In St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis declared the 14 new saints for the Catholic Church. The list included eleven “Martyrs of Damascus,” and three nineteenth-century founders of religious orders. All of them commended for living their lives through service in the ways of Jesus Christ.
Photo from the Catholic News Agency
These new saints lived Jesus’ way: service. They made themselves servants of their brothers and sisters, creative in doing good, steadfast in difficulties, and generous to the end.
Pope Francis
The New Saints
Here are the new canonized saints:
St. Giuseppe Allamano
The founder of Consolata Missionary Orders and an Italian diocesan priest
Consolata Missions Magazine Photo Archive
St. Marie-Léonie Paradis
A nun and the founder of an order intended for servicing priests in Montreal, Canada.
Photo from Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
St. Elena Guerra
Hailed as the “Apostle of the Holy Spirit,” St. Elena Guerra is known for her writings and devotionals.
The Martyrs of Damascus
St. Manuel Ruiz López and his seven Franciscan companions were canonized 160 years after their deaths from the hands of Syrian prosecutors
The Siblings
St. Francis, St. Mooti, and St. Raphael Massabki are siblings who are also lay Maronite Catholics and were martyred in Syria with the seven Martyrs of Damascus.
A Beacon of Hope
The canonization of the new saints is a sign of hope in the never ending battle of spirituality and religion. They are symbols of steadfast faith even in the midst of unforgiving situations, such as during a war or more so, in the face of death.
When we learn to serve, our every gesture of attention and care, every expression of tenderness, every work of mercy becomes a reflection of God’s love. And so we continue Jesus’ work in the world
Pope Francis
The Gospel for the Mass was spoken in Greek along with the Latin translations in honor of the 11 Martyrs of Damascus, to pay respect and homage for their sacrifices during their lives.
Pilgrims from around the world, such as from the Middle East, Canada, Kenya, Spain, Italy, and Uganda traveled to Rome to pray for and witness the canonization, in which the Pope was grateful for the support.
Sugboanon Hillsong fans, this is your chance to buy discounted tickets!
For a limited time, from October 21 (10:00 AM) to October 27 (11:59 PM), SM Tickets will be holding discounted prices for the upcoming Hillsong London Live Cebu Concert this November 8, 2024 at Seaside Cebu.
A Concert for a Cause
Ticket prices for the concert have been reduced big time—from Php 560.00 for Silver seats to just Php 399.00! The same goes for the other tiers, including Gold and Platinum.
This price drop is part of the effort to support the International Care Ministries (ICM), with all proceeds going to their mission. However, if you’re aiming for those sought-after VIP seats, you’ll still need to pay the original price of Php 3,000.00, as that remains unchanged.
So, what are you waiting for, Sugboanons? Head over to accredited SM Ticketing outlets or visit the SMTickets website to book your tickets now!
It’s a psychological thriller that explores beyond being bitten by a zombie and surviving the apocalypse.
Photo from Netflix
“Outside,” an original Filipino film directed by Carlo Ledesma, was one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. Filipinos rarely get our own zombie films, especially ones with high-quality production and a serious tone—let alone one featured on Netflix! As a result, there was a lot of excitement, even from those like me who aren’t typically into zombie and horror movies.
Photo from Netflix
The film premiered on October 17, 2024, and guess what, netizens weren’t thrilled by the thriller! On IMDB, the film received a 5.1/10 as of today, October 20, 2024, while on Netflix, it scored 67% on audience rating.
Photo from Netflix
Support Pinoy or Criticized Pinoy?
Many people took to social media to share their opinions on the film, expressing appreciation for its depth beyond just a typical zombie flick. But, the movie “Outside” received mixed reviews, with a rating split evenly—50% in favor and 50% against. So, we dug deeper into the reasons behind this divide and discovered that initial expectations were not clearly communicated to the audience.
Photo from Netflix
The trailers showed terrifying zombies roaming the Philippine province, leading many viewers to anticipate a storyline centered around a Filipino family fighting the undead. However, the true antagonists of the film turned out to be the family’s inner conflicts and secrets, rather than the zombies themselves.
This disconnect in expectations led to significant backlash, particularly from fans of “Train to Busan” and “The Walking Dead.” Many voiced their criticism, despite the film being labeled as a psychological thriller. The slow-burning plot added to the fueled discontent, as audiences had hoped for more action and thrilling zombie chases.
Once the backlash started, some fans of the film responded with their own thoughts and expressed their concern as to why us Pinoys, instead of supporting a deep storyline, ended up pulling down the ratings of an original Netflix movie. It was a film that was meant to give and show the tension between the characters affected by, not just the apocalyptic situation they were in, but also the generational trauma ensued years prior, according to one commenter. Add to that the surprising plot twists along the way, which made each character have solid development throughout the film.
Should You Watch It?
Photo from Netflix
A definite YES, Sugboanons! But, make sure to watch it with open minds and let the story take you to where it needs to. However, if you want the typical bloody fungus infected zombie fights, then maybe skip the film or better yet, still watch it and don’t focus on the zombies! You’d be amazed by how one word, “Sorry,” can change throughout the plot, and how the title actually meant beyond just what’s physically waiting for the family outside an apocalyptic world.
Only bad thing ’bout a star is they burn up. – J.Cole
Photo from Reuters
When a celebrity passes away, many of us feel a sense of sadness that seems strange because WHY would we cry for someone who doesn’t even know us, nor we’ve only ever crossed paths once? So, penny for your thoughts, is it okay to grieve for stars?
It’s All About Connection
HP Fans raised their wands up at the Wizarding World for Dame Maggie Smith who played the role of Prof. McGonagall
Celebrities often seem larger than life; they’re the type of people who we look up to, we listen to, and strive to be near with. They share their talents, stories, and even their struggles with us through movies, music, or social media. Over time, we develop a significant kind of connection to them as we laugh at their jokes, cry during their performances, and celebrate their achievements. So, in short answer, yes, THIS ONE-SIDED feeling of bonding is totally fine; but be careful, because even though they’re far from us day-to-day, the type of grief we feel may still have the same heavy gravity as losing someone we dearly love. This is when fandoms come in, as the act of grieving becomes a shared experience.
For many fans, expressing grief can be a way to find closure. Writing a tribute, sharing memories, or participating in fan gatherings can help honor the celebrity’s legacy. These actions allow us to channel our emotions into something meaningful.
Fans Gathered Around Liam Payne’s Last Place
Fans gathered around Liam Payne’s place of death
In Buenos Aires, directioners and fans of Liam Payne gathered around the hotel where the star fell. They paid tributes, lit candles, said their prayers, and above all, sang the iconic One Direction song, “Night Changes,” which is one of the saddest hits of the former boy band before they went on hiatus. Many cried and hugged their friends as they reminisced on nostalgic times when the boy band was still on top of their game. Furthermore, many were devastated especially by the possibility that they’ll finally get the reunion they’d wanted, but at the funeral of Liam.
Around the world, directioners are giving their condolences and sharing their stories about how 1D changed their lives, and how everyone was shocked about the news that came early in the evening of the 16th.
In the end, grieving for celebrities is a normal part of being human. They touch our lives in ways we may not fully understand, and it’s okay to feel sadness when they’re gone. So the next time you find yourself shedding a tear for a star, remember: you’re not alone, and it’s perfectly fine to grieve for those who’ve inspired you, even from afar.
Every day as we walk past the canals of Cebu City, there comes this habit where we cover our noses to block out the overwhelming stench of garbage piling up in the waters. It’s a harsh reminder that the city has never changed its filthy morale for the past years we lived here. These canals are an eyesore, both figurative and literally—a smell so intense it brings actual tears to our eyes. The water that we used to remember was clear and can see the bottom has now become a gray, thick pile of raw sewage from the residue of all the spoiled plastics citizens indifferently threw away.
Stop Blaming the Government!
Who else is to blame for this environmental issue but us citizens? The government’s job is to keep its fellow citizens well-mannered. That’s why there are laws, rules and regulations, except none seems to be following. With their littering, combined with poor waste management and negligence. Moreover, cleaning services are rarely available, which only worsens the condition of the canals.
It’s a hornets’ nest for the residents living near the canals. It isn’t just an irritating sight and smell; it’s also a serious health hazard. Mosquitoes breed in those stagnant waters, raising the risk of dengue diseases. On top of that, rats primarily swim there too. Definitely not the best idea to dip our foot or any part of our body in the water from the risk of rodent-borne viruses. They always find ways to enter our bloodstream. It’s far from safe for anyone to expose themselves to these polluted waters.
Harsh Words Can Sometimes Be True
If a tourist called our country one of the dirtiest in the world, would you be offended? Most of us would be, and not because it’s a harsh insult, but because there’s truth to it—truth we’d rather not face. Instead of arguing with someone for pointing it out, shouldn’t we focus on fixing the problem? Those harsh words sting because they highlight our inaction. Let’s face it, it’s not the criticism that’s the issue; it’s that we’ve given them reason to say it.
Tourists visit our country to adapt and discover new surroundings. Not only that, but also to interact with new people, embrace unfamiliar adventures, and create lasting memories. Instead of creating those enriching memories they’re expecting, they stumble upon harsh, eyesore memories of how irresponsible we are to the environment. They want to see something splendor, not squalor.
A Change of Habit Would Suffice
How can we impress tourists with what a wonderful world we have? It’s time for action. Sources say that the University of San Carlos has taken a bold step by banning all plastics in their cafeterias—plastic cups, spoons, forks, or bottles allowed. Students aren’t even allowed to bring plastic bottles onto school premises. Contributions like this can significantly minimize the population of plastics. Other organizations should follow their initiative—the more that join, the better the impact.
Our Garbage, Our Responsibility!
With enough responsible individuals, try changing your waste disposal habit for a change. Take your trash out to a proper bin. And with enough responsible citizens in Cebu, a cleanup initiative could save our canals. Don’t just wait for the government to hire a cleanup crew, take the opportunity to do it yourselves. It may not be our garbage, but it’s still our planet. We are independent beings—let’s live up to that name.
An Idea Comes to Mind
The primary root of this issue is people throwing away their garbage in canals simply because it’s the closest dumping area they could find. To address it, proper waste disposal units should be installed along the canal’s path to prevent further littering. Who would throw at the canals when they see waste disposals nearby? If that’s not enough, they’re just one irresponsible citizen who lacks proper discipline.
This is more than just cleaning our canals, it’s about reclaiming the pride of our community. By coming together to care for our home, we can restore Cebu’s reputation as one of the best tourists’ destinations the world has ever seen.
CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP. Executives from East West Banking Corporation, Singapore Airlines Group, and Mastercard raise a toast to mark their successful 5-year collaboration. At an intimate event held at Fili Hotel, NuStar Resort in Cebu City, they also unveiled the new eco-friendly design of the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard credit cards. From left to right: Mia Tamayo (SVP and Head, Credit Cards, East West Banking Corporation), Judith Dayrit (VP, Account Management Head, Mastercard), Elaine Thamm (VP, Business Development, Mastercard), Jovi Abad (FVP and Head, CLC VisMin, East West Banking Corporation), Lawrence Lee (EVP and Head, Consumer Lending, East West Banking Corporation), Jacqueline Fernandez (President, East West Banking Corporation), Jerry Ngo (CEO, East West Banking Corporation), Bryan Koh (Divisional VP, Loyalty Marketing, Singapore Airlines), Liwei Tai (General Manager Philippines, Singapore Airlines), and Sherlin Oh (Regional Manager, KrisFlyer Partnerships, Singapore Airlines)
Cebu, Philippines — October 11, 2024 — EastWest Bank, in collaboration with KrisFlyer, the rewards programme of the Singapore Airlines Group, proudly staged its milestone celebration of the enhanced EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer World and Platinum Mastercard credit cards. The event, held in Cebu at the NuStar Hotel on October 11, 2024, marks another significant moment in EastWest’s continued commitment to providing premium travel experiences to its valued customers.
Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry graces the celebration of EastWest’s 5-year partnership with Singapore Airlines Group and Mastercard for the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard, held at Fili Hotel, NuStar Resort, Cebu City
A Perfect Partnership for Travelers
Proud Cebuano and East West Banking Corporation CEO Jerry Ngo warmly welcomes partners and media guests to his hometown at the celebration of the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard
The milestone celebration was a culmination of the longstanding partnership between EastWest Bank and KrisFlyer, the rewards programme of Singapore Airlines Group, which has consistently delivered exceptional value to frequent travelers through the years. The EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer World and Platinum Mastercard credit cards are perfectly designed for those who aspire to reach their milestone destinations sooner and to travel more frequently, by empowering them to earn KrisFlyer miles easily for their travel and overseas spend.
“Over the years, I’ve earned miles that have taken my family and me to various destinations, helping us create unforgettable memories. These moments align perfectly with the promise of our credit cards—helping you earn more miles and reach new milestones, making your travel experiences even more rewarding.”
Jerry G. Ngo, CEO of EastWest Bank
Key Features of the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer World and Platinum Mastercard
Cebuana socialites and key opinion leaders—Binibining Cebu 2018 Steffi Aberasturi, YouTuber Kryz Uy, and personal finance influencer Charm de Leon—pose during the celebration of the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard at Fili Hotel, NuStar Resort, Cebu City.Cebuana key opinion leader Kryz Uy joins East West Banking Corporation executives Mia Tamayo and Jerry Ngo during the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard celebration
Highlighting EastWest’s focus on delivering premier financial products that meet the sophisticated needs of Filipino travelers, the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard credit cards feature a new premium and sophisticated design that is recyclable and environmentally friendly, further elevating the travel experience. Cardholders will enjoy exceptional benefits, including earning KrisFlyer miles for every purchase, lounge access, and exclusive travel perks across Singapore Airlines’ global network. The EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard credit cards offer an unparalleled suite of benefits tailored specifically for travelers:
KrisFlyer Miles Earned on every purchase: With a generous purchase to-miles conversion rate of 1 KrisFlyer mile per PHP 12 spent on World and 1 KrisFlyer mile per PHP15 spent on Platinum, cardholders can earn more miles across various categories, including flights with Singapore Airlines and Scoot, purchases at KrisShop, Pelago, Kris+, other travel-related expenses and e-commerce spend .
Mastercard® Travel Pass Provided by DragonPass (MTP): This feature elevates the travel experience by offering access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including exclusive access through the Plaza Premium Group partnership. The MTP app ensures a seamless experience, providing real-time updates on lounge access, travel information, and dining offers.
Low Foreign Currency Conversion Fee: A low 1.70% fee on international purchases allows cardholders to indulge in guilt-free shopping abroad.
Free Comprehensive Travel Insurance: The cards provide up to Php 20 million in travel insurance coverage for the cardholder and their family when travel expenses are charged to the card, ensuring peace of mind during every journey.
Mastercard® Travel and Lifestyle Services: Cardholders can access exclusive travel perks, including guaranteed lowest hotel rates and personalized trip recommendations through a dedicated Lifestyle Manager.
The unveiling of the new, eco-friendly design of the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer World and Platinum Mastercard credit cards in Cebu CityEast West Banking Corporation SVP and Head of Credit Cards, Mia Tamayo, addresses questions from Cebu-based media during a roundtable discussion after the launch of the eco-friendly EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard credit cards
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About the Product:
The EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer World Mastercard is a premium credit card designed for those who live life to the fullest and are passionate about travel. It offers cardholders the opportunity to earn KrisFlyer miles faster and enjoy a range of travel-related perks. With the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer World Mastercard, cardholders can enjoy benefits such as extensive lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance, and a low foreign currency conversion fee, making every journey more rewarding.
East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) is a Filipino-owned universal bank. EastWest is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), one of the country’s leading conglomerates with a diverse range of interests including real estate, banking, hospitality & tourism, infrastructure power generation, and sugar. It is not affiliated with any foreign financial institution which may bear the same name.
About KrisFlyer:
KrisFlyer has evolved from being an airline loyalty programme to an industry-leading lifestyle-centric rewards programme. Today, it has about 9.1 million members who benefit from wide-ranging accrual and redemption opportunities both on the ground and in the air.
Members can not only earn and redeem miles on their flights on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Star Alliance member airlines, and SIA partner carriers, but also through everyday spend with more than 1,3000 non-airline brands operating over 3,300 outlets worldwide. These include banks, hotels, travel services, restaurants, retail brands, and a wide range of experiences in Singapore and around the world.
KrisFlyer members may also earn or redeem miles with KrisShop, the SIA Group’s award-winning e-commerce arm, and enjoy a broad range of shopping, dining, and wellness experiences with partners on Kris+, the SIA Group’s rewards and lifestyle mobile app, and when they book travel activities in over 2,200 global destinations on Pelago, SIA’s travel experiences platform.
Follow KrisFlyer’s Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
Great news for fans of the Wizarding World! Miniso Philippines has officially announced that they will be bringing Harry Potter merchandise to the Philippines—what we’ve been waiting for across the Land of the Orient Seas.
Photo from Harry Potter
What to Expect
Miniso has already launched its Harry Potter collection in various international branches, especially in HongKong. Yesterday, the brand took to social media and shared that they will be unveiling the collection on October 19, 2024 at SM North Edsa. While the full collection isn’t available just yet, the initial release will feature a selection of house mugs and tumblers, perfect for showing off your Hogwarts allegiance.
Photo from MINISO PHPhoto from MINISO PHPhoto from MINISO PHPhoto from MINISO PHPhoto from MINISO PHPhoto from MINISO PHPhoto from MINISO PH
As a true Potterhead, this is a dream come true, but we’re all secretly wishing for MORE! Just imagine the joy of snagging iconic Harry Potter house luggage, adorable “Happy Birthdae, Harry” cake plushies, and countless other magical goodies that’ll make Professor Dumbledore proud!
Photo from Harry Potter
So gather your friends, practice your spells, and let’s stay tuned for updates as to when us, Sugboanon Potterheads, will finally have our portion of the trolley, dears!
In the midst of an identity crisis, you must first find out who you are. But first, you must take a journey to the nearest local post office and get yourself renewed or apply.
Photo from the Postal ID Official Facebook Page
POSTAL ID IS BACK!
Photo from the Postal ID Official Facebook Page
The Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) resumed accepting applications for Postal IDs as of October 15, 2024, after a year-long suspension that began on March 9, 2023, due to technical issues. The Postal ID serves as a valid form of identification for various government services, banking, and financial transactions. It is valid for three years for Filipinos and one year for foreigners.
The ID card is made from PVC and contains biometric data to help prevent identity theft. PhilPost outlined the application requirements on their Facebook page.
REQUIREMENTS
FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS
Photo from the Postal ID Official Facebook Page
FOR RENEWAL
Photo from the Postal ID Official Facebook Page
The application and renewal fee is P550, which includes VAT. Online application is NOT available.
Waking up in the morning, opening social media, and seeing the very first post on my feed shocked me. As someone who’s not a “Directioner,” the news of Liam Payne’s passing seemed unreal; it was hard to believe. We’ve longed for the band’s reunion, and now it’s looking like that is exactly what is going to happen as all of them may be in one place soon—at Liam’s funeral. Writing this, I still couldn’t wrap my head around the devastating loss of yet another talented person, and once again, rumored to be due to the unfortunate involvement of drugs.
So, as a tribute to Liam, we’ve gathered here a list of some of the saddest One Direction songs, because sometimes all we need is a playlist to cry and mourn to:
Spaces
If I Could Fly
Night Changes
Long Way Down
I Wanna Write You A Song
Moments
Once In a Lifetime
Infinity
History
To all Directioners, Liam girlies, to the Payne family and friends, and to the members of One Direction, deepest condolences.
Made by divers for divers, the Bangka Divers Restobar is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that you should add to your bucket list when in Lapu-Lapu City. Every part of the restaurant is aesthetically designed to capture the rustic charm of life at sea. With life buoys, nautical knots, native wood, fishing nets, and stunning sea-inspired murals, you’ll feel like you’re dining beneath the waves!
THE ULTIMATE HUBSPOT FOR POST-DIVE BLISS
After a day of exploring the underwater world of Cebu island, there’s no better place to unwind than at Bangka Divers Restobar! Kick back in their chill atmosphere and enjoy their delectable seafood and juicy steaks. And here’s the scoop: wear your dive watch and snag 10% OFF your meal! Want to dive deeper into the savings? Then become one of their ambassadors and earn 20% cashback for every client you bring in!
WHAT’S MAKING WAVES AT BANGKA DIVERS RESTOBAR?
A LOT! From alfresco dining to live entertainment and games, it’s the perfect after-dive place for you and your crew. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just dipping your toes into the underwater world, this is the place to share stories, laughs, and have unforgettable nights!
What are their best-sellers? Well, let’s start with the Bangka Best seafood platter, featuring tasty shrimps, delicate scallops, mussels, and perfectly seasoned tuna belly, served with corn and potatoes. Also, don’t miss their melt-in-your-mouth ribeye steak, grilled tuna belly, tuna kinilaw, and tuna tinola. And for the cherry on top, enjoy their UNLI beer promo for just Php 299.00 every Friday and Saturday; it’s a fintastic deal if you ask us!
WE WENT TO BANGKA & HERE’S WHAT WE THINK
We went, we feasted, and WOW—totally worth it! Our group was shocked by the generous portions; seriously, we couldn’t finish it all and we left with filled guts! With budget-friendly and delicious options, it’s perfect for barkadas and big groups. We even tried their thirst-quenching shakes and, oh my, the steaks and salads! And let’s not forget those mouthwatering burgers that will leave you dreaming of your next visit.
So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Bangka Divers Restobar now, Sugboanons!
