Priest, devotee explains devotion to 'Mama Mary'
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Sept. 9 (PIA) -- One week before the Catholic celebration of the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Cebuano priest and a Marian devotee shared their insights and experiences on the life and miracles of Mother Mary.
During an interview with Msgr. Esteban Binghay, he said “Blessed Virgin Mary is the sole instrument of God to redeem man. Through her, Jesus Christ was born by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Binghay was the guest during the September 1 episode of “Pagtuki,” the official radio program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI).
In its press release, Binghay added that through Saints Joachim and Anne, Mother Mary’s parents she received her training to be the mother of the Messiah.
“Mary was a young Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee. For all eternity, God chose the daughter of Israel to be the mother of His Son.
She was born in order to give birth to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who will redeem mankind. Before contracting the original sin, Jesus bestowed on her the privilege of the immaculate conception,” he said.
Binghay said that in modern times, it is difficult to have faith in a divine and supernatural way. He said that people, especially the youth, should emulate Mother Mary’s faith in God.
“Mary is the model of faith, hope, and charity. She did not questioned God why she was chosen to be the mother of His Son. Mary’s faith was the unique witness of Christ’s reincarnation,” he said, pointing out that people should have purpose in what they do.
Binghay shared that Mother Mary's birth reminds the Christian community to celebrate through attending Mass, going to confession, and doing good deeds, such as helping those in need.
“Mother Mary is not just the mother of Jesus Christ but the mother of all people. Her feast is the beginning of the incarnation, passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Her birth is the beginning of the birth of His Son who was born to be crucified in the cross,” he disclosed.
On the other hand, Roel Sabelano, a devotee, shared that through the miracle of Mother Mary to his family in May 2011, her wife conceived. “We consulted different doctors and did what we can do for us to have a baby," Sabellano shared.
They almost gave up. But his aunt advised them to visit and pray to Our Lady of Simala. "We did not ask for a baby. Instead, we prayed that whatever happens, she will help us along the way," he recalled.
Sabelano said that a month after their visit, his wife miraculously conceived and that was the start of their devotion to Mother Mary.
“Blessed Virgin Mary became the center of our relationship. We became a God-oriented couple. To those who have lost their faith on Mother Mary, you should pray every day for she listens to your prayers,” he said.
The Christian community celebrates the nativity of Mother Mary on September 8. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 & RAFI)
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MGB-7 identifies 33 Sitios in Cebu susceptible to landslides and flooding
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Sept 10 (PIA) -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 said 33 sitios in 17 barangays in Talisay City, Cebu are highly susceptible to landslides and flooding.
The MGB findings and recommendations were given to local government units (LGUs).
Based on the results of the 1:10,000-scale geohazards assessment conducted early this year, 77 percent of the 22 barangays in Talisay City are at high risk to either landslides or flooding.
“Eight sitios in seven barangays are rated high for landslides, and 25 sitios in 12 barangys were flood-prone areas,” said MGB 7 Regional Director Loreto Alburo.
A team of senior geologists composed of Maria Elena Lupo and Josephine Aleta conducted the said four-week assessment last February and March 2012.
The eight sitios with barangays that have high landslide susceptibility rating are: Barangay Proper, Camp 4; Zone 1, Candulawan; Campo 2, Jaclupan; Iba, Lagtang; Caduldulan, Lawaan 3; Barangay Proper, Manipis; and Campos, Purok 7, all in Tapul.
The same assessment indicates the following sitios with barangays for flooding: Proper and Zone 2, Biasong; Zone 2, Candulawan; Barangay Hall Proper, Tugas, Santo Niño, Baybay, and Karomahan, all in Dumlog; Ilang-ilang and Santa Catalina, Lagtang; near San Isidro, Lawaan II; Kasagingan, and Riverside, Lawaan; Lower Linao, Linao Proper, San Miguel, all in Linao; Cabutoy, Dapdap and Sunrise, Pooc, Pangpang, Isla Verde, and Ilang-ilang, San Isidro; San Roque; Rattan, Tangke; and Purok 5, Tapul.
“The geohazard mapping and assessment program is a banner project of DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje as an important component of the government’s risk reduction and disaster management program,” Alburo articulated.
The program involves the identification of areas in the country prone to various geologic hazards like rain-induced landslides, floods, ground subsidence or sinking, coastal degradation and other forms slope instabilities.
“We are now embracing the varied effects of climate change – severe flooding, landslides, drought and we have to adapt to these changes and be ready always,” Alburo added.
He also stressed the need to develop or implement precautionary measures and early warning system to somehow reduce the impacts brought about by these geohazards.(HFG/PIA-7/DENR-7)
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DepEd to hold Nat’l Literacy Conference
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY, Sept 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) and other government organizations, will hold the National Literacy Conference and Awards on September 18 to 20 at Teachers Camp in Baguio City, in celebration of the annual Literacy Week.
Presidential Proclamation No. 239 declared September 2 to 8 of every year as Literacy Week.
This year's theme is “Literacy for Life and a Sustainable Future: Learning Together for the 21st Century,” which is in line with the priority agenda of the United nations Literacy Decade (UNLD) for 2011-2012 geared towards literacy and peace.
A statement from the LCC said the conference and awards aims to share good practices in universalization of literacy programs and in reaching out to the marginalized members of the community and to discuss innovations and practices in promoting literacy for sustainable development.
It also intends to promote peace concepts and good models of conflict-resolution, disaster management and climate change; and to recognize the best practices for implementing literacy programs or projects that alleviates poverty, provide livelihood, address welfare needs, promote freedom and make education facilities accessible.
Considered one of the highlights of this year’s conference is the giving of recognition and awards to top five winners of the Search for Outstanding Implementers of the National Literacy Programs or Projects in the country.
Chosen winners through their exemplary accomplishments in literacy development through their programs and projects are from the local government units’ Highly Urbanized City, Independent Component City, Municipal Level Class A and Municipal Level Class B categories.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma has directed all regional directors of the Philippine Information Agency and other agencies under PCOO to act as front liners in information dissemination by providing, promoting and supporting the publicity measures of the event.
Coloma also pushed agencies under the PCOO to encourage the participation of literacy program stakeholders, more so the local government executives and concerned advocates from non-government organizations in the regions.
This is a live-in conference wherein participants are requested to register on September 18, between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Each participant will be charged a registration fee of P5,000 to cover expenses for board and lodging, handouts, kits and other workshop supplies and materials. Participants will have to pay in cash only for their registration fee.
It is the requested that the names of the participants will be forwarded to Norma L. Salcedo , Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) Secretariat Head at Room 413 4th Floor Mabini Building, DepEd Complex Meralco Ave., Pasig City.
The secretariat can be reached through telefax no: (02) 631-0590 or at telephone nos.: (02) 631- 0579; (02) 631-0567; (02) 635-9996; or at mobile phone no. 0920-327-4230 not later than September 12 or participants might as well send a message through e-mail address: lcc@lcc.deped.gov.ph. (MBN/FCR/AYS/AAS-PIA7 Cebu)