Bicol Padyak Eskwela Charity Ride Project

29/06/2026

23/06/2026

TIME FOR A NEW CHAPTER 👶🏆

Filipina MMA star and reigning ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Champion Denice Zamboanga vacates her title after welcoming her first child with husband Fritz Biagtan, choosing motherhood while allowing fellow contenders to pursue the division's top prize.

23/06/2026

Some heroes carry weapons. Others carry the Cross.

Bro. Richie Fernando, SJ, was just 26 years old when he made a decision that would save lives and ultimately cost him his own.

A Filipino Jesuit missionary serving in Cambodia, Bro. Richie dedicated his life to helping young people rebuild their futures after years of violence and conflict. He was known for his kindness, humility, and deep love for those entrusted to his care.

Then came the day that changed everything.

In 1996, a troubled student pulled the pin from a gr***de during a gathering.

Realizing the danger, Bro. Richie immediately intervened.

Without thinking of his own safety, he moved to protect the people around him.

Moments later, the gr***de exploded.

His actions shielded many of his students from the blast, but he suffered fatal injuries.

Bro. Richie died doing exactly what Christ taught:

*"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."* (John 15:13)

Nearly three decades later, the Church has officially begun the path toward his canonization. His cause has been opened, and Catholics around the world are now looking to his life as an example of heroic Christian charity.

He was not a bishop.

He was not a famous preacher.

He was not the founder of a religious order.

He was a young missionary who loved God so deeply that, when the moment came, he chose others over himself.

And that is the kind of holiness the world never forgets.

🙏 Bro. Richie Fernando, pray for us.

23/06/2026

“I go to church every week. I am Catholic and I go to thank God for what He gives me.”
— Cristiano Ronaldo

Millions of people know Cristiano Ronaldo for his trophies, records, wealth, and success. He is one of the most famous athletes in the world, which is why these words matter. Even after achieving what many people spend their whole lives chasing, he still says, “I go to church every week. I am Catholic and I go to thank God for what He gives me.”

His success did not make him believe he no longer needed God. Instead, it made him more grateful. The word “Eucharist” means thanksgiving, and Scripture tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

In a culture where many people hide their faith, Ronaldo speaks openly about being Catholic. His willingness to acknowledge God publicly helps inspire millions of people to stop being ashamed of their own faith. Fame often pressures people to stay silent about religion, but his example shows that success and faith do not have to be separated.

If one of the most successful people in the world is not ashamed to thank God and go to church every week, what keeps the rest of us from doing the same?

Someone may need this reminder that faith is not something to hide, no matter where life takes you.

23/06/2026

The Philippines has some of Southeast Asia's most comprehensive waste management policies, including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022. These laws were designed to improve waste collection, promote recycling, and hold companies accountable for the plastic packaging they produce. However, experts say significant implementation gaps continue to allow large amounts of plastic waste to leak into rivers, coastlines, and oceans.

Recent analyses indicate that the problem is not simply plastic consumption but the country's ability to manage waste throughout its entire lifecycle. Studies show that a substantial portion of plastic waste remains mismanaged, with weaknesses in collection systems, recycling infrastructure, enforcement, and recovery mechanisms contributing to continued environmental leakage.

Researchers point to the widespread use of low-value and difficult-to-recycle materials, particularly single-use sachets and flexible packaging, as a major challenge. While these products are affordable and convenient, they are often uneconomical to recover and recycle, resulting in large volumes ending up in waterways, dumpsites, and the environment.

According to environmental experts, stronger enforcement of existing laws, expansion of recycling facilities, improved collection systems, and greater producer responsibility are needed to reduce plastic leakage. Many advocates also support circular economy approaches, where materials are reused, refilled, or recycled rather than discarded after a single use.

In Environmental Science and Waste Management, the Philippine plastic crisis is increasingly viewed as a systems challenge rather than solely a consumer behavior issue. Scientists emphasize that meaningful reductions in plastic pollution will require coordinated action among government agencies, manufacturers, local governments, and communities.

The issue highlights an important reality: passing environmental laws is only the first step. Long-term success depends on consistent implementation, adequate infrastructure, corporate accountability, and public participation to prevent plastic waste from escaping into the environment.

Photo Courtesy: Gregorio B. Dantes Jr/Pacific Press/ZUMA

Science Department |

23/06/2026

In 2014, a young Japanese soccer player named Ryota Iwaoka had a chance to meet one of the world's biggest soccer stars, Cristiano Ronaldo. During a special event, Iwaoka decided to ask Ronaldo a question in Portuguese. It was not his native language, so he spent time practicing with his coach before the event.

Standing in front of a large crowd, Iwaoka nervously asked Ronaldo how he could become a professional footballer. However, as he spoke, he struggled with some of the words and pronunciation. Some people in the audience began to laugh, making the young player feel embarrassed.

Instead of ignoring the situation, Ronaldo immediately stepped in to support him. He told the crowd that they should not laugh. Ronaldo praised Iwaoka for trying so hard to speak a foreign language. He said, “Why are they laughing? You speak good Portuguese. They should be happy because you tried very hard.”

Ronaldo then shared some advice that would stay with Iwaoka for years. He encouraged him to believe in himself, work hard, and never miss an opportunity. Those words had a powerful effect on the young play er.

Inspired by the experience, Iwaoka continued chasing his dream of becoming a successful footballer. He worked hard, improved his skills, and overcame challenges along the way. As a midfielder, he went on to play for Yamanashi Gakuin University.

His dedication paid off in 2020 when his team won Japan's national soccer championship. What started as a nervous question to Cristiano Ronaldo became a memorable moment that helped inspire Iwaoka to keep believing in himself and pursuing his goals.

23/06/2026

In the forests of Southeast Asia, one strange little bird looks like it belongs in a fantasy story.

It’s called the great eared nightjar, and with its huge eyes, feather tufts, and unusual shape, people often compare it to a tiny dragon hiding among the leaves. But its strange appearance isn’t just for show.

The great eared nightjar is built for life after dark. Its large eyes help it see in low light, while reflective tissue inside them improves its night vision as it hunts insects through the forest.

During the day, though, it almost disappears. Its mottled brown and gray feathers blend into bark, dry leaves, and the forest floor, making it incredibly hard to spot unless you know exactly where to look.

And that camouflage matters because this bird does something risky: it nests directly on the ground. Instead of building a high, hidden nest in the trees, it relies on stillness and disguise to protect itself and its eggs.

So yes, it may look like a dessert and a tiny mythical creature at the same time, but every strange detail has a purpose.