Just like that, January has come and gone. Time passes by quickly. Isn’t this the perfect moment to pause and reflect on the contributions we hope to make in achieving our goals this year—whether in our personal lives, family, workplace or even for our nation? Benjamin Franklin once said, "We can never find lost time again." Before another month sneaks up on us, let's strive to make every day meaningful and purposeful, bringing positive changes to various aspects of our lives and advancing us toward our goals. However, success in accomplishing our aspirations is rarely done in isolation; it almost always requires significant support from others, which calls us to pursue unity for greater success.
 
While fostering unity has its advantages in achieving a more efficient and effective approach, we recognize that it is not an effortless task. It requires a genuine demonstration of respect, openness, empathy, selflessness, and humility. This reminds us of Saint Paul’s exhortation: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.”
 
Reflecting on the value of unity resonates deeply within our current socio-political landscape. There are significant gaps and strained relationships among our leaders. We see how former political allies from previous elections have shifted to opposing sides on many critical issues in governance. Addressing these divisions is crucial for moving forward together.
 
The negative effects of division and factionalism, whether on a national or local scale, are detrimental to economic growth. The sharing of resources and technology can be hindered, contributing to regional underdevelopment. Such divisions foster prejudice and discrimination, resulting in injustices that deny equal opportunities to all. It can create a vicious, vindictive culture, such as when a winning candidate in a past election gives less support to political units that rendered an unfavorable number of votes. It also delays the passing of relevant laws that are beneficial and crucial for development, whether in the local or national legislative branch of the government.
 
By nature, we are known for our good custom or practice of caring for one another. We take pride in our Filipino trait of camaraderie and the bayanihan system. This is our strength as one nation under God. Given the pressing issues in our country, it is imperative and crucial for us to reconnect with our identity. To save our nation from decline, it takes the collaboration and consolidation of our skills, talents, and expertise. As the saying goes, “In unity, we stand; divided, we fall.”
 
Gathering in one place alone cannot achieve unity. It requires fellowship—covenant toward a deeper relationship for noble and meaningful purposes. Let us strive for unity and fellowship for greater success in the things we hope to accomplish this year—in our personal lives, families, workplaces, and for our nation.
 

​Government service is often described as a calling - a vocation to serve the public and contribute to the common good. This calling resonates deeply with the biblical command to serve others and uphold justice. In his Psalm, King David said, "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed." This passage encapsulates the heart of public service: to stand as guardians of equity and justice. However, the challenges of bureaucracy, ethical dilemmas, and immense workloads can sometimes blur the noble purpose of government work. Spirituality is an anchor, enabling government workers to navigate these challenges with faith, resilience, and integrity.
 
Faith encourages employees to see their roles as an extension of their life's mission. Through prayer and reflection, they find the strength to fulfill their responsibilities despite obstacles. The apostle Paul encourages this mindset: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This perspective transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship and stewardship, fostering excellence and accountability.
 
Spirituality inspires a commitment to integrity—remaining honest and just even when no one is watching. Government employees can be tempted to cut corners or compromise values. However, in his proverbs, King Solomon reminds us that "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." Integrity builds trust among colleagues and citizens and strengthens one's relationship with God.
 
A spiritual approach to government work fosters compassion for the people being served. This is particularly important in roles that directly affect the lives of vulnerable communities. Corrie Ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, said, "The measure of a life is not its duration, but its donation." Government employees who view their work as a donation—a selfless offering for the welfare of others—embody God's love in action.
 
Spirituality in government service is not just a private faith practice but a transformative force that brings integrity, compassion, and purpose to the workplace. By rooting their work in values, government employees can serve as instruments of God's justice and love, leaving a legacy beyond policies and projects to touch lives for eternity. May your work bring glory to God and blessing to the nation of the Philippines.

The Philippines arrived with 17 sustainable development goals. The first two are “no poverty” and “zero hunger.” Think tanks across the country have conducted workshops and seminars to develop logical frameworks and feasible action plans to achieve these goals. This is a common practice in goal-setting. We usually sit down at the table to write down the mechanics of implementation. Technical experts are actively involved in crafting these plans. We have substantial and satisfactory paperwork that backs up our plans.

It is important to always prioritize preparations and never overlook them. However, we need to combine the preparations with precise execution to attain a favorable outcome. This is where we typically fall short. We have a budget at hand. We possess the resources and methods to achieve our goals, yet we frequently succumb to temptation while executing our strategies.
​
Examining the underlying cause of the issue reveals a deficiency in values, especially integrity. Integrity is not found on papers or visuals. People who implement the work imbibe and embody these values. Their financial and material stewardship, the exercise of their authority, and their adherence to existing laws, rules, and divine principles reflect their motives and intentions.

In the Philippines, we do not lack programs that promote integrity in the government and private sector. We also have established committees, government agencies, and constitutional bodies that uphold integrity and ensure its practice and incorporation in all aspects of administration or the discharge of public duties. However, if evil machinations twist or pervert laws, rules, and procedures, regardless of their soundness, all efforts will be in vain.

The lack of integrity is indeed a deterrent to the progress of a country. The lack of integrity contributes to the prevalence of poverty and hunger among the populace. The Philippines is not a poor or a developing country. It is one of the rich countries in the world. Our poverty does not stem from a lack of resources for our citizens but rather from the misuse, mismanagement, or improper distribution of a significant portion of our wealth. According to former Deputy Ombudsman for Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices, Atty. Cyril Ramos, we lose around seven hundred billion pesos (P700B) every year due to corruption, which is equivalent to 20% of our national budget. We can translate this amount into 1.4 million housing units for the poor, medical assistance for 7 million Filipinos, and a rice buffer stock to ensure no Filipino goes hungry for more than a year.

Since the value of integrity resides in every individual, we should learn to police ourselves, who profess to be citizens of the country. In part, we should choose wisely our leaders in this year’s national election. We entrust leaders with the power and authority to decide and command. This is crucial to the future of our nation. Peter Drucker, an Austrian-American management consultant and educator, once said, “Integrity is the final requirement of effective leadership.”

Happy holidays are just around the corner, the most awaited season of the year—Christmas and New Year. Some of us express gratitude for the numerous blessings we receive, including our 13th month pay, gifts, groceries, de minimis benefits, and other bonuses. These are the material things we are thankful for, but there are greater reasons to celebrate the season.

On Christmas Day, Christians commemorate the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who came to the world as a precious gift from God above. The Holy Bible says, “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.” His mission is not only to live in this world but to lead the people closer to God so that they may know Him and let them experience the abundant life under the covering and ways of God. Christ’s ultimate showing of his love for God’s people is his being the sacrificial lamb so that once and for all, people, although sinners, can come to God through the cleansing of the blood of the Lamb. This sacrifice for having access to God is what Christians are truly thankful for.  The nation honors the birth and death of heroes, but even more so for Christ, who not only made sacrifices for a particular nation, but also for the entirety of humanity, not just for his own generation but also for generations to come. How then do we show thankfulness for God’s love for us? Some express their gratitude by giving gifts to others, donating goods to the needy, celebrating, and spending quality time with their loved ones. However, beyond these tangible things, we can show our thankfulness to God by giving thanks and praise to Him, by devoting and giving time to commune with Him through His Holy Scriptures, by asking for forgiveness and forgiving others who have sinned against us, by extending kindness to others, and ultimately, by walking in His ways according to His precepts and His will.

This season, let us contemplate and reflect on the goodness of God in our lives—all the provision, protection, progress, promotion, and life lessons. Count our blessings and be deeply thankful for all that God has done. Let us resolve to be better persons—reflecting the image and likeness of God—so that the new year 2025 will indeed be a fresh start and a new season to be thankful.

​This value focus emphasizes the importance of having control over the use of our words. It speaks of our ability to choose our words carefully, considering the content, manner, and timing.
 
Firstly, we need to pay attention to the content of our words, as they can either build or destroy lives – both our own and those of others. Speaking words of encouragement and hope can uplift others, boosting their morale and enthusiasm, which ultimately leads to increased productivity in the workplace. On the other hand, others are demoralized by our words when the contents do not inspire and spur energy. Additionally, we will also be adversely affected by our words when we speak lies or deceptive words. Such actions can lead to serious consequences including legal penalties for offenses like libel, perjury, contempt, fraud, or falsifications. This underscores why taming the tongue is anchored on the core value of integrity.
 
Secondly, we need to guard how we use our words, as they can be interpreted in many ways. Words spoken loudly may be perceived as angry and offensive to the listener, while soft-spoken words may suggest secrecy and deceit. Manner therefore reflects the conduct and character of the person speaking. Someone who knows how to deliver a message appropriately is regarded as a discreet, cautious, refined, and mature individual while a person who is careless in words, unmindful of its consequences, is regarded as vulgar, rude, and abrasive.
 
Finally, the timeliness in the use of our words must be highly considered if we are to tame our tongue. Timing does not only refer to the date and hour but also the context and the seriousness of the situation. Words that are spoken during the pronouncement of oath or promise are given more weight because of its severity and seriousness as compared to words spoken during casual conversations. Words uttered in an oath or covenant are considered sacred and serious, thereby, failing to uphold them may lead to consequences. A person found to be faithful or committed to agreements and pledges is deemed a person of integrity, whether in private or public affairs.
 
Words spoken in private affairs such as in marriage vows, when violated, are actionable wrong such as in breach of promise to marry or breach of contract which gives the other party the right to claim for damages. In the same manner, affirmations or statements of allegiance in public settings such as the oath of office are also treated seriously. When not sustained due to a lack of accountability, it can lead to various administrative offenses. It is given credence and protected by law to preserve the public faith, thus, the provision in our constitution, that public office is a public trust.
 
We should always remember to stay committed to our vows that were witnessed by people as well as God. Our fidelity to every promise we make reflects our integrity. We must, therefore, be mindful of our words, as they can bring either death or life. The tongue is likened to a rudder that, while it is very small, can steer a large ship. Knowing the power of our words, we must resolve to be wise in our speech – being careful about what we say, how we say it, and when to speak. The Scripture has correctly admonished us: “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God, for God is in heaven and you on earth and therefore let your words be few”. 

More than 2,000 years ago, in the garden of Gethsemane in Israel, a Man  in agony prayed earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. He said, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Jesus made Himself nothing by taking on the very nature of a servant and humbly obeyed, even to the point of death, for the sake of the people He came to save. He is indeed the embodiment of selflessness that humanity should emulate for a better world.
 
Due to their fallen nature, human beings are inherently egocentric—self-centered and focused solely on their own interests, often to the point of degrading others, taking advantage of them, and disregarding their feelings and worth. The challenge for us today is to rise above this innate selfishness and embrace a new nature of selflessness, which is defined as “the quality of caring more about what other people need and want than about what you yourself need and want.”
 
Billy Graham said, “Only God can give us a selfless love for others, as the Holy Spirit changes us from within. This is one reason we must receive Christ, for apart from His Spirit we can never be freed from the chains of selfishness, jealousy, and indifference.” Selflessness is experiencing God’s love and goodness and selflessly extending it to others or paying it forward. Selflessness is putting others’ well-being or benefits first than ours. In a deeper sense, however, selflessness is putting God first. Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’”.   

​In implication, being selfless means demonstrating patience and kindness, avoiding envy, and refraining from boasting. A selfless person does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is slow to anger, and keeps no record of wrongs. Moreover, selflessness involves allowing God to work in and through us for His name’s sake and glory. While cultivating such virtues and practicing selflessness may seem challenging, with God’s help, we can live them out in our interactions with family, neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Ultimately, as we commit to a life of selflessness, the joy of the Lord becomes our strength, and His favor rests upon us.
 

Remember that we are His temple here on earth; we are to protect it and never be torn down through destructive practices in thoughts, words, or actions. Thus, we should disregard death-dealing activities like ill-judgments, discrimination, gossip, lies, greediness, and other forms of injustice against individuals. Respect for life is an obligation and a human reason that must be observed. We bear it in mind to always esteem our own life and the lives of others with fear and high regard. We should express how much we love and cherish the life God entrusted to every one of us, no matter how big or small, strong or weak, young or old a person is.
 
Respect for life is based on a credence accepted in every society. The inherent dignity of every life, whether among humans or even among every living creature, includes the environment. It is built within. For this reason, a person’s human dignity can never be rescinded nor withdrawn regardless of their race, nationality, citizenship, mental health, economic situation, race, intellectual ability, criminal record, or other conditions one’s society might use to marginalize and separate the deserving from the undeserving. Respecting life is a value that reminds us that we can never be excused from giving compassion, care, and honor to others. Respecting the dignity of life requires different proactive practices directed to end every form of violence and abuse that threatens human lives. We should never forget that everyone and everything we see reflects a certain degree of God’s glory that expresses The Life, The Truth, and The Way.
 
Remember, we respect life because we have received THE LIFE and are hidden in Him purposed to reflect the One who created us according to His image and likeness.There’s a buzz in our society through social media about AI-generated images of people. However, let us pause for a while and take a moment to look in the mirror and realize the beauty before us. The person we see in the mirror is the reflection of the invisible God who created us in His image and likeness. We are fearfully and wonderfully made - precious in the sight of God. Every time God brings a new life into the world, it tells us that He is glorious and loves us with everlasting love. Jesus Christ declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” He is our life, and apart from Him, we fail to exist in fullness and with meaning. Having these things in mind, we ought to respect life.
 
​