echoknowmix

 Aureus Solito,who alsogoesbyhispennameKanakan-Balintagos, isbest knownfor filmsthataremeant toprovokediscourse;mostnotoriousofallbeinghis first, ​AngPagdadalagani MaximoOliveros (2005). Incontrast to the rest of his filmography, ​Pisay (2007) is a much lighter and simpler filmas a series of coming-of-agestoriesabout studentsatPhilippineScienceHighSchool.However, Solito iscareful to tacklepoignant questions inhis tributetohisalmamater–an almost autobiographical take of the stories that he and his own batchmates experienced (Zafra, 2008), while they were studying in the middle of Martial Law. What isnotableabout ​Pisay​, thefilm, isthat thequestionsitasksarenever thequestions that Pisay, theschool systemadministration,wants itsstudents to focuson. Insteadof celebratingthequalityeducation,monthlystipend, freetuition, andotherperks thatPisaypromotional ...

The synodal process, anchored on reciprocal listening, has cleared the airwaves for all people—not just the clergy, but the laity, and most especially those from the peripheries—to openly express their sentiments, dreams, and aspirations for a Church they can truly call home. Through this process, the faithful have deeply realized their co-responsible role in guiding others and perpetuating Christ's mission. For the Archdiocese of Capiz, one most symbolic cultural image of this synodal experience is the bell . This image naturally evokes our identity as the home of the Panay Bell , the largest bell in Asia. For us faithful Capizeños, it is more than just a historical icon; it is an early fruit of synodality itself, having been cast from 76 sacks of coins contributed by the townspeople over four decades. In this synodal framework, the bell represents the Church’s urgent call to listen to the voices of the least, the last, and the lost. Its striking sound produces echoes —the res...

On October 10, 2021, Pope Francis formally opened the "Synod on Synodality," and by October 17 of the same year, the Diocesan Phase commenced in parishes across the global Catholic Church. For an ordinary layperson, this may have initially seemed like just another ecclesiastical event. Yet, as time unfolded, we came to realize that it was something far deeper. Admittedly, the Synod on Synodality was met with a grain of skepticism by some traditional Catholics. Even within the clergy, it sparked intense debates, revealing divisions regarding its overall scope. Because of its profoundly inclusive nature, some even perceived it as an attempt to introduce a new dogma or reshape the fundamental tenets of the Catholic faith. But what exactly is synodality? Is it truly a new doctrine? The word "synod" is derived from the Greek synodos , an ancient and venerable term within Church Tradition rooted deeply in the themes of Divine Revelation. It points directly to the Lo...

  July 1, 2023, is a date that holds a deeply sacred significance in my life. It marks one of my greatest victories and perhaps the proudest milestone a single parent can ever experience: the college graduation of my daughter, Dorothy. For me, it was a crowning achievement, but it was foremost a shared triumph. Cognizant of our predicaments, my daughter persevered and successfully completed her education despite a mountain of challenges. Her journey of independence began early. At the tender age of twelve, while still coping with the profound loss of her father, she left home to attend the Philippine Science High School–Western Visayas Campus . Despite the heartbreak of separation at such a young age, she excelled, graduating With High Honors and receiving special recognition as Best in Social Science . Moving on to the Ateneo de Manila University brought an entirely new set of trials. Spending those four years apart was not easy for either of us, but it taught us the true...

  I recently almost fell victim to a phishing scam, and I want to share my experience so you can protect yourselves. It started with a Messenger chat from a respected elder in a community I am actively involved. Thinking it was really her, I responded when she offered to help me register for a DSWD senior citizen program through her nephew. Out of respect and trust, I engaged in the conversation. Though I am aware of this program because a friend even sent me a link. Having tried and failed to register twice before, I was eager to receive the help. However, warning signs appeared when the person on the other end began asking if I had additional phones, used online banking, or held active ATM accounts. Knowing never to share sensitive financial details, I immediately ended the chat and took action. Minutes later, I received a call that my Messenger account was used to ask for P12,500 from a close friend who happens to be a mother of a nun. Since the person knows me very well she c...

 Recently, two precious souls marked a significant milestone as they publicly professed their love for each other, capping off an eleven-year journey. Their story began in sorrow. The loss of a beloved family member brought them together, forcing them to navigate deep grief at a young age when they could have used a pillar of support. Yet, in the midst of heartbreak, they found solace in each other’s friendship. Beyond their emotional bond, they became each other's anchor through rigorous academic pursuits. As scholars at two of the country's most prestigious institutions, they weathered intense pressure to graduate with highest honors—a Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and a Cum Laude from Ateneo de Manila University. Distance and time only tested their resolve. First came the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a long-distance relationship when one left to pursue graduate studies on a scholarship in the US. Connected by digital ...