God's Global Household

It is with gratitude to God that the movie-project is finally set to start shooting this coming March 3, 2010. The movie is written and directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, a multi-awarded film maker and director. Lead roles will be played by Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo, Marvin Agustin, Christopher de Leon, Vivian Velez, and a boy-a newcomer in the industry-who could be a new Santino in the making. The movie is expected to be finished before the celebration of the tercentenary in September. The producer of the movie, our very own Bikolano film maker and producer, Tony Gloria, of the UNITEL Production known for socially relevant movies, hopes to include the movie in this year's entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on December.

I NEEDED A TAXI to go from Makati City to the domestic airport. Before I could sit comfortably at the back seat, the driver told me that I had to pay 250 pesos. I told the driver that I was getting off the car if he would not use the taxi meter. When the meter was flagged down, I felt more at ease. It did not take a few minutes, however, after we left Makati that the driver told me that I had to pay him 150 pesos even if the taxi meter was on.

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.

THE TITLE OF THIS COLUMN is from the poem of Chiara Lubich. The homily of the Jesuit Father Catalino Arevalo during President Corazon Aquino's funeral mass spoke of her selflessness, faith, and love for her family. I think great men and women lived their lives with a great sense of sacrifice, with a tenacity of purpose and a consistency of life that finds its source from an ardent love of God and neighbor. I would like to dedicate this poem to President Corazon Aquino who was not only an icon of democracy but a living witness of faith.

MAPPING THE FUTURE is actually envisioning the future in visual terms. James Canton's book, the Extreme Future (Penguin Group 2007), that gives a picture of the top trends that will reshape the world in the next 20 years, has powerfully captured the need to welcome the extreme future prepared. Canton writes: "Maps are so much revealing, though, when they're studied closely in the context of when and where they were created. Maps are snapshots of time that chronicle change, the evolution of thinking about navigation, conquest, commerce, threat, and opportunity. They are more than just geography. Maps change when new information is introduced. I thought about maps as a metaphor for strategic thinking. Maps were a product of an ongoing discovery process to navigate not just geography, but change itself." (Extreme Future, pp. 16-18)

MANY PEOPLE who have been affected by the economic downturn or have simply lost their jobs due to retrenchment have realized the importance of spending wisely every single centavo in their pockets. The basic question is always "Do I need to buy this?" Need becomes the criterion for spending. Instead of buying clothes, shoes and other stuff, many are becoming more conscious to prioritize food, medicine and utilities in their budget. "Let's face it: Most people spend way too much money on things they don't really need. The more money we make, the more we tend to spend. This endless cycle of materialism has led many people to confuse the word "need" with the word "want." As in, "we need a big-screen TV for our new home theater." Or, "I need a new pair of shoes to go with my new outfit."

The first woe that comes to my mind is about the useless pedestrian lanes in Naga city. I do not know whether some motorists in Naga city have any idea about the function of a pedestrian lane. Let us take for example the pedestrian lane in front of the Archbishop's residence. Every time I have to cross the pedestrian lane, I find myself running for fear of being hit by speeding motorcycles, tricycles and cars. In Europe, a car stops at the pedestrian lane even if there is only one person who is crossing the lane. However, some motorists in Naga city accelerate when they see pedestrians crossing the lanes. I am just wondering what the local government can do about pedestrian lanes. What is interesting is that the pedestrian lane in front of the Cathedral is very close to a police outpost.

THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS, announced by our beloved Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly Curé of Ars, St. John Mary Vianney, is drawing near. It will be inaugurated by the Holy Father on the 19th June, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. The announcement of the Year for Priests has been very warmly received, especially amongst priests themselves. Everyone wants to commit themselves with determination, sincerity and fervor so that it may be a year amply celebrated in the whole world -- in the Dioceses, parishes and in every local community -- with the warm participation of our Catholic people who undoubtedly love their priests and want to see them happy, holy and joyous in their daily apostolic labors.

WORKING PEOPLE usually look forward to a day off in which they would be away from the regular working schedule and be able to find time to rest and to have a respite from the more difficult and demanding tasks of daily life.

THE GRAND OPENING of SM City in Naga has been an event that many people were anticipating with mixed feelings. I was one of those who were waiting for the opening of the mall. I was invited during the mall's blessing on April 30. I was looking forward to having quality goods available at my convenience. In spite of the rain, the first store hours on May 1 saw all kinds of people from all walks of life flocking to the mall to celebrate the advent of a mega shopping and activity center in Naga City.