JANUARY 15-23, 2015 ‘Pope Francis: nothing grand, just simple, humble’

The People’s Pope. Pope Francis holds hands with selected children and other prelates during the Meeting with the Youth at the University of Sto. Tomas, January 18.

Among the thousands who attended the different events that Pope Francis graced here in the Philippines were the seminarians of St. John Mary Vianney Seminary. 

If the leader of the Roman Catholic Church is looked up to by many devotees as someone grand, powerful and influential, a seminarian from a local school told NewsRecord that Pope Francis is his model of simplicity and humility. 
Last January 15, senior Seminarian Herbert Daniel was among the 70 (estimates) delegates from the Diocese of San Carlos. The seminarians of SJMVS were particularly sent to attend the Filipino Youth's Meeting with the Pope at Asia's first and oldest Vatican school, the University of Sto. Tomas (UST).

The Children’s Pope. Pope Francis kisses a little girl
during his Malacañang visit.

A model of humility
Daneil told NewsRecord that it is the Pope's simplicity and humility that inspired him the most. 
He added that for a seminarian like him, he believes that the Pope's message is also very simple--that is 'to live like Christ' and not be influenced by too much modernity.
It simply amazed him that the person who holds the highest position in the Church could still be so humble with both feet firmly planted on the ground. 
If  only people would just follow God's commandments then everything would be so simple. Daniel concluded. 
New beginnings
But for San Carlos Diocese Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, the Pope's visit is already a sign of 'a new beginning, a new Pentecost' for the Pope is sending the Filipino people as 'messengers of the Gospel' to the world. 
Alminaza added that the Pope also showed priests and Church leaders like him how to lead the flock through presence, availability, listening to [the cries of the people], empathy! and prayer by 'resting with the Lord.'

The Lesson Plan By Allan Siarot-Mendoza Bautista "Teacher of the 21st century"

“Education is the key to the long-term problems of the country. If we fix basic education, we fix the long-term problems of the country. And if we fix the country’s problems, we will build a truly strong society…” – Pres. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III

Lately, when I applied for a Teacher III position in our school, one of the questions asked to me by a panelist during the interview was: What are the skills of a 21st century teacher and a learner?
I was lucky because I was able to answer his (the panelist) question knowing that I had a short background and a little reading regarding the question. Without any doubt and hesitation, I was able to answer the question confidently and was rated 5.0 as the highest score.

"The right career: GET THERE" By Charmaine Sanchez

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”-Confucius

Thousands and thousands of seniors are to graduate this coming March. If you’re one of these thousands, do you already have plans on where you are heading after graduation?
Basically, there are two types of graduates: 1) Those who have ironed out their college plans and are ready to go, and; 2) Those who DO NOT HAVE A CLUE. 
If you’re one of the unfortunate people who belong to Number 2, allow us to help you with four quick steps in choosing the right career path.

Bokabularyong Binisaya Ni Roger Mar Lasco "Ikaduhang Gula"

Tukmang gamit sa mga kaamgid (synonyms) nga pulong o pulongan (noun)

*dili – adj. – no
Dili ngil-ad – not bad
Dili maayo – not good
Dili ko kana kinahanglanon
*dinhi – adverb – here, hereabout
Dinhi ra gayod nako ibilin akong kwako.
*dinhi – noun – kining dapita – here
Wala dinhi ug wala didto.– (not here nor there)
*diri – adverb – gamiton pagtumbok sa hitabo
Anaa sa duol – here
Miabot na si Juan diri.

Pikpik sa Abaga By Henry Sandoval "Namutos ug mangga"

Kani laging panginabuhi bisag unsa kalisud sa trabaho imo gyud nga buhaton para lang mabuhi ang pamilya. 

Dili ti-aw ang kalisud sa pagpangita ug trabaho karong panahona. Bisan pa gani ang college graduates lisud sa pagsulod ug trabaho. 

Gani ang mga board passer nga mga  graduate sa BSED magpaabot pa ug kanus-a matagakan ug grasya gikan sa yuta. Gatusan pa ka mga maestra nga bag-ong nakakuha sa ilang lisensya ang nagpaabot ug pila ka buok ang mo-retire usa pa makasulod ang bag-o nga galinya pa. Bubintaha tong naduol sa linya kay may tsansa nga makapuli. Nganong nahisgutan ko kini?

Friendly Observer By Arthur Keefe "Terror in Europe"

The horrendous shooting of 17 people in France by Muslim extremists has reopened the debate about how to handle security and what should be the response to militant Islam.

It also rekindles a debate about the freedom of the press, and whether there should be limits imposed on this.

The first problem is that societies which are settled and largely peaceful, value civil liberties highly and resist becoming a police state, even if a benign one. French police already carry guns. British police do not, although there are armed response units in the UK.

"There is no suggestion that the 80,000 police employed in ending the hunt for the terrorists were more effective because they were armed."

In the UK, the 5,000 police in the armed response units would have been in the front line. CCTV cameras are ubiquitous, provoking complaints from civil liberties groups, but wide support by the public who feel more secure. With their high definition pictures, and remote operation, they now play a vital role in crime prevention and detection of all kinds.

Intelligence gathering through widespread surveillance is being extended rapidly (now to include all phone calls and texts in the UK), and we are told has thwarted a number of terrorist plots in the UK and France.