MANILA, Jan 21, 2010─The head of the worldwide Focolare Movement will be one of the lay sharers in the forthcoming National Congress of the Clergy on January 28. Maria "Emmaus" Voce, president of Focolare is one of the five lay persons who will share with the clergy their experiences on the struggle to live a life of holiness in a secular world.

MANILA, Jan. 23, 2010- Pope Benedict XVI called on Filipino bishops to work for the sanctification of priests, so that they may be able to fulfill their mission in the church and in modern world.

I HAVE SPENT a whole day with the members of the Caceres Lay Institute for Mission (CLAIM) at La Playa (Stella Maris Renewal Center), Tigaon, Camarines Sur in order to have a day of prayer, reflection, and sharing. I was struck by the lay missionaries' simplicity of faith yet profound experiences of God in their lives in spite of the big and small trials. What gave me much joy was how they saw their trials in 2009, especially with regard to their personal, family, and professional lives, as moments of growth, conversion, and call to become better Christian persons.

When discourse ends, violence and repression begin. This truism in politics seems to be what animates the efforts attending this year's celebration of Philosophy Week by the Ateneo de Naga University. With its sponsorship of a regional convention in "Decoding Philippine Politics," the University undertakes an endeavor which creates what appears to be in short supply these days: a public forum for a critical and intelligent discussion of our political culture.

The poet sent me this manifesto. There is no need to introduce as the text speaks for itself with such compelling sincerity. Jimple Borlagdan is a poet, a very good poet, with a heart and mind for rhythm and the tenderest of pains.

Mayor Robredo instantly reacted to our article last week (through Willy Prilles; email 01/17/10): "I just read your Vox Bikol column, which raises the question: "Is "Intermediate" the "Best?"" "I cannot fault you for taking a negative stance on the matter. It's the classic hall-full glass: in your effort to find fault with the city government, you have chosen to ignore the obvious, which I am quoting below. Funny how you can miss this when it is found on the very same page quoted in your column.

BIBIKOLON KO NA SIRING sa nakagawian ko sa kolum na ini bilang pagmidbid kan pagiging unibersal kan satong lenggwahe. Alagad an sakong pag-Bikol ngunyan huli naman sa dakulang kamawotan na masabotan kan mga nanunungdan kan Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project an mga kahagadan kan mga taga-Lupi huli ta garo dai ninda nasasabotan kun nakasurat sa Ingles.

Being a teacher I enter my classes and see the future, the coming generation, those who will form the society we will live in tomorrow. I look at them and I see an increase of loss of values, loss of orientation, loss of sense. All of these are visible via many symptoms among which a very alarming one is the increase of alcohol abuse among students. Not all are into drinking of course, but over the years the number of those who are, has remarkably grown. I have found this a bit disturbing, so I was prompted to do some research on it.

MANILA - May afinidad ang pelikula at relihiyon. Ang partikularidad ng katangian ng pelikula sa iba pang media ay dalawang bagay: lumilikha ito ng ritualisado at personalisadong intimacy kada boluntaryong pagbabayad ng manonood. At ang pagbabayad natratransforma ang sweldo sa paggawa na ipinambayad sa pagdanas ng sine bilang kasiyahan o pagtransforma nito sa domeyn ng leisure.

Pili, Camarines Sur (22 January) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) field office here announces the 2010 schedule of Career Service Examination (CSE) Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) on both professional and sub-professional levels set on April 25 and October 17, this year.