Signs of the times

These are the (changing) times that try men’s souls,” goes a line remembered (and now modified) from years ago in a literature class years ago. It still rings true these days. For one, the subject of the weather, which used to be the opener for casual conversations before, has now become a major concern worldwide.

Former American vice president Al Gore’s book “An Inconvenient Truth” (which I first read in a trip to the States some years ago), first called an unconcerned world’s attention to the subject of global warming, now referred to as climate change. Then, in his 1992 book, “Earth in the Balance,” he wrote that talk of adapting to climate change would “distract laziness from necessary efforts” to work and act against global warming.

But then later, in his 2013 book “The Future,” he bluntly wrote: “I was wrong.” He talked about how coping with rising seas and temperatures (which we are now faced with) is just as important as trying to prevent global warming by cutting emissions. And government officials worldwide now say that as they work on curbing carbon emissions, “they also have to deal with a reality that is already here.” And herein lies “the key to how to survive.” So internationally and now locally, media reports that rising sea waters are now threatening our coastal cities and towns, particularly in our archipelagic country. Some reports also target human responsibility in properly disposing of modern day non-biodegradable trash or garbage now clogging our natural waterways that overflow to flood our towns and cities.

But beyond these human-aggravated disasters, including current frequent deforestation and careless forest fires, as well as those in crowded informal settlements, and natural disasters like the whirlwind/tornado that hit Minglanilla and Talisay City the other day. The live coverage on TV and press photos of it the following day reminded me of personally viewing a number of such tornadoes seen on the far horizon from a car driving in a thunderstorm in Texas with my daughter there some years ago. Then recent reports here in Cebu also mention a couple of fatal lightning strikes during a thunder storm.

And now from Philippine history, Wednesday last week, June 12th, the nation witnessed through mass media, the Independence Day flag-raising ceremonies led by Senate President Franklin Drilon at the historic Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite. There, General Emilio Aguinaldo had declared Philippine Independence from Spain 115 years ago.

From continuing research, print media, among which is the Philippine Daily Inquirer published last June 12th more information on the development from 1898 of our Philippine National Anthem to what it is today, and in the evolution of the Philippine Flag. Also, that some Rizal monuments situated globally, include those in New Jersey in the States, Fujian in China, Lima in Peru, Litomerice in the Czech Republic, Madrid in Spain, Seattle in Washington, Sydney in Australia, San Diego in California, and in Singapore. While last Sunday, June 16th, Senator Edgardo Angara unveiled a bust of Rizal in Cadiz, the oldest town in Spain.

Significantly, Dr. Jose Rizal was remembered last Wednesday, June 19th, his birth anniversary.

So much has happened and continues to happen since last week. There was Independence Day observance, public and private schools reopened to implement the new K to 12 curriculum, and with the current difficult weather and environmental conditions, things are in a state of flux. Let me leave you to keep up with fast-changing developments reported on by mass media.

Last Saturday, June 15th, we held our Cebu Council Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) monthly SSC meeting at the El Salvador Beach Resort in barangay Sabang, Danao City. Business taken up included statistics on current membership and fees, as well as honorary, trefoil and associate memberships, campaigns on organization of troops and district committee registration. We also discussed our tentative calendar of activities for 2013 to 2014, and a one-day district level training.

Most importantly, details were discussed for a major fund development project memorializing the Diamond Jubilee Project for the 2012 to 2015 Triennium. The end output of this will be a yearbook to be distributed during the jubilee celebration in 2015. Also, initial plans for a Northern Luzon Tour for the Coucil were taken up to conclude what was a pleasant and profitable GSP meeting seaside meeting.

On the religious front, Pope Francis has confirmed his approval of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Cebu City on Jan. 15 to 31, 2016, with the theme, “Christ in you, our hope of glory.”

To remember, June 13th was the memorial of St. Anthony of Padua. Then we celebrated Father’s Day last Sunday, June 16th so happy day belatedly to all fathers!

Yesterday, we held our monthly meeting of our Zonta Club of Cebu I at the Cebu Country Club.While tomorrow, I look forward to attending the annual Cebu Normal University alumni homecoming that I have not been to for some years now. The institution was my alma mater from when it was he Cebu Nomal School. Bystander reports on this and other happenings next week.

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