Killings and calamities

RAIN OF FIRE
Cesar G.Bonilla

LAOAG CITY – The peace and order campaign in Ilocos Norte should be intensified to prevent the operations of criminal elements considering rise of business ventures and growth of tourism in different towns. There is a need to keep the tranquility of the place.

The horrible killing of a minor after she was raped by her tormentors is another grim story of violence in the province. The criminals tried to burn her body to conceal the crime. With this barbaric killing committed by blood-thirsty individuals, it is advisable that the civilian populace cooperate with law enforcers to stop this nightmare. If we cannot paralyze the modus operandi of criminal elements, we can only whimper "God save Ilocos Norte." What we need is political will to stop violent killings in our territory.
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The Workers of Christ the Worker Religious Institute was founded on Sept. 8, 1971 in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. It was born just at a time when the Holy Mother Church pressed for adaptation and renewal, a return to the sources, which is the Gospel and respect for charisms of founders.

The need to penetrate towns and villages as our Lord did in His lifetime is a call to preach the message of love to working men-the masses. With their pastoral and social involvement among the people of God, compassionate and contemplative, the group is a religious icon.

I met some religious Sisters from the Workers of Christ the Worker in Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. I introduced myself as a writer or journalist for Northern Philippine Times and with their kindness, I promised that I will give a copy of the newspaper for them to read.
My High School days at Sta. Rosa Academy was a colorful journey to spirituality since the religious nuns were always there to guide me. I would like to extend my deep gratitude to the Workers of Christ the Worker Religious Institute and to Rev. Fr. Walde Batoon for giving the visitors of Ilocos Norte the chance to pray inside the Sta. Monica Church. May God bless you more!
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Nature's wrath comes in many forms -- earthquakes, soil erosion, landslides, tidal waves, typhoons and floods that wrought havoc on the lives and properties of many people. Typhoon Ondoy inflicted pain and sufferings to thousands of Filipino people who until now are helpless in the face of another super typhoon.

Though Metro Manila can be considered the most urbanized region in the Philippines, public safety fell short in the midst of strong rain, wind and flood. Maybe, God has a message to tell to each and everyone of us especially those in power. I observed that calamities and disasters empowered our patriotic spirit to become unselfish and united in helping victims, the downtrodden, and the less fortunate.

We salute the military, police, the sympathetic government officials and concerned media personalities to include well-known stars in the movie world who shared their heroism and nationalistic fervor despite the shadow of death awaiting in the way just to save their fellow Filipinos. May God continue to shower us with blessings notwithstanding the tragedy and trials as a way to strengthen our faith in Him.
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I would like to greet Sweet Travel and Tours for revitalizing their tour business. In line with this, I am here to welcome visitors who will come and see the amazing historical, cultural, and ecological grandeur of Ilocandia: Raymundo De Dios, Wilfredo Enriquez, Ma. Teresa Santos, Flordeliza De Lara and Agnes Uy.