New Beginnings

It was 2004 when Art Reyes, Mike Flores, and I launched this website to continue the ministry of communication we began in St Joseph de Gagalangin Parish. We initially featured the parish and town of Gagalangin and invited fellow parishioners to join in, but realizing the wider audience we are able to reach, the web went further afield. The world became our parish, so to speak.

Three years later, I accepted the role to be the web's Editor-in-Chief. Fourteen years later, we have grown. From a triumvirate, we have added more people into our fold. We have created sections in the web which are being looked after by their respective editors. We have a team of volunteer writers in God-speak which has been a weekly feature of our web. We have created a network of fellow Catholic Christians. By developing our relationship with them, we are able to collaborate with them in the work of evangelization. 

The growth we see, I believe, is the work of the Holy Spirit. The seeds of creativity sown in our hearts would not bear fruit without the grace showered on us by the Lord. To Him be glory and thanksgiving!

After fourteen years of serving as Editor-in-Chief, I feel it is high time for me to pass on the role to someone else. Dear sisters and brothers, please welcome Grace Madriñan who will assume the role on 1 January 2022. Grace has been with us for 13 years. She started writing in God-speak and rose from the ranks. She is currently our Features Editor. 

Apart from Grace, we will also be having a new Faith Section Editor next year. Friends, may I present to you Ma. Rosalina  Flores. Ningning, as she is fondly called, is currently one of our Contributing Editors and writes for God-speak. I would like to thank Anabelle Payod-Balla, current Faith Section Editor, for her hard work, dedication, and friendship.

Many thanks for your cooperation and assistance.  Looking back, what made the web to what it is now is because we work together under the inspiration of St Joseph. If we keep it that way, then all will be well! Ana and I hope that as you have supported us in our roles, you will do the same for Grace and Ningning. 

Here's to new beginnings! God bless us always.

In St Joseph,

Piet

New Beginnings

In the Philippines, June is a month of beginnings - the beginning of a new academic year in all educational institutions from the far-flung barrios to the metropolis.  In the political arena, it's also the start of a new fiscal year. 

In our web, we have experienced a similar beginning with the launching of two new sub-sections: Afterfeather (Opinion section) and Click 'n Peek (Features).

May I introduce you to: 

Mario V Albano (MVA for short) is our newest Opinion columnist writing Afterfeather.  He is my father, my first 'audience' when I begun writing. Currently based in the US, he is an active parishioner at the St Jerome Parish (Seminole, Florida).

Mary Ann Singson-Provida is our Contributor for Click 'n Peek which showcases photos that would inspire, encourage, and affirm our faith.  An active parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish (Bulwell, Nottingham, UK), she is also a member of the Filipino Rosary Crusade.

Last, but definitely not the least, Grace B Madriñan has been appointed Features Section Editor.  Grace has been with us since 2008, initially contributing in God-speak and then later appointed as Pahina 3 Sub-section Editor. 

We'd like to thank MVA, Mary Ann, and Grace (all have attributes of the Blessed Virgin Mary isn't it?) for for their generosity to further spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

This month is also a new beginning for me - it's now my 6th year as Editor-in-Chief. I'd like to thank my colleagues at the Editorial Board, all our contributors, and you dear readers for your unrelenting support.

Want to have a meaningful Year of Faith? Then join us at the web and use your talents for the glory of God!

Thanks and God bless.

Piet

Grace Confirmed

It is with pleasure that I confirm Grace Madriñan's permanent appointment as Pahina 3 Editor with immediate effect.

Time has really flown so fast that it has been six months since we invited her to look after this sub-section on a temporary basis.

From Day 1, Grace has been hitting ground with the various articles featured in Pahina 3. Our weekly issue will not be complete without an article or two from that budding sub-section.

We would like to congratulate and thank Grace for all her efforts and wish her all the best as she continues to perform her role.

If you have any poems, songs, essays, short stories, and other creative works that you wish to publish in the web or you would like to be part of Grace's team, please do not hesitate to get in touch with her: erickagwen@gmail.com

Refreshed by the Spirit poured out upon us at Pentecost a few Sundays ago, let us work together to proclaim God's love in the web!

God bless us all!

On behalf of the Editorial Board,


Pietro S. Albano
Editor-in-Chief