Ponder Points: On The New Archbishop of Manila

I have this bias for leaders who know their philosophy, especially those who received philosophical education during their formation years. And this is such because, as a student of philosophy myself until now, I know that philosophy still has an important place in everyday life, in all its domains. It something has to offer on the table where intentions, goals, and plans meet to come up with decision. It serves as a reminder that what is important in the ends is that the dignity and welfare of the human being is preserved and promoted, towards building a just society where

As an undergraduate, I have looked upon Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle as an ideal figure. He did really well as a philosophy student. As a seminarian, he graduated summa cum laude in a prestigious institution which, at that time, is technical and is far from its present existential phenomenological tradition. He went on to study theology and did even better in it, eventually becoming one of the rising theologians of our time.

But more than that, Archbishop Tagle has been hailed as a servant of and for the poor and the common. Apart from his duties as an educator of theology, he took what he learned to the streets and encountered their lives, problems, and concerns. And I believe that after his success in Cavite, it is time for him to lead in Manila, considered as the center of almost everything in the Philippines, and it is a different flock. It is here where different groups clash with each other, where their decisions affect not only the city itself but other places in the nation that are linked to it. It is here that different ways of thinking encounter each other.

And I believe, without any trace of doubt, that the new shepherd will do well. Cardinal Rosales has already laid the foundations in the exercise of Christian charity despite some limitations, and I believe that Archbishop Tagle can continue and even go beyond what has been started. It is indeed a good time for him to lead the faithful of this city, in a time where the Church faces the pressure of standing its own ground and opening itself up for dialogue regarding the concern of the nation and the government, especially on matters regarding reproductive health, in a time where political and economic turmoil presents a threat to the well-being of the Filipino citizen, in a time where poverty and unequal opportunities bring societies and communities down, with nothing to hold on, and in a time where people of the margins would want to be heard and spoken in behalf of. I believe that he is aware of these challenges, and he will do something about them, in the light of the Gospel of Love and Social Justice.

And perhaps, it is in here where we see how he will use his philosophy and theology, taking them not only in the streets, but also in dialogue, consensus-building, as well as in the rebuilding of the Church and the nation in general.

Congratulations and welcome, Archbishop Tagle!

Credits to the official site of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila for the pic.

Tracks: "Torches" (Foster The People)

Before this album, no one knew Mark Foster (especially those who do not want anything hipster become associated with them), being a composer of jingles and later on, according to L.A. Times, an "underling of Dr.Dre." But more than a year ago, the band that he formed (originally named "Foster and the People") released the anti-hipster for hipsters single "Pumped Up Kicks," he became an instant star and a household name among those indie-pop-electronic lovers. They later on released a three-song EP that eventually became this album. And the big question behind this gradual progression from zero to hipster hero is, Is it actually that legendary?

The Foster Falsetto. Setting the music aside for the moment (we'll get to that later), what makes and breaks Foster the People is Mark Foster's high-pitch vocals and his remarkable falsetto that mixes well with the synths, eventually losing distinction between the two. But definitely he is more than the falsetto, for his voice suits well FTP's chimera of chill-out, 90's disco pop, and indie rock. If there's an indie and hipster version of Adam Levine, then Foster is a likely candidate to be named as such.

Variety. As with all other indie bands in the scene today, FTP boasts of a music that is ambiguous. On one hand, the use of the guitars and the piano are so soft and static, while the synthesizer screams party all around, coupled with Foster's voice. This not-so-unlikely mix, which can be compared to that of another indie-pop band MGMT, eventually makes "Torches" light and catchy to the point that one would listen to it before sleeping or partying. In either situation, FTP would work well, anyway.

Songs To Listen To? One can appreciate FTP by starting with the three songs in the EP: "Pumped Up Kicks," the all-too-catchy "Helena Beat," and pop upbeat "Houdini." Afterwards, you can move on to "Colour on the Walls," "Miss You," and "Call It What You Want.". And if you can't dance and relax at the same time, you're not too hipster to listen to it.

Here's the official music video for "Helena Beat."





Credits to Pretty Much Amazing for the image and the FTP VEVO Channel in YouTube for the video.

Ponder Points: An Acting Faith, A Moving Faith (On Christian Social Action)

More than a months ago, I presented a paper in the Philosophical Association of the Philippines' midyear conference, with the theme "Religion and the Public Sphere." Using Paul Ricoeur's Political and Social Essays (which I believe one of the overlooked works since a lot of scholars today focus on Ricoeur's narrative identity and hermeneutics), I came up with a guide towards a Christian response to the condition of humanity today, and emphasized how one can participate in social action and decision-making starting from one's own belief. And perhaps in this time where believers are most needed to respond to the signs of the times, I have come up with a few things to think about, with regard to the importance of the intermingling of faith and social activism.

• Real Faith Is An Active Faith. A faith that does not work for change is as good as having no conviction at all. Faith, if it is to be genuine and related to hope and charity, should be directed to social reforms, the goal of which is the actualization of the Kingdom of God, wherein humanity is preserved and the society is in a state of peace and harmony. A real believer, therefore, is that which seeks to bring about social change, and is not merely a set of feel-good rituals and gatherings that brings one into a spiritual high. A true Christian is one who takes up the role of Christ as a social reformer, one who protects humanity and strives for everyone's unity.

• The Scriptures as Tradition and the Tradition of Scriptures. Paul Ricoeur highlighted the important role of the Scriptures, serving as the foundation for Christian social action. And perhaps it will be helpful for the Christian to go back to the very roots of Scriptures. However, he should interpret the Scripture as part of the Christian tradition, a piece of work that has been influenced and weaved by social contexts and events, as well as how it can help in social reform today, and thus the importance of an "analogizing transfer" from the word of the Scripture to a response in the society.

• Discontinuous Reflection. For Christian social action to be effective, the believer should learn to once in a while step back and reflect on his beliefs and actions. He should learn how to critically doubt and question his convictions in order to determine not only things need to be improved and revised, but also the things that need to be responded to in the best possible way. Perhaps this is what the Church, as an institution concerned with social justice and human rights should do every now and then, especially in times where She faces the danger (and the accusation) of becoming too dogmatic and not really concerned with the present condition that the world is facing and how it would achieve its goals.

• The Task of Unity. Ricoeur asserts that unity is achieved when everyone has been united under the drama of the Cross of Christ, in Him who taught about love, compassion, and mutual understanding. However, he still holds the importance of the differences that reside within every human being, community, group, or culture. And that should be the Church's goal as well, as a significant part of the realization of the Kingdom of God.

• The Role of Religion and the Secular Society. In the end, we can say that religion holds a significant place in the society, inasmuch as other voices hold a special place in the consensus building and dialogue. Religion presents an important viewpoint that should be considered in dialogue, as long as it asserts itself in a reasonable and rational way. Thus, the secular society should learn to open itself up to the voice and reason of religion and not approach it in a biased, negative manner. Likewise, religion should also listen to the voice and reason of the secular society, because, as those standing outside of it, they also have something valuable and important to say, provided that it be expressed in a rational and reasonable manner.

I hope that the following things raised here and in my paper would be helpful for those who are engaging in a meaningful dialogue with religion and believers, as well as in their endeavors to become active members of the society who also aspire for a better society.

Credits to Passionistjpc.org for the image.