Opinion

In Jesus’ time, the temple meant everything for the Jews. It was, in fact, the center of their social, political, economic and spiritual life. The dwelling place of God, the temple was where heaven and earth met. For a people forbidden to carve representations of God, the temple was the closest image they had of him.The psalmist poignantly expresses this sentiment in his prayer: “O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting… like a dry weary land without water. So, I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory.” (Ps 63:2)Hence, it was no surprise that when Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” the Jews were deeply shaken and scandalized. In fact, Jesus’ enemies used (rather, misused) his statement to fa...

Prior infections with some seasonal human coronaviruses might protect against severe COVID-19. Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes (‘corona”) on their surface. Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) were first identified in the mid-1960s. The first four coronaviruses identified that can infect people are: 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1 – all causing the common cold. People around the world commonly get infected with 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1. Sometimes coronaviruses that infect animals can evolve and make people sick and become a new human coronavirus. Three recent examples of this are human coronaviruses SARS-CoV (the coronavirus that causes the severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS), MERS-CoV (the coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS), and&...

Election fever is really heating up and here in Negros Occidental, social media pages urging former 3rd District Rep. Albee Benitez to run for a senate seat come 2022 sprouted last week.There’s the “Visayas for Albee” that went online last February 25 which has now 775 followers and another “Albee Benitez – Senator 2022” which is a private page with 497 members.Since then, the #RunAlbeeRun has been shared countless of times and even Negros Occidental Gov. Bong Lacson came out in the media a couple of days ago to strongly support the call for Albee to run for the Senate.Why not? We will surely be at an advantage if we have a senator from Negros. Look at Iloilo. Their progress can be attributed to their progressive mayors, yes. But much of the development there was also beca...

Every second Sunday of Lent, the gospel reading tells the story of the Lord’s Transfiguration. This event happens six days after that deciding moment in Caesarea Philippi when Peter confesses his faith in Jesus as the Messiah, and in turn, Jesus proclaims Peter as the “Rock” on which he will build his Church.Having elicited the first explicit profession of faith in him as the Christ, Jesus tells his disciples for the first time of his passion and death.Later, on two other occasions, he would reiterate the same prediction of the tragic fate awaiting him in Jerusalem. From here on, he makes it clear to his disciples that he is not only the glorious Messiah (preacher, miracle-worker, exorcist); he is also the Suffering Servant, foretold in the scriptures.It is in this context...

Yes. Wearing a cloth mask over a surgical one can significantly reduce COVID-19 transmission. Even if you double mask, do not let your guard down. Wear them safely and dispose of them properly. On a recent appearance on the “Today” show, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser on COVID-19 for US President Joe Biden said that double masking “just makes common sense” and is “likely” to provide more protection against the transmission of COVID-19. So is double masking really a good idea? When and how should you go about doing it?In the middle of 2020, some experts have already espoused the idea. In fact, I have been double masking since December last year. In theory, double masking helps control the spread of COVID-19 and now, there's evidence. According to a recent stu...

An administration that is already facing so much criticisms from the general public must be wary of the people they bring into their fold if not properly vetted, because chances are, these people may just further widen the crack that is already there.The last election was almost a landslide for the slate of Bacolod Mayor Bing Leonardia. Their only irritant is Councilor Jun Gamboa who, despite being the lone opposition, has done a good job in ensuring that his voice gets heard over the din of overwhelming ayes for whatever the chief wants passed.But, unfortunately, that seeming unity has been seeing cracks lately and there are talks of obvious rifts among the officials.Some have been their own doing in their attempt to climb higher and endear themselves to the powers that b...

Every year, the gospel reading on the First Sunday of Lent is about the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Allow me just to share a few random thoughts on temptation.Temptation is part of life. It is a given. It is not meant to pull us down; on the contrary, it is meant to propel us higher. St. Augustine once said, “Someone who is not tempted is not tested; someone who is not tested cannot progress.”This is exactly how our educational system works. Before the students move to the next level or grade, they undergo an examination or a series of tests. The same is true in work application, career pursuit, even priestly formation.In last month’s CBCP plenary assembly, the bishops discussed the need to revise the English version of the Our Father. No less than Pope Francis hims...

Giving blood thinners to COVID-19 patients soon after they're hospitalized could reduce their risk of dying.That's the conclusion of a new large observational study published in BMJ by researchers from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Public Health, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. They looked at the electronic health records of 4,297 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from March 1 to July 31, 2020.Because coronavirus-related blood clots that develop in major arteries and veins can lead to death, the researchers aimed to see if anticoagulants, which have antiviral, and possibly anti-inflammatory, effects, could prevent coagulati...

“Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.”This quote is often attributed to Mark Twain, who, according to an article, despise politicians. And though he may, or may not have said it, the quote has become popular and so apt in today’s breed of politicians that we have in our country.Although it's eight months away till we declare an open season for next year’s election, the rumor mill is already in a frenzy, both at the national and local level.I got a chance to sit down or get a call from several politicians, wannabees, advisers, king-makers, political pacifiers since late last year and some I’ve taken seriously. Others made me smile but so far, none the serious.The most incredulous statement from some friends is eyeing Senator Manny Pacq...