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Province of Cebu - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Cebu metro.jpg
Aerial View of Metro Cebu

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

1st church-based eco park to open in Cebu

By Liv G. Campo/MIT (The Philippine Star)

CEBU, Philippines - The Sto. Niño de Cebu Agustinian Social Development Foundation, Inc. (SNAF) will open what is believed to be the first church-based ecopark in Cebu in barangay Mohon, Talisay City on Tuesday.

“This may be the first church-initiated eco park in Cebu. But definitely not the last as we’ll be using this as a prototype for other churches to follow,” said Fr. Tito Soquino, president of SNAF, a social development arm of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

The eco park, located inside the premises of Sto. Niño Parish in Mohon, will have its own material recovery facility, where all garbage collected from the church will be segregated and a meditation garden, among others.

Soquino, an environmentalist himself being president of the environmental group—Knight-Stewards of the Sea, Inc., said the objective of the project is “for the 35 chapels in Mohon to also do the same.”

He explained that if waste segregation and other ecology-friendly activities will be spearheaded by the Church, then it’s easier to ignite public participation.

Soquino said he hopes that other parishes will also replicate this, as he believes garbage is a major problem faced by almost all local government units in Cebu, and possibly in the entire country. Accessible MRFs may help solve this problem, he said. An MRF, however, is only one of the features of an eco park. There is also a meditation garden.

According to Soquino, this garden will connect nature and faith, so those who will use it will remember God’s creation and in the process, will learn to appreciate and protect it.

How much more will Cebu workers get?

(Cebu Daily News)

Workers in Metro Cebu, which belongs to Class A, will receive P327 a day instead of P305 once the new wage order takes effect.

Those working outside the metropolis fall under different categories at a lower rate.

Class A covers cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-lapu, Danao, Naga, Carcar and Talisay along with towns of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla and San Fernando.

The current floor wage in other areas depending on their classification ranges from P240 (for non-sugar agriculture workers in Class D areas) to P285 (for non-agriculture workers for Class B areas).

The P22 increase will be added to each level.

Class B includes cities of Toledo and Bogo and the other towns of Cebu except Bantayan and Camotes Islands.

Class C covers Bohol and Negros province. Class D includes Siquijor and Bantayan and Camotes Islands of Cebu.

Workers are also classified as agricultural (sugar and non-sugar) and non-agricultural.

10,000 seats set for Calungsod pilgrims during mass

By Bernadette A. Parco, Jujemay G. Awit and Justin K. Vestil (Sun.Star Cebu/Hiezle M. Bual, USJ-R Masscom Intern)

CEBU CITY -- About 10,000 pilgrims from various dioceses outside Cebu Province are expected to attend the national thanksgiving mass at the South Road Properties (SRP) at the end of the month.

Fr. Jake Reyes, committee chairman on local pilgrims, said they are unable to provide accommodations for the pilgrims, but they were referred to travel agencies.

He said these five agencies can give the visitors discounted prices on hotel and pension house accommodations for at least two days. Related articles

The pilgrims, however, are assured of seats during the mass on November 30. But they must come early because the seats are given on a “first-come, first- served” basis.

Based on an initial agreement between a private company and the Church committee, the cost of rental for each chair is P7 pesos per day or P70,000 per day.

Police

Meanwhile, the Talisay City police is asking the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) to deploy about 100 policemen at the SRP in preparation for the thanksgiving mass.

Superintendent Eddie Recamara, chief of the Talisay City Police Station, told reporters that the number of police personnel is needed to prepare for a turnout of 200,000 to 300,000 devotees.

He added that Talisay City will be on heightened alert at that time, with their personnel on the streets by November 29.

Aside from the crowds, they are also preparing for the traffic situation, since the Cebu South Coastal Road and SRP will be closed to motorists on November 30.

Recamara has advised motorists to take N. Bacalso National Highway during the thanksgiving mass.

Final preparations

Last Monday, Recamara, along with city and church officials in Talisay City, met at the San Isidro Church in Barangay San Isidro to discuss their final preparations for the thanksgiving mass.

Santo Rosario Parish would be accommodating 18 people from the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila.

Reyes said they are coordinating with Cebu City Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, who heads the preparations for a Devotee City for the thanksgiving mass.

During a press conference Wednesday morning, Reyes said there were only 10 cargo containers allotted for the event by cargo shipping company, 2Go, because the last two months of the year are peak months for shipments.

He said that as buffer alternative, the committee is also meeting with officials of the Department of Education in Cebu City for the use of the classrooms of four public schools near the SRP.

But the backup plan to use the schools will no longer be pursued because Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama does not agree with, it fearing the schools might be vandalized.

Cabarrubias, though, got the commitment of two shipping companies for at least 30 containers for a pilgrims’ center for the November 30 activities.

There are between 10 and 30 containers committed by 2Go and 10 from PhilSpan of Sulpicio Lines. (2Go is no longer owned by the Aboitiz Group as previously reported.)

Cabarrubias thinks a Devotee City for the Calungsod thanksgiving will cost about half a million pesos.

But Rama said he would rather tap the private sector than depend on the Council for funds.

Movie

To spread the good news about the Philippines’ second saint, the Cebu Archdiocese will show a movie featuring San Pedro Calungsod’s life and miracles.

Msgr. Trinidad Silva Jr. said it is very important for the people to be prepared as well as to know more about Calungsod.

Three weeks prior to the thanksgiving mass, the Archdiocese of Cebu is urging the 144 parishes, as well as schools and other institutions, to show the movie.

In the first part of the movie, Archbishop Jose S. Palma gives the introductory message, followed by an hour showing Calungsod’s life and miracles. Excerpts from the canonization of Blessed Pedro in Rome are included.

Archbishop Palma’s introductory message mainly extends an invitation to the faithful to attending the thanksgiving mass on November 30.

Each parish will receive one copy for the community. Out of 144 parishes in Cebu, as of the moment, only 55 parishes received a movie copy.

ASEAN telecom and IT ministers meet in Cebu

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ministers and senior officials from 10 ASEAN member states and dialog partners from other countries will be in Cebu on November 12 to 16 for the 13th ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Senior Officials Meeting (Telsom), and the 12th ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Ministers Meeting (Telmin).

The five-day conference, which will be held in Mactan will be hosted by Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

DOST secretary Mario G. Montejo is the chairman of the Telmin event, while leading the Philippine delegation of senior officials is undersecretary Louis Napoleon C. Casambre of the DOST-Information and Communications Technology Office.

Delegates from the ASEAN member states will also be joined by dialog partners from China, India, Korea, the European Union and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The group will discuss the region’s progress in ICT relative to the ASEAN ICT Masterplan (AIM) and map out policy directions for ASEAN’s ICT Initiatives for the coming year.

“We are looking forward to hosting this very important gathering and exchanging ideas with our ASEAN counterparts, as well as exploring new avenues of cooperation with our dialogue partners. The Philippines is looking at playing a more active role in ICT development in the ASEAN region, particularly in the areas of ICT infrastructure and people empowerment,” Casambre said.

One of the key events at the conference is the signing of the Mactan Cebu Declaration which aims to improve cooperation between ASEAN member states in ICT related endeavors such as cybersecurity, e-commerce as well as implement strategic thrusts put forth in the ASEAN ICT Masterplan.

Other events happening during the weeklong conference are An ASEAN – UNCTAD workshop on e-Commerce law harmonization, the awarding ceremonies for the first ever ASEAN ICT Awards, as well as an informal meeting of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia Malaysia, and the Philippines East ASEAN Growth area (BIMP-EAGA) Telecom and IT Ministers.

Calungsod fundraising, cars to be raffled off to donors

By Marigold P. Lebumfacil/MBG (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cars will be raffled off as part of the efforts to raise funds for the National Thanksgiving Mass and for the templete that is being constructed at the South Road Properties.

Last November 1, a booth was opened at the SM City Cebu for those interested to help in the fundraising for San Pedro Calungsod.

Those who will donate P25, 000 or $600 will receive an official certificate of donation as well as a limited edition of the commemorative San Pedro Calungsod pieces designed by world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue.

A certificate of donation is equivalent to a raffle ticket which gets the donor a chance to win either two BMWs or a Kia Sorento, which are displayed in the SM booth.

Another booth will be set up in Ayala Center Cebu.

The booths will be open until December 8, the scheduled date for the raffle and announcement of winners to take place at SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium.

But Msgr. Roberto Alesna earlier reminded the would-be donors to support the fundraising not because of the prizes at stake but because of San Pedro Calungsod.

He said that donations should be made for San Pedro Calungsod and for one’s devotion to the second Filipino saint.

Calungsod’s image is scheduled to return to Cebu on November 27, in time for the Triduum masses prior to the National Thanksgiving Day on November 30.

It is now in Luzon for the Duaw Nasud where the official image is scheduled to visit various parishes all over the country.

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal encouraged everyone to attend the event and spread out the devotion to the newly-canonized Filipino saint.

“We should imitate him (Calungsod) and understand that if he was able to do it, why not us? There’s nothing impossible to God. Let’s all thank Him for giving us that kind of opportunity to be able to translate holiness into a reality among ourselves, especially among our young people,” Vidal said.

Earlier, Cardinal Vidal said they will be pushing through with the process to establish San Pedro Calungsod as the patron saint of the youth and the Overseas Filipino Workers.

Calungsod was said to be just 14 years old, one of the youngest catechists, who left for Guam with Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores and other missionaries.

Cardinal Vidal also said a commission has been organized and is now studying the life of Msgr. Teofilo Camomot, who is among the three names pushed to be the next Filipino to be beatified and possibly canonized.

Camomot was a resident of Carcar, south of Cebu, and was known for his generous service and love for the poor.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Vidal is asking the public not to treat “Pedrito”, a doll image of San Pedro Calungsod, like a toy.

“It should not be like that. It is intended to spread out the devotion to San Pedro Calungsod,” Vidal said.

Cebu resorts post high occupancy on holiday

By Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu resorts enjoy remarkably high occupancy rates during the long weekend as foreign and domestic travelers flocked here to make the most out of the long break.

Angela Emphasis, public relations manager of Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, said that the resort has a 96% occupancy rate during the long weekend which was mostly composed of Koreans.

Noteworthy during the break was the upsurge on locals who occupied 10% of the rooms, she added.

Because of the Palace’s aggressive marketing strategies aimed at attracting the local market, Emphasis further noted that the number of locals who stayed in the resort is even 7% higher than the Japanese who only accounted 3% of the total occupancy rate during the holiday.

“The market during the long weekend was composed of Koreans, Japanese and delightfully, a surge on locals. It is still the same market but with more options. What really matters is that the local market is already paying a greater attention to the Palace,” she said.

Imperial Palace is the country’s first five-star waterpark resort with a total of 556 rooms.

Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort reported close to 100% occupancy rate during the long weekend.

According to its Marketing Communications Manager Aileen Quijano, the high occupancy was driven by the foreign market mostly composed of Japanese, Korean and European nationals.

The domestic market, on the other hand, accounted 30% of the market share of the resort, she said.

Even with the high demand, Quijano clarified that the resort did not increase its rates.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, on the other hand, recorded an average occupancy rate of 86% from October 31 to November 4.

According to Hannah Patalinghug, the resort’s public relations associate, November 2 posted the highest occupancy rate during the long weekend with 98.04% which was followed by 90.12% rate of the first day of November.

She said that 90% of the total 256 rooms were booked for accommodations over the long break.

The market mix, she added, were mostly comprised of Koreans, Filipinos from all over the country and balikbayans.

Fun to play, learn at the museum

By Joy S. Quito (Correspondent)

It was a time of laughter, fun, and learning for John Patrick del Castillo, 10, and his brother Juphet, 11, when they visited museums and heritage galleries in Cebu for the first time.

They were among 309 children from different barangays in Cebu City who joined the fourth Kids at the Museum program as part of the celebration of Children's Month in October.

In four Saturday of last month, urban children learned how to play traditional Filipino games and had workshops on weaving palm leaves (lukay ), cooking, comic drawing, and painting.

“Nakahibaw ko giunsa ug kudkud sa lubi (I learned how to grate a coconut),” Juphet told Cebu Daily News.

They had wanted to join the painting workshop but ended up with cooking lessons.

“Pero lingaw man gihapon kaayo,” said John Patrick. (It was still a lot of fun though.)

The boys who study in Tejero Elementary School said they had fun playing “tubig-tubig” with neighborhood kids from barangay Tinago who participated in the event.

Juphet said he was struck by the sight of memorabilia of Jose Rizal like his clothes and books at one museum.

John recognized Rizal as a national hero.

“Bayani siya kay nagpakamatay man siya para sa mga tawo,” John said. (He's a hero because he died for the people.)

The exposure to culture and history was an eyeopener for the kids.

“Nakat-on mi kung giunsa ang mga karaan nga binuhatan,” Juphet said. (We learned how things in the past are done.)

Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of the Culture and Heritage Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc, said the Kids at the Museum activity aimed to guide children to appreciate museums as a venue of learning Cebuano culture and heritage.

“The entire event is a platform for education. And when you want to educate the kids, it must also be fun and interactive,”” she said. The children came from barangays Cogon Central Ramos, Day-as, Pari-an, Kamagayn, Lorega San Miguel, mabolo, San Roque, Señor Sto. Niño, T. Padilla, Tejero, Tinago and Zapatera.

Cebu places 7th in top 10 Asian islands

(FMG/Sun.Star Cebu)

CEBU CITY -- Cebu was named as one of the Asia’s top 10 islands in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards of the international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler.

Cebu made it to No. 7, with a rating of 75.9. Of the seven criteria, it scored highest in friendliness, with 85.4.

Two resorts of the Shangri-La group in the Visayas also made it in the list of the top 15 resorts in Asia, including Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, which landed at No. 12.

Also in the list of top 10 islands in Asia are Luzon at No. 3 and Mindanao at No. 10. Luzon received a reader’s choice rating of 78.9, while Mindanao scored 62.8.

Here’s how the magazine’s readers rated Cebu in all seven criteria: friendliness (85.4), lodging (80), ambience (77.7), scenery (75.7), activities (75), beaches (74.3) and restaurants (68.3).

Bali, Indonesia was picked as the best island in Asia, with a reader’s choice rating of 81.8.

Other islands included in the top 10 are Phuket, Thailand; Langkawi, Malaysia; Koh Samui in Thailand; Hokkaido, Japan; Malaysian Borneo; and Lombok in Indonesia.

“This is truly a proud, shining moment for Cebu and all Cebuanos,” Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said in a text message. She said she believes the efforts of the Provincial Government in transforming Cebu and promoting tourism contributed to the results.

“We are happy that our efforts at transforming Cebu through the eGwen Our program Cebu has resulted into this great honor and recognition from the prestigious Conde Nast,” the governor added.

As far as the top 15 resorts are concerned, two properties in the Visayas, both under the Shangri-La brand, also made it.

Shangri-La’s Mactan resort scored 84.8, while its Boracay Resort and Spa landed in eighth place with a reader’s choice rating of 88.5.

The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa in the Maldives is the top resort for the magazine readers.

All Saints' day observance: No major hitches

By Jessica R. Pareja, Niña G. Sumacot, Garry B. Lao, Ria Y. Booc, Jose P. Sollano/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Except for a scuffle between vendors at the Carreta Cemetery and a few bladed weapons recovered, no major incidents were reported in Cebu’s major cities and 44 towns even as roads and cemeteries were full of people celebrating the All Saints’ Day.

Chiefs of police and local government leaders in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay as well as the provincial police commander all agreed that the first of the two-day November celebration proceeded without major hitches.

With the security measures well in place ahead of schedule, police reported an orderly and peaceful celebration in Cebu City and all other areas in Cebu.

Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe made rounds at the five major cemeteries in the city to check on the observance of the All Saints Day.

“We have improved our security measures this year to ensure the safety of everyone,” Buenafe said. He deployed a sufficient number of policemen in every cemetery to patrol the areas 24 hours.

They also installed 18 close-circuit televisions (CCTVs) in the five major cemeteries in Cebu City - at Carreta, Calamba, Cempark, Queen City Gardens, and Pardo. The cameras helped them monitor the activities better as the video footages were seen at the Police Regional Office 7 and at the CCPO Operations Branch.

Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu, who heads CCPO operations Branch, said they have a better view this year compared to last year’s four cameras.

Approximately 20,000 people entered Cempark alone yesterday, 10,000 in Queen City Gardens, 5,000 each in Calamba and Cabantan cemeteries, and at most 800 people in Pardo.

As of yesterday afternoon, Tiu said police recovered fewer deadly weapons such as scissors and chisels which are supposedly used in cleaning tombs, compared to last year.

This is because the public has been well informed already, police said. Tiu said they also recovered lesser bottles of intoxicating liquor this year, including those disguised in thermos and tumblers.

“Simhuton g’yud kay maro na ang uban ‘ron. Since kahibaw na sila nga ipagbawal, ipangsud na man hinuon sa mga termos ang mga ilimnon,” Tiu said. (Some put liquor in thermos bottles knowing that these are banned, but our policemen smell the contents so these are still confiscated.)

Covert policemen were also deployed inside the cemeteries. They expect a larger volume of people to flock the cemeteries today in observance of the All Souls Day.

Meanwhile, Medardo Batiller, operations head of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), said dehydration were the usual cases they encountered yesterday owing to the very hot weather. He advised the public, especially those who will stay at the cemeteries today, to eat and drink more water.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama praised the police and the barangay officials for doing a good job. He visited the cemeteries in Cebu City yesterday to monitor situation.

“I told them the entrance must always be in the right side. So akong gipang-usab,” Rama said. But this caused a brief commotion at the Carreta Cemetery where vendors of flowers and candles rushed to the other side and fought over space near the new entrance.

Police rushed to stop two women in a catfight after one of them refused to give way.

Cecilia Gintalian said Elel Opsiquias was forcing herself to put a table along the new entrance but she could not move since she will already be blocking the entrance to a mausoleum behind.

“Wala man sya’y labot unta sa gipabalhin ni Kap kay wala man naapiki iyang tindahan pagbalhin sa entrance,” Gintalian, said showing her bruises. (She was not supposed to be among those the barangay captain asked to transfer.)

Some vendors criticized Rama for imposing the changes late.

“Nganong karon pa man sad sya niari diri. Katong petsa 29 pa unta sya niari para napahimutang daan ang mga tindera. Magpatyanay gyud baya ni diri sa pwesto,” one vendor said. (Why did the mayor came here only now and changed things? He could have come here on the 29th.)

Meanwhile, Rama said he ordered the administrators of the cemetery and the Department of Public Services to make sure the cemeteries will be cleaned up by tomorrow.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza wants more policemen to be deployed in the streets today. She issued the verbal order to Lapu-Lapu City Police Chief, Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas. 

“I want the police to ensure that this four-day vacation will continue to be peaceful and safe to visitors who come to the city for leisure and vacation and for the Oponganons who go to the cemetery to visit their beloved ones,” said Radaza.

In Mandaue City, police also did not meet any report of crimes. Aside from the barangay tanods, volunteer groups like Guardians also assisted the police.

Chief Inspector Jimmy Aquizanda, ground commander of the Mandaue Police Office assigned to supervise personnel at the cemetery, thanked the people for cooperating.

At the cemeteries in Talisay City, police station chief Supt. Eddie Recamara saw only the vendors blocking the entrances to the cemeteries as their problem.

“Gikan sa buntag ug hangtud pagka-udto wala kita’y problemang nasugatan diha sulod sa mga sementeryo sa Talisay pero diha sa karsada paingon ngadto sa publikong sementeryo sa Poblacion ang mga vendor maoy atong problema kay halos nag-ali na kini diha sa agianan,” Recamara said. (We had no problem inside the cemeteries, only at the gates and the roads leading to them which were blocked mostly by vendors.)

As early as 6 a.m. yesterday, the police conducted a dry-run where ambulance from the Talisay Rescue Emergency Action Team (TREAT) and a police patrol car passed the area in cases of emergency.

Around Cebu province, Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador said everything was peaceful as he monitored southern and northern towns. All chiefs of police are required to submit their situation report every two hours.

Comendador said there were only minor vehicular accidents involving motorcycles. Early morning yesterday, some areas in Naga City and in the town of Liloan were congested but the traffic eased by midday.

Comendador deployed one more team of policemen from the CPPO headquarters yesterday at the Cebu South Bus Terminal upon seeing the influx of passengers.

Supt. Julian Entoma, deputy provincial director for operation, told The FREEMAN that eight area supervisors are in place and helping in monitoring the personnel deployed.

All Saints’ Souls’ Day for living and dead

By Ador Vincent Mayol (Reporter)

THE annual observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days serve to remind the living of the need to pray for their departed loved ones so they can enter heaven, the local clergy said yesterday.

“These two days were set by the Catholic Church to remember both the living and dead together,” said Fr. Glenn Therese Guanzon, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocese's Commission on Worship.

The faithful in the Catholic Church belong to three groups - the Church Triumphant, Church Suffering and Church Militant. This unity is referred to when Catholics profess during the Apostles’ Creed: “(I believe in) the communion of saints.”

Souls who reach heaven belong to the “Church Triumphant.” These souls include those who were proclaimed by the Church as saints and those whose sins were completely washed away.

“All Saints’ Day is the feast of the Church triumphant especially the unknown saints not canonized on earth. We celebrate their triumph into heaven and ask their intercession to help us and the Church Suffering,” Guanzon said.

The “Church Suffering” is composed of souls in purgatory who are undergoing cleansing of their sins.

“All Souls Day (Nov. 2) is the day we especially remember the church suffering. We can help them with our prayers and sacrifices,” Guanzon said.

The third group or the “Church Militant” refers to all living human beings.

The living ask the intercession of saints, while the saints, together with the souls in purgatory, pray for the living.

The Church grants plenary indulgences or total absolution of sins to those who visit the cemeteries and pray for the dead on the first eight days of November.

To benefit from this one shoud be in a state of grace by going to confession, attending Mass, and praying the “Our Father,” one “Hail Mary,” and one “Glory Be” for the intention of the Church and the Pope.

Guanzon said the benefits of plenary indulgence are for the living and for souls in purgatory. Souls already in heaven and in hell, however, no longer receive this grace.

Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the archdiocese, said everyone is called to become saints. “It is possible if only we strive hard to become saints,” he said.

To become a saint, Binghay said one should either get martyred because of faith or exemplary exercise of the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Binghay said the elevation to sainthood of Visayan martyr Pedro Calungsod last Oct. 21 convey a message to everyone. ”We should stand firm in our faith even if we will be shakened. God is permanent while the world is changing,” he said.

Msgr. Arthur Navales, chairperson of the archdiocese's Commission on Youth, said saints are not extraordinary creatures.

“To be a saint, you must be a real human being; a person who struggles; and someone who experienced fullness of life,” Navales said. He said each one should recognize the goodness within them.

“Each human being is created in the image and likeness of God. You should maximize whatever the Lord has given you,” Navales said.

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