By Natalie Hazel Quimlat “When we see the image of the Sto. Nino, it is an invitation to change our quick-fix mentality. To change from within, without any shortcuts.”  This was the message of Fr. Francis Tordilla, Rector of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, as he delivered his homily on the feast of Sto. Niño, January 18, at the Balatas Development Complex, where hundreds of devotees gathered for a eucharistic celebration after the procession and street dance.  Tordilla, who lamented the ‘ pwede na iyan ’ attitude of Filipinos, spoke largely about the iconography of the globe held by the Child Jesus in His hand. “Today’s feast reminds us that the Child Jesus is the global standard for one’s work, attitude and relationship with God.” He emphasized that God became man to show His love and mercy for His people. “He was not contented with band-aid solutions.” The Child Jesus also teaches us three things, he said, how to pray, how to obey the will of the Father and how to show compassion to the marginalized sectors of our society, in whom one could possibly encounter God.  The devotion to the Sto. Niño began in the Archdiocese in 1979, after a group of Cebuano devotees visited Naga City with the image of the Child Jesus and was hosted by Fr. Alfonso Grageda, then Parish Priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish (ICP). Seeing the impact and spiritual growth that the said visit provided to the local parishioners, Grageda, with the support of then Archbishop Teopisto Alberto, paved the way to make ICP as the seat of one of the most popular devotions in the Philippines in Caceres.  Currently, the annual celebration is organized by the Immaculate Conception Parish, in partnership with the local government of Naga. Also present during the celebration were Parish Priest Fr. Emmanuel Marc Real, Parochial Vicar Fr. Roy Gueriña, Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, and Vice-Mayor Gabriel Bordado, Jr.

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat In the Pilgrim City of Naga, the feast of the Sto. Niño is joyfully celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January, in union with the central celebration in the Archdiocese of Cebu. Each year, Immaculate Conception Parish (ICP), in partnership with the local government of Naga, organizes the celebration. The local devotion to the Sto. Niño began in 1979, when the Cofradia del Sto. Niño was organized in the ICP after a group of devotees from Cebu visited Naga City with the image of the Child Jesus. Fr. Alfonso Grageda, then Parish Priest, hosted these devotees, whose aim is to promote devotion to the Sto. Niño. After seeing the spiritual impact of their visit, Grageda, with the support of then Archbishop Teopisto Alberto, allowed the Parish to flourish into what is now known as the seat of the widespread Cebuano devotion in Caceres. This year, the feast of Sto. Niño was held last January 18, with the theme: “In Sto. Niño, we are one.” Hundreds of devotees gathered at the Immaculate Conception Parish before making their way to the Balatas Development Complex, where a mass was celebrated after the procession and street dance. Present during the celebration were ICP Parish Priest Fr. Emmanuel Marc Real, Parochial Vicar Fr. Roy Gueriña, Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, and Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado. Priest decries ‘pwede na’ attitude In his homily for the Fiesta Señor, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Rector, Fr. Francis Tordilla, largely spoke about the iconography of the globe held by the Child Jesus in His hand and the culture of complacency and tolerance of substandard work. Addressing the devotees of the Child Jesus, Tordilla asked, “When will we go beyond and be better than the ‘pwede na iyan’ attitude?” The feast of the Sto Niño, he said, reminds us that the Child Jesus is the global standard for one’s work, attitude, and relationship with God. Tordilla emphasized that God did not become complacent, nor was He contented with band-aid solutions to show His love and mercy for His people. “Instead, God became one of us,” he said. The Child Jesus also teaches us three things: how to pray, how to obey the Father, and how to show compassion to the poor, in whom one could possibly encounter the Lord. In closing, Tordilla called the faithful to personal transformation and spiritual growth. “When we see the image of the Sto. Niño, it is an invitation to change our quick-fix mentality,” he said. “To change from within, without any shortcuts,” Pope assures spiritual closeness to Sto. Niño devotees. The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, also expressed his closeness to the devotees of the Child Jesus. Pope Leo, who had been to Cebu many times prior to his election as Pope, sent his greetings to the Augustinian community in the Minor Basilica of Sto. Niño. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, who sent Pope Leo’s message, said “the Holy Father prays that this feast will once again be an opportunity to grow in the sacramental grace of baptism that incorporates us into Christ.” The Pope also urged devotees of the Sto. Niño to go to the marginalized sectors of society and be of service to those in need. “It is, therefore, his hope that you will be inspired by a greater desire to embrace the baptismal call to live a grace-filled life in Christ and in service to your brothers and sisters, especially those on the margins of society.”

By Roj Falcon Focusing on the archdiocesan goals and objectives, priests of the Archdiocese of Caceres convened for their first General Assembly this year at the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Canaman, Camarines Sur, on January 12, 2026.  Specifically, this year's archdiocesan thrust, Gabos Kaayon, Gabós may Gibúhon (Everyone Belongs and Everyone has a Vital Role), highlighted the importance and strengthened participation of all in the continuous growth of the synodal Church and the people of God.  Rev. Fr. Joseph Wilfred Almoneda, Vicar General of the archdiocese, said the assembly was meaningfully conducted, as Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon pushed its conduct since it marked the beginning of the year, and most of the programs for the year were discussed.  The assembly started with a Holy Hour and the solemn blessing of the newly constructed pastoral center of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish.  During the meeting, Rev. Fr. Eugene Lubigan and Rev. Fr. Darius Romualdo, the archdiocese's chancellor and financial administrator, respectively, discussed the agendas in their reports to the curia. Other updates followed, with Rev. Fr. Francisco Parza III reporting on parish matters, Rev. Fr. Joey Gonzaga on Safeguarding, Rev. Fr. Felipe Culvera III on the Committee on Ongoing Clergy Formation, Rev. Fr. Eugene A. Lubigan on Digitalization Compliance, and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel G. Mojica on the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC). Archbishop Alarcon also shared his message with the priests of the archdiocese, followed by the announcement of upcoming events, especially the Caceres Bible Week, which will be held from January 24 to 31, 2026.  Rev. Fr. Darius Romualdo stated that the clergy assembly is necessary because it gathers clergy in prayer and reflection, thereby strengthening their spiritual lives and unity in ministry. Through shared prayer, priests renew their commitment to serve God and His people with faith and humility.  The assembly also provides a time for updating on pastoral concerns, church teachings, and current challenges, helping priests grow together, remain informed, and respond more effectively to the needs of the Church and the community. Photos courtesy of Fr. Mayo Cesar Herrera

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat “The Black Nazare is a symbol of a new beginning." This was the message of Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D. as he celebrated the mass on the eve of the Feast of the Black Nazarene at the Holy Cross Parish in Tabuco, Naga City, January 9.  "We enter a New Year with the Black Nazarene as our inspiration," he said.  "We are invited to accept Jesus Christ as our guide as we cross this New Year." The image of the Black Nazarene, the Carmelite Archbishop said, is highlighted by an image of suffering: "a suffering born out of God's deep love for us".  Most of us would seek physical healing, he continued to say, “but the over-all message of the Black Nazarene for us is change” "We are called to conversion: to a change of heart. To sin no more." Thus, devotees of the Black Nazarene were urged to "ask not just for physical healing, but also for spiritual healing".  "Our devotion should prepare us and allow us to be open for the grace that will change us -change that brings us hope and make us new persons in Christ, a new community.” "But change can only be possible if we are ready to follow the Way of the Cross, leading to the Way of the Resurrection,” the Archbishop said.   Tria Tirona then continued to call on the devotees to "embrace the Way of Jesus, and not the way of the world".  "The way of Christ who suffered to show us the love of God,” he said. Closing his homily, the Archbishop sought prayers for openness to change.  "It is grace that we have a deep devotion to the Black Nazarene," he added.

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat Last December 29, 2025, the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Caceres gathered at Sundaze Hotel for their annual Christmas Party. Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon celebrated the mass at the start of the gathering. In his homily, he emphasized the importance of celebrating the Holy Eucharist together. “The Eucharist is at the core of our ministry,” Alarcon said. “It is Jesus whom we celebrate.” The prelate also reflected on the year, 2025, as it comes to an end. 2025 saw the election of a new Pope, Leo XIV. 3 Cardinals from the Philippines joined the Conclave that elected the first American and Augustinian Pope. 2025 was also the Jubilee Year of Hope. Several Churches were designated as Jubilee Churches across the Archdiocese including the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral and the Basilica Minore de Peñafrancia. 2025 was a year characterized by several initiatives in line with Pope Francis’ call to Synodality. The pastoral thrust of the Archdiocese was “Magsabot pasiring sa Simbahan na nakikisumaro”. As Alarcon went through the year, he also mentioned several national and archdiocesan events that shaped and continues to form the lay faithful of Caceres. Among these are the National Youth Day held in June 2025 and the annual Peñafrancia celebrations in May and September. The Archdiocese also joined the Trillion Peso March Movement both in October and November. Pastoral initiatives included Congresses and Safeguarding Seminars for both the Clergy and the Lay. Organized by the Caceres Office for Women and Children Protection, the 1st Archdiocesan Parish Safeguarding Summit was held in February 2025. The Family Ministry led the Penitential Walk for Life in March, while the Archdiocesan PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting) Team initiated seminars and recruitment for volunteers for the midterm elections held in May. In July, the Grand PREXtahan was done in Fuerte Sports Complex and in August, a Bioethical Conference on End-of-Life Care for Filipinos was organized by the Tomasinong Bikolano, which was held at the Universidad de Sta. Isabel Auditorium. Through every calamity, Caritas Caceres extended their relief efforts especially to far-flung areas, including the Diocese of Masbate which was terribly hit by Typhoon Opong in September. On October 26, the annual Children and Youth Mission Festival organized by the Caceres Office for Mission and Evangelization was celebrated in Goa, Camarines Sur. 4 seminarians were ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons in October and 2 deacons were ordained to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on December 12. The Archdiocese welcomed Fr. Joseph Bascuña and Fr. Leoneil Belen. The Caceres Clergy had their annual retreat in November; and on November 21, it was announced that the Holy Rosary College of Theology will continue to be affiliated with the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Theology until 2030, as approved by the Dicastery for Culture and Education. Lastly, the Archdiocesan closing of the Jubilee Year of Hope was held last November 30 at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. 2026 is set to be the Year of Participation, as mentioned by Alarcon in his Pastoral Letter published on the 1st Sunday of Advent. Themed “Gabos Kaayon. Gabos may Gibuhon”, Alarcon calls everyone to a more participatory Church, which is also one of the key aspects of the 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II). As the Archdiocese celebrates its Diamond Jubilee in 2026, the prelate likened the facets of a diamond to a participatory Church. “Like a diamond that has many facets for it to shine,” Alarcon said, “we too have our own roles to fulfill in our mission to make Christ known to everyone.”

By Jonnah Abellano The spiritual odyssey of the "Jubilee of Hope" reached its formal conclusion in the Archdiocese of Caceres on December 28, 2025. The solemn Rite of Closing, which coincided with the Feast of the Holy Family, was presided over by Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., the Archbishop of Caceres. Throughout the Jubilee Year, pilgrims visited the cathedral and other approved pilgrimage sites to seek plenary indulgences, deepen their prayer life, and renew their commitment to Christian discipleship. The local observance echoed the universal Church’s call to embrace hope, mercy, and reconciliation amid the challenges of the times. In his homily, Archbishop Alarcon reminded the faithful that while the physical doors of the Jubilee  celebrations were closing, the spiritual mission of mercy and hope must remain active in everyday life. He stressed that the graces of the Jubilee are meant to be lived out continually within families and communities. “The door through which grace and indulgence pass is symbolic,” the prelate said. “It represents mercy, forgiveness, and welcome. The closing of the Jubilee Year reminds us that its graces are meant to endure and to flow into the years ahead, and that we may be kind, merciful, and loving toward our brothers and sisters.” He emphasized that the spiritual fruits received during the Jubilee are meant to be lived out, not merely remembered, “The grace we received as pilgrims this year is not a souvenir to be kept, but a mission to be lived,” highlighting the Bicolano understanding of discipleship as an ongoing journey of faith, communion, and solidarity. The closing ceremony in Caceres likewise served as a historical marker, as the Jubilee of Hope began under the late Pope Francis and concluded during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. Spanning two papacies, the Holy Year stood as a testament to continuity and renewal in the life of the Church. As the Archdiocese of Caceres looks ahead, the faithful are encouraged to carry forward the Jubilee’s enduring message by embodying mercy, hope, and Christian love beyond this extraordinary year.

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat Bishop Jose Bantolo passed away on Dec. 13, 2025 after battling a chronic illness. He was 65.  Born in Antique and ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Jose de Antique in 1986, Bantolo was appointed by then Pope Benedict XVI as the 3rd Bishop of Masbate in 2011. He was ordained a Bishop on Aug. 22, 2011 and was installed as the prelate of Masbate on Sept. 6, 2011. He chose the motto: “Vivere Christus est” (To live is Christ).  His pastoral leadership was described by the Diocese of Masbate as “selfless”.  “He served the faithful of the Diocese of Masbate with devotion and grace for 14 years,” the Diocese said in a statement.  Bantolo’s funeral mass and interment was held on Dec. 30, 2025 at the Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua in Masbate City. The mass was presided by Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon. Also present were the Bicol Bishops and the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, who, in behalf of the Holy Father, extended his condolences to the Clergy and faithful of Masbate and to the family of the deceased.  In his homily, Alarcon described Bantolo as “simple and humble”, having “an unassuming bearing that made him approachable”. His vision for his Clergy was for them to be “happy, healthy and holy”.  “A steadfast servant, Bishop Joban was hardworking and had a strong sense of mission,” Alarcon continued to say. “He was concerned with poverty and peace and order in Masbate.” “He desired the renewal of the Diocese in Christ through communities and structures. He wanted to bring the Church closer to its people, whom he saw as the Diocese’s greatest treasure.”  Currently, Msgr. Claro Caluya III is the Diocesan Administrator of Masbate.

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat “What are you searching for this 2026?”, asked Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres in his homily last January 4 at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. “Social media users search for people, topics or songs,” he said. “Alternatively, they post photos, achievements or comments to express themselves.” In his homily on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord, however, the Caceres prelate reminded everyone of what to truly search for and share with others. According to Alarcon, the Epiphany of our Lord is Christ making Himself known to the 3 Magi. Guided by a star, the Magi searched for Jesus and encountered Him in a manger.    Like the 3 Magi, he said, may a star also guide us as we seek the Lord in our pilgrimage. The Caceres prelate also called on the faithful to pray for "eyes that see clearly".  "May we recognize the Lord in our day-to-day lives," he said, "even in our weaknesses, and even through our difficulties." "For it is in humility, not power; silence, not noise, that the Lord assures us: He is here with us." In closing, Alarcon urged everyone to seek the Lord. "And when we find Him," he said, "may we post and share what we have seen and whom we have encountered."

By John Michael Lanon The Association of Communities of Consecrated Life in Caceres (ACCLIC) had their annual Advent Recollection and Christmas party last Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Betania Retreat House in Iriga City, hosted by the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM). This year's recollection was facilitated by Rev. Fr. Jerome Gonzales, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Iriga City. He focused on the theme: "Kindled by Hope, ACCLIC awaits the Lord of Promise with Mary." Fr. Gonzales emphasized that hope, as a theological virtue, yearns for the kingdom of heaven and eternal union with God, depending entirely on Christ's merits and grace rather than human effort. It purifies human aspirations, guarding against despair and presumptions while opening hearts to divine beatitude. The said activity concluded with a Holy Mass presided by the Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., Archbishop of Caceres. In his homily, he strongly delivered the importance of active engagement in the Church's synodal journey. He eloquently illuminated the profound significance of its three foundational pillars: Communion, Participation, and Mission, linking them seamlessly to the Archdiocesan theme, "Gabos kaayon, gabos may gibuhon" or "All are called, all have a role", for the Jubilee celebration of the elevation of Caceres to an Archdiocese. In this light, he passionately encouraged religious communities to wholeheartedly embrace their distinct vocations and mission. The ACCLIC Congress is slated on February 2, 2026.

By Sophia De Vera IRIGA CITY — The Commission on Biblical Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Caceres (Caceres COMBIBLIA) successfully concluded its year-long series of district gatherings, capping off 2025 with the Rinconada District Bible Conference held on November 30 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish. Bringing together 124 participants ranging from youth to adults, the whole-day event served as the final installment of a caravan that previously visited the Central, Bay, and Partido districts earlier this year. Anchored on the theme “Magbasa kan Biblia asin Magin Saksi nin Paglaom” (“Read the Word and Be a Witness of Hope”), based on Romans 15:4, the conference challenged delegates to go beyond mere reading. The goal was to transform participants into “Bible apostles”—ministers capable of breathing new life into the Scripture within their respective parish communities. Faith in Action The gathering opened with a vibrant Bible enthronement presided by Fr. Dexter Peñaflor, the COMBIBLIA district coordinator for Rinconada. Fr. Erwin Blasa, COMBIBLIA Director, delivered a keynote on the conference theme, emphasizing the power of reading Scripture to instill hope. This was followed by a session on Spiritual Conversation facilitated by Sr. Maria Culaway, D.M., which offered delegates a practical framework for sharing faith. One of the event’s highlights was the launch of the commission’s flagship program, “Basahon an Biblia: Sarong Kapitulo kada Aldaw” (“Read the Bible: One Chapter a Day”), designed to make Scripture reading a daily, manageable habit. To ensure the message resonated with the assembly, the launch featured a family reading the Bible in the Rinconada dialect—a gesture intended to bring the Word closer to the people of the district. A Community Effort The conference moved from instruction to interaction in the afternoon. A diverse roundtable discussion featured testimonies from a priest, a nun, a family, a youth representative, and a child, proving that the Bible resonates across all generations. The session revealed a striking contrast in experiences. While adult participants, including the clergy, spoke candidly about the difficulty of finding time to read, the family of Mr. Ronald and Jocelyn Aguila, parishioners from Naga Cathedral, offered a refreshing perspective. Having read the Bible nightly since the program’s launch in March, their teenage son testified: “Reading the Bible every night with my family gives me—gives us—joy.” The family has now read 20% of the whole Bible, strictly following the one-chapter-a-day reading program. Perhaps the most poignant testimony came from an 8-year-old child, Ethan Alfonso, a native of Magarao, who has already read nearly half the Bible. “If we read the Bible and believe in God, we do not need to worry, for God will always be with us,” the child shared, moving the audience. Host parish priest Fr. Wilmer Tria graced the event with an inspiring message, welcoming the delegation which represented over 20 parishes from municipalities including Buhi, Balatan, Baao, Bula, Bato, Nabua, and Iriga City. Organizing for Mission The assembly elected new parish and vicarial coordinators, formally organizing the network of Bible ministers in the district. The day concluded with a Holy Mass celebrated with local parishioners. Presiding over the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Blasa connected the event to the start of the liturgical season. “As we light the candle of hope this first Sunday of Advent, we remember that the source of hope comes from the Word of God,” Fr. Blasa said in his homily. “It is the Word of God we prepare for this Christmas—Jesus, the Word made flesh.” Looking Toward 2026 . Leading up to this finale, the commission held preparatory events including an orientation for facilitators of Spiritual Conversation and a Seminar-Workshop on Digital Evangelization. The latter led to the formation of the new COMBIBLIA Social Communications Team, headed by Ms. Alyza Betito, ensuring the commission is ready for modern mission work. With the district conferences now complete and the organizational structures in place, Caceres COMBIBLIA shifts its focus to the upcoming Caceres Bible Congress, scheduled for January 24, 2026, in Naga City.

Filioque: When Small Insertions Change History By Fr. Francis Tordilla In recent weeks, the nation has been stirred by discussions on alleged “insertions” in the national budget — small additions that can carry enormous consequences. Church History, interestingly, has its own parallel. More than a thousand years ago, a brief phrase inserted into a sacred text helped shape one of the greatest divisions in Christianity. The phrase returns to the headlines with Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic letter In unitate fidei  (published 23 November 2025) and his ecumenical pilgrimage marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. How a Tiny Addition Became a Turning Point Filioque  is not in the Creed adopted at Nicaea (325) or in the later Constantinopolitan recension (381); its first formal attestation in Western creedal practice appears in the Third Council of Toledo (589) and it later spread through the Latin West, becoming part of Roman liturgical usage only in the medieval period. The insertion emerged as a pastoral and anti-Arian clarification in the Latin Churches, but its unilateral liturgical adoption became a symbol of competing theological emphases and ecclesial authority — one of several factors that fed the Great Schism. The theology behind the phrase revolves around the “procession” of the Holy Spirit — meaning, in simple terms, how the Spirit receives and shares in the one divine life of the Trinity. The Latin verb procedere  thus expresses the internal relationship by which the Spirit is spoken of as coming from the Father and, in Western formulae, “from the Father and the Son.” That nuance underlies centuries of theological debate. The Latin West emphasized the communion of the Father and the Son; the East emphasized the Father as the single source of the Trinity. These differences, initially reconcilable, gradually symbolized deeper misunderstandings and contributed to the Great Schism of 1054. In unitate fidei : Call To Put Theology at the Service of Unity Pope Leo XIV published In unitate fidei  ahead of his journey to Turkey and the Nicaea commemoration; the letter summons Christians to renew their profession of faith in the Creed and to seek reconciliation rooted in prayer, listening and conversion. The Pope writes directly about old controversies and the need to move forward: We must therefore leave behind theological controversies that have lost their raison d’être in order to develop a common understanding and even more, a common prayer to the Holy Spirit, so that he may gather us all together in one faith and one love (No. 12). That paragraph is central: it reframes doctrinal differences as questions to be worked through by patient dialogue and spiritual ecumenism rather than unilateral declarations A Visit to Nicaea on the Council’s 1700th Anniversary Pope Leo XIV’s journey to Nicaea  ( now   İznik , the site traditionally associated with the Council of Nicaea), where the first ecumenical council met in 325, was therefore more than symbolic. As the Christian world marks   1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, his visit reminded the Church of the council’s monumental role: defining Christ as “true God from true God,” safeguarding the faith from Arianism, and setting the foundation for all future councils. The Pope’s visit was an ecumenical gesture — a shared recitation of the Creed and public prayers with Orthodox and other Christian leaders — and as part of broader efforts to emphasize what unites Christians today. Media reports note the pastoral thrust of the trip while also recording varied local reactions. Greatness in the Small Here in Caceres, we are reminded that small things matter — in public life and in the life of faith. Just as an inserted phrase once altered the direction of Christian history, small acts of goodwill today — listening, openness, dialogue—can mend wounds once thought permanent. In a divided world, even a tiny word, spoken with truth and charity, still has the power to heal the Body of Christ.

A weekly pause to notice the hidden goodness woven into the rhythms of daily life Finding Joy After the Storms By Fr. Francis Tordilla After Typhoon Uwan passed, I found myself doing what so many others were doing—checking on people, calling friends, and trying to map out where help was needed most.  And now, as Tropical Depression Verbena approaches, the familiar question returns: Is it even possible to talk about happiness while storms—literal and emotional—keep crashing in? I think it is. But not the “good vibes only” kind that pretends nothing is wrong. I’m talking about the kind of joy that sits beside the mess, holds it honestly, and still notices the light coming through. Amid the rising public anger toward corruption, this article shifts the focus inward—toward the habits, skills, and small graces that help us grow happier and steadier each day. Arthur C. Brooks— Harvard scholar, writer, and an unlikely happiness coach—offers a 5-step gratitude practice that has helped me make sense of this. And honestly, the past weeks made his ideas feel less like theory and more like survival. Here are some of the key takeaways  I distilled from his podcast on Spotify and YouTube videos. The 5 Steps Toward a More Grateful Life 1. Don’t Just Feel It—Say It. Right after Uwan, we started organizing relief operations for Catanduanes. In just a matter of days, the Tomasinong Bikolano—our Tombiks family—showed up like they always do. Messages poured in. Willing donors, both members and non-members, appeared out of nowhere. We were able to pack food for 100 families—100 tables where meals were possible again. I remember pausing in the middle of the chaos, holding a pack of rice, and saying quietly, “Thank You.” Not to anyone in particular. Just naming the gratitude out loud. That simple act held me together. 2. Pay Attention to the Gift Itself.  When people donated, I could have focused on the generosity of the giver—of course, that mattered. But what stuck with me more was the thought: That meal will comfort a mother. That canned good will ease a father’s worry. That pack of noodles will make a child full tonight. Focusing on the gift helped me feel grounded, connected, and blessed. 3. Hold Your Blessings With Humility.  Gratitude hits differently when you realize how much of life is a gift. No matter how hard I work, I can’t claim credit for everything. Some blessings simply arrive—through people, through timing, through grace. Even my new morning habit has taught me humility. These days, I wake up early and, for the first time in a long time, I don’t reach for my phone. I just sit there on the edge of my bed—quiet, half-awake—letting the alpha waves settle. In that stillness, I feel it: I didn’t earn every good thing. I just received it. 4. Be Thankful Even for the Hard Parts.  No one asked for Uwan, and no one is excited about Verbena. But these storms reveal what comfort hides. They show us resilience, community, solidarity. They show us how much vigilant we should be when it comes to choosing our leaders. These storms show us that we endure—not because life is smooth, but because we walk together. I don’t romanticize hardship.  But I can say honestly: The storms taught me something about myself I would not have learned in calm weather. 5. When Something Good Happens, Don’t Rush Past It.  We live in a world that moves too fast. Even relief work can feel like a checklist if you’re not careful. But when we finished packing the last of the 100 food bundles, I didn’t rush to the next task. I stood there for a moment, sweaty and tired, looking at the mountain of yellow eco-bags. And I let the goodness linger. That pause felt like prayer. The same happens in the mornings—those first still minutes before the world intrudes.  That quiet is becoming one of my small joys. So… Can We Still Be Happy? Happiness feels like the wrong word for days like these. But steadiness ? Gratitude? A sense of being held, even while winds howl?  Yes. Absolutely. Because gratitude doesn’t deny the storms. It simply reminds us that storms are not the whole story. There is still grace to notice, people to thank, work to do, sunlight to stand in, and mornings to greet with quiet awe. And somehow, even through Uwan and Verbena, joy finds a way to stay.