By Johanna Bogbog

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving” – Psalm 95.2

Cyprus is among the most blessed nations that Pope Benedict XVI had chosen to visit. Thus, it is just proper to be grateful. Not all countries is given the chance to be visited by God’s representative.

On 15 January 1995, Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines and held mass at the Luneta Park to about 4-5 million people who paid him homage, the largest papal crowd ever. According to some people who had been fortunate to attend that mass, they had experienced a very strange feeling when the Pope passed by near them. The Pope had exuded an eternal aura, and they felt as if they had been lifted up from where they were sitting. In his visit, he championed the cause of the youth and this act had awakened the importance of developing the potentials of the young people. And despite his attempted assasination and his sickness, he had projected a serenity from within. So much so that even long after he returned to Vatican City, and even after he died, people still remember and admire him.

Now, his successsor, Pope Benedict XVI is another stalwart icon of christianity and he has been chosen well.

But what is really a Pope? I asked some people what they think about a Pope and about the coming of this particular Pope, but I was so disappointed because I only received a casual answer of “the head of the catholic church”, and “he comes to visit cyprus”. This only means that most people only see the Pope as just a mere head of a church. Who the Pope is and what or whom he represents is not known to a lot of people.

The Pope, being the leader of the Catholic church, is most revered by all members. And I must say that it should not ony be Catholics but all Christians should recognize what a Pope stands for. The Lord Jesus Christ had personally established this Christian leadership when He appointed Peter as head through His very own words: “Peter, you are the Rock, and on this Rock, I will build my church”. Thus, Peter is recognized as the first Pope and the other apostles as the first bishops.

History points out how Peter and the other apostles had established Christianity until Peter was persecuted in Rome during the time of King Nero. Hence, the name of the first church – Roman Catholic – because Christianity was first started in Rome. This is also the reason why the Holy See / Papacy is in Rome because the seat of Christianity is Rome.

Hierarchy in any organization is very crucial in establishing an orderly line of authority, accountability, and responsibility. Jesus Christ, who is the wisest leader, did not just leave His apostles without anybody to guide them. He has already seen the rivalry among His apostles and the self-interests of the others, that’s why He appointed Peter as their leader.

God became man through His son Jesus christ who lived among men. He died but rose again to show us that there is life after death. He returned to His Father but He did not leave us unatttended. He gave us Peter and the other apostles. Today, we have their successors, the Pope and the bishops.

Let us welcome Pope Benedict XVI and uphold what he represents.

This airy cake is free of fat but tastes heavenly, especially with a fruity accompaniment.

12 – Eggs whites, 1 1/2 tsp – Cream of tartar, 1 1/2 cups – Sugar, divided, 1 1/2 tsp – Vanilla, 1 cup – Sifted cake flour, 1/4 tsp – Salt, Fruit or frosting, optional

Oven Temp ~ Preheat ovenIn large bowl, using a mixer beat egg whites with cream of tartar and vanilla at high speed until foamy. Add 3/4 cup of the sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are glossy and stand in soft peaks.

Sift together flour, remaining sugar and salt. Sift about 1/2 cup of the flour mixture over whites and gently fold just until flour disappears. Repeat, folding in remaining flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time. Pour into ungreased 10 x 3 3/4-inch Angel Food pan. Gently cut through batter with metal spatula.

Bake in preheated oven until top springs back when lightly touched with finger. Invert cake in pan on funnel or bottle neck. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.

With narrow spatula or knife, loosen cake from pan and gently shake onto serving plate.

Serve with strawberries (see below) and whipped cream.

Omit almond extract and increase vanilla to 2 teaspoons. Reduce flour to 2/3 cup and sift in 1/3 cup Cocoa Powder. Prepare batter and bake as above.

Tips:

(Source: http://www.recipes4cakes.com)

2. Slice some fresh strawberries with a little bit of brown sugar (approx. 1 tbsp) and a splash of orange liqueur (approx. 1-2 tbsp), keep refrigerated until ready to use.

375°, Cake Baking Time ~ 30 – 40 minutes, Pan Type ~ 10 x 3 3/4-inch (Angel Food cake pan)1. Make sure that the bowl you will use for beating the egg whites and the cake pan do not contain traces of any kind of fat (butter or oil), wipe it clean with white vinegar on a kitchen paper.

( Bato-Bato sa Langit Adventures…)

By Ate Syl – Aglantzia

 Myla is a typical Ilocana. She’s neither that pretty nor that ugly. She doesn’t look her age at 38, stands about 5′1″ on her shapely body with brown sleek skin. She seems to be taking life seriously here in Cyprus for the sake of her children. Like many of us, Sunday is a very special day for Myla. This is the only day where she could relax, unwind the pressures from work at her employer’s house. In short, this is the only day where she could walk free, simply just be by herself. After six long and laborious days in a week, Myla just can’t wait for Sunday to come. By Saturday afternoon she was already cramming to iron out the remaining washed clothes of her Dame Merin so that she can also iron hers, a set of light brown cotton top and trousers make her even look younger and smart. She would pair it with a choco brown sandals. But before she could finally rest to bed, she has to text Carla and Susan where and what time they would meet tomorrow morning. They need to pay 10 and 5 respectively for the pasa load that she passed on their mobile phones five days ago. And she also has to remind Vilma to bring the two pocketbooks that she borrowed t he previous Sunday.

Last Friday was payday (end of the month), Liza must have to pay the 100 that she loaned a month ago including the 10 o/o interest. And yes, she also has to check her two grown up children in the Philippines to know how they are doing. Myla, assured that she’ll send them PHP10,000 as soon as she collects her salary. As she closed her eyes for the night, her mobile phone rung. Joyce, who got a Bangladeshi boyfriend, was inviting her to her birthday party tomorrow at 4pm in her flat. She politely declined. She just wanted to avoid going to such gathering thinking that there maybe other male guests who just out hunting for a girlfriend. No, partying just doesn’t sink in to her systems. Wearing a brown fendi shades, a black D and G ( both cheapy imitations) hung on her right shoulder and shopping bag full of pocketbooks on the other hand, she greeted Gina already sitting on the bench waiting for bus 55 to arrive in ten minutes. Myla have not seen Gina’s close friend Lorna for sometime now, so she asked where she must have been. Mr. Sotiri, the dumped former boyfriend of Lorna, was a 68 year old taxi driver, and is now the current boyfriend of Bridget, another friends of theirs. Bridget must have thought that Mr. Sotiri was still seing Lorna while she’s at work, and so to revenge, she reported her to the immigration. Lorna is now in the Philippines since six months ago.

The church was almost full when Myla arrived. She preferred to stand at the back right end side of the pews so that she could easily sneak out anytime. She ran her eyes through the head sitted in front of her hoping to spot even one or two girls from among those who she needed to collect money from. “SIYA NA NAMAN”! the girl right to her blurted out as she saw the middle- aged short lady climbed up for the first reading. She almost could not be seen anymore as she stands behind the lectern and yet she’s always there every single Mass on every single Sunday. It’s always a delight to listen to Fr. Andrew. He tries to incorporate the gospel with the day – to – day life events in his homily. Just anyone could relate to what he is saying, then cracks his signature wacky giggle “hi.hi.hi..aha!”

Myla clinched her way out just before the final hymn was sung. Then she positioned herself at the corner after ordering a plate of pansit and a tin of coke at Philcy, at half past eleven for lunch and for a short rest of sort. She only had a cup of coffee this morning. Leafing through her notebook of accounts, there are still 3 girls to chase up on telecards for a total of 25 before she could call it a day. Later, she will be joining her cousin at the internet cafe for about an hour before heading straight to Solomous Square to get the 5:20 bus to Latsia. Mr. Christos opened after she rang the bell. His crimpy greying hair shows his age of 57. Dame Merin and daughter were out to a friend’s tea party. Myla headed to check if the kitchen needed some tidying before settling herself in her bedroom. Haayy!! Thank God it’s Sunday, she sighed as she flattened her back on the bed. Tomorrow will again be another day.