January 23, 2015

Fly Singapore Airlines and SilkAir to enjoy a suite of unparalleled travel experience at Exceptional All-In Fares

“Singapore Airlines and SilkAir have always been focusing on bringing the best travel experience at great value to our customers here in Philippines. The Filipino market is important to us and we remain committed in bringing Philippines to the world and the world to Philippines. These exceptional airfares are a way for us to say thank you to our supportive customers here. ” -  SIA General Manager Carol Ong

As one of the Top 10 Safest airlines in the World for 2015 (airlineratings.com,) Singapore Airlines (SIA) offers travel fair at an exceptional All-In Fares.



Singapore Airlines (SIA) and SilkAir (MI), in partnership with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Ayala Malls, Globe, Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport Group, are launching an exciting and exclusive array of travel opportunities to passengers where they get to enjoy both airlines’ much coveted on-board comfort and impeccable service at exceptional value fares.

Exclusive to BPI Credit Cardholders, Globe Platinum and Globe Blue Customers, Glorietta, Ayala Center Cebu and Abreeza Mall Davao Shoppers and KrisFlyer Members, SIA and SilkAir are offering exceptional, all-inclusive fares to Singapore as well as a host of destinations around the world.

These promotional fares are for sale until 28 February 2015 and for travel from 1 February to 31 December 2015.

Customers will get a chance to experience traveling in style at all-in Economy Class fares starting from USD145 to Singapore, USD210 to Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, USD690 to India, USD700 to Australia, and USD 899 to Europe. In addition to those mentioned, passengers can also travel to Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Dubai, Maldives, New Zealand and South Africa. All Economy Class fares come with complimentary 30kg baggage allowance, gourmet cuisines and KrisFlyer miles that can be used for future travel.

For elevated comfort, customers can also choose to avail all-in Business Class fares to Singapore and Southeast Asia at USD800, to Australia at USD 2,500, to South Africa at USD 3,200, Europe at USD 3,500, and New Zealand at USD 3,800. In addition to that, there are also special Business Class fares to Maldives and Dubai. All Business Class passengers will enjoy complimentary 40kg baggage allowance, gourmet cuisines, lounge access and 125% KrisFlyer miles that can be used for future travel. 

On top of these great fares, customers can also look forward to a series of exciting travel fairs across the country from 6 – 8 February 2015:

Featuring the exclusive Singapore Airlines Suites product, the Singapore Airlines Showcase and Travel Fair will be held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive, Makati City while the SilkAir Travel Fair will take place at Ayala Center Cebu. 

There will also be a SilkAir booth at Abreeza Mall Davao. 

At these fairs, customers will be able to book flights at the aforementioned promotional fares. Customers who purchase itineraries beyond Singapore at these travel fairs or at Singapore Airlines and SilkAir ticket offices from 6 – 8 February can also redeem a complimentary SGD20 Changi Dollar Voucher, with no minimum spend required, that can be used at participating shops at Singapore Changi Airport. 

To make payments more convenient, BPI is offering a Real 0% special installment plan of up to six months. Glorietta, Ayala Center Cebu and Abreeza Mall shoppers may also avail of the exceptional all-in fares by simply showing proofs of purchase worth P 1,000.00 single or accumulated from 21 January to 28 February. 

Every PHP 1, 000-receipt can purchase one ticket. Globe Platinum and Blue customers can also avail of these fares by showing their cards. 

January 21, 2015

Avon welcomes 2015 with a fragrance for men inspired by newest brand ambassador Richard Yap

Avon, the leading global beauty provider, and number one fragrance brand in the Philippines, welcomes 2015 with a fragrance for men. Known as the company for women, Avon developed this powerful and captivating fragrance for men designed to charm and capture the hearts of women. 

The unveiling of the newest signature scent RY was held today, January 21at The Blackbird in Ayala Triangle, Makati City, also launched Richard Yap as the newest and the first man ambassador of Avon in the country. 

Avon chosen the 47-year-old actor and businessman to become the face of its latest scent, RY- inspired by the persona that is Richard Yap - one of the most in-demand male personalities in the country today, the man most women from all over the country swoon over.

Emie Aguilar-Nierves, Avon Philippines’ acting general manager, is all praises with the newest endorser. 

“Richard is without a doubt a force to be reckoned with, taking the country by storm in movies, TV and print, among others. These, coupled with his successful business ventures and a happy family life make him an inspiration for all,”  Aguilar-Nierves said.

“We are very happy to introduce RY for all the men who want to exude Richard’s charisma, and of course, to women who love their men and want them to feel and smell great,” Aguilar-Nierves added.

Yap’s appeal in TV, movies, and various endorsements has been known to come from the celebrity’s positive tension in his character - formal but approachable, mysterious yet relaxed.


“I’ve grown to love the warmth of the Avon family of which I am now happily a part of. I am honored to be one the brand ambassadors for Avon Fragrance,” Yap said.

“It’s an absolute honor to be noticed by such a well-loved and iconic brand as Avon. I would like to thank Avon for giving me the chance to represent the brand. It’s a point of pride to be part of the Avon family and to have a fragrance that sports my initials,” Yap shared.

Avon’s Category Manager for Fragrance Carmina Decena, added that, “RY is a fragrance that reflects the personality and charisma of our man of the hour - elegant, mysterious, assertive, relaxed, magnetic and inspiring.”

Decena added “RY reminds us women of a man whom we fall in love with despite the many contradictions - arrogantly confident yet full of charm, formal yet approachable. Successful, charming and debonair, he embodies the kind of man they dream of.”

Today’s one of the hottest leading man, Richard became popular as “Papa Chen” in My Binondo Girl and “Sir Chief” in Be Careful With My Heart, will capture more hearts with his newest role as Avon Brand Ambassador for his signature scent, RY.


  • The newest signature fragrance – RY, inspired by Richard Yap, RY is a powerful and captivating fragrance that will surely charm and capture the hearts of women.
  • Handsome, Mysterious, Magnetic, - RY is a scent that encapsulates the charisma and appeal of celebrity Richard Yap.
  • RY boasts of a fresh and woody scent. It is subtle and sophisticated, yet creates an aura that invites curiosity and a sense of mystery.
  • The simplicity of the bottle and name of the fragrance is an embodiment that one’s presence need not be loud to be acknowledged and be truly felt
  • RY embodies the essence of a confident and successful man, the kind every woman desires. The fresh and woody notes of this fragrance for men charms while leaving an air of mystery that keeps one guessing and wanting more.


As the company for women, Avon prides in being committed to knowing what women need and want. Coming up with the new RY scent is our way of providing them with the product that they want for the men in their lives.” the Aguilar-Nierves further added.

“We’re very thrilled in welcoming Richard Yap to our family. Richard is an inspiration for many as a celebrity, businessman and family man. We look forward to our Avon representatives meeting him in our sales events.”

Being as the newest celebrity addition to their formidable endorser roster, Richard joins the ranks of Anne Curtis, Angel Locsin, Georgina Wilson, Isabelle Daza, Solenn Heussaff, Julia Montes, and Xian Lim who comprise the powerhouse Avon celebrity roster.

RY is available nationwide starting January 16, 2015.Visit www.avon.com.ph to find out how you can get in touch with an Avon Representative.

About Avon
Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with $10 billion in annual revenue. As one of the world's largest direct sellers, Avon is sold through more than 6 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon products are available in over 100 countries, and the product line includes color cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and fashion and home products, featuring such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, ANEW, Imari, Sweet Honesty, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, and mark. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avon.com.ph




GRAMMY 2015 Nominees : Commercial and Critical Success

Bound to prove commercial and critical success can intertwine as the two stood side by side on the year 2014, the newest in the GRAMMY Nominees album series comes out this year featuring the most significant acts in music in the past year. "The exceptional mix of recordings featured on this year's compilation not only represent a roster of incredibly talented artists but also provides a unique playlist showcasing some of this year's outstanding GRAMMY nominees. It is fitting that our 21st instalment album contains 21 exciting selections which music fans are sure to enjoy," Neil Portnow, the President/CEO of The Recording Academy, expressed.


The GRAMMY 2015 Nominees album is sure to deliver the same, if not more, of the mojos that the previous ones in the decade have as instant classics emblazon the compilation’s tracklist–all of which have their eyes on only the top Grammy categories, anticipating their golden gramophones on the 8th of February later this year.


THE TRACKS

Vying for top Grammys are certified hits such as Taylor Swift’s pop cross-over “Shake It Off”, Iggy Azalea with “Fancy” featuring Charli XCX, body anthem “All About That Bass” from Meghan Trainor, and “Chandelier” by Sia, all of which are contending for the most-coveted Record of the Year award. Sam Smith, perhaps the most notable as he has the most nominations in the compilation, is also going for the same award and a few more with the Darkchild version of “Stay With Me” for Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Lead songs from outstanding albums released last year provide greater variety for GRAMMY 2015 Nominees such as Ed Sheeran’s “Sing” (from X), Pharrell Williams’ “Come Get It Bae” (from Girl), Beck’s “Blue Moon” (from Morning Phase) and Beyoncé’s “Drunk In Love” featuring Jay Z from(from Beyoncé) all numbering in the Album of the Year category, as well as Ariana Grande & Iggy Azalea’s “Problem” (from My Everything), Katy Perry & Juicy J’s “Dark Horse” (from Prism), Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars” (from Ghost Stories Live 2014), and Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball” (from Bangerz) in the Best Pop Vocal Album category.

More of the album’s highlights that add up to the eligibility year’s range in recognition include “All Of Me” by John Legend and the live version of “Happy” by Pharrell Williams camping on the Best Pop Solo Performance and “Take Me To Church” by Hozier from the Song of the Year category.

GRAMMY 2015 Nominees also packs in the year’s best country performances with 5 tracks performed by the biggest names in the Best Country Duo or Group Performance category including Keith Urban & Eric Church’s “Raise ‘Em Up”, The Band Perry’s “Gentle On My Mind”, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s”, Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood’s “Somethin’ Bad” and Little Big Town’s “Day Drinking”.

Witnessing a vast change in the production and consumption of music since the turn of the decade and going halfway to a new one, the GRAMMY 2015 Nominees album takes its spot in the series and proves yet again that lucrative commercial reception can equate to critical acclaim, as justified by the chart-blazers which, at this point (pre-ceremonies, pre-red carpet, pre-awarding) already have the nods of the authorities in the world’s most influential industry.

2015 GRAMMY Nominees Tracklist

“Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift 

“Fancy” – Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX 

“Sing” – Ed Sheeran 

“Problem” – Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea 

“All About That Bass” – Meghan Trainor 

“Dark Horse” – Katy Perry feat. Juicy J 

“A Sky Full of Stars” - Coldplay 

“Wrecking Ball” – Miley Cyrus 

“Chandelier” - Sia 

“All of Me” – John Legend 

“Take Me to Church” - Hozier 

“Drunk in Love” - Beyoncé 

“Come Get It Bae” – Pharrell Williams 

“Stay with Me” – Sam Smith 

“Blue Moon” - Beck 

“Raise 'Em Up” – Keith Urban & Eric Church 

“Gentle On My Mind” – The Band Perry 

“Meanwhile Back At Mama's” – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill 

“Somethin' Bad” – Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood 

“Day Drinking” – Little Big Town 

“Happy” – Pharrell Williams 


The GRAMMY 2015 Nominees will be available this 31st January in major record stores, distributed locally by Ivory Music & Video (exclusive licensee and distributor of Sony Music products in the Philippines).

Keep yourself updated with the hottest and freshest releases, plus only the most relevant news on your favorite artists by visiting IVORY Music & Video’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ivorymusicandvideophilippines.

Pope Francis' impromptu and heartfelt speech at the "Encounter with the Youth"

Pope Francis' prepared speech for the "Encounter with the Youth" event at the University of Santo Tomas, Sunday, January 18.


The pontiff, however, discarded most of his prepared speech that he was due to give in English, reverting back to his native Spanish to deliver an impromptu and heartfelt response, after a weeping 12-year-old girl, Glyzelle Palomar, a one-time homeless child taken in by a church charity, made her emotional plea during ceremonies, at the UST "Encounter with the Youth", ahead of a mass by Pope Francis to millions of faithful.

"Many children are abandoned by their parents. Many children get involved in drugs and prostitution," Palomar told the pope as she stood on stage alongside a 14-year-old boy who also used to be homeless.

"Why does God allow these things to happen to us? The children are not guilty of anything." Palomar broke down and wept profusely, prompting the pope to take her into his arms and hug her for a few seconds.

Palomar asking how God could allow children to become prostitutes, moved Pope Francis to hug her and appeal for everyone to show more compassion.

Pope Francis decided to deliver an impromptu homily in Spanish which was translated in English by Msgr Mark Gerard Miles.

Below is the full transcript of Pope Francis' impromptu speech, as delivered during the encounter with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on Sunday, January 18.

(Here as translated from Spanish by Msgr Mark Gerard Miles)

Dear Young Friends,

When I speak spontaneously I do it in Spanish, because I don’t know the English language. May I do it? Thank you very much. This Fr Mark, a good translator.

First of all, a sad piece of news. Yesterday, as Mass was about to start, a piece of scaffolding fell and, upon falling, hit a young woman who was working in the area and she died. Her name is Kristel. She worked for the organization preparing for that Mass. She was 27 years old, young like yourselves. She worked for Catholic Relief Services as a volunteer. I would like all of you who are young like her to pray for a moment in silence with me and then we will pray to Our Mother in Heaven. Let us pray.

Leads prayer of Hail Mary…

Let us also pray for her parents. She was an only child. Her mother is coming from Hong Kong and her father is here in Manila.

Leads prayer of Our Father…

It is a joy for me to be with you this morning. I greet each of you from the heart, and I thank all those who made this meeting possible. During my visit to the Philippines, I wanted in a particular way to meet with young people, to listen to you and to talk with you. I want to express the love and the hopes of the Church for you. And I want to encourage you, as Christian citizens of this country, to offer yourselves passionately and honestly to the great work of renewing your society and helping to build a better world.

In a special way, I thank the young people who have offered words of welcome to me.

To Jun and Leandro Santos II and to Rikki, thank you very much. There’s only a very small representation of girls among you. Too little. Women have much to tell us in today’s society. Sometimes we are too “machistas” and we don’t allow enough space to women. But women can see things from a different angle to us, with a different eye. Women are able to pose questions we men are unable to understand. Look out for this fact: she is the only one who has put a question for which there is no answer. She couldn’t put it into words but expressed it with tears. So when the next pope comes to Manila, please let there be more girls.

I thank you Jun for talking about your experience so bravely. As I said, the heart of your question has no reply. Only when we too can cry about the things you said can we come close to answering that question. Why do children suffer so much? Why do children suffer? When the heart is able to ask itself and weep, then we can understand something. There is a worldly compassion which is useless. You expressed something like this. It’s a compassion that makes us put our hands in our pockets and give something to the poor. But if Christ had had that kind of compassion he would have greeted a couple of people, given them something, and walked on. But it was only when he was able to cry that he understood something of our lives. Dear young boys and girls, today’s world doesn’t know how to cry. The emarginated people, those left to one side, are crying. Those who are discarded are crying. But we don’t understand much about these people in need. Certain realities of life we only see through eyes cleansed by our tears. I invite each one here to ask yourself: have I learned how to weep? Have I learned how to weep for the emarginated or for a street child who has a drug problem or for an abused child? Unfortunately there are those who cry because they want something else.

This is the first thing I want to say: let us learn how to weep as she has shown us today and let us not forget this lesson. The great question of why so many children suffer, she did this in tears. The response that we can make today is: let us really learn how to weep.

In the Gospel, Jesus cried for his dead friend, he cried in his heart for the family who lost its child, for the poor widow who had to bury her son. He was moved to tears and compassion when he saw the crowds without a pastor. If you don’t learn how to cry, you cannot be a good Christian. This is a challenge. When they posed this question to us, why children suffer, why this or that tragedy occurs in life – our response must be either silence or a word that is born of our tears. Be courageous, don’t be afraid to cry.

Then came Leandro Santos II and his question. He also posed a good question: the world of information. Today, with so many means of communication we are overloaded with information. Is that bad? No. It is good and can help. But there is a real danger of living in a way that we accumulate information. We have so much information but maybe we don’t know what to do with that information. So we run the risk of becoming museums of young people who have everything but not knowing what to do with it. We don’t need young museums but we do need holy young people. You may ask me: Father, how do we become saints? This is another challenge. It is the challenge of love. What is the most important subject you have to lean at university? What is most important subject you have to learn in life? To learn how to love. This is the challenge that life offers you: to learn bow to love. Not just to accumulate information without knowing what to do with it.. But through that love let that information bear fruit.

For this the Gospel offers us a serene way forward: using the three languages of the mind, heart and hands – and to use them in harmony. What you think, you must feel and put into effect. Your information comes down to your heart and you put it into practice. Harmoniously. What you think, you feel and you do. Feel what you think and feel what you do. Do what you think and what you feel. The three languages...

Can you repeat this? To think. To feel. To do. And all in harmony...

Real love is about loving and letting yourself be loved. It’s harder to let yourself be loved than to love. That is why it is so difficult to come to the perfect love of God. We can love Him but we must let ourselves be loved by Him. Real love is being open to the love that comes to you. The love that surprises us. If you only have information you are not surprised. Love surprises because it opens a dialogue of loving and being loved. God is a God of surprise because He loved us first. God awaits us to surprise us. Let us allow ourselves to be surprised by God. Let us not have a computer psychology that makes us think we know it all. All answers on computers - but no surprises. The challenge of love. God reveals himself through surprises.

Think of St Matthew. He was a good banker. But he let people down because he imposed taxes against his own people to give to the Romans. He was full of money. Jesus passed by, looked at him and said: “Follow me”. He couldn’t believe it. It you have the opportunity, see Caravaggio’s picture of him. Jesus calls him and those around say: “Him? He betrayed us! He is no good! He hoards money!” But the surprise of being loved overcomes him. The day when Matthew left home for work, saying goodbye to his wife, he couldn’t imagine he would come home without money and have to prepare a feast for the one who loved him first. God surprised Matthew more than the money he had. Allow yourselves to be surprised by God. Don’t be afraid of surprises. They shake the ground beneath our feet and make us insecure, but they move us forward in the right direction.

Real love allows you to spend yourselves, to leave your pockets empty. Think of St Francis who died with empty hands and empty pockets but with a full heart. Remember: no young museums, and wise young people. To be wise use three languages: think well, feel well and do well. And to be wise allow yourselves to be surprised by the love of God. That will guarantee a good life.

Rikki came up with a good plan for what we can do in life with all young people’s activities.

Thank you, Rikki, for what you and your friends do. I’d like to ask you a question: you and your friends help others but do you allow yourselves to receive? Answer in your heart.
In the Gospel we just heard, there was a beautiful phrase, for me the most important of all: Jesus looked at the young man and he loved him. When you see Rikki and his friends you love them because they do good things. Jesus says something very important: you lack one thing. Let us listen to this word in silence: you lack only one thing.

What is it that I lack? To all of you who Jesus loves so much, I ask you: do you allow others to give you from their riches to you who have not? The Sadducees, Doctors of the Law, in the time of Jesus, gave much to the people, they taught the people the law, but they never allowed the people to give them something. Jesus had to come to allow himself to feel compassion and to be loved.

How many young people among you are like this? You know how to give and yet you have ever learned how to receive. You still lack one thing. Become a beggar. This is what you still lack. Learn how to beg. This isn’t easy to understand. To learn how to beg. To learn how to receive with humility. To learn to be evangelized by the poor, by those we help, the sick, orphans, they have so much to give us. Have I learned how to beg? Or am I self-sufficient? Do I think I need nothing? Do you know you too are poor? Do you know your own poverty and your need to receive? Do you let yourselves be evangelized by those you serve? This is what helps you mature in your commitment to give to others. Learn how to open your hand from your very own poverty.

There are some points I have prepared. The first, I already told you: to learn how to love and to learn how to be loved. There is a challenge which is a challenge of u. This is not only because your country more than many others is likely to be seriously affected by climate change. There is the challenge, the concern for the environment. And finally, there is the challenge for the poor, to love the poor, with your bishops. Do you think of the poor? Do you feel with the poor? Do you do something for the poor? Do you ask the poor to give you the wisdom they have?

This is what I wish to tell you all today. Sorry if I haven’t read what I prepared for you but there is a phrase that consoles me: that reality is superior to ideas. The reality that you have is superior to the paper I have in front of me.

Thank you very much. Pray for me!



As delivered by the Pope, in Spanish 
(Spanish transcription courtesy of Radio Vaticana/Guillermo Ortiz)

Primero de todo una noticia triste: ayer mientras estaba por empezar la misa se cayó una de las torres y al caer hirió una muchacha que estaba trabajando y murió. Su nombre es Cristal. Ella trabajo en la organización de esa misa. Tenía 27 años, era joven como ustedes y trabajaba para una asociación. Era una voluntaria. Yo quisiera que nosotros todos juntos, ustedes jóvenes como ella rezáramos en silencio 1 minuto y después invoquemos a nuestra madre del cielo… También hagamos una oración por su Papa y su mama. Era única hija. Su mamá está llegando de Hong Kong. Su papa ha venido a Manila es espera a su mamá…

En la pequeña representación de las mujeres. Demasiado poco. Las mujeres tienen mucho que decirnos en la sociedad de hoy. A veces somos demasiado machistas y no dejamos lugar a la mujer. Pero la mujer es capaz de ver las cosas con ojos distintos de los hombres. La mujer es capaz de hacer preguntas que los hombres no terminamos de entender. Presten ustedes atención, ella hoy hizo la única pregunta que no tiene respuesta. Y no le alcanzaron las palabras, necesitó decirlo con lágrimas. Así que cuando venga el próximo Papa que haya más mujeres.

Yo te agradezco Shon que hayas expresado tan valientemente tu experiencia. Como dije recién, el núcleo de tu pregunta casi no tiene respuesta. Solamente cuando somos capaces de llorar sobre las cosas que vos viviste podemos entender algo y responder algo. La gran pregunta para todos: ¿Por qué sufren los niños?, ¿por qué sufren los niños? Recién cuando el corazón alcanza a hacerse la pregunta y a llorar, podemos entender algo.

¡Existe una compasión mundana que no nos sirve para nada! Una compasión que a lo mas no lleva a meter la mano en el bolsillo y a dar una moneda. Si Cristo hubiera tenido esa compasión hubiera pasado, curado a tres o cuatro y se hubiera vuelto al Padre. solamente cuando Cristo lloró y fue capaz de llorar entendió nuestros dramas.

“Queridos chicos y chicas, al mundo de hoy le falta llorar. Lloran los marginados, lloran aquellos que son dejados de lado, lloran los despreciados, pero aquellos que llevamos una vida más o menos sin necesidades no sabemos llorar. Ciertas realidades de la vida se ven solamente con los ojos limpios por las lágrimas. Los invito a que cada uno se pregunte: Yo aprendí a llorar? cuando veo un niño con hambre, un niño drogado en la calle, un niño que no tiene casa, un niño abandonado, un niño abusado, un niño usado como esclavo por la sociedad? O mi llanto ¿es el llanto caprichoso de aquel que llora porque le gustaría tener algo más? Y esto es lo primero que yo quisiera decirles: aprendamos a llorar, como ella nos enseñó hoy. No olvidemos este testimonio. La gran pregunta ¿por qué sufren los niños? la hizo llorando y la gran respuesta que podemos hacer todos nosotros es aprender a llorar.

Jesús en el evangelio lloró, lloró por el amigo muerto. Lloró en su corazón por esa familia que había perdido a su hija. Lloro en su corazón cuando vio a esa pobre madre viuda que llevaba a enterar a su hijo. Se conmovió y lloró en su corazón cuando vio a la multitud como ovejas sin pastor. Si vos no aprendes a llorar no sos un buen cristiano. Y este es un desafío. Shon nos ha planteado este desafío. Y cuando nos hagan la pregunta: porqué sufren los niños, porque sucede esto u esto otro de trágico en la vida? que nuestra respuesta sea el silencio o la palabra que nace de las lágrimas. Sean valientes, no tengan miedo de llorar.

Y después vino Leandro Santos. También hizo preguntas sobre el mundo de la información. Hoy con tantos medios estamos híper informados y ¿eso es malo? ¡No! Eso es bueno y ayuda, pero corremos el peligro de vivir acumulando información. Y tenemos mucha información, pero quizá no sabemos qué hacer con ella. Corremos el riesgo de convertirnos en “jóvenes museo”, que tienen de todo pero no saben qué hacer. No necesitamos “jóvenes museos” sino jóvenes sabios.

Me pueden preguntar: Padre ¿cómo se llega ser sabio? Y este es otro desafío, el desafío del amor. ¿Cuál es la materia más importante que tiene que aprender en la Universidad?, ¿Cuál es la más importante que hay que aprender en la vida? Aprender a amar. Y este es el desafío que la vida te pone a vos hoy. ¡Aprender amar! No solo acumular información y no saber qué hacer con ella. Es un museo. Sino a través del amor hacer que esa información sea fecunda. Para esto el Evangelio nos propone un camino sereno, tranquilo, usar los tres lenguajes, el lenguaje de la mente, el lenguaje del corazón y el lenguaje de las manos. Y los tres lenguajes armoniosamente, lo que pensás lo sentís y lo realizas. Tu información baja al corazón, lo conmueve y lo realiza. Y esto armoniosamente: pensar lo que se siente y lo que se hace. Sentir lo que pienso y lo que hago, hacer lo que pienso y lo que siento. Los tres lenguajes. ¿Se animan a repetir los tres lenguajes en voz alta?

El verdadero amor es amar y dejarme amar. Es más difícil dejarse amar que amar. Por eso es tan difícil llegar al amor perfecto de Dios, porque podemos amarlo, pero lo importante es dejarnos amar por él. El verdadero amor es abrirse a ese amor que está primero y que nos provoca una sorpresa. Si vos tenés solo toda la información estas cerrado a las sorpresas, el amor te abre a las sorpresas, el amor siempre es una sorpresa porque supone un dialogo entre dos. Entre el que ama y el que es amado. Y de Dios decimos que es el Dios de las sorpresas porque él nos amó primero y nos espera con una sorpresa. Dios nos sorprende, Dejémonos sorprender por Dios. Y no tengamos la psicología de la computadora de creer saberlo todo. ¿cómo es esto? Un momento y la computadora tiene todas las respuestas, ninguna sorpresa. En el desafío del amor Dios se manifiesta con sorpresas.

Pensemos en san Mateo –recordó Francisco-, era un buen comerciante, además traicionaba a su patria porque le cobraba los impuestos los judíos para pagárselo a los romanos, estaba lleno de plata y cobraba los impuestos. Pasa Jesús lo mira y le dice vení. Los que estaban con él dicen: ¿a este que es un traidor, un sinvergüenza? y él se agarra a la plata. Pero la sorpresa de ser amado lo vence y siguió a Jesús. Esa mañana cuando se despidió de su mujer nunca pensó que iba volver sin dinero y apurado para decirle a su mujer que preparara un banquete. El banquete para aquel que lo había amado primero. Que lo había sorprendido con algo más importante que toda la plata que tenía. ¡Déjate sorprender por Dios! No le tengas miedo a las sorpresas, que te mueven el piso, que te ponen inseguro, pero nos ponen en camino. El verdadero amor te mueve a quemar la vida aún a riesgo de quedarte con las manos vacías. Pensemos en san Francisco, dejó todo, murió con las manos vacías pero con el corazón lleno.

¿De acuerdo? No jóvenes de museo sino jóvenes sabios. Para ser sabios usar los tres lenguajes: pensar bien, sentir bien y hacer bien. Y para ser sabios, dejarse sorprender por el amor de Dios y anda y quema la vida. ¡Gracias por tu aporte de hoy!

Y el que vino con un buen plan para ayudarnos a ver cómo podemos andar en la vida fue Riqui, contó todas las actividades, todo lo que hacen, todo lo que pueden hacer. Gracias Riqui, gracias por lo que haces vos y tus compañeros. Pero yo te voy a hacer una pregunta: vos y tus amigos van a dar, dan, dan, ayudan, pero vos ¿dejás que te den?, contestate en el corazón. En el evangelio que escuchamos recién hay una frase que para mí es la más importante de todas, dice el evangelio que Jesús a ese joven lo miró y lo amó. Cuando uno ve el grupo de Richi y sus compañeros, uno los quiere mucho porque hacen cosas muy buenas, pero la frase más importante que dice Jesús: solo te falta una cosa. Cada uno de nosotros escuchemos en silencio esta palabra de Jesús: solo te falta una cosa”. ¿Qué cosa me falta? Para todos los que Jesús ama tanto porque dan tanto a los demás yo les pregunto: ¿vos dejas que otros te den de esa otra riqueza que vos no tenés?

Los saduceos, los doctores de la ley de la época de Jesús daban mucho al pueblo, le daban la ley, le enseñaban, pero nunca dejaron que el pueblo les diera algo. Tuvo que venir Jesús para dejarse conmover por el pueblo. ¡Cuántos jóvenes como vos que hay aquí saben dar pero todavía no aprendieron a recibir!

Solo te falta una cosa. Esto es lo que nos falta: aprender a mendigar de aquellos a quienes damos. Esto no es fácil de entender aprender a mendigar. Aprender a recibir de la humildad de aquellos que ayudamos. Aprender a ser evangelizados por los pobres. Las personas a quienes ayudamos, pobres, enfermos, huérfanos, tienen mucho que darnos. ¿Me hago mendigo y pido también eso?, ¿o soy suficiente y solamente voy a dar? Vos que vivís dando siempre y crees que no tenés necesidad de nada ¿sabés que sos un pobre tipo?, ¿sabés que tenés mucha pobreza y necesitas que te den?, ¿Te dejas ayudar por los pobres, enfermos y por aquellos que ayudas? Esto es lo que ayuda a madurar a jóvenes comprometidos como Riqui en el trabajo de dar a los demás, aprender a tender la mano desde la propia miseria.

Hay algunos puntos que yo había preparado: aprender a amar y a dejarse amar. Hay un desafío además, que es el desafío por la integridad. Amar a los pobres. Nuestros obispos quieren que mires a los pobres de manera especial este año. ¿Vos pensás en los pobres?, ¿vos sentís con los pobres?, ¿vos haces algo por los pobres? Y vos ¿pedís a los pobres que te den esa sabiduría que tienen? Esto es lo que quería decirles. Perdonenme porque no leí lo que les tenía preparado. Pero hay una frase que me consuela un poquito: “La realidad es superior a la idea” y la realidad que ustedes plantearon y la realidad de ustedes es superior a todas las respuestas que yo había preparado. ¡Gracias!

January 20, 2015

Pope Francis Visit Ph 'Tell the World of His Love’


Thousands of young people and devotees shouted and cheered Pope Francis as he made his way inside the University of Santo Tomas in Manila Saturday morning for his Encounter with the Youth.


Before Pope Francis gives the final blessing of the Eucharistic celebration during the Youth Encounter on Sunday at the University of Santo Tomas , Darren Espanto, The Voice Kids Season 1” Philippines finalist performed 'Tell the World of His Love’ with more than thousands youth and devotees. 


Pope Francis holds hands with the youth while the song "Tell the World of His Love" is being sung at UST.

‘Tell the World of His Love’ was the theme song of the 1995 World Youth Day presided by Pope Saint John Paul II in Manila.



For God so loved the world
He gave us His only Son
Jesus Christ our Savior
His most precious one
He has sent us His message of love
And sends those who hear
To bring the message to everyone
In a voice loud and clear

Let us tell the world of His love
The greatest love the world has known
Search the world for those who have walked
Astray and lead them home
Fill the world's darkest corners
With His light from up above
Walk every step, Every mile, Every road
And tell the world, Tell the world of His love

(Tell the world of His love)
(Tell the world of His love)

Our Lord our savior our king
Emmanuelle prince of peace
Begotten of the Father's love
Born to set us free
Let heaven and earth sing His praises
His righteousness proclaim
Let every heart rejoice in His love
And magnify His name

Let us tell the world of His love
The greatest love the world has known
Search the world for those who have walked
Astray and lead them home
Fill the world's darkest corners
With His light from up above
Walk every step, Every mile, Every road
And tell the world, Tell the world of His love

(Tell the world of His love)

Let us tell the world of His love
The greatest love the world has known
Search the world for those who have walked
Astray and lead them home
Fill the world's darkest corners
With His light from up above
Walk every step, Every mile, Every road
And tell the world, Tell the world of His love

(Tell the world of His love)
Tell the world of His love

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