Tag: April 30, 2007

CYNICS may think that religious organizations on campus are drab and boring, out of date and on the wane. But University’s Student Religious Organizations (SROs) will prove them wrong.

Despite the competition posed by non-religious campus groups, SROs continue to attract members.

“Student religious organizations in the University are performing well. Thanks to their leaders who are committed to their work and the many eager members in their ranks,” Center for Campus Ministry director Fr. Ramon Salibay, O.P., told the Varsitarian.

The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. - Henry Sherrill

LITTLE miss perfect’s dark secrets revealed!

If an article were to be written about me, then this line would be the title that would best fit my life story

CHRISTIANITY is facing death in the very continent it once called home—Europe, Pope Benedict XVI said.

The Pope called on the European Union to “clearly recognize the definite existence of a stable and permanent human nature,” following his statement that Europe might soon exit history as the continent’s demographic profile shows falling population growth rate and loss of cultural foundation shaped by Christianity.

WHILE Filipinos observe Holy Week with the traditional pabasa, visita iglesia, siete palabras and senakulo, fellow Asian Catholics from India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh relive the passion of Christ with inter-religious fervor. These Catholics from predominantly Muslim or Hindu countries commemorate Lent with blood donation, youth retreats, and Easter prayer services that attract even non-Catholics to join.

TWO YEARS after the death of Pope John Paul II, the Roman Curia, the supreme pastoral council of the Catholic Church, has already completed the initial step in lifting the late Pope into sainthood, despite the five-year requirement prior to beatification. Beatification entitles a person to be venerated and to acquire the title, “Blessed.” As the late Pope reached the first stage of beatification, he claims the title of “Venerable.”

DO CATHOLIC schools produce corrupt politicians?

Despite a good number of national and local leaders educated in Catholic schools, the country still topped the list of most corrupt countries in Asia according to the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) survey last month.

Whether Catholic schools are part of the blame and what these institutions should do were the talking points of the speakers of the Theology Week 2007, a five-day lecture series last April 16 to 20 at the UST Martyrs’ Hall.

FIESTAS are deeply engrained in the Filipino psyche. Most of the time, it is through these festivities that our rich culture, bounty, and the arts are revealed.

“Fiestas give identity to the Philippines as they give character to our already beautiful country,” artist Dan Libor, president of the young Las Piñas Artists Society (LAS), told the Varsitarian.

INDUSTRIAL designers are considered “practical artists.” One aspect of their occupation is the product design of mundane products from furniture to jewelry to car parts.

Le Industriel, a recent exhibit by the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) Industrial Design Department at the Beato Angelico Gallery showed the importance of product design. The exhibit featured a variety of product designs using synthetic, organic, hardware and even recycled materials.

GERARD Hababag, an incoming senior Medical Technology student was browsing through television channels on Maundy Thursday when he came upon Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus aired in GMA 7.

“I know it had a moral lesson within its story,” Hababag said. “But it wasn’t something I would have expected to see on television during the Holy Week.”

Who would have? A show about a princess in a pink dress and a flying horse wasn’t something any one would see fit for the solemn observance of the Lenten season.

WHILE others chant the Pasyon or flagellate themselves to mark Lent, 65 artists interpret the suffering Christ through paint and palette.

Tackling the theme “Into Thy Hands,” the exhibit was featured in two separate displays at the 1/Of Gallery in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City and at the Choice Expression Gallery in Makati City.