The other day I came across a fast-food outlet replacing all its frontline personnel with artificial intelligence-driven kiosks. Overnight, the friendly greeting of the cashier was a computerized instruction. It was like viewing the future arriving in all the subtlety of a bulldozer—efficient, brutal, and totally insensitive.

We idealize progress as a shining, upward march. But what if the march steps on whom it vowed to lift? The rapid rush toward artificial intelligence potentially sends human workers not just away from menial work, but skilled work we long thought secure. Surely, modern AI trips over sarcasm and gets the subtleties of a child’s laughter wrong. That will change, though. The distinction between our present AI and the advanced monsters of the future is similar to that between a hulking puppy and a mature wolf. The question hanging over us is this: what happens when machines surpass us in intellect and speed, and no longer need our interfering hands?

The usual argument is that humans will just modify, switching to new functions just as they did during the Industrial Revolution. But that era’s machines didn’t possess cognitive ambition. They could not learn and strategize. Artificial intelligence, however, is no mere set of gears and levers. It evolves, swallows data like a glutton, and refines its algorithms without the need for human oversight. Unlike the smoke-belching factories of the 19th century, this time the machine doesn’t just displace us; it renders us irrelevant.

We’re already seeing the cracks. Writers, designers, and coders—occupations built on intellect and imagination—are now threatened by AI rivals that produce words and code with dazzling proficiency. Clerks for lawyers are pushed aside by computer software that reviews contracts quicker and without a whiff of human mistake. Even physicians and radiologists have to review AI diagnoses that do not provide even a flicker of doubt. Others might describe it as progress. Progress without sense is what, though? An empty hospital in which illness is cured by algorithms, but nobody stays to hold a shaking hand.

And when artificial intelligence reaches apotheosis at a point so high that it maintains and renovates itself without human intervention—our function fades to near nothing. It will code itself, correct its bugs, and possibly even forecast the next technological advancement. The codes will keep advancing their territory, creating new fields we can’t even understand or manage. Humanity, once the creator of its tools, will be an asterisk.
But the loss is more than economic. Work is not wages alone; it is identity. It is the dignity of the fisherman repairing his nets at dawn, the carpenter’s hands that shape wood into something productive. When people lose meaningful work, they lose dignity. When purpose is gone, so is the soul. We will be nourished, dressed, and amused by the mechanical courtesy of AI, but we will be hungry for meaning. A world without work is a world without discontent.

And maybe the greater danger is not the power of AI but the complacency it creates. We marvel at chatbots that write poetry and computers that mimic compassion, without recalling that mimicked warmth is empty. There are no dreams in any algorithm. There is no code warmed by sunlight. And still, we allow them in deeper, in the thrall of convenience. The price of that convenience will be our loss of humanness—slowly at first, and then suddenly.

The solution is not to blow up the machines or curse the code. Rather, we must reclaim our position as masters of technology, not slaves. AI must be a force that adds to human capacity, not a master that diminishes it. Labor rights, investment in retraining, and a dedication to upholding the dignity of labor are not suggestions—mandates. Let us build the future with purpose so that growth continues to be human in spirit. Because after the machines don’t need us anymore, they won’t care what they say. It will only matter what we’ve lost.

Tagan ta han higayon an mga presko nga halad para han aton paglambo ngan pagdukwag!

Elections are more than just a democratic tradition—they are a chance to shape the future of our communities and our nation. In the Philippines, we celebrate the right to vote with passion, yet progress often feels out of reach. Why? Because the power of our vote is sometimes overshadowed by old habits and broken systems. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Together, we can change the course of our history.

For too long, political dynasties have held a tight grip on local leadership. These families have passed power from one generation to the next, leaving little room for fresh ideas and new leaders. But we, the voters, have the power to break this cycle. We can choose leaders based on their vision and competence, not their last name.

Vote-buying is another challenge we must overcome. When we sell our votes, we sell our future. A few pesos or a bag of rice might help today, but it won’t build better schools, create jobs, or fix our roads. We deserve leaders who will work for us, not just pay for our support.

We also need to look beyond popularity. A familiar face or a catchy slogan doesn’t guarantee good leadership. Let’s dig deeper. Let’s ask the hard questions: What is their plan? How will they make our lives better? Our votes should go to those who have the skills and the heart to serve.

Social media has made it easier to spread lies and distractions. But we can fight back by seeking the truth and sharing it with others. Let’s focus on real issues, not fake news or empty promises.

The power to change our country lies in our hands. When we vote wisely, we send a message: We will no longer settle for less. We demand leaders who will fight for progress, justice, and equality. We deserve a brighter future, and it starts with the choices we make at the ballot box.

So, rise up, Philippines! Let’s take back the power of our vote. Let’s choose leaders who will lead with integrity, vision, and compassion. Together, we can build the nation we dream of—one vote at a time.

WE should do our best to pursue this ideal. We know that due to our wounded condition here on earth, there is division and conflict between our corporeal and spiritual dimensions of our life. St. Paul articulated this condition well when he said: “I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Rom 7,19).

But there is always hope as long as we also train ourselves precisely to unify our external senses and corporeal faculties, and our spiritual powers. Unifying our external senses and our spiritual powers brings about the basic unity of life we are meant to have. It’s a way to achieve that ideal condition of our life where we become recollected and contemplative even in the midst of our earthly affairs.

And by unity of life, we mean the ideal of first of all letting our spiritual powers be animated by the spirit of God, and then letting our spiritual powers animate our external senses. The perfection of this unity of life is when we manage to unite ourselves in the life and nature of God as we are meant to be, since we are God’s image and likeness.

Of course, our external senses—sight, hearing, feeling, etc.—feed our spiritual powers of our intelligence and will with raw data, but these spiritual powers of ours, in a manner of speaking, should refine and purify the data received, and animate them with the spirit of God, that is, with our faith, hope and charity.

We should avoid reversing the roles between our corporeal and spiritual faculties, making our external senses rule and dominate our spiritual powers. Nowadays, this anomaly is taking place and is quite common even. Our external senses are now overstimulated to such an extent that they deaden or numb our spiritual faculties.

As consequences, we are seeing a rise in mental illness and a greater vulnerability to demonic possessions and other irregular situations. Many people, especially the young ones, are falling into all kinds of obsessions and addictions.

The main problem, of course, is that the senses are not united or inspired by faith. They are just left on their own, ruled mainly by instincts and other biological factors. Or at best they may be guided only by an intelligence that is not yet enlightened by faith.

And things can become so bad that these senses can get quite hostile to anything related to faith that definitely involves spiritual and supernatural realities. We need to realize that the first, last and constant object that our senses should perceive is God since he is the origin of everything, the maintainer of the existence of all things. He is everywhere.
As St. Augustine once said: “To find where God is may be difficult, but to find where he is not, that is even more difficult.” And to be sure, God’s presence in everything is not something cold and indifferent. It is full of love and solicitude. He is always and actively intervening in our lives.

We need to train our senses to be guided by our Christian faith, hope and charity, so we can capture this very consoling reality. They should not just be left on their own, guided and ruled only by factors other than our faith, hope and charity. That state of affairs would lead us nowhere other than trouble.

Thus, if we are serious with guiding our senses and emotions with faith, we have to realize that our faith should not just be an intellectual affair, lived and pursued only in the spiritual world of good intentions and right doctrine. It has to involve the basic elements of our humanity, which are our senses, our feelings, our emotions and passions.

The aroma of freshly baked bread, the warm glow of the storefront, the steady stream of customers – it was a picture of a thriving small business. This bakery, nestled in a quaint corner of the city, was a local gem, a testament to the power of passion and hard work. Yet, the owner, a man with kind eyes and a weathered face, seemed curiously reluctant to share his entrepreneurial journey.

This article exhibits thematic parallels with a previously published work concerning the challenges faced by entrepreneurs exhibiting reluctance to pursue growth opportunities. The present analysis emphasizes the detrimental effects of fear-based decision-making, highlighting the potential for missed opportunities and subsequent feelings of regret.

It was a stark contrast to the countless stories I’d heard from other small business owners, eager to recount their struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned. This man, however, remained tight-lipped, his silence a puzzle I couldn’t quite decipher.

I couldn’t help but be drawn to the mystery. What could be the reason behind his reluctance to share his story? Was it a fear of scrutiny, a desire for privacy, or something more profound?

Here are some possible explanations for the owner’s silence:

1. The Burden of Success:
Perhaps the owner felt overwhelmed by the weight of his success. The constant demands of running a thriving business, the pressure to maintain quality and customer satisfaction, could have left him exhausted and yearning for a quiet life. Sharing his journey, with its inherent vulnerability and scrutiny, might have felt like an added burden.

2. The Fear of Imitation:
Some successful entrepreneurs are fiercely protective of their ideas and strategies. The owner might have feared that sharing his story could inspire competitors, leading to a loss of market share or a dilution of his unique brand. This fear, while understandable, could have led to a self-imposed silence.

3. The Simplicity of Passion:
Perhaps the owner simply found no need to elaborate. His passion for baking, his dedication to quality, and his love for his community might have been the sole driving forces behind his success. He might have viewed his journey as a natural progression, a testament to his craft rather than a calculated strategy.

4. The Trauma of Failure:
The owner’s silence could be a reflection of past failures. He might have experienced setbacks or challenges that left him reluctant to revisit the past. Sharing his journey could have reopened old wounds, forcing him to confront the struggles he had overcome.

5. The Value of Privacy:
Some individuals simply value their privacy. The owner might have preferred to keep his personal life separate from his business. Sharing his story, with its inherent details about his background, motivations, and struggles, could have felt like an invasion of his personal space.

6. The Legacy of Silence:
Perhaps the owner learned from his own mentors or role models, who valued discretion and humility. He might have been raised in an environment where success was not meant to be bragged about, where the focus was on hard work and quiet achievement.

7. The Power of Mystery:
The owner’s silence could have been a deliberate strategy. By keeping his story a secret, he might have created an aura of mystique around his business, enhancing its allure and fostering a sense of curiosity among customers.

The Unanswered Question:
The owner’s silence, while intriguing, ultimately remained a mystery. It was a reminder that every entrepreneur’s journey is unique, shaped by their own experiences, motivations, and values. While some thrive on sharing their stories, others find solace in the quiet satisfaction of their achievements.
The bakery, with its warm glow and the tantalizing aroma of fresh bread, continued to be a testament to the owner’s dedication and passion. His silence, while perplexing, only added to the charm of his story, leaving a lasting impression on those who encountered his quiet success.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

Ruckus has erupted following the trip of the former and now detained president as his supporters do not accept his destiny of reaching his desired destination in his desired destination. It would be recalled that the former and now detained president had expressed his desire to let the International Criminal Court (ICC) conduct the investigation on his alleged bloody war on drugs immediately as he might not live long before such investigation commence.

He challenged the ICC to come to the country to arrest him with the threat that he would slap and kick them if they happen to meet. The boisterous stance was a show of untouchable power as no individual, group or agency dared to raise any complaint against him. The situation was under his control as he carryout his bloody war on drugs with impunity.

It is of public knowledge that the survivors of the victims of the bloody war on drugs could not do anything but wail as they grieve in fear for the victims who were mercilessly killed by law enforcement authorities who were following his order to kill all suspected criminals and drug addicts. The instruction to the police was loud and clear that they have to pose in self-defense by letting the suspects resist the arrest and fight, if not, the police officers must provoke the suspects to fight to justify the killing.

After the killing, the killed suspect would then be portrayed with a gun and a cardboard label with the tag “adik ako, huwag tularan” placed on the dead body of the fallen suspect. Law enforcers were too bold to carryout the orders as they were made to believe that the killing is legal considering that the former and now detained president kept on bragging that he is a lawyer and a former fiscal who had enough experience on how to deal with criminals. But even a non-lawyer could understand that when the criminal gives the provocation, self-defense would not hold under the law.

With nowhere to go, the surviving families who were orphaned by the helpless innocent victims of the bloody war on drugs, they resorted to bring their complaints before the ICC. Supporters of the former and now detained president argued that the ICC could not take jurisdiction as domestic courts and the justice system is working in the country.

But the reality is that the courts and the justice system was well and working insofar as all cases are concerned except those against the former and now detained president and his minions in the bloody war on drugs. Police records were found replete with records of such killings, reason why the state prosecution could not start its investigation. More so that the one to be accused is the former and now detained president. In the meantime, the supporters are moving for their idol to return if possible.
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