The conventional understanding of democracy is in the frequently-quoted, western- inspired line: a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. When taken by the Filipinos, it was rephrased into a government "off" the people, "buy" the people, and "poor" the people. But seriously, democracy as a political system is a governance mode that relies heavily on citizens’ participation. To ensure this, two crucial elements of democracy are the legitimacy of its governmental leaders (consent of the governed to be led) and the acceptable selection process for the peoples' representatives in government (electoral process).

NAGA CITY (Mar. 29) – Despite a city resolution issued by the Sangguniang Panlungsod urging citizens of this city to observe "Earth Hour" tonight, most Nagueños ignored the city government's efforts. "Earth Hour" is a global campaign initiated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia held annually to promote energy-conservation and highlight the problems brought by global warming. Participants are encouraged to turn off non-essential lights and appliances from 8 PM to 9 PM on a set date in an effort to reduce electricity consumption.

MANILA--The country ’s oldest Catholic prelate, Bishop Manuel P. Del Rosario, emeritus of Malolos and a Bikolano, passed away at 1:00 A.M. today, at age 93. Del Rosario has been confined to a wheelchair since he was paralyzed due to a stroke in 1963 while attending the conferences of the Second Vatican Council in Rome. The prelate died of pneumonia at Yanga Hospital in Bocaue, Bulacan according to his nephew newly-appointed SEC Commissioner Manuel B. Gaite.

MANILA--President Gloria Arroyo’s aproval of the poll automation bill into law has given a Catholic Church-back poll watchdog a leeway to focus more on intensive voters’ education.

MANILA--Pope Benedict XVI has created Wednesday a new diocese in the country and named its first bishop. Benedict XVI elevated the Prelature of Libmanan into a full diocese, in the province of Camarines Sur, and appointed as its bishop, Jose Rojas, 52, until now Bishop-Prelate of said ecclesiastical territory.

MANILA--Catholic Church leaders once again called on lawmakers Friday to ditch plans to amend the country’s constitution. Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said there’s time for Charter change and it should not be done with haste.

Picture this: you, in your toga, walking along the long aisle, waiting for your name to be called, excited to get hold of that diploma, or medal (if you are an honor student), until that final moment came when you could release a sigh of relief because you’re done with college.

An accident occurred in a nuclear power plant and all employees died during the incident. Minutes later, employees found themselves in a queue; thinking as they are about to face the biggest question in their lives from someone they never knew.“

IT'S GRADUATION WEEK FOR MANY schools. I have the joy of graduating again on Saturday under the MBA program for priests at the Ateneo de Naga University. Doña Chito Madrigal of happy memory offered a scholarship for priests of Bikol through the Madrigal Foundation, to take up an MBA program on Socio-Pastoral Entrepreneurship in order to equip priests with necessary know-how for revitalizing the evangelization programs of parishes through an integral development plan. Seventeen priests from Bikol (2 from Virac, 1 from Masbate and 11 from Caceres-Naga) have finished the graduate program. Thank you Doña Chito. Congratulations Fathers!

My dear niece, Dana, graduates from Ateneo de Naga University on March 28, making me privy to the long rehearsals and tedious preparation that went into the ceremony. When at last I saw the invite to the ceremony, I realized this was not the small school – or college – I recall with fondness. The number of graduating students the past years by my standard is big. My next question to my niece was: what time will the ceremony be over. We had varied estimates: one at 11pm and another at 9pm. Dana was so busy the whole week and even days before that I did not have time to share with her my memory of a fun graduation with people numbering some hundreds. The ceremony was simple and sweet.