Blessings in trials, ordeals

These are the times that try men’s souls,” so the saying goes, as we are overwhelmed daily with reports of violence, crime and conflict, unearthing of corruption in places high and low, protests and protestations, and political feuds involving verbal attacks (even name-calling) and counterattacks, accusations and counteraccusations. Add to this in Cebu City, the rash of nine fires in the past weeks and another one caused by a lightning bolt in a thunder storm Wednesday night after a torrential rain.

But these times have also brought us blessings, first of all, the election of newly designated Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma last July 15th as president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. This came shortly after he had received the pallium from the Pope in Rome along with other new bishops. And now it is Godsent that at this time, with his spiritual and administrative wisdom, he has brought a peaceful and coolheaded resolution to this rancorous PCSO–Philippine bishops’ misunderstanding and miscommunication. The situation has also clarified the importance of responsible media coverage and reporting, an excess of which has erupted in the current phone hacking scandal hounding the once powerful Murdoch media empire abroad.

Also on July 15, Cebu City was formally declared by the Asean Ministers of Culture and the Arts as the Asean City of Culture for the Creative Industry, which includes architecture, performing arts, visual arts, industrial design, and culinary arts, among others.

Manny Pacquiao has been named the ESPN ESPY “Fighter of the Year” at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. In addition, the southpaw who was elected congressman of Sarangani province in the May 2010 elections, was also named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people in the world in 2009. Manny, who also sings, started hosting this week a new live TV contest program, “Manny Many Prizes.” Through all of this adulation, Manny has never let it go to his head, as he enjoys himself while sharing his enjoyment with others as he entertains them. We pray he stays that way.

Meanwhile, with July having been designated Nutrition Month, our “Women’s Kapihan” over radio dyLA last July 9th centered on the theme “Isulong ang breastfeeding … Tama, Sapat, at Exklusibo.” Our guests were Ms Letlet Mison, regional director of the Regional Nutrition Council, Region 7, and Ms Emma Seville, Nutrition Program Coordinator of the Cebu City Nutrition Council. A lively discussion with our Cebu Women’s Network panel of board members and officers brought out the importance of early breast-feeding from birth to at least six months after birth, not only of adequate nourishment and growth but also for physiological, psychological and financial benefits as well.

July this year has significantly brought me blessings in reunions with family members, especially those who came to Cebu from out of the country, after the bereavements I recently went through with the deaths of my daughter Raquel and my only sister Francisca.

First, with my son-in-law Jing and his children with Raquel, who flew over from San Diego to visit his retired parents and relatives in his hometown, Moalboal. After a brief visit, they took a European tour to visit places Raquel had worked in as a nurse before she got married. Next, my son Antonio and his family flew over from San Diego for the birthday of his mother-in-law in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. They spent the last couple of days of their visit with me before returning to the States. After that, I went back to Moalboal with married nieces Marilou and Imelda to drive around and see familiar and new places in my late husband’s hometown where we used to go during the town fiesta and family get-togethers. What a truly memorable month of July for me this year!

July is also observed in this third week as National Disability and Rehabilitation Week. July 16th was a special religious holiday, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel celebrated in the city at the Carmelite Monastery in Mabolo.

In this truly blessed month of July, we look forward to its final week with added hope and prayers for God’s blessings on us, one and all!