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The mainstream view of kindness to a stranger is pure altruism: doing a good deed without expecting anything in return. But is it possible to view kindness as more of a mutual give-and-take process? Recently, I found myself instinctively reciprocating the kind gestures I received from strangers on the same day. This led me to rethink acts of kindness as anticipated reciprocal relationships. While we may not expect an immediate reward or automatic payback for a random act of kindness, we tacitly hope that when we are in need, a stranger will extend the same favor to us.

In the Roman Catholic Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist includes the offertory — a moment when parishioners contribute cash or in-kind donations. Yet, a persistent joke among Christian denominations claims Roman Catholics are the “stingiest” givers. Why? Because while others pull bills from their wallets, Catholics allegedly dig around for loose pocket change! Is there any truth to this stereotype? In this post, I explore the topic through stories from two priests, reflect on my own giving habits, and look at what it truly means to be a cheerful giver.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the untimely loss of several friends and relatives forced me to confront my own mortality. To prepare, I hastily planned my own funeral — but with a twist. While it will include standard Roman Catholic rites, I also want a festive atmosphere, complete with a live musical band. Having survived the pandemic, I look back on that period in this nine-part blog series. These posts serve as both a personal retrospection and a practical guide for my eventual passing. In this first installment of the blog series, I provide context for my funeral plans and an overview of the 44 iconic songs I have chosen for the band to perform.

Summary: In Part 1, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, my guardian…

Summary During my first trip abroad in 1987 to Hawaii, USA, I purchased a SwissChamp…

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Summary While waiting for my wife at WalterMart in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, I…

Summary Upon retirement in September 2024 as a Professor VI at Palawan State University, I…

Summary As an avid reader, I have been accumulating a variety of documents: virtually everything…

Summary The prominent 67-year-old bishop from the Philippines – Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle –…