” Journalists, THiNK!)

I wrote about it some 19 months ago; see my “Women Journalists, 'Access Is The New Civil Right'” – The Black Wall Street Times. I say, “THiNK! Before You Access” (03 May 2021, bravenewworld, blogspot.com).

(Now that I think about it some more: THiNK! can also be applied on any program or project from the public or private sector – in order to determine whether one should support it or not.)

More to the point: Why do not journalists and/or their mother agencies “investigate” public and private programs and projects so that if they approve they can help disseminate and help private people and/or parties appreciate and adopt them?

If not something like my kind of journalism, why do notjournalists practice something like the “Rotary 4-Way Journalism” instead? Asking for a friend!

Even with the Rotary 4-Way Test applied by itself, journalism should be a thriving industry – always and always, a victory for all!@517

 

 

My Old-New Big Think – “THiNK! Journalism”

Today, Wednesday, 18 Jan 2023, having blogged since 2000, now blogging in my 23^rd year, thank God, in my 82^nd year of earthly life, I will & can now concentrate on what I myself invented as a concept, that which I call “THiNK! Journalism” – (reprinted on this blog is my original think piece 03 May 2021 essay, “Women Journalists, ‘Access Is The New Civil Right’ – The Black Wall Street Times. I say, ‘THiNK! Before You Access’” (bravenewworld, blogspot.com).

Having actively practiced journalism from 1975, when I was still 45 years old, then at 81 years of age, why did I think of a different kind of journalism? I was nowhere a negative journalist, but the journalism I was reading or watching kept on being negative and/or destructive of people, places, principles and/or policies public & private. Mostly destructive, hardly constructive – echoing what Tom Goldstein had said many years earlier, “Journalism And Truth: Strange Bedfellows (Medill Visions Of The American Press) (10 Aug 2007, Northwestern University Press, 226 pages, amazon.com):

The complaint is all too common: I know something about that, and the news got it wrong.  Why this should be, and what it says about the relationship between journalism and truth, is exactly the question that is at the core of Tom Goldstein’s very timely book.

Other disciplines, Goldstein tells us, have clear protocols for gathering evidence and searching for truth.  Journalism, however, has some curious conventions that may actually work against such a goal.

Truth Journalism is dangerous but exciting and attractive; it is what gave Filipina Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler, the Nobel Peace Prize 2021 (co-won with a male Russian journalist). Me, I’m neither after the trophy nor the truth, but after the thought! This is my actual practice in my own theorizing & testing:

THiNK! Journalism:
True is it? If True,
Helpful is it? If Helpful,
Inspiring is it? If Inspiring,
Necessary is it? If Necessary,
Kind is it?
THiNK! Journalism
(“I think” from brainyquote.com)

The quote from American journalist Bob Schieffer that appears on the image above is quite educational to journalists wherever and whoever they are: “I think journalism is a great way to do public service, to have an impact on your community.” As I keep true to my THiNK! Journalism, I keep dreaming: “A dream is the bearer of a new possibility, the enlarged horizon, the great hope” – Howard Thurman. Thus, I appreciate much his “theology of radical nonviolence” (Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org).

My theology is Roman Catholic, I must say – and yes, we can view the Ten Commandments not simply for individuals to follow but to observe considering community of believers and non-believers. And so we may rewrite mine like this:

THiNK! Community:
True is it? If True,
Helpful is it? If Helpful,
Inspiring is it? If Inspiring,
Necessary is it? If Necessary,
Kind is it?
THiNK! Community.

Beautifully, Martin Luther Kinghas put it this way: “We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice, not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.” Great!@517
(MLK from jeannieburlowski.com)

 

Roman Catholic Missionaries: Are They Maximizing And/Or Optimizing The Powers Of The Internet? Asking For A Friend!

 

Above: As a Roman Catholic and an Internet denizen, I am heartened to see the headline “Church Builds Internet To Serve Far-Flung Areas” by the Mindanao Daily . Below: Do you notice that the girls, the 3 visible monitors, are exactly on the same page? (I’m a teacher, that’s how/why I notice.) They must be studying. Good girls, wherever you are!

(Internet shop from borgenproject.org)

No Sir, no Ma'am, except the headline, I can’t read the news either – where, when, who, with whom – that is to say, Mindanao Daily is only half-awake about the Internet – it doesn’t mind that its images are unreadable!

The Internet is one excellent medium to connect Roman Catholics in far-flung areas to the cities and vice versa especially in terms of how to live – and continue to live – in the faith. I am saying that to encourage missionaries, especially those connected with the Munting Sambayanang Kristiyano (MSK).

I saw the above image – sorry, I cannot make it clearer no matter what I do. It’s an issue published by the Mindanao Daily, of which its poor treatment – unclear texts, images, dates – tells me that that newspaper is not Internet-savvy either. In these times, it should be Internet literate!

What about the Roman Catholic MSK? I have a slightly more welcome news – the MSK has an account on Facebook (tl-ph.facebook.com). It looks like it is very active as it has lots of images and texts. Upon examination – I find that the first entries date to Jan 2016 and the latest to July 2022 – which means that the MSK Facebook account has been neglected for more than 6 months now. That is a neglect of technology. A neglect of missionary work!

While waiting for the Internet to reach the barrios, I have in mind a printed book for Catholic missionaries who are going to or are already in far-flung areas trying to spread the Good News in the midst of the Bad News.

The book – Father Ciriaco Sevilla, Jr. MSK Trailblazer – is12 years old, published 2010, packaged, edited & produced by Fr Acong’s own married sister living in Australia: Milwida S Reyes. It’s all about building a Catholic “basic ecclesial community” (“Munting Sambayanang Kristiyano”). Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org) describes it thus: “A base community is a relatively autonomous Christian religious group that operates according to a particular model of community, worship, and Bible study.”

But as a teacher – Civil Service Professional 1964; UP Los Baños 1965 – I have a problem with that book, all 242 pages: The MSK lessons learned are not highlighted; they are all hidden, inadvertently, within the sharings by various authors, those who worked with Fr Acong in his pastoral work in Gumaca, Quezon. (He died in 2007.)

I am now thinking of revising-rewriting that MSK trailblazer book into chapters that highlight the lessons learned for priests and missionaries in lonely works in villages hardly reached by Roman Catholic Church-workers. From rewriting to desktop publishing, I can do it all by myself! Granting I have funding.@517

(Reprinted from "Ang Parokya Ni Fr Acong" (17 Jan 2023, blogger.com/blog/posts/6728988411283942308)

(Reprint fromj 

Remembering Fr Acong. Hero For The Church Of The Poor

 

MANILA: We have a hero for Catholicism in the boondocks, the remote Church promoted especially for the poor, the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC). He is Fr Acong, the Rev Msgr Ciriaco Alberto Sevilla Jr of Lucena City who served in the Gumaca Diocese from 1980 to 2007. In 27 years, within the Diocese, as a parish priest within an area that covered 1,200 sq km, he built 400+ BECs; that translates to 5 BECs every 4 months! St Paul would have been proud.

More than 5 years ago, the month after he died, I wrote about Fr Akong/Acong ("Love's Martyr Of Fatima. Fr Akong & The Hidden Agenda Of The Rosary," 02 November 2007, americanchronicle.com). I had wished to write a book on him; now I have a book, composed by Fr Acong's own sister Milwida Sevilla-Reyes. Why did she compile a book on him? She writes on the Preface:

He was not without blemish, but his exceptional life, particularly his pioneering the MSK (Munting Sambayanang Kristiyano) - Basic Ecclesial Communities - in the Gumaca Diocese, shouldn't remain under a bushel.

Milwida, I think that beyond pioneering, your brother's legacy is persistence in work in promoting the remote Church for the poor. To "persist," according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "to be obstinately repetitious, insistent, or tenacious" and "to hold firmly and steadfastly to a purpose, a state, or an undertaking despite obstacles, warnings, or setbacks." Perfect words for the perfectly tireless but not trouble-free MSK/BEC life that Fr Acong lived. Building an MSK and starting another every month, if that's not persistence, I don't know what persistence is.

He was a preacher who was a teacher, and as a writer who is a teacher I can relate to that. As a Roman Catholic priest, he taught by his homilies, which were unusually long and also unusually interesting; but he taught mostly by his example of living a humble life, also by dreaming for his parishioners and believing and helping them make those dreams come true. He also built a shrine for Our Lady of Fatima in Apad, Calauag, Quezon Province; it was almost complete when he died on 18 October 2007. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in July 2003; he underwent surgery for colon cancer in December 2005. Fr Acong promoted MSKs as if his life depended on them - and it did. Till the day he died, his was a life dedicated to the unchurched poor in the unreached areas of Calauag.

Milwida's book, published in 2008, reached me in 2013, finally! Titled Father Ciriaco Alberto Sevilla Jr - MSK Trailblazer, printed in Lucena City, compiled by her who lives in Australia, and published 5 years ago, the volume reached me today at about 1500 hours Thursday, 28 February 2013. Bad news travels fast; good news travels slowly.

Actually, the book is in 2 versions but with the same title: English and Tagalog (Filipino). The English one is 6" by 9" and the Tagalog is 8" by 10" - I like the layout of the Tagalog better, as it is more inviting to read. (Notes: The English version is mostly a translation of the Tagalog originals, but it was published first. The Tagalog version was published in 2010.)

Milwida, the question is, either version: Is it readable? I've written enough books (10 in all, 7 printed, 1 coming out shortly) and edited quite a few to come up with the answer to my own question in an hour of browsing: It is readable, although I prefer the English version. An Ilocano, English comes to me naturally; after all, I grew up on the Reader's Digest when I was in high school in my sleepy hometown of Asingan, Pangasinan.

Indeed, by all standards, including those of the Reader's Digest, it is readable - as an album of memories by a myriad of voices. Never mind that as a collection of recollections, I would have titled it a more meaningful Building Churches Of The Poor, Remembering Father Acong. As it is, the book is a compilation of text contributions from Fr Acong's superiors, colleagues, parishioners, nuclear & extended family members, and friends. It is, as it were, a portrait of Fr Acong etched on stone up a mountain, in this case his beloved church on a hill in Apad, Calauag, Quezon Province, a shrine for Our Lady of Fatima. Fr Acong, never to be forgotten. (The image is my Photoshop version of the book cover.)

In content, the book is more than a mere compilation; it is more than a testament to Father Acong as a priest, as a family member of the Sevillas, as a builder of MSKs, and as a builder of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Calauag, Quezon. If I had the means, I would write another book to bring out and highlight Fr Acong's

personal triumph in becoming a priest where others failed

preference to remain a "mere" priest and not accept "promotions" of any kind

building & rebuilding relationships with family, friends and others

ups & downs with his Tora-Tora companion of a jeep covering 1,200 sq km

tortures & raptures in building 400+ MSKs all over the Gumaca Diocese, and

trials & troubles & triumphs in engineering the last edifice of his priesthood, his last offering to the Virgin Mary, the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Apad, Calauag, Quezon.

Indeed, as did St Paul, he had run the race; he had fought the good fight.

For now, with Milwida's book, let us remember him in kindness, as they did, some 70 of them:

Mother Butler Guild: "What we appreciated the most was his innate diligence" (page 7). Perla Luna: "He was an active, brave and holy priest. He trekked from barrio to barrio to bring the word of God to as many communities as he could. He even climbed mountains" (7).

Bishop of Gumaca Buenaventura M Famadico: Fr Acong volunteered to serve in San Andres, Quezon, "in that distant area to start a ministry focused on the formation and participation of the lay faithful in the life of the Church." (8).

Nol Tejada: He literally blazed trails with Fr Acong. "I was impressed on learning how barrio folks, when given the essential training and proper motivation, could become effective lay missionaries and MSK leaders" (11). "His opting for voluntary poverty was apparent in his lifestyle" (21).

Msgr Leandro Castro: Fr Acong "left no stone unturned to win the hearts of the people, to teach them and lead them to God" (27).

Bro Ricky Aceberas: "(Fr) Acong showed us the austere life in the way we dress and we eat - that we should be like the people we serve" (29).

Rebecca Bersabal: He was a "fearless Padre" (31).

Ramil Rey: With him he traveled the road from ignorance to knowledge of God (35).

Marissa Villasanta: "In my mind and in my heart, (he) opened my eyes to true faith and the love of God" (38).

Zandro de Leon: He became a priest because of the "persistent voice" of Fr Acong, the Lord calling "Samuel! Samuel!" (39). "I consider Fr Acong's life to be a never-ending lesson" (43).

Remy Chipongian: "It was so kind of him to volunteer to look after our children and they enjoyed his company" (45).

Ed Goleña: Because of Fr Acong, "I'm a more confident reader and prayer leader now" (46).

Belen T Mendoza: "I sensed his unfailing faith and his passion for the MSKs and the church he was building in Apad" (47). Celso Satira: "Thanks to him, I learned to read the Bible" (47).`

Bro Boy Malabuyoc: They were partners in building the shrine in Apad (48). "I'm grateful to (Fr) Acong for giving me the confidence to be a lector. Before I met him, I seldom went to church" (49).

Gemma Bañares: He was father to her and other members of the Lay Apostolate Missionaries of the Poor (52).

Seminarian Ruel Peñaflorida: He had a summer apostolate with him. "(Fr) Acong had a true love and devotion to Jesus and the Blessed Mother. I was impressed that he set aside many hours to commune with God" (55).

Gloria Allarey: "He was very good at motivating people" (56). Nilda E Acuña, his teacher in Grade School: "Ciriaco was an intelligent boy who carried out all tasks well" (56).

Norman Capisonda: He helped him decide what to do with his life - become a priest (57).

Bro Dick Barilla: "So charitable. He shared his knowledge and helped many, financially" (59).

Michael Valencia and others: "We were like one family, who had a father who cared for us, gave support and guidance, but showed displeasure when we did something wrong" (61).

Ron Aquino: He lived with him and treasured those 2 years, and was inspired to become a priest (63).

Mylene Argao: "(He) was always with the barrio folks" (65). Tessie Lamar: "When he was already sick, he was a speaker in one of the 12-Saturday training for MSK workers. He shared many beautiful MSK experiences" (65).

Carmel S Reyes: "These (MSK) activities signal more than difficulties to overcome with extra effort. They were and are a sign of purpose, a sign of interdependence. They are signs of empowerment and communion. ¶ My perplexity is now well-rested. ¶ I see the MSK as an integral Faith movement in remote areas. ¶ I now have a better understanding of the holistic mission (he) had undertaken. ¶ This book is a testament to the value of MSKs and (his) work. While it symbolizes a grand celebration, it is only a small indicator - a symptom - of an infectious development that he brought about. Mobilized. Regardless of distance" (68).

Amor Pacaña: "I missed out on the opportunity to be (his) parishioner" (69).

Fr Christopher Parraba: "As an alter server staying with (Fr) Acong at the Buenavista presbytery, I saw the unique value of the MSK. … "Through the MSK, the teaching of the Faith could come easier" (70).

Milyang Aquino: "Thanks to (him), our whole family has been at the service of the Lord since then" (73).

(The pages between pages 75 and 156 are "His Own Words" and will have to wait for my attention some other time. However, I quote from the inserts.)

Luz C Obmina: "I was impressed with how he relocated the San Andres Church from the bottom of the hill to the top" (111).

Msgr Atilano Oracion: "Acong was most faithful to his priesthood. He was a man for others" (117). Elsie Luzavia, now a member of the Third Order of Carmel: "I was always rapt listening to (his) homilies. He had a knack for incorporating the Word of God in our everyday life" (117). (A great talent indeed - FAH.)

Dr Miriam Bayaua: "As a friend I could go to him for advice anytime." "He always had his parishioners foremost in his heart" (128).

Maribel Lopez: "I thought (his) goodness stemmed from his being a priest. But I could see he was a good person even if he (didn't happen to be) a priest" (133).

Lorna Llave Yson: "I read (his) last homily and I am deeply touched. He really had a great faith and he was a true shepherd. ¶ Once I expressed to my husband my curiosity on why he remained a parish priest and didn't get 'promoted.' Pol said that unlike others who are career priests, (he) was a hands-on priest" (140).

Bishop Emeritus Ruben T Profugo: "I praise and thank the Lord for the gift of having him for a brother and friend" (160).

Joe Jara: "In your priestly journey, you remained fully human just like every one of us. Never in our ties together, with or without our classmates, did you show a holier-than-thou attitude nor moralize at every turn" (162).

Flor Liza Jara-Obana: He would advise: "Magdasal ka, Flor. Magpasalamat at magpatawad." Pray, Flor. Give thanks and give forgiveness (166).

Consor Malabuyoc: "Many of the Apad menfolk learned to pray the Rosary from him. Many of them have been enlightened" (167).

Fr Heraclio Fleta: Fr Acong saved him from drowning at the Iyam River in Lucena City. "He travelled by bus (in the US) instead of the plane, saying that that was the best way to see the country" (168). (In the late 1880s, Jose Rizal traveled the US by train, the better to study the country - FAH.)

Mely R Marin: He made her, his teacher, believe she could help in the education of seminarians - and she did (171).

April Reyes: "The memory I treasure is that of witnessing the simple and humble life that (he) led and seeing for myself how well he interacted with the people in the communities where he served" (172).

Bishop Teodoro Bacani: "Acong was intelligent but was not the academic type. He was more active, had a more practical bent and was very good at making things with his hands." He was "a selfless and tireless BEC worker" (173).

Fr CG Arevalo, his adviser: "He would remember years later, that with me as mentor he wrote a paper, "The Church of the Poor. It expressed a theme and concern, which even in his seminary days was already a true preoccupation with him. … It was to become the focus of his priestly ministry, especially in spreading the MSK among people who were baptized but whose concrete day-to-day as communities had very little, if any, deeper influence of Gospel and Church" (175).

Fr Vic Aller: He was "a man of vision with an exceptional sense of mission" (180).

Dr Cesar Sia: He was "a true missionary priest in distant, isolated places" (181).

Norma Chionglo-Sia, Fr Acong's catechism classes were "so interesting and the Christian values were explained with such lucidity, intensity and relevance that no one (was ever absent)" (183).

Necy V Dimasuay: "Fr Acong was creative" and that "he never tired of teaching me and others in the office handy hints that were useful in and around the house and in the office," that "nothing was wasted with this Padre" (185).

Levi: "I wasn't at all surprised that he chose to serve the poor and the downtrodden in the Bondoc Peninsula" (187).

Nanding Habito: "(He) made a difference in many people's lives particularly in those who live in the far-flung areas of southern Quezon" (188).

Nestor Pestelos: Fr Acong saved him from harm and helped him emerge from the underground (189).

Adoracion Alvero: "With his inherent love for the poor and with his simple, humble and detached way of living: He was not fazed by his next assignment: San Andres, a poor, far-flung underdeveloped town in the 70s" (192).

Yollie Gamboa: "My memories of him are of happier times" (193).

Rem & Kits Torres: Fr Acong "felt the great need for spiritual formation among his parishioners that he alone could not provide," that "he needed outside assistance" and that "our offer to hold ME Weekends was an answer to his prayers" (195).

Laarni Reyes: After she had just picked up a $20 note on the ground, Fr Acong "with a big grin" took it out of her hand and put it into his wallet. "He probably felt that I didn't need it anyway and I know that I wouldn't have spent it on anything important" (199).

Josefina Apondar: "When I received the news that he had passed away, I nearly lost my mind. I began questioning God again, something that (he) taught me not to do" (203).

Remy (sister): "(He) was devoted to St Therese" (205). Leonor (sister): "Fr Acong and I were kindred spirits" (205).

Ebeng/Juliet (sister): (He) was one who always wanted to make most of everything, especially his time" (207).

Guadi (sister): "His leadership potential came to the fore when in our final year in high school (sister): He ran for President of the QPHS Student Government and won" (208).

Nora (sister): He was "a handyman, fixing whatever needed repair" (210).

Mil (sister): When a nun asked him, "So, will your sister be joining a religious order too?" he replied, "No, as a teacher she has her own apostolate" (212). Erning (brother): There was "some big brother mentoring" (212).

Maria: "You are a priest - a priest forever. Thank for your perseverance to remain faithful to God's call" (214).

Fr Niño de Leon, the night before his ordination, Fr Acong told him: "Niño, the priesthood is not yours alone. It is a gift from God. He called you so that you can help Him bring people to Him" (217).

Fr Christopher Parraba: Fr Acong "considered the MSK as the answer to some of the problems of the Church in the Philippines where many are baptized but ignorant of their Faith - baptized but not evangelized" (221).

Bro Boning Ong: "(He) taught by example. He gave value to each person" (224).

Loida Estravo: "(He) was like a father to us. He corrected our mistakes but at times he did it too harshly and sometimes, with other people around. … However, that wasn't for long as he would apologize soon after and the many kindnesses he showed us made up for it" (225).

Luningning Dacer: He was "The Good Shepherd of the Lord" (226). "1990. That was when I experienced a special bond with Fr Acong. I was about to go through an unexpected, unplanned wedding. I admired his concern, broadmindedness and humility when he learned about it" (227). On his deathbed, he told her: "I did ask for a long life - but for a long life that is worthwhile. If I couldn't be of help to others, what use is a hundred years!" (235).

Borrowing from Fr Acong, to all I say:

More than just remember, we should be of help to others.

Reprint from 01 March 2013, A Magazine Called Love, blogspot.com