A huge Baptist knocks Medvedev
Castellón Roberto Bautista defeated Russian first-choice Daniel Medvedev to reach the semi-finals of the Miami Masters 1000 with a 4-6 2-6 victory, after one hour.....»»
Beware of terror’s seduction
Major league media spanning the world have fallen prey to the sweet seduction of the ratings game to forget about disseminating the truth, which is what journalism is all about. Terrorist forces have proven themselves adept in the art of deception that it lured the eminent The New York Times, or NYT, with its lies. Among the most prominent American newspapers, NYT, to its credit, issued an unprecedented “editorial note” admitting that a story it ran on the bombing of a Gaza hospital “left readers with an ‘incorrect impression,’” saying that its staff should have been more careful in the initial presentation of information and in explaining what could be verified. NYT had prominently and repeatedly featured Hamas’s claim that an Israeli airstrike caused last week’s blast at Gaza City’s al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. The note it issued on Monday acknowledged that its coverage should have been more journalistically rigorous. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza immediately blamed the 17 October explosion on an Israeli airstrike amid the war that erupted when the Palestinian terror group killed over 1,400 people in Israel in its assault on 7 October. Hamas provided no evidence to back up its false claim or for its claim that hundreds had been killed, but international media, including the NYT, swallowed the claims hook, line, and sinker. Shortly after, Israel produced evidence showing the explosion was caused by a failed rocket launch from Gaza by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group, an assessment endorsed by the United States, which has said it has data that supports this. NYT admitted that its initial reports “relied too heavily on claims by Hamas and did not make clear that those claims could not immediately be verified. The report left readers with an incorrect impression about what was known and how credible the account was.” In Britain, the BBC and other media outlets were also criticized by government lawmakers for rushing to report the Hamas version of events. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the House of Commons last week, “We don’t treat what comes out of the Kremlin as the gospel truth; we should not do the same with Hamas.” In the war coverage, it must be clear there is no moral equivalence between Israel, a legitimate democracy, and Hamas, a terrorist organization that employs lies as a weapon. Media reports often frame both sides as being equivalent and engaged in a tit-for-tat. Hamas is the de facto ruler of the Gaza Strip, but major democracies consider it a terror organization. Israel, as a free and democratic sovereign state, does everything to minimize civilian casualties, while Hamas is an Iran-backed terrorist group that openly seeks the destruction of Israel and actively hunts Israeli civilians to murder or abduct. It deliberately fires projectiles into civilian areas to kill as many Israelis as possible. Israel’s military specifically targets Hamas infrastructure, such as rocket launchers and production facilities, terrorist headquarters, terror tunnels, weapons warehouses, and senior terror leaders. Israel employs a tactic known as “roof knocking,” which warns civilians to evacuate a building through text messages and phone calls before targeting it for destruction. In contrast, the American Jewish Committee said Hamas deliberately puts Palestinian civilians in harm’s way. Hamas fires rockets and stores weapons in civilian areas, including around homes, schools, offices, mosques and hospitals. Hamas staged a large-scale incursion into southern Israel on 7 October during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, where over 600 Israelis were murdered. Often, the conflict with Hamas and other terrorist groups, such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, is framed as a dispute between Israelis and Palestinians. Any coverage of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad must mention that both terror groups are armed, trained, and financially supported by Iran. While its origins are with the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas has been funded, armed, and trained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps since the early 1990s. Equating Israel with Hamas would provide legitimacy to the use of terror tactics, which most nations have vowed never to consider as a subject of negotiation. The post Beware of terror’s seduction appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Israel urges evacuation of Gaza hospital, five schools: aid groups
Israel warned humanitarian groups in the Gaza Strip on Friday to evacuate a major hospital and five schools ahead of a potential strike, aid agencies said. The Al-Quds Hospital is in northern Gaza, which has borne the brunt of Israeli air raids since Hamas staged their biggest ever attacks on Israel on October 7. The Palestine Red Crescent launched an "urgent appeal" saying it had "received a threat from the occupying authorities to bombard Al-Quds Hospital". The Israeli warning "demanded" the hospital's evacuation, which would affect more than 400 patients and 12,000 displaced people who have sought "safe haven", the group said. "We call upon the international community to take immediate and urgent action to prevent another massacre similar to what occurred at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital," the statement added. A rocket attack on the Al-Ahli hospital killed hundreds of people, Gaza's Hamas authorities said. Hamas blamed Israeli jets, while Israel blamed misdirected fire by militants inside Gaza. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said in parallel that Israel had told it to evacuate five schools "as fast as possible". All of the schools are in Gaza City, close to the hospital. "We did what we could to protest and reject this decision, but this means that from now these facilities are no longer safe," said an UNRWA statement, calling on thousands of people in and around the hospitals to flee. The Red Crescent said last Saturday that it had received a similar evacuation order for Al-Quds Hospital. Palestinian media said a rocket attack hit near the hospital on Wednesday. Gaza authorities say more than 4,100 people have been killed in Israeli raids since the Hamas attacks that left 1,400 people dead. The attacks were the worst suffered by Israel since its creation 75 years ago. The post Israel urges evacuation of Gaza hospital, five schools: aid groups appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Shun mass protests in Egypt
Filipinos in Egypt have been advised to avoid joining any protests following the mass demonstrations, denouncing the bombing of a hospital in the Gaza Strip that reportedly killed at least 500 civilians. In an advisory, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt cautioned Filipinos against joining the random demonstrations and planned mass actions. “The Philippine Embassy in Cairo advises everyone to exercise caution, keep away from mass congregations, and stay home unless necessary,” it said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are 1,990 Filipinos in Egypt. Egyptians took to the streets to express their anger over the bombing of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, which left hundreds of Palestinians dead. In one of the demonstrations, a Palestinian flag was raised while an Israeli flag was burned. The demonstrations came after Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called on Egyptians to express solidarity with the Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war. This developed as top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Friday denounced the ongoing war in the Middle East. End bloodshed In a statement, the foreign ministers of the 10-member regional bloc called for an immediate end to the bloodshed. “We strongly condemn the acts of violence which have led to the deaths and injuries of civilians, including ASEAN nationals,” the foreign ministers said. “We urge the immediate end of violence to avoid further human casualties and call for the full respect of international humanitarian law,” it added. Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are engaged in armed conflict following the surprise attack launched by the terror group on Israel last 7 October. The attack by Hamas has left more than 1,400 dead, most of them massacred on the first day of the assault. Meanwhile, the widespread airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have reportedly left at least 3,478 dead. ASEAN also called on “all parties to create safe, rapid and unimpeded passages of human corridors.” Last week, Israel imposed a 24-hour deadline for 1.1 million civilians to evacuate northern Gaza ahead of its ground offensive in the Palestinian territory. Since then, millions of civilians, including foreign nationals, have scrambled to move from northern Gaza to southern Gaza in hopes of exiting the war-torn territory. The bulk of civilians are swarming to the Rafah border in an attempt to enter Egypt despite the border remaining closed and the restricted availability of food, water and electricity. Two-state solution Meanwhile, ASEAN reaffirmed its support for a “negotiated two-state solution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side in peace and security consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.” “This will be the only viable path to resolving the root cause of the conflict,” it said. The regional bloc also called on the “international community to support the peace process in order to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.” “We have issued our respective national statements on the escalation of armed conflicts in the Middle East,” it said. On Wednesday, the Philippines, one of the founding members of ASEAN, expressed its “profound sadness” over the bombing of a hospital in the Gaza Strip, which reportedly killed at least 500 civilians. Israel and Hamas denied being behind the attack and blamed each other for the bombing. The Philippines said all parties should “do their utmost to protect civilians in times of war and armed conflict.” “We support efforts of the United Nations to provide humanitarian relief in the conflict areas,” it said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are 135 Filipinos in the Hamas-controlled Gaza. Deep concern In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is attending the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, the Chief Executive expressed deep concern over the rising number of victims and the safety of those affected by the conflict. In his intervention during the 1st ASEAN-GCC Summit here on Friday, Marcos said, “All parties (should) exert their utmost efforts to de-escalate the situation, stop all violence, and engage in dialogue and diplomacy.” He called on the members of the GCC and ASEAN to work together to promote peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea. Marcos also underscored the importance of cooperation between member countries of the two regional groups to ensure their continued prosperity. “As the two regional organizations located astride the major sea gates and vital corridors of the world’s commerce and communications, it is imperative that we work together to promote peace, security, and stability in both our regions, the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea, grounded on the rules-based international order to ensure the stability and prosperity of our countries and the rest of the world,” Marcos said. “Peace and stability are indispensable to ensuring continued prosperity in our respective regions and the world,” he added. The six GCC member countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while the 10 ASEAN member countries are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. President Marcos attended the ASEAN-GCC Summit, where he discussed business opportunities in the Philippines and urged investors to invest in the Maharlika Investment Fund, among other significant opportunities in the Philippines. The post Shun mass protests in Egypt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CCTV footage leads to ‘lookout,’ Baptist bishop in Cagayan de Oro murder case
Documents show that a key witness identified an associate of Bishop Dimver Andales as the alleged lookout in CCTV footage obtained by the police.....»»
Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, and anger grows
The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century ticked towards 100 Sunday, fueling criticism that government inaction contributed to the heavy loss of life. At least 96 people were confirmed to have died as of Sunday night, but officials warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs work their way through hundreds of homes and burned-out vehicles in Lahaina. The historic coastal town on the island of Maui was almost destroyed by the fast-moving inferno early Wednesday morning, with survivors saying there had been no warnings. When asked Sunday why none of the island's sirens had been activated, Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said she would wait for the results of an investigation announced by the state's attorney general. "I'm not going to make any excuses for this tragedy," Hirono, a Democrat, told CNN's "State of the Union." "We are really focused, as far as I'm concerned, on the need for rescue, and, sadly, the location of more bodies." More than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless. "The remains we're finding are from a fire that melted metal," said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. "When we pick up the remains... they fall apart." That was making identification difficult, he added, appealing for those with missing relatives to give DNA samples that might speed up the process. Pelletier said cadaver dogs still had a vast area to search in the hunt for what could still be hundreds of people who are unaccounted for. "We're going as fast as we can. But just so you know, three percent -- that's what's been searched with the dogs," he said. Questions over alert system The wildfire is the deadliest in the United States since 1918, when 453 people died in Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to nonprofit research group the National Fire Protection Association. The death toll surpassed 2018's Camp Fire in California, which virtually wiped the small town of Paradise off the map and killed 86 people. Questions are being asked about how prepared authorities were for the catastrophe, despite the islands' exposure to natural hazards such as tsunamis, earthquakes and violent storms. In its emergency management plan last year, the State of Hawaii described the risk wildfires posed to people as being "low." Yet the layers of warning that are intended to buffer a citizenry if disaster strikes appear not to have operated. Maui suffered numerous power outages during the crisis, preventing many residents from receiving emergency alerts on their cell phones. No emergency sirens sounded and many Lahaina residents spoke of learning about the blaze from neighbors running down the street or seeing it for themselves. "The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack," resident Vilma Reed, 63, told AFP. "You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us." Reed, whose house was destroyed by the blaze, said she was dependent on handouts and the kindness of strangers, and was sleeping in a car with her daughter, grandson and two cats. The New York Times reported Sunday that firefighters sent to tackle the flames found some hydrants had run dry. "There was just no water in the hydrants," the paper quoted firefighter Keahi Ho as saying. Roadblocks The congregation of Grace Baptist Church, which was leveled in the blaze, gathered Sunday in a coffee shop in Kahului for two hours of solace. Pastor Arza Brown led the service in his sandals, the only shoes that survived the blaze that destroyed his house. But the trappings of ministry were far from his mind as he comforted fellow evacuees. "That's one thing about getting together today -- just to be with each other and encourage each other," he said. For some survivors, the difficult days after the tragedy were being worsened by what they see as official intransigence, with roadblocks preventing them from getting back to their homes. Maui police said the public would not be allowed into Lahaina while safety assessments and searches were ongoing -- even some of those who could prove they lived there. Maui's fires follow other extreme weather events in North America this summer, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. Scientists say human-caused global warming is exacerbating natural hazards, making them both more likely and more deadly. The post Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, and anger grows appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New twists in lethal mushroom mystery grip Australia
A mushroom mystery gripping Australia began to unravel Monday, with an amateur cook saying she accidentally put lethal fungi in a beef Wellington dish now linked to three deaths. Rumors are swirling around a close-knit community in rural Australia after a family mushroom lunch ended with three people dead and a local preacher fighting for his life. Police believe the dish was tainted with "death cap" mushrooms, which grow freely in the rolling foothills surrounding Leongatha -- a small town about two hours' drive southeast of Melbourne. The meal was cooked by community newsletter editor Erin Patterson, who has been named as a suspect because she appeared to remain in good health despite her four guests falling violently ill. The investigation has fueled intense speculation as police try to separate clumsy cooking from an alleged act of malice. Patterson stressed on Monday she had unwittingly brought the mushrooms from an Asian grocery store and that the poisonings were accidental. "I am now devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones," she reportedly said in a statement provided to Australian media. "I really want to repeat that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people whom I loved." Patterson prepared the beef Wellington for her estranged parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson on the afternoon of Saturday, July 29. She was married to Don and Gail's son Simon but the couple had been living separately for some time. Local Baptist pastor Ian Wilkinson and his wife Heather rounded out the guest list. Later that night the two couples started experiencing food poisoning symptoms and, with their health rapidly deteriorating, they sought the help of doctors at local hospitals. Heather and Gail died the following Friday, Don died the day after that, and 70-year-old Ian is still clinging to life in a critical but stable condition. "We are hopeful and continue to pray for his recovery," Ian's family said in a statement over the weekend. "We are deeply moved by the outpouring of kindness, prayers, and support from family, friends and the broader community." 'I'm devastated' Forensic experts have been testing a food dehydrator that was found at a rubbish dump nearby to see whether it contains traces of the toxic death cap mushrooms. According to Australian media, Patterson has admitted dumping the dehydrator -- saying she panicked and was worried about losing custody of her two children. She reportedly said she bought the mushrooms from a local grocery store in Melbourne and that she too had fallen ill after eating them alongside her guests. Patterson has forcefully protested her innocence, tearfully telling reporters last week that "I didn't do anything, I love them and I'm devastated they are gone". She has not been charged and police have provided no evidence of wrongdoing. Death cap mushrooms sprout freely throughout wet, warm parts of Australia and are easily mistaken for edible varieties. They reportedly taste sweeter than other types of mushrooms but possess potent toxins that slowly poison the liver and kidneys. The post New twists in lethal mushroom mystery grip Australia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quiapo Church now a national shrine
Quiapo Church, formally known as St. John the Baptist Parish, has been elevated to the status of a national shrine, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has announced......»»
Where have all the forests gone?
Today’s degraded forest reflects a history of logging and abandonment,” wrote Peter Walpole, Environmental Science for Social Change executive director, in his introduction to the 242-page book Forest Faces: Hopes and Regrets in Philippine Forestry, published jointly by the regional office of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the ESSC. The first nationwide forest inventory, completed in 1969, found that only 10.4 million hectares of forest remained out of the 17 million hectares that used to occupy the Philippines’ land area of 30 million hectares. By 1980, only about 7.5 million hectares of forest were left. At the end of 1990, only 6.64 million remained. Most of those considered “old-growth forest” were confined to steep and very steep areas and were not often accessible. In 1995, the country barely had 5.6 million hectares (less than 19 percent of the land area) of forest cover. “For at least 20 years now, we have this forest crisis which has been getting worse every year,” Dr. J.A.V. Revilla, then a visiting professor at the Forestry Development Center of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, told participants of a conference organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology. “At the rate we are re-establishing forest cover during the last 20 years, it would take us 250 years to reforest (the country),” Revilla lamented. “That is assuming that forest cover loss stops immediately and that we finally become effective in our reforestation efforts.” In the past, forest resources helped fuel the economy. In the 1970s, the Philippines was touted as the prima donna of world timber exporters. Today, it is considered “a wood pauper,” to quote the words of multiawarded journalist Juan Mercado. Aside from logging (whether legal or illegal), other causes of deforestation in the Philippines are forest fires, kaingin farming (slash-and-burn agriculture) and mining operations. Volcanic eruptions and typhoons have also devastated some of the country’s tropical rainforests, along with the growth of cities. The removal of forest cover has bolstered soil erosion in the uplands. “Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation — far worse than any outside enemy coming into a country and conquering it because it is an enemy you cannot see vividly,” said Harold Ray Watson, 1985 Ramon Magsaysay awardee for international understanding. “It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.” As a result, food production is jeopardized. “The loss of nutrient-rich soil reduces crop yields and contributes to the expanded use of chemical fertilizers — a practice that can, in turn, pollute water resources,” said Jethro P. Adang, the director of Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center. “Rivers and streams also carry eroded soil to the coasts, where it interferes with fish nursery areas.” But that’s not all. “Extensive soil erosion has resulted in the siltation of waterbeds, reservoirs and dams, in the process shortening their productive life spans,” said Dr. Germelito Bautista of the Ateneo de Manila University. Dr. Percy Sajise, then the director of the Southeast Asia Regional Center for Agricultural Graduate Studies, said the deforestation problem cannot be solved unless the root cause — man’s greed — is addressed. “Past lessons showed that if only the technical and economic aspects were to be considered and the spiritual dimension would be missed, efforts would not last but fail,” Sajise said. “No matter how beautifully written the (government) policies and the programs are, if people do not change, then they will be of no use — they will fail later on.” Reforestation has been singled out as one of the factors that could lessen the impact of climate change. Forests contain 40 percent of all stored carbon, more than any other terrestrial ecosystem, and thus help buffer against global warming. Land-use change — of which tropical deforestation is the most significant component — was responsible for roughly 20 percent of human-induced carbon emissions during the 1990s. “A people without children would face a hopeless future,” American President Theodore Roosevelt once said. “A country without trees is almost as helpless.” The post Where have all the forests gone? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Holding off tradition
San Juan in Metro Manila woke up last Saturday to a gloomy scene on its streets, surprised that the revelry that marked previous years was nowhere to be found. Gone was the splashing of water among its residents that has become a tradition to look forward to and has come to be known as the “Watta Watta Festival.” The feast holds immense significance and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. St. John the Baptist is the patron saint of the city, and the local community takes pride in honoring him on this day. The feast serves as an occasion for the community to come together, strengthening social bonds and fostering a sense of unity and belonging. Last Saturday, however, was different as the city lost its Vice Mayor, Warren Villa to natural causes a week before it was to celebrate the festival. In deference, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, a close friend of Villa, issued an executive order declaring June 19 to 25 as a week-long period of mourning. During this period, all city events and celebrations, including the yearly “Watta Watta Festival,” were suspended as a sign of respect for Villa. The event, which staged a return only last year, following a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, commemorates the birth of John the Baptist, a central figure in Christian tradition. St. John the Baptist is revered as a prophet and a messenger, known for baptizing Jesus in the River Jordan. His role in heralding the coming of Christ has made him a revered figure in the Catholic Church and many other Christian denominations. One of the most distinctive aspects of the Feast of St. John the Baptist in San Juan is the water splashing tradition or what residents call the “Basaan Festival.” This tradition originated from the belief that water has purifying and healing properties, symbolizing the cleansing of sins and the renewal of faith. On this day, people gather in the streets, armed with buckets, hoses and water guns, ready to douse each other with water in a lighthearted and joyous manner. The tradition is not only a playful activity but also carries deep symbolism. It represents the washing away of impurities and the start of a new spiritual journey. It is believed that by participating in this tradition, individuals are cleansed of their sins and protected from evil. The ritualistic nature of the water splashing enhances the religious and cultural significance of the celebration. The water splashing festival fosters a sense of camaraderie and unity within the community. People from all walks of life, irrespective of age or social status, join in the festivities. The laughter, excitement and friendly water fights create an atmosphere of joy and celebration. The event often extends beyond the streets, with music, dances, parades and street food further enhancing the festive spirit. The post Holding off tradition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pat Robertson, who made Christian right a political force, dead at 93
Pat Robertson, the soft-spoken televangelist who helped make America's Christians a powerful political force while demonizing liberals, feminists, and gays as sinners, died Thursday at the age of 93, his organization announced. The longtime host of "The 700 Club" on his huge Christian Broadcasting Network and one-time presidential candidate died at his home in Virginia Beach, according to a network statement. Robertson promoted "a worldview that believes in the inerrancy of the Bible," CBN said. "Today, his influence and legacy crisscross interests and industries that have broken barriers for countless Christian leaders and laypeople." Broadcasting "The 700 Club" daily since 1966, the avuncular Robertson promoted a literal belief in "end of times" prophecies of the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel that forecast the destruction of the world to become a Christian paradise. In practice, he advocated for an extremely conservative Christianity focused on "traditional" families and a country founded on the Bible, rejecting the longstanding US principle of separation of church and state. He defined the world as riven by an epochal fight between Islam and Christianity, and meanwhile spearheaded US Christian support for Israel as the land of the "chosen" Jewish people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once called Robertson "a tremendous friend of Israel and a tremendous friend of mine." But he also drew loathing from progressives with his condemnations of feminism and LQBTQ culture as destroying America. His powerful support in 2016 for Donald Trump -- arguably helping seal Trump's presidential victory -- further widened the cultural chasm dividing the country. Marine, lawyer, minister Robertson was born on 22 March 1930 in Lexington, Virginia, the son of a conservative Democratic member of the US House of Representatives and then the Senate for 34 years. After graduating from Virginia's Washington and Lee University, in 1948 he joined the US Marines, serving in Korea. He then graduated from Yale Law School, was ordained a Baptist minister, and in short order launched in 1961 what became the massive CBN empire from a small television station in Tidewater Virginia. After CBN's early financial struggles, he named "The 700 Club" for an early core of 70 supporters who pledged $10 each month. The program mixed news, spiritual and lifestyle stories along with interviews of public figures, and became a hit, especially in rural communities across the country. That made it a mainstream stop for political candidates courting Christian voters: guests included Republican Ronald Reagan and Democrat Jimmy Carter. Robertson expanded into other media businesses, launching what became the popular, conservative "Family Channel" on cable television, and the influential Christian-based Regent University in Virginia Beach. Push into politics In 1987, he launched the Christian Coalition, seeking to bring together different Christian denominations as a force for the conservative values he espoused. Ever since, the organization has been at the forefront of the US culture wars, pressuring Congress and the White House on moral and religious issues such as abortion and the separation of church and state. In 1990, he launched the American Center for Law and Justice, a legal lobby to advance Christian religious rights against secularism in the courts. Robertson himself sought political office, running unsuccessfully in the Republican presidential primary in 1988. But what he built had a lasting impact: a conservative Christian voter bloc instrumental in bringing Trump to power and still exercising enormous influence over the Republican Party. "He shattered the stained glass window," TD Jakes, a Dallas pastor said in CBN's statement. "People of faith were taken seriously beyond the church house and into the White House." Controversies But there were controversies along the way. He courted Democratic Republic of the Congo dictator Mobutu Sese Seko and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, hoping to convert their countries to Christian states where gay people were banned -- while investing in diamond mining in a deal with Mobutu. In 2001, as America reeled from the September 11 attacks, Robertson endorsed the view that tolerance for lesbians, gays, and doctors carrying out abortions had drawn God's wrath on the country. In 2005, he called for the United States to assassinate then-Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war," he quipped on "The 700 Club." And last year, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "compelled by God" to attack Ukraine because it was predicted in the Book of Ezekiel as a step toward the end of times. Washington's political establishment was remarkably quiet Thursday in response to Robertson's death. Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, said Robertson "touched so many lives and changed so many hearts." "He stood for America -- and more importantly, for truth and faith," she said. But on the left, there was little sympathy. "Robertson's death doesn't mean we must overlook his long record of extremist rhetoric," wrote Rob Boston of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "Robertson spent most of his time spreading hate, conspiracy theories, and lies," he said. The post Pat Robertson, who made Christian right a political force, dead at 93 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quiapo Church now Archdiocesan Shrine
Quiapo Church, officially known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene-Saint John the Baptist Church in Quiapo, Manila, now has the status of an “Archdiocesan Shrine” by the Archdiocese of Manila, the church administration revealed on Wednesday. “We hereby decree that the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene-St. John the Baptist Parish be conferred the title of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene,” the decree issued 10 May reads, signed by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula. According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, archdiocesan shrines are intended for churches with “historical significance, prayer and pilgrimage for a special reason of piety.” Indeed, Quiapo Church had already existed in various forms of architecture since the 1570s, but the current church structure was built in 1933, with a significant expansion project in 1984. The Church is also home to the statue of Jesus, the Black Nazarene, whose feast on 9 January has been a highly popular occasion, mainly due to the Traslacion or the transfer of the image to Quiapo Church that generates huge crowds of devotees publicly demonstrating their devotion. Following the announcement, members of the Quiapo Church clergy held private and public eucharistic celebrations, including a noontime Mass where Father Rufino Sescon Jr., parish priest, said that the declaration is a way of introducing the Black Nazarene to the nation and the world. “This journey is a way for us to give our reverence to Jesus of Nazareth, and if He’ll be offering to us this blessing, what we did is the first step in giving praises to Jesus of Nazareth. Let us pray for the day that we could introduce Him more so that we could further declare and celebrate Him to the Filipino nation and the world,” Sescon said in his homily. The said decree indicated that Sescon and the Quiapo Church community petitioned for the Archdiocesan status of the church, adding that the church will be given “all the rights and privileges as embodied in the statutes which we also approve at the same time.” The post Quiapo Church now Archdiocesan Shrine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Al Sharpton leads funeral for homeless man choked on New York subway
US civil rights activist Al Sharpton gave a eulogy Friday at the funeral for Jordan Neely, a homeless man who died after he was put into a chokehold by a Marine veteran on the New York City subway earlier this month. Before hundreds of mourners including Neely's family and New York City congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sharpton led a public outpouring of grief for Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator who often performed on the train. Neely, Sharpton said, had been "choked most of his adult life." "He is an example of how you're choking the homeless, you're choking the mentally ill," he told those gathered at Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem. Neely's death on May 1, which was caught on camera, has launched a reckoning on healthcare and public safety in New York. It brought into sharp focus two burning issues in America's biggest city and financial capital -- mental illness among those living on the streets, and residents' fears for their safety on the underground. The video showed Neely on the ground of a subway train as Penny is seen holding him around the neck for several minutes in front of a few onlookers. Witnesses said Penny allegedly restrained Neely after the latter was screaming at passengers for food and drink and said he was willing to die. The 30-year-old was reportedly not physically threatening anyone, and family and friends have told media that he had a history of mental illness, like many living on the streets in the city of almost nine million residents. Penny has been charged with manslaughter in the second degree and released on bail. A crowdfunding effort to support him has raised more than $1.6 million on a platform known for facilitating funding of far-right figures. The post Al Sharpton leads funeral for homeless man choked on New York subway appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage is an overt manifestation of one’s religious and spiritual devotion to one’s creed. There are people whose devotion is pure and strong. You see this in all religions. They walk the extra mile to perform arcane rituals enjoined by their religion. Distance is no issue. They literally climb mountains and sail the “seven seas” to observe the injunction. What divine force pushes them? When we were about to take the bar examination some of our Christian batchmates talked in a whisper about seeking help from the St. John the Baptist Parish Church or Quiapo Church, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. They heard of testimonies about the magical power of the Church which grants prayers for success, providence, and healing which would-be bar takers can do with. Another shrine frequented by pilgrims is the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Manaoag, Pangasinan. Pilgrims coming from afar flock to the Church because of its divine healing power and many other accounts of the grant of miraculous benefits. There are many other shrines in various places in the country that are visited by pilgrims who seek relief from disease, poverty and hardship. Catholics who are financially able, visit the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Holy City of Rome, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. The claim of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Bosnian village Medjugorje testified to by many adherents is drawing thousands of devotees from different parts of the globe. Other religions have their own places of worship or shrines visited regularly by devotees. The Muslims have them. I write this article having in mind the Haj season for World Muslims which kicks off next month. They will flock to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Madinah, where Masjid el Haram, the holiest shrine, and Masjed el Nabawe, the 2nd holiest mosque, are located, respectively. Ironically, the 3rd holiest mosque, Masjed el Aqsa is in Jerusalem. The principal difference between Muslims and other religious devotees performing pilgrimage is that in the former, the Haj pilgrimage is obligatory during their lifetime while the latter do it voluntarily and mostly part of a religious tour for leisure and pleasure. It’s pure unadulterated devotion for Muslim pilgrims performing Haj. Also, Muslims perform it on a specific date and time in the Lunar calendar while non-Muslim pilgrims do it anytime in their own free time. Moreover, there are specific arcane rituals that had to be observed imitating what Prophet Muhammad PBUH and Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham to non-Muslims) did during their lifetime. Performing the Haj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam along with belief in Allah SWT and His Messenger Muhammad PBUH, five times a day prayers, payment of zakat or alms-giving, and fasting during Holy Ramadhan. Islam, however, exempts those physically disabled and senile persons with health issues and those who are not financially capable. This accounts for the fact that millions of Muslims annually troop to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. How the Kingdom could manage millions of devotees performing Haj and Umrah pilgrimages is one for the books. As host, it had to provide security, housing, and easy access to the Shrines along with managing the horrendous human traffic and other imperatives needed by the annual gathering. It is no mean feat to gather a multi-racial and ethnolinguistic throng in one place on a specific day and time without any major mischance happening. While there were few and far accidents before, they were manageable and had not marred the performance of the pilgrimage. It is likewise a wonder how the Kingdom managed to modernize the housing, transport, medical, and security system for the pilgrimage without violating the holiness of the places of worship. Mecca has been transformed from one oasis in a huge desert land into a metropolis with high-rise hotels and structures, including state of an art transport system connecting the twin Holy Cities of Mecca and Madinah specifically constructed to cater to pilgrims. The Kingdom has lived up to its name as the capital of Islam. And the world Muslims cannot but express appreciation for the labor of His Majesty King Salman ibn Abdelaziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for walking the extra mile to make the experience of Muslim pilgrims a lifetime fulfillment. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Pilgrimage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Patron saint of Catholic teachers
St. John Baptist de La Salle was born in Rheims, France on April 30, 1651......»»
‘National Baptist Day’ idineklara sa Pasay
MANILA, Philippines – Inaprubahan ng Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Pasay ang resolusyon na nagdedeklara ng isang Special Working Holiday ang tuwing ikalawang Huwebes ng Enero sa bawat taon bilang National Baptist Day upang mabigyan ng rekognisyon ang mga nagawang kontribusyon ng Baptist Church sa lungsod. Ipinasa ng City Council ang Resolution No. 6335, S-203 at nilagdaan […] The post ‘National Baptist Day’ idineklara sa Pasay appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
Balik-Tanaw | Jesus revealed
Before a revelation, there was a promise. There was a promise about the light- the true light that gives light to everyone who is coming into the world. John the Baptist testified about this. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. There was a promise of a Messiah, which John the Baptist testified, and denied it was him – for a greater man that comes before him will come. These we can see in the prior verses 1-28 of the gospel of John, before the text for this lectionary. The post Balik-Tanaw | Jesus revealed appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
5 Cebu grads make it to Top 10 of LEPT secondary level
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Five graduates from Cebu-based colleges and universities made it to the Top 10 of the October 2022 Licensure Exams for Professional Teachers (LEPT) secondary level. Guilbert Rodrigo Payusan of the Rogationist Seminary College-Cebu and Rey Arellano Sajo of the Baptist Theological College made it to the Top 7 spot with an […] The post 5 Cebu grads make it to Top 10 of LEPT secondary level appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
PCG, PNP secure Dumaguete beach, rivers on Feast of St. John
DUMAGUETE CITY - The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station in Negros Oriental on Friday beefed up their security in the coastal areas and bodies of water as people celebrated the Feast of St. John, the Baptist.By tradition, residents here celebrate the.....»»
Bataan town revives water fest on feast of St. John the Baptist
DINALUPIHAN, Bataan - Hundreds of people joined a long parade here on Friday to celebrate for the first time after two years the feast of their patron, St. John the Baptist.The celebration was temporarily stopped due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.Festivities bega.....»»
SC lets Palawan priest keep donated land
MANILA - A priest won his case against a church that sought to take back four parcels of land in Palawan it supposedly donated to the former 30 years ago.The Supreme Court (SC) upheld the Court of Appeals (CA), affirming the dismissal of the case filed by Puerto Princesa Baptist Church Inc......»»