Commission on Filipino Overseas Undersecretary Valery Joy A. Brion, together with elected officials, city leaders, City of Davao staff, and members of the community, graced the reopening and blessing ceremony of the CFO Davao Extension Office on Friday, May 19, 2023. In a bid to better serve the people of Mindanao, particularly the residents of Davao City.
The office has announced that it will be reopening its doors to the public on Monday, May 22, 2023.
Me with CFO Usec Valery Joy A. Brion
The event started off with a registration process, and Usec Valery Brion oversaw the ribbon-cutting ceremony that followed. Following this, there was a blessing and an opening address by CFO Usec Brion, after which a press conference was held.
CFO Usec Valery Joy A. Brion assisted by Ms. Lourna from City Government of Davao City
CFO Philippines, short for the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, is an agency of the Philippine government that operates under the office of the President and is responsible for promoting and upholding the rights and welfare of Filipinos living or working abroad while simultaneously reinforcing their connection to their motherland.
The branch, which is conveniently located on the third floor of the Pink Walters Building along Quimpo Boulevard, will be easily accessible to Dabawenyos as it is situated between Ice Giant and Blue Lotus Hotel.
On Saturday, May 20, GMA Regional TV will bring the cast of the upcoming series 'Royal Blood' and 'LUV IS: Love at First Read' to the lovely City of Davao.
This will provide Kapusong Dabawenyos with a Saturday that is sure to be full of excitement and fun-filled activities.
Megan Young and Mikael Daez, who play a real-life couple in the highly anticipated action-packed family drama "Royal Blood," will surprise their fans with an exciting and entertaining Kapuso Mall Show at the Gaisano Mall Tagum in Tagum City at four in the afternoon.
Sparkle Sweethearts Mavy Legaspi and Kyline Alcantara, who play the lead parts in the upcoming feel-good series 'LUV IS: Love at First Read,' will provide fun and kilig as they headline the Kapuso Mall Show in the Atrium, Gaisano Mall of Toril, in Davao City at 5 PM. Sparkle Sweethearts Mavy Legaspi and Kyline Alcantara will offer fun and kilig.
"GMA Regional TV is very thrilled to host the cast of the upcoming television series 'Royal Blood' and 'LUV IS: Love at First Read' in Davao this weekend. Both shows will premiere later this year. "It is always our pleasure at GMA Regional TV to bring their favorite Kapuso artists closer to where they are," says GMA First Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso. "With the support of our loyal viewers all over the Philippines, it is always our pleasure to bring their favorite Kapuso artists closer to where they are."
'Royal Blood' will make its debut on June 19, and it is expected to be the most popular murder mystery shown during prime time on Philippine television. Dingdong Dantes will play the lead role in the show. It tells the narrative of Napoy, who is the bastard son of a business tycoon and a loving single father who works as a motorbike rider. Napoy eventually becomes the prime suspect in the death of his father, and the story follows his journey as he tries to clear his name.
Meanwhile, following the success of 'LUV IS: Caught in His Arms,' the second collaborative project between GMA Network and Wattpad WEBTOON Studios is titled 'LUV IS: Love at First Read'. The first episode of the sitcom will air on June 12, and it tells the story of Kudos, played by Mavy, a secret romantic who is looking for the ideal girl. After reading her journal, he is convinced that Abby (Kyline) is the woman he should be with.
On the website www.gmaregionaltv.com, you can now find all of the most recent information regarding GMA Regional TV's news, events, and updates. You can follow GMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook.com/GMARegionalTV. Additionally, you can follow GMA Regional TV on Twitter and Instagram by using the handle @GMARegionalTV.
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Following the highly successful launch of the Redmi Note 12 Series and the Xiaomi Fan Festival 2023 in Manila, Xiaomi intends to use this year's Xiaomi Fan Festival (XFF) roadshows to provide more demonstrations of their most recent smartphone lineup as well as their extensive product catalogue.
The "Live Vivid" campaign will be brought to several areas around the Philippines from April to May of 2023 as part of the Xiaomi Fan Festival, which has grown to become an even larger event for 2023. In addition to meeting Xiaomi fans from the local area, this event is an excellent chance to get together with media colleagues from a variety of regions. The following destination is in Davao!
BRINGING THE FESTIVAL IN DAVAO
On May 5, Xiaomi hosted a media event at Mr. and Mrs. B, where attendees were given the opportunity to get an up-close look at the Redmi Note 12 Series. In addition, other Xiaomi products, such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro and AIoT devices, were on display in the immersive zone located inside the venue. They also had the opportunity to listen to the Redmi Note 12 song "Live Vivid" by #TeamRedmiNote ambassador BGYO and learn the dancing steps for it.
Taking home Xiaomi devices. Lucky raffle winners take home Xiaomi products at the Davao media event.
Congratulations Ms. Cristine Bravo - Edge Davao
Winning big with the Redmi Note 12. One lucky guest won Xiaomi’s newest midrange smartphone in the grand raffle draw.
The party will continue with the Xiaomi Fan Festival on May 6 at Gaisano Mall in Davao, which is scheduled to take place there. Fans of Xiaomi who participate in the entertaining booth activities will have the opportunity to enter a raffle and potentially win some great prizes. During their stay, attendees will have the opportunity to take advantage of limited-time XFF bargains on a variety of Xiaomi smartphones and AIoT gadgets.
Redmi Note 12 Series lands in Davao. Tomi Adrias, Xiaomi Philippines Head of Marketing, introduces the newest Redmi Note 12 Series to media guests in Davao.
Xiaomi has expressed their enthusiasm and pleasure in organizing the Xiaomi Fan Festival in Davao, which provides them with the opportunity to interact with their fans from Davao. According to Tomi Adrias, the Head of Marketing at Xiaomi Philippines, the company's objective is to provide young individuals with the most up-to-date technology, enabling them to live their lives vibrantly and independently.
The Xiaomi Smart Band 7 and Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro are currently being offered at discounted prices along with other Xiaomi products. The Smart Band 7 is priced at P2,099 from its original price of P2,499 while the Buds 3T Pro is priced at P3,999 from its original price of P6,999.
Xiaomi is conducting a Fan Festival roadshow that will take place at SM Dasmariñas from May 10 to 14 and at SM Pampanga from May 17 to 21.
SMOOTH AND VIVID SMARTPHONE PERFORMANCE
It only makes sense that the Redmi Note 12 Series would offer notable improvements to the features that appeal most to Xiaomi users, especially the younger generation, given the success of its predecessor, the Redmi Note 11. Every user's photography needs are met by the phone series' remarkable triple camera system, which includes an up to 200MP main camera with OIS, an ultra-wide camera, and a macro camera. Advanced AI software algorithms, quicker image processing, and other helpful features of the cameras all contribute to the unmatched user experience.
Redmi Note 12 available colors: Ice Blue, Mint Green and Onyx Gray
The 12Hz Flow AMOLED screens on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G and Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G are both compatible with Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos®. Users may see images from films, photographs, and other media clearly on the bright, vibrant screen for a lifelike viewing experience.
Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G available colors: white, black and blue
The MediaTeK Dimensity 1080 chipset ensures dependable and seamless 5G performance, so you can make the most of the Redmi Note 12 Series' capabilities. Fans may enjoy all-day usage even with heavy content consumption with the 120W HyperCharge of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G and the 67W quick charge of the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G, especially with the potent 5,000mAh long-lasting battery.
For P8,999 for 4+128GB (available only online), P9,999 for 6+128GB, and P10,999 for 8+128GB, you may get the Redmi Note 12.
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G available colors: white, black and blue
While the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G comes in two variations—the 8+128GB model costs PHP 16,999, while the 8+256GB model costs PHP 17,999—the Redmi Note 12 Pro+5G (8+256GB) retails for PHP 21,999. Customers can purchase these devices online via authorized Xiaomi storefronts, partner merchants across the country, and Xiaomi's own storefronts on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop. Home Credit offers financing with no interest for people who seek flexible payment alternatives.
Visit the official websites and Facebook pages of Xiaomi for further details. Xiaomi's Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok stores (@XiaomiPhilippines) allow for online shopping.
We regret to confirm the untimely demise of our Contractor's employee as a result of an incident on the job site on April 21, 2023.
WITCO Construction & Development Corporation, one of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project's contractors, informed us that four (4) employees conducting internal cleaning inside a pipeline in Barangay Buhangin Proper had difficulty breathing.
Davao City 911 and the Barangay Buhangin Proper Community Emergency Response Team were immediately dispatched for rescue and extracted three (3) employees from the pipeline immediately; their condition is now stable.
The remaining worker was subsequently rescued by a rescue team and transported to the Southern Philippines Medical Centre, where he was sadly pronounced dead due to suffocation.
As a company that takes workplace safety very seriously, we are cooperating with authorities to investigate the incident further. In this challenging time, we extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of the deceased.
About the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP)
The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) is one of the country's largest bulk water supply infrastructure projects that will shift Davao City's reliance from groundwater wells as its primary water source to the more sustainably sourced surface water from the Tamugan River.
The DCBWSP consists of two parts: Apo Agua Infraestructura Inc. (Apo Agua) is in charge of Part A, which includes the construction of Raw Water Intake facilities, Water Treatment Plant, and Treated Water Pipelines; the DCWD is in charge of Part B, which includes the tapping and interconnection of pipes, the installation of reservoirs, and the laying of distribution lines. Distribution of water to consumers will remain the sole responsibility of DCWD.
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Since I made my Goodreads account, I've been reviewing books. It's the biggest group of book lovers in the world, where you can find and read more books you'll enjoy and keep track of the ones you want to read. And yes, some of the Goodreads books I've read have been made into movies or TV shows. One of these is the book by Taylor Jenkins Reid called "One True Loves."
But before we get into the review, allow me to introduce you to the main character of the film:
If you've watched the 2021 Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Shang-chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, that's Simu Liu who played the character in One True Loves, "Sam".
Who could forget this actor, Luke Bracey? His role in The Best of Me (2014) is one of my favorites, and I absolutely adore him. This movie made me cry a lot of times while I was watching it. He is an amazing performer, and the way he brings Jesse to life in this movie, "One True Loves" is nothing short of brilliant.
Phillipa Anne Soo is an actress and singer from the United States. She is best known for her leading roles in musicals on Broadway. She has won two Grammy Awards and been nominated for a Tony Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. She first appeared on TV in the NBC series Smash in 2013. Since then, she has been in the Hulu miniseries Dopesick (2021) and the Apple TV+ show Shining Girls (2022). In the film, One True Loves she played the character of Emma.
And getting back to the movie itself, my opinion changed after I saw it. Initially, Sam (Simu Liu) came across as a little damp. Then Jesse (Luke Bracey) appeared again, this time wearing that awful tracksuit. Eventually, Sam's tone became quite paternalistic. And Jesse's tone became quite patriarchal. I came to the conclusion that Emma (Philippa Soo) would benefit from spending four years on a desert island alone, away from both of them.
It is very difficult to pick one loved one over another. Both people deserve your consideration. Because you don't want to do harm to anyone else, it might be quite difficult to decide what to do.
The choice that Sam has made to provide Emma with some personal space is the right decision. He wanted to give Emma some space to reflect on their relationship as well as her relationship to her husband, who had been presumed dead for four years but was found to be alive and expressed interest in reuniting with Emma.
On the other hand, Emma made the correct choice when she chose to spend quality time with Jesse (her husband). In my opinion, this is the case, because if she did not do that, she would not be able to determine which option to go with. After spending some time with Jesse, she realized how much she cared for Sam.
Nonetheless, in the end, Sam won over with his fixation on the three dots that appear when someone begins typing on a mobile device and then... stops.
The plot moves at an awkward pace, and the romantic subplots, which are what we really care about, are as absent as Jesse was for so long. Sam's character lacks emotions. I need more reactions from Sam and Emma. You'd have to convince me to keep loving these characters if I hadn't already done so, and "One True Loves" doesn't do a very good job of doing either of those things. Nevertheless, what I liked about this movie is the comedy part from Sam's students and co-teachers; they made a great team!
Plus, I have a great time watching it because I have with me my youngest daughter, a cousin, friends, and social media colleagues.
Super thank you VIVA INTERNATIONAL PICTURES AND MVP ENTERTAINMENT, GAISANO MALLS OF DAVAO, and GCinema for the #AprilMoviePremier.
This was all made possible by the following sponsors: HALO HALO 97.1 DAVAO, BLACK BEAUTY PHILIPPINES, MX3 CAPSULE, RD PAWNSHOP INC., PEST SCIENCE CORPORATION and GRAPIXELS MULTI MEDIA ADVERTISING
Philippine Christians observe Holy Week by participating in the Stations of the Cross, going on a "Bisita Iglesia" (or "Visita Iglesia"), in which they visit different churches, and rising early on Easter Sunday to witness the "sugat" (in Cebuano) or "salubong" (in Tagalog), or the reunion of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her son Jesus Christ. That is pretty much how we spend Holy Week every year. Yet, since the outbreak, we have stayed inside and followed the activities online.
Both of my parents were quite involved in church activities when they were younger, serving God to the best of their ability and having a strong desire to be of assistance to others within the church community. I was raised watching them serve the church after they got off work, and as a result, I was occasionally left by myself with my maternal grandfather and my maternal aunt. Though sometimes they bring me with them to church, because I was very young at the time, I always sleep while waiting for them to finish the seminars they facilitate.
What I've described is merely a brief overview of my parent's participation in church activities during the 1980s and 1990s. Now fast forward to when we moved to a different archdiocese and my parents stopped attending church. They are probably too old to participate in church events or too far away from the church where they regularly serve.
Personally, I grew up without a strong preference for either Roman Catholicism or the Born Again movement. Everyone on my mother's side is a born-again Christian, and I feel obligated to honor their faith. I've grown up in the same house with my family. I was brought up observing their devotion to the religion they had followed for generations.
Now that I'm a mother of two young adults, I make sure they understand the importance of upholding our faith in God. I entered the Catholic faith through baptism, same with my two daughters. Both my parents' and my extended family's faiths have my utmost respect.
HOLY WEEK 2023
At this point, all pandemic protocols are being lifted, and we are free to participate in any activities planned by the church. By taking part in what is known as the Alay Kapwa, my mother has resumed her service to our GKK (Gagmay'ng Kristiyanong Katilingban), also known as a Little Christian Community. ALAY KAPWA is a resource mobilization program that involves making contributions (alay) to our fellow men and women in the community, also known as our neighbors (kapwa), particularly those who are disadvantaged and underprivileged. The things that unite us and the things that we are able to accomplish for the Anawim, also known as the spiritually impoverished, are manifestations of our solidarity in the fight for genuine human growth.
During this trying time, the practices of pagmamalasakit, pagbabahagi, and pag-a-Alay Kapwa are more compelling and important than they have ever been before.
To tell you the truth, ever since the pandemic protocols were eased, I still haven't made it to church. Perhaps I still have some reservations about going inside. I did nothing more than light a candle in front of the church, and that's it. Indeed, I continue to pray every day in the privacy of my own room, where I also reflect and read from the Bible. I am sorry if you find this weird, but please understand that this is simply how I communicate with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My family observed Maundy Thursday in the same manner as we always do: by remaining at home and carrying out our usual chores while I am out doing errands to pay our bills and stock up on groceries for our household.
Attending mass on Maundy Thursday, during which the priest washes and kisses the feet of 12 individuals, most of whom are members of the church, is a customary way for us to mark the occasion, as seen by comparisons to previous years' observances. When I think back on it, I realize that one of those individuals is my father. At the time, he served as a liturgical leader in our church.
Now, I'm stuck in line because I need to pay for my groceries. This is how I spend Holy Thursday.
In the Philippines, it is customary to recite the Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. This is done as part of the tradition known as "Visita Iglesia," which involves going to seven different churches.
As a result of my mother's strong devotion to the Virgin Mary during my childhood, she took me to each of the five churches that are located within our city. Imagine a little girl like me who will always go with her no matter where she goes, even if it is extremely hot and exhausting. That is how I am with my mother at all times on Good Friday.
But, during the year 2015, my father and I took part in the traditional "Visita Iglesia" by going to various churches in the city of Davao. In 2017, I was accompanied by my youngest daughter to participate in the Stations of the Cross. We visited a variety of churches, and I instructed her on how to pray. And in the year 2018, both of my daughters came with me to Shrine Hills so that they could also take part in the Good Friday events. The purpose of including them is not to convert them into devotees; rather, it is to instruct them in the customary manner of performing the Stations of the Cross. I just conveyed to them the traditional values and skills that were instilled in me by my parents.
We did not travel anywhere this week; instead, we remained at home. The same old thing: watching TV, KDramas, or CDramas while simultaneously engaging in other activities like online shopping and eating. It is, in fact, the Friday before Easter, and you are right; we ought to go to church. It is the time to exercise penitence and abstain from food because doing so is the customary way of commemorating Holy Week. But, despite the passage of time and my continued respect for the conventional method of accomplishing this task, I find it to be completely ludicrous. It would be very unfair for us to try to fast, especially considering that my elderly parents are no longer capable of doing so and that both of my children, who are now adults, and I have our own set of health issues.
The final day of the fast is known as "Black Saturday," and it is during this time that Filipino Catholics express their sorrow over the death of Jesus Christ. My father used to bring me to see Jesus Christ's dead body when I was a little girl. I would scream and cry, not because I was sad, but because I was afraid to touch the dead Jesus Christ. I still remember that from when I was a kid, and it kind of messed me up. And I don't want that to happen to my kids, so when they are young, I don't let them see that kind of thing.
Now that I've gone back and stocked up on the groceries I neglected to buy last Thursday, my Black Saturday has taken on a very different tone.
Waiting for the Facebook "sugat" or "salubong" kept me up all night. Alas! The live video from San Pedro Cathedral allows me to witness Mama Mary being reunited with her son, Jesus Christ.
When I was young, my dad would wake me up early so I could see the "sugat" or "salubong." And it makes this little kid's heart sing to watch my pals playing angelic roles like pulling the linen over Mama Mary's face. And the way they sing the Alleluia makes me think they must all be angels.
On Easter Sunday, I did, in fact, allow my children to observe the "sugat" that is traditionally performed. This is the most exciting thing that happens during Holy Week, and my favorite part is after the service when we get to meet with the risen Christ, give him a kiss, and touch his mother's linen gown. After that, the next step is to purchase kakanin outside of the church. Outside of the church are a number of tiny shops offering various snacks, such as biko, suman, puto maya, etc., and when we arrived home, we devoured all of them!
This time, though, I was the only member of my family up to watch it take place on Facebook Live as the others slept. Well, it is three in the morning, and as far as I can see, I'm the only one who is still alive, alert, awake, and excitedly watching the live streaming. Following that, around four o'clock in the afternoon, Vatican City is streaming live on Facebook the Easter Sunday Mass that Pope Francis presided over.
MY REFLECTION
As we get older and our ideas about life change, so do our ideas about how to celebrate Holy Week. Holy Week is the most important time of the year because it is when we remember the last week of Jesus' life on earth. From the sacrifice, suffering, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the events that led up to them, these are the days leading up to a great awakening.
In the past, we always did things the way Christians have always done them during Holy Week. Holy Week was a serious time. There were no TV shows or radio stations; malls were shut down; and neither cable nor the internet existed.
Kids today won't go through this. Everything changes, and the way I celebrate Holy Week also changes.
Over 79 million people in the Philippines use GCash to make online transactions that are quick, safe, and easy. It is the number one finance super app in the Philippines. Data.ai, a trusted third-party platform, says that GCash is the #1 Finance Super App in the country because it has the most downloads, the most monthly active users, and even the most daily active users, meaning that people use it every day.
GCash was the first company in the country to use the QR payment system. It first came out as an SMS platform in 2005 and then as a super app in 2012. During the pandemic, it helped Filipinos move to digital services. Now that the world is back open, it is expanding its services to meet the changing needs of Filipinos in the digital financial world.
At this year's #GCashFutureCast event, GCash showed 10 ground-breaking innovations for every Filipino that will shape the future of Fintech.
Tools for Financial Freedom
GCash has made it easy and convenient to use money management tools like savings, insurance, and investments. Now, it makes products that help people grow their money and keep it safe.
The GCash app lets people buy and sell stocks online through GStocksPH, which is run by AB Capital Securities, Inc. Its trading interface was made to be easy to use and simple by working with the Philippine Stock Exchange. Users can now trade the stocks of more than 280 local companies through GStocks PH. Soon, more people will be able to use GStocks PH.
Users can learn about and explore the world of Crypto and NFTs with GCrypto. On the GCrypto NFT Hub, users can see collections like The House of OhLala by Filipino contemporary artist Reen Barrera. A PDAX-powered exchange makes it easier to buy and sell cryptocurrency. PDAX is the leading cryptocurrency exchange in the Philippines.
For just P34, GInsure Online Shopping Protect insurance covers all of a user's online purchases for 60 days and up to P20,000. The insurance covers situations in which orders are not delivered, are accidentally damaged, are not as described, or are stolen. The insurance product, which is powered by Chubb, is built into the user's online GCash payment journey across 1,500 online shops and platforms.
GCash goes global
With GCash's new services, Filipinos can now travel without cash anywhere in the world. Filipinos who live outside of the country can now use GCash to send money and help to their families back home.
Filipino travelers can use GCash Global Pay to pay with QR codes at Alipay+ stores in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Germany, Italy, France, and the UK. This saves you the trouble of having to pay with cash or take money out of an ATM, where you may have to pay high service fees. It lets you charge in Forex in real time, and there are no service fees.
With a GCash Card, travelers can buy foreign currency in real time at low exchange rates and no service fees. With this, people can use their money with just one tap at more than 100 million stores in 200 countries and territories around the world that are part of VISA's huge network. This means that travelers can shop and eat without any trouble, no matter where they are. Later this year, you'll be able to get the new GCash card.
GCash Overseas, Filipinos living in Japan, Australia, Italy, and the United States can use their international SIM cards to download GCash. Now they can send money to their families back home, buy loads, and pay bills for them. When they send money to another GCash account, they don't have to pay a fee. This saves them the cost of remittance fees. GCash also announced that it is now available in both the United Kingdom and Canada. GCash Overseas is currently in Beta, which means that only a small number of people can use it. Soon, though, more people will be able to use it.
Borrowing made easier
Filipinos can now buy now and pay later with no credit cards, no extra paperwork, no down payment, and now no interest at certain merchants thanks to GGives. Users of GCash can now buy things in stores or online without the usual restrictions that come with payment plans.
Borrow Load will let eligible users borrow their favorite load promos today for free, so they can still enjoy their favorite entertainment even if they don't have much money. With load deals that last up to 7 days, they can now afford to use apps that use a lot of data. Borrow Load will soon be available to more people.
Improved security and user experience
GCash has added two new features that will make transactions safer and easier:
A new, user-friendly messenger feature GChat makes it easy to talk and transact with contacts, share receipts instantly, and track transaction histories. The feature makes it easier to find conversations with friends, merchants, and customers, while Gigi and Advisories provide real-time support. GChat will launch in a few months.
DoubleSafe is the newest security feature for GCash that stops scammers from taking over accounts. It adds another layer of security on top of 2-Factor Authentication and the mobile PIN (MPIN). DoubleSafe will be activated the first time a user logs in to a new mobile phone. If the user accidentally gives their MPIN and OTP to thieves, facial recognition will protect their account.
GCash CEO Ms. MARTHA SAZON
Martha Sazon, the CEO of GCash, stated during the FutureCast event, "GCash has empowered and encouraged every Filipino to maintain optimism and pursue growth." Being the number one Finance Super App in the Philippines and the first finance app to become a household name in the nation, GCash is positioned to empower everyone to be future-ready. "With GCash's ten new breakthroughs, our hopes for a better future begin now."