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She feels ‘blessed’ to have witnessed all four papal visits to the Philippines
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. In the current quest for peace and goodwill the world over, the role of Pope Francis has been pivotal. It gladdens many a heart to learn that the Philippine visit has been enshrined among Filipinos who went home to help welcome the pontiff nicknamed ‘Lolo Kiko.’ It might not seem […]
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Pope Francis leads the way: notes to share on the papal visit
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. This writer has received queries from Australia and Indonesia surprisingly from friends she had known as ‘vibrant Catholics’ years ago, but who admitted they are no longer church goers. Still, they are hungry for information on Pope Francis and curious about the intent of his visit to the Philippines. Here […]
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Ex-seminarian in Rome remembers sharing a ride with then Cardinal Bergoglio
By Cristina DC Pastor The year was 2003. Quentin ‘Kentz’ Cavite was then a religious seminarian in Rome, and Pope Francis was still Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina. Their paths crossed when Kentz was asked by his superior to pick up an Argentinian bishop from the airport. “For me that was only an ordinary […]
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Thoughts on Jan. 15 papal visit: Will PHL bishops march in lockstep as Pope cleans up the Church?
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. Dateline Manila. With but a few days shortly after my homeland arrival had taken place, during the last days of November 2014, queries arose: “Aren’t you fortunate that you will be covering Pope Francis’s visit?” How I wish I could have answered positively in line with their caring views! Another […]
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University president Gabriel Esteban receives papal honor
Seton Hall University President A. Gabriel Esteban was inducted as knight in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem at an investiture Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Being knighted in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the highest papal awards for clergy and laity in the Catholic Church. Esteban was […]
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Retracing Christ’s footsteps from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, and passing through Palestine
By Wendell Gaa Visiting the Holy Land was a lifetime goal of mine since college, and a part of my heart and soul felt fulfilled on a spiritual, emotional and intellectual level after I finally achieved that objective this year. Having been born a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church denomination, my trip to Israel […]
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Fr. Joseph Marabe breaks silence over Simbang Gabi ban (Part 2)
By Sharon Adarlo and Cristina DC Pastor When the Simbang Gabi Masses were banned from the Philippine Center in 2011 during the holiest time of the Christian calendar, some Filipino Americans harbored angry, unholy thoughts about the decision by the Archdiocese of New York. The Simbang Gabi, the tradition of celebrating dawn Masses (In the […]
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INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING PROJECT: Why Filipinos shy away from Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz dedicated to them (Part 1)
UPDATE: DNA Info is reporting that the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz is being sold for $7.35 million to a real estate developer. The sale is expected to close by July 25, 2017. Below is the story of the church dedicated to Filipinos and yet forsaken by the community. By Sharon Adarlo Amidst the trendy […]
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Bohol Earthquake, a year on: a presentation on Oct. 21
On October 15, 2013 at 8:12 a.m., a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Bohol, Philippines. About 350,000 people were displaced and several of the Philippines’ historic coral stone churches, dating from the 18th through the 20th centuries, were damaged or destroyed. This sudden and devastating event is a reminder that the country lies […]