As the air crackles with anger, with the righteous fury of a people tired of broken promises and whispered deals in dimly lit rooms. It’s a feeling you can taste in the streets, a feeling that fuels the calls for President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Duterte to step down. And in the heart of it all, stands Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David during the Trillion Peso March, a shepherd of souls, offering not a rallying cry for immediate revolution, but a hand outstretched, urging caution and a path less travelled.

It’s easy to dismiss the Cardinal’s stance as being out of touch, as clinging to a system that many feel has already failed them. But look closer, and you see not complacency, but a deep, abiding love for the Philippines, a love that compels the Cardinal to ask the hard questions, the ones that whisper of unintended consequences and the fragility of democracy.

Imagine the power vacuum, the sudden jolt to a nation already teetering. Can we truly be certain that what follows will be better? Can we guarantee that the forces that rise to fill the void will be driven by a genuine desire for justice, or by the same hunger for power that plagues the present? These are the questions that keep Cardinal David up at night, the questions that shape the Cardinal’s calculated, yet unwavering, stance.

The Cardinal sees the fiery passion of those demanding immediate change, the Cardinal hears their cries for justice, and the Cardinal understands the depth of their pain. But the Cardinal also sees the ghosts of history, the specter of good intentions paved with unforeseen consequences, leading to a road even darker than the one they seek to escape.

The Cardinal speaks not as a politician, hungry for power, but as a pastor, concerned for his flock. The Cardinal is apprehensive and cautious at the thought of a military junta, even one draped in the robes of religious leaders. The Cardinal’s faith teaches the Cardinal that true power lies not in the sword, but in the quiet strength of the human spirit, in the unwavering pursuit of justice through peaceful means.

The Cardinal’s is a plea for patience, not apathy, hope not rage. A call for dialogue, not division. The Cardinal knows the road ahead will be long and arduous, filled with setbacks and compromises. But the Cardinal believes, with every fiber of the Cardinal’s being, that lasting change can only be built on a foundation of democratic principles, on a commitment to peaceful solutions, and on a unwavering faith in the power of the Filipino people to build a better future, together.

So, before we rush to tear down the house, brick by painful brick, perhaps we should pause, listen to the voice of the shepherd, and ask ourselves: are we truly ready for what comes next? And are we willing to commit to the long, hard work of nation building? something stronger, something more accountable, transparent and just? A good and trustworthy government that will truly endure? Because the future of the Philippines depends not just on our anger, but on our wisdom, our patience, and our unwavering commitment to building a better tomorrow, together.

With connectivity now as vital as electricity and water, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) strengthen collaboration with government and industry partners to accelerate the rollout of digital infrastructure across the Philippines.

In partnership with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), National Electrification Administration (NEA), and tower companies, PLDT and Smart recently hosted a forum at their Mandaluyong office to discuss Executive Order No. 32 (EO 32) and other policies aimed at streamlining network deployment.

ARTA Director General Ernesto V. Perez and PLDT Chief Operating Officer Menardo G. Jimenez led the discussions, urging both public and private sectors to leverage regulatory reforms to boost connectivity.

“We already have the laws and policies that can empower us to deliver better service,” said Perez. “What we need now is stronger enforcement and collaboration. The time to act is now.”

“Connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity,” added Jimenez. “EO 32 enables us to act decisively while remaining compliant. We’ll use this framework to enhance the services Filipinos truly need.”

Signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2023, EO 32 streamlines the permitting process for constructing and maintaining telecommunications infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Smart’s VP and Head of Joint Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Atty. Pamela B. Felizarta pointed out that PLDT Group has already ongoing collaboration with ARTA and other agencies that helped foster an innovation-friendly regulatory environment.

“Since 2019, we’ve worked with government and industry partners to encourage innovation, accelerate rollout, and remove unnecessary barriers to service delivery,” Felizarta said.

More than 300 participants joined the event onsite and online, highlighting broad support for unified efforts to improve digital access nationwide.

PLDT and Smart’s continued advocacy for streamlined processes and harmonized regulations reinforces their commitment to digital transformation and inclusive connectivity helping bridge socioeconomic divides and build a more future-ready Philippines.

At the helm of Gen4Juan are Chairman Peter Eric Pardo and Vice Chairman Adrian Reyes, whose shared leadership and commitment to nation-building have laid the foundation for this multi-sectoral endeavor.

“Gen4Juan is a generational call to action,” said Chairman Pardo during the launch. “It’s a reminder that each “Juan” has a role in restoring dignity, nurturing values, and advancing the common good—especially in times of great societal need.”

With a mission to empower a new generation of KaJuans, Gen4Juan is grounded in four pillars and advocacies:

• Church – Strengthening faith-based involvement in community development
• Environment – Promoting stewardship and sustainable practices
• Young Juans – Equipping young leaders through mentorship, formation, and advocacy
• Elder Juans – Honoring and supporting senior citizens through care and companionship initiatives

Vice Chairman Reyes emphasized the intergenerational aspect of the project: “This is an inter-generational movement by the people and for the people—connecting the wisdom of the past with the energy of the present. Through unity, we can create a future that reflects our highest values as a nation.”

According to its Marketing Director, Gel Gomez, the launch marks the beginning of collaborative programs that include environmental clean-ups, intergenerational mentorship forums, youth leadership summits, and parish-based outreach for senior citizens. These will be rolled out in key cities and provinces in the coming months, in partnership with churches, civic organizations, schools, and local government units.

Gen4Juan invites individuals, institutions, and communities to join in building a movement where faith meets action, and where every generation has a voice and a mission.

The launch features Gen4Juan’s pilot project called SaveThySoles that aims to raise funds for black leader shoes to be given to around 400 youth for their schools and church services. Parish Churches from Cavite, Naga, Paranaque, and Pasay are among the beneficiaries.

**National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Parish, Paranaque

    Mary Immaculate Parish, Paranaque

    Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish, Pasay

    Mary Immaculate Parish, Salawag, Dasmarinas Cavite

    Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Carolina, Naga

Some notable partners who were present during the launching were H.E. Melvin Castelino, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation and Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Joseph and Jill Ang of Worldbex Services International, SM Cares Engr. Bien Mateo, and priests from various parishes among others.

Gen4Juan cannot succeed with the effort of just one soul. It is composed of a bunch of great Juans whose souls are so willing not just to give, but to share, not just to serve, but to love. Our friendship and our common desire to help is what brought all of us together. We wish to humbly offer our time, talent, and yes even our meager treasures, our own share of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and allow God’s miracle to happen. We want to bring all our networks in, our friends, and friends of friends, and direct this common kindness and generosity to love and charity.

Board of Directors led by Chairperson and Executive Director Peter Eric Pardo, the team includes Adrian Joseph Reyes CPA, Vice Chairman; Michelle Talavera Pardo, Corporate Secretary; Maila De Leon, Program Director; Mildred Laygo, Fundraising and Partnership Director; Ross Ann Dalida, Creatives and Content Director; Gabrilelle Salvador-Digital and Social Media Director;  Gel Gomez and Che Tolosa-Marketing Directors.

Together, they turn passion into purpose—making this vision a collective success.

Board of Trustees; Daryl Aloya; Robert A. Guillermo; Leonora Mangahas MosquedaMaria Patricia Prahinog, Prof. John Carlo Perez, RSW, LPT, MSSW, Xenia Grace D. Lim

Collaborators; Jomar B. Soriano, Renalyn A. Gomez, Mary Ann G. Guillermo, Ella “Mickey” Alfaro, Jaisa P. Candelaria-Abante, Isabella Generol, Gwenn Serino, Marcial J. Samarista III, Roger John Smith

Ysabella Minette Manzanilla and Hailey Zariya Cardenas, Little Juan.