Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach Crowns as Miss Universe 2015

Miss Universe 2015 is Miss Philippines.

Every Filipino is happy and proud of Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach for being crowned as Miss Universe 2015.

Initially, Miss Universe host, Steve Harvey, mistakenly announces Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, as this year's winner.

More from the Netizens...

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE #MissUniverse2015 contestant!!! 👸👑👸🏽 @MissUniverse #YouAreAllWINNER ❤🌏❤ @PiaWurtzbach pic.twitter.com/axjBlda5hm

— Jheimhel (@mcgenilla) December 21, 2015

Online storm after Miss Universe gaffe https://t.co/NMg9XKoA0v

— Hedayat Osyan (@amirosyan) December 21, 2015

Miss Universe 2015 (Miss Philippines): I had conflicting emotions when the mistake happened: joy when I was told I was indeed the winner and not first runner-up, concern for Colombia contestant Ariadna Gutierrez Aravelo, who had previously been mistakenly crowned, and confusion at the whole situation.

Miss Philippines crowned Miss Universe after live TV mixup https://t.co/dAWanMojKB pic.twitter.com/1XWqROi2jQ

— TODAY (@TODAYonline) December 21, 2015

The video that says it all... 



Congrats, Ms. Pia! Cheers!

#MissUniverse2015 
#MissPhilippines

What the 'Dumagats' Have Taught Me - I Learned Something from Them I'd Never Forget

When I joined the clergy, army, medical workers, and other volunteers in a mission to help and serve the indigenous people on Monday, December 14, I realized a lot of things about life and am sharing most of them with you...

The Dumagats make a cheerful ‘toast’ as they enjoy their glasses of milk.

1. Appreciate life. Life is always at its best - no matter how tough it may be.

2. Always be grateful. Saying thank you is NEVER hard and a challenge to them.

3. Be contented and happy with what you have. Contentment is such a big word. 

4. Recognize and respect leadership. Their leader matters and so as his words and decisions.

5. Be self-less. Think of your fellows. Period.

Fr. Nap Baltazar hands over some school bags and clothes to the Dumagat children.

I also featured this experience at CBCP News - Sharing Kindness to the ‘Dumagats’ of Bulacan.

xoxo,

Mommy Mai


For donations and pledges, please feel free to message me or Fr. Nap Baltazar, the parish priest of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes Parish, and the director of the Indigenous People Apostolate in the Diocese of Malolos.

Thank you very much!

Cardinal Tagle on BEC 2015: God sent me a “teacher”.

I would like to share this story from our beloved Cardinal because it has inspired us. This may be a simple and ordinary story to some, but hubby and I think that its meaning is overwhelming. 

When we were listening to Cardinal Tagle during his talk at the 3rd CBCP BEC National Assembly held on Nov. 13 at the Paco Catholic School Auditorium, we felt so blessed and happy. And we believe that most BEC delegates, observers and guests experienced the same blessing, bliss and fulfillment.

Just a few words of wisdom from him... read on and be inspired!

Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle inspires the BEC participants during his talk. (Photo: Rainier Policarpio)

His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle also shared a story of his ‘humbling encounter’ with a little girl in a slum area. He said that the child recognized him as someone who looked like the one in a poster placed on their ‘chapel’. He then decided to play along with the kid, saying it was not him. But the young girl insisted as she was sure that he was the man on the poster. He still denied, which made her ask, “Eh sino ka?”

He was moved by this experience, claiming that God has sent him a teacher, the precious little girl. He realized that the little girl goes to the ‘chapel’ often to pray, making herself familiar with the man in the poster. Despite their life’s condition, it is really amazing that she finds peace and comfort through prayers. 

He called upon everyone to be like the little girl and consider praying as your personal sanctuary, where you can find serenity even in your darkest hours.

He ended his talk by reiterating the call for everyone: “Let us be the living reality in our neighborhood, in our BECs.”

Myraine Carluen Policarpio/CBCP News

Cardinal Tagle on BEC National Assembly 2015: Unity doesn’t eliminate diversity.

His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle encourages all Christians to 

respond to the call of communal discipleship. (Photo: Rainier Policarpio)

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle emphasized the essence of unity and diversity in his talk during the 3^rd CBCP BEC National Assembly held on Nov. 13 at the Paco Catholic School Auditorium. 

Unity is what Christians have in common but they must remember that their personal responses to God’s call nurture their communion in sacrament, service, and mission.

Since there must be shared responsibility in the life and mission of the Church, it is hoped that BECs will strengthen such participation of the lay people – making them respond both individually and as a community. 

“Every Christian grows in faith within a community,” he said. “And we are all equal in Christian dignity.”

With the theme, BEC in the Philippines: Responding as a Community of Missionary Disciples to the Challenge of Pope Francis to be a Poor Church for the Poor, his talk focused on the relevance of participating in the life and spirit of the Church and committing oneself in becoming a follower of Christ.

He also discussed about the perspectives of addressing the reality, the culture and the economy of exclusion as a direct threat to communion. 

“We should say no to the economy of exclusion and inequality,” he continued, encouraging everyone to practice such as also reminded by Pope Francis.

“BECs should say no to exclusion of communions,” he added. “I hope that all BECs will be examples of including the excluded, outcast ones.” 

Every Christian community shall do its share in enriching personal and communal encounters. ###

Myraine Carluen Policarpio/CBCP News

WATCH: A Second Chance - Popoy and Basha - Teaser and New Clips

November 25, 2015 on cinemas nationwide... Everyone's excited... so do I.  

This is John Lloyd and Bea's gift to their fans. 


   

Popoy and Basha's love story is just like anybody else's - loaded with joy, sadness, triumphs and struggles. 

UPDATE: Here's a new clip from Star Cinema.