Haring Alabel

I have come to realize that success is not confined to the shiny symbols of wealth—owning luxury cars, flaunting the latest branded gadgets, or curating picture-perfect travels for social media applause. While these things may signify achievement for some, they are merely fragments of a much bigger picture. They are external validations, fleeting in nature, often mistaken for the true essence of success. For me, real success is rooted in something more profound and enduring—the accumulation of knowledge and wisdom. It is found in the lessons we embrace, the values we uphold, and the growth we experience along life’s journey. Success lives in the classrooms where curiosity is sparked, in the voices of mentors who shape our character, and in the stories shared by elders whose wrinkles are maps of experience. It thrives in the quiet halls of museums where history whispers truths, in the sacred silence of churches where faith deepens, and in the shelves of libraries where ideas transcend t...

August is Altar Servers Month , and I take this opportunity to look back with gratitude on my more than eight years of serving as an altar server at San Isidro Labrador Parish of Alabel, Sarangani Province. When I first started, it was not a common routine for young people like me. I had to make sacrifices, especially waking up early, and I often had to battle with fear and shyness in front of people. Standing at the altar was not easy—I was nervous about making mistakes and unsure if I was worthy to serve. Yet through God’s grace, I gradually learned that serving was not about perfection, but about offering myself fully to the Lord. Over the years, this ministry has shaped me in ways I never imagined. It taught me humility, discipline, and the importance of being present not just physically, but spiritually, during every Mass. It allowed me to experience the liturgy more deeply, to understand the richness of our Catholic faith, and to witness firsthand the beauty of our traditions. Th...