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A proactive, not reactive, fidelity

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HAPPY EASTER to everyone! Once again, we celebrate the final victory of Christ over our sins and their consequences. That’s what his resurrection, achieved through the instrumentality of the cross, means. We should all be moved to correspond to this BEST NEWS we could ever have in the best way that we can.

And that can mean, first of all, a sharpening of our sense of vocation to holiness and apostolate, and to spread that sense of vocation to everyone. Truth is everyone has a vocation because everyone is called to holiness and its accompanying duty of doing apostolate. This thing about vocation should never be treated as something very special, meant only for a few. It is meant for all!

And once we have that vivid sense of vocation, let us exert all the effort, with God’s grace which will always be abundantly available, to be as generous and heroic as we can in our fidelity to it, come what may.

In this regard, it would be good to realize that our fidelity should be something proactive, and not just reactive. We have to be both, of course, but between the two, it’s being proactive that is more important, since that would clearly show that we are truly driven with love, that there is growth and development in our life, that we are exercising our creativity and sense of initiative.

Being reactive is, of course, important too, otherwise we would be regarded as dead or, at least, insensitive. But being reactive comes more of an instinctive action. We cannot help but react and respond in some way to any stimulus that would come our way, be it small or big. In fact, we have to react if we, at least, want to be aware of what is happening around us.

It’s in being proactive that we have to pay more attention and where we have to train ourselves more. We are notorious for our tendency to fall into routine, and from there into complacency and passivity. We should not allow ourselves to be trapped by routine.
If we truly love God and everybody else, with a love that is nothing less than a participation of the love God has for us and as commanded by Christ to us, then we will never say enough in our self-giving. It will always be proactive, always looking for new frontiers in our own sanctification and in our apostolic activities.

Even if such attitude would already seem to be going beyond common sense, our reason and other human and worldly standards that we usually use to measure our love, we would still go on giving ourselves, never saying enough. We would just give and give, even if we seem to consume ourselves till death.

This is, of course, an overwhelming prospect, but that is what true love is. It is some kind of madness that knows no limits. It is given without measure, without cost, without any calculation.

Our fidelity should be inventive, innovative, creative, versatile and adaptive to all the conditions we can find ourselves in. This can happen, at least to some degree, if we truly strive to be close to God, to follow him and conform ourselves to him.

We should never get stuck at a certain level of loving, no matter how successful we already are at that level. Life continues to demand more things from us, and we cannot afford to be contented at any point. Love requires more always. There will always be new challenges, new openings, new needs, given the changing temper of the times and of the people.
This is the Easter spirit!

Filipino Food Month trade fair in Catarman, Northern Samar culminates with P723,358 in sales

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FILIPINO FOOD MONTH. The Department of Trade and Industry in Northern Samar reported of more than P720,000 cash and book sales among local traders who joined the Filipino Food Month Trade Fair.(DTI)
FILIPINO FOOD MONTH. The Department of Trade and Industry in Northern Samar reported of more than P720,000 cash and book sales among local traders who joined the Filipino Food Month Trade Fair.(DTI)

The four-day Filipino Food Month Trade Fair, themed “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino: Yaman ng Kasaysayan, Kultura at Pagkatao,” organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Northern Samar, culminated with a total of P723,358.00 cash and booked sales last April 6, 2025.

The Best Seller Award was presented to Daryl Jean Pili Nuts, recognizing the outstanding sales performance of this exhibitor, aside from the recognition given to all other exhibitors for their participation in the fair.

In her closing message, DTI Northern Samar Provincial Director Mimosa Regis congratulated the exhibitors for their achievements.

She also encouraged them to continue improving their productivity and reiterated to pursue processing their Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) to expand their market reach beyond the province.

The FDA-LTO and CPR are basic requirements for food products displayed in established supermarkets and groceries, and are also necessary when exploring export markets.

The trade fair served as a significant platform for local food processors to promote their products, exchange insights, and build connections, ensuring the sustained development of Northern Samar’s food industry. (PR)

Sarangani officials benchmark Northern Samar’s hospital consignment system

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TACLOBAN CITY – Officials from Sarangani province visited Northern Samar on April 11, 2025, to conduct a benchmarking activity focused on the consignment mechanism of the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital (NSPH) and other healthcare innovations aimed at enhancing hospital service delivery in their province.

The NSPH’s consignment mechanism is a procurement system that promotes transparency and accountability in acquiring medicines and medical supplies. It also helps reduce wastage due to expiration and enforces effective internal controls.

This mechanism also supports the government’s No Balance Billing policy, which aims to minimize or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for patients seeking medical treatment.
Leading the Sarangani delegation were Assistant Provincial Administrator Atty. Divine Grace Sumaira Fernandez and Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Arvin Alejandro. They were warmly welcomed by Vice Governor Clarence Dato and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during a courtesy visit.

The initiative reflects Sarangani’s commitment to improving healthcare access and efficiency through the adoption of best practices from other provinces.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

EVSU joins Global Education Conclave 2025 in India

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MOU SIGNING. Dr. Dennis C. de Paz signing the MOu with The Director for International Affairs. Ms. Simran Dhaliwal of Chandighar Group of Colleges -Jhaderi, Mohali, India. (FAUSTITO A. AURE)
MOU SIGNING. Dr. Dennis C. de Paz signing the MOu with The Director for International Affairs. Ms. Simran Dhaliwal of Chandighar Group of Colleges -Jhaderi, Mohali, India. (FAUSTITO A. AURE)

Staying true to its commitment to building lasting international partnerships, the Chandigarh Group of Colleges in Mohali, Jhanjeri, India, invited two representatives from one of its newest partners in the Philippines – Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), to take part in the Global Education Conclave 2025.

Held from March 28 to 31 at the CGC Main University Complex in Mohali, northwest of New Delhi, the event featured Dr. Dennis C. De Paz, EVSU President, and Prof. Faustito A. Aure, Director of the Office of Internationalization, as distinguished guest speakers and panelists.
This prestigious event was generously sponsored and hosted by the Chandigarh Group of Colleges, a renowned institution in India known for its commitment to global academic engagement and excellence.

The conclave brought together 35 distinguished representatives from 16 countries, including academicians, ambassadors, and consuls. This diverse and dynamic assembly created a unique platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange across borders. Over the course of three days, delegations from all over the world engaged in a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, networking sessions, and cultural activities.
The program focused on key global education themes such as internationalization of higher education, sustainable academic partnerships, innovation in pedagogy, and the role of education in fostering peace Highlights of the Conclave included insightful addresses from ambassadors, consular representatives, and academic leaders on the future of international education.

Participants also took part in collaborative workshops that promoted cross-cultural exchange of ideas and best practices. Additionally, the event provided valuable networking opportunities, enabling delegates to build meaningful connections and explore potential institutional collaborations.

The hospitality extended by the hosts was warm and impeccable, providing a culturally enriching experience that added depth to the professional interactions.

The venue at Mojali, Jhanjeri offered a serene and conducive atmosphere for both formal sessions and informal exchanges. Overall, the Global Education Conclave 2025 was an inspiring and productive experience that underscored the importance of global collaboration in education.

It reaffirmed the shared commitment of institutions and nations toward shaping a more inclusive and innovative global academic landscape.

(FAUSTITO A. AURE, MRD, Associate Professor V, Director, Internationalization for Higher Education Office, Eastern Visayas State University)

Tacloban farmers to benefit from solar-powered irrigation system in New Kawayan

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TACLOBAN CITY – Around 22 farmers from Barangay 101 New Kawayan are set to benefit from a solar-powered irrigation system that aims to boost vegetable production across 2.8 hectares of farmland.

The project, spearheaded by the City Agriculture Office with P1 million in funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), addresses persistent water scarcity issues that have long hampered agricultural productivity in the area. The barangay shouldered 30% of the total cost.

Now under construction and expected to be completed within one to two weeks, the system will enable farmers to draw water from a well using solar energy—eliminating reliance on costly electric-powered pumps.

“New Kawayan has struggled with water supply, making it hard for farmers to produce vegetables in large quantities,” said Agricultural Technologist Aileen Quimbo.
“This system ensures a steady water source to help improve yields and meet market demands, including Kadiwa Centers in Tacloban.”

DOST is also conducting training for members of the New Kawayan Farmers Association on how to operate and maintain the system. Monitoring will be conducted twice a week, with crop output and income used to assess the project’s impact.

To ensure long-term sustainability, 5% of the project’s budget has been set aside for maintenance, alongside additional contributions from the barangay and the farmers’ association. Farmers will also allocate part of their earnings for system upkeep.

Officials hope the project will serve as a model for similar solar-powered solutions in other farming communities. “This needs to succeed so it can be a long-term model for future farming communities,” Quimbo added.

(PRINCESS MANZANARES, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

Former rebels denounce Makabayan Bloc as they campaigned in Eastern Visayas

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TACLOBAN CITY – Former rebels now organized under the Eastern Visayas Peace Builders and Development Federation have denounced the visit of Makabayan Bloc candidates in the region, accusing them of attempting to gain votes and support for the upcoming May 12, 2025 elections.

Wearing black shirts as a sign of protest, the group held a rally and candle-lighting ceremony at RTR Plaza, Tacloban City’s designated freedom park.

“We’ve observed that because their urban operatives can no longer recruit people, the candidates themselves are now doing the recruitment, going as far as visiting schools,” said federation president Alma Gabin.

Gabin claimed that the Makabayan Bloc, composed of senatorial and party-list candidates, has visited several areas in Eastern Visayas during their three-day campaign swing, including some schools.

“This is very disturbing and alarming for us. Before, they had organizers doing the work, and we would see people supporting them. But now that support has waned, and they are targeting new and young voters directly,” she added.

As a former high-ranking member of the communist underground movement who was recruited during her student years, Gabin warned against allowing these groups to influence young minds and bring them into the armed struggle.

She urged the public to be vigilant and to withhold support from candidates affiliated with the Makabayan Bloc.
“Let us not vote for anyone from this bloc. We must protect our youth and our future from being misled,” Gabin emphasized.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

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