Magsisibya

Pope Francis' Homily in Tacloban City, Leyte on January 17, 2015 (one year and two months after Super Typhoon Yolanda)

On January 17, 2015, Pope Francis presided over a Holy Mass in Tacloban City, the epicenter of Super Typhoon Yolanda a year earlier, amidst strong winds and torrential rains from another typhoon which hit the Visayas, Amang.

The Pope discarded his prepared homily and chose to speak from the heart.

“So many of you have lost everything. I don’t know what to say to you, but the Lord does know what to say to you.

“Some of you lost part of your families. All I can do is keep silent, and I walk with you all with my silent heart. Many of you have asked the Lord, ‘Why, Lord?’ And to each of you, Christ responds from His heart upon the Cross.

“I have no more words to tell you. Let us look to Christ. He is the Lord. He understands us because He underwent all the trials that we, that you, have experienced.”

Jack Jakosalem in 2011: Metro Cebu Traffic Management Should Be Unified; To DJs, Be Relevant

Former Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem was interviewed by a Y101 DJ in October 2011 (shortly before he was hospitalized). At that time, he was already complaining to his family and friends about his nighttime headaches.

Pope Francis Designates Cardinal Tagle the Newest Member of Vatican's Central Bank

Pope Francis appoints Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as a member of Vatican's central bank. Tagle is now a member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) which manages Vatican's treasury.

The Love Story of Jack and Sharon Jakosalem: It All Started in Summer '93

Sharon Jakosalem spoke during the Cebu City Council Memorial Service for her husband, former Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem, on February 19, 2021.

DOH: 16.73% Positivity Rate in Central Visayas Today, February 22, 2021; 384 Tested Positive out of 2,295 Swab Samples

DOH: 384 New Covid-19 Cases in Central Visayas today, February 22, 2021; 184 from Cebu City and 98 from Cebu Province

DOH: Areas with the highest number of new Covid-19 cases:

Cebu City: 184
Cebu Province: 98
Lapulapu City: 60
Mandaue City: 38
Bohol: 4

Cebu City's Plaza Independencia Was Built in the 1600s

Does this spot look familiar? This is a panoramic shot of Plaza Independencia with the old Capitol (Casa de Gobierno) that housed the Cebu Provincial Government. The province's seat of power was transferred in 1938 upon completion of the present building along Osmeña Boulevard.

Plaza Independencia was initially called Plaza de Armas in the 1600s before being renamed as Plaza Mayor and then Plaza Maria Christina. It was again renamed to Plaza Libertad during the American colonial period. The site is now one of the city’s most popular recreational spots with historical landmarks like Fort San Pedro and the old Customs House located nearby.

Photo credit: The Uytingchua Photo Collection in Fort San Pedro #KaraangSugbo

(From Gabii sa Kabilin FB page)