Lenten insights

It seemed ironic this year that the start of the Lenten season of penance and sacrifice with Ash Wednesay should be followed the next day with the loving concern for The Other, and/or others, and even happy, love theme of Valentine’s Day. Then  it occurred to me that the practices of Lent should awaken us to God’s loving concern for us that culminate with our wakening to Him on Easter Sunday.

It’s  been some time now since I was able to go to Mass in the  morning of Ash Wednesday, particularly now that I have to be accompanied when I leave the house.  But I am fortunate to have whole day access to TV, which is how this Bystander  keeps up with what is happening. So on Ash Wednesday I viewed the coverage of the solemn Mass  at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Pope Benedict and the imposition of ashes on the heads of the present hierarchy and devotees.

The following day, Valentine’s Day, as I briefly mentioned towards the end of my Bystander-ing last week, I was invited by fellow Zontian Felisa Chiongbian to the joint thanksgiving celebration of  Georich Dev’t. Inc.’s 45th anniversary and Georich Livelihood Foundation Inc.’s 16th anniversary  at  the St.Joseph Hall of Sacred Heart Center on  D. Jakosalem Street. Mrs. Chiongbian is a member of the board of directors of  Georich Dev. Inc. Mass was officiated by  Fr. Carmelo Diola.  Among the guests at the reception that followed were fellow members of Zonta I.

Talking about reconnections, I reminded Fr. Diola  that I had attended his first Mass in Cebu after his ordination. I  had been requested to attend by my son Ramon, since Fr. Diola’s brother Carlos, was a co-graduate of  Ramon in Geology. After working for a year with Atlas Mining in Cebu, Carlos retired and took up Medicine, his first love. He took up Geology at  his parents’request. Carlos is now practicing in the States.

Meanwhile, my Ramon, after working as a geologist for PNOC for 25 years and El Nido a number of years, recently decided to migrate to Canada with his family, where they now live. His work is  not in geology, now, but with a construction company. Truly, how times and people’s choices move and change!
On Saturday, the 16th, I attended anticipated Mass for the second week at the Arcenas Mall celebrated again by our Alliance of Two Hearts parish priest, Rev. Fr. Wendell Balbuena.

Yesterday, I attended our Zonta Club of Cebu I General Membership Meeting at the Cebu Country Club, after our noontime lunch there.  The highlight of the meeting was an interesting lecture on the medical benefits of Vitamin D by fellow Zontian Linda Binghay.  It came with  an illustrated, documentary visual presentation that proved highly relevant for most of us women.

Vitamin D, the “Sunshine Vitamin”, was discovered five years ago. The essential vitamin is mainly absorbed directly from sunshine, Vitamin D-rich food including fruits and vegetables, and in available supplementary pills, tablets and in other medical preparations. Vitamin D prevents bone deterioration, rickets, aches and pains. VitaminD also prevents a number of kinds of cancer  and diabetes (both I and II), both worrisome health concerns. Vitamin D  also improves calcium metabolism and increases muscle strength. It also works against cognitive disfunction, forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating as well as sleep disorders. These concerns were relevant to us, mostly maturing and mature Zonta women! Supplements  are best taken in the morning. These are a few of the important points I was able to note down. Linda’s lecture was  warmly applauded. Before we adjourned, we were requested to help think out and plan activities for the  45th anniversary of our Zonta Club of Cebu I in November.

And now for current events.

The forthcoming conclave for the selection of a new Pope after Pope Benedict’s residgnation takes effect on February 28th  may  take place earlier than planned. Speculation has stepped up on who would be the next Pope.

Let me turn  now  to the heated pre-election campaign in the country. Pope Benedict himself has  advised us to choose the best for the country among the numerous candidates.

Personally, I intend to vote for the candidates I believe will be best for our country, not counting their party affiliations that have been so fluid lately. I vote for a candatre, not  for his “party”.

On the Mindanao Sultanate and Sabah issues, I remember  the two years we lived in Jolo, Sulu in the early ‘30’s (that dates me, hmm?). In our Geography lessons, Sabah  was still considered  part of Mindanao.  Our Muslim residents in Jolo frequently travelled to Sabah/Sandakan and Jolo with no restrictions.

Forgive me for this repetition, time certainly flies and the changes that go along with it! Deadlines urgently demand that I conclude here and now, or I don’t  come out today, God forbid!

Until then, as always, may God continue to bless us one and all!