The 700 Club Asia levels up the Spirit of Giving with "Wagas ang Bigayan sa CHRISTmas"

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“Wagas ang Bigayan sa CHRISTmas,” a series special live episodes on December 16-20, at 11:00 p.m. over GMA News TV. 

The 700 Club Asia,  fresh from its AnakTV seal award, convincing Filipinos to level up their spirit of giving in  Wagas ang Bigayan sa CHRISTmas.

The TV special hopes to raise more funds to be able to help more people through the CBN Asia Family of Ministries (CBN Asia Media that produces The 700 Club Asia and the top-rating Superbook, Operation Blessing, Asian Center for Mission and The Prayer Center).

“Many of our kababayans are still clamoring for our help and support. In this season of giving, we pray that God touches the heart of people so that they will be cheerful givers to their fellowmen who are needing help and hope. The 700 Club Asia special episodes would be a great opportunity for everybody to spread cheer and touch the lives of others this Christmas season,” says Peter Kairuz, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBN Asia and Operation Blessing and host of The 700 Club Asia.

Peter explained that the theme "Wagas ang Bigayan sa CHRISTmas" captures the generous spirit of Filipinos especially at this time when every opportunity to help counts.

DISCOVER the pure joy of giving and be a part of "Wagas ang BIgayan sa CHRISTmas. Help us help our kababayans so that like you, they will find hope and rest this Christmas season.

Carenival, A Day of Smiles for the Kids of Gawad Kalinga

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Gawad Kalinga Quezon City (GKQC), in cooperation with The Expressions Company, brings Carenival, a day for the children of GKQC villages.

This will be on December 15, 2013 (Sunday) at the Ateneo de Manila University MVP – Roof Deck from 10 am to 5pm. Fun booths and a variety show will be setup to entertain more than 200 kids. Here are ways on how you can take part in this celebration of caring and sharing: Be a volunteer ate and kuya for a day! 

Gawad Kalinga is about inspiring and engaging its workers, partners and volunteers to care for more than just themselves and share the best of their talents, skills, time and resources to help the poor in reaching their fullest potential. I was with CFC Kids For Christ when I was in the north area of Quezon City. Advocates in CFC KFC's passion as bringing kids to the Lord and building a bright new world. 

Join this Carenival event and share this delight to other children.

Everyone is welcome to meet and mingle with the kids. Bring your family and friends too! Donate in kind or in cash. Feeling like you need to outgrow your fascination over you precious Care Bear set, Voltes V action figures, or Barbie doll collection already? Donate them and bring joy to the beneficiaries’ faces. Excess toy donations will also be sent to the kids in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Bring your toy donations on the event itself or leave them at UP Circle of Administrator’s designated drop-off points at UP Diliman NCPAG Lobby or UP Circa Tambayan, until December 13. Cash donations are also welcome and will be used to provide more materials for the children.

Youn can be a volunteer performer. Are you a puppeteer, magician, balloon twister or any kind of kiddie party performer? Share your talent to the kids and be their heroes!

For more information, about the event and future bayanihan opportunities, visit and like GKQC on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/teamGKQC) and

Twitter (@TeamGKQC)

Tony Meoto, as I call him Brother Tony, the head of Gawad Kalinga, inspires many of us where I started in the community of Couples for Christ (CFC). He became an active member of CFC and quickly rose in leadership, becoming instrumental in the setting up of the CFC Family Ministries in 1993. This expanded the reach of the mission beyond couples, to include children, youth and young professionals.

Gawad Kalinga (GK) is an organization geared towards building a nation empowered by people with faith and patriotism; a nation made up of caring and sharing communities, dedicated to eradicating poverty and restoring human dignity.

Gawad Kalinga sparks hope in the dream for a poverty free world – one family, one community and one country. GK777, the vision of building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in 7 years was launched year 2003 with the Couples for Christ community members, and all sectors of society to engage with GK. 

Gawad Kalinga espouses volunteerism and relies on able and willing nation- builders in carrying out its mandate. In line with the mission of ending poverty for 5 million families by 2024, GK Youth Quezon City (the youth development arm of GK QC) takes care of 87 communities in the city. The team contributes to community development and youth empowerment through organizing monthly builds, holding of workshops for developing the youth, and undertaking various community-building events.

Celebrate the Christmas spirit of giving as The 700 Club Asia features “Buti Na Lang May Pasko”

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Celebrate the Christmas spirit of giving as The 700 Club Asia features “Buti Na Lang May Pasko” special live episodes from November 11-15 at 11:00 p.m. on GMA News TV.

The special live TV series is aimed at raising P15-M to help support the projects and outreach of the CBN Asia Family of Ministries which include The 700 Club Asia, Superbook, CBN Asia Prayer Center, Operation Blessing, and the Asian Center for Missions.

“This is the perfect opportunity for people who want to help our kababayans who have lost loved ones, lost their homes and are almost losing hope after the fierce battle in Zamboanga, the flashfloods in Zambales and the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked Bohol and Cebu,” says Peter Kairuz, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBN Asia and host of The 700 Club Asia.

Peter Kairuz, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBN Asia
and The 700 Club Asia host

Kairuz explained that the theme “Buti Na Lang May Pasko” is an appropriate reminder to everyone, especially to the calamity victims, that with the birth of Jesus Christ, there is always hope and deliverance.

The 700 Club Asia's live broadcasts generate massive support from Filipinos here and abroad who unselfishly help and share their blessings with our less fortunate kababayans. 

LET YOUR GIVING SPIRIT SHINE! Be a part of the “Buti Na Lang May Pasko” live TV special and help us bring hope and an early Christmas cheer to our kababayans in need.

For more information please visit www.cbnasia.org and

Facebook page www.facebook.com/the700clubasia to receive the latest information on how you could be a part of “Buti Na Lang May Pasko.” 

For more information, please call:

Corporate Communications | (02) 812-4747

Local 424 (Edwin Arceo, edwin.arceo@cbnasia.org)

Local 408 (Len Tienzo, len.tienzo@cbnasia.org)

Global Peace Festival 2013 Philippines: One World, One Celebration, One Family on November 21 at Araneta Coliseum

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In celebration of Global Peace Festival "One World, One Family, One Celebration" the Philippines will be hosting the Global Peace Festival on November 21 at 4:00 PM in Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City.

Global Peace Festival 2013 Philippines: One World, One Celebration, One Family is expected to draw 15,000 peace-minded people from various sectors of society, including international delegates from neighboring South East Asian countries, Mongolia, Nepal, Korea, Japan, North America and Latin America. Admission to the festival is FREE.

Launched in 2007, the Global Peace Festival (GP Festival) is a project of the Global Peace Foundation. The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) is a global movement of committed peace builders working in partnership based on common aspirations, principles, and values. GPF promotes and celebrates persons and programs that contribute to reconciliation, mutual respect, harmony and cooperation, and sees all people as one global family.

In line with this, the Global Peace Foundation will also be convening the Global Peace Leadership Conference 2013 Philippines on November 20-22 at The Manila Hotel on the theme “Moral and Innovative Leadership: A Platform for Sustainable Peace and Development”.

The program includes several break-out sessions on November 21 for different sectors such as the Global Young Leaders and Students Assembly (GYLSA) 2013 for high school, college, and community youth leaders. This year’s theme, Vision, Service, Innovation acknowledges the importance of good character, service to others, and innovative efforts among young people to help advance sustainable community and national progress, as well as United Nation’s Millenium Development Goals.

Dr. Hyun Jin Moon (GPF International), Secretary Dinky Soliman (DSWD), Secretary Armin Luistro (DepEd), Tony Meloto (Gawad Kalinga), and Anthony Zuniga (Juan2Help.org) are just some of the confirmed speakers for these events. Global Peace Festival and its conferences are endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Education (DepEd).

Aside from the main event and conferences, Global Peace Foundation is also inviting youth leaders and organizations to join the GPF Youth Contests (grand finals on November 9) and the GPF Coastal Clean-up on November 17 in Manila Bay. An innovative approach to peace building, the GP Festival combines multi-cultural celebrations with service initiatives that engage volunteers from every background, drawing upon the shared ideals of the world’s faiths and united by a vision of One Family under God.

For inquiries, registration, and ticket reservation, you may contact 

+63-02-3517652 (Telefax); +63-02-7381465 (Phone); 

or email info@globalpeacephilippines.org 

  gplc2013@globalpeacephilippines.org (GPLC)

 and,youth@globalpeacephilippines.org (youth activities).

Conference delegates may also register online at

  http://www.tinyurl.com/RegisterGPLC and 

http://www.tinyurl.com/RegisterGYLSA.

For more information and updates, visit http://www.globalpeace.org and http://www.globalpeacephilippines.org

Relive The Greatest Ever Story Told Through Superbook!

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The long wait is finally over the day we"ve all been waiting for has come. Get ready to relive the greatest adventure of all time.

Superbook airs pilot episode on GMA this June. Do the names Gizmo, Chris and Joy ring a bell? Were you an avid fan of the Superbook TV series or a member of the Superkids Club? Or is it your first time to hear about Superbook? Whether you’re a first timer or a long-time fan, we've got great news for you!

The phenomenal 1980’s animation we love is back! Get ready as Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) brings you an all-new Superbook. Once more, viewers will experience a one of kind journey with triple the excitement.

The Superbook creations aims to contribute content to children's television / online / communication landscape. As children and their parents watch Superbook episodes together, interaction and discussion will be encouraged.

Superbook episodes will higlight values and emphasize the importance of being God-fearing, morally upright, and excellent citizens.

On June 1, 2013, the new Superbook’s pilot episode “In the Beginning” will air at 7:30 a.m. on GMA 7. In addition, Superbook Classic episodes will air every Sunday, starting June 2 at 7:30 a.m. also on GMA.

What started as an animated Bible series for children in Japan is now a world-class animation production. Since its first airing in Japan, the Superbook series has now been broadcasted in over 106 countries, translated into 43 languages and has been viewed by over a half billion people.

And to keep up with today’s new storytelling technology, the original series has been improved to match this media-savvy generation. To address this challenge, CBN, together with top Hollywood producers, animators, and directors, put their minds together and as a result: a relived, reinvented, and reimagined Superbook.

“Our goal is not only to produce a child-friendly program, but more importantly, a child-focused show for this generation to digest. Superbook aims to capture the hearts of the children of today. In addition, even the parents will enjoy and learn from it. It’s a perfect bonding activity for families,” says Icko Gonzalez, Superbook Project Head in the Philippines.

As Gonzalez puts it, “The new Superbook is for the NOW generation.”

So are you ready to experience the greatest adventure ever written and told? Mark your calendars, save the date and spread the news. 

Beginning June 1, watch Superbook on Saturdays and Sundays on GMA, 7:30 a.m. Support Superbook and be part of the NOW GENERATION.

Enjoy the wonderful world of Superbook ! 

More photos @ Facebook. Some photos from Superbook/CBN Asia. 

Celebrate Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday

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Easter Sunday is one of the most festive events among Christians worldwide. It commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death, as written in the Christian bible.

We know about Lenten Season, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and more.

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures." - 1 Corinthians 15:3

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16

I  also always read and learn the meaning of the words as "Easter Sunday." Just want to share I read from  GotQuestions.org Home

The origins of Easter are rooted in European traditions. The name Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe. A festival called Eastre was held during the spring equinox by these people to honor her. The goddess Eastre’s earthly symbol was the rabbit, which was also known as a symbol of fertility. Originally, there were some very pagan (and sometimes utterly evil) practices that went along with the celebration. Today, Easter is almost a completely commercialized holiday, with all the focus on Easter eggs and the Easter bunny being remnants of the goddess worship.

There is a lot of confusion regarding what Easter Sunday is all about. For some, Easter Sunday is about the Easter Bunny, colorfully decorated Easter eggs, and Easter egg hunts. Most people understand that Easter Sunday has something to do with the resurrection of Jesus, but are confused as to how the resurrection is related to the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny.

Biblically speaking, there is absolutely no connection between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the common modern traditions related to Easter Sunday. As a background, please read our article on the origins of Easter. Essentially, what occurred is that in order to make Christianity more attractive to non-Christians, the ancient Roman Catholic Church mixed the celebration of Jesus' resurrection with celebrations that involved spring fertility rituals. These spring fertility rituals are the source of the egg and bunny traditions.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, Sunday (Matthew 28:1;Mark 16:2,9;Luke 24:1;John 20:1,19). Jesus' resurrection is most worthy of being celebrated (see 1 Corinthians 15). While it is appropriate for Jesus' resurrection to be celebrated on a Sunday, the day on which Jesus' resurrection is celebrated should not be referred to as Easter. Easter has nothing to do with Jesus' resurrection on a Sunday.

As a result, many Christians feel strongly that the day on which we celebrate Jesus' resurrection should not be referred to as "Easter Sunday." Rather, something like "Resurrection Sunday" would be far more appropriate and biblical. For the Christian, it is unthinkable that we would allow the silliness of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny to be the focus of the day instead of Jesus' resurrection.

By all means, celebrate Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christ's resurrection is something that should be celebrated every day, not just once a year. At the same time, if we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the fun and games to distract our attention from what the day should truly be all about—the fact that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that His resurrection demonstrates that we can indeed be promised an eternal home in Heaven by receiving Jesus as our Savior.

Happy Easter Everyone! 

Happy Feast Day of The Black Nazarene

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The Black Nazarene/ Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno/
Itim na Nazareno
( http://enjoyingwonderfulworld.blogspot.com/2012/01/feast-of-black-nazarene-january-9-2012.html)

"Viva Señor!" "Viva Señor!"

A huge crowd tries to touch the statue of The Black Nazarene, a life-sized statue of Christ is carried through town by barefooted men yelling, "Viva Señor! "

(Photo: Jim Guiao Punzalan)

On January 9, 2013 - celebration of Feast of Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila. Some 11 million devotees are expected to join the parade set on Wednesday.

(Photo: MGR)

The religious veneration of the Black Nazarene is rooted among Filipinos who identify themselves with the Passion of Jesus Christ. Many devotees of the Black Nazarene relate their poverty and daily struggles to the wounds and tribulations experienced by Jesus, as represented by the image.

Every Friday of the year is locally known as Quiapo Day, and is dedicated to the Black Nazarene, with the novena being held not only in the basilica but in other churches nationwide. Devotees also pay homage by clapping their hands at the end of each mass offered at the shrine.

If you decide to take part in the event, be prepared. Most in the crowd go barefoot as a sign of humility as they follow the statue. A few dozen people a year pass out and must be taken away by ambulance. And there is at least a small risk of being trampled.

Take care everyone and God bless! Happy Feast Day and "Viva Señor!"

Pedro Calungsod, Filipino lay catechist and martyr :The Holy Father has decreed that the canonization will be held in Rome on October 21

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The Holy Father has decreed that the canonization will be held in Rome on October 21, 2012.

Pedro Calungsod was a 17th century teenage catechist of the Jesuit mission in the Marianas.  On April 2, 1672 he was killed for his faith together with Bl. Diego San Luis Vitoris, SJ in Guam. The canonization process for Pedro Calungsod started on June 25, 1998.  On March 5, 2000 he was declared a "beatus".  On December 19, 2011 a miracle through his intercession was approved.

"Dear brothers and sisters, pray that [the new cardinals'] lives will always reflect the Lord Jesus, our sole Shepherd and Teacher, Source of every hope, Who points out the path to everyone. And pray also for me, that I may continually offer to the People of God the witness of sound doctrine and guide holy Church with a firm and humble hand."

Following his homily the Pope pronounced the the formula of creation of the new cardinals, their names and the diaconate or presbyteral order to which they have been assigned. The new cardinals then recited the Creed and swore their faithfulness and obedience to the Pope and his successors. They then received their biretta and ring from the hands of the Pope who also assigned them their title or diaconate.

Following the ceremony Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, introduced the ordinary public consistory for the canonisation of the following blesseds:

Jacques Berthieu, French martyr and priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)

Pedro Calungsod, Filipino lay catechist and martyr

Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth and of the Congregation of the Humble Sister Servants of the Lord

Maria del Carmen (nee Maria Salles y Barangueras), Spanish foundress of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching

Maria Anna Cope (nee Barbara), German religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Syracuse U.S.A.

Kateri Tekakwitha, American laywoman, and Anna Schaffer, German laywoman.

The Holy Father has decreed that the canonisation ceremony will take place on Sunday 21 October. The consistory concluded with the apostolic blessing.

(Source: Vatican Information Service report: New Cardinals Must Love God, The Church and Their Fellow Men- 18/2/2012)

Mabuhay Temple to Host One Day on Earth Screening

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The International Buddhist Progress Society, Manila (IBPS) will host a free public screening of One Day on Earth at the Five Contemplations Hall of the Mabuhay Temple on 11 June 2012 at 7:30 pm. Mabuhay Temple is located at 656 Pablo Ocampo St., Malate, Manila.

One Day on Earth is a full-length documentary feature that holds the distinction of being the first film ever to include footage from every country on earth, all captured on a single day -  10 October 2010. The film provides a unique look into a wide array of human activities and even offers intimate access to rarely seen images from countries such as North Korea, Iran and Kosovo.

One Day on Earth, the first film to include footage from every country on earth all captured in one day, will be shown for free at Mabuhay Temple on 11 June 2012 at 7:30 pm. 

The film was able to beautifully capture the interconnectedness of human beings by showing the shared triumphs and challenges of all people on earth. The film's director and founder Kyle Ruddick and co-founder and executive producer Brandon Litman, with the support of the United Nations and a global community of filmmakers, has succeeded in creating a video time capsule of one day on planet earth, making the documentary a great achievement, not only in film making, but also in human cooperation.

IBPS is honored that Mabuhay Temple was selected as one of the few venues to screen One Day on Earth in the Philippines. IBPS is an organization affiliated with the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Buddhist order based in Taiwan with Mabuhay Temple being its branch temple in Manila. Other FGS branch temples in the Philippines are located in Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo. Apart from regular Buddhist prayer services, Mabuhay Temple regularly holds other activities such as lectures, open mic events, film screenings, temple tours, study groups and short educational programs.

For more information about the One Day on Earth screening and other activities of Mabuhay Temple, please check out the temple's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mabuhaytemple. You can also send an email to fgsphilippines@gmail.com or call 559-9540.

Feast of Black Nazarene January 9, 2012

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The Black Nazarene/
Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno/
Itim na Nazareno

The Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9 2012 will have the procession scheduled to start at 8 a.m. after the Mass but, because of the multitudes of those who attend, it is expected to last for 10 to 12 hours.

A grand Fiesta, this festival centers on the image of the Black Nazarene which was transported by galleon from Mexico to Manila in the 17th century. The festival is marked by an afternoon procession by thousands of devotees.

Around eight million devotees flock in Quiapo every year and wear the color maroon and go barefoot in imitation of Jesus on his way to Mount Calvary.

Last  Saturday Malacanang asked devotees of the Black Nazarene to take necessary precautions and refrain from bringing along their children and valuables to ensure an orderly and peaceful celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene Monday, Jan. 9.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte echoed the appeals made by officials of Manila, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to the public against bringing children and their valuables.

"To our elderly devotees, let us also take the necessary precautions," she said.

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim said the Nazarene procession’s route has been cleared of obstructions, potholes, hanging wires and even broken bottles and the like to ensure the safety of the devotees who will be joining the procession barefooted.

Meanwhile, instead of the usual “namamasan,” priests will be the ones to transfer the 40-year-old image of the Black Nazarene from the altar to its “andas” (carriage) Monday.

Monsignor Clemente Ignacio, rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, said he will ask the priests to transfer the life-size image of Jesus Christ to prevent chaos during the feast day mass in Luneta.

“The priests will be the ones to carry. This is a first for them,” he said.

“We are requesting the ‘mamamasan’ to wait for the Mass to finish. Don’t rush because the priests are not used to shoving,” Ignacio said in Pilipino.

In the past, the Mass was temporarily interrupted when devotees started climbing the stage to get near the Nazareno image for the procession.

Ignacio said they are hoping that the presence of the priests will help pacify the devotees.

The Quiapo rector appealed anew to the faithful to respect the occasion and Mass. He said devotees need not climb the stage during the Mass as they’ll be given several opportunities to approach the Nazareno such as the “pahalik” (the faithful’ kissing of the feet and hands of the Nazarene image) which will start at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila.

Around eight million devotees are expected to join the annual “traslacion” procession of the Black Nazarene from Luneta to Quiapo Church Monday afternoon.

Traditionally, men are the only ones permitted to hold the ropes pulling the image's carriage, but in recent years female devotees also participated in the procession. People who have touched the Black Nazarene said they  have been cured of their diseases, and Catholics come from all over Manila to touch the image in the hopes of a miracle. Towels and handkerchiefs are wipe on the statue in their hope of a miracle they attributed to the "rubbing off". To some devotees it is their annual rites to beg for forgiveness and renewal of their subscription to God’s grace.