Even without Holy Week

“The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.”

—William Hazlitt

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

EVEN if it isn’t Holy Week, we exhort good-for-nothing leaders, mulcters and grafters in government, as well as thieves, social media maniacs, dishonest individuals, philanderers, and scam artists in society to repent for their sins.

Repentance process does not have to be during the Holy Week; even in normal weeks all of us sinners can actually perform a sincere act of reviewing our actions, feeling deep sorrow or contrition for wrongdoing, and committing to a change in behavior, character, or direction.

It means we must turn away from negative behaviors and toward a better, often spiritual, way of life. It includes remorse, penitence, compunction, and contrition.

 All of us sinners can actually begin the repentance process in normal weeks—even without the traditional special solemnity as a time of devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Some of us, however, will learn to repent only after we have been caught, hauled in court, and convicted in the bar of justice. Inside the jail, we make amends for our sins and serve our sentences just the same.

 

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When Jesus started His public ministry, He also called for repentance. Matthew 4:17 records, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” Jesus says of repentance, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7).

Many understand the term repentance to mean “a turning from sin.” Regretting sin and turning from it are related to repentance but are not the precise meaning of the word. In the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.”

The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8–14; Acts 3:19).

 

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 In Mark 6:12, the disciples also “went out and preached that people should repent.” This preaching continued in Acts. Peter preached to Jews, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

Paul preached to Gentiles, “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). And later he testified, “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:21). And, similarly, “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).

As demonstrated in the passages above, repentance is an important part of an initial response to the gospel, but it is also an important part of the life of the Christian.

Writing to the church at Corinth, Paul says, “Now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended” (2 Corinthians 7:9).

To the church at Ephesus, Jesus says, “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” (Revelation 2:5).

 

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DIVIDED PEOPLE. Politics has divided the nation and will further exacerbate the tension and wrangling among political rivals now that the campaign period for the next election is coming next. More friendships will be shattered before and after the elections. Sad but true.

FILTER IT AWAY. The human body requires at least 1 gallon of water a day. If we are considering stocking up on emergency supplies, let's bear in mind that plastic bottles are thought to leach chemicals into the water if left for a length of time. Let's save space and the environment by stocking up on water filters instead.

WELCOME THE WIND. Many products can cause air pollution to build up in our home, including modern cleaners, which contain strong chemicals. Let's make sure to ventilate our home well, ensuring a through-flow of air to help reduce pollution levels and encourage good ventilation.

SHORT PENIS. An adult gorilla's penis is only 2 inches long. From now on let’s be kind to gorillas because of their limited “happiness.”

THEY ARE HEALTHY. Foods and nutrients that can lower our cholesterol naturally: Activated charcoal, barely, carrots, chromium, corn bran, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), eggplant, evening primrose oil, fenugreek seed, fiber, garlic, ginger, lemon grass oil, soybeans, yogurt, red pepper, onions.

DISHABILIOPHOBIA is the fear of undressing in front of someone: In the first place, who would have the guts to undress in front of someone? Even some couples possess this fear. Undressing in front of a mirror is even nerve-tingling!

INFAMOUS SEVEN. The seven cardinals of the Roman Catholic church who falsely condemned Galileo Galilei in the Holy Inquisition were F. Cardinalis de Asculo, G. Cardinalis Bentiuolus, Fr. Cardinalis de Cremona, Fr. Antonius Cardinalis S. Honuphrij, B. Cardinalis Gypsius, Fr. Cardinalis Verospius, M. Cardinalis Ginettus.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

Holy mind and heart

“I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affections, and the truth of imagination.”

—John Keats

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

LET’S observe the Holy Week with a “holy mind and heart” instead of swapping brickbats and verbal darts like what some warring politicians and their subalterns have been doing.

We are supposed to be in the most sacred week in Christianity, spanning from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday (immediately preceding Easter Sunday).

This celebration is dedicated to commemorating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let’s focus on this solemn occasion.

It is a time of intense reflection, prayer, and liturgical services remembering Jesus' final days, including his entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, Crucifixion, and burial.

It is not time to assassinate characters, spread half truths especially in the social media, and release threatening remarks when emotions are at a fever pitch.

Holy Week, often referred to as Passion Week, is not merely a historical recollection but a liturgical experience of Christ's Paschal Mystery—His suffering, death, and resurrection.

It serves as a time for Christians to renew their faith and reflect on themes of redemption, sacrifice, and divine love, according to Interfaith America and Indiana Wesleyan University.

 

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Let’s us continue to wish and pray that the war in the Middle East will end soon because the Filipinos are among those in the losing ends with hundreds of displaced OFWs coming home like an exodus from the forbidden desert.

The Iran war has caused severe economic pressure on the Philippines through surging oil prices, leading to higher transportation costs, potential food inflation, and higher electricity rates.

Filipinos face risks of job losses, potential repatriation of more OFWs, and a slowdown in economic growth, creating a "significant" economic strain.

The Middle East has been experiencing a massive, expanding multi-front war involving direct, open military conflicts between Iran, Israel, and the United States as of late March 2026.

Entering the month of April, the conflict has intensified into a regional war, featuring Israeli invasions in Lebanon, airstrikes against Iran, and U.S. forces responding to attacks from various Iranian-backed groups across the region.

The situation has been characterized by high instability and the active potential for further escalation as U.S. forces and their allies combat Iranian-backed initiatives throughout the Middle East.

 

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While I was in Los Angeles, California recently, I received the following email from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, the same email she sent to fellow New Yorker:

Alex, The cost of living is too damn high. The cost of groceries, insurance, and everyday essentials have all gone up, making it harder for families to get ahead.

So when tax season comes around, the last thing you want to see is even more money going out the door.

Our Affordability Agenda is delivering billions in tax relief to millions of New York families — with new savings taking effect for the first time ever this year.

Expanded Child Tax Credit: Thanks to our historic expansion of the Child Tax Credit, parents can claim up to $1,000 per child — three times the amount they were able to claim in the past — and more families qualify than ever before. For parents working hard to make ends meet, this means more breathing room to help cover the cost of diapers, groceries, school supplies, and everything in between. Learn more and see if you’re eligible.

Historic middle-class tax cuts: Nearly three in four New Yorkers are going to see less money taken out of their paychecks starting this year. I think hardworking New Yorkers deserve to keep more of what they earned and with the largest cut in more than 70 years, we’re making sure more money stays where it belongs: in your pocket. Learn more and see if you qualify.

Relief for seniors and small business owners: From easier to access $2.2 billion in savings through the STAR program, expanded property tax exemptions for seniors, to lower taxes for small businesses and the self-employed, New Yorkers in every corner of our state and in every stage of life are going to be getting an extra hand this year. Learn more about the tax credits you may qualify for.

I’m constantly looking for new ways to make life easier for New Yorkers. Our Inflation Refund checks and universal free school meals program have put even more money back into household budgets — saving some families hundreds every month. And because we don’t think you should be hit with an extra fee just for filing your taxes, thousands of filers are eligible for free filing options through New York State. See if you qualify for free tax filing.

We are governing differently — with a focus on lifting people up, not making life harder. While Republicans in Washington are adding to the burden, here in New York, we are committed to easing it. From cutting taxes to proposing no tax on tips, every step we take is about helping hardworking New Yorkers get ahead. Ever Upward, Gov. Kathy Hochul

 

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WHY WE HAVE EYEBROWS. Our eyebrows serve a good and useful purpose. If we had no eyebrows, the drops of sweat that form on our foreheads when we get warm would run into our eyes.

THE 24-CARAT GOLD. Pure gold is known, in the jewelry trade, as 24-carat gold. This is too soft a metal for ordinary wear and tear, so a harder metal, generally copper, is alloyed with gold. If the alloy has 18 parts of gold and 6 parts of another metal, we call it 18-carat gold; if it has 14 parts of gold and 10 of another metal, we call it 14-carat gold, and so on.

LET'S HIRE A CARPENTER. Instead of spending lots of money on a new desk for our office, let us invest in some salvaged wood and paying a carpenter to make us one to measure--it will have the added advantage of fitting the space exactly.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

We’re in real ‘darkness’ once more

“If we don't end war, war will end us.”

—H. G. Wells

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE real crisis Filipinos face today is not the squabble of politicians, but inflation triggered by oil price hikes following the recent missile attacks in the Middle East.

It is not the number of suitcases or baggages containing allegedly billions of pesos distributed by the 18 ex-marines to politicians allied to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family.

Not whether Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio will be convicted in the impeachment trial, but the rise in the costs of transportation, electricity, and basic commodity.

Once the Filipinos bellyache, it’s not only crisis, it’s hell.

Surges like the predicted P20/liter diesel increase instantly tighten household budgets, increase business operational costs, and pressure the peso based on the fact that the Philippines imports 90 percent of its oil.

Transport fares, logistics expenses, and electricity rates, which in turn drive up the prices of food and consumer goods, are sure to increase directly because of rising fuel costs.

Households, particularly low-income groups, face reduced purchasing power. Public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and fishermen are heavily affected, often forced to seek alternative income sources.

A sustained $10 increase in crude prices adds roughly P55 to P60 billion to the country's annual import bill, weakening the Philippine peso which was breaching the $1 to P60 mark.

 

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Here in the United States, gas prices have also surged as the fallout from the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran continues to choke global oil supplies.

As of March 7, data from the AAA motor club showed the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped by 14 percent in a week to $3.4.

The price was under $3 a week ago, but the conflict has severely disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude oil above $90 a barrel. Natural gas prices in Europe have risen even more sharply, according to Time editor Richard Hall.

“The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022 during the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict,” the AAA said.

Gas prices are expected to rise even higher. AAA noted the last time crude oil was that high, the average price of a gallon of gas in the U.S. was $3.80.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway off the coast of Iran through which about 20 percent of the world's crude oil and natural gas typically passes, has officially closed as a result of the worsening U.S.-Israel vs Iran war.

 

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A Revolutionary Guard spokesman said on March 7 it would remain open to all traffic except U.S. and Israeli ships as the badly bruised Iran threatened to hit any vessel from traveling through in the first days of the conflict.

“We did not close the Strait of Hormuz and will not, but we will target ships belonging to the U.S. regime and the Zionist entity transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” a spokesman said, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Reuters reported the number of tankers passing through the strait has nevertheless dropped to zero since Wednesday.

Retaliatory Iranian missile attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in Gulf countries that host U.S. military bases, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have also impacted the production and prices, according to Hall

President Donald Trump made affordability a central plank of his 2024 campaign for the White House, and in his State of the Union address late last month, he boasted about his Administration’s ability to keep them down.

“Gasoline, which reached a peak of over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor and was, quite honestly, a disaster, is now below $2.30 a gallon in most states, and in some places $1.99 a gallon,” the president claimed. “And when I visited the great state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even saw $1.85 a gallon for gasoline, the lowest in four years, and falling fast.”

 

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THE USE OF HAVING TWO EYES. If we look at our room with one eye only, we will find that it looks much flatter than it does with two eyes. With two eyes we can see that the chair is n front of the desk, that the wastebasket is round and that the closet looks deep. Our eyes are set from about two to two and a half inches from each other--measuring from center to center.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. We hear better on water than on sand. Sound is composed of waves that pass through the air. These waves are broken up and interrupted when they strike against solid obstacles. On land, sound-waves usually can not travel very far without striking against houses, or trees, or mountains or some other objects that stand in their path.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Does sound go on forever? No sound lasts forever as a sound. The waves that carry the sound become weaker and weaker, and finally our human ears can hear them no longer. Nor is there any scientific instrument, no matter how delicate, that can record sounds after a certain length of time as passed.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

Sila pirmi ang nahalitan

 “Without initiative, leaders are simply workers in leadership positions.”

—Bo Bennett

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

EVERY TIME maglupok ang giyera ukon kinagamo sa Middle East kag sa iban pa nga pungsod nga may presensia sang mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), ang una nga mahalitan kag mabutang sa katalagman amo gid pirme ang mga OFWs ukon ang aton mga “modern day Filipino heroes.”

Sa pag ibwal sang giyera sa tunga sang US-Israel batuk Iran sining mga nagligad nga inadlaw, may mga OFWs nanaman nga nagkalamatay. Daw ano kasubu.

Kun indi maigo sang bomba ukon missile nga ginapalupad sang mga pungsod nga involved sa waswasananay, ang aton mga OFWs mapatay sa heart attack kag ang iban maantos anay sa hospital kay may mga pilas gikan sa mga higante nga bomba nga nagtupa sa ila gina obrahan ukon ginatiniran.

Ang isa gani ka 32 anyos nga caregiver nga si Mary Ann De Vera napatay matapos maagsikan sang shrapnel sa isa ka missile attack sa Tel Aviv, Israel sadtong February 28, 2026, samtang iya gina salbar ang 90 anyos nga pasyente.

 

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Maayo man kay gin recognize sia sang Israel nga isa ka “terror victim” para maka agum sang state benefits ang iya pamilya. Taga Basista, Pangasinan sia.

May isa pa gid ka OFW nga si Wilma Auza nga nabawian man sang kabuhi bangud sa cardiac arrest samtang naga pauli halin sa Cebu pakadto sa ila lugar sa Manjuyod, Negros Oriental pagabot niya sa Pilipinas gikan sa Israel.

Let’s hope wala na sang mapatay ukon mahalitan pa nga OFW kay samtang gina sulat naton ini, naga ibwal kag naga lala pagid ang giyera sa Middle East. Daw indi klaro kon san o ini matapos ukon madugay pa pag untat.

Madamu pagid nga OFWs ang gusto pagpauli sa Pilipinas kag ginakulbaan nga basi madalahig sa ginamu didto sa Dubai, Bahrain, Israel, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, kag Jordan.

Kabay pa nga maasikaso ini sila tanan sang aton gobierno paagi sa bulig sang Department of Migrants Workers. Kabay pa nga mabuligan sila kag ang ila mga pamilya kon mag decide sila nga magpauli kay nakahibalu naman kita kon ano ka budlay ang pangabuhi sa Pilipinas.  

 

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Ang crisis sa Middle East subong maka cause gid sang immediate nga pagsaka sang mga fuel prices, bangud ang production kag transport sang oil kag gas across the region nag hina kag nag untat sa kabilugan in many cases, pero indi pa kuno klaro kun paano ini ma solusyunan sa masunod nga mga inadlaw kag binulan.

Amo ini bag o nga balita halin sa British Broadcasting Corporation:

As of Monday in the UK, petrol cost an average of 132.14p per litre at the pump while diesel cost an average of 142.15p per litre, weekly official figures show.

The RAC, which tracks daily prices, said between Saturday and Thursday average prices rose by 3p per litre for petrol, and 5p per litre for diesel.

In the US on Tuesday, average petrol prices were up approximately 23 cents (17p) per gallon compared to the previous week and up approximately 41 cents per gallon of diesel over the same period.

These early increases are well below those seen in 2022 after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In the week before the invasion, unleaded petrol cost an average of 147.77p per litre in the UK. Less than fourth months later, in early July, it had jumped by more than 43p per litre.

In the US, prices for petrol and diesel peaked at over $5 a gallon in June 2022.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)