Latest news with #FilipinoCatholic
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
CBCP expresses concern over delay in VP Sara's impeachment trial
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has expressed concern over the delay of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment proceedings as they urged the faithful to 'combat moral indifference.' 'We are disturbed by the delay in the Senate in executing the constitutional demand for the impeachment process of the Vice President,' CBCP said in a statement on Tuesday. 'We affirm that impeachment, when pursued with truth and justice, is a legitimate democratic mechanism for transparency and accountability in governance,' the group added. The Filipino Catholic bishops also urged the faithful to listen to different sides with openness and 'foster a culture of engaged citizenship rooted in our Christian faith.' Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol earlier said the Senate is not holding off Duterte's impeachment. 'Claims of foot-dragging are baseless as actions speak louder than words,' Tongol said. The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5 with more than 200 congressmen endorsing the verified complaint against her, which has been transmitted to the Senate for her impeachment trial. The Senate sitting as an impeachment court however voted last June 10 to return to the House of Representatives the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte without dismissing or terminating the case. The House already submitted the first required certification that the complaint complied with the one-year ban on subsequent impeachment complaints and that it followed the Constitution. The House under the 20th Congress has yet to submit the second certification concerning its willingness to prosecute. Duterte has entered a 'not guilty' plea in the verified impeachment complaint filed against her by the House of Representatives. Duterte, however, denied allegations against her, which include bribery, corruption, betrayal of public trust, misuse of confidential funds, contracting an assassin, and political destabilization — calling them 'false, misleading, impertinent, and mere conclusions of fact and law.' Duterte's camp said that the allegation in relation to her previous statement that she had contracted someone to kill Marcos, his wife, and Romualdez if she herself gets killed, 'does not offer any proof thereof [and] does not show what acts allegedly constitute such 'high crimes.'' Gaza situation, labor issues The CBCP also called on Catholics to take part in creating a 'just and peaceful' society. 'In this Jubilee Year, let us enkindle our hope, strengthen our solidarity and remain vigilant in our stewardship of truth, justice, and the dignity of every human person,' it added. The Filipino Catholic bishops also condemned the continued tension in Gaza as they reiterated their call for peace. 'Let food and badly needed humanitarian aid benefit all. We appeal for an immediate ceasefire so that serious negotiations can take place for a long-lasting solution to the problems of Palestine,' CBCP said. The prelates also called for a dialogue for just compensation among workers in the country. 'The Church must lead by example in ensuring fair salaries, benefits and dignified treatment of workers in our church institutions,' CBCP said. 'We appeal for dialogue among employees, employers and the government to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions on just wages and security of tenure as the workers rightfully demand and the Church's social teachings advocate,' it added. It can be recalled that the National Capital Region Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board approved a P50 increase in the daily minimum wage, drawing flak among labor groups, with some calling it an "insult." — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Herald Malaysia
20-06-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Filipinos celebrate independence with Mass
Ambassador Maria Angela Abrera Ponce and officials from the Philippine Embassy joined the Filipino Catholic community for Mass on June 8 at the Cathedral of St Johnto commemorate the opening of the 127th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. Jun 20, 2025 KUALA LUMPUR: Ambassador Maria Angela Abrera Ponce and officials from the Philippine Embassy joined the Filipino Catholic community for Mass on June 8 at the Cathedral of St Johnto commemorate the opening of the 127th Anniversary of Philippine on Pentecost Sunday, the Mass brought together Filipinos from across the city for a moment of prayer, thanksgiving, and national reflection. It was organised by Tahanang Pilipino, a Filipino Catholic community that regularly gathers for spiritual fellowship and priest, Fr Gerard Theraviam, presided over the Eucharistic celebration. The Philippine flag stood prominently beside the altar, symbolising unity and patriotism among overseas Filipinos. During the Mass, special prayers were offered for the Philippines, its leaders, and the millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) around the world. The celebration served not only as a tribute to the country's independence but also as a reminder of the resilience and faith of the Filipino diaspora.
The Province
06-06-2025
- General
- The Province
Community comes together to honour Lapu Lapu Day victims at 40-day memorial mass
In Filipino Catholic tradition, the 40th day is a sacred time of prayer and remembrance. 'Here I can express my emotions and I'm not alone,' said one memorial attendee Attendees gather for the 40-Day Memorial Mass to honour and pray for those who lost their lives after the tragic events following the Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG The number 40 makes frequent appearances in the Bible. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. 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THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors It rained on Noah's Ark for 40 days and nights; Israelis wandered the wilderness for 40 years, eating manna; Moses spent 40 days on a mountain with God and descended with the 10 Commandments, Jesus was tempted by the Devil for 40 days. And for devout Filipinos, it's custom and tradition that when somebody dies, they pray for them for 40 days. On Thursday evening, a couple hundred people attended a 40-day memorial mass to honour and pray for the 11 people who lost their lives at the Lapu Lapu Day festival on April 26. 'In Filipino Catholic tradition, it's believed by many people that for 40 days the souls of our loved ones still walk the Earth, they still remain really close to us,' Crystal Laderas said outside St. Andrew's Parish in east Vancouver, before the mass began. 'So on the 40th day, (the souls) transition to the afterlife and they find peace. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'For a lot of people, this is not about moving on, but parting with love.' It helps people transition to the next phase, she said. 'The mourning will continue, and past the 40 days there will be other events that are needed for collective healing.' Fr. Salvador Reyes Jr. speaks at the 40-day memorial mass to honour and pray for those who lost their lives after the tragic events following the Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG The tragedy, which also injured dozens more people, occurred as Lapu Lapu Day was winding down and families were heading back to their homes. The driver of a black SVU sped past food trucks on East 43rd street, which had been blocked off for pedestrians-only around 8:15 p.m., plowing into the crowded street and sending bodies flying. Kai-ji Adam Lo, 30, who was under the care of a mental health team and on leave from hospital, faces eight counts of second-degree murder. He appeared briefly by video in Vancouver provincial court on Friday, May 30, for his second court appearance. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He has been sent for a psychiatric assessment, and is scheduled to return to court next week to set a date for his next appearance, which will be for legal arguments on whether he's mentally fit to stand trial. Forty is also the number of days Jesus stayed on Earth after his resurrection before ascending to heaven. 'In an event like this,' said Fr. Francis Galvan, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Delta, speaking outside the church before the service, 'as violent, as tragic and as painful as it is, we believers continue to remember (the victims). 'We remember the pain, because all of us are affected by it. But when we remember, we no longer remember just human beings. 'We remember God and how God enters into this, because 40 days is a time of change and transformation.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Attendees gather for the 40-Day Memorial Mass on to honour and pray for those who lost their lives after the tragic events following the Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG The tragedy of Lapu Lapu Day was noted around the world. Among those who reached out with condolences and sympathy were King Charles, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron. Galvan, the seventh of 10 children born to farmer parents in a remote village in the Philippines, said he was supposed to be at the festival, but the death of Pope Francis required his attention elsewhere. 'Sometimes we get broken, we don't know the reason, but something happened in our lives and so for us, we're not just praying for those who have died, we also pray for the one who caused this pain,' Galvan said. 'He's a human being also like us. 'We pray for him as well, because there are things that we do not understand as human beings … this is very important because when we pray, we raise our minds and hearts.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Galvan was in attendance at Thursday's mass in support of St. Andrew's pastor Fr. Salvador Reyes Jr., who began the service with the hymn Christ Be Our Light: 'Shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness.' That was followed with a passage from Isiah that, Reyes said, emphasizes God's mercy and compassion, even toward sinners : 'I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry.' Eight volunteers with the Provincial Psychosocial Services were on hand to help anyone needing assistance coping with the trauma, with their pamphlets on a table inside the church near doors with posters reading Hope Lives Here. Fr. Salvador Reyes Jr. leads attendees at the 40-day memorial mass to honour and pray for those who lost their lives after the tragic events following the Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG After the service, Reyes led a precession the four blocks to 43rd Avenue, where the tragedy took place. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. They were accompanied by a police escort, six officers in three police cars, which cordoned off the street for the vigil. White-robed children followed close behind, then the congregation, and 11 candles were lit — one for each fatality — at the memorials that have popped up on the fence bordering John Oliver Secondary. On the fence was another sign: 'This is too much to hold, so we hold it together.' Mirikit Santos, who was not at the festival and did not know anyone who was hurt, said she was there because she couldn't bear the burden of her emotions by herself. 'Here I can express my emotions and I'm not alone,' she said. gordmcintyre@ A memorial that has popped up on the fence bordering John Oliver Secondary Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Memorial Mass in Vancouver, BC. June 5, 2025. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Memorial Mass in Vancouver, BC. June 5, 2025. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Read More
Global News
05-06-2025
- Global News
Memorial mass in Vancouver to mark 40 days since Lapu Lapu Day attack
Members of Vancouver's Filipino community and others will honour and pray for victims of the Lapu Lapu festival attack at a memorial mass today, 40 days after the tragedy that left 11 people dead. The date is significant in Filipino Catholic tradition as the end of a mourning period, and Rev. Francis Galvan says he expects the mass at St. Andrew's Parish church in East Vancouver at 6 p.m. to be crowded. Galvan, who is of Filipino heritage and is the pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Delta, B.C., says it's important for the healing process to be shared. 1:54 Filipino community concerned with Vancouver's event for Lapu Lapu victims He also says it's important to show solidarity with victims' families by hearing their stories and mourning together. Story continues below advertisement Vancouver police say seven people injured in the attack remain in hospital as of Tuesday afternoon, with six in stable condition and one in serious condition. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In a statement issued Thursday morning, advocacy group Filipino BC says the 40th day 'holds deep spiritual meaning.' 'It is believed that the soul remains close to us during these 40 days, before finding peace and fully departing from the physical world.' The statement lists names and ages of all 11 people who died in the attack, who ranged in age from five to 60. 'This is not closure,' Filipino BC said of the 40th day. 'Healing does not follow a schedule. But today offers a moment to pause. To gather. To feel. And to remind ourselves that healing, while difficult, is possible when we do it together.' 2:22 Brief court appearance for Lapu Lapu Day suspect RJ Aquino, who chairs Filipino BC, said the aftermath of the April 26 attack had cast a shadow over Filipino Heritage Month, which is marked every June. Story continues below advertisement He said some people were still having a difficult time crossing the street or even leaving their homes after the attack, but being with other members of the community is a way to encourage collective healing. The City of Vancouver has separately announced plans for a large-scale memorial event later this month to honour the victims. The 'Come Together: Vancouver Strong,' benefit concert will be held at Rogers Arena, although the exact date has not been set. Attack suspect Adam Kai-Ji Lo faces eight counts of second-degree murder, and Vancouver police have said more charges are expected. He is due back in court on Friday, as preparations to determine if he's fit to stand trial continue.
Toronto Star
05-06-2025
- General
- Toronto Star
Memorial mass in Vancouver to mark 40 days since Lapu Lapu tragedy
VANCOUVER - Members of Vancouver's Filipino community and others will honour and pray for victims of the Lapu Lapu festival attack at a memorial mass today, 40 days after the tragedy that left 11 people dead. The date is significant in Filipino Catholic tradition as the end of a mourning period, and Rev. Francis Galvan says he expects the mass at St. Andrew's Parish church in East Vancouver at 6 p.m. to be crowded.
