The deplorable remarks made by a member of the Philippine congress and former world boxing title-holder, Manny Pacquiao, describing same-sex attracted people as being worse than animals, can only be described as vile and are to be condemned, rejected and repudiated in the strongest terms possible.

He has since apologised.

In late January, Luis Cardinal Tagle raised a few eyebrows in Cebu during the Eucharistic Congress when he spoke directly about the greed and corruption of Philippine politicians, who are so much a part of the throwaway society of greed, corruption, materialism and waste.

The fear of punishment and dire threats from the live-in partner of her mother kept 13-year old Sylvia from opening her mouth and saying that she was being repeatedly sexually abused. 

After four months, she could not take it any longer and, thanks to a caring teacher in Subic, she opened up about it after class one day.

The New Year of the Monkey will be filled with the challenges of the election.

And what are elections in a democratic country but the selection of the leaders who are to be appointed by the citizens to take command of a nation’s affairs.

The anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights last December 10 reminds us that migrants fleeing war and the economic effects of climate change have rights that must be respected.

The growing intolerance towards these unfortunate people is detestable and must be contested and denounced. 

Christmas is much more than Santa Claus and consumerism. It is about compassion, love for the poor and seeking justice. Jesus was sent to help change the world. We must carry on this mission but we also have to understand what that challenge is.