The previous column, I heavily criticized the traffic realities of Tacloban, yet this time I am offering solutions and suggestions. Let me count the ways!

Tacloban City, the vibrant heart of Eastern Visayas, stands at a crossroads—not just geographically, but in its urban development. As the city continues to grow in population and economic activity, traffic congestion has become a daily struggle for commuters and residents alike. Yet within this challenge lies an opportunity: to transform Tacloban into a walkable city where movement is efficient, sustainable, and human-centered.

Reducing traffic in Tacloban requires more than just widening roads—it demands a shift in mindset and policy. Here are key strategies:

• Integrated Public Transport: Strengthening the city’s jeepney, bus, and tricycle systems with clear routes, schedules, and terminals can reduce reliance on private vehicles. A unified fare system and digital tracking would make commuting more predictable and appealing.

• Traffic Demand Management: Implementing peak-hour vehicle restrictions, carpool incentives, and congestion pricing in high-traffic zones like Benigno Aquino Avenue could discourage unnecessary car trips.

• Smart Infrastructure: Traffic lights synchronized with real-time data, pedestrian countdown timers, and designated bike lanes can streamline movement and reduce bottleneck.

A walkable city isn’t just about sidewalks—it’s about designing spaces that prioritize people over cars. Tacloban can embrace this vision through:

• Pedestrian Zones: Expanding car-free areas around Plaza Rizal, the Tacloban Boardwalk, and downtown markets would encourage walking and social interaction.

• Safe Sidewalks and Crossings: Wide, well-maintained sidewalks with shade trees, ramps for accessibility, and clearly marked pedestrian crossings are essential for safety and comfort.

• Mixed-Use Development: Encouraging buildings that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces reduces the need for long commutes and fosters vibrant neighborhoods.

Tacloban’s transformation into a walkable city isn’t just a logistical upgrade—it’s a cultural shift. It’s about reclaiming streets for people, fostering healthier lifestyles, and creating spaces where movement is joyful, not stressful. With visionary leadership, community support, and smart planning, Tacloban can shorten traffic—and lengthen the quality of life.Lets be hopeful in the City of Hope.

Life often presents a stark dichotomy: the relentless pursuit of ambition and the quiet joy of appreciating the present moment. Society constantly pressures us to achieve more, reach for greatness, and pursue upward mobility. Yet, amidst this relentless climb, it’s easy to forget the simple pleasures, the beauty of the everyday, the importance of taking time to “smell the roses.” This essay explores the delicate balance between aspiring to achieve something more and cultivating a deep appreciation for the present, arguing that true fulfillment lies in the harmonious interplay of both.

The human spirit is inherently driven. We are wired to seek challenges, to overcome obstacles, and to strive for something beyond our current reality. This ambition fuels innovation, propels progress, and allows us to achieve remarkable feats. Without this innate drive, we might remain stagnant, content with the status quo, and never realize our full potential. The pursuit of ambition, whether it’s mastering a new skill, launching a business, or contributing to a greater cause, provides a sense of purpose, direction, and meaning in our lives. It allows us to leave our mark on the world and create a legacy that extends beyond our own existence.

However, the relentless pursuit of ambition can be a double-edged sword. The relentless pressure to succeed, coupled with the fear of falling short and the constant comparison to others, can be utterly debilitating, leading to burnout, anxiety, and profound unhappiness. When our lives become solely defined by our accomplishments, we risk neglecting the simple joys that enrich our existence. We forget to savor the taste of a delicious meal, to appreciate the beauty of a sunset, or to connect meaningfully with the people we love. The constant striving can blind us to the beauty and wonder of the present moment, leaving us feeling empty and unfulfilled despite our achievements.

The cure for this constant striving is to appreciate the present moment, noticing the small things we usually miss. It’s about taking time to smell the roses, to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, and to cultivate a sense of gratitude for what we have. This practice isn’t about complacency or inaction; it’s about finding a balance between ambition and appreciation, between striving for the future and cherishing the present. It’s about recognizing that true fulfillment comes not just from achieving our goals but also from experiencing the journey, from appreciating the beauty and wonder along the way.

Mindful appreciation can take many forms. It could be taking a walk in nature, listening to your favorite music, spending quality time with loved ones, or simply pausing to appreciate the beauty of a sunrise. It’s about creating space in our lives for these moments of quiet contemplation, for disconnecting from the constant demands of the external world and reconnecting with our inner selves. This practice allows us to cultivate a sense of gratitude, to recognize the abundance in our lives, and to find joy in the simple pleasures that often go unnoticed.

The key lies in integrating these two seemingly opposing forces – ambition and appreciation – into a harmonious whole. It’s not about choosing one over the other but about finding a balance, a rhythm that allows us to pursue our ambitions with passion and purpose while simultaneously cultivating a deep appreciation for the present moment. This balance allows us to experience the joy of achievement without sacrificing the simple pleasures that enrich our lives. It’s about recognizing that the journey is just as important as the destination, that the process of striving is as fulfilling as the achievement itself.
In conclusion, the pursuit of something more is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, driving us towards growth, innovation, and self-actualization. However, a life solely defined by ambition can leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled. By cultivating a deep appreciation for the present moment, by taking time to smell the roses, we can find a balance that enriches our lives, fostering a sense of gratitude, joy, and ultimately, a deeper and more meaningful understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The symphony of life is played on two strings: ambition and appreciation. It’s in the harmonious interplay of both that we find true fulfillment.
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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!

THIS is how we should feel everytime we celebrate or attend a Holy Mass. If we only know what a Holy Mass really is, we cannot help but be filled with extreme joy and ineffable thanksgiving. If we do not feel it that way yet, then it’s time we do something about it.
What we have in the Holy Mass is what we may regard, if we are to be guided by our faith, as God’s supreme gift to us. He did not only create us, making us his image and likeness and given the charge to have dominion together with him over the whole world.

He continues to take care and to love us all the way even if we have been unfaithful to him. And this he has shown by sending his Son to us. His Son is Jesus Christ, the second person of the Blessed Trinity who became man.

Christ assumed all our wounded condition, becoming like sin himself without committing sin if only to show and give us the way of how we can convert our wounded condition into “the way, the truth and life” meant for us.

For this, what he did was not only to preach and give us good example of how we should live. He offered his life, assuming all our sins and conquering them through his passion, death and resurrection.

And that is not enough. He perpetuated this supreme sacrifice and gift of his to us by making his very passion, death and resurrection continually present up the end of time through the celebration of the Holy Mass where he himself gives his whole own self to us as the Bread of Life.

For sure, if we can only capture this reality about the Holy Mass, we cannot help but be overwhelmingly happy and thankful. Thus, the challenge for us now is how to train ourselves, involving our mind and heart, our senses and feelings, etc., to enter into this most wonderful reality of Christ’s gift to us.

Yes, we have to learn how to step into this wonderful spiritual and supernatural reality and teach ourselves to be truly amazed at what happens in the celebration of the Holy Mass. We should not forget that at every celebration of the Holy Mass, we are made contemporaries of Christ in his supreme sacrifice and gift for us on the cross.

It is this sacrifice of Christ on the cross that conquers all sins and evils in this world. We have every reason, despite our weaknesses and sinfulness, to feel ever confident, hopeful and focused on doing what we are supposed to do, that is, to do a lot of good in this world.
In the Holy Mass, we are invited to also join, in vivo, in that sacrifice of Christ. Yes, there is suffering and death involved, but let’s not forget that all this would lead us to that victory of Christ’s resurrection that takes care of everything in our life.

Indeed, we need to prepare ourselves properly before celebrating or attending a Holy Mass. We should know what is actually taking place everytime the Holy Mass is celebrated. For this, we need time and effort to condition our mind, heart and our whole being to capture this reality.

It cannot be denied that despite our weaknesses, mistakes and all that, we would be filled with overwhelming joy and gratitude after each Mass that we celebrate or attend.