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During a meeting of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) held in Manila, bishops discuss and express their grief over sad events affecting the Catholic church in Asia. According to Philippine Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, marriage of couples with different religions has resulted in dwindling numbers of Catholics. More specifically, Asians who marry into families with different religious beliefs tend to convert to their spouse’s religion, especially if he or she is the only one dissimilar in the area.

Another problem seems to be the dwindling of young men entering priesthood. According to Cardinal Oswald Gracias of India, secularisation has prompted Christian families into having fewer children. He added that the number of girls entering convent is significantly more than the number of boys entering seminaries.

A reason cited by Pakistani Archbishop John Saldanha mentions that poverty prevents parents from sending their sons to seminaries as the move is a “big sacrifice”.

The meeting was concluded with a call for strengthening the Eucharistic celebration. According to the high ranking member of clergy of Asia, the Eucharist must be made into a “transforming event” through sufficient preparation, celebration and encouraging homilies. The meeting was attended by more or less 120 church leaders with the present Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments Francisco Cardinal Arinze representing Pope Benedict XVI.

However, some Filipino’s seem to be leaning away from religion as more and more church leaders are expressing their intent to join politics. With policy affairs generally getting negative views from the people, it is sometimes not surprising that church goers are starting to become hesitant with the emergence of priests turned politicians. The Palace has also commented on such through Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar saying that religious leaders planning to enter politics must be the first ones to practice the humility that they preach.

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Just like the tragic death of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, his wife former President Corazon Aquino still affects the people through her famous “Cory Magic”. The people’s affection for the democracy icon will continue on for generations, the thought is further established by an “OK” from the Aquino family to construct a monument in honor of Mrs. Aquino whose passing away is still fresh in the mind of everyone.

According to Malacañang, the monument is a “gift” wholeheartedly given by the Filipino people and current administration. According to Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar, the Cory Aquino monument construction is an unwavering decision by the Palace. On a separate account, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim expressed that Mrs. Aquino’s loved ones had Okayed his proposal to erect a monuments beside the statue of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino. It is believed that the son of Mr. and Mrs. Aquino, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino is involved with the plans in erecting a monument in honor of his mother. Noynoy has skyrocketed to popularity as some Liberal Party stalwarts are eyeing him as their standard bearer. However, rumors are ongoing that Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas of the same party will pursue the Presidential position and wants Noynoy to be his running mate.

On the other hand, the Arroyo government’s plans to build same monument has yet to receive the approval of the Aquino family. Olivar expresses that the Palace is not offended over their hesitation and believes that the Aquino family is still “passing through a period of grief…” wherein they “cannot be held fully responsible for what they say and do”. Olivar adds that the Aquino family should be given apt time to grieve in accordance to tradition.

The government’s erection of the Cory monument is to be done at the famous Rizal Park or Luneta.

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Liberal Party supporters are deciding whether to support Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II or Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino as the party’s standard bearer on the upcoming elections. The two personalities both come from political families as Senator Mar is the grandson of former President Manuel Roxas while Senator Noynoy is the son of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and Philippine hero Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino.

Members of the Liberal Party have reportedly sent a letter to the party’s chairman Franklin Drilon with the statement that they would like Noynoy to run for presidency with Mar as his vice president. However, Mar – via his unrelenting television advertisements – has somehow expressed to the public at large that he would run for the country’s top position. Top members of the Liberal Party have already expressed their favor in Mar as a promising candidate to take the place of current President Arroyo. On Roxas part, he is unwavering on his decision to run for the presidential post and wishes Noynoy to be his running mate.

The sudden demands for Senator Aquino as a standard bearer have arisen with the death of his mother and key player in the EDSA People Power Movement, former President Corazon Aquino. However, Noynoy has already expressed his support for Roxas as the Liberal Party’s standard bearer.

According to Mar, there is “no turning back” for him. The process of selection in the Liberal Party will soon commence and the proclaimed “Mr. Palengke” said that he would submit himself to the “process” the same with all his predecessors.

Regardless of who runs for presidency, some political figures believe that both of them – Mar and Noynoy – possess the necessary qualifications to be Philippine’s next leader. However, some voters, especially first time voters, are still undecided on who to choose in spite of the rather vocal campaigns done by aspirants.