7 minute read
Upsetting the establishment
a godforsaken hour on a weekend, while I’m still catching up on my beauty rest.)
Sure, Vega dressed up in a costume, with their face all made up, but that’s what drag is all about. It’s taking inspiration from everyday life and mounting performances with creative costumes, makeup, and music to exaggerate the feminine (or masculine) for entertainment. I can only assume that the people in the video, who were singing and dancing along, paid to see the show. So, to be clear, Vega didn’t perform the Ama Namin in church, during an actual Mass with other parishioners. It was a drag show, and it was private. Too bad, Vega posted it online, thus making it public, therefore reaping the criticisms.
But as much as drag is a form of gender expression in an exaggerated manner, the reaction of many Filipinos to Vega’s performance is even more exaggerated. In other words, OA. We should all welcome the singing of Ama Namin or The Lord’s Prayer in all forms, language, and musical genres. Sing it in English or Filipino, perform it in an elegant and classical manner, or perhaps use a rock, hip-hop, rap, or metal arrangement, sing it solo or with others inside or outside a church, do it in costume or otherwise.
TODAY’S HOROSCOPE
By Eugenia Last
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS aARIES (March 21-April 19): You can have fun, but don’t go overboard. Poor behavior will have its downside. Pay attention to raising the bar and putting your energy where it counts. Self-improvement, nurturing relationships and finding your niche are priorities, and romance is favored. HHH bTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Be honest with yourself and others regarding what you want and how you plan to achieve your goal. Enlist people who are dedicated, eager to help and can make a difference in the outcome. Don’t immerse yourself in the impossible; be realistic. HHHHH preaching to the masses, this Christian rock music was the last straw for the elders. Anything that upsets the establishment is quickly condemned. Meanwhile, so many nasty words have been expelled because of one drag queen’s supposed blasphemous performance of the Ama Namin (The Lord’s Prayer) at what appeared to be a bar. I caught snippets of the performance, and it looked fun, considering Pura Luka Vega committed to it by dressing up like a cross between the Black Nazarene and the Child Jesus. People who attended the performance seemed to have enjoyed it immensely.
DAY: Madelaine Petsch, 29; Andy Samberg, 45; Edward Norton, 54; Robert Redford, 87.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Learn all you can this year and position yourself for success. Ask questions, take courses and build your qualifications to match your dreams. Be cognizant of what it will take to meet the demands surrounding your goals. Don’t let personal matters conflict with your plans or cause you to second-guess yourself or change your course. Be true to yourself and those who support the decisions you make. Your lucky numbers are 5, 17, 20, 24, 32, 38, 47.
The Ama Namin is a prayer of praise and supplication. We recognize the Lord’s holy name, and say that we accept whatever He thinks we deserve in life. At the same time, we ask Him to care for us and implore Him to forgive us our sins, in the same way that we forgive those who have also wronged us. We ask that He protect us from things that will turn our attention away from His words and works that are meant keep us from the straight and narrow path to salvation.
“At patawarin mo kami sa aming mga sala, para nang pagpapatawad namin sa mga nagkakasala sa amin .” cGEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take additional time to go over every detail to ensure your success. Someone will try to talk you into something costly or unnecessary. Don’t accommodate others; do what’s best for you. False information will set you back. Home improvement is favored. HH dCANCER (June 21-July 22): Embark on a plan and call on those who can contribute to your vision. Home improvement and using your skills to get what you want will turn out splendidly. Don’t hesitate or waste time because you fear failure; finish what you start. HHHH eLEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Live and learn. Listen to what others say, and implement new ideas into your daily routine. Set yourself up for success by staying in touch with what’s trending and adding skills and qualifications to meet the demands of today’s competitive world. HHH
NOW playing on Netflix is Jesus Revolution, a movie based on true events and characters, who helped sparked the born-again Christian movement in the 1970s that eventually spread throughout the world. The movie shows disaffected hippies, who had been experimenting with mind-altering substances, turning to Jesus to fill the void in their lives.
But the road to the movement’s success was met with a lot of challenges, especially from the more established Christian churches. But it was through pastor Chuck Smith’s (Kelsey Grammer) openness to a charismatic, Bible-quoting preacher Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie) that he was not only able to increase his church’s attendees, but help expand the movement. When Frisbee leaves to work on his marriage, Smith appoints Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) to take over a church and preach the Good News.
To attract more young people to his church, Smith allowed a youthful band to perform. It was one of the amusing parts in the movie as the musicians sang and preached about Jesus’s love and forgiveness through “noisy” rock music, which quite annoyed the older attendees of the church. Already offended by Frisbee’s new way of
Yet now, per news stories, some local governments and politicians are declaring Vega persona non grata for their Ama Namin performance. Did it prevent these local officials from catching criminals in their areas, or delivering their basic services to their constituents, I wonder? Also, whatever happened to the separation of Church and State?
As a practicing Roman Catholic, who prays the Rosary, attends Mass sometimes in person, but still mostly online (sorry Bishops, but I’m still crazy-wary of Covid, so I still try to avoid gatherings in enclosed spaces), I do understand why some believers may have misunderstood the performance, and therefore, were offended by it. The comments, bordering on the nasty and crudeness, blew up the issue and everyone just took a ride, including lawmakers.
Personally, I wasn’t put off by Vega’s performance.
For one, they didn’t change the prayer’s lyrics to make these rude or disrespectful. I’ve actually heard much worse, where a prayer or gospel hymn’s lyrics were deliberately mangled, and sung profanely. Vega, along with the audience, sang the prayer’s exact lyrics in a joyful, pop-rock manner, and in tune!
(Which I can’t say the same for my neighbors, who constantly caterwaul on their karaoke machines at nnn
If for anything, Vega is guilty of uncovering the dichotomy in the lives of many believers like myself. We who profess to listen and strive to live Jesus’s words are often the most unforgiving and intolerant of others, even as He opened His heart to all—tax collectors, prostitutes, nonbelievers, traitors, tyrants, and do-gooders.
I find that these days people expend so much energy being offended with nonsense and the ridiculous, when we should be more insulted and aggrieved by rampant hunger and poverty, the killing of our youth by cops, sexual abuse, human rights violations, pervading corruption in government, and legislation that only protect the powerful. The Lord I believe in condemns all these.
On HBO Go meanwhile, is The Righteous Gemstones, a hilarious series depicting a televangelist family led by Eli Gemstone, and how his children bunglingly take over the reins of their father’s megachurch. Many have compared it to the wildly successful Succession, except the heirs are endowed with an outrageous sense of fashion. The Gemstones are mega-rich, live in palatial homes, and own luxurious vehicles. But like many rich folks who look down on others not their own kind, the family has enemies, which include domestic terrorist in-laws/cousins. Its irreverence is a knowing wink to all preachers who try to sell us salvation, but often forget how to live Jesus’s words as well.
CDC urges accreditation: Elevate Clark tourism with DOT seal
hotels for the event.
VST Devanadera underscored the importance of securing such accreditation. She mentioned that this will guarantee the implementation of government-mandated protocols aimed at safeguarding the interests of tourists and the core tourism establishments.
I
T his procedure also highlights the readiness of the venues to accommodate the upcoming MICE Con 2024 event, as the certification is also a requirement for the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) in selecting official fVIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t hide when you should act. Use your intelligence, and you’ll find a way to make the most out of your situation. Opportunity is within reach. Recognition and willingness to step up and make things happen is up to you. HHH gLIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Go over every detail before you sign up for something. Make sure you can finish what you start before you begin. Charm may buy you time and help, but it won’t compensate for laziness. Others will remember your actions and determine the outcome. HHH hSCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Affiliate with upward-moving individuals and you’ll gain momentum, knowledge and a different perspective regarding the possibilities. Trust those who have proven themselves capable and forward-thinking. Don’t let your actions damage your reputation or position. Protect against injury and illness. HHHH iSAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Protect your home and family. Don’t share sensitive information or get into emotional conversations that put you in a vulnerable position. Put emphasis on health, love and looks. Focus less on what others do or say. HH jCAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take advantage of everything. Step into the spotlight and make your voice heard, and your actions will bring about positive change. Opportunity will pay off financially and help you raise your standard of living. An unexpected turn of events will favor you. HHHHH kAQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t alter what’s already working. Boredom will lead you down a slippery slope that can cost you dearly. Pay attention to how you present yourself physically, and you’ll find an exciting way to appear more appealing. Romance is favored. HHH lPISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’ve got the right idea, so don’t let outside interference slow you down. Aim to finish what you start, and take advantage of opportunities that come your way Clear your head and forge into new territory with enthusiasm and confidence. HHH
The tourism department formally recognizes businesses that have adhered to the set minimum standards for the operation of tourism facilities and services by awarding them DOT accreditation. The certification represents a tourism establishment’s dedication to quality assurance. It guarantees that all MICE events in Clark meet high standards of excellence, professionalism, and industry best practices.
BIRTHDAY BABY: You are persistent, distinctive and resourceful. You are appealing and fun-loving.
