Philippines Official Syndicated Newspaper & : Business

Pag&amp;IBIG Fund continues to grow members’ savings as investment income climbs 50%

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:00:28 +0800

Pag-IBIG Fund recorded a 50% increase in investment income in the first four months of 2025, reflecting its prudent financial stewardship and growing capacity to support members’ savings and housing needs. The development affirms the agency’s key role in advancing the Marcos administration’s agenda of strengthening government financial institutions and improving the lives of Filipino […]

NCR retail price growth cools to 5&amp;year low

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:00:27 +0800

Retail price growth of general goods in the National Capital Region (NCR) grew to its slowest pace in almost five years in April, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), said in a report. Citing preliminary data, the PSA said that Metro Manila’s price growth slowed further by 0.9% year on year in April from the 1.1% […]

Angela Ken Holds on to Love in New Single ‘Pwede Bang Mamaya?’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 29 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

Singer-songwriter Angela Ken savors the last moments of a relationship in her new single “Pwede Bang Mamaya?”Angela penned the heartfelt track that delves into the quiet moments where hope and resignation co-exist before a relationship ends.“Gumawa ako ng kanta para sa mga taong ayaw nating magpaalam kahit ramdam na nating umaayaw sila. It’s a song that validates your heart’s plea,” she said.“Pwede Bang Mamaya?” marks her second single under Tarsier Records following the mellow-pop track “Kulimlim.” The Kapamilya artist premiered the song’s music video at a launch party last Thursday (May 22) held at Sari Sari Bar in Makati. She made her debut in 2021 with her breakout hit “Ako Naman Muna” and this was followed by her self-titled debut album which already has over 50 million streams on Spotify. She continued to showcase her musicality with a slew of singles such as “Alas Diyes” and “Sikulo,” her hit collaboration with Maki and Nhiko Sabiniano. Check out Angela’s new song “Pwede Bang Mamaya?” available on various streaming platforms. For details, follow Tarsier Records on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

AXEAN Festival Returns to Bali this September 2025

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 29 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

AXEAN Festival proudly announces its return to Bali this year with an expanded vision and more comprehensive programming. Happening from September 13-14, 2025, at the Jimbaran Hub, Southeast Asia’s first intra-regional music showcase event is set to transform the island into a two-day convergence of sound, innovation, culture, and collaboration. Positioned as a “celebration across borders,” AXEAN Festival will showcase over 40 emerging and established acts from Southeast Asia and beyond while exploring new educational and collaborative formats that strengthen the creative and business ecosystems across the region.Building on last year’s acclaimed edition, this year’s event elevates its commitment to providing a holistic experience not only for the fans but also for the artists and industry stakeholders that make this celebration possible. “AXEAN Festival has always been a labor of love for all of us co-founders—driven by passion, run pro bono, and built with bootstrapped resources,” shares AXEAN Festival co-founder and team leader Piyapong Muenprasertdee. “We’ve consistently pushed the limits of what’s possible with limited funding, and the positive impact we’ve made so far is a testament to that dedication.” Piyapong adds, “We’ll keep doing what we do best: turning passion into purpose and creating meaningful opportunities for artists and industry alike—whether we’re working with [...]

Tom Odell Announces New Album ‘A Wonderful Life’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 29 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

NEW SINGLE, ‘DON’T CRY, PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER’ – LISTEN NOW Tom Odell is pleased to announce details of his new album, A Wonderful Life. The new record is released on the 5th September 2025 via UROK/Virgin. It was recorded in London and features 10 tracks including the recent introductory track and album opener, ‘Don’t Let Me Go’. Pre-order/pre-save the album here On this his seventh studio album, Tom Odell has created a record that embodies a universal spirit of empathetic, total honesty; one that looks out at the broken landscape of modern, fractured society and finds dystopia and doom, but also – integrally – glimmers of beauty and hope. To coincide with the album’s announcement, Tom shares a new single, ‘Don’t Cry, Put Your Head On My Shoulder’. A cinematic lullaby, the guitar-led track soon arrows skyward evoking all the anthemic qualities to suggest that Tom and his audience will be bathed in the glare of phone torches and lighter flames when it becomes a certain staple of his live set. The song itself tells the story of a friend mired in strife and the difficulties of learning how best to help them. It’s another telling example [...]

Julia Michaels Enters Her Power Era with New EP ‘Second Self’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 29 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

Photo Credit: David Od May 26th, 2025 – Philippines – From chart-topping songwriter to multi-platinum-selling GRAMMY® nominated solo artist and businesswoman, Julia Michaels has officially entered her most empowered and creatively liberated chapter yet, sitting firmly in the driver’s seat as she releases her EP, ‘Second Self’ out now via her own label, GFY Records. Fans can stream the album here. Comprised of six sharp and smart tracks, “Heaven II”, “Scissors”, “Try Your Luck”, “F.O.O.L.”, “GFY”, and “Time”, ‘Second Self’ is a declaration of artistic ownership, showcasing Michaels’ signature puns, biting lyricism, and deep relatability. It represents not only evolution as a performer and lyricist but also her fearless step into full independence, now as founder of GFY Records. For the first time in her career, she’s writing, releasing, and calling the shots, without compromise. “I’ve spent so much of my life helping other people tell their stories,” says Michaels. “This time, it’s just me. These songs are mine. This project is mine. And that’s the most liberating feeling I’ve ever had”. ‘Second Self’ is bold, unapologetic, and emotionally raw, a testament to Michaels’ journey toward self definition. It’s a project that embraces imperfection, celebrates growth, and explores the complexities of womanhood, heartbreak, defiance, and healing with unflinching honesty. Julia Michaels – “Try Your Luck” (Official Video) For [...]

K&pop Meets the Supernatural in Netflix’s Upcoming Animated Feature ‘K&pop Demon Hunters’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 29 May 2025 22:00:12 +0800

Get ready for a summer blend of music, magic, and monster-slaying, as Netflix unveils its highly anticipated animated feature, “K-pop Demon Hunters,” premiering on June 20, 2025. In a world where shimmering stage lights mask sinister shadows, “K-pop Demon Hunters” offers a genre-bending fusion of pop culture, supernatural action, and sisterhood. The film follows three global K-pop superstars — Rumi, Mira, and Zoey — who aren’t just topping music charts. When the concert ends and the fans go home, this powerhouse girl group trades their microphones for mystical weapons as secret demon hunters, sworn to protect their fans from an invisible supernatural threat lurking beneath the surface of their glittering world. KPOP DEMON HUNTERS – (L-R) Mira (voice by MAY HONG), Rumi (voice by ARDEN CHO) and Zoey (voice by JI-YOUNG YOO). ©2025 Netflix KPOP DEMON HUNTERS – When they aren’t selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise. ©2025 Netflix Plot Overview By day, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey dominate the global music scene [...]

Ayala Malls Cinemas Presents Exciting Activities and Treats for ‘Lilo &amp; Stitch’ with the Ohana Fun Station!

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 26 May 2025 22:00:17 +0800

The perfect family movie experience awaits in Ayala Malls Cinemas as they bring the Ohana spirit in theaters with Lilo & Stitch. There’s more to enjoy when watching in Ayala Malls Cinemas, as parents can take their kids for a fun-filled day of activities with Lilo & Stitch, now showing in theaters. Moviegoers who purchase two tickets to Lilo & Stitch at participating branches will be eligible to participate in the Ohana Fun Station activities, which includes arts and crafts and Lilo & Stitch themed activity sheets. Patrons can also take photobooth pictures as souvenirs. The Ohana Fun Station is available to participating Ayala Malls Cinemas from May 24 to 25. Lilo & Stitch is the live-action reimagining of the beloved animated movie of the same name. A lonely Hawaiian girl, Lilo (Maia Kealoha), crosses paths with Experiment 626, an alien on the run. Naming him Stitch, Lilo takes her unlikely companion out for a life on the island, while being pursued by aliens and visited by social workers. Set off on an island adventure with Lilo & Stitch and Ayala Malls Cinemas, home to family fun and memorable movie-watching experiences. Get to see the film with your loved ones [...]

Pope Leo XIV: ‘Salvation does not come about by magic but by grace and faith’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 26 May 2025 22:00:17 +0800

Pope Leo XIV at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on May 20, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News Vatican City, May 21, 2025 / 14:32 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV on May 20 visited St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica, one of the papal basilicas located outside Rome, to pray at the tomb of the “apostle to the Gentiles.”Upon his arrival, the Holy Father was welcomed by basilca abbot Father Donato Ogliari, OSB, and the archpriest of the basilica, Cardinal James Michael Harvey.Accompanied by Benedictine monks, custodians of the church built over the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle, Pope Leo XIV entered the basilica through the Holy Door amid the chants of the Sistine Chapel choir and the Benedictine community.He then descended to the altar of confession to venerate the tomb of St. Paul, kneeling in silence. After returning to the apse of the church, a passage from St. Paul the Apostle’s Letter to the Romans was read.In his homily, delivered in Italian, the Holy Father emphasized that the reading revolves around three themes — “grace, faith, and justification” — and entrusted the beginning of his pontificate to the intercession of the apostle to the Gentiles.Leo XIV reminded the nearly 2,000 faithful gathered in the basilica that St. Paul claimed to have received “from God the grace of his vocation.”An interior view of St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica on May 20, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News“He acknowledges, in other words, that his encounter with Christ and his own ministry were the fruit of God’s prior love, which called him to a new life while he was still far from the Gospel and persecuting the Church,” he explained.He also quoted the convert St. Augustine, the pope’s spiritual father, “who spoke of the same experience.”In this context, he emphasized that “at the root of every vocation, God is present, in his mercy and his goodness, as generous as that of a mother who nourishes her child with her own body for as long as the child is unable to feed itself.”Recalling how St. Paul spoke of the “obedience of faith,” he pointed out, however, that on the road to Damascus, the Lord “did not take away his freedom but gave him the opportunity to make a decision, to choose an obedience that would prove costly and entail interior and exterior struggles, which Paul proved willing to face.”The pontiff thus pointed out that “salvation does not come about by magic but by a mysterious interplay of grace and faith, of God’s prevenient love and of our trusting and free acceptance.”In this regard, he invited the faithful to “ask him to enable us to respond in the same way to his grace and to become, ourselves, witnesses of the love ‘poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.’”“Let us ask the Lord for the grace to cultivate and spread his charity,” he continued, “and to become true neighbors to one another. Let us compete in showing the love that, following his encounter with Christ, drove the former persecutor to become ‘all things to all people’ even to the point of martyrdom.”He further emphasized that “the weakness of the flesh will show the power of faith in God that brings justification.”From this basilica, entrusted to the care of the Benedictine community, Pope Leo XIV also recalled St. Benedict, who proposed “love as the source and driving force of the preaching of the Gospel,” noting his insistent exhortations “to fraternal charity.”The pontiff did not want to end his homily without recalling Pope Benedict XVI and his words at World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011: “‘Dear friends,’” he said, “‘God loves us. This is the great truth of our life; it is what makes everything else meaningful.” Indeed, “our life originates as part of a loving plan of God,” and faith leads us to “open our hearts to this mystery of love and to live as men and women conscious of being loved by God.’”“Here we see, in all its simplicity and uniqueness, the basis of every mission, including my own mission as the successor of Peter and the heir to Paul’s apostolic zeal. May the Lord grant me the grace to respond faithfully to his call,” Leo XIV concluded.At the end of his homily, the Holy Father knelt again before the altar, located above the apostle’s tomb. Later, the Lord’s Prayer and the Regina Caeli were sung in Latin. Pope Leo XIV left the basilica again in procession, preceded by Benedictine monks, to the applause of the faithful.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Pope Leo XIV appeals for end to hostilities in Gaza in first general audience

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 26 May 2025 22:00:16 +0800

At his first general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 21, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appeals for peace and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where, he said, children and elderly are suffering. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA Vatican City, May 21, 2025 / 08:05 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV in the first general audience of his pontificate on Wednesday appealed for an end to hostilities in Gaza and for the entrance of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.Speaking before tens of thousands of attendees on an overcast day in St. Peter’s Square, the new pope ended his remarks by calling the situation in the Gaza Strip “increasingly worrying and painful.”“I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of decent humanitarian aid and to end the hostilities whose heartbreaking price is paid by children, the elderly, and the sick,” he added.The pope’s appeal comes as the numbers of dead and injured in the Gaza Strip continue to rise under Israel’s attacks. According to reports, while some humanitarian aid has been allowed to enter Gaza, it has not yet been released for distribution.One month to the day since Francis’ death, Pope Leo also recalled with gratitude the “beloved Pope Francis, who just a month ago returned to the house of the Father.”Leo closely followed his written remarks, only adding the comment on Gaza, during the May 21 public audience, which he began by taking a turn around the square in the popemobile to cheers, banners, and waving flags. Some people stood on their chairs to try to catch a glimpse of the new pope, who paused often to bless babies of all ages held out to him in outstretched arms.Pope Leo XIV pauses to bless a baby during his trip around St. Peter's Square in the popemobile before the start of his first general audience on May 21, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaThe inaugural catechesis of the first U.S.-born pope picked up the theme begun by Francis for the 2025 Jubilee Year: “Jesus Christ Our Hope.”Reflecting on the parable of the sower, Leo noted the unusual behavior of the sower in the story, who “does not care where the seed falls. He throws the seeds even where it is unlikely they will bear fruit: on the path, on the rocks, among the thorns.”“The way in which this ‘wasteful’ sower throws the seed is an image of the way God loves us,” he said, echoing a part of his first message from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica after his election on May 8, that God “loves us all unconditionally.”“First and foremost in this parable Jesus tells us that God throws the seed of his word on all kinds of soil, that is, in any situation of ours,” Leo underlined. He continued: “God is confident and hopes that sooner or later the seed will blossom. This is how he loves us: He does not wait for us to become the best soil, but he always generously gives us his word. Perhaps by seeing that he trusts us, the desire to be better soil will be kindled in us. This is hope, founded on the rock of God’s generosity and mercy.”The theme of personal transformation was also repeated later in the catechesis, when Leo said: “Jesus is the word, he is the seed. And the seed, to bear fruit, must die. Thus, this parable tells us that God is ready to ‘waste away’ for us and that Jesus is willing to die in order to transform our life.”Chuma Asuzu, who is Nigerian-born and living in Canada, is happy to have attended Pope Leo XIV's general audience on May 21, 2025, with his wife and children. Credit: Kristina Millare/CNAHusband and father Chuma Asuzu from Canada came to the square early in the morning with his family to attend the pope’s first general audience.“It was good and I think it was interesting how he explained the seeds and how it’s the word of God,” Asuzu shared with CNA. “I really appreciate it.”“He made the point to drive around a lot because it was his first audience and he looked emotional at the beginning,” he added.Instead of taking an example from literature or philosophy, as Pope Francis often did, Pope Leo used Vincent Van Gogh’s painting “The Sower at Sunset” to prompt a meditation on hope.Vincent Van Gogh's "The Sower at Sunset." Credit: Public domain“That image of the sower in the blazing sun also speaks to me of the farmer’s toil,” he said. “And it strikes me that, behind the sower, Van Gogh depicted the grain already ripe. It seems to me an image of hope: One way or another, the seed has borne fruit. We are not sure how, but it has.”“At the center of the scene, however, is not the sower, who stands to the side; instead, the whole painting is dominated by the image of the sun, perhaps to remind us that it is God who moves history, even if he sometimes seems absent or distant,” the pope noted. “It is the sun that warms the clods of earth and makes the seed ripen.”The pontiff’s final thought was to remind those present to ask the Lord for the grace to welcome the seed of his word: “And if we realize we are not a fruitful soil, let us not be discouraged, but let us ask him to work on us more to make us become

Pope Leo XIV to meet cardinals at consistory to approve canonizations

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 26 May 2025 22:00:16 +0800

Pope Leo XIV smiles during his first general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 21, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA Vatican City, May 21, 2025 / 10:46 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV will hold a meeting of cardinals on June 13 to give the final approval to the canonizations of several beatified men and women.The ordinary public consistory, as it is called, will be the first of Leo’s pontificate. Pope Francis had called for the consistory in late February, when he was in the hospital, but the date was never set.At the consistory, cardinals will vote to approve the canonizations of five beatified men and women whose causes were advanced earlier this year by Pope Francis. The vote of the cardinals marks the final step in the canonization process and allows a date for the Mass of canonization to be set.Among the almost-canonized saints expected to be discussed on June 13 is Blessed Bartolo Longo (also known as Bartholomew Longo).Longo, an Italian layman and lawyer, was a former Satanist “priest” who returned to the practice of the Catholic faith through the influence of Mary and the rosary.The canonization of the Venezuelan “doctor of the poor,” José Gregorio Hernández, is also expected be voted on at the June 13 consistory, along with Pietro To Rot, the first blessed from Papua New Guinea; Vincenza Maria Poloni, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona; and Ignazio Maloyan, a bishop martyred in the Armenian genocide in 1915. The consistory will take place in the consistory hall in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace with all of the cardinals resident or otherwise present in Rome. It usually begins with a short time of prayer.The Vatican also announced Wednesday a slew of liturgies to be celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in June, including a Mass at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran followed by a Eucharistic procession through Rome to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for the solemnity of Corpus Christi on June 22.Here is the full list of public Masses Pope Leo will celebrate during the month of June:June 1: Mass in St. Peter’s Square for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the ElderlyJune 8: Mass in St. Peter’s Square for the solemnity of Pentecost and the Jubilee of Movements, Associations, and New Communities June 9: Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and the Jubilee of the Holy SeeJune 15: Mass in St. Peter’s Square for the solemnity of the Holy Trinity and the Jubilee of SportsJune 22: Mass in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran and procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major with Eucharistic benediction for the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of ChristJune 27: Mass in St. Peter’s Square for the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Jubilee of PriestsJune 29: Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, with the blessing of the palliums for the new metropolitan archbishops

Have Your Very Own Pocket Toothless with the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ AR Experience

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 26 May 2025 22:00:16 +0800

How to Train Your Dragon brings the Toothless experience right to your phone with the Toothless AR experience. Open the website to find the Night Terror Toothless flying high above your location, and scan the ground for the perfect spot the dragon can land on.Try out the “How to Train Your Dragon” AR experience: https://httyd.arweb.app/1.0.7/The Toothless AR experience lets people bring the world of How to Train Your Dragon to their own in anticipation of the movie. Fly high as How to Train Your Dragon arrives in PH cinemas on June 11. Follow Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG), and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest updates. About How to Train Your Dragon: Cast: Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, Murray McArthur Written and directed by: Dean DeBlois Producers: Marc Platt, Dean DeBlois, Adam Siegel From three-time Oscar® nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, comes a stunning live-action reimagining of the film that launched the beloved franchise. On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for [...]

A papacy begins: Pope Leo XIV calls for united Church at inaugural Mass

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 23 May 2025 22:00:22 +0800

Pope Leo XIV waves during the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, held in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025. He stands in front of a Flemish tapestry depicting the dialogue between Jesus and Peter after the miraculous catch of fish. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, May 18, 2025 / 06:58 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV on Sunday formally began his ministry as head of the 1.4 billion members of the universal Catholic Church, acknowledging divisions among the faithful with a call for fraternal communion and unity at his inaugural Mass.Addressing an estimated 150,000 people crowded into St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets, the 69-year-old pope, elected May 8, said: “I would like that our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.”Under Pope Francis, the Church experienced internal division over issues of liturgy and moral doctrine on sexuality and the family, including the approval of the blessing of same-sex couples.At the Mass, concelebrated with the members of the College of Cardinals, Leo expressed his intention to “come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.”Leo XIV has indicated his desire for collegiality from his first moment as pope, when he spoke about walking together as a united Church in his opening words to the world on May 8, following the announcement of his election. He also held an early meeting with cardinals where they were invited to speak up on whatever issue concerned them, something that had not happened under Francis since 2014.Reflecting on the qualities expected in the successor of St. Peter, he said: “If the rock is Christ, Peter must shepherd the flock without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat, lording it over those entrusted to him.”Pope Leo XIV gets emotional as he receives the Fisherman's Ring, a special gold ring bearing the image of St. Peter and the Pope's name and seal. Cardinal Tagle put the ring on him. #popeleoxiv #inaugurationMass #vatican #catholicchurch pic.twitter.com/dub6auBzmS— EWTN News (@EWTNews) May 18, 2025 Hundreds of religious and international leaders and dignitaries, representing nearly 200 foreign delegations, attended the Mass for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome on May 18, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In his homily, Leo spoke about the conclave that chose him to be the Church’s 267th pope: “Coming from different backgrounds and experiences, we [the cardinal electors] placed in God’s hands our desire to elect the new successor of Peter, the bishop of Rome, a shepherd capable of preserving the rich heritage of the Christian faith and, at the same time, looking to the future, in order to confront the questions, concerns, and challenges of today’s world.”“Love and unity: These are the two dimensions of the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus,” the pontiff added.Quoting St. Augustine — who inspired the religious Order of St. Augustine, to which he belongs — Pope Leo XIV said: “The Church consists of all those who are in harmony with their brothers and sisters and who love their neighbor.”The pope lamented the discord and wounds of our time: “For our part, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity within the world.”Before delivering his homily, Leo received the symbols of the papacy, the pallium and the fisherman’s ring, in a richly-symbolic rite including an act of obedience and fidelity from representatives of the College of Cardinals and “the people of God.”The pallium, a narrow band made of white lamb’s wool, was draped over his shoulders. The pallium, which has two black flaps and three pins representing the nails of Christ’s cross, symbolizes the bishop as the good shepherd and Christ the Lamb crucified for the salvation of the human race.The gold fisherman’s ring, a part of the papal insignia since the first millennium, has the image of St. Peter with the keys and fisherman’s net, a symbol of authority and the duty entrusted to St. Peter by Jesus to be “a fisher of men.”This exquisite Flemish tapestry depicts the dialogue between Jesus and Peter after the miraculous catch of fish. It was created for the Sistine Chapel based on a work by Raphael. Nothing was left to chance at the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV. pic.twitter.com/doVNHD5D1e— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) May 18, 2025 After the sung proclamation of the Gospel in Latin and Greek — the passage from the Gospel of John, when Jesus asks Peter “do you love me?” and commands him to “feed my lambs” and “tend my sheep” — Cardinal Dominique Mamberti placed the pallium around Leo’s shoulders and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, OFM Cap, recited a prayer.With visible emotion, Leo received the fisherman’s ring from Cardinal Luis Tagle, looking at the ring and then lifting

LIVE UPDATES: Pope Leo XIV’s first days

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 23 May 2025 22:00:22 +0800

Photograph of Pope Leo XIV released by the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media CNA Newsroom, May 18, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA). Follow our live coverage as Pope Leo XIV, first U.S.-born pope in history, begins his pontificate: Experience history in the making with former Cardinal Robert Prevost.

PHOTOS: The grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 23 May 2025 22:00:22 +0800

Marchers participate in the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA CNA Staff, May 17, 2025 / 16:45 pm (CNA). Thousands of the faithful took to the streets of Rome on Saturday to take part in elaborate and beautiful processions by members of Catholic confraternities from around the world who gathered in the Eternal City as part of the 2025 Jubilee festivities. A confraternity is a voluntary association of the faithful devoted to special works of Christian charity. Many date back hundreds of years.The Saturday processions were held to mark the Jubilee of Confraternities. Two processions total marched through the Roman streets and ended at the Circus Maximus.Members of a confraternity enjoy a drink during the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAA crucifix is held aloft during the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAStatuary is displayed during the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAA towering crucifix is displayed during the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAThe grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities marches past the Colosseum in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAStatuary is displayed during the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAA crucifix is displayed against the Roman backdrop during the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAObservers watch the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAThe faithful march during the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAStatuary is held aloft during the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAThe faithful process during the grand procession of the Jubilee of Confraternities in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

FULL TEXT: Pope Leo XIV’s homily at inaugural Mass beginning his Petrine ministry

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 23 May 2025 22:00:22 +0800

Pope Leo XIV acknowledged divisions among the faithful with a call for fraternal communion and unity in the homily at his inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA Vatican City, May 18, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV delivered the following homily at the Mass for the Initiation of the Petrine Ministry in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, May 18, after being elected the 266th successor of St. Peter on May 8.Dear Brother Cardinals,Brother Bishops and Priests,Distinguished Authorities and Members of the Diplomatic Corps,Greetings to the pilgrims who came on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Confraternities!Brothers and Sisters, I greet all of you with a heart full of gratitude at the beginning of the ministry that has been entrusted to me. St. Augustine wrote: “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you” (Confessions, I: 1,1).In these days, we have experienced intense emotions. The death of Pope Francis filled our hearts with sadness. In those difficult hours, we felt like the crowds that the Gospel says were “like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). Yet on Easter Sunday, we received his final blessing and, in the light of the Resurrection, we experienced the days that followed in the certainty that the Lord never abandons his people but gathers them when they are scattered and guards them “as a shepherd guards his flock” (Jer 31:10).In this spirit of faith, the College of Cardinals met for the conclave. Coming from different backgrounds and experiences, we placed in God’s hands our desire to elect the new successor of Peter, the bishop of Rome, a shepherd capable of preserving the rich heritage of the Christian faith and, at the same time, looking to the future, in order to confront the questions, concerns, and challenges of today’s world. Accompanied by your prayers, we could feel the working of the Holy Spirit, who was able to bring us into harmony, like musical instruments, so that our heartstrings could vibrate in a single melody.I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.Love and unity: These are the two dimensions of the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus.We see this in today’s Gospel, which takes us to the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus began the mission he received from the Father: to be a “fisher” of humanity in order to draw it up from the waters of evil and death. Walking along the shore, he had called Peter and the other first disciples to be, like him, “fishers of men.” Now, after the Resurrection, it is up to them to carry on this mission, to cast their nets again and again, to bring the hope of the Gospel into the “waters” of the world, to sail the seas of life so that all may experience God’s embrace.How can Peter carry out this task? The Gospel tells us that it is possible only because his own life was touched by the infinite and unconditional love of God, even in the hour of his failure and denial. For this reason, when Jesus addresses Peter, the Gospel uses the Greek verb “agapáo,” which refers to the love that God has for us, to the offering of himself without reserve and without calculation. Whereas the verb used in Peter’s response describes the love of friendship that we have for one another.Consequently, when Jesus asks Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (Jn 21:16), he is referring to the love of the Father. It is as if Jesus said to him, “Only if you have known and experienced this love of God, which never fails, will you be able to feed my lambs. Only in the love of God the Father will you be able to love your brothers and sisters with that same ‘more,’ that is, by offering your life for your brothers and sisters.”Peter is thus entrusted with the task of “loving more” and giving his life for the flock. The ministry of Peter is distinguished precisely by this self-sacrificing love, because the Church of Rome presides in charity and its true authority is the charity of Christ. It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda, or by means of power. Instead, it is always and only a question of loving as Jesus did.The Apostle Peter himself tells us that Jesus “is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, and has become the cornerstone” (Acts 4:11). Moreover, if the rock is Christ, Peter must shepherd the flock without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat, lording it over those entrusted to him (cf. 1 Pt 5:3). On the contrary, he is called to serve the faith of his brothers and sisters, and to walk alongside them, for all of us are “living stones” (1 Pet 2:5), called through our baptism to build God’s house in fraternal communion, in the harmony of the Spirit, in the coexistence of diversity. In the words of St. Augustin

Final Leg of the EastWest Dream Run Set for Manila

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 23 May 2025 22:00:21 +0800

EastWest executives, members of the EastWest Milers, media guests, Coach Rio dela Cruz, and the RUNRIO team at the official launch of the Manila leg of the Dream Run 2025.Martin Reyes, EastWest Head of Marketing, shares how the Dream Run has evolved into a meaningful platform that welcomes every type of runner.Coach Rio dela Cruz highlights the heart and purpose behind the Dream Run, calling the series one of the most inclusive and personal events on the running calendar. [Manila, Philippines] EastWest officially kicked off the final leg of the Dream Run 2025 with a media launch in Makati City. Set for June 15, 2025 at Filinvest City, Alabang, the run marks the last stop in a three-city series marking EastWest’s 30th Anniversary and the Filinvest Group’s 70th year. The venue, Filinvest City, is part of Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), the same diversified group to which EastWest belongs. The EastWest Milers, the Bank’s official running club made up of employees from various teams and fitness levels, joined the launch. Carrying the shared spirit of the EastWest Dream Run, they led warm-up drills for members of the press and brought energy to the gathering ahead of race day. Following the turnout [...]

Millennial campaign strategist topples Quezon town’s 33&amp;year dominance

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Tue, 20 May 2025 22:00:19 +0800

A 36-year-young political and campaign strategist successfully toppled a long-entrenched politician who has been in power for 33 years in Infanta, Quezon, a feat almost nobody of his townmates would believe. But incumbent Vice-Mayor Lord Arnel L. Ruanto — or simply L.A. as friends and constituents call him — did it through his 5th ranked incumbent […]

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup invites everyone to experience the thrill of the streets on May 24 &amp;amp; 25

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Tue, 20 May 2025 22:00:19 +0800

TGR street race to be held South of Manila in Villar City Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is bringing back the thrill of street racing on May 24 & 25 for Race Weekend 2 of the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup) season. The highly anticipated event will be held south of Manila […]

Anthony Constantino on Joining Sparkle: ‘I am just so proud and happy to be a part of the Kapuso family’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sat, 17 May 2025 22:00:14 +0800

Sparkle proudly announces the newest addition to its roster of artists: 22-year-old Filipino-American model and influencer Anthony Constantino. The “Balikbayan Heartthrob” officially signed with Sparkle on April 8, marking an exciting new phase in his career. Image from GMA Network Born and raised in California to Filipino parents, Anthony has made a name for himself in the international modeling scene, working under Otto Models, DT Model Management, and Main Models Philippines. Now, the tall and handsome moreno returns to his roots by signing with the country’s biggest talent management agency, Sparkle. He’s ready to dazzle Filipino audiences with his charm, charisma, and undeniable star quality—while also embracing a deeper connection to his heritage. In his earnest speech during the contract signing, Anthony expressed his appreciation to GMA Network for opening doors and believing in him. “First and foremost, maraming-maraming salamat. I’m just so proud and thankful to be part of the Kapuso family. Thank you to Miss Annette, Miss Joy for believing in me and seeing the potential in me. I’m just very excited to make everybody proud,” he said. The signing was attended by GMA Senior Vice President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Sparkle First Vice President Joy Marcelo, and Main [...]

Look Up! Watch the Official Trailer for James Gunn’s ‘Superman,’ Starring David Corenswet!

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sat, 17 May 2025 22:00:14 +0800

#Superman / Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Your choices, your actions, that’s what makes you who you are. Watch the newly released trailer for James Gunn’s Superman,” starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. Only In Cinemas and IMAX July 9. About “Superman” “Superman,” DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures. In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind. DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Gunn are producing the film, which Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film stars David Corenswet (“Twisters,” “Hollywood”) in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” movies, “Juror #2”) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (“For All Mankind”), Anthony Carrigan (“Barry,” “Gotham”), Nathan Fillion (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “The Suicide Squad”), [...]

Sparkle Stars Ashley Ortega, Charlie Fleming, and Michael Sager Shine Brighter Beyond PBB

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sat, 17 May 2025 22:00:14 +0800

Despite their emotional exits from the Pinoy Big Brother house, Sparkle artists Ashley Ortega, Charlie Fleming, and Michael Sager continue to feel overwhelming love and support from their fans. Image courtesy of It’s Showtime Though eviction usually signals a lack of backing, it was the opposite for these three. Their goodbyes trended across social media, with netizens flooding their comment sections with heartwarming messages. The trio, moved by the outpouring of support, responded with deep gratitude. Sparkle captured a touching moment with Ashley just outside the PBB house, where she sent her love to her fans: “Sa lahat po ng supporters ko at nagmahal sa akin sa PBB, maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” she said. Ashley shared that she’s still processing everything, feeling “super overwhelmed,” but promised to find time to reply to everyone. Meanwhile, Charlie took to Instagram to reflect on her journey, feeling grateful for the recognition she’s received: “I’m overwhelmed with so much love and joy knowing people from all over the Philippines has recognized me as Charlie the bubbly bread teener. Not a character, not a content creator, not a model, but Charlie!” she shared. Shortly after his own eviction, Michael left fans with an [...]

NANO&MUGEN FEST 2025: BECK and ASIAN KUNG&FU GENERATION to Headline Japan’s Iconic Music Festival in Jakarta

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sat, 17 May 2025 22:00:14 +0800

◆ The event will be held for the first time in 11 years since 2014! And it will be held in two countries, Japan and Indonesia, for the first time! ◆ The third wave of lineup has been announced!! ◆ BECK and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION to headline the festival in JAKARTA SECOND WAVE OF LINEUP ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION (JPN) BECK (USA) ELLEGARDEN (JPN) QURULI (JPN) KANA-BOON (JPN) HOMECOMINGS (JPN) REGALLILY (JPN)NANO-MUGEN FES. 2025 Illustration by Yusuke Nakamura Jakarta, [2025/05/15] – The iconic rock festival from Japan is coming to Jakarta for the very first time. NANO-MUGEN FES., set to take place on May 24–25, 2025 at Ecopark Ancol – Jakarta, reveals its second wave of lineup. Known for its unique mix of legendary acts and new voices from Japan’s vibrant rock scene, the festival is set to bring fans from across the region. BECK will headline alongside an incredible lineup featuring festival hosts ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, iconic Japanese bands ELLEGARDEN and QURULI, as well as rising stars KANA-BOON, HOMECOMINGS and REGALLILY. Masafumi Gotoh of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, the band behind the festival, shares, “I’m truly looking forward to returning to Jakarta with all of these amazing bands. I’m curious to see [...]

From Gospel Roots to Pop Royalty: The Genre&Spanning Brilliance of Jonathan Manalo

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sat, 17 May 2025 22:00:14 +0800

It’s not every day that an artist’s body of work becomes the centerpiece of a full-scale musical. But for Jonathan Manalo—often called Mr. Music—it feels not only fitting, it feels inevitable. The nickname rings true, capturing the depth, diversity, and cultural reach of a man whose songs are embedded in the Filipino soul. “Delia D: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo,” currently running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, draws entirely from Jonathan’s extensive catalog to tell a powerful story of resilience, identity, and the Filipino heart. It’s a rare honor, but one that makes perfect sense for a creator whose music has shaped—and continues to shape—the emotional landscape of the nation. In fact, Jonathan is the only Filipino included in the Top 150 Global Producers list by Muso.AI, a leading platform for verified global music credits and analytics—boasting more than 8 billion total streams across his body of work. From earning over 200 multi-platinum and gold certifications, his success has transcended physical album sales and continues to dominate the digital streaming era, solidifying his place as one of the most influential Filipino artists in modern music history. A CAREER ROOTED IN PURPOSE AND PASSIONJonathan’s journey began with [...]

Asia Pacific Catholics react to news of Church’s first U.S.&amp;born pontiff Pope Leo XIV

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Wed, 14 May 2025 22:00:23 +0800

Singaporean theology student Dominic Nalpon managed to arrive at the center of St. Peter’s Square in time to hear the awaited “Habemus papam!” (“We have a pope!”) announcement and see the new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, on May 8, 2025. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Dominic Nalpon Rome Newsroom, May 9, 2025 / 12:26 pm (CNA). From Europe to the Asia Pacific, millions of Catholics are celebrating the election of U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.After news of “white smoke” began to spread across Rome, Singaporean theology student Dominic Nalpon managed to arrive at the center of St. Peter’s Square in time to hear the awaited “Habemus papam!” (“We have a pope!”) announcement and see the new Holy Father.“My first impression of the new Pope Leo XIV was that he had a sense of presence about him,” Nalpon told CNA on Thursday. “I was especially joyful at his name ‘Leo’ as it brings to mind two other popes of the same name who are dear to me.”“Leo the Great who is a doctor of the Church and the one who turned away the Huns from invading Rome through the intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul,” the Angelicum student continued, “and Leo the XIII, who is renowned for laying the foundations for Catholic social teaching and reviving Thomism.”Father Dante Bendoy, OSA, prior provincial of the Augustinian Province of the Philippines, praised the new pope’s “genuine pastoral heart” and “deep commitment to our order and the Church.” “As Augustinians, we take pride and joy in his election, for he is the first Augustinian to be elected pope — a historic milestone that fills our hearts with gratitude and hope,” Bendoy said in a Friday statement.“We cherish the memories of his warm presence, the Mass he celebrated with us, his humility, and the photos we shared,” he said after recounting the several times Pope Leo XIV — as prior general of the Augustinians from 2001 to 2013 — visited the Philippines. While Bendoy recognized his confrere’s recent election as a “divine blessing,” he said the papal office is a “high calling” that is “not without its crosses.”“Let us be reminded that, just as our Holy Father Augustine did, there is always grace on the cross,” the Filipino religious superior said. “We his Augustinian family stand united in prayer and support, confident that God’s grace will sustain him in his sacred mission.”Religious priests who had the opportunity to meet Pope Leo during his visits to India in 2004 and 2006 have also expressed their joy with the news of the Church’s first Augustinian pope, Agenzia Fides reported on Friday.“When he was here, we knew him as an extraordinarily simple person, down-to-earth, always ready to face the difficulties of everyday life,” said Father Jacob Mullassery, OSA, who accompanied him on both visits. “Before each meeting or pastoral activity, he spent a long time in silent Eucharistic adoration,” recalled Father Metro Xavier, OSA. “He demonstrated a profound love for the Church and total reverence for her magisterium — his spiritual life gave us a testimony of prayer and simplicity.”In Australia, pastors of Holy Spirit Parish in Sydney also shared their pride on social media for having hosted the new Holy Father during his visit to their church in 2005. “We rejoice in the election of our dear brother Robert Cardinal Prevost, OSA, as Roman pontiff … God bless our new pope,” the Facebook post read. “The [then] prior general of the Augustinian order visited our parish and presided over Mass on Dec. 16, 2005.”

U.S. cardinals praise Pope Leo XIV’s missionary heart, international experience

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Wed, 14 May 2025 22:00:23 +0800

From left, Cardinals Robert McElroy, Wilton Gregory, Blase Cupich, Joseph Tobin, and Timothy Dolan give a press conference on Pope Leo XIV in the hall of the Pontifical North American College in Rome on May 9, 2025. Cardinals Christophe Pierre and Daniel DiNardo (not pictured) also participated. / Credit: Patrick Leonard/EWTN News Vatican City, May 9, 2025 / 14:19 pm (CNA). The United States cardinals who were part of the conclave that on Thursday elected Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, called him “a citizen of the world,” in continuity with Pope Francis but with his own manner of doing things.At a May 9 press conference at the Pontifical North American College in Rome following Leo’s election, seven cardinals fielded questions about participating in the conclave, the qualities of Pope Leo, and the impact of having an American pope.While Cardinal Robert McElroy, the new archbishop of Washington, D.C., expressed surprise at the election of a U.S.-born pope, something he said he never expected to see in his lifetime, others, including Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop emeritus of Galveston-Houston, underlined that where Leo is from was of little importance to the cardinals’ decisions compared with the new pontiff’s quiet manner and missionary experience. Leo XIV “is a citizen of the world,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York underlined, and “where he came from is secondary” to what he represents now as pope and leader of the universal Church.Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, Leo’s hometown, emphasized the unity and common purpose of the cardinal electors, who, he said, treated one another with respect and “jelled” inside the conclave, allowing at least 89 men from many different countries and backgrounds to agree and make a decision in just 24 hours.McElroy described an atmosphere of contemplation, from walking into the conclave to the chanting of the Litany of Saints, to coming face-to-face with Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” on the wall of the Sistine Chapel.“All sense of divisions within the world fell away and we were looking into the souls of each other,” reflecting on which soul had the capacity to be Christ’s vicar on earth, he said.Like Pope Francis, Pope Leo will promote a missionary discipleship, McElroy said. Leo is “at his core a missionary. In every way a missionary giving his life for the Church.”Cardinal Christophe Pierre, of French origin but the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., was also present in the press conference and seconded the reflection that the conclave took place in a spiritual atmosphere rather than a political one.The archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C., Cardinal Wilton Gregory, got emotional as he recounted pledging his respect, fidelity, and love to the new pontiff after his election. He said the former Cardinal Robert Prevost made the biggest impression on the other cardinals during small, side conversations during lunch or coffee breaks, rather than in one big speech before the whole assembly.McElroy added that the new pope did speak during the general congregations before the conclave, but it was less about what he said and more about how he said it.Cardinal Joseph Tobin of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, shared the most evocative image from inside the Sistine Chapel.He recalled walking up to cast one of his votes, and immediately afterward, turning and looking over toward the then-Cardinal Prevost, who had his head in his hands. “And I was praying for him, because I can’t imagine what happens to a human being when he faces something like [becoming pope],” Tobin said. “And then when he accepted it, [it was like] he was made for it. All of whatever anguish [he had] was resolved by the feeling, I think, that this wasn’t simply his saying yes to a proposal, but God made something clear and he agreed to it.”Tobin, who has known Pope Leo XIV for about 30 years and worked with him when they were both superiors of their respective religious congregations, said: “I don’t think he’s one to pick fights with people, but he’s not one to back down if the cause is just.”Tobin, DiNardo, Gregory, Cupich, and Dolan all encouraged journalists to let Leo grow into the office of pope, watching what he does and says in this new role before casting judgment.“You can’t capture tomorrow by looking at yesterday,” Gregory said.McElroy added that while the cardinals were looking for someone “following the same pathway as Francis,” they were not interested in choosing “a photocopy.”

PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV meeting the last three pontiffs

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Wed, 14 May 2025 22:00:23 +0800

Pope Benedict XVI greets the future Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens. / Credit: Courtesy of the Augustinian Midwest Province (USA), Our Mother of Good Counsel ACI Prensa Staff, May 9, 2025 / 15:53 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV had the opportunity to meet three of his predecessors at the helm of the Barque of Peter. The following are some photos of these encounters between former Cardinal Robert Prevost as a young Augustinian religious, prior of the order, and cardinal.The Augustinian Province of the Midwest in the United States, established under the patronage of Our Mother of Good Counsel, has published several photos of his meetings with St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI.A young Robert Francis Prevost, now Leo XIV, met more than once with St. John Paul II. Credit: Courtesy of the Augustinian Midwest Province (USA) Our Mother of Good CounselIn the first, a young Prevost, vested as a deacon, is seen greeting the Polish pontiff, likely at the conclusion of a liturgical ceremony.In the second, St. John Paul II appears again with the young Prevost, who is wearing the black habit of the Order of St. Augustine.St. John Paul II and a young Robert Francis Prevost, wearing the black habit of the Augustinians. Credit: Courtesy of the Augustinian Midwest Province (USA) Our Mother of Good CounselHe was also wearing the Augustinian habit when his photo was taken during the pontificate of Benedict XVI.Pope Benedict XVI greets the future Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens. Credit: Courtesy of the Augustinian Midwest Province (USA). Our Mother of Good Counsel.Finally, on Sept. 30, 2023, a photo was taken capturing the moment when Pope Francis made him a cardinal.Pope Francis made Bishop Robert Prevost a cardinal on Sept. 30, 2023. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN NewsThis story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass: ‘Jesus is the Christ’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Wed, 14 May 2025 22:00:23 +0800

Pope Leo XIV addresses cardinals in the Sistine Chapel during his first Mass as pope on Friday, May 9, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, May 9, 2025 / 13:52 pm (CNA). In his first Mass as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV called on the faithful to “bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus the Savior” in a world where “a lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life.” Preaching in the Sistine Chapel on May 9 to the cardinals who elected him, the first pope born in the United States opened his homily in English. “My brother cardinals, as we celebrate this morning, I invite you to recognize the marvels that the Lord has done, the blessings that the Lord continues to pour out on all of us through the ministry of Peter,” the new pope said, speaking off the cuff.Pope Leo XIV incenses the altar of the Sistine Chapel during his first Mass as pope, Friday, May 9, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media “You have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission, and I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me, as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel.” He continued the rest of the homily in Italian, reflecting on the Gospel question Jesus posed to Peter: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Leo XIV — the Chicago native and Augustinian missionary born Robert Prevost — said the world’s response often rejects Jesus “because of his demands for honesty and his stern moral requirements.” “Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure,” he said.“These are contexts where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised, or at best tolerated and pitied,” he continued. “Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed.”Pope Leo XIV celebrates at Mass with the cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel on May 9, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media“A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family, and so many other wounds that afflict our society.” The pope said this is “the world that has been entrusted to us,” where believers are “called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus the Savior.” “It is essential to do this, first of all, in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily journey of conversion. Then, to do so as a Church, experiencing together our fidelity to the Lord and bringing the good news to all,” he said. “I say this first of all to myself, as the successor of Peter, as I begin my mission as bishop of Rome and, according to the well-known expression of St. Ignatius of Antioch, am called to preside in charity over the universal Church (cf. Letter to the Romans, Prologue),” he said. “St. Ignatius, who was led in chains to this city, the place of his impending sacrifice, wrote to the Christians there: ‘Then I will truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world no longer sees my body’ (Letter to the Romans, IV, 1),” the pope said. Pope Leo XIV gives the homily at Mass with the cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel on May 9, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media“Ignatius was speaking about being devoured by wild beasts in the arena — and so it happened — but his words apply more generally to an indispensable commitment for all those in the Church who exercise a ministry of authority. It is to move aside so that Christ may remain, to make oneself small so that he may be known and glorified (cf. Jn 3:30), to spend oneself to the utmost so that all may have the opportunity to know and love him. May God grant me this grace, today and always, through the loving intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church.” Leo XIV offered the Mass in the Sistine Chapel, where he was elected Thursday afternoon as the 266th successor of Peter. It marked the first time Pope Leo XIV prayed the Eucharistic Prayer as bishop of Rome, saying “and me, your unworthy servant.” Beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes, Leo prayed the prayers of the Mass in Latin. The two readings were delivered in English and Spanish. At the end of the liturgy, he led the cardinals in singing the Marian Easter hymn “Regina Caeli,” joined by the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel Choir. The Vatican announced that Leo will be formally installed at a Mass on May 18 and will preside over his first general audience May 21. He is scheduled to deliver his first Regina Caeli blessing at noon on Sunday.

Americans in St. Peter’s Square celebrate historic election of Pope Leo XIV

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Wed, 14 May 2025 22:00:23 +0800

Americans gather in St. Peter’s Square on May 8, 2025, to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the United States. / Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA Vatican City, May 9, 2025 / 18:28 pm (CNA). Americans gathered in St. Peter’s Square on May 8 to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the United States. Born Robert Francis Prevost on Chicago’s South Side, the 69-year-old Augustinian friar was chosen by the College of Cardinals after just two days of conclave. While American flags were scarce among the sea of international banners, those present from the U.S. lingered in the square long after the Holy Father appeared out on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time. They shared prayers, chants, and reflections on the unprecedented moment. “Never in a million years did I think that the Holy Spirit would send us a beautiful cardinal from Chicago,” said Deacon Steven Marcus, a Maronite Catholic from Florida. “You could tell by his face that he’s filled with the Holy Spirit. He’s filled with love. This is who the Church needs.” Moments after the white smoke rose, the crowd surged toward the front of the basilica. John Stadeno, a Villanova University graduate from Philadelphia, stood front and center with his friend, John Sanchez of New York, clutching an American flag and wearing a Phillies jersey and a baseball cap. Together they chanted the name of the spiritual father of the new pope’s religious order: “Agostino! Agostino!” John Stadeno, a Villanova University graduate from Philadelphia, stood front and center during the announcement of the 267th pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, on May 8, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square. Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA“It’s an affirmation of the Augustinian way,” Stadeno said, referencing the shared alma mater with the new pope. “Prevost is a good man. He’s worked hard as a missionary, as a bishop. He’ll do a good job.” Sanchez added: “God bless the new Pope Leo XIV and God bless the U.S.A.” Brother Benedict Mary Bartsch, OP, a 29-year-old Dominican from Hawaii studying at the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas — where the new pope is also an alumnus — expressed his awe at witnessing the event firsthand. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be here in Rome, to be at the heart of the Church, and praying all these days for the cardinals and for the election of the new Holy Father. And to be here in the square when it actually happened, it’s just amazing.” Brother Benedict Mary Bartsch, OP, a 29-year-old Dominican from Hawaii studying at the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome — where the Pope Leo XIV is also an alumnus — expressed his awe at witnessing the announcement of the first U.S.-born pope firsthand on May 8, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square. Credit: Courtney Mares/CNAUpon seeing Pope Leo XIV emerge, Bartsch observed: “He seemed like he was very moved. I mean, you could see he was tearing up a little bit. You could see that he understood the sort of weight, the burden that comes with the office, with the Petrine office.” Andres Novoa, 33, from the Archdiocese of Miami, held up one of the few American flags in the square. “It feels unbelievable,” he said. “The Church needs a lion. The Church needs to realize that Christ is the Lion of Judah. The Church needs to assert herself as the mother and teacher, you know, that is what the world needs. And the Church is not here to hurt anyone. It’s here to give everyone salvation.” Andres Novoa, 33, from the Archdiocese of Miami, held up one of the few American flags in St. Peter's Square after the announcement of Pope Leo IV as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. “It feels unbelievable,” Novoa said. Credit: Courtney Mares/CNANovoa joked about the unexpected turn of events: “I thought the only thing this American flag would do for us was get us beat up. And now, the last thing we expected was an American pope.” David Solheim, an Eastern Orthodox Christian from Phoenix, traveled to Rome for the conclave. “I came out to Rome specifically for the conclave, something I always wanted to do. Like a bucket list item,” he said. “And never thought that my first conclave would be the first American pope.” He noted the pope’s initial reaction: “You could tell he wasn’t expecting it. He was nervous. Like, I think all of us would be up there. He seems like a genuine shepherd and pastor and I look forward to what the future holds for the Church.” Jerry Grogan, holding an American flag before the announcement, expressed his pride: “It’s so exciting to have someone from Chicago, my hometown, to represent the Catholic Church. I’m so proud.”Jerry Grogan, holding an American flag before the announcement of the first U.S.-born pope, Leo XIV, on May 8, 2025, expressed his pride: “It’s so exciting to have someone from Chicago, my hometown, to represent the Catholic Church. I’m so proud.” Credit: Courtney Mares/CNAHe recounted a conversation with a priest from Champaign, Illinois,

PHOTOS: The Sistine Chapel awaits the arrival of cardinal electors to choose the next pope

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sun, 11 May 2025 22:00:29 +0800

Long tables at the Sistine Chapel await the arrival of cardinals for the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media CNA Staff, May 6, 2025 / 12:58 pm (CNA). The Vatican on Tuesday released photos of the Sistine Chapel prepared for the arrival of the cardinal electors who will select the next pope in the conclave set to begin on Wednesday. The proceedings will take place in absolute secrecy, with the prelates largely sequestered from the outside world for as long as the conclave lasts until a new supreme pontiff is chosen.The Book of the Gospels sits in the Sistine Chapel ahead of the arrival of cardinal electors for the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaThe Sistine Chapel awaits the arrival of cardinal electors for the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaWooden spheres are inscribed with numbers corresponding to cardinal electors, a means of drawing lots to select scrutineers, revisers, and infirmarii prior to the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaThe Book of the Gospels is displayed at the Sistine Chapel for the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaTables and chairs sit in the Sistine Chapel waiting for the arrival of cardinals for the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaVestments rest in the Room of Tears at the Sistine Chapel ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaVestments rest in the Room of Tears at the Sistine Chapel ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaVestments rest in the Room of Tears at the Sistine Chapel ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaThe Vatican’s Hall of Blessings awaits for the arrival of the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

The history behind ‘habemus papam’ and the white smoke that announces a new pope

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sun, 11 May 2025 22:00:29 +0800

White smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on March 13, 2013, signaling that the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope. / Credit: ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images ACI Prensa Staff, May 6, 2025 / 17:41 pm (CNA). When a new pope is elected, there are two signs that mark that historic moment: the white smoke (“fumata bianca” in Italian) erupting from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the formula “habemus papam” pronounced by the cardinal protodeacon from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica overlooking the square of the same name.This is the history of both traditions:The white smoke The history of the white smoke, which indicates that the cardinals have elected a new successor of St. Peter, is ancient. In 1274, at the Second Council of Lyons, Pope Gregory X, in a document titled Ubi Periculum, determined the procedure for holding a conclave. There he specified that the election would be done in isolation and with strict secrecy. For this reason, and to avoid any communication with the outside, the smoke signal was eventually adopted as part of the ritual. The tradition of burning ballots goes back to at least 1417, and likely before then, according to historian Frederic J. Baumgartner. The addition of the white spoke to announce the election of a new pope is more recent, however. Baumgartner traces it to 1914, with the election of Pope Benedict XV.If the smoke coming out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel is black, it means that none of the proposed candidates has reached two-thirds of the votes needed to be elected. If the smoke is white, the Church has a new universal pastor. In ancient times, the method to give the smoke these colors was to burn the ballots used in the voting with a bit of wet straw so that it would come out black, or dry so as to obtain white smoke. Nowadays, and due to some episodes that caused confusion, special chemical compounds and a procedure that includes two different tubes, one for each color of smoke, are used. In addition, a bell is rung, part of the ritual introduced when Pope Benedict XVI was elected, which confirms the smoke is white and a new pope has been elected. Habemus papam The announcement that a new pontiff has been elected is formulated in Latin, and while its best-known words are “habemus papam,” the expression is officially a bit longer: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus papam; Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum [prænomen] Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem [nomen], qui sibi nomen imposuit [nomen pontificale].”Translated, the complete formula reads: “I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope! The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord, Don [given name], cardinal of the Holy Roman Church [surname], who has imposed on himself the name of [papal name].” The text is partially inspired by a passage from the Gospel of St. Luke, which reproduces the words of the angel when he announces the birth of Jesus to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk 2:10-12).The adoption of this formula dates back to 1417 at the election of Pope Martin V. Those who claimed the papal throne before him were Antipope John XXIII (who had convoked the Council of Constance and appointed most of the electors), Antipope Benedict XIII (the only one appointed a cardinal before the Western Schism) and Pope Gregory XII. The first two were deposed by the council itself, and Gregory XII abdicated. Two years later, the council elected a new pope. For this reason, the announcement could be interpreted as: “(At last) we have a pope (and only one!).”A version of this story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

9 memorable quotes from the Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sun, 11 May 2025 22:00:28 +0800

Cardinals celebrate the ninth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on the third Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA Vatican City, May 6, 2025 / 15:11 pm (CNA). Cardinals on Sunday concluded the celebration of nine requiem Masses for the nine days of mourning for Pope Francis. In many cases their homilies emphasized the relatable feelings of worry, fear, and sadness the apostles experienced after Christ’s death, relating it to the “‘sede vacante” and the uncertainty around the election of a new pope — and reminding Catholics of the joy and hope brought by the Resurrection.They also reflected on the service and legacy of Pope Francis’ pontificate, highlighting his strong work ethic and focus on mercy and offering advice to their fellow cardinals for choosing his successor.“As in the time of the first disciples, there are successes and also failures, fatigue, and fear” during this time following Pope Francis’ death, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of the Diocese of Rome, said on April 28. “The horizon is immense, and temptations creep in that veil the one thing that matters: to desire, seek, and labor in anticipation of ‘a new heaven and a new earth.’” Here are some of the other memorable quotes from the nine homilies, which began with Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26 and concluded on May 4, the third Sunday of Easter.Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former secretary of state, on April 27:Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates the Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2025 — the second day of mourning for the late Pope Francis. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA“The risen Jesus appears to his disciples while they are in the upper room where they have fearfully shut themselves in, with the doors locked (John 20:19). Their state of mind is disturbed and their hearts are full of sadness, because the master and shepherd they had followed, leaving everything behind, has been nailed to the cross. They experienced terrible things and feel orphaned, alone, lost, threatened, and helpless.“The opening image that the Gospel offers us on this Sunday can also well represent the state of mind of all of us, of the Church, and of the entire world. The shepherd whom the Lord gave to his people, Pope Francis, has ended his earthly life and has left us. The grief at his departure, the sense of sadness that assails us, the turmoil we feel in our hearts, the sense of bewilderment: We are experiencing all of this, like the apostles grieving over the death of Jesus.“The joy of Easter, which sustains us in this time of trial and sadness, is something that can almost be touched in this square today; you can see it etched above all in your faces, dear children and young people who have come from all over the world to celebrate the jubilee [of teenagers]. You come from so many places: from all of the dioceses of Italy, from Europe, from the United States to Latin America, from Africa to Asia, from the United Arab Emirates… with you here, the whole world is truly present!”Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of Rome, on April 28:“In this time, while the world is burning and few have the courage to proclaim the Gospel and translate it into a concrete and possible vision of the future, humanity appears like sheep without a shepherd. This image leaves the mouth of Jesus as he gazes upon the crowds following him.“Around him are the apostles, reporting all they had done and taught: the words, gestures, and actions learned from the Master — the proclamation of the coming kingdom of God, the call to conversion, and the signs that gave flesh to the words — a caress, an outstretched hand, disarmed speech, without judgment, liberating, unafraid of contact with impurity. In performing this service, necessary to awaken faith and hope — that evil would not have the last word, that life is stronger than death — they did not even have time to eat.“Jesus senses the weight of this — and that comforts us now. Jesus, the true shepherd of history in need of salvation, knows the burden placed on each of us in continuing his mission, especially as we find ourselves searching for his first shepherd on earth.“This cannot be the time for balancing acts, tactics, caution, instincts to turn back, or, worse, revenge and power alliances, but rather we need a radical disposition to enter into God’s dream entrusted to our poor hands.“Our duty must be to discern and order what has begun, in light of what our mission demands of us, moving toward a new heaven and a new earth, adorning the bride (the Church) for the Bridegroom. Otherwise, we risk clothing the bride according to worldly fashions, guided by ideological claims that tear the unity of Christ’s garment.”Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, former prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, on May 2:Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, celebrates the seventh Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 2, 20

These are the challenges identified by the cardinals ahead of the conclave

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sun, 11 May 2025 22:00:28 +0800

Cardinals gather for the the seventh Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 2, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA Vatican City, May 6, 2025 / 16:41 pm (CNA). In the days leading up to the conclave to elect the next pope, the College of Cardinals gathered for 12 general congregations at the Vatican to reflect on the state of the Church and the many challenges it faces in the modern world.The meetings, held from April 22 to May 6, included both cardinal electors under the age of 80 and non-electors over 80, who, while not eligible to vote in the conclave, actively participated in the discussions.The early sessions focused on procedural matters, including funeral arrangements and confirming that the conclave would begin on May 7. As the days progressed, the cardinals turned their attention to urgent ecclesial and global concerns.According to daily briefings from the Holy See Press Office, the cardinals addressed a wide range of topics, including evangelization, sexual abuse, Vatican finances, synodality, interreligious dialogue, war and conflict, and the desired profile of the next pope.Attendance at the general congregations rose steadily over the first days of meetings, starting with approximately 60 cardinals on April 22 and climbing to over 180 by April 29. The 12th and final congregation took place on May 6 with 173 cardinals present, 130 of whom were electors.“Among the main themes that emerged was the reaffirmation that many of the reforms promoted by Pope Francis need to be continued: the fight against abuse, economic transparency, reorganization of the Curia, synodality, commitment to peace, and care for creation,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said of the cardinals’ last congregation meeting.It should be noted that the general congregation discussions took place behind closed doors without any press access, and the daily summaries of topics covered provided by the Vatican were not all-encompassing. For example, topics addressed in Cardinal Joseph Zen’s intervention on April 30, including a critique of the Synod on Synodality and explicit mention of scandals related to the late Theodore McCarrick and Father Marko Rupnik, were not reflected in the Holy See Press Office’s briefing on the general congregation that day.Here is a look at some of the challenges that the cardinals discussed ahead of the conclave:EvangelizationEvangelization emerged as a recurring theme throughout the congregations. On May 5, during the 10th general congregation, there were interventions that focused on the Church’s missionary nature and the transmission of the faith. On May 3, cardinals emphasized the need for a pope with a “prophetic spirit capable of leading a Church that does not close in on itself but knows how to go out and bring light to a world marked by despair,” according to Bruni.On May 2, the cardinals reflected on evangelization as the heart of Pope Francis’ pontificate. Several interventions highlighted the urgency of effectively communicating the Gospel at all levels of Church life, from parishes to the Roman Curia. Several speakers highlighted the importance of mutual love as the first form of evangelization and another discussed “the hermeneutics of continuity” between the pontificates of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, particularly in relation to the Eucharist and the evangelizing mission of the Church.On April 30, cardinals heard an intervention on the importance of coherence between the proclamation of the Gospel and the concrete witness of Christian life. Evangelization also featured in discussions on April 28.War and global conflictCardinals from conflict zones offered firsthand testimony of the suffering caused by war. On May 5, the discussions included the theme of war and the fragmentation of the world. On May 3, cardinals reflected on the role of the Church and the pope in promoting peace. On May 2, particular attention was paid to the Eastern Churches, described as marked by suffering but also by strong faith.On May 6, at the opening of the final congregation, the cardinals expressed regret over the lack of progress in peace processes in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions. They noted an intensification of attacks, particularly against civilians, and issued a heartfelt appeal for a permanent ceasefire and the negotiation of a just and lasting peace. The cardinals invited all the faithful to intensify their prayers for peace.Sexual abuseThe issue of sexual abuse was discussed explicitly on May 2. Bruni noted that these wounds remain “open” and underlined the importance of awareness and identifying concrete paths for healing. Financial scandals were also mentioned as part of the Church’s “counter-witness.” The issue of abuse was also raised in the April 28 and May 6 sessions.Vatican financesOn April 30, the cardinals discussed the financial situation of the Holy See. Cardinal Reinhard Marx presented an update on economic challenges and

LIVE UPDATES: Sistine Chapel is ready for the conclave on Wednesday

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sun, 11 May 2025 22:00:27 +0800

The Sistine Chapel awaits the arrival of cardinal electors for the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media CNA Newsroom, May 6, 2025 / 18:44 pm (CNA). The conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7, as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope.Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition:

Creazion Studios Released Free Access to ‘Kabisera Supercut’, Pays Tribute to Nora Aunor &amp;amp;amp; Ricky Davao

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 08 May 2025 22:00:15 +0800

Quezon City, Philippines – CreaZion Studios, a leading distribution and film company in Southeast Asia, renowned for championing diverse cinematic voices and bringing compelling narratives to a wide audience, has made the critically acclaimed 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Kabisera, accessible for free streaming. This poignant cinematic work stars two towering figures of the Philippine film industry: the esteemed National Artist, Nora Aunor, whose indelible contributions have shaped the nation’s cinematic landscape, and the multi-awarded actor, Ricky Davao, celebrated for his nuanced and powerful performances. This special release serves as a profound and heartfelt tribute to both of these legendary actors, who have recently passed away, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable artistry and unforgettable characters. Kabisera offers viewers a powerful and moving cinematic experience, and this complimentary streaming opportunity allows audiences to once again witness the exceptional talent and enduring impact of Nora Aunor and Ricky Davao on Philippine cinema. It is a chance to reflect on their invaluable contributions and celebrate their enduring presence in the hearts of Filipino film enthusiasts.Kabisera (2016) is a Filipino sociopolitical drama portraying a family facing the harsh realities of extrajudicial killings and societal abuse. Starring Nora Aunor and Ricky Davao, the film [...]

Paolo Sandejas Reimagines ‘Roses’ with Clara Benin in Dreamy, Folk&amp;amp;Pop Collab

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 08 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

Filipino singer-songwriter Paolo Sandejas has tapped indie-folk favorite Clara Benin for the new version of “Roses,” a standout track from his recently released debut album, the world is so small. The easygoing collaboration was first teased through a joint Instagram reel, followed by the reveal of single’s cover art that featured both artists in a reflective moment, listening to a vinyl in front of a thoughtfully decorated wall. “Roses has always felt like a special track to me—one that deserves its spotlight,” Paolo shares. “I thought Clara’s voice and songwriting sensibilities would be a perfect match, and I’m so grateful she was on board. Working with her, even remotely, was a dream. I sincerely hope we get to collaborate again.” Though they weren’t able to record together in person, the two artists met over Zoom and exchanged ideas and recordings virtually. The original version of “Roses” was written by Paolo, who is now based in Los Angeles, with longtime collaborator Xergio Ramos producing the track. Clara’s contributions went beyond vocals; she also honed the harmonies and vocal arrangements, making the collaboration a true creative exchange. “I think it’s always a good idea to work with other artists,” Paolo explains. “You can only explore so much alone, but collaborating with [...]

Wardwizard and RPConnect Finalized Joint Venture in the Philippines

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Wed, 07 May 2025 12:28:11 +0800

WardWizard Innovations and Mobility Limited has announced a new electric vehicle will be sold in the Philippine market and is expected to be in full swing by early 2026.

"The output of interest and level of business optimism is consistent with economic projection rising sharply this year and with strong momentum to be sustained through the next year, Jun Bioco, said a "direct consequence of demand running ahead is steep to hold hinting that demand for EV has further to rise. With RPConnect squarely behind WardWizard’s Transport Modernization Project, we expect we will top the EV industry in 2027.

JOY, and the logo that will dominate the streets in the near future.

The Drivers Association is thrilled to partner which is committed to providing sustainable transportation, I believe that this is a testament to the equitable future of the country, he added.

Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Limited is a publicly listed electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing company based in Vadodara, Gujarat. Founded in 2016 by Yatin Gupte, holds the distinction of being India's first EV manufacturer listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

WarWizard’s Vadodara plant has a production capacity of 9,000 vehicles per month, with plans to expand to 200,000 units annually. International Ventures has already been announced for a joint venture in Saudi Arabia to establish an assembly plant and an EV cell manufacturing facility. And now, major distribution to the Philippines.

RPConnect USA is a business-to-business (B2B) project marketing and investment integration firm founded in the United States in 1995. The company specializes in sustainable growth strategies, offering solutions that combine strategic planning, technology, and financial backing to create investment-grade marketing programs aimed at achieving strong internal rates of return (IRR).

The Joint Venture of WardWizard-RPConnect is in the formation of WardWizard Innovations and Mobility Limited, and the combination of government incentives, volatile diesel fuel costs, and corporate commitments to climate actions will accelerate the growth of electric machinery in the off-road market. All these incentives are core programs that enabled these transactions to take place, Noubikko said, CEO of RPConnect.

By Tomas Kauer

Zsa Zsa Padilla Celebrates 4 Iconic Decades in Music with ‘Through the Years’ Anniversary Concert

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 05 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

This May 17, music lovers are in for an unforgettable night as the Divine Diva, Zsa Zsa Padilla, takes center stage at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater for her highly anticipated 42nd Anniversary Concert, “Through the Years.” From her timeless hits to powerful ballads that have defined generations, Zsa Zsa promises a heartfelt evening that honors her legacy and the fans who’ve stood by her every step of the way.The concert will be a grand celebration of her journey—spanning four decades of music, love, and life. Joining Zsa Zsa on stage are some of her iconic collaborators, including Gary Valenciano and Erik Santos; plus her children Zia Quizon and Karylle, making the evening even more meaningful. “Through the Years” is under the creative direction of acclaimed director Rowell Santiago with Homer Flores as musical director, ensuring a world-class production filled with emotion, elegance, and show-stopping performances. Whether you’ve grown up with her music or discovered her magic along the way, this is a celebration for you. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of a true OPM icon! Gather your friends, family, and fellow music lovers and experience the magic of Zsa Zsa Padilla live on stage. Follow @zsazsapadilla on Instagram for updates and surprises. Tickets are still available via TicketWorld.

Discover Unique Finds and Inspirations on Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, AFN and Animal Planet

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 05 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

Uncover hidden gems this May and June with Discovery Channel’s Filthy Fortunes, catch a glimpse of the lives of Alec and Hilaria Baldwin on TLC’s The Baldwins, face predators on Animal Planet’s Raptors and feel inspired with HGTV and AFN. UPCOMING PREMIERES IN MAY Raptors every Monday, from May 5 at 8pm on Animal Planet Dishing with Chris Lee Season two every Wednesday, from May 7 at 9pm on AFN Filthy Fortunes every Monday, from May 12 at 8:05pm on Discovery Channel Home Town Season eight every Wednesday, from May 21 at 10pm on HGTV The Baldwins every Thursday, from May 22 at 9pm on TLC UPCOMING PREMIERES IN JUNE The Hair Loss Clinic every Monday, from June 2 at 9pm on TLC Building Outside the Lines every Tuesday, from June 3 at 10pm on HGTV Ocean Wild every Sunday, from June 8 at 9pm on Animal Planet Spaghetti Conquest every Tuesday, from June 10 at 9pm on AFN In celebration of Discovery’s 40th Anniversary in 2025, catch fan favorites like Gold Rush, Deadliest Catch, Expedition Unknown and Ed Stafford: First Man Out, every day in June from 3:30pm to 6:15pm on Discovery Channel.

Docu on Struggles of a Young LGBTQ+ Bags Top Prize in ‘Class Project,’ to Air on Knowledge Channel

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 05 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

A powerful story of hope and courage about a young child from the LGBTQ+ community who endured sexual abuse and discrimination has won the top prize in the Knowledge Channel Foundation (KCFI) and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE) “Class Project Intercollegiate Mini-Documentary Competition 2025” and will air on Knowledge Channel starting May 3 (Saturday) at 6:00PM. Titled “Para Kay Bhie,” the documentary was created by student filmmakers from the National University – Dasmariñas, chronicling the emotional journey of a young child from the LGBTQ+ community as he battles prejudice and trauma while finding the strength to embrace his identity and live authentically. The top three student documentaries were awarded by ABS-CBN, Knowledge Channel, and PACE during the Pinoy Media Congress 2025, a gathering of about 1,000 communication students and professors held at the University of Makati last April 25. Joining the top three winners are “Ilaw” by La Verdad College Caloocan, which portrays a mother’s tireless dedication to supporting her child with special needs, and “Uhap” by the University of Makati, which sheds light on efforts to preserve the endangered Ayta Magbukun language in Bataan. Viewers can also catch five other finalists showcasing diverse Filipino stories: “Bayanihan” by Laguna State [...]

RADWIMPS Releases Music Video For ‘Tamamono’, The Theme Song of NHK Drama Serial ‘Anpan’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 05 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

May 2nd, 2025 – Philippines – Acclaimed Japanese rock band RADWIMPS, currently celebrating their 20th anniversary, have just released the music video for their latest single, “Tamamono”. The track serves as the theme song for NHK’s new drama series ‘Anpan’, which is now available to audiences worldwide via NHK World Premium. Fans can watch the video here. The music video, directed by video director and graphic designer MESS, is presented in three parts and portrays human society as it is shaped by unexpected events. It reflects the tragedy and beauty of life, where suffering, sorrow, and joy repeat in a continuous cycle. Reflecting the song’s message of celebrating the ‘beauty of our miserable lives’, the music video unfolds with the depth and emotion of a full-length film. “Tamamono” was exclusively written for the NHK Drama Serial ‘Anpan’ and marks RADWIMPS’ first new release in a year and nine months. The song, which has been in the works since May of last year, took the band over six months to complete. “My goal was to write a song that is challenging and adventurous,” commented Yojiro Noda. The accompanying music video captures the spirit of “Tamamono”, expressing a wide range of emotions within a single track. RADWIMPS – “Tamamono” [Official Music Video] To commemorate [...]

Pope Francis tells young people ‘learn how to listen’ in video published after death

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 02 May 2025 22:00:14 +0800

Pope Francis greets young people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Wednesday general audience on April 17, 2024, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media Rome Newsroom, Apr 27, 2025 / 17:45 pm (CNA). In a video message published after his death, but recorded in January, Pope Francis encouraged young people to work on listening well to others.The video, shared by the Italian weekly magazine “Oggi,” was made public one day after the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, who died at the Vatican on April 21. In the video, recorded on Jan. 8, Pope Francis addressed a group of teens and young adults participating in “Listening Workshops,” an initiative started by the Italian Luca Drusian.According to Vatican Media, the idea behind the workshops is for young people to discuss different topics while experiencing the beauty of both listening to others and being heard.“Dear boys and girls, one of the most important things in life is to listen — to learn how to listen,” Francis said in the recording, taken in his Santa Marta residence.“When someone speaks to you, wait for them to finish so you can really understand, and then, if you feel like it, respond. But the important thing is to listen,” he said, explaining they should not rush to give an answer.The pope said, “look closely at people — people don’t listen. Halfway through an explanation, they’ll answer, and that doesn’t help peace. Listen — listen a lot,” he urged.Francis also told young people to listen to their grandparents, who “teach us so much.”The posthumous papal message was made public as an estimated 200,000 people, many of them teenagers, attended Mass in St. Peter’s Square on the morning of April 27.The Mass was celebrated both as part of the Church’s second day of the “novendiales,” nine days of mourning, for Pope Francis, and as part of the Jubilee of Teenagers, which took place in Rome April 25-27.The day after the late pope’s funeral and burial, tens of thousands of people visited his tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. In the afternoon, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, led vespers in a packed basilica. The College of Cardinals also attended.

Pope’s final journey: 11 symbolic moments from Francis’ funeral procession

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 02 May 2025 22:00:14 +0800

Scenes from the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025 / Vatican Rome Newsroom, Apr 27, 2025 / 21:29 pm (CNA). The six-kilometer journey that transported Pope Francis’ body from St. Peter’s Basilica to St. Mary Major featured profound symbolism and emotion. Here are some of the more significant moments:Departing through “the door of his home”After the funeral Mass, pallbearers carried the coffin not through St. Peter’s Square but via the Perugino Door, steps from Casa Santa Marta — the Pope’s Vatican residence throughout his 12-year pontificate — from which he often “escaped” for surprise visits around Rome.The Mexican popemobile as hearseIn a gesture rich with meaning, the coffin was transported in a white popemobile that Mexico had gifted to the Vatican in 2017 — a modified Dodge Ram that the pope used during his historic 2016 visit to the country. Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to Mexico lasted six days, from Friday, February 12, to Wednesday, February 17, 2016, when he visited five Mexican cities.From Vatican to Rome crossing the TiberThe procession crossed the Tiber River via the Prince Amadeo of Savoy Bridge, symbolically marking the passage from Vatican City to Rome. This moment represented Pope Francis’ intimate connection with his role as Bishop of Rome.The Bishop of Rome’s final journeyAmid applause from attendees, the procession advanced along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, one of Rome’s main arteries, where thousands of faithful gathered to bid their final farewell to the Argentine pontiff. The route also included the iconic Piazza Venezia, Rome’s neuralgic center, before turning toward the Imperial Forums, connecting Francis’ pontificate with the Eternal City’s millennia of history.Passing the Jesuit churchPope Francis, the first Jesuit pontiff in history, maintained a special relationship with the Church of the Gesù in Rome, the main headquarters of the Society of Jesus. On July 31, 2013, the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, he presided at a concelebration in this church. During each apostolic journey outside Italy, he sought to meet with local Jesuits.The Colosseum and his final Way of the CrossOne of the most moving moments was when the coffin passed by the Roman Colosseum. As pope, Francis presided each Good Friday over the traditional Way of the Cross, praying for peace and remembering Christian martyrs. Due to health problems, Pope Francis had been unable to preside over this prayer at the historic site since 2023.The Via Merulana and Corpus ChristiTraveling along Via Merulana, the procession left the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Rome diocese, in the background, recalling Francis’ special bond with his role as Bishop of Rome.Via Merulana is the traditional route for Corpus Christi processions in Rome, dating back to Pope Gregory XIII, who established this route for religious processions between the two basilicas during the Jubilee of 1575.Peter returned to his Mother: St. Mary MajorThe culminating moment was the arrival at St. Mary Major Basilica, where Francis chose to be buried due to his profound devotion to the Byzantine icon of the Salus Populi Romani. This place held special significance for him, as he visited before and after each apostolic journey to entrust his mission to the Virgin Mary.Francis rests near St. Jerome and BerniniBesides Pope Francis, seven other pontiffs, various saints, and famous figures are buried in this church. Some have special connections to the late pope, including St. Jerome, whom Francis honored by instituting the Sunday of the Word of God on the saint’s liturgical memorial.His tomb is steps away from Argentina in RomeSt. Mary Major Basilica is located just steps from the most Argentine place in the country: the Argentine embassy to Italy. Francis never returned to his homeland after being elected pontiff, and rumors circulated for years about his desire to be buried in Buenos Aires.White roses from St. Thérèse of Lisieux on Pope Francis’ tombPope Francis had a special devotion to the French Carmelite mystic, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, whose symbol is the white rose. The pope once explained his connection to these flowers, telling journalists in January 2015 after his trip to the Philippines: “When I don’t know how things will go, I have the habit of asking St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus to take the problem in her hands and send me a rose.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Carlo Acutis and the four popes

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 02 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

Carlo Acutis. / Credit: carloacutis.com Vatican City, Apr 27, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA). The unexpected death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, postponed the much-anticipated canonization of Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager who captivated a generation of young Catholics with his love of the Eucharist and passion for technology.Now, as the Church prepares for a conclave to elect a new pope, tens of thousands of young pilgrims who traveled to Rome for the canonization remain in the Eternal City, holding vigil for the departed pope.Acutis’ journey to sainthood has unfolded alongside the lives of the last three popes, each of whom has marked a different chapter in the teenager’s short life and legacy.Carlo went on pilgrimage to see John Paul II, offered up his suffering from cancer for Benedict XVI, and was later beatified during the pontificate of Pope Francis. Now, it will be up to the next pope to canonize the Church’s first millennial saint.A childhood inspired by John Paul IIBorn in 1991 during the pontificate of John Paul II, Carlo Acutis grew up at a time when the Polish pontiff was inspiring millions with his travels and teaching. It was Carlo’s Polish nanny, herself devoted to the pope, who helped cultivate Carlo’s early faith.In October 2000, the Acutis family traveled to Rome to attend a landmark moment of the Great Jubilee: Pope John Paul II’s act of entrustment of the new millennium to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Standing in St. Peter’s Square, the then-9-year-old Carlo witnessed a crowd united in prayer, gathered beneath Bernini’s colonnade and in front of a statue of Our Lady of Fátima.“The Church today, through the voice of the successor of Peter, in union with so many pastors assembled here from every corner of the world, seeks refuge in your motherly protection and trustingly begs your intercession as she faces the challenges which lie hidden in the future,” John Paul II prayed to Our Lady.Offering his suffering for Benedict XVIWhen white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel in April 2005, 13-year-old Carlo Acutis watched closely as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI. According to his mother, Carlo was “fascinated” by Benedict XVI.The following year, Carlo was diagnosed with leukemia. Before he died of cancer in October 2006, he offered up his suffering for Benedict XVI saying: “I offer all the suffering I will have to endure to the Lord for the pope and for the Church, in order not to go through purgatory and to go straight to heaven.”Beatification under Pope FrancisPope Francis declared Carlo Acutis’ heroic virtue in 2018 and recognized the two miracles attributed to Carlo’s intercession that made possible his beatification and canonization. Francis frequently cited Carlo as a model for youth in the digital age. In Christus Vivit, his apostolic exhortation to young people, Francis wrote that Carlo’s life stood as a witness against the temptation of “self-absorption, isolation, and empty pleasure” in the digital world.“His witness indicates to today’s young people that true happiness is found by putting God in first place and serving him in our brothers and sisters, especially the least,” Pope Francis said the day after Carlo’s beatification in 2020.Pope Francis had been scheduled to preside over Carlo’s canonization on April 27 during a jubilee event expected to draw 80,000 teenagers to Rome. Instead, that Mass will now be offered as one of the Novendiales — the nine days of mourning that follow the death of a pope — as part of a revised schedule for the Jubilee of Teenagers.A saint for the next popeCarlo Acutis’ canonization will now be one of the first major acts awaiting the next pope. The timing and location of the canonization Mass will be left to the discretion of Francis’ successor, who will likely recognize the moment as an opportunity to speak to the Church’s future and to its youth as the canonization of the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint.

LIVE UPDATES: More than 200,000 pilgrims attend Mass as Church enters second day of papal mourning

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 02 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

Thousands of faithful gather for the Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday on the second day of mourning for Pope Francis at the Vatican, April 27, 2025. The Mass also fell on the day of the Jubilee of Teenagers. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA Vatican City, Apr 27, 2025 / 21:15 pm (CNA). Pope Francis passed away Easter Monday, April 21. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years. His burial at St. Mary Major took place Saturday, April 26. Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition:

Divine Mercy Sunday: Pope Francis was an ‘instrument of mercy for humanity,’ Parolin says

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 02 May 2025 22:00:13 +0800

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin presides over the solemn Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2025, held in St. Peter’s Square, highlighting the need for the Church to follow in Pope Francis’ footsteps as “instruments of mercy for humanity” in the world today. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/Vatican Media Vatican City, Apr 27, 2025 / 09:45 am (CNA). Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin presided over the solemn Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday held in St. Peter’s Square, highlighting the need for the Church to follow in Pope Francis’ footsteps as “instruments of mercy for humanity” in the world today. “Only mercy heals and creates a new world, putting out the fires of distrust, hatred, and violence: This is the great teaching of Pope Francis,” Parolin said in his Sunday homily.“Pope Francis was a shining witness of a Church that bends down with tenderness toward those who are wounded and heals with the balm of mercy,” he added. Tens of thousands of young pilgrims, who took part in Jubilee of Teenagers festivities from April 25-27, 2025, were also present at the Divine Mercy Mass dedicated to the late pontiff, including several European scouts groups, such as Italy’s Scouts D’Europa, and American parish groups, including youth from the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, Virginia. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/Vatican MediaApproximately 200,000 people participated in the outdoor Mass offered for the late pontiff on the second day of the Church’s “Novendiales” mourning period, the Holy See Press Office reported. “Brothers and sisters, precisely on Divine Mercy Sunday we remember our beloved Pope Francis with affection,” Parolin said. “It is precisely the Father’s mercy, which is greater than our limitations and calculations, that characterized the magisterium of Pope Francis and his intense apostolic activity.”Insisting that people’s affections for the late pope “must not remain a mere emotion of the moment,” Parolin said “the Church must welcome his legacy” by “opening ourselves to God’s mercy and also being merciful to one another.” Tens of thousands of young pilgrims who took part in Jubilee of Teenagers festivities from April 25–27 were also present at the Divine Mercy Mass dedicated to the late pontiff, including several European scouts groups, such as Italy’s Scouts D’Europa, and American parish groups, including youth from the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, Virginia.Tens of thousands of young pilgrims, who took part in Jubilee of Teenagers festivities from April 25-27, 2025, were also present at the Divine Mercy Mass dedicated to the late pontiff. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/Vatican MediaAddressing the throngs of teenagers present in the square — many of whom were shielding themselves from the hot morning sun under colorful hats and umbrellas — Parolin encouraged them to be close to Jesus Christ and to show his “merciful face” to all those they encounter in life.“I address a special greeting to you, with the desire to make you feel the embrace of the Church and the affection of Pope Francis, who would have liked to meet you, to look into your eyes, and to pass among you to greet you,” Parolin said to applause from those gathered in the square. “[Jesus] comes to meet you where you are, to give you the courage to live, to share your experiences, your thoughts, your gifts, and your dreams,” he said to young people. “He comes to you in the face of those near or far, a brother and sister to love.” The Mass celebration for the second Sunday of Easter concluded with the singing of the midday Regina Coeli prayer before an image of the icon of “Salus Populi Romani” (“Health of the Roman People”) placed next to the main altar erected in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis makes prayerful visit to Marian basilica before Holy Week

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 22:00:59 +0800

Pope Francis kneels in prayer before the revered Marian icon "Salus Populi Romani" at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, April 12, 2025. / Holy See Press Office CNA Newsroom, Apr 12, 2025 / 09:20 am (CNA). Pope Francis made a prayerful pilgrimage to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on Saturday afternoon, continuing the pontiff’s gradual return to public appearances ahead of Holy Week celebrations.The 88-year-old pope paused to pray before the venerated icon of the Virgin Mary known as “Salus Populi Romani” (Protectress of the Roman People), according to a Vatican statement released Saturday.This visit marks another step in Francis’ cautious comeback to public life following his recent health challenges. The pope has been largely absent from public view since his release from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital approximately three weeks ago, where he was treated for a respiratory infection.Saturday’s visit to the Marian basilica comes on the eve of Palm Sunday, which inaugurates Holy Week in the Catholic liturgical calendar. The Vatican has yet to confirm Francis’ participation in upcoming Easter celebrations, with officials indicating that decisions regarding his role in the Easter Triduum will be made “at the last minute.”According to medical updates, the pontiff continues to receive respiratory therapy and motor physiotherapy, though his need for supplemental oxygen has decreased in frequency.Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, vice dean of the College of Cardinals, is scheduled to preside over Palm Sunday Mass as Pope Francis’ delegate.

Vatican announces theme for 2025 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 22:00:49 +0800

null / Credit: Harvepino/Shutterstock Vatican City, Apr 12, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA). The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development has announced the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 2025 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, held annually on Sept. 1: “Seeds of Peace and Hope.”The day is part of the Season of Creation, an ecumenical initiative that takes place Sept. 1 to Oct. 4. This 2025 edition takes on a special character as it coincides with the Jubilee Year of Hope and the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si’, the Holy Father’s magisterial text on the care of our common home.According to a Vatican statement, this year’s theme reflects the urgency of working “to create the conditions for peace, a lasting peace built together that inspires hope.”“The metaphor of the seed indicates the need for long-term commitment,” the fruit of concrete actions and a profound ecological conversion, according to the statement.The biblical reference text chosen for this edition is Isaiah 32:14-18, which directly links justice, peace, and harmony with creation: “Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. … My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”The statement also emphasizes that, as Pope Francis and his predecessors have emphasized, “there is a close link between peace and care for creation.”In fact, it quotes the messages for the World Day of Peace in 1990 and 2010, from St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, respectively, which warned of the destructive consequences of war on nature.“The connection between war and violence, on the one hand, and the degradation of the common home and the waste of resources (destruction and armaments), on the other, is very close,” the press release reads.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Pope Francis calls on university students to proclaim Christ’s Gospel

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 22:00:46 +0800

Pope Francis greets visitors at his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media CNA Newsroom, Apr 12, 2025 / 05:34 am (CNA). Pope Francis encouraged university students linked to Opus Dei to share “the Gospel of Jesus Christ, dead and risen” with everyone during this jubilee year in a message to participants of an international congress in Rome.In a Spanish language letter released by the Holy See on Saturday, the pope greeted young people attending the International UNIV Congress 2025, which is taking place in Rome from April 12-20 during Holy Week.“The International UNIV Congress that you are holding in Rome brings you together these days in the celebration of a double jubilee event: Holy Year 2025 and the centenary of the priestly ordination of St. Josemaría Escrivá,” the pope wrote in the letter dated April 8.The Holy Father noted these occasions offer “many reasons to give thanks to God and to continue walking with enthusiasm in faith, diligent in charity and persevering in hope.”The pope said he joins in the students’ joy and accompanies them with his prayer, “asking the Lord that this time of pilgrimage and fraternal encounter may impel you to bring to everyone the Gospel of Jesus Christ, dead and risen, as an announcement of the hope that fulfills promises, leads to glory and, founded on love, does not disappoint.”He concluded by asking for prayers and imparting his blessing: “May Jesus bless you and Holy Virgin care for you. And I ask you, please, do not forget to pray for me.”The UNIV Congress began in 1968, inspired by St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei. According to information from the organization, Escrivá “dreamed of an international meeting of university students from five continents who would ask themselves big questions” to help improve the world.Each year, students participate in this experience during Holy Week in Rome, where they can “listen to experts and join problem-solving forums, as well as attend the Easter Triduum ceremonies” and meet with the Prelate of Opus Dei, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz.

Vatican offers health update after Pope Francis’ surprise visit to basilica without papal attire

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 22:00:42 +0800

Pope Francis appears at St. Peter’s Basilica absent his usual papal attire on Thursday, April 10, 2025. / Credit: EWTN News/screenshot Vatican City, Apr 11, 2025 / 09:38 am (CNA). A day after Pope Francis surprised pilgrims by appearing inside St. Peter’s Basilica in a wheelchair, draped in a blanket and wearing a white undershirt and black pants instead of his usual white cassock and zucchetto, the Vatican on Friday offered a brief update on the 88-year-old pontiff’s ongoing recovery.The pope, who has been largely absent from public life since being released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital nearly three weeks ago, was seen in the basilica Thursday with nasal tubes delivering oxygen, escorted by his personal nurse and health aides.A Vatican spokesman told journalists Friday morning that the pope had simply wanted to get some air and then spontaneously decided to extend his time outside of his Vatican residence by going to the basilica “as he was” to pray at the tomb of Pope Pius X and before the Chair of St. Peter.Pope Francis made a surprise visit to St Peter’s Basilica in a wheelchair while using his oxygen cannula. It was the first time he has been seen without his papal attire. Let’s keep praying for his recovery!????: @cruxstationalis#popefrancis #catholicchurch #stpetersbasilica pic.twitter.com/LMrkzwpN29— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) April 10, 2025 The Holy See Press Office confirmed that Francis continues to receive supplemental oxygen, especially at night, but that he is now able to go for “prolonged periods” without it.The appearance marked the third unexpected move by the pope this week, following the release of photographs from a private audience with Britain’s King Charles III on Wednesday and a brief greeting to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square during the Vatican’s Jubilee of the Sick on Sunday.According to the Vatican, the pope’s convalescence is progressing steadily. Pope Francis is undergoing respiratory and motor physiotherapy and is using oxygen “therapeutically” but with decreasing frequency. The pope has also begun receiving visitors again, including senior Vatican officials such as Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the sostituto for the Secretariat of State; Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the secretary for relations with states; and Monsignor Luciano Russo, who oversees diplomatic personnel.Still, questions remain about the full extent of the pope’s condition. Though tests reportedly show gradual improvement, the underlying infection has not been completely resolved. The Vatican described Pope Francis as under “constant” medical supervision at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.According to officials, the pope showed “slight improvements in voice and mobility” this week and continues to concelebrate daily Mass privately. As Holy Week approaches, uncertainty still surrounds the pope’s potential participation in the liturgies. Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, vice dean of the College of Cardinals, is set to preside over Palm Sunday Mass as Pope Francis’ delegate. Vatican officials have indicated that a decision about the pope’s role in the Easter Triduum will be made at the last minute with an update expected early next week.

Fight to End it All with ‘WEAK HERO CLASS 2’ Class is in Session this April 25

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:00:17 +0800

The highly anticipated second season of the Korean coming-of-age action drama series “Weak Hero Class” is coming soon! About WEAK HERO CLASS 2 SYNOPSIS: After losing his friend to violence, model student Yeon Si-eun vows not to repeat history at his new school in a tale of dazzling growth and desperate survival CAST: Park Ji-hoon, Ryeo-un, Choi Min-yeong, Lee Jun-young, Yu Su-bin, Bae Na-ra, Lee Min-jae Connect with the hashtags #WeakHeroClass2 #약한영웅Class2

Darren Espanto Drops New ‘PBB’ Eviction Night Theme Song ‘Paalam Muna Sandali’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:00:15 +0800

Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto brings to life the new eviction theme song of “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition” called “Paalam Muna Sandali,” which is now available on music streaming platforms. The emotional ballad track was first heard during “PBB’s” first eviction night.Its release follows Darren’s rendition of another “PBB” theme song, “Sikat Ang Pinoy,” his collab with Kapuso singer Julie Anne San Jose.“Paalam Muna Sandali” was composed and produced by ABS-CBN Music creatives, content, and operations head Jonathan Manalo. It will be included in Darren’s upcoming album under Star Music. Last year, the “ASAP” and “It’s Showtime” mainstay celebrated his 10th anniversary in the industry with a sold-out concert at Araneta Coliseum. He also showcased his versatility and style through his recent singles “Bibitaw Na,” “Iyo,” “Hanggang Kailan,” and “Miss.” Check out Darren’s new single “Paalam Muna Sandali” available on various streaming platforms. For more details, follow Star Music on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Peder Elias Releases New Single ‘Call My Name’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:00:15 +0800

Norwegian artist and songwriter Peder Elias Eriksrud Kjørholt releases “Call My Name” via Sony Music. “Call My Name” is a song about wanting to be there for someone, especially if they’re going through hard times. I lead a busy life, but it would really break my heart if the people closest to me didn’t trust me to drop anything to be with them if they need me.” The 28-year-old wrote “Call My Name” in London with Alex Charles, Ryan Bickley and producer Freedo (Zara Larsson, The Chainsmokers) and shared that the collaboration and creative process was seamlessly organic. “We work well together, and the whole creative process felt right from the start. Not because it’s effortless, but because I feel challenged in a good way. And on a personal note, it feels as if Call My Name shows how I’m maturing as a person and a songwriter.” Pop music is a surprisingly common source of comfort for a lot of people. Both directly with how the music makes them feel, and how they relate to the lyrics, but also the sense of community from knowing that someone else has gone through similar things and felt similar emotions. “As much as [...]

iWant Originals Serves Up New Coming&Of&Age Sports Dramedy ‘Love At First Spike’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:00:15 +0800

iWant Originals brings an exciting new serve to its lineup with its first original series this year, “Love at First Spike,” a coming-of-age sports romantic dramedy that explores one’s identity, second chances, and friendship set against the vibrant world of high school volleyball. The series offers a fresh take on high school life, capturing the firsts that define adolescence: first heartbreak, first win, and first step toward self-discovery, delving deeper into issues of gender norms in sports, social acceptance, and the pressures of being a student-athlete.Leading the cast of this new series are “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” housemate Emilio Daez, “Beach Bros” lead and internet personality Sean Tristan, and “Pinoy Big Brother Otso” ex-housemate Reign Parani shedding light on the themes of identity, acceptance, and teamwork, all wrapped in the electric highs and heartache of high school life. The eight-episode series centers on the story of Uno (played by Emilio), a top basketball varsity captain at Brixton High, whose future is thrown off course after a violent incident during a game gets him removed from the team. Desperate to keep his athletic scholarship, Uno tries out for the only varsity team still open: the school’s struggling boys’ volleyball [...]

Crunchyroll Spring 2025 Anime Season PH ‘Fire Force’ Season 3, ‘One Piece’, ‘Anne Shirley’, ‘My Hero Academia: Vigilantes,’ ‘Black Butler &Emerald Witch Arc&,’ ‘Witch Watch,’ and More

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:00:15 +0800

CRUNCHYROLL SPRING 2025 ANIME CALENDAR [PH] See below for the titles simulcasting weekly on Crunchyroll this Spring! *** Schedule and dub languages are subject to change. Availability may vary by region *** Dates listed below reflect new subtitled simulcast premieres only Dub date launches will be announced at a later date For updates, check out Crunchyroll News [Titles below are written in their preferred format stylization] MARCH 25 I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire! (Quad) *Schedule Update – first three episodes now available* After a life of honesty left him betrayed, Liam is reborn into a vast interstellar empire with one goal: be the galaxy’s worst evil lord. But no matter how hard he tries to be a tyrant, his “wicked” plans keep backfiring into peace, prosperity, and adoring fans. Galactic chaos, magic, and mecha await in this hilariously misconstructed tale of a villain who can’t help but to impress. (Official Trailer) MARCH 30 The Unaware Atelier Meister (EMT Squared) – Exclusive to Crunchyroll Kurt Rockhans is a kind-hearted errand boy for a hero’s party, the Flaming Dragon Fang. One day, he’s banished from the party and finds out he has the lowest rank in combat. In order [...]

Vatican’s financial watchdog reports decrease in suspicious activities

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:00:25 +0800

The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA CNA Newsroom, Apr 9, 2025 / 09:13 am (CNA). The Vatican’s financial authority reported a significant drop in suspicious activity reports in 2024, attributing the decline to “progressive refinement” in the selection process rather than diminished vigilance, according to its annual report published Wednesday.The Supervisory and Financial Information Authority (ASIF), the Vatican’s financial watchdog, received 79 suspicious activity reports in 2024, compared with 123 in 2023, representing a roughly 36% decrease.“In this context, a numerical reduction is a piece of positive news as it represents an increase in quality and not a reduction in attention by reporting entities,” states the report released on April 9.Despite fewer reports, ASIF transmitted 11 reports to the Office of the Promoter of Justice (the Vatican’s prosecutor) in 2024 — the same number as in 2023 — suggesting greater precision in identifying potentially criminal financial activity.“This is evidenced by the quality of the relations and the various forms of cooperation with domestic and international authorities as well as the good results achieved by the IOR [Institute for Works of Religion],” wrote Carmelo Barbagallo, ASIF president, in the report’s introduction.The report details that of the 79 suspicious activity reports received, 73 came from the Vatican’s bank, the Institute for Works of Religion, with 36 of these connected to high-risk jurisdictions. Various Holy See and Vatican City State authorities submitted the remaining six reports.ASIF also noted an increase in preventive measures during 2024, including two suspensions of transactions totaling 817,280 euros (about $900,000) and two blocks of accounts at the IOR.The financial watchdog highlighted positive developments in international cooperation, with 32 outgoing requests for information or spontaneous communications to foreign counterparts in 2024, up from 22 in 2023. ASIF also received 13 such communications from foreign financial intelligence units, compared with 10 in the previous year.Particularly noteworthy was the outcome of the follow-up evaluation by Moneyval, the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering watchdog.The body assessed the Holy See’s progress in addressing deficiencies identified in the April 2021 Mutual Evaluation Report.“The Moneyval committee recognized that significant progress had been achieved and expressed a positive assessment in relation to the three recommendations,” the report states. These recommendations concerned correspondent banking, wire transfers, and transparency of legal persons.“As a result of these findings, the next technical compliance evaluation is scheduled in four years.”The IOR “confirms as a solid and well-organized entity,” according to the report, based on ASIF’s “constant and systematic activity of verification” of profiles relevant to the “sound, prudent, and sustainable management” of the institute.The report also details significant leadership changes at ASIF, with Federico Antellini Russo appointed as director with the function of vice president in November 2024, replacing Giuseppe Schlitzer, whose five-year term concluded on March 31.In his final introduction as director, Schlitzer expressed gratitude to Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, “for the opportunity granted to me to serve the Holy See in such a prestigious position” and extended thanks to Barbagallo and all ASIF staff.

Pope Francis in Wednesday catechesis: The ‘logic of merit’ does not gain us heaven

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:00:25 +0800

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered for his Wednesday general audience on Feb. 5, 2025, in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, Apr 9, 2025 / 09:44 am (CNA). Pope Francis on Wednesday highlighted the need to overcome the “logic of merit” to be a committed follower of Jesus Christ and to trust more in God’s gratuitous love.Continuing his jubilee catechesis series “Jesus Christ Our Hope” on the life of Jesus, the pope wrote a reflection on Chapter 10 of St. Mark’s Gospel when Christ encounters a rich young man with a “fine resume” of good deeds.“He is a man who has observed the commandments ever since his youth but who, despite this, has not yet found the meaning of his life,” the Holy Father wrote in his April 9 catechesis.“Perhaps he is one who has not yet truly made up his mind, despite his appearance as a committed person,“ he continued.Commenting that “eternal life” is not “obtained by right” or “through meticulous observance of commitments,” the 88-year-old pope emphasized that a loving relationship with God and with others is key for a happy and fulfilling life on earth and also in heaven.“Indeed, beyond the things we do, our sacrifices and successes, what truly counts in order to be happy is what we carry in our heart,” the Holy Father said.In his catechesis, the pope invited his readers to consider God’s love as a gift he desires to share with others and not merely as a reward he grants to those who carry out good works.“Jesus’ love is gratuitous: exactly the opposite of the logic of merit that has beset this person,” he said. “We are truly happy when we realize we are loved in this way, freely, by grace.” “This also applies to the relationships between us: as long as we try to buy love or beg for affection, those relationships will never make us feel happy,” he added.To make “our hearts freer” to accept the proposal of Jesus to follow him, the Holy Father said it is necessary to take a look inside our hearts and give our wounds and weaknesses to the God who wants to heal us. “Perhaps today, precisely because we live in a culture of self-sufficiency and individualism, we find ourselves more unhappy because we no longer hear our name spoken by someone who loves us freely,” the pope shared in his catechesis.Noting the sadness of the young man who refused Jesus’ offer to be his disciple and follow him, the pope said to be aware that “what we think are riches” could be “only burdens that are holding us back.”The Holy Father concluded his Wednesday catechesis with a prayer, entrusting “all people who are sad and undecided” to the Heart of Jesus “so that they may feel the loving gaze of the Lord.”

Pope Francis meets with King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Vatican

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:00:25 +0800

Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome for a state banquet, on April 9, 2025. / Credit: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images CNA Staff, Apr 9, 2025 / 16:11 pm (CNA). Pope Francis greeted England’s King Charles and Queen Camilla on Wednesday in a brief meeting in which the dignitaries wished each other well at the pope’s private residence. The Holy See Press Office said in a Wednesday statement that the pope “met privately with Their Majesties, King Charles and Queen Camilla, this afternoon.” “During the meeting, the pope had the opportunity to address a wish to Their Majesties on the occasion of the anniversary of their marriage,” the statement said.The pope also “reciprocated to His Majesty the wish for a speedy recovery of his health.”That detail in the statement was a reference to the health concerns the two heads of state have faced in recent months — Charles with a cancer diagnosis and the pope with a monthlong stay at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital recovering from a lung infection and other health issues. Vatican News noted on Wednesday that the date was “particularly significant” for the English Royal Family, being Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary and “the four-year anniversary of the death of the king’s father, Philip of Edinburgh.”The meeting took place at the pope’s Casa Santa Marta residence at the Vatican. Buckingham Palace announced in February that the two English royals would meet with Pope Francis during a trip to Rome. Last month, however, the monarchs postponed their visit to the Vatican at the advice of the pope’s doctors after his extended stay in the hospital.Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, met a total of five popes over the course of her historic reign. Elizabeth died on Sept. 8, 2022, after which Charles ascended to the throne.

The other Charles in Rome: ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ is buried in St. Peter’s Basilica

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:00:25 +0800

King Charles III and Charles Edward Stuart (better known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie”). / Credit: Adam Schultz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Allan Ramsay, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Vatican City, Apr 9, 2025 / 15:07 pm (CNA). King Charles III is in Rome this week, but due to the cancellation of his state visit to the Vatican due to Pope Francis’ health, he missed a rather surreal opportunity to cross paths with another “Charles III” (at least according to the Jacobites), who is buried in St. Peter’s Basilica. “Bonnie Prince Charlie” — the ill-fated Catholic Stuart claimant to the British throne — is entombed in marble splendor within the basilica, just a few steps from the front door.The often-overlooked marble monument in the Vatican is marked by two sorrowful angels and a Latin inscription declaring the final resting place of “the last of the Royal House of Stuart.” Within it are entombed James Francis Edward Stuart and his sons, Charles Edward Stuart (better known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie”) and Henry Benedict Stuart. Tombstone of the last members of the House of Stuart, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican (1819), Work of Antonio Canova (1757–1822). Credit: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsJames II of England, a devout Catholic, was overthrown by the so-called “Glorious Revolution” of 1688, making way for Protestant rule. His son, James Francis Edward Stuart (James III and VIII), dubbed the “King over the Water” by the Jacobites and the “Old Pretender” by the Whigs, spent his life in exile in France and Italy asserting claims to a throne that remained elusive.The Catholic Church provided refuge and support to the Stuarts during their exile. Pope Clement XI offered James III the Palazzo Muti in the Piazza of Santi Apostoli in Rome as his residence, where he set up a Jacobite court and lived with his two sons in Rome with his wife, Maria Clementina Sobieska, the granddaughter of the Polish King Jan III Sobieski.The Monument to the Royal Stuarts in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Credit: Michael Haupt, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsTheir eldest son, the much-romanticized “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” led the disastrous Jacobite uprising of 1745 in Scotland, which ended in a rather unceremonious retreat. The younger brother, Henry Benedict Stuart, found his vocation in the Church, eventually becoming a cardinal. Maria Clementina was known for being particularly devoted to prayer, asceticism, and charity in her last years. When she died at the age of 33, the pope had her interred in St. Peter’s Basilica in 1735 with full royal honors, including a procession from the Basilica of the Holy Twelve Apostles to the Vatican. Maria Clementina’s tomb in St. Peter’s Basilica can be identified by her colorful oval portrait held up by marble sculptures of a cherub and a woman, an allegorical figure of charity, who holds up in her other hand a flaming heart.The Maria Clementina Sobieska Memorial in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Credit: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsAfter James III’s death and royal funeral in Rome in 1766, Pope Clement XIII refused to recognize his son as Charles III and instead recognized the Hanoverians as kings of Great Britain in an attempt to engage with the Protestants. The womanizing Charles had had a daughter out of wedlock with his Scottish mistress. He later married but separated without having any more children. The Stuart line died with his brother Henry, the cardinal duke of York, in 1807.Prince James Francis Edward Stuart receives his son prince Henry in front of Palazzo Muti, Rome 1747. Credit: Paolo Monaldi, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsRecognizing their royal lineage, Pope Pius VII commissioned the renowned sculptor Antonio Canova to craft a monument in their honor erected in 1819. It is located near the basilica’s Baptistery Chapel and directly across from the monument to Maria Clementyna Sobieska.Two centuries later, King Charles III’s state visit to the Eternal City this week has included waving crowds at the Colosseum, a historic speech to Italy’s Parliament, and a photoshoot in front of the ancient Temple of Venus with Queen Camilla to mark their 20th wedding anniversary. While the king’s April visit to Vatican City was officially “postponed” at the request of Pope Francis’ doctors, the pope met privately with the royal couple on April 9, the Holy See Press Office announced, exchaninging good wishes on the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary and for the continued recovery of the pope’s health.It could prove a helpful meeting for the British monarch given the recent statistics that young Catholics have surpassed Britain’s churchgoing Anglican population by more than 2 to 1 among Generation Z and younger millennial churchgoers, leading The Times to speculate whether the Catholic population could soon overtake Anglicanism in the U.K. for the first time since the Reformation.

Charismatic Catholics meet in Rome to celebrate Jubilee of Hope

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:00:25 +0800

Pope Francis with members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in 2019. / Credit: Vatican Media ACI Prensa Staff, Apr 9, 2025 / 18:11 pm (CNA). As part of the Jubilee of Hope, a World Meeting of Prayer Groups of the Charismatic Renewal has concluded in Rome. The movement seeks to renew Christian life through a living experience of the Holy Spirit.From April 4–6, organizers provided formation on “prophetic intercession” and a global meeting of prayer groups was held, attended by people from 70 countries.Speaking with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, Cathy Brenti, executive secretary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service (CHARIS), explained the origin and mission of the service.In 2017 Pope Francis expressed his desire to create a single service for the ecclesial movement. Two years later, this desire became a reality with the birth of CHARIS, which currently is under the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life.Unlike other ecclesial bodies, CHARIS is not a public association of the faithful but an entity established by the Holy See.CHARIS was officially launched on Pentecost 2019 in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican in a ceremony attended by Pope Francis where he also spoke to participants.Brenti recalled the “triple mission” the Holy Father entrusted to CHARIS on that occasion: to share the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the entire Church; to serve the unity of the body of Christ, the Church, without forgetting the diversity that comprises it; and to serve the poor and those most in need, physically or spiritually.The executive secretary of CHARIS emphasized that its fundamental mission is “to encourage the entire charismatic renewal to fully live this triple dimension: evangelization, unity, and service to the poorest, as a stream of grace in the heart of the Church.”‘A stream of grace’For Brenti, the charismatic renewal is “a stream of grace” where people “experience the Holy Spirit as a person, knowing that, often, people ‘forget’ him and prefer to pray to the Father or the Son.”“It is also a spiritual inbreathing that allows everyone to have a personal encounter with Christ, even if they are not Catholic or even if they have already been baptized,” she added.Brenti emphasized that the Holy Spirit “is truly essential and central to our mission. He is the one who guides us and takes us to places we might never have imagined.”On the occasion of the meeting held in Rome, Pope Francis addressed CHARIS, in which he urged the members of this service “to be witnesses and artisans of peace and unity and to always seek communion, beginning with their own groups and communities.” He also asked that their relationship with their leaders never be “a source of conflict.”These words from the Holy Father were for Brenti “a precious gift, along with the hospitality” they received at the Vatican: “It is probably the first time in centuries that a group like ours was able to gather in the Courtyard of San Damaso, pray, sing, freely, and have a meeting,” she emphasized.She said they were also able to pass through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica and attend Mass at the Altar of Confession, “which was more than full of people from the charismatic renewal, as there were about a thousand of us. We were allowed to praise the Lord and sing as we are accustomed to.”“At CHARIS, we are all at the service of everyone, with the aim of fostering communion and peace among all the entities in the charismatic renewal, bishops, and parish priests,” she concluded.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Dance Your Way to a Million Pesos with the #OPPOA5ProSnapAndSlay Dance Challenge

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 22:00:09 +0800

Turn up the summer heat and dance to the beat with the #OPPOA5ProSnapandSlay Dance Challenge! This high-energy social media contest invites Filipinos to showcase their best moves for a chance to win 1 Million Pesos. The #OPPOA5ProSnapAndSlay Dance Challenge highlights the durability and reliability of the newest and strongest A Series device yet from OPPO, the OPPO A5 Pro, by tapping into Filipinos’ creativity and rhythm as they dance through various weather conditions or unpredictable moments in life alongside the device as their dependable companion. Show your best moves at the #OPPOA5ProSnapAndSlay Dance Challenge Ready to turn up the heat or conquer the rain with the OPPO A5 Pro? Get a chance to slay the #OPPOA5ProSnapAndSlay Dance Challenge by following these steps: Film your best dance moves using the #OPPOA5ProSnapAndSlay Dance Challenge’s official audio for a minimum of 15 seconds while creatively incorporating different weather elements like heavy rains, hot weather, or windy days. Hit up Jackie Gonzaga, Ken San Jose, Joshua Decena, Aira Casim, and Sesable‘s posts for the official dance challenge audio and maybe get some slick move ideas along the way! Post your video on TikTok using the hashtag #OPPOA5ProSnapAndSlay, tag @oppophilippines, and ask your friends to [...]

JERGE Joins Spotify RADAR Philippines 2025, Releases New Single ‘Kalul’wa’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 22:00:09 +0800

The track captures the sound of quiet isolation, trauma, and healing Rising artist JERGE proves that he’s more than just a viral sensation. Known for his comedy skits on TikTok, the multi-talented artist continues to expand his portfolio as a recording star, earning a coveted spot in Spotify RADAR Philippines Class of 2025. This achievement places him alongside the esteemed ranks of emerging Filipino artists, including Dilaw, Ena Mori, BGYO, ONE CLICK STRAIGHT, Costa Cashman, and more. Expressing his disbelief and gratitude, JERGE took to Instagram to reflect on his journey. “Music has been my way to tell a story, express my emotions, and connect with people since day one. And now, with Spotify and the RADAR program, I get to share my world with even more listeners.” With these recent developments, JERGE remains steadfast in his creative pursuit, recently unveiling his new single “Kalul’wa,” under evosound PH. Delicately woven with ethereal vocals and somber acoustic instrumentation, the song essays the lingering weight of past traumas and the painful yet necessary process of moving forward. Rooted in personal experience, JERGE describes the track as a deeply confessional piece. “With everything I’ve been through these past few years, I’ve realized that [...]

March inflation slows to near 5&amp;year low

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:00:22 +0800

By Aubrey Rose A. Inosante, Reporter Inflation eased to its lowest annual rate in nearly five years in March, as food and transport costs rose at a slower pace. Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the consumer price index rose to 1.8% in March, easing from the 2.1% in February and 3.7% […]

‘ABS&amp;CBN Ball 2025: Brighter Together’ Celebrates Power of Filipino Storytelling

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:00:11 +0800

ABS-CBN celebrates the power of Filipino storytelling at the much-awaited “ABS-CBN Ball 2025: Brighter Together” by paying tribute to the stories that inspire, entertain, and uplift while reflecting the lives, hopes, and dreams of Filipinos from all over the world. Aside from honoring the stars and people who bring these stories to life, the ABS-CBN Ball also shines a spotlight on the dedicated individuals behind the scenes—employees and creatives—whose passion and talent help elevate Filipino storytelling, and industry partners—networks, digital platforms, and advertisers—who help bring meaningful stories to more audiences worldwide. This year’s ball is an event with a cause, as a portion of the proceeds will support ABS-CBN Foundation’s programs. Experience the magic of Filipino storytelling and see your favorite Kapamilya stars in their red-carpet looks by tuning in on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel, iWantTFC, and TFC-IPTV on April 4. Catch the replays on Metro Channel starting April 6 and on Kapamilya Channel and TFC-IPTV beginning April 13.

Pope Francis will be discharged from Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, Vatican says

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:00:11 +0800

Candles with Pope Francis’ image on them stand outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Feb. 21, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA CNA Staff, Mar 22, 2025 / 14:09 pm (CNA). Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, the Vatican said on Saturday afternoon, with the Holy Father leaving the facility after spending more than a month there amid a health crisis. Hospital officials said on Saturday that the pope will continue convalescing at his apartment in Casa Santa Marta for at least two months.Francis first entered the hospital on Feb. 14, more than a month ago. He was treated for several conditions while there including bilateral pneumonia. Sergio Alfieri, the director of the department of medical and surgical sciences at the hospital, said at a Saturday press conference that Francis would undergo a “protected discharge” and that he will “still have to carry out” treatment “for a long time.” The pope will continue to receive oxygen during his ongoing convalescence, Alfieri said. As recently as Friday doctors were still uncertain as to when the Holy Father would be discharged from the hospital. In recent days the Vatican has regularly reported that the pope’s condition has continued to improve. The Vatican had said earlier on Saturday that Francis would make his first public appearance in weeks on Sunday, with the pope scheduled to appear at a window of the Gemelli Hospital and greet visitors following the Angelus prayer. Alfieri said on Saturday that doctors at the hospital “were all in charge to try to solve the problem” of the pope’s health struggles. “Today we are happy to say that tomorrow he will be home,” he said.

‘Pilipinas Got Talent Season 7’ to Showcase World&amp;Class Filipino Talent

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:00:11 +0800

Excitement builds up for the highly anticipated return of “Pilipinas Got Talent,” which promises to showcase world-class talent and make dreams come true, premiering next weekend (March 29 and 30). During the show’s media conference last Wednesday (March 19), Asia’s Superstar and new judge Kathryn Bernardo expressed how her decision makes or breaks a person’s dream. “At the end of the day, iisipin ko if tama ‘yung mga nabigay kong advice sa mga contestant. Pati na din ‘yung mga Yes at No naibigay ko that day. Meron kasi kaming power to change a person’s dream or to make that dream come true. So our ‘Yes,’ it’s so powerful. And it’s also so hard to say ‘No,’” Kathryn expressed.Former ABS-CBN president Freddie “FMG” M. Garcia, who is heading the panel of judges again, shared his excitement in discovering new talent in the show’s seventh season. “Marami nang bagong technology ngayon na pwede ma-incorporate sa mga talent ng magpe-perform sa ‘PGT’. Sure enough, the talents that we have right now have levelled up. I would say that they could be compared to world-class acts,” FMG said. When asked about what he expects from the contestants, New Gen Matinee Idol Donny Pangilinan said [...]

BTS Jin Spotted in the Official Key Art for ‘Kian’s Bizarre B&amp;amp;B’

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:00:11 +0800

Netflix has finally shared the official key art for Kian’s Bizarre B&B! The Series is a guesthouse variety show featuring entertainer Kian84, Jin from BTS, and Ji Ye-eun.Kian’s Bizarre B&B is directed by Jung Hyo-min, who not only created the ‘guesthouse variety’ genre with Hyori’s Homestay but also brought laughter and healing with several hit shows like Korea No. 1. Kian’s Bizarre B&B is coming April 8, only on Netflix. About Kian’s Bizarre B&B “Kian’s Imagination Becomes Reality”. A place where everything you imagined isn’t there, and everything you never imagined comes to life. Kian’s Bizarre B&B, On a remote island, Kian84 hosts a quirky B&B escape, where BTS’ Jin and Ji Ye-eun lead guests through playful exploits and delightful chaos. Known for his refreshing charm on shows like I Live Alone and Adventure by Accident, Kian84 will manage this special guesthouse, bringing together young people with unique and diverse stories. Joining him are staff members who will help run this innovative guesthouse in Kian84’s distinct style. Among them is BTS member Jin, who is showcasing his exceptional variety sense in various contents. The addition of Ji Ye-eun, a trendsetter who perfectly targets the MZ generation’s tastes, further elevates the excitement. The dynamic between Kian84, Jin, and Ji Ye-eun promises to [...]

Cambodian Hip&amp;hop Powerhouse VannDa Unveils the Second Installment of His Trilogy of Mini&amp;Albums Entitled TREYVISAI (Khmer for ‘The Compass’)

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:00:11 +0800

A dive into chaos, conflict, and turbulence, TREYVISAI II: Burn Like the Sunexplores the darkest moments before transformation. This mini-album is fueled by stadium-ready anthems, aggressive rap bangers, and emotional heartbreak tracks – delivering everything fans love about VannDa. It also features a standout collaboration with Laotian Star Thinlamphone on “Lovesick Blue“, a track that quickly became a fan favorite during early previews. On the focus track “NO DISRESPECT” VannDa taps into his raw, untamed energy in a high-octane fusion of rap, metal, and rage music engineered for stadiums and mosh pits. Fueled by relentless flows and his signature electrifying production, it is a masterclass in controlled chaos—aggressive, unfiltered, and unapologetically bold. Once again VannDa pushes his sonic boundaries, delivering a high-voltage anthem that hits just as hard in the heart as it does physically. “I love this song and tapping back into my rage roots. It carries a similar energy to ‘You’re Already Dead,’ which is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever made. This year, I’ve been really focused on expanding my sound with stadiums and large-scale concerts in mind. Traveling to global music festivals and watching my own shows grow to massive crowds has been inspiring – I want to give my fans music that [...]

AI WORLD In Comeback Mode

Tomas Kauer - Moderator — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 23:31:06 +0800

Puerto Princessa, Palawan - March 5, 2025, - AI WORLD is now in a comeback mode! The Resort is now gathering a rooster of team for this multi-million rehabilitation as it braces to usher the restoration of the acclaimed lifestsyle resort.

Palawan is a hailed city for its unique history, and coastal landscape like El Nido, Coron and countless century trees including that of the famous century tree found at Ponce Garden Resort which is a must "to see" in Palawan.

"Men in vogue from the city's circle will rage for restoration of AI WORLD". Every so often we experience something special, one of them is AI World, Puerto Princessas beaming Japanese-inspired resort built complete with 3 big charcoal-bed swimming pools. Many remember AI WORLD with its beautiful landscape on a hilltop overlooking Honda Bay, Puerto Princessas treasured tourist destination.

Several entrepreneurs are now back on their drawing table tirelessly conceptualizing the future. They are reminiscencing the real estate glory paused by Pandemic, and keeping alive "the strong sense of history in Puerto Princessa" which inspired the people of Palawan.

What was once a landmark is now on "ER", according to Noubikko. Fortunately, AI WORLD has been nurtured by nature during those years and the landscape evolved magically with flowering shrubs of rare varieties of birds of paradise. Today, they are like a repertoire of colors, and a unique landscape with a style that belongs only to AI WORLD.

AI is a Japanese word for “LOVE”. It sounds HAI which also means “YES”. Today internet era it means Artificial intelligence. Everyone may name AI WORLD in a way that pleases them. All these words means only one thing, "beautiful".

AI World will be rehabilitated to dazzle once more. And its surely, worth all the excitement and wait, Regine Laguyo of VTLaguyo Construction said.

Experience life and rewrite your bucket list. Include AI WORLD!

Its worth the wait... Experience AI World

Not Tea, Not Milk, but Café Latte Colored Sand Beaches of the Philippines

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 23:09:50 +0800

August 24, 2023 - Manila, Philippines - Not Jasmine Tea. Not Milk, but Café Latte- colored beach sand, Noubikko said, CEO of RPConnect.

Palawan Island is one lucky place to have a Cafe Latte color of the sand because it is youthful and energetic. It's coffee without caffeine! Its provides emotional strength, optimistic, uplifting , mnd most of all, it fun!

This golden bright blush is a result of crushed coral mixing with the shells. Travelers often come just to watch how this café latte sand reflects the sun which is constantly flocking the natural sparkles of their colorful underwater show. Carlos de Castro, said. Carlos is the interior architect of several of the iconic landmarks in the Philippines, like Okada, Solaire, and Raffles Hotel.

Palawan Beaches are so indulging that an all-day excursion poses like an unnecessary option. Surround that with the gentle murmur of waves and the occasional laughter of fellow beach-goers is a day well-spent that can confuse the mind if there is any available comparison.

While in Palawan you are guaranteed to be mesmerized by the warm crystal-clear waters that gently lap the shore and an underwater spectacle. If you are a nature lover, this pristine café latte sand is just magic!

So go ahead, lay out your towel, and let the waves’ rhythm set the pace. Get your sunglasses ready, and see the fish darting around your toes like a lounging session also ready to relax with your feet… The rest… leave your imagination and explore the underwater rainbow which no word fits better.

This slice of paradise boasts a stunning perfect soaking of the sun and splashing pure bliss. It's a sunbather’s dream in crystal-clear waves gently kiss the shore, Jun Polistico, the legendary King of the Philippine Ballad said.

Visiting Japanese Investors in the Philippines and Beulah Team (standing from right) Takashi Sakakibara, GMJB, Haru Yamashita, Noubikko, Sonte Kaishuu, Mark Alfie, Shuichi Masamoto, Nelia Aguilar, Archi. Carlos De Castro, Raner Sulit

In Palawan there’s no need to rush; the sun generously bathes the beaches all year round, Nadia Arroyo, President of Beulah International Development

The Village of Tumarbong, located in Palawan is a dream where the sun paints the sky, reflecting a spectrum of blues. With the café latte-colored sand, the sunset will make aurora borealis jealous with plenty of colorful contrast to compare. In the picture, overlooking the most expensive Banwa Resort. It is the chosen place of Carlos de Castro's luxury residential masterpiece, named after his granddaughter, CATALINA

A visit isn’t complete without snorkeling and gazing at colorful fish that hug your imagination. It’s no wonder visitors leave with dazzling stories and come back for more. One visit encourages social communication and creativity!

Wardwizard Innovations Towards Comprehensive EV Infrastructure Development in the Philippines

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 15:04:08 +0800

Following the significant order worth USD 1.29 billion last month, key representatives from both organizations convened in Manila for an extensive meeting to discuss the implementation of the expansion of their initiative.

During the meeting, The Drivers Cooperatives expressed the urgency to Wardwizard Innovations to undertake critical deliverables. Wardwizard will send samples of D+8 and D+10 commercial vehicles for the Department of Transport (DOT) within 45 days. Discussions were held regarding the requirement for 6, 9, and 12-meter electric buses, with Wardwizard showing significant interest. The expected volume for these buses is set at 5,000 units over the next three years.

Wardwizard also invited Scientists and designers to come to the Philippines to plan to convert existing buses that are 10 years or older into electric, aligning with the modernization goals.
To support this transformation, Wardwizard will develop comprehensive charging infrastructure across the Philippines over the next three years and offer an initial credit line of 5 million dollars. Furthermore, a dedicated electrification fleet to and from the airport will be established by Beulah and Wardwizard.

The meeting was attended by Jun Bioco; Jun Polistico, ; Mr. Noubikko P. Ulanday, CEO of RPConnect; Mr. Yatin Gupte, Chairman and MD of Wardwizard Innovations; Mr. Shreyas, Head of Production and Business Development (Exports) at Wardwizard Innovations; Mr. Mohan, Technical Associate at Wardwizard Innovations; and Mr. Rahul Awadh, Technical Associate at Wardwizard Innovations.

Noubikko, CEO of RPConnect, remarked, “The ongoing developments with extensive discussions with Wardwizard highlight the commitment to revolutionizing public transport in the Philippines. He said the Directors are confident that this initiative will bring substantial economic benefits and create new job opportunities.”

Mr. Yatin Gupte, Chairman & Managing Director of Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Ltd., expressed delight over the progress. He said “We are thrilled to advance our collaboration. The discussions in the Philippines mark a significant step towards transforming their public transport system with our innovative electric vehicle solutions. By integrating our cutting-edge electric vehicles with Beulah’s strategic execution capabilities, we are poised to make a profound impact on the transportation infrastructure in the Philippines.

The initiative of the meeting showcased Wardwizard technological prowess but also emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges. We look forward to working closely with the Department of Transport in the Philippines to bring about a new era of eco-friendly transportation”

This partnership aligns with the Philippine Government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), promoting a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation system.

About Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Limited

Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Ltd. is one of India’s leading auto manufacturing companies in the Electric Vehicle (EV) segment under the brand name Joy e-bike. Being the first listed entity on BSE in Electric Vehicle manufacturing, it is mainly focused on the growth potential in the Indian EV segment to have a positive impact in the future. Given the current state of the environment, where fuel-powered vehicles account for the vast bulk of carbon emissions, the company is promoting improvement by offering cleaner, greener options that produce no emissions. With more than 10 models in its portfolio in both high and low-speed categories, the Company has established a strong presence in more than 400+ major cities across India and aspires to boost this number throughout the country.

COFFICERY Favored with Investment&Positive Profile

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 17:24:51 +0800

We sipped the coffee black with a splash of cream and evaluated them for flavor, acidity, and richness. We researched the companies’ sourcing and gave points to Fair Trade, organic, and other practices that are environmentally conscious and favorable to the farmers. We also factored in prices and the range of offerings. Then, the magic was maid which is blending with cream, with a little bit of that and a little bit of this (secret formula, of course). Voila! Cofficery was born.

Paranaque is one lucky suburb to have tested several brands in multiple must-try, must-see, tried that and tried this, which all ended with one choice: Cofficery, a Coffee shop + restaurant + office all rolled into one perfect concept, said Jun Polistico, King of the Philippine Ballad.

Sometimes a dark roast is too dark, or a light roast too light, but we have solved that issue, Martha, said. Along with dark, medium, and light, we offer dark-medium and medium-light options, so there’s truly a taste for every palate. Attention to detail extends from careful sourcing, through philanthropy designed to boost conditions in growing regions — even their packaging, so you can feel good pay cup after cup.

Cofficery is not just a coffee shop, it's a full-service restaurant with an aura of an office + coffeeshop. And, if you need coffee to do your job well, just think about COFFICERY –that’s the inspiration behind this coffee. Founded to live up to its “bold” name, Coffee + Office. It's a sip of inspiration-infused coffee and food to jolt you and inspire your boss for your next performance review. Take it from a Lawyer who drinks several cups of coffee and needs access to an office in a limited time.

Cofficery offers an array of chosen must-try and get ready to be addicted menus.

Cofficery is not just a coffee shop, it’s a full gourmet restaurant. From the more traditional (Vanilla Bean Blossom, Pumpkin Spice) to the super-creative (Caramel Apple, Maple Pecan, Coconut Creme, Peach Nectar). The cofficery uses, real spices, so you get a hit of natural sweetness in the coffee and with no fake taste.

Cofficery is a game changer, they say. Starbucks and CoffeeBean are popular hype, but, if you want your cup in an office restaurant with the most satisfying brew, give the trophy to Cofficery. It’s what Carlos de Castro, interior designer of Okada and Solaire Casino Resorts, said. The aroma, the flavor, and even the ritual can spark investment interest, said Nadia Arroyo, President of Beulah Development.

Joshua Nungay (standing) during a business meeting at Cofficery while Atty Martha and team were listening

If you happen to be in Moonwalk, Paranaque, get your WAZE of Google Maps. Don’t miss Cofficery which is located in Daang Batang and E-Rodriguez Ave Moonwalk. Order an espresso or the double latte to discover for yourself the luscious coffee which stands to milk in lattes and cappuccino and get ready for a great shot.

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