Years ago, a small video titled “Me at the zoo” slipped quietly onto the YouTube site, launching what would quickly become the world’s open classroom. Today, millions of people can learn how to fix a leaky faucet, make a loaf of sourdough bread, create a website, or fix a motorcycle by watching a stranger explain the process. I have a healthy respect for this revolution in information availability, but I am not swallowing everything that’s being fed to me.

We used to need a gatekeeper to teach us even the simplest things. We had to sign up, be apprenticed, or at least find someone willing to explain the process to us. Now, I can observe a mechanic in Manila, a baker in Paris, or a farmer in Iowa explain how to do things, all before lunch. I have watched carpenters measure twice and cut once, surgeons explain how they do their work in public lectures, and teachers explain the basics of algebra in everyday language. The democratization of information has occurred. The workshops, kitchens, studios, and classrooms of the world have opened their doors.

Search engines have greatly enhanced the democratization of information. A single Google query can pull up information, manuals, discussions, and instructions in a matter of seconds. What used to take hours in a library can be found instantly on a screen. The availability of tools from the company OpenAI means the information isn’t static; it’s interactive, dynamic, and specific to the question at hand. You can ask for clarification, ask for examples, or even challenge what’s being said.

These benefits were never available in this form or at this level before. Previous generations received information from encyclopedias that were already outdated the moment they were bound into book form. Today, we update information in real-time. In an emergency, we update guidelines in real time. We share new discoveries and experiments with new technologies almost at the speed of light. This is not a minor change; it is a fundamental transformation in how we process information and how we compete with each other.

Yet I have also seen misinformation spread at the same speed. The platforms reward “engagement,” not “truth.” The loudest voice, the most dramatic music, and the slickest production value can make lies seem more believable than the truth. Health misinformation travels alongside legitimate health advice. Financial scams masquerade as “investment tips.” Historical falsehoods disguise themselves as “patriotic correctives.” The very tools we use to help honest teachers now fuel reckless or dishonest teachers.

The problem is not only with the lies we tell each other but also with the half-truths we share with each other: advice without enough context to be useful, advice oversimplified to the point of being dangerous. The do-it-yourself repair video might not mention the risk of electrical shock. The nutrition advice might cite the studies they agree with while ignoring the consensus of the medical profession. The platforms often reward what is popular, not what is true. It is hard work to take a step back and verify what we are being told: who is speaking, what are their credentials, and do they agree with others?

I have learned to think of social media as a vast public marketplace. There are master craftsmen who demonstrate skill, and there are peddlers who sell glitter. It is on me to discern the difference. I research. I compare. I search for signs of training, experience, or attribution. If something appears too good or too outlandish to be true, I pause. Skepticism, I have found, is not the same as cynicism. It is self-preservation.

The digital era has made available to mankind an unprecedented library and an equally unprecedented rumor mill. They coexist in the same device in my hand. The appropriate approach is neither naive faith nor wholesale skepticism, but rather a discerning interest—studying assiduously, checking assiduously, and recalling that technology reflects the character of those who use it. It can hone minds and broaden minds. It can lead astray as easily. The choice, stubbornly and forever, remains ours.

WE, of course, need to eat bread also. After all, we are also material beings that need to be fed and nourished by material food, such as bread. But since we are also spiritual and supposed to be a supernatural being—in fact, eminently so—we should not limit ourselves to natural food. We should look more for the spiritual and supernatural food that is more proper to us.

This could be the reason why from time to time the Church asks us to do some fasting. It’s meant to draw us closer to God, seeking spiritual growth and self-reflection. It is also a good way to practice self-discipline and self-control, the contrary of which we are quite notorious in. It effectively expresses repentance and humility which is the antidote for our tendency to be proud and vain. It helps us to focus on prayer and spiritual nourishment.
In short, fasting can deepen our faith. It can prod us to seek guidance and wisdom instead of just relying on our own ideas. It makes us follow clearly what Christ told us with respect to self-denial. We should do everything to make fasting a regular feature of our life.

This means that we should always be on guard against gluttony. We cannot deny that, especially in our current world culture, we tend to overeat, consume large amounts of unhealthy or luxurious food and drink.

We even give the highest priority to food and drink over other aspects of life. It is also likely that gluttony leads us to ignore health and social duties due to excessive eating and drinking.

We really have to make fasting a regular practice in our life. With fasting, we would be more aware of our real needs. It certainly would strengthen our willpower and discipline.
More importantly, it helps us to shift our focus from food to spiritual growth and the other more important aspects of life. This is not to mention that fasting somehow cultivates a stronger sense of gratitude as we would be more appreciative of the food we have. Besides, fasting can develop in us a keener sense of empathy as we join in spirit with those who also fast or who go without food.

Fasting can also make us more resistant to the temptations of the devil and to the many allurements of the world. And it would make us more attentive to what really matters in our life—listening and living out the word of God. (cfr. Mt 4,4) It certainly would make us more able to dominate our animal self to bring us to our ideal spiritual and supernatural self.

Let’s never forget that we also are an animal ruled merely by instincts, hormones and other biological elements. The animal in us should be dominated by our human rationality which also ought to be guided by the spiritual and supernatural will of God in whose image and likeness we have been created.

We therefore have to undertake a lifelong process of integrating the animal in us with the rationality of our human nature that in the end should be purified and elevated to the spiritual and supernatural life and nature of God. And fasting, together with prayer and other ascetical means, plays an important role in this.

The challenge therefore is how to carry out this very tricky and demanding task of integrating all these aspects. And for this, we should first of all rely on the grace of God, always asking for it even if it is readily given to us. That’s because we often take God’s grace for granted, and thus make ourselves the improper ground unable to take advantage of the grace that is sown on it.

Women’s Month in the Philippines, celebrated every March, is more than just a series of events; it is a nationwide recognition of the indispensable role Filipinas play in shaping the nation’s social, economic, and cultural landscape. This annual observance, formalized through Proclamation No. 227 in 1988 by then-President Corazon Aquino, highlights the achievements and contributions of women from all walks of life. It also serves as a crucial platform to address the challenges they continue to face and to advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Historical Context and Legal Framework

The declaration of Women’s Month is rooted in the recognition that Filipinas have historically been at the forefront of significant social change movements. They have fought not only for their rights but also for a fairer and more just society for all. This acknowledgment is enshrined in Republic Act 7192, also known as the “Women in Development and Nation Building Act,” which mandates that women should be full partners with men in nation-building.

Economic Contributions of Filipinas

Filipinas significantly contribute to the Philippine economy across various sectors. Senator Cynthia Villar emphasized that if half of the Philippine population consists of women who actively contribute to the country’s betterment, it would create a positive impact on the economy. Women’s economic empowerment is crucial for ensuring food security and production, and when more women work and earn, economies grow.

Women in Entrepreneurship and Micro-Enterprises

Women-owned micro-enterprises are vital to the Philippine economy. These businesses not only provide livelihoods for women and their families but also contribute to local economic development. Recognizing this, various government agencies, NGOs, and private sector organizations have launched programs to support women micro-entrepreneurs. For instance, Coca-Cola Philippines and TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) have collaborated on the STAR (Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources) program, which aims to empower women micro-retailers by providing them with training and access to resources.

Addressing Gender Inequality and Promoting Empowerment

Despite the progress, Filipinas continue to face challenges such as gender stereotypes, discrimination, and unequal opportunities. Women’s Month serves as a reminder of these issues and a call to action to address them. Senator Risa Hontiveros stressed the need to increase female participation in all levels of governance and politics to level the playing field.

Initiatives and Programs during Women’s Month

Various activities and programs are organized throughout the Philippines during Women’s Month to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality. These include:

• Recognition Ceremonies: Honoring outstanding Filipinas who have made significant contributions in various fields.

• Forums and Workshops: Providing platforms for discussing issues affecting women and sharing strategies for empowerment.

• Skills Training: Equipping women with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields.

• Advocacy Campaigns: Raising awareness about women’s rights and gender equality.

International Women’s Day and Global Context

The Philippines’ celebration of Women’s Month is also linked to International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated every March 8. IWD has its roots in the early 1900s when women began to mobilize and advocate for their rights. The United Nations recognized IWD in 1975, further solidifying its importance as a global event for promoting women’s rights and gender equality.

Conclusion

Women’s Month in the Philippines is a significant annual event that celebrates the achievements of Filipinas, addresses the challenges they face, and promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment. By recognizing their economic contributions, promoting their participation in leadership roles, and addressing systemic barriers, the Philippines can create a more equitable and prosperous society for all. The month-long celebration serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to uplift women and ensure they have equal opportunities to reach their full potential.
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