In Galatians 3, Paul asks the Christians in Galatia a question we need to answer today. Galatians 3:2-4: “Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?”

How many of us have tried religion, tried to be good, and tried to live for God in our own strength? It is impossible to do enough good things to get right with God.

We need to realize that the Holy Spirit was working in our lives before we came to Christ. God was moving in our lives when we wanted nothing to do with Him. “No man comes to the Father unless the Spirit draws him.” Think about that: we did not go looking for the Lord; He came looking for us. God is the initiator of salvation. That is good news today: God is drawing our unsaved family members. We need to pray for the Holy Spirit to draw them, reach them, and send the right people into their lives. We need the Holy Spirit before we get saved.

We need the Holy Spirit to get saved! Paul wrote: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the Law of Moses? Of course not. You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.” We were saved by faith in the work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

And we need the Holy Spirit to stay saved! I cannot live as a follower of Jesus without the Holy Spirit! I need the Holy Spirit before I get saved, to get saved, to stay saved, and to stay spiritually healthy.

The whole spiritual life is all about the Spirit living and working in our lives! Help me to remember as a follower of Jesus: “It is not by might, nor by Power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me the Presence, the Power, and the Provision of the Holy Spirit in my life! What a wonderful supernatural gift! See less

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at State‎n Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on over 40 years of pastoral experience and significant emotional experiences.

He recently published his new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, which is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.

It wasn’t long ago that the clatter of pencils on paper filled our classrooms; a sound that marked countless hours of note-taking, equation-solving, and essay-drafting. We remember those days vividly — the scent of sharpened pencils, the slight smear of graphite on my fingers, and the satisfaction of crafting a well-formed sentence in my notebook. But now, in our high-tech world, that familiar scene has been transformed almost beyond recognition. The sound of keyboards tapping and screens swiping has largely displaced the once-cherished act of handwriting.

Our classrooms are now adorned with laptops and tablets, tools that have certainly revolutionized how we learn and communicate. The conveniences they offer are undeniable. With just a few clicks, students can revise an essay without rewriting entire pages, access a vast library of resources at their fingertips, and utilize tools like speech-to-text technology, which can be a game-changer for students with disabilities. As its capabilities grow, artificial intelligence can help with brainstorming, feedback, translation, and research at lightning speed.

Yet amid these thrilling advancements, we find ourselves asking a question many of us might not think to ask: What are students losing when they trade the pen for the keyboard?

The decline of handwriting isn’t just nostalgia for a bygone era; it reflects a fundamental shift in how we engage with learning. Research increasingly points to handwriting as a crucial element not just in recording thoughts, but in processes tied to learning, memory, literacy, fine-motor development, and effective expression. The challenge before us is not to choose one over the other—handwriting or technology—but to harmonize the two, ensuring we don’t erase the importance of learning through pen and paper as we rush to embrace the digital age.

Given the realities of modern education, it’s easy to understand why handwriting has taken a backseat. Digital writing is fast, editable, searchable, and necessary for success in today’s colleges and workplaces. With an ever-expanding curriculum and mounting pressure to cover a multitude of topics, schools have often relegated handwriting instruction—especially cursive writing—to expendable frills.

But this shift has sparked a countermovement. As of 2026, the National Education Association reported that 27 states had laws encouraging or even mandating cursive instruction in public schools, up from just 14 states a decade earlier. This shift signals a renewed recognition of handwriting’s value, though the debate extends beyond cursive versus print or digital. We must grapple with broader implications surrounding handwriting as a whole.

One persistent myth is that technological proficiency negates the need for handwriting skills. This mindset is dangerous because it risks equating technological competence with complete education. Every student needs to master typing skills, but why should that expertise come at the cost of handwriting? Why must proficiency in one come at the expense of the other?

One of the most compelling arguments for preserving handwriting comes from neuroscience. In a 2024 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers examined brain activity in university students as they either wrote words by hand with a digital pen or typed them on a keyboard. What they found was astonishing: the brain showed far more complex connectivity patterns during handwriting than during typing, particularly in areas linked to spatial awareness and motor skills. The study suggested that the intricate dance of forming letters carefully may create optimal conditions for learning.

While this research doesn’t definitively prove that handwriting makes someone smarter or that keyboards are inherently harmful, it underscores a vital truth: handwriting and typing rely on fundamentally different neurological processes. Handwriting engages the brain in ways typing does not, demanding coordination of vision, movement, spatial awareness, language, and memory. While typing has its own cognitive demands, pressing a key is far less intricate than intentionally and carefully forming letters.

As educators and parents, we must not lose sight of this nuance. Efficiency and learning do not always align; sometimes, the slower, more deliberate process of handwriting fosters deeper engagement and yields significant educational benefits—especially for younger learners.

A 2025 study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology compared the learning outcomes of children who practiced handwriting versus those who typed. The results were striking: prereaders who learned unfamiliar letters through handwriting formed more accurate letter-sound connections than their peers who typed. These benefits extended to word identification, writing, and decoding tasks, showing that early literacy goes beyond recognizing symbols on a screen. Children need to develop mental representations of letters, linking their shapes to corresponding sounds and words. The hand plays a crucial role in this learning process, helping build connections that typing alone cannot.

In a sweeping 2025 meta-analysis of 118 studies involving almost 80,000 children and adolescents, researchers found significant relationships between fine-motor skills and academic and cognitive skills. Notably, strong correlations emerged in the context of graphomotor skills — the very movements inherent in writing.

So where does this leave us? As we stand at the crossroads of handwriting and technology, we must consider what we truly value in our educational system. Are we prepared to sacrifice handwriting’s cognitive and developmental benefits for the efficiency of digital platforms? Or can we integrate these two worlds into a cohesive framework that benefits our students?

Each mode of writing has its place in a balanced educational approach. We can encourage students to type for its speed and practicality while still preserving dedicated time for handwriting, where thought and creativity can flourish.

This is not merely nostalgia for a “simpler” time, but a recognition that we must nurture a diverse set of skills, including both digital literacy and handwriting. As educators, we must advocate for a curriculum that respects the lessons handwriting teaches, ensuring our students leave school equipped not only to navigate the digital landscape but also to benefit from the tactile, cognitive, and emotional benefits of writing by hand.

Let us embrace the potential of both worlds. By balancing digital skills with the timeless art of handwriting, we can pave the way for a generation of learners who are not just technologically proficient but holistically educated. The pen may be losing its prominence, but it is far from obsolete. Together, let’s insist that handwriting remains part of our educational narrative, enriching our students’ intellectual landscapes for years to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Johjoh Demol Jenae, Ed.D-EM, Ph.D-DA, PD-SML
Mathematics and literacy teacher at Bronx International High School; athlete, content creator, journalist, teacher trainer, and curriculum writer; and graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy in Development Administration, a Doctor of Education in Educational Management, and a Post-Doctorate in Strategic Management and Leadership.

In the Book of Galatians, the main theme is that salvation and spiritual growth come through Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection, not by following all those laws, rules, and regulations.

Paul understood all the rules and regulations of the Jewish religion. He lived that way for many years, but when he came to Christ, his life changed.

In Galatians 2:19-21: “For when I tried to keep the law – I stopped trying to meet all its requirements – so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not treat God’s grace as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.”

Religion tells us that to be right with God, we need to DO. Jesus says being right with God is DONE. Jesus paid the entire price for our salvation and spiritual growth, so it is finished! My goal is not to DO things to please God, but to have faith in Jesus and live under God’s grace. If I could be good enough, then why would Christ have to die on the Cross?

I do not do things to get right with God; when Christ lives in me, I grow, serve, love, give, and minister to others because of His love for me! People need to be made right with God, and only Jesus Christ can do that. We must tell people about His amazing grace, which can save us and change the destiny of our lives!

Remember, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” What a miracle that Christ has provided for anyone who calls on the name of the Lord!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at State‎n Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on over 40 years of pastoral experience and significant emotional experiences.

He recently published his new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, which is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.

Real estate in New York and London is rarely just about buying a home. It is about buying into a neighborhood, a lifestyle, a transportation network, a history—and sometimes, a little bit of bragging rights. In both cities, an address can become part of your identity. A Manhattan apartment and a London flat may be separated by 3,500 miles. Still, the psychology behind them is surprisingly familiar: scarcity creates desire, location creates value, and timing can make all the difference.

Walk through Tribeca, SoHo, Greenwich Village or NoHo, and you quickly understand that Manhattan real estate is an exercise in paying for proximity to everything. London has its own aristocracy of addresses: Mayfair, Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Notting Hill. The terminology differs—ZIP code in New York, postcode in London—but the principle is remarkably similar. Buyers aren’t merely asking how many bedrooms a property has. They’re asking what the address says about where they belong.

Manhattan remains the heavyweight when it comes to America’s most expensive urban real estate. By 2026, Manhattan’s median listing price is around $1.33 million, although that number tells only part of the story. In trophy neighborhoods, prices can climb dramatically higher. Tribeca, for example, sits in a completely different price universe, with median listing prices approaching $5 million in recent market data.

London’s prime market, meanwhile, has had a more complicated journey. Parts of Prime Central London remain well below their previous peaks, creating a market in which buyers can sometimes negotiate from a position of greater strength. Savills has described portions of the prime market as price-sensitive, an environment that can reward buyers willing to look beyond the excitement of the moment and concentrate on fundamentals.

Then comes the subject that makes practically every New Yorker—and increasingly every Londoner—sit up straight: rent. In New York, renters have discovered that simply having an apartment can be an economic advantage. Asking rents remain extraordinarily high, particularly in Manhattan, where the cost of entering the rental market can rival the mortgage payment in some parts of the country.

London has its own rental pressure cooker. Average private rents in London have reached roughly £2,300 a month, making it England’s most expensive rental region. Yet London’s rental inflation has been considerably slower than in some other parts of the country. That distinction matters: London remains expensive, but the rate at which rents are increasing can be as important as the headline number itself.

Here is where the two cities become especially interesting. Renters are increasingly holding the market together. Across major global cities, rental demand has remained resilient as higher borrowing costs and affordability pressures have encouraged people to postpone buying. The renter, once considered merely a future homeowner, has increasingly become a long-term participant in the real estate economy.

In New York, that creates an unusual phenomenon: the best real estate deal may sometimes be the apartment you already have. Longtime tenants can be paying substantially less than what a comparable apartment would command today. Moving therefore doesn’t simply mean changing neighborhoods—it can mean voluntarily giving up a valuable financial position.

London renters face a related dilemma. Well-located rental properties remain highly desirable, particularly smaller apartments favored by young professionals and students. When supply is limited, tenants can become reluctant to move because finding an equivalent property at the same price can be surprisingly difficult. The rental market, in both cities, has created a new form of loyalty: staying put can be financially rational.

Buying, however, reveals a fascinating difference in market temperament. New York has recently shown renewed competitiveness in certain neighborhoods. A significant share of homes have been selling above their latest asking prices, with Brooklyn demonstrating particularly strong buyer competition. In other words, New York buyers are not always waiting around for sellers to blink.

London offers a somewhat different opportunity. Parts of Prime Central London remain much more negotiable, giving buyers room to challenge asking prices. Sellers who once anchored their expectations to previous market highs increasingly have to confront a more practical question: What will a buyer actually pay today? For patient purchasers, that can create opportunities unavailable in a highly competitive New York submarket.

Taxes, naturally, complicate everything. New York buyers contend with transfer-related expenses, mansion-tax considerations at higher price points, property taxes, and significant carrying costs. London buyers have their own calculation, most notably Stamp Duty Land Tax. For international and high-net-worth purchasers, taxation can influence not just where they buy, but whether they buy at all. In some circumstances, renting can become an attractive alternative to committing substantial capital to a heavily taxed transaction.

And yet, both cities continue to possess something that spreadsheets cannot easily measure: gravity. New York draws people toward Wall Street, Broadway, technology, fashion, media, restaurants and an almost relentless cultural energy. London answers with the City, Westminster, global finance, history, universities, museums and extraordinary international connectivity. People don’t simply move to these cities for housing. They move because the cities themselves generate opportunity.

For investors, therefore, the comparison shouldn’t really be New York versus London. It should be micro-market versus micro-market. A Tribeca condominium is not the same investment proposition as an apartment in Upper Manhattan. A Chelsea townhouse cannot be evaluated the same way as a flat in an outer London borough. Transportation, neighborhood identity, building quality, supply, taxes, rental demand and future development can completely change the equation within just a few subway or Tube stops.

There is also an important lesson for today’s buyer: don’t confuse an expensive address with a good investment. Prestige can create demand, but fundamentals create staying power. A beautiful apartment in a prestigious neighborhood may still be a poor investment if the building has high carrying costs, weak rental demand, or limited resale appeal. Conversely, a less glamorous neighborhood with improving transportation, new development, and growing demand can sometimes offer a more interesting long-term opportunity.

Ultimately, New York and London remind us why real estate remains such a fascinating business. You don’t really buy New York or London. You buy your particular piece of them—a particular building, street, neighborhood, view, commute, and future possibility. The smartest buyers are increasingly asking not merely, “Where is the market going?” but, “What exactly am I buying, what will it cost me to own, and who will want it after me?”

Because whether the sign outside says NYC or London, the fundamental truth remains wonderfully—and sometimes brutally—local. Location isn’t simply everything. It is the investment thesis.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In New York City, Stevenson is affiliated with Howard Hanna Elegran Real Estate as a Real Estate Advisor and licensed Real Estate Salesperson. Stevenson is both a member of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Email him at svderodar@hhnyc.com. Additionally, Stevenson is International Marketing Associate of Ayala Land International Marketing. Ayala Land is the largest property developer in the Philippines with a solid track record in developing large-scale, integrated, mixed-use, sustainable estates that are now thriving economic centers in their respective regions. Email him at derodar.steve@ayalaland-intl.com.

FALGU stands for Financial Assistance to Local Government Units, a funding program under the Philippines’ Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), managed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). In the Philippine House of Representatives, FALGU often becomes a point of discussion during budget deliberations (such as the national appropriations for 2026 and the proposed 2027 national budget) on how lawmakers distribute, monitor, and scrutinize multi-billion-peso lump-sum allocations.

What is FALGU?

Definition: A national budget allocation that provides direct financial assistance to local government units (provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays) for local priority projects.
Covered Projects: Funds infrastructure (roads, bridges, multi-purpose buildings, water systems, evacuation centers), disaster response, agricultural development, ICT projects, and direct assistance for indigent citizens (medical, burial, and food assistance).
Application: LGUs submit requests and track proposals digitally via the DBM’s Ugnayang Budget Portal.
House of Representatives Context & Controversies

Budget Scrutiny: Lawmakers in the House appropriations and budget panels evaluate the release criteria, guidelines, and fund utilization reports.
Transparency and Safeguards: House panels and budget defenders emphasize adding strict criteria, guidelines, and reportorial requirements to monitor how local funds are implemented.
Debates: Minority block members in Congress periodically scrutinize massive lump-sum allocations under FALGU (such as multi-billion-peso proposals), with some critics questioning the oversight and controls surrounding the large funding pools.
Critics and opposition lawmakers frequently compare the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU) to the defunct Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), labeled as the “pork barrel” system.

While the Executive branch and House leadership emphasize that FALGU is legally distinct and heavily monitored, critics draw several core similarities between the two:

1. Lump-Sum Nature and Discretionary Funding

PDAF: Functioned as a massive, pre-allocated lump-sum pool of money in the national budget. Lawmakers possessed post-enactment discretion to dictate exactly where the money went.
FALGU: Critics highlight that it functions similarly as a multi-billion-peso lump sum (ballooning over ₱60 billion in recent budget cycles). Because the exact projects are not fully itemized line by line during initial budget drafting, critics argue it remains highly discretionary.

2. Vehicle for Political Patronage

PDAF: Legislators use it to fund local projects, secure political loyalty, build local influence, and ensure re-election.
FALGU: Opposition lawmakers argue that it is weaponized similarly to “LGU Pork”. They claim national officials or influential lawmakers can strategically direct these massive financial allocations to favored local chief executives (governors and mayors) while bypassing political rivals.

3. Overlapping Project Types

PDAF: Funds went toward small-scale infrastructure (farm-to-market roads, multi-purpose buildings) and “soft” programs like scholarships and medical assistance.

FALGU: The eligible sectors almost perfectly mirror old PDAF menus. FALGU funds local infrastructure like bridges and public buildings, alongside direct financial aid for indigent citizens (medical, burial, and educational assistance).
The Key Difference: How they Legally Diverge

Despite these similarities, the Supreme Court’s landmark Belgica v. Ochoa ruling declared PDAF unconstitutional because it allowed individual lawmakers to intervene after the budget law was passed. To legally circumvent this, FALGU shifts the mechanism:

The Process: Funds are housed under the Executive branch via the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The Rule: Rather than a Congressman issuing a direct command, local government units (LGUs) must officially request funds and prove eligibility through government digital portals. House budget defenders maintain that this institutional process completely separates FALGU from the illegal pork barrel system.

Funds under the executive during the year preceding general elections smell to the high heavens—no genius required here. Proponents set aside all shame and depend on all ‘beneficiary district representatives’ to carry the votes during the House plenary. Hopefully, the Senate does not shirk its constitutional duty and look the other way in exchange for a ‘fair share’ of the bounty. Predictably, FALGU will be declared a successful program in 2027. From Php37B, this number will probably balloon to at least 10X in 2028 – an election year – better be on the good side of those who allocate these funds.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Crispin Fernandez advocates for overseas Filipinos, public health, transformative political change, and patriotic economics. He is also a community organizer, leader, and freelance writer.

How many of us really stress out when we have to take a test? I remember when I went for my driver’s license test, and the officer got into my car. I was so nervous as a 16-year-old that I failed the test because of my nerves. How many of us stress out when we have to go for a physical test and fear the doctors will find something wrong? School tests are stressful.

But how many know that we have spiritual tests as well? Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church in 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.”

Paul writes in this one verse: Examine yourselves, test yourselves, do not fail the test of genuine faith.

How are we doing on the faith test? The only way you can prepare for this test is to be tested in our faith. How many of us want more faith, but we are not passing the test in our daily lives? We must build up our faith before the test. We must believe, trust, and obey what God tells us to do!

Here is the final question of the test: “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.”

Today, help me to be ready for the next test, so that I will have genuine faith in You and in Your Word!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at State‎n Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on over 40 years of pastoral experience and significant emotional experiences.

His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.

Part XXI of “Proactive People Must Protect Own Neighborhood”

The proposals in this series are simple and doable. That is, if and when proactive Californians from cities like in West Covina and Congressional District 44 leaders network first with communities in Coachella Valley. Their respective policy-and-decision makers and the private sector can agree to do — in principle — the suggested viable environmental projects. Then their bipartisan coalition can lead to the founding of public-private partnerships (PPP) and cooperatives (co-ops) to help their constituents pursue the objectives.

Of course, the governor-elect of California and other elected new state officials must sit down in January 2027 with said Coachella-based coalition and other  representatives from interested cities and counties. Then agree to set up an official study group. The proposed building of terraces (for reforestation purposes) in the mountain ranges of Coachella Valley is the first step that said study group may decide as viable. And become the template for similar ventures in other mountain ranges in California and other states.

It is really a very-simple first step of building terraces in the mostly-barren mountain ranges in California, with Coachella Valley as the pilot project. It is simple because mountain tribes in Northern Philippines — with primitive tools — built said terraces to grow rice, vegetables and other crops more-than two millennia ago.

Then said “Coachella Consortium” (tentative name for want of a better term) has modern tools and technology plus funding mechanisms that can help in forming co-ops and PPP entities. Then start to plant trees and cultivate in-between rows of trees root crops, vegetables and forest-fire natural “retardants” such as cacti (like the example of the dragon-fruit cactus). Memorial Trees, as done in Israel, can be planted (with piped-in irrigation) to honor veterans, community leaders and outstanding federal, state, county and city leaders, aside from deserving private citizens and community leaders. Naming rights for Memorial Tree Parks can be major sources of funding for the construction of terraces and other infrastructures. 

Many of the agricultural and pro-environmental proposals have been written in this column. A collection of their URLs is published in a Facebook Group formerly called The Making of the First U.S. Woman President” which is now called The Forgotten Independents. Here is the link to the set of pinned articles under the headlines like “Turning Florida Into a State of the Future” under the URL 

Many of the topics mentioned in this series about The Greening of the U.S.-Mexico Deserts and North-American joint ventures were already published in this column. Written also were suggested crops and trees for the American-Mexican Border that were dubbed the “BAMOS” (acronym for Bamboo, Abaca, Moringa and Other Species). Trees and plants that were successfully cultivated throught out history in Mexico, Central-and-South America — aside from indigenous crops like cacao and avocado etc.

A New York-based publisher, Jobo Elizes, an American of Filipino descent, liked many of the proposals that he turned some of the column articles into three books. The books are available on Amazon and Walmart. They are labelled Mabuhay Writings — Books 2, 3 and 4.” United Nations peacekeepers are on the cover of Book 2. President Joe Biden and then Pope Francis shared the cover photo of Book 3.

And President Biden’s picture is the cover photo of Book 4. It discusses the “Biden Back-to-Basics Doctrine” that includes the greening of the American-Mexican deserts, the combined sizes of which are bigger than the State of California; the tapping of the waters of Mississippi River to provide water for irrigation, instead of just emptying into the sea. The cleaned waters of Old Man River can replenish drying aquifers in the Great Plains and in the Western states like Arizona, Nevada and of course the Colorado River that empties into California and Mexico. Sadly, this book author thinks that Press Office of The White House never forwarded to then President Biden even executive summaries of this columnist’s suggestions that were published in the Philippine Daily Mirror starting in December 2020, when he was just the president-elect. 

What purpose do pain and problems serve? What do they do in us and through us? What can we learn from life’s painful times?

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Pain is a part of life! Problems are part of life! No one is exempt from them. We cannot hide from them, avoid them, and run from them. So what are we going to do?

There are lessons that we can learn in the painful times of life:

#1. I am weak! We need to humble ourselves and realize that we are human and we feel the pain of our problems! When pain comes our way, we realize we are weak, human, and feel the hurt. Pain teaches us to humble ourselves before the Lord. “If we humble ourselves, then He will lift us up.”

#2. I need strength to face the pain! We can run from the pain; we can rebel against the painful times of life. But instead, we need strength that can help us face the pain that we are experiencing right now. Remember: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I need His presence to be able to get through the pain that I am facing!

#3. I can praise the Lord in the middle of the pain! Because I know the Lord is growing me to be more like Him when I respond to life’s painful situations! James 1: 2- 4: “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

Lord, help me to learn that You are strengthening me in the times of pain in my life! You never left me alone or let me be on my own, but You are there, carrying me through life’s painful situations!

Thank You, Lord, for Your strength today!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at State‎n Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on over 40 years of pastoral experience and significant emotional experiences.

His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.

October arrives softly.
In New York and perhaps elsewhere in the region, the warm evenings linger just long enough to make you forget that the cold is coming. The air thins, the sky lowers, and the trees begin their slow burn toward gold. It’s a month that invites reflection — a pause between the urgency of summer and the obligations of winter. Americans often treat October as the unofficial beginning of the season of remembrance, a time when the country prepares for Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and the holidays that follow.

For Filipino Americans, this seasonal shift carries deeper resonance. October is Filipino American History Month, a moment to honor the stories, struggles, and triumphs of a community that has been part of the American narrative for more than four centuries. The month’s mood — reflective, transitional, quietly powerful—mirrors the journey of Filipino Americans themselves.

And perhaps that is why October feels like the right place to begin telling our story again each year: not with fireworks or fanfare, but with a steady, grounded remembrance of who we are and how we arrived here.

Why October Matters
Filipino American History Month traces its origins to the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), which designated October to mark the arrival of the first Filipinos in what is now the United States. In October 1587, a landing party of “Luzones Indios” stepped onto the shores of Morro Bay, California. Their presence—quiet, uncelebrated, nearly forgotten—mirrors how Filipino Americans would continue to enter American life for centuries: steadily, humbly, and with profound impact.

Today, more than 4.2 million Filipino Americans call the United States home. They are nurses, teachers, engineers, artists, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. They are veterans who fought in America’s wars, youth who are reshaping the country’s cultural landscape, and elders who carry memories of migration, sacrifice, and resilience.

October gives us the space to honor these lives — not as footnotes in American history, but as central threads in its fabric.

The Stories We Carry Into Autumn
If one theme deserves emphasis this year, it is this: Filipino American History Month is not only about the past — it is about the people living its legacy right now. The stories we carry into autumn are not abstract. They are personal, lived, and unfolding in real time.

Consider the Filipino nurses who have become the backbone of American healthcare. Their presence is so strong that in some hospitals, Tagalog and Ilocano echo through hallways as naturally as English. Their service — often quiet, often unseen — has saved countless American lives. In many ways, they embody October’s spirit: steady, dependable, and deeply rooted in care.

Or think of the Filipino American veterans who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. Many fought under the American flag long before they were recognized as citizens. Their courage, like the turning leaves, reminds us that sacrifice is both beautiful and costly.

And then there are the youth—the Fil-Am students, organizers, creators, and innovators redefining what it means to be Filipino American. They are building community centers, launching cultural programs, producing films, writing books, and shaping civic conversations. Their work is not nostalgic; it is forward-looking. They carry the season’s energy of transition and renewal.

These stories — of service, sacrifice, creativity, and leadership — are the heartbeat of Fil-Am History Month. They remind us that history is not only what happened, but what continues to happen because people keep showing up.

A Month of Reflection and Responsibility
Fil-Am History Month is a celebration, yes — but it is also a responsibility. It calls us to document our stories, preserve our heritage, and uplift voices long overlooked. It urges us to teach our children where they come from, to honor our elders, and to recognize the ways Filipino Americans have shaped this country’s past and present.

As communities across the nation fight to preserve their histories, Filipino Americans must keep asserting their place in the American narrative. Not with anger, but with clarity. Not with division, but with pride. Not with nostalgia alone, but with a commitment to building something lasting for the generations that follow.

October gives us the perfect backdrop for this work. Its quietness invites reflection. Its beauty invites gratitude. Its turning invites action.

The Season of Remembering
As the leaves begin to fall and the evenings grow cooler, Filipino Americans across the country gather — in classrooms, community centers, churches, living rooms, and digital spaces — to celebrate who they are. They share stories, cook meals, sing songs, honor ancestors, and lift one another.

This is the season of remembering.
For Filipino Americans, remembering is an act of love.

Filipino American History Month is not just a commemoration. It reminds us that our stories matter—in October and every month of the year.

October arrives with a quiet shift — warm evenings giving way to crisp air, neighborhoods slowing just enough for people to look around and take stock of what matters. For Filipino Americans, this month carries a deeper civic meaning. Filipino American History Month is not only a celebration of heritage; it reminds us of our responsibility to show up.

Filipino Americans have been part of the American story for more than four centuries, yet our civic presence remains quieter than our numbers suggest. We are 4.2 million strong, one of the largest Asian American communities in the nation, but our visibility in public life often lags behind our contributions. October invites us to confront that gap honestly.

This month is not simply about remembering the past. It is about deciding who we want to be in the present — and what kind of future we intend to shape.

A Legacy Rooted in Service

Filipino Americans have long been woven into the civic fabric of the United States. We are nurses anchoring hospitals, teachers guiding classrooms, veterans who served under the American flag, caregivers sustaining families, and entrepreneurs strengthening local economies. Our service is deep, consistent, and indispensable.

But service alone does not guarantee visibility. Too often, Filipino Americans are praised for their work ethic but overlooked in public discourse. We are thanked for our contributions but not invited into decision‑making spaces. We are present everywhere — except where policies are shaped, budgets are decided, and narratives are written.

Fil-Am History Month reminds us that civic leadership is not a luxury. It is a legacy our elders carried — a legacy of resilience, responsibility, and quiet but powerful influence.

A Community That Shows Up: The Little Manila Cleanup

If Filipino Americans ever needed proof that civic engagement is alive and growing, they found it on Roosevelt Avenue this October. More than 200 volunteers — families, youth, seniors, workers, organizers — gathered for the 4th Annual Little Manila Community Cleanup in Woodside, collecting over 400 pounds of trash and debris in a single morning.

It was not a festival. It was not a parade. It was civic leadership in its purest form: people showing up for their neighborhood.

Assemblymember Steven Raga called it “a reflection of the pride and spirit of service that defines this community.” NaFFAA New York President Rachelle Ocampo said the turnout showed “the strength of our community in action.” And longtime Woodside organizations echoed the same message: Filipino Americans are not only celebrating history — they are shaping it.

The cleanup was more than sanitation. It was a declaration of presence. It reminded us that civic engagement begins with the simple act of caring for shared spaces. And it demonstrated what happens when Filipino Americans step forward together: the neighborhood changes, and so does the narrative.

The Stories We Carry Into Civic Life

The Little Manila Cleanup is only one example — but it is emblematic of a larger truth. Filipino American civic leadership is emerging in classrooms, community boards, advocacy groups, small businesses, and public offices across the country. We see Fil-Am youth leading voter registration drives, seniors attending community meetings, nurses advocating for healthcare equity, and artists shaping cultural conversations.

These stories — of service, sacrifice, creativity, and leadership — are the heartbeat of Fil-Am History Month. They remind us that history is not only what happened, but what continues to happen because people keep showing up.

Yet these leaders often rise without the community’s full support. Many Filipino Americans remain hesitant to engage, unsure if their voices matter or reluctant to enter spaces where they feel invisible. But visibility is not granted — it is claimed. And claiming it requires participation.

A Call to Action: Show Up, Speak Up, Stand Together

This October, the call to action is clear: Filipino Americans must engage — visibly, consistently, and collectively. Civic leadership is not limited to elected office. It includes every act of participation:

• Attending community meetings
• Supporting Fil-Am leaders and organizations
• Voting in local and national elections
• Advocating for issues that affect our families
• Mentoring youth who aspire to lead
• Speaking up when our community is overlooked

Leadership is not a title. It is a habit. And habits begin with showing up — just as volunteers did in Little Manila.

Fil-Am History Month is not only a celebration of who we have been — it is a declaration of who we intend to become. A community that is present. A community that is heard. A community that leads.

The Future We Build Together

As autumn deepens and the evenings grow cooler, Filipino Americans across the country gather to honor their heritage. But this year, let October be more than remembrance. Let it be a turning point.

We have the numbers. We have the history. We have the talent. We have the stories. What we need now is the collective will to lead.

Filipino American History Month reminds us that our voices matter—not only in cultural celebrations, but in the civic life of the nation we call home. Our community’s future depends on our willingness to step forward.

This is the season of remembering. And remembering, for Filipino Americans, must also be an act of leadership.