(That’s Tagalog for "Howdy, Bishop!")
It turns out that several bishops in the Philippines (where they speak Tagalog) have started . . . (wait for it) . . . blogs!
Three bishops are linked on the Philippine national conference’s site as having blogs. The three are:
GET THE STORY.
(CHT to the reader who e-mailed!)
Author: Jimmy Akin
Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."
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These blogs provide a glimpse into a world I know next to nothing about.
Interesting that Archbishop Cruz felt it necessary in his personal profile to indicate that he is a Scorpio…
‘thann
I haven’t used Blogger in a long time but, as I recall, your profile automatically includes your “astrological sign” (it works it out from your date of birth). While it’s possible to switch this feature off, I don’t imagine that Archbishop Cruz has even noticed its appearance.
Yup to the latter comment.
This is eeeexcellent. Between my love for the Catholic faith and Pinoy culture, I’m floatin. Too bad I’ll be bad sans internet at home next year. Email feed?
So why are the blogs in English and not Tagalog?
I’m Filipino by birthplace and genes, but since before my first birthday I’ve lived in the U.S.
In the Philippines, Tagalog is the language ONLY of the north. There are more than 40 languages or dialects (and more than 7,000 islands) in the Philippines.
The language that officially and really unites the Philippines in government, education and business is English.
“So why are the blogs in English and not Tagalog?”
Because a majority of the population (in urban areas) speaks English. I was born in Manila, and my first language was English, not Tagalog.
I love my homeland. It’s home to the famous cardinal with the worst possible name for his job: Cardinal Sin 😛
I’m proud to say that I’m a Filipino-American (an American of Filipino heritage), born and bred in New York City. It’s nice to see that the bishops of my ancestors’ homeland keeps in touch with the people in many ways, even via the Internet. 🙂
Would you could you have Tagalog dialogue on a Blog?
… and maybe call it TagaBlog ….
I notice that at the time I am writing the top item on Bp. Medroso’s blog is an “Open Letter for the return of the Balangiga Bells” addressed to President George W. Bush and the United States Congress. Letters from Americans to President Bush and to Senators and Congressmen might help get the bells returned.
Don’t know what happened with my server, but I got sent off to http://www.zenit.org/english/show_5.php
Interesting article on what looks to me like overtures to the Church from the Finnish Lutherans
The Balangiga Bells were taken by the US Army after destroying an entire town in reprisal against a terrorist act. (Howling Wilderness and all that…) I suppose it is reasonable to ask for them bells back.
Hehe, I like the third bishop’s blog, though Archbishop Cruz’s blog will get more interesting if he blogs about his constant crusades against big money gambling lords.
Filipino Bishops use blogs
Since my wife is from the Philippines, I perked up a bit just about every Catholic blog I check out had something to say about this Zenit article about Filipino bishops blogging. Go check it out, it’s pretty cool.
Thanks for the heads up to Zadok t…
nice site